HEARSE, a vehicle for the conveyance of a dead body at a funeral (Fr. herse, a harrow), usually a four-wheeled car, with a roofed and enclosed body, which contains the coffin. This is the only current use of the word. Its earlier form was "herse," and meant, as the French word did, a harrow (q.v.). It was then used of a portcullis, and thus becomes a heraldic term, the "herse" being frequently borne as a "charge," as in the arms of the City of Westminster. In funeral ceremonies a "herse" or "hearse" seems first to have been a harrow-shaped framework of wood, to hold lighted tapers and decorations placed on a coffin ; this developed into a pagoda-shaped erection of woodwork or metal for the funerals of royal or other distinguished persons. This held banners, candles, armorial bearings and other heraldic devices. An elaborate "hearse" was designed by Inigo Jones for the funeral of James I. The "hearse" is also found as a permanent erection, of iron or other metal, over tombs. There is a brass "hearse" in the Beauchamp chapel at Warwick castle, and one over the tomb of Robert Marmion and his wife at Tanfield church near Ripon.