To which I could only reply, "Madam, I have never yet discovered the bend sinister on our escutcheon."
It was emblazoned with the arms of the lords of Orley, without a bend sinister.
The bend sinister (Fig. 82), is very frequently stated to be the mark of illegitimacy.
All these families bear the arms described by your correspondent, but without the bend sinister.
Thus a bend proceeding from the top of the left side of the shield is called a bend sinister.
That a market should be held upon the Sabbath in this city, is a "bend sinister" upon its escutcheon.
Now look at the bend sinister, that is yours; the bend dexter is for the elder brother.
Green is denoted by lines "in bend dexter," and purple by lines "in bend sinister."
Crest: a cornucopia fesswise, surmounted by a dexter hand couped proper, holding a key in bend sinister or.
The "barre sinistre" is merely the French translation of bend sinister, the French word "barre" meaning a bend.
