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Heraldry Primer (very short) National (US, Can., Bes., Ger., Rus.) Coat of Arms Click on "Thumbnails" for a larger view

National (US, Can., Bessarabian Deutschen., Ger., Rus.) Coat of Arms above:

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Heraldry Primer (Very Short):
1.   ENTITLEMENT - In many countries in the middle ages, Germany for one, every free man was allowed to bear a Coat of Arms, hence the proliferation of "working class" symbols. They were awarded to individuals and became much like inherited property (although they would still need to apply to the Heraldic authority to be granted the Arms). Special symbols (marks of cadency) could be added to differentiate between 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. grown children. Technically, one must prove lineage to the individual first awarded the Coat of Arms to be entitled to them - however, in the USA & present day Germany, for instance, anyone may assume a Coat of Arms, as there no longer is any Heraldic authority to apply to.
The following is an excerpt from Fr. Conrad Keller's book, "The German colonies in South Russia 1804 to 1904",
  describing dwellings;
"On the gable is the family Coat of Arms, with the house number and the family name".
- Note that these people were mostly all farmers, tradesmen, etc.

2.   HERALDRY - The word "Heraldry" is derived from the German "heer" -- a host, an army -- and "held" -- a champion. The term "blason," by which the science of heraldry is denoted in French, English, Italian, and German, is probably derived from the German word "blazen" -- to blow the horn.
Source: Burke, Bernard, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (Heritage Books, Inc., 1996).

3.   FAMILY CRESTS - When people say that, they are usually referring to a "Coat of Arms", which is recorded (literally, not drawn) in a book of heraldry (ie: Burgerliches Wappenbuch) by a scribe in such a way that it does not matter who draws the Coat of Arms from the scribes description, it will always look as it should. This clever system was a language unto itself (actually, a "language within a language"), with much of the information simply implied. Craftsmen & Tradesmen (Smiths, Wrights, etc.) often included their tools of trade in their Coats of Arms. Usually only the Shield and sometimes a Crest are deScribed - it's very rare for the Mantling to be deScribed & then only when it deviates from the primary Metal & Color Tinctures.
Rules of Heraldry were not always strictly adhered to and the one that was broken the most is the "law" that dictates "Metal must not be borne upon Metal, nor Colour upon Colour" -- which, simply put, means that the lighter colored Metals, silver & gold, can't be put upon each other but can be put upon any of the colors; all of which are dark & contrast only with the Metals. Obviously, there are ways around this, but even then it must have been "deScribed" by the (who else?) Heraldic Scribe. Even within my small collection this rule has been broken more than once. That's probably way more than you ever wanted to know, but, if not, just type in the word "heraldry" into your favorite Web Search Engine and you'll experience "Info-Overload", -- with most of it very accurate.

4.   MAIN PARTS OF THE COAT OF ARMS -
Crest
          The topmost device. It's attached to the top of the Helmet.
Torse
          A thin wreath of twisted cloth (upon which the Crest is assumed to rest) used to secure the Crest & Mantling to the Helmet. It is seldom specifically deScribed - its 6 alternating twists implicitly take the colors of the Mantling. The Torse is commonly believed to have been adapted from the headdress of the Arab tribesmen during the time of the Crusades. The Torse is not an official part of the Arms. (Note: the Torse would be replaced by any type of Coronet, even a "Crest Coronet" (sometimes called a "Ducal Coronet"), used only to decorate the Helmet, or to signify someone who has simply worked in Government service).
Mantle
       A cloth covering to keep the sun from the Helmet. Like the Torse, it's not an official part of the Arms, is seldom specifically deScribed & if not, one side is implied to be of the Primary Metal & the other the Primary Color Tincture.
Visor
          A part of the Helmet used to help determine rank - closed (or none) = Esquire/Citizen/Commoner.
          Helmet Rankings -
          1. Sovereign - Affronty (facing viewer), Gold, at least 6 gold grilles (bars)
          2. Nobles - Affronty or Affronty/Profile, 5 silver grilles
          3. Knights - Affronty or Affronty/Profile, open visor instead of grilles
          4. Esquires & Private Citizens - Profile (facing viewers left) or Profile/affronty , closed visor or no visor & no grilles
Shield
        The main part that holds all of the Ordinaries, Charges & other "decorations".
Charge
        Anything placed upon the Shield.

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(Fischer/Kuntz)

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    Last Updated Friday, 11-Sep-2009 - 09:11:01 GMT