How to Interpret the Heraldry

Heraldry Background - Coat of Arms Origin

Why did a knight need to have a coat of arms?
In the 12th century, knights began wearing helmets that completely concealed their faces except for two narrow slits for the eyes. It made a knight unrecognizable to both his friends and his enemies. Symbols such as lions or other beasts were painted on the knights’ shields and banners to aid in recognition during a battle. As time went on these decorations were repeated on the surcoat (a sleeveless garment that was worn over armor)—therefore the name, coat of arms. By the 15th century, as the designs became more complex, it developed into a complicated science called heraldry—a system of personal symbols by which a knight could be recognized.

This tradition reached its fullest adherence in the late Middle Ages. No exact date is known for the earliest use of coats of arms, as they were to be known, but there are indications that they began to take form during the crusades.

Some believe that their use grew out of a need to identify various members of the feudal army in time of war. It was beneficial to wear some outward sign of identification to assure alliances. Some authorities think that coats of arms came from the use of signet rings and other personal seals. Since only church priests knew how to write, laymen used a scribe to write or sign a document. They typically used a personal seal stamped alongside their name as identification.

Whatever the beginnings of these symbols, they were eventually used to embellish a warrior's armor and its covering "or surcoat". From this use comes the term "coat of arms."

These symbols were not at first heraldry. They gradually became accepted and were used as evidence of the wearer's noble or gentle birth. In the beginning, Knights could choose their own symbols. However, this led to much duplication and confusion among the nobles. In 1483, a College of Arms or the Herald's College, was initiated by Richard III. The College was charged to bring order out of chaos. It still is the duty of the College officer to trace coats of arms, confirm titles of honor and examine claims of English subjects to armorial rights. From the title of this officer we get the term "Heraldry". No arms are considered legal unless recorded in the College.

Learn about the Beginning of Heraldry