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Achievement The complete armorial display of arms including the shield, crest, helmet, and other ornaments.
Armiger One who bears arms by lawful authority.
Armigerous Having the right to bear arms.
Armorial Concerned with armory.
Badge An identify device based on a coat-of-arms.
Bearing Any device or figure on a shield. It can also mean coat-of-arms.
Blazon A verbal or written description of (armorial bearings) a coat-of-arms.
Cadency A means of distinguishing by change (or bearing) the members of a family who are entitled to the same coat-of-arms.
Charge A simple pictorial design appearing on the shield or another charge.
Coat-of-Arms Representation in pictorial form of the principal armorial bearings to which an armiger is entitled.
Compartment The base on which the supporters stand.
Coronet a ceremonial cap or crown worn by degrees of nobility below the King.
Court-of-Arms The ruling authority of the Office of Arms consisting of the Lord of Arms, Officers of Arms, and such nobleman as appointed by the Earl for official councils.
Crest A three dimensional device mounted on the helmet and so depicted in a coat-of-arms together with the wreath and mantling.
Device An emblem, figure, or design on a shield.
Dexter The right side of an achievement, as would be the man behind the shield. To the observer it would be the left side.
Emblazon The act of painting an achievement.
Field The surface of a shield or armorial flag on which charges are placed. Also, the surfaces of the charges themselves.
Grant of Arms The bestowal (or issuance) of a coat-of-arms by proper authority (Office of Arms).
Helmet A defensive weapon which shields the head and neck of the wearer. In an achievement it is placed above the coat-of-arms and is the true mark of a knight.
Heraldry All that is associated with coat-of-arms and the duties of Heralds.
Letters Patent The official document describing the details of an achievement given by grant to an armiger.
Lord of Arms The principal heraldic authority.
Mantling A protective cloth affixed to the helmet flowing around and behind the shield.
Motto A battle cry or inspirational saying written on a ribbon-like scroll and usually placed beneath the coat-of-arms.
Office of Arms A special heraldic legislative body whose duty it is to supervise the bearing and granting of arms.
Ordinary Principal charges consisting primarily of bars, bands, and stripes which occupy about one third of the shield.
Pennon A small flag born by the knight at the end of his lance.
Roll of Arms Any collection or record of coat-of-arms whether written in the language of heraldry (blazon) painted or tricked on drawings, listings, or even carvings of shields.
Shield A weapon of defense carried on the arm to deflect the blows of an enemys weapon, and a means of displaying armorial devices. The essential and central element in a coat-of-arms.
Sinister The left side of an achievement, as would be viewed by the man behind the shield. To observer, it would be the right side.
Subordinary Geometric shapes subordinate to the ordinary.
Supporters Figures used to hold up a shield.
Surcoat A garment worn on top of the armor.
Tinctures Heraldic colors, metals or furs.
Torse See wreath.
Trick A sketch of armorial bearings in which abbreviations and numbers or letters are substituted for tinctures and charges.
Wreath A band of twisted strands of material worn about the helmet as decoration or to conceal the base of the crest. Also called the torse.