Portcullis

Portcullis

Portcullis, or Portquilice, (fr. coulesse and herse, also sarrasine): a frame of wood strengthened and spiked with iron, used for the defence of the gate of a castle. It occurs as a badge of the house of Tudor in allusion to their descent from the Beaufort family. The illustration is taken from the east window of the Chapel founded by the king at Westminster. Besides being borne separately it is often referred to in the descriptive details of the castle, q.v.

Argent, a portcullis sable, chains azure--REIGNOLD, or REYNOLDS, Devon.

Argent, a portcullis gules, chains azure--Burgh of ABERBROTHOCK, Scotland.

Ermine, on a chief azure three portcullises lined and ringed or--SNAPPE, Standlake, co. Oxford.

Or, a fesse embattled between three portcullises gules--YETTS, Teviotdale, Scotland.

[Portcullises are borne by the Society of TRADESMEN and ARTIFICERS; by LANGMAN, York Herald, temp. 2nd Elizabeth; and by the families of PORT, co. Dorset, O'GRADY, Viscount GUILLAMORE, LUDGATE, JURY, REEVES, Somerset, WINDYGATE, WINZIET, WINGATES, NEWMAN, and the Borough of HARWICK.]

Portcullis: the name of one of the pursuivants. See Herald.