Dictionary of Vexillology: B (Bend (original) (raw)

BEND

The heraldic term for a diagonal stripe which runs for the upper dexter to the lower sinister of a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof, and which (in strict heraldic usage) should occupy about one-third of the field when charged, and one-fifth when plain – but see ‘Appendix IX’ and ‘descending diagonal’ (also ‘banner of arms’, ‘dexter’, ‘in bend’, ‘per bend’, ‘quartering 1)’, ‘sinister’ and ‘triangular panel 2)’).

Flag of Neuenburg upon Rhine, Germany (fotw); Flag of Treycovagnes, Switzerland (fotw)); Flag of Weisweil, Germany (fotw)

BEND ON (or BEND ONTO)

(v) Nautical terms for securing two pieces of rope together as in attaching the hoistline of a flag to the halyard of a flag pole or mast (see ‘halyard’ and ‘hoistline’).

BEND SINISTER

The heraldic term for a diagonal stripe which runs for the lower dexter to the upper sinister of a shield, a banner or arms or any quartering thereof, and which (in strict heraldic usage) should occupy about one-third of the field when charged, and one-fifth when plain – but see ‘Appendix IX’ and ‘ascending diagonal’ (also ‘banner of arms’, ‘dexter’, ‘in bend sinister’, ‘per bend sinister’, ‘quartering 1)’, ‘sinister’ and ‘triangular panel 2)’).

Flag of Gr�nichen, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Frankerandeel, The Netherlands (fotw); Flag of Coeuve, Switzerland (fotw)

Please note that a bend or baton sinister, sometimes incorrectly called a �bar sinister�, was originally placed over a coat of arms to indicate illegitimacy � see �baton(s) 2)�.

The Arms of Arthur Plantagenet (d1542) illegitimate son of King Henry V, England (Wikipedia); Arms of the Duke of Grafton (1663-1690) illegitimate son of King Charles II, England (Wikipedia)

BEND SINISTER WAVY

In heraldry see ‘bend’ (also ‘wavy’).

Flag of Schenefeld, Germany (fotw)

BEND WAVY

In heraldry see ‘bend’ (also ‘wavy’).

Flag of Lenteg�, Spain (Klaus-Michael Schneider)

BENDLET and BENDLET SINISTER

The heraldic term for a diminutive of bend and bend sinister, nominally half the width of a bend but often much narrower, sometimes wavy and usually (but not invariably) appearing in numbers of two or more � see ‘bend’ and ‘bend sinister’ (also ‘bendlet wavy & bendlet sinister wavy’)

Flag of Mustin, Germany (fotw); Flag of Grolley, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of S�dtondern, Germany (fotw)

BENDLET WAVY and BENDLET SINISTER WAVY

In heraldry see ‘bendlet and bendlet sinister’ (also ‘wavy’).

Flag of Bredenbek, Germany (fotw); Flag of Trave-Land, Germany (fotw); Flag of Wesenberg, Germany (fotw)

BENDWISE (or BENDWISE SINISTER)

1. In traditional heraldry see ‘in bend’ and ‘in bend sinister’.
2. In some heraldic usage this term relates specifically to the axis of a charge or charges, rather than to its, or their position, on a shield, a banner of arms or a flag � but see ‘in bend’ and ‘in bend sinister’ as referenced above.

Flag of Le Sentier, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Haut Rhin, France (fotw); Flag of Eiken, Switzerland (fotw)

BENDY

1. The heraldic term for the division of a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof, into four or more usually (but not invariably) equal bends or bendlets, and running from the upper dexter to the lower sinister in alternating tinctures � but see ‘bend’ and ‘multi-stripe’ (also ‘banner of arms’, ‘dexter’, ‘quartering 1)’, ‘sinister’ and ‘tincture’).
2. See ‘wavy’.

Flag of Schlosswil, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Dijon, France (fotw); Flag of Molondin, Switzerland (fotw)

BENDY SINISTER

The heraldic term for the division of a shield, a banner of arms or any quartering thereof, into four or more usually (but not invariably) equal bends or bendlets, and running from the lower dexter to the upper sinister in alternating tinctures – but see ‘per bend sinister’ and ‘multi-stripe’ (also ‘banner of arms’, ‘dexter’, ‘quartering 1)’, ‘sinister’ and ‘tincture’).

Flag of Halten, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Wasseramt, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Tr�llikon, Switzerland (fotw)

BENT

In heraldry see ‘embowed’.

Flag of Rodersdorf, Switzerland)

BETHEL FLAG

The flag of the Bethel Union, a seaman’s missionary organization, and occasionally flown in the 19th Century by some British and US merchant vessels to indicate that a church service was taking place (see also ‘church pennant’ and ‘flying angel flag’).

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BETSY ROSS FLAG

A pattern of the stars and stripes whose canton carried thirteen five-pointed stars arranged in a circle, which according to legend was ordered by George Washington in 1776 and sewn by Betsy Ross of Philadelphia (see also ‘continental colours’, ‘eagle standard’, ‘Franklin flag’, ‘great star flags’, ‘old glory’, ‘quincunx’, ‘stars and stripes’ and ‘star-spangled banner’).

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The Betsy Ross Pattern US National Flag (fotw)

Please note that the US flag had no official star pattern until 1818, at which time the 20-star flag (and all subsequent flags) had official patterns for military purposes. Since 1912 (the 48-star version), the flag has had an official pattern for all purposes, therefore, the type above is likely one of many patterns used during the period 1777-1795.

BEWPER (OR BEWPERS)

A 16th to early 18th Century term, now obsolete, for the loosely-woven fabric used to make flags � see ‘bunting 1)’ (also ‘breadth 2)’).

[ ](../images/v/vxt-d3859.gif) [ ](../images/v/vxt-d3613.gif)
Typical Ensign c1590, England (fotw); Red Ensign 1707, UK (fotw)

BEZANT (OR BESANT)

Alternative heraldic terms for a gold or yellow disc – a roundel Or (see ‘hurt’, ‘roundel 3)’, ‘plates’, �pomme(s)� and ‘torteau’).

Flag of G�fete, Portugal (fotw); Flag of Leimbach, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Harelbeke, Belgium (fotw)

Notes a) In strict English heraldic usage this term should only be employed when the charge described is gold/yellow (�or�) - see ‘tinctures’. b) The term, dating from the time of the Crusades, is derived from a gold coin of Byzantium.

BICOLOUR (BICOLOR, BI-COLOR or BI-COLOUR)

1. A flag of two even or uneven stripes or bands of colour (whether divided vertically, horizontally or diagonally) and whether defaced or plain - but see note below (also ‘ascending diagonal 2)’, ‘descending diagonal 2)’, ‘per fess’, ‘per bend’, ‘per bend sinister’, ‘per pale’, ‘deface’, ‘plain 2)’ and ‘stripe’).

2. An undefaced flag with two equal (vertical or horizontal) stripes or bands of colour – a simple bicolour � but see ‘horizontal bicolour with vertical stripe at hoist’ (also ‘undefaced’).

[ ](../images/v/vxt-d522b.gif)
Flag of the Guarany People, Argentina (fotw); National Flag of Portugal (fotw); Flag of Stary Oskol, Russia (fotw)

Please note that the division line on a bicolour may be described by using the vexillological terms: horizontal or vertical, by 'descending diagonal' and 'ascending diagonal'; or by the corresponding heraldic terms (party/divided): 'per fess', 'per pale', 'per bend' and 'per bend sinister'.

BIG ARMS (or BIG COAT OF ARMS)

See ‘greater arms’ under ‘arms’.

Big/Greater Arms of Tallinn, Estonia (fotw)

BILLET

The heraldic term for a small rectangular charge usually (but not invariably) shown upright - but see ‘billetty’.

Flag of Baarle-Nassau, The Netherlands (fotw); Flag of Ganderkesee, Germany (fotw)

BILLETTY

The heraldic term sometimes used to describe a semé of billets – see ‘billet’ and ‘semé’.

Flag of Chastre, Belgium (fotw); Flag of Franche-Comté, France (fotw)

BIRDS IN HERALDRY

See �eagle 3)�, �martlet� and �vigilant� (also �armed 2)�, �beaked�, �displayed�, �langued�, �rising�, �vol�, �volant� and �wattled 2)�

Flag of Wittingen-Radenbeck, Germany (fotw); National Arms of Romania (fotw); Flag of West Sussex, England (fotw)

BIRLINN

In Scottish heraldry see ‘lymphad’.

Badge and Flag of The Western Isles Council, Scotland, plus (doubtful) Badge and Blue Ensign

BISHOP'S CROOK (or BISHOP'S STAFF)

See ‘crozier’.

Flag of Santo Tirso, Portugal (fotw)