Hey guys,
I was attempting to memorize the poem and was wondering what it meant. I think I would be easier to remember if I actually understood what I was reading.

HEI GAIZ!

This'll help!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE0MtENfOMU

I know it's a little late, but you still have time to memorize the Middle English version. Hope this helps everyone!

~Ken

Class Minutes 11/10

Today in class we continued our discussion about Coats or Arms. We started off talking about charges. Charges are a part of the shield, and are usually land animals, fish and birds, but there are many different objects that can be charges. Of course like everything else on a coat of arms charges all have meanings, especially animals. Such things as a tongue sticking out means that you are fierce. Also when making a blazon if the animal is facing to the right it is called "dexter" while if it is facing the left it is called "sinister".

Jordan Levy

http://www.fleurdelis.com/meaning.htm

Here's a website I found that goes deep into the symbology and meanings of the Coat of Arms. 

-Ryan Grosso

If anyone else is writing the middle english translation for the Canterbury Tales quiz on tuesday or whatever day it is, is "eek" on line 5 supposed to be seek?
-Chris

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

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