Page 118 - Canadian Dominion Directory 1871 - Partie 1-fusionné

points) or the eldest grand-son (fivc who, hding two empty spaces on
points) and used thus during the either side of the armorial bearjngs
on the seal 6iied it with two animals
1
lifetime of the armiger.
l
or mythologicd beasts.
Supporters are said to have been
14. The RoundIe (q.~.).
introduced during the reign of
15. Annulet. 1s simply a ring and Edward III but there is no actual
may be used singly, in multiples and certainty of their use prjor to the
time of Henry VI.
on occasions interlacecl.
Supporters arc now reslricted to
Sun - Generally borne in his splen- the following classes of armiger :
l
dour but may be rising, setting
or issuing from clouds.
1. Peers of the realm. The sup-
porters descend with the peerage.
Sunborst - The name given 10 This does not, of course, apply to
several rays of the sun issuing €rom life peers. Spiritual peers do not
I
a cloud.
use supporters.
2. Knights of the Garter, the
Thistle and St. Patrick and Knights
Grand Cross or Knights Grand
Cornmanders of other orders.
3. County, City and Borougb
Councils and certain Corporations.
Though a grant of supportcrs to
these bodies is not compulsory. It
depends entirely wheîhet or not
they are prepared to pay for thern.
Sunburst
4. A few baronets and private
Supporters - The origin of suppor- individuals who have for some
ters is obscure. One idea is that they reason been granted supporters in
were derived from the early prac- the past.
tice of a knight sending two of his
There have been many differenr
retainers
dressed
in
costumes supporters used in the Royal arms
resembling animals or rnythological untif the arriva1 of the Iion and the
beasts, etc. to the tournament field unicorn which were first used diir-
and there to support his shield, ing the time of the Stuarts.
prepared to receive challenges, £rom
orller kniglits. This practice must Henry VI -
have added greatly to the general Two antelopes argent
gala atrnosphere of a -tournament A lion and an anteiope.
and it was possible for a knight Edward IV -
who did not distinguish himself in A lion and a hart both argent.
the actuaI fighting to become the A lion Or and a bu11 sable.
talk of the tournament by the wit Two lions argent.
lie displayed in dressing his sup- Edward V -
porters. A lion and a hart both argent
The other and less romantic possi- the latter gorged and chained
bility is ascribed to the seal makers Or.