HATCHMENT

more properly ACHIEVEMENT. In heraldry, the whole armorial bearings of any person fully emblazoned, with shield, crest, supporters, . This word is used in particular for the emblazonment of arms hung up in churches, in memory of a gentleman of coat armour, or one of any higher degree. There was formerly much of religion in heraldry; and as the coat was a umed with a religious feeling, so was it at last restored to the sanctuary, in token of thankful acknowledgment to Almighty God , with whose ble ing it had been borne.