invent some sign, so that the degree
of consanguinity might be known. These signs are called DIFFERENCES.
During the Crusades the only difference consisted in the bordure or
border, which, as the name implies, was a border or edging running
round the edge of the shield. The colour and form of this border
served to distinguish the leaders of the different bands that served
under one duke or chieftain. The same difference might be used to
denote a diversity between particular persons descended from one
family. At the present time they are not used to denote a difference,
but as one of the ordinaries to a coat of arms. The annexed example
exhibits the arms of the Monastery of Bermondsey. Party per pale,
azure and gules; a bordure, argent. This bordure is plain; but they
may be formed by any of the foregoing lines.

[Illustration: Monastery of Bermondsey arms.]

[Illustration: or, a bordure engrailed, gules]

The annexed example is or, a bordure engrailed, gules.

The differences used by armorists at the present time are nine in
number. They not only distinguish the sons of one family, but also
denote the subordinate degrees in each house.

The Heir, or first son, the LABEL

[Illustration: Label]

Second Son, the CRESCENT

[Illustration: Crescent]

Third Son, the MULLET

[Illustration: Mullet]

Fourth Son, the MARTLET

[Illustration: Martlet]

Fifth Son, the ANNULET

[Illustration: Annulet]

Sixth Son, the FLEUR-DE-LIS

[Illustration: Fleur-de-Lis]

Seventh Son, the ROSE

[Illustration: Rose]

Eighth Son, the CROSS MOLINE

[Illustration: Cross Moline]

Ninth Son, the DOUBLE QUATREFOIL

[Illustration: Double Quatrefoil]

Should either of the nine brothers have male children, the eldest
child would place the label on the difference that distinguished his
father; the second son would place the crescent upon it; the third the
mullet; continuing the same order for as many sons as he may have.

The label only, is used in the arms of the royal family as a
difference; but the points of the label are charged with different
figures to distinguish the second and succeeding sons. The arms of the
sons of King George III. were thus distinguished: the shield of the
arms of the Prince of Wales by a label; the Duke of York's by the
label, the centre point of which was charged with a red cross; that
of the Duke of Clarence by a label, the dexter and sinister points
of which were charged with an anchor, the