MEDIEVAL ART OF HERALDRY

Medieval Art of Heraldry (or: make your own coat of arms)

~coat of arms- identifying flagmark of a nation, empire, family, etc; few could read and write, so pictures were important
~coat of arms later took on further significance and meaning, most notably, they became a way of showing membership in a society
~arms remained popular for visual ID
ex: sealing wax imprint, engraved on family tomb
Descent of Arms remains strictly regulated by inheritence; only certain actual descendants of a particular armigerous person are entitled to his arms or a related version.
Popular associations of a coat of arms with all bearers of a surname is a misconception
Coat of arms must represent a particular individual

Heraldry- the science and art of describing coats of arms
Herald- a person skilled in Heraldry
Blazon- to describe a sheilf in words using heraldic terms
Emblazon- to draw or paint a shielf from a blazon

PARTS OF A COAT OF ARMS:
shield, helm, crest/wreath, mantling, supporters, motto/scroll, compartment

Compartment- design placed under shield, usually rocks or grassy mount, or some sort of other landscape, upon which the supporters are depiced as standing
-usually a landscape, seascape, or piece of geography or notable landmark
-sometimes said to have intended to represent land held by the bearer

That's about it for the notes for today.

~Ken