Herald - An officer whose duties, among other things, consist of deciding on the proper badges or coat armor of the nobility; to grant, record and blazon arms; record genealogies, etc. The three principal English heralds are called Kings-of-Arms (or king-at-arms). The principal herald of Scotland is called Lyon King-of-Arms; of Ireland, Ulster King-of-Arms. The Lancaster herald is inspector of regimental colors.
Heraldic - (her-al'-dic) Of or pertaining to heralds or heraldry.
Heraldical - Heraldic.
Heraldically - In a heraldic manner; according to the rules of heraldry.
Heraldry - The art or science of blazoning or describing in proper terms coats of arms. It treats also of the history and meaning of armorial bearings, rules governing their use and transmission, and their connection with titular rank, family dignities and genealogies.
Herald's College - [See COLLEGE OF ARMS.]
Heraldship - The office or dignity of a herald.
Heurt - [See HURT.]
Herisson - (her'-is-son) A hedgehog.
Heron - The heron is found in early coats of arms, being one of the few birds entitled to this distinction. The family of Heron of Chipchase and Ford, according to the roll of Henry III, bore "Gules, three herons argent."
Herring - The fish is seen in the roll of Edward II.
Hirondelle - A Swallow.
Honor point - The point immediately above the center of the shield, dividing the upper portion into two equal parts.
Hood - The binding cap on the head of a hawk (in falconry) to make him sit quietly on his perch.
Hooded - Applied to a hawk or other bird of prey when borne with a hood over its head.
Horned - Applied to animals represented with horns of a different color from the animal itself, or from the proper color of the horns. For instance, a bull with red horns would be described as horned gules.
Horse - The horse does not appear in early examples of heraldry, although the winged horse is seen as the badge of the Order of the Temple. A bay horse is known as a bayard, while the grey horse is a liard. When the horse is displayed caparisoned; when in the field, he is free.
Horseshoe - Sometimes used as a bearing, one of the earliest examples being that of William de Ferrars, sixth earl of Derby. (Also called fer de cheval.)
Humet - [See HUMETTEE.]
Humettee - (hu-met'-tay) Said of an ordinary when cut off, or couped, so that its extremities do not reach the sides of the shield.
Hunting horn - A bearing representing the bugle used in the chase.
Hurst - A charge representing a small group of trees, generally borne upon a mount or base.
Hurt - A roundel tinctured azure; a blue ring. Some claim that it represents a wound or hurt, while others say it is a representation of the hurtleberry. [See also ROUNDEL.]
Hurty - Sown with hurts; a field covered with hurts, without regard to number.
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