The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-03

an crest LOT their SILVER Didle,
may set their minds at ease. 1t is just
an affair OF taste, on a par with the
detail whether you shall barb your
dragons tail, as in the Temple Bar
specimen, or leave II unadorned, or
make him spit flames or pitchforks. But
in other respects liberties are not per-
mitted, and, least of ALL with the Red
Dragon OF Wales, which as pedigree
stock raisers phrase 1t, runs true to
type"
Although an unfamiliar creature to
the present generation. the Red ORA
gon has never ceased to boast an Off
cial existence. 1t was Henry VII who
Grated the Office of Rouge Dragon, one
of the four Pursuivants, who, with the
three Kings at Arms and the six her.
aids, make up the thirteen members
of the College Of Arms. Significance
attaches to the number thirteen, not
lin the superstitious sense, but recall
ing the semi-religious character of the
foundation which originally based us
membership on the number of Apostles,
with Christ at their head. The insti-
tuition of Rouge Dragon was intended
to be in honor of the Kings Welsh de-
scent. Al the same time the heraldic
device was made one of the support
ers of the royal arms. 1t ceased TO
be used with the Tudors. The Stuarts
to commemorate the union between
England and Scotland. substituted the
Unicorn, and Red Dragon became sim
ply a badge very seldom displayed.
Since James the arms have been UNI
changed.
Probably the nursery doggerel, The
Lion and the Unicorn fighting for the
Crown" dates to the Georges, when
the crown was made very much larger
and the arms and garter smaller. which
gave the effect of the crown being the
chief object between the rampant anil
mails. The Red Dragon now to be add
ed to the Prince OF Wales armorial
bearings will be used on all occasions
OF great state, as part of the achieve
ment, figuring upon the panels or ms
royal highness' carriage, for example,
at the coronation. II will be placed
above the royal arms, as badge, on
the sinister side or to the right of the
royal crest. as helr-apparent which
will be in the center; with the badge
Of the plume of ostrich feathers on
the dexter side. This Is no place for
the four Welsh lions, which figure
sometimes on coats Of arms. but not
with any regal association The Red
Dragon, in heraldic language. Is on a
mount VERT. e., green mound, pro-
viding something for the beast to stand
upon. but meaning nothing.
AS to the remainder OF the technical
scription-"passan gules, differenced
Gas I'm the cresD with a label of three
points argent" this may be translated
walking, three feet on the ground. in
profile. painted in scarlet, the most
honorable heraldic color. signifying
valour, justice and veneration; hence
given to Kings and Princes The
three points OF silver, or cadency label,
81 h. III naalf n tho
mark of distinction appertaining to the
eldest son OF the sovereign.
A drawing in the British Museum Of
the quartered banner Of Henry VII,
shows the red dragon quartered with
other badges. and rampant, bearing
closer resemblance to the city dragon
than the dragon PEASANT. 1t was not
quartered with the royal arms. Upon
this point IL is not generally known
that the heralds alone are entitled TO
wear the royal arms. The royal
badges are worn lby others--the Yeo-
men OF the Guard. for example. have
the Tudor rose. The herald comes as
a man Of peace. the representative of
the sovereign, attended by trumpeter.
and unarmed, except for a polntless
sword. II Is. perhaps, necessary TO
dwell upon this detail, as In SPLEEN
did revival OF Henry v" at the
Lyceum, by Mr.. Lewis Waller. Mont
Joy coming 20 the English camp at
Agincourt to ask of King Harry. in
sore straits, whether he will make
terms, was accompanied by half
dozen armed knights. Their presence
added to the effectiveness OF the stage
picture. but Shakespeare did not put
II In the siege directions, and the man
who retires saying TO the King, Thou
never shall hear herald any more"
should have been quite alone One
may be sure that no mistakes will be
made OF the kind In connection with
the coronation for the Duke OF Nor
folk as Earl Marshal Is head of the
Heralds' College.