n the regulation of tournaments. Some days prior to the tournament
taking place, each knight desirous of entering the lists was required
to hang up his shield, upon which his arms were emblazoned, at
the place appointed by the prince or nobleman that proclaimed the
tournament, that they might be examined by the heralds, to prevent
unqualified persons entering the lists. Each shield thus exhibited
was guarded or supported by the servants of the knight to whom it
belonged, and to disguise their livery these guardians of the shield
assumed the appearance of savages, Moors, lions, griffins, and various
other animals.

In after times, on the creation of a peer, the Heralds selected the
supporters they deemed most appropriate, having some allusion either
to the deeds, name, title, arms, or motto of the newly-created peer.

SURMOUNTED. A figure or bearing having another over it.

[Illustration: Surmounted]

Ex. Gules, a sword erect in pale, argent, surmounted by two keys,
saltier, or.

SURTOUT. The French word for "over all." See ESCUTCHEON OF PRETENCE
and OVER ALL.

TALBOT. A dog formerly used for hunting. It is formed something
between a hound and a beagle, with a large snout, and long, round,
thick ears.

[Illustration: Talbot]

Ex. Argent, a talbot's head erased, seme of billets.

TENNE, or TAWNEY. One of the tinctures used in emblazoning arms. It
signifies orange colour, and is represented in engraving by lines
drawn diagonally from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield,
traversed by perpendicular lines from the base to the chief.

[Illustration: Tiara]

TIARA. The Pope's mitre, with its triple crowns.

TINCTURE. A term used in Heraldry to express colour.

TOPAZ. The name of a precious stone, formerly used instead of or, in
emblazoning the arms of the English nobility.

TORTEAUX. Red roundlets.

[Illustration: Torteaux]

Ex. Argent, three torteaux in bend, sinister.

TOURNAMENTS were combats of honour, in which persons of noble birth
entered the lists to gain reputation in feats of arms. The name is
derived from _tourner_, to turn, from the horsemen turning frequently
as they rode round the enclosure, and during the course of the
engagement. The design of tournaments was to train the nobility to
the use of arms; none, therefore, were admitted to these sports but
persons of noble birth, who could prove their descent, at least, by
three generations. They were also required to be men of unspott