There’s a widespread claim in modern heraldic circles that furs and proper charges are neutral for contrast purposes (eg Wikipedia on the Rule of Tincture), and many of them cite this passage from Fox-Davies:
Furs may be placed upon either metal or colour, as may also any charge which is termed proper.
AC Fox-Davies, A Complete Guide to Heraldry (1909), p 86.
With all due respect to Fox-Davies, generally considered the leading light of Victorian-era English heraldry, I think this is a bad call.
Continue reading “On Contrast for Furs and Proper”