Distinction of Houses

Distinction of Houses

Distinction of Houses, Differences, Brizures, or Marks of Cadency. Are used to distinguish the younger from the elder branches of a family, and to show from what line each is descended.

Thus in Modern Heraldry the Eldest son.during his Father's lifetime, bears a Label, the second a Crescent, the third a Mullet, the fourth a Martlet, etc. See P. 46.

These distinctions are placed in the shield atthe middle chief, or in a quarterly coat at the fess point. See term Cadency.

In the case of the Royal Family, eachmember bears the Label, extending across the shield ; the points of which are variously charged, and are borne on the crest and supporters. P. 19. f. 40 to 45, and P. 25a, f. 1 and 2.