Two Question on Differencing

[Cygnus]

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2. Do you have a copy of Scots Heraldry, by Sir Thomas Innes of Learney? Of course you should!

It has been added to the list!

Hmm. This is a bit of a head scratcher, but I suspect that the answer is probably "yes" and "no". With respect to the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom the white label would be used. However, with respect to the Royal Arms of Scotland, I note that HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesy and Lord of the Isles, displays a blue label of three points (at least on his banner). This leads me to believe, and I could very well be wrong, that Lyon follows the normal practice of choosing a colour (or metal) that will be easily seen on the field, and which follows the usual hierarchy of yellow, white, red, blue, etc. Now it very well may be that he skips white out of respect for the Royal tradition, but I couldn't say so with any authority. However, since Gayre-- a real stickler for heraldic exactitude-- refers to this as an English custom (without mention of a similar Scottish heraldic practice) I suspect white may be used, as in the examples you posted.

That's good to know.

A quick count shows that my "working heraldic library" runs to about fifty volumes... just on the subject of heraldry. Here's my pick for ten books you might want to read:

1. The Art of Heraldry by Arthur Fox-Davies (a go to "standard work" on the subject)
2. Simple Heraldry by (Sir) Iain Moncreiff (of that Ilk) and Don Pottinger (the primer for Scottish heraldry)
3. Scottish Heraldry by Mark Dennis (the perfect follow-on to Moncrieff and Pottenger's excellent book)
4. A New Dictionary of Heraldry by Stephen Friar (exactly what it says it is, a well illustrated dictionary)
5. Basic Heraldry by Stephen Friar and John Ferguson (heraldry, but more from an English perspective)
6. The Complete Book of Heraldry by Stephen Slater (an international history of heraldry-- excellent)
7. Heraldic Cadency by Gayre of Gayre and Nigg (which you have)
8. The Nature of Arms by Gayre of Gayre and Nigg (excellent)
9. Heraldic Standards by Gayre of Gayre and Nigg (outstanding)
10. The Pursuivant of Arms by Planche (one of the "classic" tomes on heraldry)

Hope that rounds out your Christmas list!

It does indeed! Thank you!

The top bar of a lable of three, five, or seven points should extend from one side of the shield to the other. If it is cut off on either side of the points it become a "file" which is used to indicate a senior line passed over in favour of a junior line. (Files are usually depicted has having their points "dovetailed", while labels have longer, straight sided points.)

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I actually noticed that Gayre stated as much in his book, my assumption that the file and the label were interchangeable came from some examples I'd seen where it had been used in this way (such as Romilly Squire of Rubislaw's book plate).

Thanks again for all of your assistance, Scott and Sandy!