ARMORIAL BEARINGS.]

MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS.

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The preceding observations relate to the paternal or personal Arms of aKnight of an Order; but they also apply to any Quarterings to which he maybe entitled. A totally different rule, however, is observed respecting the Armsof his Wife, which, in ordinary cases, are either Impaled with those of herhusband, or if she be an heiress or co-heiress, are placed in the centre of hisShield, on what is termed, an Escutcheon of Pretence. It is said, that theWife’s Arms cannot be surrounded with the Ensign of her husband’s Order ofKnighthood, for though he may give her his equal half of the escutcheonand hereditary honour, yet he cannot share his temporary Order of Knighthoodwith her.

The present custom, and which has existed for a considerable period, is,to place the Arms of Wives, whose Husbands’ Arms are surrounded by the

Collar or Circle of an Order of Knight-hood, in a separate Shield, wherein herArms are Impaled with his own, unlessshe be an heiress or co-heiress, in whichcase her Arms are placed on his, in theseparate shield, on an escutcheon of pre-tence. The example in the annexed illus-tration, represents the Achievement of aKnight of the Thistle, whose Shield issurrounded by the Collar of that Order(without the Circle and Motto, whichmay, however, be introduced or omitted), and of his Wife; the wreath roundthe second Shield being merely for effect.

The Wife of a Knight of an Order uses the same Arms as her Husband,

together with his Supporters, but withoutthe Helmet and Crest; and his Widowdoes the same, except that the ImpaledCoats are placed in a Lozenge instead ofa Shield. The illustration is that of theArms of the Widow of a Knight of Saint

Patrick, the Lady being an heiress orco-heiress. The Collar may, however, beintroduced round the Shield, as well asthe Circle and Motto.

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