Sunday, November 9, 2008

Class Minutes 11/5/08

THE MOTTO:
  • A phrase or collection of words intended to describe the bearer's motivation or intention
  • Typically depicted on a scroll under the arms, or else above it as in Scots heraldry
  • Traditionally in Latin or other Romance languages, as well as in English or German
THE SUPPORTERS:
  • Figures - human or animals - standing on either side of the shield
  • Often these can have local significance (the Fisherman and the Tin miner of Cornwall ) or a historical link (the lion of England)
THE HELM:
  • Heraldic elements on the shield were often also used for the decoration of knightly helmets because, often, shields were battered and lost in battle.
  • It then became common to include a helmet (or some other headgear) as part of the coat of arms, above the shield.
  • In some systems, the rand of the bearer was reflected in the type of helmet, e.g. the type o metal and the number of bars in the visor, as in France.
  • This practice continued in other types of headgear (e.g. a crown)
  • Due to their traditional non-participation in combat, clergy and women display neither helm nor crest.
THE MANTLING:
  • Drapery tied to the helmet above the shield, forming a backdrop for the shield.
  • Originally a depiction of the protective cloth covering(worn by Crusading knights from their helmets to protect against the elements)
  • Mantling is drawn or painted tattered or cut to shreds, as it were cut by sword blades.
THE CREST / WREATH:
  • The term "crest" is often mistaken to refer to the entire coat-of-arms - don't do this
  • The crest rests above the helm, usually on a 'wreath' of twisted cloth in the 2 principle colors.
  • Often but not always an animal
  • Crests can be used on their own (particularly useful when there is insufficient space)
THE SHIELD:
  • The main part of the coat-of-arms
  • Derived from the original use of the shield by knights in combat.
  • Oldest, and most complex part.
  • The shape:
  • different shapes refer to different time periods or where it originated
  • Women had a lozenge on their coat of arms because they did not fight.
  • Some modern women do fight, and therefore may have a shield on their coat of arms.
  • Shield colors:
  • Colors are called "tinctures"
  • There are 9 main tinctures: two metals (light) and seven colours (dark)
  • Names from from French
  • VERY IMPORTANT: 1st Rule - never metal on metal or color on color
  • This improved contrast so that the coats of arms were more easily seen from a distance.
--Patrick Lafferty

No comments: