You are here: Home / 2012 / February / Archives for 18th

Coat of Arms

February 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Coats of Arms from bygone days.
Before delving into the subject of the family crest, we should clarify the rampant misunderstandings about the Coat of Arms, the Achievement and the Crest itself.
There cannot be a Crest without a Coat of Arms. The latter is the Shield and without it, nothing else can exist. It’s called a Coat of Arms, because originally the design on the Shield was duplicated on the surcoat of the knight.

Surrounding the Shield are five other basic parts which may be granted.

These are;

  • The Helmet.
  • The knight’s helm, usually the great helm.
  • The Mantling or Lambrequin.

A cloth cape worn from the back of the helmet to protect it against the sun.

  • The Wreath or Torse.

A circle of silk, placed to cover the joint between the Crest and the Mantling.

  • The Crest.

The decoration on top of the wreath.

  • The Motto.

Anyone may adopt a Motto, and in England the Motto does not form an integral part of the arms.
These five items, together with the Shield, are known as the Achievement. The Achievement is not the Coat of Arms. Only the Shield may be considered so. Indeed, if ever you come across a Shield as the only item in the Achievement, you may be sure that the family is very ancient indeed.

Embroidered Coat of Arms on a Medieval Banner

Now, depending on rank and honour, nine further parts may be added to the Achievement, but matters may become confusing if these are named, and we feel that it’s sufficient to have named the parts of the basic Achievement.
Care must be taken, too, in describing the left and right sides of a Coat of Arms, the Sinister and Dexter respectively. These must always be described from the wearer’s point of view, not from the viewer’s. Here, we feel we should allay a misunderstanding that may have crept in about displaying a Family Crest.
Family Crests may certainly be displayed, and many are shown on plaques, beautifully embroidered on chairs, on family crest rings of course and in many other ways. The point is, though, that there must always be a Coat of Arms to back them up.

The Coat of Arms banner which was hung in entrance halls of stately homes and castles conveyed a message of pride and honor in the family or clan name. It is actually no different today. We are giving a special offer with the banner today, it’s the complimentary family name history.

Filed Under: Coat of Arms, Family Gifts, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

What are Family Roots

February 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Family Roots and heraldry is part of our personal heritage, and there is worldwide interest in this topic over the last number of decades. Some say it defines us to some degree and there is constant research into this absorbing subject.

In the dictionary, heraldry is described “as the art of or office of the herald” is this satisfactory?

It is in fact medieval in origin and is concerned with a means of identification. Everybody in the world today would like to know exactly where their origins lie. This is in fact very important from people of European origin, because of the need for emigration in centuries past, you will find family names scattered all over the world, whose family roots hail from some country in Europe.

When Heraldry began an interest in Family Roots began.

There’s a great deal of confusion, too, over when heraldry first began. Arms have been attributed to such diverse figures as Adam and Eve, Pontius Pilate, Noah, Julius Caesar and even the Children of Israel! The truth is that it took form in the second quarter of the twelfth century, at least in Western Europe. There were three basic reasons for it.

Firstly, when the great helm, or totally enclosed helmet, came into fashion, it was very difficult to distinguish between friend and foe. Secondly, literacy was considered a long way down the requirements for knighthood, or indeed for most people, save those of the church, and thirdly the growth in charters and other paperwork which had to be ‘signed.’ When tracing your family roots you will find amazing amounts of history which is quite fascinating to say the least.
Hence, in many cases, the Signet Ring which carried the Crest of the particular knight or office holder. By the beginning of 1300, heraldry had come of age and is widely used still. Millions of family members throughout the world display their heritage by wearing a family crest ring or have a coat of arms hanging somewhere in their home.

Filed Under: Family Gifts, Gift Ideas, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,