Bendlet

Bendlet

Bendlet: a diminutive of the bend, nominally half the width of that ordinary, though often much narrower. In old French rolls there does not seem to be any distinction, as frequently two and three 'bends' are blazoned as on the shield. According to Guillim, a single bendlet should be placed as in the sketch in the margin, which position, however, is not observed in practice. A bendlet azure over a coat was of old frequently used as a mark of cadency. It appears sometimes to be called a garter, and by Planché a 'cotice single,' (which cannot be).

Argent, a bendlet gules--BOTRINGHAM, Another branch bears three bendlets.

Or, two bendlets azure--DOYLEY, Oxfordshire.

Argent, a bendlet gules; over all a cross or--GALLWAY, Ireland.

Bendlets are occasionally enhanced or placed in chief sinister. They are also subject to the same variations as the bend, both as to margin and as to charges.

Argent, three bendlets enhanced gules--BYRON, co. York.

Argent, two bendlets, one enhanced, the other in base azure; over all a saltire gules--DORIEN.

Or, three bendlets enhanced gules--GRYLLS, Cornwall.

Gules, three bendlets enhanced or--GREILEY[or Gresley], Lord of Manchester. [Also City of MANCHESTER.]

Argent, three bendlets crenellé sable--H. DE COSTELLO, Bp. of Hereford, 1504.

Gules, on two bendlets or, six fleur-de-lis vert--DRAPER.

Sir Walter de FRENES, de goules a ij bendes endentes de or et de azure, le un en le autre--Roll, temp. EDW. II.

There are cases where the word 'baston' is used for 'bendlet,' e.g. in the arms of SEGRAVE. The glass existing in Dorchester Abbey Church, Oxon, exhibits the ancient drawing of the 'baston' of the roll, which may well be contemporary with the glass.

Sire Henri de SEGRAVE, de sable, a un lion rampand de argent[corone de or] e un baston de goules--Roll, temp. ED. II.

Argent, Robert de WELLE, d'argent ov deux bastons(=bendlets) de goules besante d'or. Roll, temp. HEN. III.