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| | Distinction of Houses | Variants: Distinction of Houses, Differences, Brizures, Marks of Cadency | | Are used to distinguish the younger from the elder branches of a family, and to show from what line each is descended. Thus in Modern Heraldry the Eldest son, during his Father's lifetime, bears a Label, the second a Crescent, the third a Mullet, the fourth a Martlet, etc. These distinctions are placed in the shield at the middle chief, or in a quarterly coat at the fess point. See Cadency. In the case of the Royal Family, each member bears the Label, extending across the shield; the points of which are variously charged, and are borne on the crest and supporters. |
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