heraldry: a knight’s tale. what is heraldry? heraldry is the study of a system of symbols used to...
TRANSCRIPT
Heraldry:
A Knight’s Tale
What is Heraldry?
Heraldry is the study of a system of symbols used to represent individuals, families, countries, or institutions.
The Origins
The basic heraldic symbol is a coat of
arms. Originally, they were used on
the shields of knights.
The History• The first coat of arms appeared
during the early 1100’s. They were used by Christian Knights who fought during the Crusades. They displayed coats of arms on their shields and flags so their followers could recognize them on the battlefield.
• Heraldry also served as a means of identification in civilian life. In a feudalistic society, the upper and middle class families were documented with their coats of arms. Common people did not have coats of arms.
• By custom and heraldic law, no two families could have the same coat of arms. Each coat of arms told the “history” of that family.
COLORS Even the colors can have special meaning in a "family crest" or coat of arms:
Gold (Or) Generosity and elevation of the mind
Silver or White (Argent)
Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules) Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity
Blue (Azure) Truth and loyalty
Green (Vert) Hope, joy, and loyalty in love
Black (Sable) Constancy or grief
Purple (Purpure) Royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice
Orange (Tawny or Tenne)
Worthy ambition
Maroon (Sanguine or Murray)
Patient in battle, and yet victorious
FURS The mere fact that a shield or crest contains furs suggests a mark of dignity. Usually the fur coat of the weasel is represented.
Ermine White with black spots.
Erminois Gold with black spots.
Ermines Black with white spots.
Pean
Black with gold spots.
Vair Blue and white bell-shaped objects.
Heraldic Lines and Ordinaries:
Nebuly Line
Clouds or air
Wavy Line Sea or water
Engrailed Line
Earth or land
Invected Line
Earth or land
Indented Line
Fire
Dancette Line
Water
Raguly Line
Difficulties that have been encountered
Embattled Line
Walls of a fortress or town (also, fire)
Marks of CadencyDifference or marks of Cadency, are the distinctions used to indicate the various branches or Cadets of one family. i.e.: The eldest son of the family would bear the label upon the coat of arms of his father, the second son the crescent, and so on.
Label The 1st son
CrescentThe 2nd son
MulletThe 3rd son
Martlet The 4th son
Annulet The 5th son
Fleur-de-lis The 6th son
RoseThe 7th son
Cross MolineThe 8th son
Double quatrefoilThe 9th son
Lion
Fierce Courage. In Ireland the Lion
represented the 'lion' season, prior to the
full arrival of Summer. The
symbol can also represent a great Warrior or Chief.
TigerFierceness and
valour
Fish knowledge'.
Heraldic Charges
Valour and magnanimity
Bull
Readiness for dutyHorse
Valiant and enduring warrior
Leopard
Perseverance in siege or effort
Wolf
Fierce ProtectionBear
Boar
Fierce fighter, fights to the death.
In Ireland the boar is one of the most popular charges.
The meat of the boar was considered to
be food of the Celtic Gods. The symbol of the boar was worn in
battle as a charm against injury.
Boars Head Hospitality
Conies (Hares and Rabbits)
Peace-loving
FoxWise defence,
wisdom
Dog (Talbot, Greyhound)
Courage, fidelity, loyalty
Dolphin Affection, charity
Tortoise Invulnerability
Griffin
Valiant soldier - to the death, Vigilance. In Ireland the worship of the sun in pre-Christian times was often represented by the Griffin. It later became a symbol
of gold - 'yellow light'.
Dragon Valiant defender
Stag, Buck or Deer
Skillful, Politic, lover of harmony. In Ireland the Stag was one of the most ancient of charges and was regarded
as the most handsome. The Stag represents the very ancestors of the
Celtic race.
Snake.
Wisdom. In Ireland the Snake was a symbol of
fertility and renewal, and also, because of its forked tongue, was associated
with lightning and the sun.