Alphyn

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An heraldic alphyn
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An heraldic alphyn

An alphyn is a rare heraldic creature. It is much like an heraldic tyger, but is stockier and it has tufts of hair covering its body. It also has a thick mane and a long thin tongue. Another notable characteristic is its knotted tail. Sometimes its forefeet are depicted like an eagle's claws and sometimes they are cloven. Occassionally all four feet are shown like the claws of a lion's claws. In English heraldry, the alphyn was used as a heraldic badge of the Lords de la Warr and it also appears on the guidon held by the knight in the Milleflour Tapestry in Somerset.

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