Blazon of Gentrie

The Blazon of Gentrie is a book by Sir John Ferne, published in 1586, that deals with heraldry. Heraldry is the art and science of creating, displaying, and regulating hereditary symbols, known as armorial bearings or coats of arms, used for identification. These symbols originated on flags and shields and became important in medieval warfare for distinguishing friend from foe.123

Ferne's work, along with others from the 16th century, is noted for perpetuating nonsensical natural history and contributing to erroneous beliefs about heraldic charges having symbolic meanings or being granted as rewards for valor. This era is sometimes referred to as "the Decadence" in heraldic art due to its intricate and often absurd designs.12