Calvary

Calvary Cross

§15. Cross Calvary, (fr. cr. de Calvaire): is a long cross or Latin cross(that is with the lower limb longer than the other three, and raised upon three steps). It has been poetically said that the three steps are symbolical of the three Christian graces, Faith, Hope, and Charity, and it is suggested by theoretical writers that the bearer took the arms in consequence of having erected such a cross at Rome. It is also sometimes called a Holy cross.

Ermine, on a canton vert a cross calvary on three grieces or--QUAILE.

Quarterly or and azure, over all a cross calvary on three grieces or steps sable fimbriated of the first--LENTON Priory, Notts.

Argent, a cross calvary gules; on a chief azure five bezants--Stephen WESTON, Bp. of Exeter, 1724-42.

Argent, a long cross gules on a grice of three steps, the upper one azure, the second as the cross, and the undermost sable--ALMEARS or ALMEERS.

Ermine, on a pale between two roses gules a cross calvary argent--MOYSE.

Azure, a passion cross standing on a Catherine wheel argent--Augustinian Nunnery at FLIXTON, Suffolk.

Argent, a holy cross sable--ANWICKE.

The Passion Cross, or Long Cross(fr. haute croix), resembles the true Latin cross in form, but seldom occurs except when it is raised on three steps, and it is then called a Cross Calvary. See also Crucifix.

Barry of five argent and gules, over all a long cross(sometimes called a crosier) in bend sinister or--Gilbertine Priory at SEMPRINGHAM, Lincoln.

A long cross mounted on three degrees ensigned on the top with a fleur-de-lis; on each side the cross as escutcheon; therein a chief and two chevrons--On seal of the Borough of HEYTESBURY, Wilts.

But the steps or degrees, or grieces(spelt also grices), as they are variously termed, are sometimes referred to apart from the Cross of Calvary, and the term graded or degraded is employed. Consequently a cross degraded(fr. à degrés, and sometimes enserrée de degrés and peronnée) and conjoined signifies a plain cross, having its extremities placed upon steps joined to the sides of the shield. The number of the steps should be mentioned, as it is often four, and sometimes as many as eight.