| Welsh Feathers
The Prince of Wales' feathers is the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales. It consists of three white feathers behind a gold coronet. A ribbon below the coronet bears the motto Ich dien (old German for "I serve", today, one would typically say "Ich diene" even though contractions such as "Ich dien" are still common in dialect). As well as being used in royal heraldry, the badge is used to symbolise Wales, particularly Welsh rugby.
The badge is thought to have originated with Edward, the Black Prince, ruler of Wales. According to legend, the Black Prince obtained the arms from John of Bohemia, against whom he fought in the Battle of Cr�cyb in 1341. After the battle, the prince went to the body of the dead king (whom he admired for his bravery) and took his helmet, lined with ostrich feathers. The feathers and the dead king's motto made up the prince's new badge and came to be used by subsequent Princes of Wales.
In March 2007 the Prince�s office have warned certain Welsh compaines to cease using the Prince of Wales' feathers on certain merchandise such as jewelry.
|
