Heraldry, the art or science of genealogy and armorial bearings, was mainly the outcome of the love of outward distinction which prevailed in medieval times. "Heraldry," says Stubbs, "became a handmaid of chivalry, and the marshalling of badges, crests, coat-armour, pennons, helmets, and other devices of distinction, grew into an important branch of knowledge."

The shield, or escutcheon, is the ground upon which armorial signs are traced, the colour of the shield being called the tincture, the signs recorded as the charges.

There are seven tinctures--or (gold), argent (silver), gules (red), azure (blue), vert (green), purpure (purple), and sable (black).

The charges are classed as "Honourable" and "Sub-ordinate" ordinaries, comprising lines and geometrical forms; and "Common" ordinaries, which latter includes all representations of natural objects.

There is also a system of external signs, such as crowns, coronets, mitres, helmets, mantlings, wreaths, and crests, each having its distinctive signficance.

A hatchment, in heraldry, is a square board, in vertical diagonal position, placed outside a house or on the tomb at the death of a member of a family and so arranged that it indicates the sex and condition of the deceased.

Badges are a part of heraldry, and in early times usually bore some allusion to the wearer's name or office, or some incident in his career, and were worn by retainers as a kind of livery. Distinctive badges are worn by officers of every rank in the Navy and Army.