Whale

Whale

Whale, (fr. baleine): this mammal was considered as one of the great fish of the see, but so far as has been observed, it rarely occurs beyond the arms of the families of WHALLEY, and the insignia of the Abbey of that name.

The head is represented as in the margin, but the French heralds are said to draw it with teeth gules, and to blazon the animal as fierté. The head occurs also as a crest.

Gules, three whales haurient or, in the mouth of each a crosier[otherwise vorant as many crosiers] of the last--WHALLEY ABBEY, co. Lancaster[founded 1309].

Ermine, on a bend sable three whale's heads erased or--WHALLEY.

Argent, three whale's heads erased and erect or--WHALLEY.

Or, two bars wavy, and in chief three whale's heads erect and erased sable--COLBECK, co. Bedford.

Per pale azure and purpure, three whale's heads erased or, each ingulphant of a spear-head argent--Sir Hugh VAUGHAN, Littleton, Middlesex[temp. HEN. VIII.]