Abatement (heraldry)

An abatement (or rebatement) is a modification of a coat of arms, representing a less-than honorable augmentation,[1][2] imposed by an heraldic authority (such as the Court of Chivalry in England) or by royal decree for misconduct.

Other abatements of honour implied by the addition of dishonourable stains and charges, appearing in late 16th-century texts, have never been reliably attested in actual practice.

In French heraldry the term diffamé is used to denote a lion or other animal whose tail is cut off, or may refer more broadly to arms which have been altered to signify loss of honor.

[13][14][15] As stated by Sir George Mackenzie: "And Edward the Third of England ordained two of six stars which a gentleman had in his arms to be effaced, because he had sold a seaport of which he was made governor.

[17] An example of a lion diffamée is that of Jean d'Avesnes who insulted his mother, Margaret II, Countess of Flanders, in the presence of King Louis IX.