- caltrap

CALTRAP, CALTROP, CHEVAL-TRAP, or Galtrap. Refer to this last term. (ELVN)

Caltrap Колторп. Пишется также Calthrop и Galtrap, а во французской геральдике Chausse-trap, сокращённая форма от Cheval-trap: приспособление, которое бросают на землю, чтобы поранить ноги лошадям, состоит из четырёх железных шипов, один из оторых всегда торчит вверх.

«Argent, three cheval-traps sable» – TRAP, Glouc.

«Azure, a cross between four caltraps or» – WESTFALING, Bp. of Hereford, 1586-1603.

«Vert, on a lion rampant or caltraps sable» – LIGHTORLES.

[parc]

caltrap. The normal explanation for the derivation of the word is from cheval, since the caltrap was largely used to cripple warhorses. In fact, the true etymology is wider, and the word derives from the Fr. chaussé to walk (v. chaussé, under the entry on chapé). ME calketrappe meant a trap for the calke or heel. In military terms the device was used not only for the caltrap as it is known in heraldry, but also for stakes and spikes which were used against men as well as animals. [FRENCHGLOSSAR]