ORIGIN OF COATS OF ARMS.
Heraldry is the science which teaches how to blazon
or describe in proper terms armorial bearings and their
accessories.
Many volumes have been written on the origin of
Heraldry and even on the antiquity of separate charges
contained in an escutcheon: it would be filling the
pages of an elementary work on Heraldry to little
purpose to enter upon an inquiry as to the exact period
of the introduction of an art that has existed in
some degree in all countries whose inhabitants have
emerged from barbarism to civilization. In all ages
men have made use of figures of living creatures,
trees, flowers, and inanimate objects, as symbolical
signs to distinguish themselves in war, or denote the
bravery and courage of their chief or nation.
The allegorical designs emblazoned on the standards,
shields, and armor of the Greeks and Romans—the
White Horse of the Saxons, the Raven of the Danes,
and the Lion of the Normans, may all be termed heraldic devices; but according to the opinions of
Camden, Spelman, and other high authorities, hereditary
arms of families were first introduced at the
commencement of the twelfth century. When numerous
armies engaged in the expeditions to the
Holy Land, consisting of the troops of twenty different
nations, they were obliged to adopt some ensign or
mark in order to marshal the vassals under the banners
of the various leaders. The regulation of the symbols
whereby the Sovereigns and Lords of Europe should
be distinguished, all of whom were ardent in maintaining
the honor of the several nations to which they
belonged, was a matter of great nicety, and it was properly
entrusted to the Heralds who invented signs of honor which could not be construed into offence, and
made general regulations for their display on the banners
and shields of the chiefs of the different nations.
The ornaments and regulations were sanctioned by the
sovereigns engaged in the Crusade, and hence the
origin of the present system of Heraldry, which prevails
with trifling variations in every kingdom of Europe.
The passion for military fame which prevailed at
this period led to the introduction of mock battles,
called Tournaments. Here the Knights appeared with
the Heraldic honors conferred upon them for deeds of
prowess in actual battle. All were emulous of such
distinctions. The subordinate followers appeared with
the distinctive arms of their Lord, with the addition of
some mark denoting inferiority. These marks of honor at first were merely pieces of stuff of various
colors cut
into strips and sewn on the surcoat or garment worn
over armor, to protect it from the effect of exposure to
the atmosphere. These strips were disposed in various
ways, and gave the idea of the chief, bend, chevron, &c. Figures of animals and other objects were gradually
introduced; and as none could legally claim or use those honorable distinctions unless they were granted by the
Kings of Arms, those Heraldic sovereigns formed a
code of laws for the regulation of titles and insignia of honor, which the Sovereigns and Knights of Europe
have bound themselves to protect; and those rules constitute
the science of Heraldry which forms the subject
of the following pages.
Origin of Coat of Arms
