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It is the oldest mark of difference, but sometimes borne as a charge. As a difference (in English heraldry), it was used to mark the elder son, generally by the princes of the royal house. Differences, or marks of Cadency , are the distinctions used to indicate the various branches (cadets) of a family. The eldest son, during the lifetime of his father, bears the family arms with the addition of a label; the second son a Crescent , the third, a Mullet , the fourth, a Martlet , the fifth, an Annulet ; the sixth, a Fleur-de-lis ; the seventh, a Rose ; the eighth, a Cross Moline ; the ninth, a double Quatrefoil . The label's number of points did not necessarily mean anything, although the label of three points was supposed to represent the heir during the lifetime of his father; five points, during the lifetime of his grandfather; seven points, while the great-grandfather still lived, etc. According to the modern system, the elder son of an elder son places a label upon a label. |
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