Orb

Orb

Orb, or, as it is also called from the French Monde a Mound royal, is supposed to represent the Universe, and then it is usually surmounted by a cross. This device is said to have been first used by the Emperor Justinian, and to have been introduced into England by King Edward the Confessor, upon whose seal it appears as a plain orb; but it is surmounted by the cross on the seal of William the Conqueror. The cross signifies the ascendancy of Christianity over the whole earth, and is referred to in out Coronation Service thus:--

"And when you see this orb set under the cross remember that the whole world is subject to the power and empire of Christ our Redeemer."

Or, a mound sable, encircled gules, ensigned with a cross avellane of the last--CHAWLAS.

Azure, a mound or--LAMONT.

Quarterly gules and azure, a royal orb argent banded and crossed or--arms assigned to GILBERT UNIVERSEL, Bp. of London, 1128-34.

Or, on an orb[qy. a torteau] gules a raven proper--RAVEN, Richmond Herald, temp. JAMES I. d. 1615.