The White Boar was the personal device or badge of the English King Richard III of England, and is an early instance of the use of boars in heraldry.
Richard and his son standing on boars in a contemporary heraldic roll by John Rous
The white boar badge of Richard III as pendant to a Yorkist livery collar on the tomb monument of Sir Ralph Fitzherbert (died 1483), in St Mary and St Barlock's Church, Norbury in Derbyshire.
A heraldic badge, emblem, impresa, device, or personal device worn as a badge indicates allegiance to, or the property of, an individual, family or corporate body. Medieval forms are usually called a livery badge, and also a cognizance. They are para-heraldic, not necessarily using elements from the coat of arms of the person or family they represent, though many do, often taking the crest or supporters. Their use is more flexible than that of arms proper.
The Dunstable Swan Jewel, a livery badge from about 1400 AD, perhaps of Henry V as Prince of Wales. British Museum
The Château de Blois, with the porcupine of Louis XII
Imprese from Jacobus Typotius, Symbola Divina et Humana (Prague, 1601), engraved by Aegidius Sadeler II.
Salamander badge of King Francis I of France, with letter "F", Château de Chambord
