Heraldry and The Crusades, part 7.
EDWARD IV The most ancient of all of the Heraldic symbols dating to the time of the crusades is the ‘bezant’ or gold coin. The term Bezant is of Eastern origin being derived from the name Byzantium, the gold roundel representing a Byzantine coin. The bezant is found upon the Coat of Arms of Burlay of Wharfdale, Gules a bezant or. The De Vere family Coat of Arms is a shield divided in four quarters in red and gold with a silver star in the first quadrant; Quarterly gules and or a mullet argent. The Arms recall an oft recouted fable of the crusades, On a dark night a band of Christians were engaged by the Turkish enemy and “God...