Broom

Broom

Broom: common wild shrub of this name is the Cytisus scoparius of botanists, the Planta-genista(fr. genêt) of old writers. A sprig of this shrub was chosen as the badge of the royal house of Plantagenet, who are said to have derived their surname from the circumstance of one of their ancestors having worn a branch of broom is his helmet, either by way of penance, or in token of humility, of which the broom is a symbol. It appears on the Great Seals of Ric. I.

Louis IX., of France, also instituted an order of knighthood under the name of this flower, with the motto EXALTAT HUMILES.

Azure, a hand erect between three broomslips proper--BROOME, Salop.

Vert, semy of broomslips, and over all a lion rampant or--Sandde HARDE, Denbigh.

Argent, three broom-branches vert--BROME, Somerset.