#barrulets

[griffinrampant]

Arms of Potenza, Italy

In use since at least 2001; possibly since 1927

Blazon: Or a demi-eagle crowned proper issuant from three barrulets wavy in base azure

There is something absolutely hysterical about this eagle’s expression. It looks like it’s pointedly ignoring the fact that it either has no body or is stranded at sea. The one in this depiction is slightly more ruffled. We generally do not get this level of detail in heraldic charges, so this is delightful. Which is nice, because I couldn’t find much else about them. They do seem to be official arms, and that’s about it. I’d speculate they could have been granted in 1927, when Basilicata split into two provinces, instead of the one region it had always been; in 1948, when it was officially made an autonomous region; or possibly in 1970, which actually started implementing the 1948 law.

[griffinrampant]

Arms of Basilicata, Italy

Granted 1973

Blazon: Argent four barrulets wavy azure

The barrulets are specifically intended to represent the four major rivers of the region - the Bradano, Basento, Agri, and Sinni. This was apparently one of three proposed coats of arms in the region. I can’t find any previous arms for the region; it looks like it took on the arms of whatever individual or organization was ruling the region at the time.

[griffinrampant]

Arms of Bad Duerrheim, Germany

In use since 1974?

Blazon: Per palet or gules a Maltese cross argent and azure a molet of eight points and three barrulets wavy in base of the third

I would speculate that the barrulets in the sinister half of the arms are a reference to the longstanding fame of the town's spas, but I have no proof of this.

[griffinrampant]

Arms of Ranulf de Briquessart, Viscount of Bessin 1066? - c. 1089 (?-c. 1089) and Margaret le Goz

From p42 of Lacies Nobilitie by Sir John Ferne (1586)

Blazon: Per pale baron and femme; the first or three barrulets gules, the second azure a wolf's head erased argent

The family tree lists Margaret's husband, improbably, as John Bohun (the most well-known individual of that name was approximately 300 years younger than de Briquessart and bore a completely different coat of arms). However, the text makes it clear that Ferne is referring to de Briquessart; he states that he was also called "Randulph" and misattributes their son's appellation of "le Meschin" or "the younger" as the father's surname.  

It is unclear whether the wolf's head was granted to Hugh d'Avranches or his father; Ferne's family tree seems to indicate the latter, since Margaret would not have had any right to bear her brother's arms, but the evidence for this is sketchy.

[griffinrampant]

Arms of Gilbert de Gant, Earl of Kyme and Baron of Lindsey (1040-1095)

From p30 of Lacies Nobilitie by Sir John Ferne (1586)

Blazon: Or three barrulets azure surmounted by a bend gules

According to Ferne's mouthpiece Paradius, de Gant was ennobled by William the Conqueror. (No exact date is given, but it seems likely this occurred before the compiliation of the Domesday Book in 1086.) Ferne does not mention that Gant was related to William the Conqueror, but his displeasure towards the newly created Norman nobles is palpable.

Paradius asserts a few interesting things about this coat. First, he claims that the bend was added for differencing, saying that "those which we now call the ordinary charges were in olde time used commonly for differences of familyes and brethren." (29) He devotes two and a half pages to the alleged symbolism of the arms, giving the origin of the barrulets (then called bars) as "great peeces of tymber... [used] to stop and debarre the enemye from his entraunce...", which "may be well applyed unto him, whose invention, industrye, or labour, hath so secured and fortified the Campe," or to others who have, through might or strategy, prevented an enemy from gaining a foothold in their country. The fact that the bars are azure, the color of the sky, apparently indicates that "the force of wisdom prevaileth in times of peace, to stop the enterprises of enemies." The bend, on the other hand, is supposed to designate that the bearer was one of the first to overcome the enemy's wall; its color shows that he "did not win the wal from the enemy, but by great bloudshed, stout and couragious fight." (29-31)

[griffinrampant]

Arms of Aurach am Hongar, Austria

Granted 1980

Blazon: Or three barrulets wavy azure, in chief a bull's head caboshed or, in base three mounts vert