The German Hyghalmen Roll was made in the late fifteenth century and illustrates the German practice of repeating themes from the arms in the crest

Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. The Hyghalmen Roll is a Roll of arms kept at the College of Arms in London England (1st MS An officer of arms is a person appointed by a sovereign or State with authority to perform one or more of the following functions to control and initiate ^[1] To most, though, heraldry is the practice of designing, displaying, describing, and recording coats of arms and badges. A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short in European tradition is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people In Heraldry, a badge is an Emblem or Personal device used to indicate allegiance to or property of an individual or family Historically, it has been variously described as "the shorthand of history"^[2] and "the floral border in the garden of history. "^[3] The origins of heraldry lie in the need to distinguish participants in combat when their faces were hidden by iron and steel helmets. A helmet is a form of Protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries a variation of the hat ^[4] Eventually a system of rules developed into the modern form of heraldry.

The system of blazoning arms that is used today was developed by the officers of arms since the dawn of the art. In Heraldry and heraldic Vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of most often a Coat of arms or Flag, which enables a person to This includes a description of the escutcheon (shield), the crest, and, if present, supporters, mottoes, and other insignia. The word crest is often mistakenly applied to a Coat of arms. In Heraldry, supporters are figures usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group 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

Shields of Magister Militum Praesentalis II. Page from the Notitia Dignitatum, a medieval copy of a Late Roman register of military commands

Ancient warriors often decorated their shields with patterns and mythological motifs. The Notitia Dignitatum is a unique document of the Roman imperial chanceries These symbols could be used to identify the warriors bearing them when their faces were obscured by helmets. Army units of the Roman Empire were identified by the distinctive markings on their shields, although these were not heraldic in the medieval and modern sense, as they were associated with units, not individuals or families. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial ^[5]

Three soldiers on the Bayeux Tapestry bearing pre-heraldic shields. The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft long embroidered cloth which explains the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of

At the time of the Norman conquest of England, modern heraldry had not yet been developed. The knights in the Bayeux Tapestry carry shields, but there appears to have been no system of hereditary coats of arms. Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages. The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft long embroidered cloth which explains the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short in European tradition is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people The beginnings of modern heraldic structure were in place, but would not become standard until the middle of the 12th century. ^[6] By this time, coats of arms were being inherited by the children of armigers (persons entitled to use a coat of arms) across Europe. Armiger may also refer to the AGM Armiger anti-radiation missile Between 1135 and 1155, seals show the general adoption of heraldic devices in England, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest ^[7] In Britain 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. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands In Heraldry, cadency is any systematic way of distinguishing similar coats of arms belonging to members of the same Family. John Writhe (d 1504 was a long-serving English Officer of arms.

The tomb of Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou 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. An effigy is a representation of a person especially in the form of Sculpture. William de Longespée jure uxoris 3rd Earl of Salisbury (c 1176 &ndash March 7, 1226) was an English noble primarily remembered for his command

In the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, heraldry became a highly developed discipline, regulated by professional officers of arms. The Renaissance (from French Renaissance, meaning "rebirth" Italian: Rinascimento, from re- "again" and nascere 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. A seal can mean a wax seal bearing an impressed figure or an embossed figure in paper with the purpose of authenticating a document but the term can also mean any device for 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. The Law of Arms or laws of Heraldry, governs the "bearing of arms" that is the possession use or display of arms also called coats of arms, coat armour Bartolus de Saxoferrato (Italian Bartolo da Sassoferrato; 1313 &ndash July 13 1357) was an Italian law professor and one of the most prominent continental The University of Padua ( Italian Università degli Studi di Padova, UNIPD) located in Padua, Italy, was founded in 1222 ^[8]

From the beginning of heraldry, coats of arms have been executed in a wide variety of media, including on paper, painted wood, embroidery, enamel, stonework and stained glass. Embroidery is the Art or Handicraft of decorating fabric or other Materials with designs stitched in strands of thread or In a discussion of Material science, enamel (or vitreous enamel or porcelain enamel in U For the Blackford Oakes novel see Stained Glass (novel The term stained glass refers either to the material of coloured Glass or to the art For the purpose of quick identification in all of these, heraldry distinguishes only seven basic colors^[9] and makes no fine distinctions in the precise size or placement of charges on the field. In Heraldry, tinctures are the colours used to Emblazon a Coat of arms. In Heraldry and Vexillology, a charge is an image occupying the field on an escutcheon (or shield In Heraldry, the background of the Shield is called the field. ^[10] Coats of arms and their accessories are described in a concise jargon called blazon. For Wikipedia jargon see WikipediaGlossary. For hacker slang see Jargon File. In Heraldry and heraldic Vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of most often a Coat of arms or Flag, which enables a person to ^[11] 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. Plate armour is personal Armour made from large Metal plates worn on the Chest and sometimes the entire Body. 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 iconic emblems made the simple styles of early heraldry fashionable again. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity.

The rules of heraldry

Shield and lozenge

The main focus of modern heraldry is the armorial achievement, or coat of arms. A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short in European tradition is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people The central element of a coat of arms is the escutcheon. Escutcheon (ɪ'skʌtʃən (also called scutcheon) is the term used in Heraldry for the Shield displayed ^[12] In general the shape of shield employed in a coat of arms is irrelevant. The fashion for shield shapes employed in heraldic art has generally evolved over the centuries. There are times when a particular shield shape is specified in a blazon. These mostly occur in non-European contexts such as the coat of arms of Nunavut^[13] and the former Republic of Bophuthatswana,^[14] with North Dakota providing an even more unusual example^[15] and the state of Connecticut specifies a "rococo" shield. The Coat of Arms of the Territory of Nunavut (formally known as The Arms of Her Majesty in Right of Nunavut) was granted by a warrant by Roméo LeBlanc Bophuthatswana (meaning gathering of the Tswana people) was a Bantustan ("homeland" in the northwest of South Africa. North Dakota ( is a state located in the Midwestern and Western regions of the United States of America. Connecticut ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Rococo is a style of 18th century French art and Interior design. ^[16] - mostly in a non-European context, but not completely, as the Scottish Public Register records an escutcheon of oval form for the Lanarkshire Master Plumbers' and Domestic Engineers' (Employers') Association and a shield of square form for the Anglo Leasing organisation.

Traditionally, as women did not go to war, they did not use a shield. Instead their coats of arms were shown on a lozenge—a rhombus standing on one of its acute corners. The lozenge in Heraldry is a diamond-shaped charge (an object that can be placed on the field of the shield usually somewhat narrower than it is tall In Geometry, a rhombus (from Ancient Greek ῥόμβος - rrhombos “rhombus spinning top” (plural rhombi or rhombuses This continues to hold true in much of the world, though some heraldic authorities, like Scotland with its ovals for women's arms, make exceptions. ^[17] In Canada the restriction against women bearing arms on a shield has been completely eliminated. Noncombatant clergy have also made use of the lozenge as well as the cartouche – an oval – for their display. Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given Religion. In Egyptian hieroglyphs a cartouche is an oblong enclosure with a horizontal line at one end indicating that the text enclosed is a royal name coming into use during In geometry an oval or ovoid (from Latin ovum, 'egg' is any Curve resembling an egg or an Ellipse.

Tinctures

Main article: 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. In Heraldry, tinctures are the colours used to Emblazon a Coat of arms. In Heraldry, tinctures are the colours used to Emblazon a Coat of arms. Since heraldry is essentially a system of identification, the most important convention of heraldry is the rule of tincture. The first rule of heraldry is the rule of tincture: metal should not be put on metal nor colour on colour (Humphrey Llwyd 1568) 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. In Heraldry and Vexillology, a charge is an image occupying the field on an escutcheon (or shield There are other exceptions - the most famous being the gold crosses on white chosen as the arms of Godfrey of Bouillon when he was made King of Jerusalem. Godfrey of Bouillon (c 1060 Boulogne-sur-Mer &ndash 18 July 1100, Jerusalem) was a medieval knight who was a leader of the First This article is about the Christian kingdom For the history of the city see History of Jerusalem The Kingdom of Jerusalem was a Christian ^[18]

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). French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people In Heraldry, or (from the French word for gold) is the tincture of gold, and belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals" In Heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures called "metals" This article is about the heraldic tincture. For other meanings see Azure (disambiguation. In Heraldry, gules (pronounced with a hard 'g' is the tincture with the colour Red, and belongs to the class of dark tinctures called "colours" This article describes the heraldic tincture sable For other uses see Sable (disambiguation. This article describes the heraldic tincture vert For other uses see Vert (disambiguation. In Heraldry, purpure is a tincture, more or less the equivalent of the colour " Purple " and is one of the five main or most usually used A number of other colors are occasionally found, typically for special purposes. ^[19]

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. In Heraldry, ermine is one of the furs used in Blazon, representing the skin of the stoat, known in medieval Latin as armenius ( In Heraldry, vair is a "fur" a tincture which is simultaneously a two-coloured field treatment 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. ^[20]

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

Divisions of the field.

Ordinaries.

Main article: Division of the field

The field of a shield in heraldry can be divided into more than one tincture, as can the various heraldic charges. Divisions of the field is a heraldic term referring to the pattern on a shield In Heraldry, the background of the Shield is called the field. A shield is a protective device meant to intercept attacks The term often refers to a device that is held in the hand as opposed to Armour or a Bullet proof vest In Heraldry, tinctures are the colours used to Emblazon a Coat of arms. In Heraldry and Vexillology, a charge is an image occupying the field on an escutcheon (or shield 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, nebuly, or made into myriad other forms. In Heraldry and Architecture, a line which is drawn nebuly is made up of a series of bulbous protrusions which are supposed to resemble clouds (Latin nebula a mist ^[21]

Ordinaries

Main article: Ordinary (heraldry)

In the early days of heraldry, very simple bold rectilinear shapes were painted on shields. In Heraldry, an ordinary is a simple geometrical figure on the arms bounded by straight lines and running from edge to edge or top to bottom of the shield These could be easily recognized at a long distance and could be easily remembered. They therefore served the main purpose of heraldry—identification. ^[22] 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. In Heraldry and heraldic Vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of most often a Coat of arms or Flag, which enables a person to 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. A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other dividing one or two of the lines in half FESS is also an acronym for Functional endoscopic sinus surgery. A pale is a term used in heraldic Blazon and Vexillology to describe a charge on a Coat of arms (or Flag) that takes the form In Heraldry, a bend is a colored band running from the upper right corner of the shield to the lower left (from the point of view of a person bearing the shield A chevron (also spelled cheveron, especially in older documents is a V-shaped pattern St Andrew's Cross redirects here For the item of BDSM furniture see Saint Andrew's Cross (BDSM A saltire, Saint Andrew's Cross A pall is a Y -shaped heraldic charge. An example of a (fesswise pall is the green portion of the Flag of South Africa. ^[23]

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 flaunches. In Heraldry, an ordinary is a simple geometrical figure on the arms bounded by straight lines and running from edge to edge or top to bottom of the shield In Heraldry, a bordure is a contrasting border around a shield traditionally one-sixth as wide as the shield itself A chief is a term used in heraldic Blazon to describe a charge on a Coat of arms that takes the form of a band running horizontally across Canton is a charge placed in the Upper dexter corner It is classed by some heraldic writers as one of the Honorable ordinaries; but strictly speaking Heraldry, a label is a charge closely resembling the strap with pendants which from the saddle crossed the horse's chest A flaunch in Heraldry, is regarded as an ordinary or subordinary one of two (as the flaunch is never borne singly semicircles ^[24]

Ordinaries may appear in parallel series, in which case blazons in English give 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. ^[25]

Charges

Main article: Charge (heraldry)

A charge is any object or figure placed on a heraldic shield or on any other object of an armorial composition. In Heraldry and Vexillology, a charge is an image occupying the field on an escutcheon (or shield ^[26] 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. A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other dividing one or two of the lines in half The lion ( Panthera leo) is a member of the family Felidae and one of four Big cats in the Genus Panthera. Eagles are large birds of prey which are members of the Bird order Falconiformes and family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera Other common animals are stags, boars, martlets, and fish. A deer is a Ruminant Mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. The boar or wild boar ( Sus scrofa) is an Omnivorous, gregarious Mammal of the biological family Suidae. Note that the British version of the F4F Wildcat was initially called the Martlet. Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two Dragons, unicorns, griffins, and more exotic monsters appear as charges and as supporters. European dragons are Legendary creatures in Folklore and Mythology among the overlapping cultures of Europe. A unicorn (from Latin unus 'one' and cornu 'horn' is a Mythological creature. The griffin is a Legendary creature with the body of a Lion and the head and often wings of an Eagle. In Heraldry, supporters are figures usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up

Animals are found in various stereotyped positions or attitudes. Quadrupeds can often be found rampant—standing on the left hind foot. Quadrupedalism (from Latin meaning "four legs" is a form of land animal locomotion using four legs. Another frequent position is passant, or walking, like the lions of the coat of arms of England. In Heraldry and Vexillology, a charge is an image occupying the field on an escutcheon (or shield The royal coat of arms of England was the official coat of arms of the monarchs of England, and were used as the official coat of arms of the Kingdom 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. For things named Crescent see Crescent (disambiguation. In art and symbolism a crescent is generally the shape produced when a In Heraldry the term mullet or molet refers to a charge or a Difference in the conventional shape of a star, by default one with Note that the British version of the F4F Wildcat was initially called the Martlet. An annulet (ie "little ring" in Heraldry, is a difference or mark of distinction which the fifth brother of any family ought to bear in his Coat of arms The fleur-de-lys (or fleur-de-lis, plural fleurs-de-lis ˌfləː(rdəˈliː (ˌfləː(rdəˈlɪs in Quebec) translated from French as "lily The Rose is a popular symbol in English Heraldry. It is a flower with five symmetrical lobes alternating with barbs and a circular seed In Heraldry, cadency is any systematic way of distinguishing similar coats of arms belonging to members of the same Family. 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. ^[27]

Marshalling

An extravagant example of marshalling—the 719 quarterings of the Grenville Armorial at Stowe

Marshalling is the art of correctly arranging armorial bearings. George Nugent-Temple-Grenville 1st Marquess of Buckingham ( 17 June 1753 &ndash 11 February 1813) was a British statesman he A Roll of Arms (or armorial) is a collection of coats of arms which may be recorded in a variety of ways written ( blazon) painted drawn or carved Stowe House is a Grade I listed Country house located in Stowe Buckinghamshire ^[28] 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 impalement, which replaced the earlier dimidiation which simply halves the shields of both and sticks them together. In Heraldry, Impalement is the practice of joining two Coats of arms side-by-side in one Shield. In Heraldry, Dimidiation is a method of joining two Coats of arms. Impalement involves using one shield with the arms of two families or corporations on either half. Another method is called quartering, in which the shield is divided into quadrants. Quartering in Heraldry is a method of joining several different coats of arms together in one shield by dividing the shield into equal parts and placing In Mathematics, the Cartesian coordinate system (also called rectangular coordinate system) is used to determine each point uniquely in a plane This practice originated in Spain after the 13th century. ^[29] One might also place a small inescutcheon of a coat of arms on the main shield. Escutcheon (ɪ'skʌtʃən (also called scutcheon) is the term used in Heraldry for the Shield displayed

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. ^[30] Some traditions, like the Scottish one, have a strong resistance to allowing more than four quarters, and use instead grand quartering and counter quartering (quarterly quarterly).

Helm and crest

Main articles: Helmet and Crest (heraldry)

In English the word "crest" is commonly used to refer to a coat of arms—an entire heraldic achievement. A helmet is a form of Protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries a variation of the hat The word crest is often mistakenly applied to a Coat of arms. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The technical use of the heraldic term crest refers to just one component of a complete achievement. The word crest is often mistakenly applied to a Coat of arms. The crest rests on top of a helmet which itself rests on the most important part of the achievement: the shield. A helmet is a form of Protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries a variation of the hat

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, and the stall plate of Lady Marion Fraser in the Thistle Chapel in St Giles, Edinburgh, shows her coat on a lozenge but with helmet, crest and motto.

German heraldry has examples of shields with numerous crests, as this arms of Saxe-Altenburg featuring a total of seven crests. Saxe-Altenburg (Sachsen-Altenburg was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine branch of the Wettin dynasty

The crest is usually found on a wreath of twisted cloth and sometimes within a coronet. In Heraldry, the torse is a twisted roll of fabric wound around the top of the helm and crest to hold the mantle in place A coronet is a small crown consisting of ornaments fixed on a metal ring Crest-coronets are generally simpler than coronets of rank, but several specialized forms exist; for example, 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). Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The name United Empire Loyalists is a honorific name which has been given after the fact to those American Loyalists who resettled in British North America and other This article concerns Loyalists in the American Revolution. For information on the role of those Loyalists in Canadian history after their emigration see United Empire

When the helm and crest are shown, they are usually accompanied by a mantling. In Heraldry, mantling or lambrequin is drapery tied to the helmet above the shield 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 hanging from the helmet. ^[31] 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, though peers in the United Kingdom use standard colourings regardless of rank or what the colourings of their arms. The mantling is sometimes conventionally depicted with a ragged edge, as if damaged in combat, though the edges of most are simply decorated at the emblazoner's discretion.

Clergy often refrain from displaying a helm or crest in their heraldic achievements. Ecclesiastical heraldry is the tradition of Heraldry developed by Christian Clergy. Members of the clergy may display appropriate head wear. This often takes the form of a small crowned, wide brimmed hat, sometimes, outwith heraldry, called 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. A galero (pl galeri; L galerum, pl galera) in the Roman Catholic Church is a large broad-brimmed tasseled hat worn For at least 800 years each Pope has had his own personal Coat of arms that serves as a symbol of his papacy Pope Benedict XVI ( Latin: Benedictus PP XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI; born Joseph Alois Ratzinger A tiara (from Persian تاره tara adopted in Latin as 'tiara' is a form of crown. Benedict broke with tradition to substitute a mitre in his arms. The mitre (sometimes also spelled miter from the Greek μίτρα, 'headband' or 'turban' is a type of headgear now known as the traditional ceremonial head-dress of The coat of arms of Pope Benedict XVI was designed by then Archbishop Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo (who later was created a Cardinal soon after the Orthodox and Presbyterian clergy do sometimes adopt other forms of head gear to ensign their shields. In the Anglican tradition, clergy members may pass crests on to their offspring, but rarely display them on their own shields. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs

Mottoes

An armorial motto is a phrase or collection of words intended to describe the motivation or intention of the armigerous person or corporation. A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group This can form a pun on the family name as in Thomas Nevile's motto "Ne vile velis. Thomas Nevile (died 1615 was an English clergyman and academic who was Dean of Peterborough (??-1597 and Canterbury (1597-?? Master of Magdalene College " Mottoes 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, and may not be changed at will. Scottish Heraldry is a distinct system of armorial practice devised and used in Scotland. In Heraldry and heraldic Vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of most often a Coat of arms or Flag, which enables a person to A motto may be in any language.

Supporters and other insignia

The coat of arms of Ukraine uses a lion and a Cossack as supporters. The Coat of Arms of Ukraine (Tryzub features the same colours found on the Ukrainian flag: a blue Shield with yellow Trident The Cossacks (Каза́ки́ Kazaki; Козаки́ Kozaki; Kozacy are a group of martial people living in the southern Steppe regions of Eastern

Supporters are human or animal figures or, very rarely, inanimate objects, usually placed on either side of a coat of arms as though supporting it. In Heraldry, supporters are figures usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up In many traditions, these have acquired strict guidelines for use by certain social classes. On the European continent, there are often fewer restrictions on the use of supporters. Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the Continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European ^[32] In the United Kingdom only peers of the realm, a few baronets, senior members of orders of knighthood, and some corporate bodies are granted supporters. Peer of the Realm is a term for a member of the (aristocratic highest social order (not considering the ruling dynasty in a kingdom notably a member of the Peerage 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. Baron is a specific Title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin (liber Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages. In the United Kingdom this is shown between the shield and helmet, though it is often above the crest in Continental heraldry.

Another addition that can be made to a coat of arms is the insignia of a baronet or 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. ^[33]

National styles

An example of an attributed coat of arms. WikipediaCITE#Citation_styles --> Attributed arms are Coats of arms given Medieval officers of arms attributed this coat to Jesus, though he lived a good millennium before the development of heraldry. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE)

The emergence of heraldry occurred across western Europe almost simultaneously in the various countries. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Originally, heraldic style was very similar from country to country. ^[34] Over time, there developed distinct differences between the heraldic traditions of different countries. The four broad heraldic styles are German-Nordic, Gallo-British, Latin, and Eastern. ^[35] In addition it can be argued that later national heraldic traditions, such as South African and Canadian have emerged in the twentieth century. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa ^[36] 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, Czech lands and northern Switzerland generally change very little over time. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia ( Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. The " Czech lands " (České země is an auxiliary term used mainly to describe the combination of Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Marks of difference are very rare in this tradition as are heraldic furs. ^[37] 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. ^[38] 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. ^[39] Torse is optional. In Heraldry, the torse is a twisted roll of fabric wound around the top of the helm and crest to hold the mantle in place ^[40] Heraldic courtoisie is observed. ^[41]

A Danish coat of arms in the German-Nordic tradition

Dutch heraldry

Coats of arms in the Netherlands were not controlled by an official heraldic system like the two in the United Kingdom, nor were they used solely by noble families. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Nobility is a government-privileged title which may be either hereditary (see Hereditary titles) or for a lifetime Any person could develop and use a coat of arms if they wished to do so. As a result, many merchant families had coats of arms even though they were not members of the nobility. These are sometimes referred to as burgher arms, and it is thought that most arms of this type were adopted while the Netherlands was a republic (1581-1806). Burgher arms are coats of arms of commoners (ie non-nobles in Heraldry of the European continent. A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its ^[42]

Gallo-British heraldry

The use of cadency marks to difference arms within the same family and the use of semy fields are distinctive features of Gallo-British heraldry. It is common to see heraldic furs used. ^[43] In United Kingdom, the style is notably still controlled by royal officers of arms. ^[44] French heraldry experienced a period of strict rules of construction under the Emperor Napoleon. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. ^[45] English and Scots heraldries make greater use of supporters than other European countries. ^[38]

Latin heraldry

The heraldry of southern France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy is characterized by a lack of crests and shields of unique shape. ^[46] Portuguese and Spanish 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. ^[47]

Central and Eastern European heraldry

Eastern heraldry is the tradition that developed in Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia. Serbia (Србија Srbija) officially the Republic of Serbia (Република Србија Republika Srbija) is a Landlocked Country Croatia (Hrvatska ˈxȓvatska officially the Republic of Croatia ( Republika Hrvatska) is a southern Central European country at the crossroads between Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending These are characterized by a pronounced territorial clan system. A clan is a group of People united by Kinship and descent, which is defined by perceived descent from a common ancestor 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 Jastrzębiec coat of arms. Jastrzębiec - is a Polish Coat of Arms. It was used by several Szlachta families prior to and during the Polish-Lithuanian 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 Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish ^[48][49]

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 United Kingdom and Ireland, the English Kings of Arms, Scotland's Lord Lyon and the Chief Herald of Ireland continue to make grants of arms. King of Arms is the senior rank of an officer of arms. In many heraldic traditions only a king of arms has the authority to grant Armorial bearings The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility The Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland, sometimes incorrectly called the Office of Arms is the Republic of Ireland 's authority on all Heraldic matters relating ^[50] There are heraldic authorities in Canada,^[51] South Africa, Spain and Sweden that grant or register coats of arms. The Public Register of Arms Flags and Badges of Canada contains the heraldic emblems that have been granted registered approved or confirmed by the Canadian Heraldic

Heraldic societies abound in the world today in Africa, Asia, Australasia, the Americas, and in Europe. Australasia is a Region of Oceania: New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and neighbouring Islands in the Pacific The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the Continents of North America and South America Some people who have interests in heraldry as a hobby participate in the Society for Creative Anachronism and other medieval revivals or in micronationalism. Society for Creative Anachronism (usually shortened to SCA) is a historical re-creation and Living history group founded in 1966 which Micronations &mdash sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects &mdash are entities that resemble independent Nations or Many 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. ^[52]

Military heraldry continues to develop, incorporating blazons unknown to the medieval world. The United States Army Institute of Heraldry provides heraldic services to the U 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. The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Ecclesiastical heraldry is the tradition of Heraldry developed by Christian Clergy.

See also

• Attributed arms‎
• Heraldic badge
• Heraldic flag
• Mon
• Socialist heraldry
• Vexillology
• Petrosomatoglyph

Notes

External links

• Portal:Heraldry/Web resources
• Puncher Heraldry Program
• Free access to Burke's General Armory (incomplete, 1,500 British surnames), Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry and Blason des familles d'Europe, Grand Armorial Universel (15,000 European surnames)

Extended bibliography

General heraldry

• Fox-Davies, A.C.. Arthur Charles Fox-Davies ( 28 February 1871 &ndash 19 May 1928) was a British author on Heraldry. The Art of Heraldry: An Encyclopedia of Armory.
• Parker, James. A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry. Oxford: James Parker & Co. , 1894 (Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1970).

United Kingdom

• Burke, John Bernard. Sir John Bernard Burke ( 5 January, 1814 &ndash 12 December, 1892) was a British officer of arms and Genealogist The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales; Comprising a Registry of Armorial Bearings from the Earliest to the Present Time. London: Burke’s Peerage, 1884 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. , 1967).
• Dennys, Rodney. The Heraldic Imagination. New York: Clarkson N. Potter, 1975.
• Elvins, Mark Turnham. The Revd Mark Turnham Elvins, OFMCap, is Warden of Greyfriars Oxford. Cardinals and Heraldry (Illustrated by Anselm Baker, foreword by Maurice Noël Léon Couve de Murville, preface by John Brooke-Little). Maurice Noël Léon Couve de Murville ( 27 June 1929 &ndash 3 November 2007) was the seventh Roman Catholic Archbishop John Philip Rudolph Dominic Aloysius Mary Brooke-Little CVO, KStJ, FSA, FSG, FHS, FHG (Hon, FRHSC (Hon London: Buckland Publications, 1988.
• Fairbairn, James. Fairbairn’s Crests of the Families of Great Britain & Ireland. 2v. Revised ed. New York: Heraldic Publishing Co. , 1911 (New York: Bonanza Books, 1986 in 1 vol. ). Originally published 1800.
• Humphery-Smith, Cecil. Cecil Raymond Julian Humphery-Smith, OBE, FSA, is a British genealogist and heraldist. Ed and Augmented General Armory Two, London, Tabard Press, 1973.
• Innes of Learney, Sir Thomas "Scots Heraldry" 2nd ed, Edinburgh and London: Oliver and Boyd, 1956
• Paul, James Balfour. Sir James Balfour Paul ( 16 November 1846 — 15 September 1931) was the Scottish Lord Lyon King of Arms from 1890 until 1927 An Ordinary of Arms Contained in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland. Edinburgh: W. Green & Sons, 1903.
• Wagner, Sir Anthony R. Sir Anthony Richard Wagner, KCB, KCVO, FSA ( 6 September, 1908 &ndash 5 May 1995) was a long-serving Heralds of England: A History of the Office and College of Arms. London: HMSO, 1967.

Mainland Europe

• Le Févre, Jean. A European Armorial: An Armorial of Knights of the Golden Fleece and 15th Century Europe. (Edited by Rosemary Pinches & Anthony Wood) London: Heraldry Today, 1971.
• Louda, Jiří and Michael Maclagan. Michael Maclagan, CVO, FSA, FRHistS ( 14 April 1914 London — 13 August 2003 Oxford was Fellow and Tutor in Heraldry of the Royal Families of Europe. New York: Clarkson Potter, 1981. Reprinted as Lines of Succession (London: Orbis, 1984).
• Rietstap, Johannes B. Armorial General. Johannes Baptista Rietstap ( 12 May 1828 &ndash 24 December 1891) was a Dutch Heraldist and Genealogist. The Hague: M. Nijhoff, 1904-26 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. , 1967).
• Siebmacher, Johann. J. Siebmacher’s Grosses und Allgemeines Wappenbuch Vermehrten Auglage. Siebmachers Wappenbuch refers to two heraldic multivolume book series of armorial bearings or coats of arms of the nobility within the Holy Roman Empire Nürnberg: Von Bauer & Raspe, 1890-1901.

Civic Heraldry

• Civic Heraldry Bibliography (over 2000 entries)