Page 395 - J. C. Turner - History and Science of Knots

Heraldic Knots 389

([1], #521). A similar series of knots is based on the Overhand Knot [11],
giving (46, 47, 49); the `vowed embowed' knot. [3] is shown in (53, 54), and is a
Double Overhand Knot ([1], #516). Sometimes, the serpent's body is simply
twisted (48).
Occasionally, two serpents are shown `tails knit together' [3]; various knots
seem to be used; that in (55) looks as if it might have been intended for a Reef
Knot or a Granny; the 1571 arms of Gonville and Caius College (Cambridge)
have simple turns only [15].
Rarely, eels are shown in similar positions. But the more interesting
heraldic objects are animals, most commonly either lions or wyverns (two-
legged winged dragons), which may have their tails `nowed'. These knotted
forms appear more frequently as supporters than as charges or crests, but all
applications are found. The thin tails of lions are usually tied in a Figure Eight
(Fig. 1, 8), the thicker tails of wyverns in Overhands (Fig. 1, 12), or just given
a turn or two. A particularly interesting example is seen in the supporters of
the arms of the City of Dundee [15], which the 1673 blazon says are dragons
(four-legged, winged), though wyverns are often seen, with their tails `knit
together underneath' the shield (56); the knot used is a Carrick Bend ([1],
#1428).

Knots for Ecclesiastical Tassels
Throughout the early days of heraldry, there was only one Christian church,
now called the Roman Catholic, and everyone belonged to it. Many of the
clergy in the higher positions in the hierarchy were of `noble blood', and wanted
or were already entitled to heraldic arms. Being nominally peaceful, they
omitted the warlike helm and crest, and often the mantling, but retained the
other elements of an achievement of arms. The arms displayed could be those
of the individual, those of the parish, see, or other position, or a combination
of the two.
Since 1278 [10], an ecclesiastical hat has taken the place of the helm; this
has two cords dangling from the brim, ending in tassels. The colour of the
hat, the colour of the cord, and the number of tassels are now decided by a
complex system that indicates the rank of the armiger [23]. The cords are
usually arranged in graceful loops, often crossing between the hat and the
shield (Fig. 5) sometimes involving an indeterminate knot at the junction.
One or rarely more knots have been shown above the tassels since the 16th
century [10]. The nature of the knots seems not to depend on any heraldic
rules, but entirely on the artist. Some of the knots seen are shown in Fig. 5;
the more complex knots have been seen only in modern depictions. I have not
attempted to show any of the knots where I could not follow the crossings in
the illustrations seen.