18 
INTRODUCTION. 
lions painted on the banner of Richard the 
First were taken for leopards. 
“ Tu vedi ben quella bandiera grande 
Ch’ insieme pou le jiordiligi e i pardi.” 
Orland. Fur. Cant. x. st. 76. 
“ Yon ensign view, where waving in the wind 
Appear the fleur-de-lys and leopards join’d.” 
This verse alluded to the shield of Richard the 
First, which was suspended in the hall of the 
Knights Templars at Paris. Again it is thus 
mentioned in the romance of Richard “ Coeur 
de Lyon.” 
“ Upon his shoulders a scheld of stele 
With the lybbardes painted wele.” 
Heraldic emblems were used in this country 
as long back as the year 1189, they were 
generally painted on a small shield and worn 
fastened to the belt. During feasts, and other 
pacific solemnities, the shield of each knight 
was suspended behind him. 
“ The scheldys hanginge on the hookes.” 
Lydgate. 
