A knight’s coat of arms is a heraldic emblem that represents the knight and his family. These symbols were used by knights during the Middle Ages to identify themselves on the battlefield and in tournaments. The coat of arms was also used to display the knight’s social status and achievements.
History of Knight’s Coat of Arms
The use of coats of arms can be traced back to ancient civilizations, such as the Romans and Greeks, who used emblems to identify their military units. However, the use of coats of arms as personal symbols became more widespread during the Middle Ages.
During this time, knights were an important part of society and played a significant role in warfare and politics. As a result, they needed a way to distinguish themselves from other knights and to show their social status. The coat of arms served this purpose and became a popular way for knights to identify themselves.
Herald
Heralds were responsible for designing and maintaining coats of arms. Heralds were skilled in the art of heraldry, which was the study of coats of arms and other symbols used in heraldry.
They were also responsible for announcing the arrival of important people and announcing important events, such as tournaments and battles.
Societal Position
The herald played a important role in medieval society. They were often employed by the king or other important nobles and were, like we already mentioned, responsible for announcing important events and the arrival of important people.
Heralds were also responsible for maintaining the records of coats of arms and ensuring that the laws of heraldry were followed.
Laws Regarding Coat of Arms
The use of coats of arms was regulated by strict laws known as heraldic laws. These laws were designed to prevent confusion and to ensure that each coat of arms was unique. Some common heraldic laws are as follows:
- A knight could not use a coat of arms that was already in use by another knight. This was to prevent confusion and to ensure that each coat of arms was unique.
- A knight could not use a coat of arms that was similar to the coat of arms of another knight. This was to prevent confusion and to ensure that each coat of arms was distinct.
- A knight could not use a coat of arms that was considered offensive or dishonorable. This was to protect the honor and reputation of the knight and his family.
If a knight broke these laws, he could be punished. The punishment could vary depending on the severity of the offense and the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred.
In some cases, a knight might be fined or stripped of his coat of arms. In more severe cases, a knight might be exiled or even executed.
Designing a Coat of Arms
The process of designing a coat of arms was complex and required the assistance of a herald. A knight would consult with a herald to design a coat of arms that was unique and represented his family and social status.
The herald would then create a detailed description of the coat of arms, known as a blazon, which included the colors, shapes, and charges used in the design.
Use of Charges
Charges are the symbols and shapes that are used in a coat of arms to represent the values, qualities, and achievements of the knight and his family. These charges could be animals, plants, or other objects and each had a specific meaning. Some common charges and their meanings are as follows:
- Lion: The lion was a popular charge in coats of arms and represented courage, strength, and royalty. It was often used to represent power and leadership.
- Eagle: The eagle was another popular charge and represented strength, courage, and nobility. It was often used to represent wisdom and authority.
- Rose: The rose was a symbol of love, beauty, and peace. It was often used to represent these values and was associated with the Virgin Mary.
- Anchor: The anchor was a symbol of hope and stability. It was often used to represent these values and was associated with the Christian faith.
Knights often used charges that were meaningful to them or that represented their family or social status. For example, a knight who had a strong connection to the sea might use an anchor in his coat of arms.A knight who came from a family of warriors might use a lion or an eagle in his coat of arms.
Colors
The colors used in a coat of arms were an important part of the design and had specific meanings. These meanings were established by heralds and were widely accepted by society. Some common colors and their meanings are as follows:
- Red: Red represented strength and valor. It was often used to represent courage and bravery.
- Blue: Blue represented loyalty and truth. It was often used to represent honesty and faithfulness.
- Green: Green represented hope and joy. It was often used to represent the natural world and fertility.
- Purple: Purple represented royalty and power. It was often used to represent wealth and nobility.
- Yellow or gold: Yellow or gold represented honor and generosity. It was often used to represent wealth and prosperity.
- White: White represented purity and innocence. It was often used to represent honesty and virtue.
The combination of colors in a coat of arms was carefully chosen to represent the knight and his family.
Different color combinations could convey different meanings and convey the values and qualities of the knight and his family. For example, a knight who used a combination of red and blue in his coat of arms may be trying to convey his courage and loyalty.
Shape
There are several different shapes that coats of arms can take, including:
- Shield: The most common shape for a coat of arms is a shield or escutcheon. The shape and size of the shield can vary, and it may be divided into sections called “fields” or “charges” to display different symbols or designs.
- Lozenge: A lozenge is a diamond-shaped shield that is often used to represent a woman or a non-military office.
- Roundel: A roundel is a circular shield that is sometimes used to represent an ecclesiastical or civil office.
- Oval: An oval shield is similar to a roundel, but it is elongated and oval-shaped. It is sometimes used to represent a naval office or a maritime family.
- Oblong: An oblong shield is a rectangular shield that is wider than it is tall. It is sometimes used to represent a merchant or trade family.
- Square: A square shield is a four-sided shield that is equally tall and wide. It is sometimes used to represent a family of farmers or rural landowners.
- Augmented: An augmented coat of arms is a shield that has been modified or “augmented” with additional elements, such as a crest, supporters, or additional symbols or designs.
Interesting Facts About Knights Coat of Arms
- The first known use of coats of arms was in the 11th century.
- Each coat of arms was unique and could not be used by another knight.
- Coats of arms were often displayed on shields, banners, and other items to identify the knight.
- Heralds were responsible for designing and maintaining coats of arms.
- The charges used in a coat of arms had specific meanings, such as animals representing certain traits or qualities.
- The colors used in a coat of arms also had specific meanings and were chosen to represent the knight and his family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, knights’ coat of arms were an important part of medieval society and played a significant role in the lives of knights. These heraldic symbols were used to identify knights on the battlefield and in tournaments, and were also used to display their social status and achievements.
The process of designing a coat of arms was complex and required the assistance of a herald, who was responsible for creating a detailed description of the design and enforcing the laws of heraldry.
Overall, knights’ coat of arms were a powerful and meaningful symbol that represented the knight and his family in medieval society.