E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Coat of Arms.
A surcoat \??\ knights over their armour, \??\ with devices by which heralds \??\ the wearer. Hence the heraldic \??\ of a family. Coat-armour was \??\ in the Crusading expeditions, to \??\ the various noble warriors when wrapped in complete steel, and it was introduced into England by Richard Lion-heart.
