[Illustration: No. 392.--Seal of Sir Robert de Hungerford: before A.D. 1449.]
Through an alliance with the Hungerfords, _sickles_ were borne, as one of their Badges, by the great family of COURTENAY. They appear, with a _dolphin_, a _tau cross_, and this same _tau-cross_ having _a bell_ attached to it, as in No. 393, sculptured on the fine heraldic chimney-piece, the work of Bishop PETER DE COURTENAY (died in 1492), now in the hall of the Episcopal Palace at Exeter.
The BADGES of our early Heraldry are comparatively but little understood. They invite the particular attention of students, both from their own special interest, and the light they are qualified to throw upon the personal history of the English people, and also from their peculiar applicability for use by ourselves at the present day. Indeed, at this time, when the revival of true Heraldry is in the act of being accomplished with complete success, it appears to be peculiarly desirable that Badges should be brought into general use. It is not enough for us to revive our old English Heraldry as once in the olden time it flourished in England, and to rest content with such a revival: but we must go on to adapt our revived Heraldry, in its own spirit and in full sympathy with its genuine feeling, to conditions of our age and of the state of things now in existence. And very much may be done to effect this by the adoption of Badges, as our favourite and most expressive heraldic insignia, both in connection with Coat-Armour and for independent display. Unlike Crests, which must necessarily be associated with helms and the wearers of helms, and consequently have both a military and a mediæval character, Badges are equally appropriate for use by Ladies, as well as by men of every profession, and they belong alike to every age and period. This has been recognised officially, to the extent that the officers of arms have now reverted to the ancient practice of granting and confirming badges and Standards.
[Illustration: No. 393.--A Courtenay Badge, at Exeter.]
ROYAL BADGES.--I conclude this chapter with a concise list of the more important of the Badges that have been borne by the Sovereigns and Princes of England; and with some general remarks upon the famous Badge of the _Ostrich Feathers_, now considered to be exclusively the Ensign of the PRINCES OF WALES, not as such, but as the heirs-apparent to the Throne.