Ninth Son, the DOUBLE QUATREFOIL

[Illustration: Double Quatrefoil]

Should either of the nine brothers have male children, the eldest
child would place the label on the difference that distinguished his
father; the second son would place the crescent upon it; the third the
mullet; continuing the same order for as many sons as he may have.

The label only, is used in the arms of the royal family as a
difference; but the points of the label are charged with different
figures to distinguish the second and succeeding sons. The arms of the
sons of King George III. were thus distinguished: the shield of the
arms of the Prince of Wales by a label; the Duke of York's by the
label, the centre point of which was charged with a red cross; that
of the Duke of Clarence by a label, the dexter and sinister points
of which were charged with an anchor, the centre point with the red
cross; each of the succeeding sons were differenced by charges on the
points of the labels.

All the figures denoting differences are also used as perfect charges
on the shield; but their size and situation will sufficiently
determine whether the figure is used as a perfect coat of arms, or is
introduced as a difference or diminution.

Sisters have no differences in their coats of arms. They are permitted
to bear the arms of their father, as the eldest son does after his
father's decease.

Guillim, Leigh, and other ancient armorists mention divers figures,