Main / Heraldry-Abatements
Abatements
Since a grant of arms could not be easily revoked, the abatement was devised. This served the same purpose as augmentation, to advertise the actions of the bearer, but abatements were a change to a coat of arms that symbolized a shameful act or crime. The most widely used abatement is that of treason, usually displayed leading up to and during the accused arminger's execution.
