The Language of Heraldry
Contrary to popular opinion, coats
of arms were rarely recorded visually, that is to say in the form of a picture
or drawing. And so, today it is often up to the heraldic artist to render arms
from a written descriptions. As a result, there is no absolutely correct way to
draw or paint a lion rampant, for example; however, the size, proportions
portions and positioning of the lion do follow a precise format that is still
observed today.
The language used to describe the heraldic tinctures (metals, colors and furs),
ordinaries and devices developed to quite a concise but common language
throughout
The Heraldic Artist
Even today, the heraldic artist has a formidable challenge. Whilst he may enjoy
considerable freedom, within certain limits, the objects in the arms and crest,
their colors, disposition and symmetry may not be altered. Unfortunately,
attempts by layman and even some commercial graphic artists often result in
some classic mistakes or incongruities. Although a "lion rampant, gules,
armed and langued, azure" can be fat, thin, hairy or bald, happy or angry,
it must be in the rampant position, colored red and the tongue and claws of
blue.
Obviously, its resemblance to a real lion is obscure. Historically, the
heraldic artists' only choice was often to render an animal as he thought it
would appear. Therefore, many modern artists portray their lions with the claws
and head of a similar size as people traditionally believed that the lion's
claws were just as important as the lion's head.
The martlet is another example of
an apparent mistake by heraldic artists. Martlets are traditionally drawn
without legs but tufts of feathers. The real reason for this apparent mistake
is unclear, but some say legless birds like these were found in the Holy Land
at the time of the Crusades, others say that the birds like these followed
ships endlessly for scraps of food and as they never seemed to land, they had
no legs. Whatever, the real reason, it matters not as martlets are always
correctly drawn without legs, even as the mark of cadency for a fourth son.
Heraldry through the Ages
It is generally believed that in its beginning, heraldry originally had a
strong military purpose. Men in armor were very difficult to recognize. For
example, William the Conqueror had to remove his helmet in the midst of the
battle of Hastings in order to prove himself to his followers who thought he
was killed. Thus the need for identification or distinction from one's enemies
became essential, especially when the closed helmet was developed.
By the 13th century, the rules and
the terminology that we know today started to form. Specialists in the field
became known as heralds. They were appointed but it was their task to set forth
and document all arms in existence to insure that duplication did not occur.
Blazon, a heraldic term, originated with the custom of blowing a trumpet to
announce the arrival of a knight at the joust or tournament. The blast was
answered by the heralds who described and explained aloud the arms borne by the
knight.
In ancient times, crests and mottoes may have been used by all, but with the
passing of the centuries some have been omitted or forgotten.
With the suppression of private armies, and the gradual disappearance in the
16th century of both tournaments and closed helmets, the sporting and military
uses of heraldry became less important and it became rather a decorative art.
Coats of arms were carved over doorways, woven on tapestries, placed in stained
glass windows and engraved on silver.
Many heralds attempted to "collect" as many arms for their published
works as they could, an arduous task obviously limited by the inability to
travel or comunicate over vast regions. In addition, through the ages, vast
numbers of heraldic records have been lost and many legitimate coats of arms
cannot be found in reference books of today.
Supporters
Supporters are traditionally beasts, birds, monsters, human or mythical animals
that stand on either side and support the coat of arms. Today, many civic and
municipal coats of arms have such supporters, but their use is mostly
restricted to the above or for people who have achieved much notoriety. Family
coats of arms do not show supporters.
Heraldry today
The term "heraldry" often necessitates many people to check their
dictionary for the meaning, but evidence of heraldic art is everywhere today.
If one takes a moment to reflect many of the coats of arms or heraldic shields
seen in the normal course of a day, it becomes quite astounding.
The obvious national, provincial or state coat of arms usually come to mind
first. But on closer inspection, most schools, colleges and universities, cities
or towns, military groups or police forces, and even many corporations use
coats of arms today as a proud symbol of their heritage and comradeship.
The world of sport is another
example of modern heraldry at its best with most ball clubs, leagues (the
National Football League and the National Hockey League both have a shield as
their basis of their design), associations or groups having an heraldic design
as their emblem.
In fact, purists believe that most logos or emblems are simply a hybrid of ancient
heraldic seals or emblazons.
The world of law is steeped in the tradition of heraldry. Today, most legal
documents still require a red seal to be affixed. This tradition dates back to
medieval times when the knight's seal was used with sealing wax to ensure a
document was legitimate and bona fide. In short, heraldry is very much a part
of our lives today, whether it appears in it's most conventional art form, or
as an emblem or corporate design.