ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2705
http://www.s-gabriel.org/2705
************************************

19 May 2003
From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael 

Greetings from the Academy of S. Gabriel!

You wanted to know when grenades were first used in medieval
heraldry, and in what cultures.  Here is the information we
have found.

The use of black powder for explosives originated in China,
but by the 14th century it was used in Europe for firearms. [1]
Grenades themselves first appear in the 15th century [2]; the
use of grenades as heraldic charges appears to have arisen
around the same time.  We find the following arms that use
grenades as charges:

  "Argent, a chevron azure between three fireballs proper"
     temp. Henry III [3]
  "Argent, a chevron sable between three fireballs proper"
     Ball, from c.1480-1500 [4]
  "Azure, a fireball Or flamed proper"
     Dancastle, issued 1556 [3]

We have reason to believe that the date provided for the
first coat is suspect; however, given the almost identical
piece of armory listed next, we have no reason to doubt
that the charges in the first coat are actually examples of
fireballs.  We found other examples of undated coats that we 
are not sure were granted before 1600.  However, the examples 
above show that grenades were used in English heraldry from at 
least the late 15th century.  We therefore can't recommend 
them for the 14th century, but believe they are reasonable for 
any time after the mid-15th century.  We have not found grenades 
used in armory from places other than England before 1600, so 
we recommend that you design your arms to be consistent with
English heraldry.  A coat of arms that used three or four
grenades around an ordinary such as a cross, chevron, or fess
would be lovely.  If you have any questions or would like
our help with recommendations for arms that use grenades, please
write us again.  If you let us know what tinctures and other
charges you prefer, we'll be happy to help design authentic
arms using those elements.

We hope that this letter has been useful to you and that you
won't hesitate to write us again if any part was unclear or if
you have further questions.  Research and commentary on this
letter was provided by Adelaide de Beaumont, Talan Gwynek,
Arval Benicoeur, Iago ab Adam, Maridonna Benvenuti, Pedro de Alcazar, 
and Juliana de Luna.

For the Academy,
-Arianuia de Cairmerdin, 19May03

--
References:

[1] Earnshaw, Phil. "A History of Gunpowder" (WWW: Sportshooter.com, 
c.1998-2002).  accessed 08May03
http://www.sportshooter.com/reloading/historygunpowder.htm

[2] "Grenade"  (WWW: Britannica.com, c.2003)
http://www.britannica.com

[3] Papworth, John W., _Papworth's Ordinary of British Armorials_, 
reprint (Five Barrows Ltd., 1977). s.v. Fireball, pp. 418, 835

[4] Woodcock, Thomas, Janet Grant, & Ian Graham, _Dictionary of 
British Arms_, vol II. (The Society of Antiquaries of London, 1996). 
p.336