Billet

Billet

Billet, (fr. billette): a small oblong figure. In architecture blocks of a similar shape bear this name, and are frequent in Ionic and Corinthian, and are continued Norman, mouldings; but while they are in architecture either exact square or else cylindrical, in heraldry they are brick-shaped, and should be drawn twice as long as wide. The theory that it was meant to represent a written letter(i.e. modern French 'billet') will scarcely bear examination. The term rarely appears in ancient rolls as a separate charge, but often under the term billette.

Or, three billets gules--MERLING.

Gules, ten billets, 4, 3, 2, and 1 or, within a bordure engrailed argent, charged with ten torteaux--SALTER.

Monsire Bartholomew GABRIEL, or, a vi billetts sable--Roll, temp. ED. III.

They are not always straight-sided, being sometimes raguled, and this possibly illustrates the original meaning, namely, that they were blocks of wood cut with the bill, or woodman's axe. An example of a carved stone billet also occurs.

Argent, a billet, raguled and trunked sable, inflamed in three places proper--BILLETTES.

Argent, three stone billets carved gules--BILLERBERG.