Brushing Up On The Aristos

Great excitement here -- for this evening, we managed to score tickets to an advance showing of the much-anticipated Downton Abbey film which doesn't officially open here in the United States until September 20th.

Exercising due diligence, I thought it only proper that I consult Debrett's Peerage for the correct way to address an earl!  Oddly, I couldn't find the Grantham family listed, so I made do with the Earl of Carnarvon instead!  I do love the way the Carnarvon coat of arms is described:

Arms, — Per pale azure and gules, three lions rampant argent, a crescent for difference.  Crest, — A wyvern, wings elevated, vert, in the mouth a sinister human hand couped at the wrist gules.  Supporters, — Dexter, a panther argent, incensed proper, spotted with hurts and torteaux alternately; sinister, a lion argent; both ducally gorged per pale azure and gules, with chain reflexed over the back or, and charged on the shoulder with an ermine spot sable.

I'd be incensed proper as well, if I were spotted with hurts and torteaux!