1. This system is known as cadency and marks the relationships of the cadet branches to the principal family tree.

2. Bordure The heraldic term for a border – a border which sources suggest should occupy one-fifth of the field – see ‘cadency, mark of’ and its following note)

3. A Bordure compony can be used as a difference to delineate cadency and often indicates an illegitimate son, acknowledged but legally barred from inheritance of the feudal estates of his father