Heraldry Heraldry was very important during the Middle Ages. Heraldry helped knights identify each other during battle. Noble Families designed patterns and symbols to paint on their shields that would represent their family. These shields were called coats of arms and were proudly displayed on doors, furniture and plates, as well as shields. A Herald went to school at a very young age and learnt to read and write. They had to memorise all the coats of arms that were in existence and heralds were used in battles to help determine the positions of the enemy on the battlefields. Heralds had their own language for describing the shields, called Blazon. You are going to learn the skills on the herald. Lets begin by looking at the colours used in heraldry. COLOURS (called tinctures) The Medieval Heralds used seven tinctures divided into two groups metals and colours. The rule of tincture is important and has to be followed. The rule is metal on colour, or colour on metal, but not metal in metal or colour on colour. Colours NAME COLOUR MEANING Gules Bright red Warrior, military strength Azure Blue Truth and loyalty Vert Green Hope, joy Purpure Purple Royalty, sovereignty, justice Sable Black Constancy, grief Metals NAME COLOUR MEANING Or Gold (yellow) Generosity, intelligence Argent Silver (white) Peace, sincerity BACKGROUNDS Here are some examples of background designs. Remember the rule of tincture apply colour on metal or metal on colour.
The background can also be divided into sections. Here are the different types of sections. Backgrounds can also have different sorts of lines on them, as shown below. IMAGES After the background comes the animal or image. Each of these have meanings also. Here are some examples, although there are many more, this is a good start: ITEM OR ANIMAL Arm or hand arrow Bear Bee book Bow and arrow Candle (lamp) Castle/tower crow Church column Cross crown dove dragon eagle feathers fire fish flowers jewel goat harp heart horseshoe lamb lion Tree owl Pine cone MEANING leadership Readiness for battle strength Industrious Wise, counsel War, power Light, life and spirituality safety Strategist in battle, watchful Religious, faith Fortitude and consistency Faith, Christianity, service in crusades royal Peace, good tidings Valiant defender, protection Noble, strength, bravery and alertness obedience zealousness Virtuous, true, generous Hope and joy supremacy One who wins through politics not war Well composed, tempered Charity, sincerity Good luck, safeguard against evil Gentleness, patience under suffering courage Great age, strength vigilant life
pitcher plant rabbit rainbow rose snake sun tiger unicorn vine service Hope and joy Peacefulness, quietness Good times after bad Joy, love wisdom Glory, splendour Fierceness, dangerous if aroused Virtue and strength Strong and lasting friendship Animals can also be drawn in certain postures. The following are the type of postures: Rampant Rampant guardant Passant Couchant Sejant Standing on back legs standing on back legs with face towards the front walking lying down sitting. Lets summarise all of this. When describing a coat of arms a herald needs to follow the set order: 1. Describe the type of background 2. Describe the colour of the background 3. Name the animal or image 4. Describe the position they are in 5. Describe the colour of the animal or image. Always remember Describe from the base and work your way up. LETS PRACTICE Here are a couple of examples of how a Herald would describe a coat of arms. Per chevron inverted vert and azure, a serpent Or and a tower Or. Quarterly, agent and azure, a dove on azure quarters, Or and a cross on argent quarters, gules.
Now you practice and write down the description of the following coat of arms. Your task now is to create your own Heraldic Shield on the outline provided. Follow these hints to help you in creating your design: 1. Select meaningful images that will say something about you and your station in life, for example where you come from, your family, your nationality, interests, talents etc. 2. Select things that are important to you and pleasing to you and that has a meaning that relates to you. 3. Keep your ideas simple. The main purpose of heraldry was identification. Everyone should be able to clearly recognise your coat of arms from across the battlefield. Keep your design balanced and uncluttered. 4. Remember to follow the rule of tincture. 5. After you have finished, you must also write the heraldic description of your coat of arms. 6. You must also write one paragraph describing why you chose the items and colours you did and what they all mean and how they describe YOU.
Name: Heraldic Description of my shield: Meaning of my shield: Congratulations you have now passed heraldry school and can march out to battle with your army and help your knights in recognising those on the battlefield.