Inverted shield

From Cunnan
Revision as of 16:51, 25 July 2004 by Conrad Leviston (talk | contribs) (typo)
Jump to navigationJump to search

In heraldry the inverted shield has the distinction of being the only abatement of arms with recorded use. It was reserved for those found guilty of treason. Before execution the condemned's arms were displayed upside down. After the execution these arms would be subsequently stricken from the records entirely.