Part 26 (1/2)

The stag, using the term in its generic sense, under the various names of stag, deer, buck, roebuck, hart, doe, hind, reindeer, springbok, and other varieties, is constantly met with in British armory, as well as in that of other countries.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 379.--Stag lodged.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 380.--Stag trippant.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 381.--Stag courant.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 382.--Stag springing.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 383.--Stag at gaze.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 384.--Stag statant.]

In the specialised varieties, such as the springbok and the reindeer, naturally an attempt is made to follow the natural animal in its salient peculiarities, but as to the remainder, heraldry knows little if any distinction after the following has been properly observed. The stag, which is really the male red deer, has horns which are branched with pointed branches from the bottom to the top; but a buck, which is the fallow deer, has broad and flat palmated horns. Anything in the nature of a stag must be subject to the following terms. If lying down it is termed ”lodged” (Fig.

379), if walking it is termed ”trippant” (Fig. 380), if running it is termed ”courant” (Fig. 381), or ”at speed” or ”in full chase.” It is termed ”salient” when springing (Fig. 382), though the term ”springing” is sometimes employed, and it is said to be ”at gaze” when statant with the head turned to face the spectator (Fig. 383); but it should be noted that a stag may also be ”statant” (Fig. 384); and it is not ”at gaze” unless the head is turned round. {209} When it is necessary owing to a difference of tincture or for other reasons to refer to the horns, a stag or buck is described as ”attired” of such and such a colour, whereas bulls, rams, and goats are said to be ”armed.”

When the stag is said to be attired of ten or any other number of tynes, it means that there are so many points to its horns. Like other cloven-footed animals, the stag can be unguled of a different colour.

The stag's head is very frequently met with, but it will be almost more frequently found as a stag's head caboshed (Fig. 385). In these cases the head is represented affronte and removed close behind the ears, so that no part of the neck is visible. The stag's head caboshed occurs in the arms of Cavendish and Stanley, and also in the arms of Legge, Earl of Dartmouth.

Figs. 386 and 387 are examples of other heads.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 385.--Stag's head caboshed.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 386.--Stag's head erased.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 387.--Buck's head couped.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 388.--Hind.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 389.--Reindeer.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 390.--Winged stag rampant.]

The attires of a stag are to be found either singly (as in the arms of Boyle) or in the form of a pair attached to the scalp. The crest of Jeune affords an instance of a scalp. The hind or doe (Fig. 388) is sometimes met with, as in the crest of Hatton, whilst a hind's head is the crest of Conran.

The reindeer (Fig. 389) is less usual, but reindeer heads will be found in the arms of Fellows. It, however, appears as a supporter for {210} several English peers. Winged stags (Fig. 390) were the supporters of De Carteret, Earls of Granville, and ”a demi-winged stag gules, collared argent,” is the crest of Fox of Coalbrookdale, co. Salop.

Much akin to the stag is the antelope, which, unless specified to be an _heraldic_ antelope, or found in a very old coat, is usually represented in the natural form of the animal, and subject to the foregoing rules.

_Heraldic Antelope._--This animal (Figs. 391, 392, and 393) is found in English heraldry more frequently as a supporter than as a charge. As an instance, however, of the latter form may be mentioned the family of Dighton (Lincolns.h.i.+re): ”Per pale argent and gules, an heraldic antelope pa.s.sant counterchanged.” It bears little if any relation to the real animal, though there can be but small doubt that the earliest forms originated in an attempt to represent an antelope or an ibex. Since, however, heraldry has found a use for the real antelope, it has been necessary to distinguish it from the creations of the early armorists, which are now known as heraldic antelopes. Examples will be found in the supporters of Lord Carew, in the crest of Moresby, and of Bagnall.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 391.--Heraldic antelope statant.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 392.--The heraldic antelope rampant.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 393.--Heraldic antelope pa.s.sant.]

The difference chiefly consists in the curious head and horns and in the tail, the heraldic antelope being an heraldic tiger, with the feet and legs similar to those of a deer, and with two straight serrated horns.

_Ibex._--This is another form of the natural antelope, but with two saw-edged horns projecting from the forehead.