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MEDIEVAL HERALDRY & CASTLES


Medieval Heraldry originated early in the 12th century in Europe It was a means of identifying a individual in the heat of battle. Armory originated in the 12th century in the Anglo-Norman lands and quickly spread to much of Europe. At that time the full face helm came into vogue making it difficult to identify armored men in battle and in tournaments (which were free-for-all melees in this period). Great lords (and soon thereafter all knights) decorated their shields and surcoats ("coats of arms") with distinctive designs--their "arms". Heralds became experts at identifying knights by their arms since that was part of the herald's job as a tourney official. The next step was for heralds to start recording arms; they developed armorials-a reference book or roll picturing or describing (blazoning) arms. Since heralds were familiar with arms they were consulted by knights wishing to assume arms. The herald could tell the knight if their desired design that was used by someone else. Of course there are numerous examples of shields used by more than one individual.




BIGOT ROLL c.1254

MEDIEVAL BATTLES

ARMORIALS

BATTLE OF CRECY

BATTLE OF WORRINGEN

MEDIEVAL MINIATURES

LINKS






Caerlavarock Castle c. 1300




















Bigot Battles Armorials Crecy Links



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