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The system of Blazoning arms that is used today was developed by the officers of arms since the dawn of the art. This includes a description of the Escutcheon (shield), the Crest , and, if present, Supporters , Mottoes , and other insignia. An understanding of these rules is one of the keys to sound practice of heraldry. The rules do differ from country to country, but there are some aspects that carry over in each jurisdiction. Though heraldry is nearly 900 years old, it is still very much in use. Many cities and towns in Europe and around the world still make use of arms. Personal heraldry, both legally protected and lawfully assumed, has continued to be used around the world. Heraldic societies thrive to promote understanding of and education about the subject. ORIGINS AND HISTORY bearing pre-heraldic shields.]] At the time of the the practice of using marks of Cadency arose to distinguish one son from another, and was institutionalized and standardized by John Writhe in the 15th Century . is one of the first recorded examples of hereditary armory in Europe. The same shield shown here is found on the tomb Effigy of his grandson, William Longespee .]] In the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance , heraldry became a highly developed discipline, regulated by professional officers of arms. As its use in Jousting became obsolete, coats of arms remained popular for visually identifying a person in other ways—impressed in Sealing Wax on documents, carved on family tombs, and flown as a banner on country homes. The first work of Heraldic Jurisprudence , ''De Insigniis et Armiis'', was written in the 1350s by Bartolus De Saxoferrato , a professor of law at the University Of Padua .Squibb, George. (Spring 1953). "The Law of Arms in England". ''The Coat of Arms'' II (15): 244. From the beginning of heraldry, coats of arms have been executed in a wide variety of media, including on paper, painted wood, called Blazon .Arthur Fox-Davies. ''A Complete Guide to Heraldry'' (Grammercy Books, New York: 1993), 99. This technical description of a coat of arms is the standard that must be adhered to no matter what artistic interpretations may be made in a particular depiction of the arms. The idea that each element of a coat of arms has some specific meaning is unfounded. Though the original armiger may have placed particular meaning on a charge, these meanings are not necessarily retained from generation to generation. Unless the arms incorporate an obvious pun on the bearer's name, it is difficult to find meaning in them. Changes in military technology and tactics made Plate Armour obsolete and heraldry became detached from its original function. This brought about the development of "paper heraldry" that only existed in paintings. Designs and shields became more elaborate at the expense of clarity. The 20th Century 's taste for stark Icon ic emblems made the simple styles of early heraldry fashionable again. THE RULES OF HERALDRY Shield and lozenge are shown on a lozenge. This is the traditional shape used by a woman for her coats of arms.]] The main focus of modern heraldry is the armorial achievement, or specifies a " Rococo " shield. American Heraldry Society - Arms of Connecticut Traditionally, as women did not go to war, they did not use a shield. Instead their coats of arms were shown on a have also made use of the lozenge as well as the Cartouche – an Oval – for their display. Tinctures See Also: Tincture (heraldry) Tinctures are the colors used in heraldry, though a number of patterns called " Furs " and the depiction of charges in their natural colors or "proper" are also regarded as tinctures, the latter distinct from any color such a depiction might approximate. Since heraldry is essentially a system of identification, the most important convention of heraldry is the Rule Of Tincture . To provide for contrast and visibility, metals (generally lighter tinctures) must never be placed on metals, and colors (generally darker tinctures) must never be placed on colors. Where a Charge overlays a partition of the field, the rule does not apply. Like any rule, this admits exceptions, the most famous being the arms chosen by Godfrey Of Bouillon when he was made King Of Jerusalem .Bruno Heim. ''Or and Argent'' (Gerrards Cross, Buckingham: 1994). The names used in English blazon for the colors and metals come mainly from French and include Or (gold), Argent (white), Azure (blue), Gules (red), Sable (black), Vert (green), and Purpure (purple). A number of other colors are occasionally found, typically for special purposes.Michel Pastoureau. ''Heraldry: An Introduction to a Noble Tradition''. (Henry N Abrams, London: 1997), 47. Certain patterns called "furs" can appear in a coat of arms, though they are (rather arbitrarily) defined as tinctures, not patterns. The two common furs are Ermine and Vair . Ermine represents the winter coat of the Stoat , which is white with a black tail. Vair represents a kind of squirrel with a blue-gray back and white belly. Sewn together, it forms a pattern of alternating blue and white shapes. Thomas Innes Of Learney . ''Scots Heraldry'' (Johnston & Bacon, London: 1978), 28. Heraldic charges can be displayed in their natural colors. Many natural items such as plants and animals are described as ''proper'' in this case. Proper charges are very frequent as crests and supporters. Overuse of the tincture "proper" is viewed as decadent or bad practice. Divisions of the field See Also: Division of the field The Field of a Shield in heraldry can be divided into more than one Tincture , as can the various Heraldic Charge s. Many coats of arms consist simply of a division of the field into two contrasting tinctures. Since these are considered divisions of a shield the rule of tincture can be ignored. For example, a shield divided azure and gules would be perfectly acceptable. A line of partition may be straight or it may be varied. The variations of partition lines can be wavy, indented, embattled, engrailed, or made into myriad other forms.Stephen Friar and John Ferguson. ''Basic Heraldry''. (W.W. Norton & Company, New York: 1993), 148. Ordinaries See Also: Ordinary (heraldry) In the early days of heraldry, very simple bold rectilinear shapes were painted on shields. These could be easily recognized at a long distance and could be easily remembered. They therefore served the main purpose of heraldry—identification.Carl-Alexander von Volborth. ''Heraldry: Customs, Rules, and Styles''. (Blandford Press, Dorset: 1981), 18. As more complicated shields came into use, these bold shapes were set apart in a separate class as the "honorable ordinaries." They act as charges and are always written first in Blazon . Unless otherwise specified they extend to the edges of the field. Though ordinaries are not easily defined, they are generally described as including the Cross , the Fess , the Pale , the Bend , the Chevron , the Saltire , and the Pall .Stephen Friar, Ed. ''A Dictionary of Heraldry''. (Harmony Books, New York: 1987), 259. There is a separate class of charges called sub-ordinaries which are of a geometrical shape subordinate to the ordinary. According to Friar, they are distinguished by their order in blazon. The sub-ordinaries include the Inescutcheon , the Orle , the Tressure , the double tressure, the Bordure , the Chief , the Canton , the Label , and Flaunch es.Stephen Friar, Ed. ''A Dictionary of Heraldry''. (Harmony Books, New York: 1987), 330. Ordinaries may appear in parallel series, in which case English blazon gives them different names such as pallets, bars, bendlets, and chevronels. French blazon makes no such distinction between these diminutives and the ordinaries when borne singly. Unless otherwise specified an ordinary is drawn with straight lines, but each may be indented, embattled, wavy, engrailed, or otherwise have their lines varied.Woodcock, Thomas & John Martin Robinson. ''The Oxford Guide to Heraldry''. (Oxford University Press, New York: 1988), 60. Charges See Also: Charge (heraldry) A charge is any object or figure placed on a heraldic shield or on any other object of an armorial composition.John Brooke-Little. ''Boutell's Heraldry''. (Frederick Warne & Company, London: 1973), 311. Any object found in nature or technology may appear as a heraldic charge in armory. Charges can be animals, objects, or geometric shapes. Apart from the ordinaries, the most frequent charges are the Cross —with its hundreds of variations—and the Lion and Eagle . Other common animals are Stag s, Boar s, Martlet s, and Fish . Dragons , Unicorn s, Griffin s, and more exotic monsters appear as charges and as Supporters . Animals are found in various stereotyped positions or attitudes. Quadruped s can often be found Rampant —standing on the left hind foot. Another frequent position is Passant , or walking, like the lions of the Coat Of Arms Of England . Eagles are almost always shown with their wings spread, or displayed. In English Heraldry the Crescent , Mullet , Martlet , Annulet , Fleur-de-lis , and Rose may be added to a shield to distinguish Cadet branches of a family from the senior line. These cadency marks are usually shown smaller than normal charges, but it still does not follow that a shield containing such a charge belongs to a cadet branch. All of these charges occur frequently in basic undifferenced coats of arms. Ian Moncrieffe and Don Pottinger . ''Simple Heraldry, Cheerfully Illustrated''. (Thomas Nelson and Sons, London: 1953), 20. Marshalling Diptych ]] Marshalling is the art of correctly arranging armorial bearings.David Williamson. ''Debrett's Guide to Heraldry and Regalia''. (Headline Books, London: 1992), 128. Two or more coats of arms are often combined in one shield to express inheritance, claims to property, or the occupation of an office. Marshalling can be done in a number of ways, but the principal mode is of a coat of arms on the main shield. When more than four coats are to be marshaled, the principle of quartering may be extended to two rows of three (quarterly of six) and even further. A few lineages have accumulated hundreds of quarters, though such a number is usually displayed only in documentary contexts.Edmundas Rimša. ''Heraldry Past to Present''. (Versus Aureus, Vilnius: 2005), 38. Some traditions have a strong resistance to allowing more than four quarters, and resort instead to sub-quartering. Helm and crest See Also: Helmet Crest (heraldry) In English the word "crest" is commonly used to refer to a coat of arms—an entire heraldic achievement. The correct use of the heraldic term Crest refers to just one component of a complete achievement. The crest rests on top of a Helmet which itself rests on the most important part of the achievement—the shield. The crest is usually found on a Wreath of twisted cloth and sometimes within a Coronet . The modern crest has evolved from the three-dimensional figure placed on the top of the mounted knights' helms as a further means of identification. In most heraldic traditions a woman does not display a crest, though this tradition is being relaxed in some heraldic jurisdictions. ]] When the helm and crest are shown, they are usually accompanied by a Mantling . This was originally a cloth worn over the back of the helmet as partial protection against heating by sunlight. Today it takes the form of a stylized cloak or hanging from the helmet. Peter Gwynn-Jones . ''The Art of Heraldry''. (Parkgate Books, London: 1998), 124. Typically in British heraldry, the outer surface of the mantling is of the principal color in the shield and the inner surface is of the principal metal. The mantling is conventionally depicted with a ragged edge, as if damaged in combat. Clergy often refrain from displaying a helm or crest in their Heraldic Achievements . Members of the Roman Catholic clergy may display appropriate head wear. This takes the form of a Galero with the colors and tassels denoting rank; or, in the case of Papal Arms until the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, an elaborate triple crown known as a Tiara . Benedict broke with tradition to substitute a Mitre in His Arms . In the Anglican tradition, clergy members may pass crests on to their offspring, but rarely display them on their own shields. with its French motto ''Je me souviens'']] Mottoes An armorial Motto is a phrase or collection of words intended to describe the motivation or intention of the armigerous person or corporation. This can form a pun on the family name as in Thomas Nevile 's motto "Ne vile velis." Mottos are generally changed at will and do not make up an integral part of the armorial achievement. Mottoes can typically be found on a scroll under the shield. In Scottish Heraldry where the motto is granted as part of the Blazon , it is usually shown on a scroll above the crest. A motto may be in any language. Supporters and other insignia uses two foxes as supporters]] , senior members of orders of knighthood, and some corporate bodies are granted supporters. Often these can have local significance or a historical link to the armiger. If the armiger has the title of Baron , hereditary Knight , or higher, he or she may display a coronet of rank above the shield. In Britain this is usually below the helmet, though it is often above the crest in Continental heraldry. In Canada , descendants of the United Empire Loyalists are entitled to use a Loyalist military coronet (for descendants of members of Loyalist regiments) or Loyalist civil coronet (for others). Another addition that can be made to a coat of arms is the insignia of an order of knighthood. This is usually represented by a collar or similar band surrounding the shield. When the arms of a knight and his wife are shown in one achievement, the insignia of knighthood surround the husband's arms only, and the wife's arms are customarily surrounded by a meaningless ornamental garland of leaves for visual balance.Julian Franklyn. ''Shield and Crest''. (MacGibbon & Kee, London: 1960), 358. NATIONAL STYLES , though he lived long before the development of heraldry.]] The emergence of heraldry occurred across n and Canadian have emerged in the twentieth century.Alan Beddoe, revised by Strome Galloway. ''Beddoe's Canadian Heraldry''. (Mika Publishing Company, Belleville: 1981). In general there are characteristics shared by each of the four main groups. German-Nordic heraldry Coats of arms in Germany, the Scandinavian countries, Estonia , Latvia , and northern Switzerland generally change very little over time. Marks of difference are very rare in this tradition as are heraldic furs.von Warnstedt, Christopher. (October 1970). "The Heraldic Provinces of Europe". ''The Coat of Arms'' XI (84): 129. One of the most striking characteristics of German-Nordic heraldry is the treatment of the crest. Often, the same design is repeated in the shield and the crest. The use of multiple crests is also common.Thomas Woodcock & John Martin Robinson. ''The Oxford Guide to Heraldry''. (Oxford University Press, New York: 1988), 15. The crest cannot be used separately as in British heraldry, but can sometimes serve as a mark of difference between different branches of a family.Neubecker, Ottfried. ''Heraldry. Sources, Symbols and Meaning'' (London 1976), p. 158 Dutch heraldry Coats of arms in the . Accessed January 20, 2007. Gallo-British heraldry The use of cadency marks to difference arms within the same family and the use of .Thomas Woodcock & John Martin Robinson. ''The Oxford Guide to Heraldry''. (Oxford University Press, New York: 1988), 21. English heraldry makes greater use of supporters than other European countries. Latin heraldry The heraldry of southern France, Iberia , and Italy is characterized by a lack of crests and shields of unique shape.von Warnstedt, Christopher. (October 1970). "The Heraldic Provinces of Europe". ''The Coat of Arms'' XI (84): 129. Iberian heraldry occasionally introduces words to the shield of arms, a practice frowned upon in British heraldry. It is known for its extensive use of quartering, due to armorial inheritance through both the male and female lines. Italian heraldry, in particular, is dominated by the Roman Catholic church with many shields and achievements bearing some reference to the church.Thomas Woodcock & John Martin Robinson. ''The Oxford Guide to Heraldry''. (Oxford University Press, New York: 1988), 24-30. Central and Eastern Europe heraldry Eastern heraldry is the tradition that developed in Serbia , Croatia , Hungary , Lithuania , Poland , Ukraine , and Russia . These are characterized by a pronounced territorial Clan system. Often, entire villages or military groups were granted the same coat of arms irrespective of family relationships. In Poland, nearly six hundred unrelated families are known to bear the same arms of a Horseshoe enclosing a cross. Marks of cadency are almost unknown and shields are generally very simple with only one charge. Many heraldic shields derive from ancient house marks. At least 15 percent of all Hungarian personal arms bear a decapitated Turk's head in reference to their wars against Turkey .von Warnstedt, Christopher. (October 1970). "The Heraldic Provinces of Europe". ''The Coat of Arms'' XI (84): 129-30.Thomas Woodcock & John Martin Robinson. ''The Oxford Guide to Heraldry''. (Oxford University Press, New York: 1988), 28-32. MODERN HERALDRY ]] Heraldry continues to flourish in the modern world. Institutions, companies, and individuals continue to use coats of arms as forms of pictorial identification. In the British Isles, the , Canada and South Africa that grant or register coats of arms.See the Public Register Of Arms, Flags And Badges Of Canada at this page Heraldic societies abound in the world today in Africa , Asia , Australasia , the Americas , and in Europe. Some people who have interests in heraldry as a hobby participate in the Society For Creative Anachronism and other medieval revivals or in Micronation alism. Many more people see heraldry as a part of their national, and even personal, heritage, as well as a manifestation of civic and national pride. Today, heraldry has ceased to be an expression of aristocracy throughout the world and is simply a form of identification.Stephen Slater. ''The Complete Book of Heraldry''. (Hermes House, New York: 2003), 238. Military Heraldry continues to develop, incorporating blazons unknown to the medieval world. Nations and their subdivisions—provinces, states, counties, cities, and more—continue to build on traditions of civic heraldry. The Roman Catholic Church , the Church Of England , and other faiths maintain a tradition of heraldry known as Ecclesiastical Heraldry for its highest ranking prelates, holy orders, universities and schools. SEE ALSO NOTES EXTERNAL LINKS Authorities
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