Editing Cadency (section)

== Systems derived from English and Scottish usage==
Systematic cadency schemes later developed in England and Scotland, but while in England they are voluntary (and not always observed), in Scotland they are enforced through the statutorily required process of matriculation in the Public Register.

=== England ===

The English system of cadency allows [[nuclear family]] members to personally use the arms of the head of that family 'by courtesy'. This involves the addition of a ''[[brisure]]'', or mark of difference to the original coat of arms. The brisure identifies the bearer's family relationship to the actual bearer of the arms. Although there is some debate over how strictly the system should be followed, the accepted system is shown below:
{|class="wikitable" style="width:90%;text-align:center;"
|-
!
!First son
!Second son
!Third son
!Fourth son
!Fifth son
!Sixth son
!Seventh son
!Eighth son
!Ninth son
|- style="text-align:center"
|rowspan="2" align="center"|'''family member'''
| [[File:Label of three points First son.svg|60x60px]]
| [[File:Crescent Second son.svg|60x60px]]
| [[File:Mullet Third son.svg|60x60px]]
| [[File:Martlet Fourth son.svg|60x60px]]
| [[File:Annulet Fifth son.svg|60x60px]]
| [[File:Fleur-de-lys Sixth son.svg|60x60px]]
| [[File:Rose Seventh son.svg|60x60px]]
| [[File:Cross moline Eighth son.svg|60x60px]]
| [[File:Double quatrefoil Ninth son.svg|60x60px]]
|-
| [[label (heraldry)|label]] of three points
| [[crescent]]
| [[mullet (heraldry)|mullet]]
| [[martlet]]
| [[annulet (ring)|annulet]]
| [[fleur-de-lys]]
| [[Rose (heraldry)|rose]]
| [[cross moline]]
| double [[quatrefoil]]{{efn|also known as an octofoil<ref name="RHSC-Cadency">{{Cite web|url=http://education.heraldry.ca/course_canadian.htm|publisher=Royal Heraldry Society of Canada|title=Heraldry Examination|access-date=30 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827052217/http://education.heraldry.ca/course_canadian.htm|archive-date=27 August 2009}}</ref>}}

|}
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = horizontal
| width     = 150
| image1    = Arms of Byng, Earl of Strafford.svg
| width1    = 150px
| image2    = Arms of Byng, Viscount Byng of Vimy.svg
| width2    = 150px
| footer    = Arms of the [[Earl of Strafford]] from the Byng family (on the left) and of the [[Viscount Byng of Vimy]] (on the right), incorporating a ''crescent'', the mark of cadency for the second son.
}}
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = horizontal
| width     = 150
| image1    = Russell arms (Earl Russell).svg
| width1    = 150px
| image2    = Russell arms (Baron Ampthill).svg
| width2    = 150px
| footer    =The arms of the first [[Earl Russell]], who was the third son of the sixth [[Duke of Bedford]], were given a ''mullet argent'' over the central escallop to differentiate them from his paternal arms. The arms of the first [[Baron Ampthill]], who was third son of the ninth Duke of Bedford, were also marked with a mullet for difference, but in a different tincture.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fox-Davies|first1=Arthur Charles|title=A Complete Guide to Heraldry – Illustrated by Nine Plates and Nearly 800 Other Designs|date=16 April 2013|publisher=Read Books Ltd|isbn=9781446549032|page=531|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DmV8CgAAQBAJ&pg=PT531|access-date=11 October 2017|language=en}}</ref>
}}
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = horizontal
| width     = 150
| image1    = Lyttelton arms.svg
| width1    = 150px
| image2    = Lyttelton arms (Viscount Chandos).svg
| width2    = 150px
| footer    = Arms of the [[Viscount Cobham]] from the [[Lyttelton family]] (on the left) and of the [[Viscount Chandos]] (on the right), incorporating a ''cross moline'', the mark of cadency for the eighth son.
}}
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = horizontal
| width     = 150
| image1    = Arms of Edward Howard-Gibbon.svg
| width1    = 150px
| image2    = Arms of Wyndham, Baron Leconfield and Egremont.svg
| width2    = 150px
| footer    = Arms of [[Edward Howard-Gibbon]] and [[George Wyndham, 1st Baron Leconfield]], incorporating a ''bordure wavy'', the mark of an illegitimate child.
}}
Daughters have no special brisures, and normally use their father's arms on a [[Lozenge (heraldry)|lozenge]], which includes any marks of cadency their father may use. This is because English heraldry has no requirement that women's arms be unique. Upon marriage, they [[impalement (heraldry)|impale]] their father's arms to the [[Dexter and sinister|sinister]] with those of their husband to the [[Dexter and sinister|dexter]]. However, if the woman happens to be a [[heraldic heiress]], her father's arms are borne on an [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|inescutcheon]] on her husband's arms.

In England, arms are generally the property of their owner from birth, subject to the use of the appropriate mark of cadency. Therefore, it is not necessary to wait for the death of the previous generation before arms are inherited.

The eldest son of an eldest son uses a [[label (heraldry)|label]] of five points. Other grandchildren combine the brisure of their father with the relevant brisure of their own. This could lead to confusion, as both an uncle and nephew could have the same cadency mark. In a short number of generations, the accumulation of cadency marks—to show, for example, the fifth son of a third son of a second son—could lead to added complexity. In practice, cadency marks are not much used in England, and even when they are, it is rare to see more than one or two on a coat of arms.

At times, arms with a cadency mark may be used on a hereditary basis. For instance, the arms of the [[Earl Russell|Earls Russell]] are those of the [[Duke of Bedford]] differenced by a mullet, as the [[John Russell, 1st Earl Russell|1st Earl]] was the third son of the [[John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford|6th Duke]].

Although most heraldic texts follow on the English system of cadency set out above, most heraldic examples (whether on old bookplates, church monuments, silver and the like) ignore cadency marks altogether. [[Oswald Barron]] noted:

{{quote|Now and again we see a second son obeying the book-rules and putting a crescent in his shield or a third son displaying a molet, but long before our own times the practice was disregarded, and the most remote kinsman of a gentle house displayed the "whole coat" of the head of his family.<ref>Oswald Barron, s.v. "Heraldry", ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', 1911</ref>}}

Nor have cadency marks usually been insisted upon by the [[College of Arms]], the heraldic authority for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For example, a statement on their website refers to the optional nature of cadency marks:

{{quote|The arms of a man pass equally to all his legitimate children, irrespective of their order of birth.

Cadency marks may be used to identify the arms of brothers, in a system said to have been invented by [[John Writhe]], [[Garter Principal King of Arms|Garter]], in about 1500. Small symbols are painted on the shield, usually in a contrasting tincture at the top.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/resources/the-law-of-arms|title=The Descent of Arms |website=www.college-of-arms.gov.uk|access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref>}}

In correspondence published in the [[The Heraldry Society|Heraldry Society]]'s newsletter, [[Garter King of Arms]] [[Peter Gwynn-Jones]] firmly rejected a suggestion that cadency marks should be strictly enforced.  He said:

{{quote|I have never favoured the system of cadency unless there is a need to mark out distinct branches of a particular family.  To use cadency marks for each and every generation is something of a nonsense as it results in a pile of indecipherable marks set one above the other.  I therefore adhere to the view that they should be used sparingly.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Correspondence |magazine=The Heraldry Gazette |date=December 2007 |number=New Series 106 |pages=8–9}}</ref>}}

In a second letter published at the same time, he wrote:

{{quote|Unfortunately, compulsion is not the way ahead for twenty-first century heraldry.  However, official recognition and certification of any Armorial Bearings can only be effected when the person in whose favour the Arms are being recognized or certified appears in the appropriate book of record at the College of Arms.  I believe it right in England and Wales for a branch to use cadency marks sparingly and only if they wish to do so.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Correspondence  |magazine=The Heraldry Gazette |date=December 2007 |number=New Series 106 |page= 9}}</ref>}}

==== Adopted children ====
[[Clarenceux King of Arms]] [[John Brooke-Little]] wrote that "[[Adoption|adopted]] children may be granted the arms of their adoptive father, but a Royal License must be sought, and the arms, when granted, are differences by the addition of two links of a chain interlaced, either fesswise or palewise..."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brooke-Little |first=J. P. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/41294384 |title=An heraldic alphabet |date=1996 |publisher=Robson Books|isbn=1-86105-077-1 |edition=New and rev. |location=London |pages=31 |language=en |oclc=41294384}}</ref>

=== Scotland ===
The system is very different in Scotland, where every male user of a coat of arms may only use arms recorded, or "matriculated", in the Public Register with a personal variation, appropriate to that person's position in their family, approved  by the heraldic authority for Scotland, the [[Lord Lyon]].  This means that in Scotland no two men can ever simultaneously bear the same arms, even by accident, if they have submitted their position to the Scottish heraldic authorities (which not all do in practice, in Scotland as in England); if they have not done so, the matter falls under statute law and may result in proceedings in the Lyon Court, which is part of the Scots criminal justice system.  To this extent, the [[Law of Arms|law of arms]] is stricter in Scotland than in England where the only legal action possible is a civil action in the Court of Chivalry, which sits extremely rarely and is not an integrated part of the English justice system.

Scotland, like England, uses the [[label (heraldry)|label]] of three points for the eldest son (or female heir presumptive)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Innes of Learney |first=Sir Thomas |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/1647789 |title=Scots heraldry; a practical handbook on the historical principles and modern application of the art and science |date=1956 |publisher=Oliver and Boyd|location=Edinburgh |pages=96 |language=en |oclc=1647789 }}</ref> and a label of five points for the eldest son of the eldest son, and allows the label to be removed as the bearer of the plain coat dies and the eldest son succeeds.
[[Image:Differencing (Scottish heraldry).svg|thumb|Differencing system in Scottish heraldry]]

For cadets other than immediate heirs, Scottish cadency uses a complex and versatile system, applying different kinds of changes in each generation.  First, a [[bordure]] is added in a different [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] for each brother.  In subsequent generations the bordure may be divided in two tinctures; the edge of the bordure, or of an [[ordinary (heraldry)|ordinary]] in the base coat, may be changed from straight to indented, engrailed or invected; [[charge (heraldry)|charge]]s may be added.  These variations allow the family tree to be expressed clearly and unambiguously. The system outlined here is a very rough version that gives a flavour of the real thing.

In the Scots heraldic system (which has little to do with the clan system), only one bearer of any given surname may bear plain arms.  Other armigerous persons with the same surname usually have arms derived from the same plain coat; though if actual kinship cannot be established, they must be differenced in a way other than the cadency system mentioned above.

=== Canada ===
Canadian cadency generally follows the English system. However, since in [[Canadian heraldry]] a coat of arms must be unique regardless of the bearer's sex, Canada has developed a series of brisures for daughters unique to Canada:<ref>[http://education.heraldry.ca/course_canadian.htm Heraldry proficiency program – Canadian Heraldic Information] (5 April 2007) ''Heraldry.ca''. Accessed 28 August 2008.</ref>

* for the first daughter, a [[Heart (symbol)|heart]];
* for the second daughter, an [[Ermine (heraldry)|ermine]] spot;
* for the third daughter, a [[snowflake]];
* for the fourth daughter, a fir twig;
* for the fifth daughter, a [[rook (chess)#Heraldry|chess rook]]
* for the sixth daughter, an [[Scallop#Symbolism of the shell|escallop]] (scallop shell);
* for the seventh daughter, a [[harp]];
* for the eighth daughter, a [[buckle]];
* for the ninth daughter, a [[Clarion (heraldry)|clarion]].

The actual practice in Canada is far from the rigidity suggested by the list of differences above – and is best seen in action in the Canadian Public Register – see for example the coats of various [https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/1030 Armstrongs], [https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/2135 Ravignats] and [https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/286 Bradfords].

=== South Africa ===

Personal arms registered at the [[Bureau of Heraldry]] may be differenced upon matriculation (which is voluntary).  Current policy is that younger children's arms must be differenced if they are matriculated.  Methods used include the English and Scottish systems, the substitution of different charges, the changing of lines, and the changing of tinctures and or adding a border to the shield.

=== Ireland ===

The brisures used in the arms granted by the Chief Herald of the Republic of Ireland are identical to the brisures used by the system used in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but unlike the English system, which only uses these brisures for the sons of an armiger in order of birth, the Irish system applies them to all the children of the armiger, irrespective of sex, and, as illegitimacy has no place in Irish heraldry, these marks are assigned to (recognised) children born outside of marriage as well as inside.

=== British royal family ===
{{main|Cadency labels of the British royal family}}

<gallery>
File:Arms of the United Kingdom.svg|'''Arms of [[Charles III|The King]]'''
File:Royal Arms of the United Kingdom (Scotland).svg|'''Arms of [[Charles III|The King]] (in Scotland)'''
File:Arms of the Prince of Wales.svg|Arms of the [[William, Prince of Wales|Prince of Wales]]
File:Shield of Arms of the Duke of Rothesay.svg|Arms of the [[William, Prince of Wales|Prince of Wales]] (in Scotland, as [[Duke of Rothesay]])
File:Arms of Harry, Duke of Sussex.svg|Arms of the [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex|Duke of Sussex]]
File:Arms of Andrew, Duke of York.svg|Arms of the [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Duke of York]]
File:Arms of Beatrice of York.svg|Arms of [[Princess Beatrice of York|Princess Beatrice]]
File:Arms of Eugenie of York.svg| Arms of [[Princess Eugenie of York|Princess Eugenie]]
File:Arms of Edward, Earl of Wessex.svg|Arms of the [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|Duke of Edinburgh]]
File:Arms of Anne, the Princess Royal.svg|Arms of the [[Anne, Princess Royal|Princess Royal]]
File:Arms of Richard, Duke of Gloucester.svg|Arms of the [[Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester|Duke of Gloucester]]
File:Arms of Edward, Duke of Kent.svg|Arms of the  [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent|Duke of Kent]]
File:Arms of Michael of Kent.svg|Arms of [[Prince Michael of Kent|Prince Michael]]
File:Arms of Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy.svg| Arms of [[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy|Princess Alexandra]]
</gallery>

There are no actual "rules" for members of the [[royal family]], because their arms are theoretically decided ''ad hoc'' by the monarch. In practice, however, a number of traditions are practically invariably followed. At birth, members of the royal family have no arms. At some point during their lives, generally at the age of eighteen, they may be granted arms of their own. These will always be the "[[arms of dominion]]" of the monarch with a [[label (heraldry)|label]] [[argent]] for difference; the label may have three or five points. Since this is in theory a new grant, the label is applied not only to the shield but also to the [[crest (heraldry)|crest]] and the supporters to ensure uniqueness.  Though ''de facto'' in English heraldry the crest is uncharged (although it is supposed to be in theory), as it would accumulate more and more cadency marks with each generation, the marks eventually becoming indistinguishable, the crests of the royal family are always shown as charged.

Each [[Prince of Wales]] uses a plain white label and (since 1911) an [[inescutcheon]] of the ancient [[Coat of arms of the Principality of Wales|arms of the Principality of Wales]]. Traditionally, the other members of the family have used a stock series of symbols (cross of [[Saint George]], [[heart (symbol)|heart]], [[anchor]], [[fleur-de-lys]], etc.) on the points of the label to ensure that their arms differ. The label of the [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex|Duke of Sussex]] has three [[scallop]] shells taken from the arms of his mother, [[Diana, Princess of Wales]];<ref>[http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/William.htm Arms of Princes William and Harry, showing differencing] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527221941/http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/William.htm |date=27 May 2008 }}</ref> this is sometimes called an innovation but in fact the use of maternal [[charge (heraldry)|charges]] for difference is a very old practice, illustrated in the "border of France" (''azure semé-de-lys or'') borne by [[John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall]] (1316–36), younger son of [[Edward II of England]] and [[Isabella of France]].

It is often said that labels argent are a peculiarly royal symbol, and that eldest sons outside the royal family should use labels of a different colour, usually [[gules]].