[Ill.u.s.tration: Fess]
Ex. Argent, a fess gules.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fess Point.]
FESS POINT. The exact centre of the escutcheon, as seen in the annexed example. See the escutcheon lettered at p. 6., where this point is marked with the letter E. [CHAP. II.]
FIELD. The whole surface of the shield or escutcheon: it is the ground upon which the colours, tinctures, furs, ordinaries, and charges, are represented.
FIGURED. Those bearings which are depicted with a human face, are said to be figured.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Figured]
Ex. Gules, three bezants figured.
FILLET. The only diminutive belonging to the chief; its width is one-fourth of the chief, and is always placed at the base of it. See CHIEF, p. 18. [CHAP. IV.]
FIMBRIATED. An ordinary having a border of a different tincture is said to be fimbriated.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fimbriated]
Ex. Azure, a bend gules, fimbriated argent.
FITCHY. Is from the French word _fiche_, fixed. It is generally applied to crosses which have their lower branch pointed, so that it could be fixed in the ground. See CROSS FITCHY.
FLANCHES. Are formed of two curved lines placed opposite each other.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Flanche]
Ex. Azure, a flanche argent.
FLANK. That part of an escutcheon between the chief and the base.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Flank]
Ex. Argent, three mullets gules, accompanied with seven cross crosslets fitchy sable--three in chief, one in fess, two in flanks, one in base.
FLASQUES. A subordinate ordinary formed by curved lines placed opposite each other, but not so near as in flanches.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Flasque]
Ex. Azure, a flasque argent.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fleur-de-lis.]
FLEUR-DE-LIS. Supposed to represent the garden-lily. It is the bearing of the Bourbons of France, but is frequently introduced in English charges.
FLORY. Signifies flowered or adorned with the fleur-de-lis. See FLORY COUNTER-FLORY, and CROSS-FLORY.
FRET. Two laths interlaced with a mascle.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fret]
Ex. Azure, a fret argent.
FRETTY. This word denotes a field covered with fretwork or laths interlacing each other.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fretty]
Ex. Gules, fretty argent.
THE FUSIL. Is longer than the lozenge: the upper and lower ends are more acute.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Fusil]
Ex. Or, a fusil purpure.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Galley.]
GALLEY. An ancient vessel propelled by oars; frequently used in shields of naval officers.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Gambe.]
GAMBE. An obsolete French word, signifying a leg, and is still used in Heraldry, for the leg of a lion or other creature borne in coats of arms.
GARBE. The heraldic term for a sheaf of any kind of corn.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Garbe]
Ex. Argent, a garbe proper.
GARTER. One of the diminutives of the bend, being half the size.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Garter]
Ex. Or, a garter vert.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Garter.]
GARTER. The insignia of the most n.o.ble order of the knights of the garter. It is formed of blue velvet edged with gold wire, and lined with white satin; on the velvet is embroidered the motto of the order.
See KNIGHT.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Gauntlet.]
GAUNTLET. Armour for the hand.
GAZE. An intent look. This is said of a deer standing still, and turning its head to look earnestly at any object.