te
sanguine.

DUKE. The highest degree of British peerage next to the prince of
Wales. This title is derived from the Latin word _dux_: the title of
Duke was known in other parts of Europe long before it was introduced
into England. The first person that was created a duke in this country
was Edward the Black Prince, who was created duke of Cornwall by his
father Edward the third. The title has since that time belonged to the
first born son of the monarch of England. A duke formerly possessed
great authority over the province that formed his dukedom, and had
large estates annexed to his title to support its dignity. At the
present time dukes are created by patent, and their dukedom is merely
nominal, neither power nor possessions being annexed to the title.

EAGLE. _Aquila_ in Ornithology. In Heraldry the eagle is accounted
one of the most noble bearings, and ought to be given only to such as
greatly excel in the virtues of generosity and courage, or for having
done some singular service to their sovereign.

EAGLET is a diminutive of eagle, properly signifying a young eagle.
In Heraldry, when several eagles are on the same escutcheon, they are
termed eaglets.

EARL. The third degree of British peerage. Under the Danish and Saxon
kings this was the highest title known in England conferred upon a
subject. It was formerly the custom upon creating an earl to assign
him, for the support of his state, the third penny from the fines and
profits of the sheriff's court, issuing out of the pleas of the shire
whence the earl took his title; as, formerly, there was no count or
earl but had a county or shire for his earldom. When the number of
earls was increased, they took their titles from towns and villages.
An earl is now created by patent.

EARL-MARSHAL OF ENGLAND. A very ancient, and formerly a very
important, officer, who had several courts under his jurisdiction, as
the Court of Chivalry, the Court of Honour. He still presides over the
Heralds' College, and nominally over the Marshalsea Court. The title
of Earl Marshal of England is now, and has been for some ages,
hereditary in the noble family of the Howards.

EASTERN CROWN. A crown with rays proceeding from a circle, called
by heralds an Eastern crown, is found in ancient achievements. The
annexed cut shows its form.

[Illustration: Eastern Crown]

EMBATTLED. A line, formed like the battlements on a wall or tower, is
said to be embattled or crenelle. When the l