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Portcullis - Law Dictionary Search Results

Home Dictionary Name: portcullis

Herse

A kind of gate or portcullis having iron bars like a harrow studded with iron spikes It is hung above gateways so that it may be quickly lowered to impede the advance of an enemy...


Portcluse

A portcullis...


Portcullis

A grating of iron or of timbers pointed with iron hung over the gateway of a fortress to be let down to prevent the entrance of an enemy...


Sarrasin

A portcullis or herse...


Herald

Herald [fr. here, Sax., an army, and heald, a champion; herault, heraut, Fr.; herald, Ger.; araldo, Ital.; because it was part of his office to charge or challenge unto battle or combat], an officer who registers genealogies, adjusts ensigns armorial, regulates funerals, and carries messages between princes, and proclaims war and peace. Heralds were anciently called Dukes at Arms, probably from the Latin ducere ad arma; because the conducting of affairs concerning peace and war devolved upon them, their office being to carry messages to the enemy, and to proclaim war and peace. Hence the persons of heralds were deemed sacred by the law of nations, and were received and protected by belligerent powers, as flags of truce are in the present day. The three chief heralds are called Kings of Arms; of whom (1) Garter is the principal, instituted by Henry V. His office is to attend the Knights of the Garter at their solemnities, and to marshal the funerals of the nobility. (2) Clarencieux King...


Poursuivant

Poursuivant, a king's messenger; those employed in martial causes were called Poursuivants-at-Arms.There are, at present, in the Heralds' Office four poursuivants, distinguished by the names following:-(1) Rouge Croix.--Instituted at an uncertain period, but generally considered to be the most ancient. The title was doubtless derived from the cross of St. George.(2) Blue Mantle..--An office instituted by Edward III. or Henry V., and named either in allusion to the colour of the arms of France or to that of the robes of the Order of the Garter.(3) Rouge Dragon.--This poursuivancy was founded by Henry VII. on the day before his coronation, the name being derived from the ensign of his ancestor, Cadwaladyr. He also assumed a red dragon as the dexter supporter of his arms.(4) Portcullis.--This office was instituted by the same monarch, from one of whose badges the title was derived. See HERALD. As to the office of Paurguivant of the Great seal, ss. 37 & 38, Vict. C. 81....


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