INTRODUCTION. 
17 
Poetical fiction makes the use of heraldic 
ensigns of greater antiquity than the globe 
itself. 
“ He from the glittering staff unfurl’d 
Th’ imperial ensign, streaming to the wind. 
With gems and golden lustre rich emblaz’d, 
Seraphick arms and trophies.” 
Paradise Post. 
That the use of heraldic emblems greatly in¬ 
creased throughout Europe during the crusades 
is generally known, and where, as a flattering 
badge, every private soldier wore a cross of 
red stuff sewed to his surcoat, from which cir¬ 
cumstance these romantic wars were called 
crusades, from croisades. Achievements were 
also painted on the outer tunic or coat, and 
from this custom originated the term “ coat of 
arms.” But the rudeness of the delineation 
of the artists of those days frequently caused 
the representation to be misconceived, even the 
fleur-de-lys has often been taken for trefoil, 
and sometimes drawn as a spear’s head. The 
