Post by Capt. Sir Mick Preston on Sept 17, 2007 22:43:09 GMT -6
This might help:
<edited from www.coats-of-arms-newsletter.com/About_Heraldry.html >
Heraldry is considered the art and science of describing a coat-of-arms. It is also considered an emblem that indicates the right of a person to wear arms.
Heraldry has been in existence for hundreds of years. It initially started as a mark of identification when out in society and eventually expanded in the Middle Ages, where warriors could distinguish one another by its use. In battles and jousts, the need for heraldry especially arose because one would not be able to distinguish one player from another without their armorial bearings. Since armor and mail was always worn on the battlefield, warriors thus became easier to identify.
The world “herald” itself is thought to come from Anglo-Saxon origins. “Herald” is a combination of the Anglo-Saxon word “Here”, which means army, and “Wald”, which means strength. Many others think that the word “herald” came into existence through the German word “Herold”.
In the Middle Ages, nobility such as kings, dukes, and knights would hire men from their own household to be a herald. A herald’s duties would include organizing and announcing at tournaments and acting as a messenger. As the use of coats-of-arms began to grow, it required heralds, especially those serving the English royal household, to keep records of both family descents and arms. Because of their new duties, they began to wear the coats-of-arms of those whom they served.
During the Middle Ages, a knight could use choose his own device, but because of the variety and multiplication of arms, a system was put into place that regulated its use. All of the bearings had to be granted by the King, and all the arms that were granted or established by rights before had to be registered with the College of Arms (in England) or with similar institutions in other countries.
Although the history of heraldry may be initially thought of as for males, women were also allowed to use coats-of-arms. Here are some other facts:
A woman’s coat-of-arms would be shown on a lozenge, a square standing on one of its corners.
In 1438, the first recorded corporate coat of arms was granted to the Drapers' Company of the City of London.
Glossary
Coat-of-arms – Derived from the medieval practice of painting designs on the shield and outer clothing of knights for them to be identified in battle and also in jousting tournaments.
Crest – A component of a coat-of-arms. It is a figure portrayed atop the helmet placed above the shield. Traditionally, the crest has been used only by males, although notable exceptions were the queens of England and Britain. They have been treated heraldically as men.
It is also not to be associated with “family crest”.
Device – An emblematic design often used in heraldry.
Herald – Originally a messenger sent by a king or nobleman to give a message or a proclamation.
Lozenge – A charge consisting of a rhombus standing on its point.
Mail – A kind of armor fashioned from interlocking rings to form defensive cloth against sword slashes and the like.
FAQS
What is an achievement?
In heraldry, an achievement is a complete display of armorial bearings, which can also include supporters, the crest and mantling, and other ornaments.
Who could give a person authority in applying for a coat-of-arms?
After the mid-fourteenth century, only the King could grant a coat-of-arms to an individual, usually for an outstanding feat during battle or war. It represented the right to bear arms during the time when normal citizens were forbidden to do so. In that all Talossans are considered to be Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, Taolossa does not subscribe to this rule.
Why is it called the coat-of-arms?
Many people mistakenly think that a family crest is the same as the coat-of-arms. The crest is just a component of the coat-of-arms. Take note, it was awarded to an individual and not a family name.
The arms are presented on a shield because that was originally how they were used- to identify a warrior on the battlefield. They were sometimes worn on the armor itself or on a coat over the armor, thus creating the term “coat-of-arms”.
Is the coat-of-arms awarded to an individual or to a family?
Contrary to popular thought, a coat-of-arms was awarded to an individual, not to a family or a surname. That is why there is sometimes more than one coat-of-arms associated with a last name.
Could one use an ancestor’s coat-of-arms legally?
In England, one would have to prove direct descent from an ancestor in order to use that ancestor’s coat-of-arms. In the past, only the first son of the owner was granted the right to use the arms of his father. Any other sons would have to be granted their own, and it was usually a modification upon the original design.
Was it only royalty and nobility who were able to bear a coat-of-arms?
No. Heraldry began with feudal nobility, although it was able to extend itself to all society classes and ranks, beginning with the knights. By the end of the 14th century even peasants could bear a coat-of-arms.
Links and Resources
For more information on Heraldry, I used the following links:
www.heraldry.org.uk/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraldry
heraldryorigins.tripod.com/
www.fleurdelis.com/coatofarms.htm
www.digiserve.com/heraldry/
www.digiserve.com/heraldry/pimbley.htm
www.coats-of-arms-newsletter.com/
<edited from www.coats-of-arms-newsletter.com/About_Heraldry.html >
Heraldry is considered the art and science of describing a coat-of-arms. It is also considered an emblem that indicates the right of a person to wear arms.
Heraldry has been in existence for hundreds of years. It initially started as a mark of identification when out in society and eventually expanded in the Middle Ages, where warriors could distinguish one another by its use. In battles and jousts, the need for heraldry especially arose because one would not be able to distinguish one player from another without their armorial bearings. Since armor and mail was always worn on the battlefield, warriors thus became easier to identify.
The world “herald” itself is thought to come from Anglo-Saxon origins. “Herald” is a combination of the Anglo-Saxon word “Here”, which means army, and “Wald”, which means strength. Many others think that the word “herald” came into existence through the German word “Herold”.
In the Middle Ages, nobility such as kings, dukes, and knights would hire men from their own household to be a herald. A herald’s duties would include organizing and announcing at tournaments and acting as a messenger. As the use of coats-of-arms began to grow, it required heralds, especially those serving the English royal household, to keep records of both family descents and arms. Because of their new duties, they began to wear the coats-of-arms of those whom they served.
During the Middle Ages, a knight could use choose his own device, but because of the variety and multiplication of arms, a system was put into place that regulated its use. All of the bearings had to be granted by the King, and all the arms that were granted or established by rights before had to be registered with the College of Arms (in England) or with similar institutions in other countries.
Although the history of heraldry may be initially thought of as for males, women were also allowed to use coats-of-arms. Here are some other facts:
A woman’s coat-of-arms would be shown on a lozenge, a square standing on one of its corners.
In 1438, the first recorded corporate coat of arms was granted to the Drapers' Company of the City of London.
Glossary
Coat-of-arms – Derived from the medieval practice of painting designs on the shield and outer clothing of knights for them to be identified in battle and also in jousting tournaments.
Crest – A component of a coat-of-arms. It is a figure portrayed atop the helmet placed above the shield. Traditionally, the crest has been used only by males, although notable exceptions were the queens of England and Britain. They have been treated heraldically as men.
It is also not to be associated with “family crest”.
Device – An emblematic design often used in heraldry.
Herald – Originally a messenger sent by a king or nobleman to give a message or a proclamation.
Lozenge – A charge consisting of a rhombus standing on its point.
Mail – A kind of armor fashioned from interlocking rings to form defensive cloth against sword slashes and the like.
FAQS
What is an achievement?
In heraldry, an achievement is a complete display of armorial bearings, which can also include supporters, the crest and mantling, and other ornaments.
Who could give a person authority in applying for a coat-of-arms?
After the mid-fourteenth century, only the King could grant a coat-of-arms to an individual, usually for an outstanding feat during battle or war. It represented the right to bear arms during the time when normal citizens were forbidden to do so. In that all Talossans are considered to be Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, Taolossa does not subscribe to this rule.
Why is it called the coat-of-arms?
Many people mistakenly think that a family crest is the same as the coat-of-arms. The crest is just a component of the coat-of-arms. Take note, it was awarded to an individual and not a family name.
The arms are presented on a shield because that was originally how they were used- to identify a warrior on the battlefield. They were sometimes worn on the armor itself or on a coat over the armor, thus creating the term “coat-of-arms”.
Is the coat-of-arms awarded to an individual or to a family?
Contrary to popular thought, a coat-of-arms was awarded to an individual, not to a family or a surname. That is why there is sometimes more than one coat-of-arms associated with a last name.
Could one use an ancestor’s coat-of-arms legally?
In England, one would have to prove direct descent from an ancestor in order to use that ancestor’s coat-of-arms. In the past, only the first son of the owner was granted the right to use the arms of his father. Any other sons would have to be granted their own, and it was usually a modification upon the original design.
Was it only royalty and nobility who were able to bear a coat-of-arms?
No. Heraldry began with feudal nobility, although it was able to extend itself to all society classes and ranks, beginning with the knights. By the end of the 14th century even peasants could bear a coat-of-arms.
Links and Resources
For more information on Heraldry, I used the following links:
www.heraldry.org.uk/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraldry
heraldryorigins.tripod.com/
www.fleurdelis.com/coatofarms.htm
www.digiserve.com/heraldry/
www.digiserve.com/heraldry/pimbley.htm
www.coats-of-arms-newsletter.com/