A2Z 25

Y for Yale. The Yale is a four legged beast from Ethiopia and India, tawny brown or black. It is about the size of a horse, looks much like a deer but has the lower jaws of a boar with tusks. Yale has long movable horns that it can control. In other references, its name is thought to be derived from the Hebrew word yael, meaning ibex. Long used as a heraldic symbol associated with the British royal family, “the Yale” was a favorite symbol of Lady Margaret Beaufort in the 15th century.

The Yale was first written about by Pliny the Elder in Book VIII of his Natural History…After its first mention in this book the creature moved into medieval beasts and heraldry where it represents a proud defense.

https://rugby843.blog