Coat of arms

What is a coat of arms?

•European tradition that was used in many ways

•Most common was on a shield of a knights

•It became a symbol of nobility•Could be passed down from father to

son•Evolved from very simple designs to

elaborate and intricate pieces of art

Why a Coat of arms?• Knights began wearing helmets that completely

hid their faces except for two narrow slits for the eyes

• This made a knight unrecognizable to both his friends and his enemies

• Symbols were painted on their shields and banners to help to recognize them during battle

• Over time the decorations were repeated on the surcoat (a sleeveless garment that was word over armor_ which is how it got its name

Over time…• As designs became more complex it

developed into a complicated science called heraldry

• Heraldry: a system of personal symbols by which a knight could be recognized

Different parts

examples

examples