Bordure

A bordure, derived from the French word for "border," is a heraldic ordinary, essentially a border that runs around the perimeter of the shield. It is one of the subordinaries, a category of heraldic charges that are geometric shapes and considered of lesser importance than the principal charges (lions, eagles, etc.).

The bordure follows the outline of the shield and is typically one-fifth to one-seventh of the shield's width. It is considered a separate entity from the field (the background of the shield), and thus can be of a different tincture (color, metal, or fur).

Variations:

• Engrailed, Invected, Wavy, Indented, Nebuly, Raguly, Embattled, Crenellated, Dancetty: These terms, which apply to other heraldic lines, can also be applied to the bordure, describing the shape of its inner edge. These modified bordures are generally described as bordure engrailed, bordure invected, etc.

• Bordure compony: A bordure divided into alternating squares of two different tinctures.

• Bordure gobony: Similar to compony, but the squares may be rectangles instead of squares. The terms are often used interchangeably.

• Bordure counter-compony (or counter-gobony): Similar to compony/gobony, but the tinctures are reversed on opposite sides of the bordure.

• Diminutives: While not strictly diminutives in the same way as, for instance, a pallet is to a pale, narrower borders are sometimes encountered, although are generally specified as being of a particular width.

Usage and Significance:

Bordures can be used for a variety of reasons in heraldry:

• Cadency: In British heraldry, a bordure is sometimes used as a mark of cadency to distinguish between different branches of a family. A bordure may be assigned to a younger son or a descendant to differentiate their arms from those of the main line. This practice is less common than other cadency marks.

• Difference: A bordure can be added to an existing coat of arms to differentiate it from another that is too similar. This is a common way to create a unique version of a coat of arms without completely redesigning it.

• Augmentation: A bordure can be added as an augmentation of honour, granted by a sovereign as a mark of distinction or recognition of service. In this case, the bordure usually has a specific design or tincture associated with the honour.

• Personal Preference: A bordure may simply be added to a coat of arms as a matter of personal preference, to improve the aesthetic appeal or to incorporate a particular tincture.

It is important to note that the meaning and significance of a bordure depend on the specific context in which it is used.