Her. Also flaunch, flanque. [? a. OF. flanche fem., = flanc masc., FLANK.]
A sub-ordinary formed on each side of the shield by a line arched or convex towards the center, always borne double or in pairs.
We have not been able to find direct evidence that flanche was used in Fr. in the heraldic sense; but the form flanque, and the adjs. flanché, flauqué, are in Geliot (ed. Palliot, 1664).
1562. Legh, Armorie (1597), 70 b. He beareth Ermin ij. Flaunches, Vert. This is one degree vnder the aforesaide Flasques, & yet it is good armory and noble.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, I. iv. 39. He beareth Gules, two Flanches Argent.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v., Flanches are always born by Pairs; the Flanch bends more than the Flask.
1828–40. Berry, Encycl. Herald., I. Flanch, Flanque, or Flasque. Leigh would make flanch and flasque two distinct subordinate ordinaries, but Gibbon very judiciously accounts them both as one.
Hence Flanched ppl. a., having flanches.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, I. ix. 93. He beareth Vert, a Pile, and two demy ones Imbowed or Flanched.
1889. Elvin, Dict. Heraldry, s.v., A shield of Fitz-Alan, flanched ar.
