Motto: Difference between revisions
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A motto is a short saying of around four words or less, which appears below a [[device]]. Historically, mottos were usually in [[Latin]], though they were often in [[French]]. In Scottish heraldry the motto appears above the device and were more frequently in English. |
A '''motto''' is a short saying of around four words or less, which appears below a [[device]]. Historically, mottos were usually in [[Latin]], though they were often in [[French]]. In [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[heraldry]] the motto appears above the device and were more frequently in [[England|English]]. |
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Some mottos are derived from war cries, some from the device of the heraldry itself, some from the name of the bearer (eg ''per se valens'' for Perceval), but usually they are just pithy sayings. Mottoes may be changed by the bearer of the arms, but they are commonly carried through many generations. |
Some mottos are derived from [[war]] cries, some from the device of the heraldry itself, some from the name of the bearer (eg ''per se valens'' for [[Perceval]]), but usually they are just pithy sayings. Mottoes may be changed by the bearer of the [[arms]], but they are commonly carried through many generations. |
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Some notable mottos are |
Some notable mottos are |
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* [[Shakespeare]]: Non sans droit (not without right) |
* [[Shakespeare]]: Non sans droit (not without right) |
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* Wallace: Hold fast |
* [[William Wallace|Wallace]]: Hold fast |
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* [[England]]: Dieu et mon droit (god and my right) |
* [[England]]: Dieu et mon droit (god and my right) |
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== SCA Mottos== |
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Mottos have no official place in SCA [[heraldry]], but are often included on [[peer|peerage]] [[scroll]]s. |
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Mottos have no official place in [[SCA]] [[heraldry]], but are often included on [[peer|peerage]] [[scroll]]s. Humour can sometimes play a major role in choosing the words, as the use of a foreign [[language]] can hide the true meaning. The language may even be badly written (especially bad [[Latin]]) for the sake of the humour. |
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''[Example anyone?]'' |
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Revision as of 14:27, 29 October 2004
A motto is a short saying of around four words or less, which appears below a device. Historically, mottos were usually in Latin, though they were often in French. In Scottish heraldry the motto appears above the device and were more frequently in English.
Some mottos are derived from war cries, some from the device of the heraldry itself, some from the name of the bearer (eg per se valens for Perceval), but usually they are just pithy sayings. Mottoes may be changed by the bearer of the arms, but they are commonly carried through many generations.
Some notable mottos are
- Shakespeare: Non sans droit (not without right)
- Wallace: Hold fast
- England: Dieu et mon droit (god and my right)
SCA Mottos
Mottos have no official place in SCA heraldry, but are often included on peerage scrolls. Humour can sometimes play a major role in choosing the words, as the use of a foreign language can hide the true meaning. The language may even be badly written (especially bad Latin) for the sake of the humour. [Example anyone?]
