English heraldry. With 450 illus. drawn and engraved on wood by R.B. Utting.

GLOSSARY OF TITLES, NAMES, AND TERMS. I35
Dacre escallop and the famous "ragged staff" of
Beauchamp and Neville: No. 235.
Label. A narrow ribbon placed across the field of a shield
near the chief, and having three, five, or sometimes
other numbers of points depending from it, its object
being to mark Cadency. In the early Labels the number
of the points was arbitrary, the usual numbers being
five and three; and, subsequently, three points were
almost universally used; the object always was to
render the Label conspicuous. In blazon a Label is
supposed to have three points; but, if more, the number
is to be specified; thus, No. 27I is simply "a Label,"
but No. 272 is " a Label of five points." Labels appear
Labels.-No. 271. No. 272. No. 273.
early in the thirteenth century, and in the next century
they are in constant use. Various charges may be
placed on the "points" of Labels to extend their
capacity for " differencing." Since the time of EDWARD
the BLACK PRINCE the Label of the PRINCE OF WALES
has been plain silver. The Label is almost exclusively
(now without any exception) used in
Royal Cadency; but, in modern
Heraldry, in the case of all other
persons it is the peculiar mark of the
eldest son. The Label is borne as a
charge. It has become a usage in the
degenerate days of Heraldry to represent the Label as in No. 273, instead NO. 274.-Lacy Knot.
of the earlier and far preferable forms of Nos. 271, 272.
Lacy Knot. No. 274.