Coat of arms | Heraldy | Family

 
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aldry is the science of coats of arms, a study of their composition
and history, as well as the laws and traditions surrounding them. In the Middle-Ages the use of the emblem was essentially military and personal. In combat it is imperative to be able to make the enemy stand out at a glance, whose head is entirely covered by the helm. Simple methods are therefore needed to distinguish friend from foe as quickly as possible. And that is how heraldry is born. Placing distinctive marks on the shield and using a helmet streamer. The coat of arms is inspired by the shield's construction method, and composed mainly of wood covered with leather and held by strips of iron or wood. These last consolidation parts are painted in contrasting colours, so are the "honourable" parts: pale, fess, bend, bendlet sinister, cross or saltire. Small metal pieces are also nailed to deflect the tip of a spear or an arrow: bezant, crescent, mascle or rowel. Thus the more ancient arms are simpler.
 

Your family's coat of arms is available in many formats.

 See the "Orders" section for more information.


History of emblazonment

At first, in the 12th century, the coats of arms were mainly of fief (linked to the country folk and followed to the urban coats of arms). In combat, the villagers bear the arms of their lords. The arms heralds draw up lists to inventory the coats of arms. Even then, heraldry responds to strict rules and takes on the norms. It is also in the 12th century that the family surnames appear; they constitute a distinctive and permanent sign and become regular property that can be passed on. In the same manner, the coats of arms are passed on from father to son or daughter. When somebody changes allegiance, he must change the shield's exterior insignia but keep the emblem as is. Thus, a municipality that becomes a town will add a mural crown. A prelate, who owns the family coat of arms, keeps them when he becomes bishop, but adds insignia of dignity. As it is hard to change one's surname, so is the coat of arms.

If heraldry was born from wars and tournaments, the seal spreads the use of the coat of arms. After those of noble birth, the towns, commons, corporations, chapters identify themselves with arms. Since the 13th century, peasants, merchants and burghers seal their documents with an un-stamped emblem. The emblem which now appears on seals, doesn't represent the fief anymore but the family and identifies the objects that belong to that family. It is in the 15th century that the emblem is owned definitively by the family, whatever the territorial possessions. It is now used only as decoration and to identify documents. In the 17th century, the whole of France has its coats of arms. At that time, the common emblems (those without nobility) represent the three quarters of the existing emblems. The families register their old emblems or chose new ones. The emblem is but a sign of property. We cans say that it is the more personal and pleasant ownership marks.

by Jules Romme

 

 

Content of this website : Armour ancestors and coat of arms. Excalibor excalibur genealogy heraldy history and parchments. Family surname history. First name signification. Family parchment.