Mascle

Mascle

Mascle, (fr. macle): a lozenge voided: indeed in a roll temp. Henry III. they are blazoned as faux lozenges. Mascles are supposed to represent the links which composed chain armour. When the mascles touch each other, as shewn in the engraving annexed, they should(now) be blazoned as conjoined. Mascles so arranged generally extend to the edges of the escutcheon, nearly so. The first three examples shew the variation of blazon for the same arms.

Le Conte de WINCHESTER, de goules a six mascles d'or voydes du champ--Roll, temp. HEN. III.

Le Comte de WINCHESTER, de goules poudre a faux losenges d'or--Another Roll, temp. HEN. III.

Le Counte de WINCESTRE, de goules a vii lozenges d'or--Roll, temp. ED. II.

Gules, seven mascles conjoined, 3, 3, 1, or--Roger DE QUINCY, Earl of Winton.

Sir Johan de GYSE, de goules a vi mascles de veer e un quarter de or--Roll, temp. ED. II.

Azure, on a fesse argent, between three mascles or, as many cinquefoils of the first--PURVIS, Suffolk[Comptroller of the Navy, 1735].