HERALDRY 101

NOTE: this is NOT intended to be a "study" of Heraldry and Arms. It is simply as stated--and introduction to the subject, an "overview." I would recommend a trip to your local library for more information. I am not, nor pretend to be, an expert in the subject


Why "Coats of Arms?"

Well, to make a long story short, during the middle ages armor became so elaborate and protective that some way of distinguishing one knight from another HAD to be made. Some knights took to painting their shields very brightly so their people would know them from the enemy. Their horses, and surcoats also bore the same markings--now only the enemy wouldn't know! As time went on, the knights were made to register their "blazons" (their markings) to prevent others from copying them. They were recorded in a book called (most often) an "armorial."

What is "Heraldry"?

The study of blazons, or arms, is called Heraldry due to the "Herald" (appointed registrar) arriving at jousting (or other medieval sporting events) to record the arms of a participant. (sometimes just to record an unrecorded arms, or--and I hate to say this--but to ensure the identity of a mangled participant). This is how the armorial (book of registered Arms) came to be. With an armorial in hand, the Herald could easily tell who was fighting whom, and a Military leader could also tell who his foes were.

What is the value to US--today?

Well, once you know the meanings of the various designs, colors, etc., you can tell quite a few things about an armor-bearing ancestor. Here are a few examples:

1) CHEVRON's (an inverted V) symbolizes protection, and sometimes were put on arms to show that a person did some noble deed, or feat. Many times, some in the service of a king or prince had a Chevron. Many Dudley Arms bore Chevron's.

2) the CHARGE (symbol) on a arms, can tell you the occupation. Fish, or dolphins, can mean the person was a fisherman (or got his wealth that way) Of course, it could symbolize his name (a famous family named "Fisher" did this. The charge may also symbolize the hopes and aspirations of the bearer. Wheat means HOPE, Flowers and roses mean JOY, and so forth. Deity was symbolized by CROSSES, usually meaning a churchman or someone employed by the church (remember the Crusades?) Animals (lions, boars, etc.) symbolized courage, strength, etc. Most Dudley Arms bore lions (see our "Coats of Arms" in another article). An in-depth study of Heraldry can be quite fascinating.


The TRADITION surrounding Arms became complex as the designs did, and Henry the V of England finally imposed rigid rules (and made them LEGAL!) In 1419. It was then forbidden to take Arms unless by ancestry or a gift of the Crown. Henry VIII sent the heralds (who were then given job of being the Authenticators of Arms) on what became known as visitations once every generation for 200 years for the only purpose of officially verifying, granting, and denying Arms.


So who bears Arms?

Rules differ by countries, but some are uniform. Usually, only first sons of first sons of the ORIGINAL bearer are permitted. Younger sons MAY bear their fathers Arms, but they must be "differenced" (changed slightly--usually adding some small thing like a little crescent moon). So what happens if the Armiger (a person who legal bears a Coat of Arms) dies? Well, if he dies WITH male heirs, they get his Arms. If he dies WITHOUT male heirs, then his daughter may combine HER arms with her HUSBANDS Arms. Complicated? Yes, and it can get worse. Again, a full study of Heraldry is needed to get into ALL the little nuances.


OK, I know MY family had Arms. They are mine, right?

Probably not. There are over a million surnames in the world today, yet less than 65,000 can be associated with a Coat of Arms. It is possible that a ancestor with your surname may have bourn Arms. It is also possible that a blood ancestor of his REGISTERED, or claimed, those Arms. In that case, they could make a LEGAL claim against you. (don't laugh, it has been done!). To be quite truthful, the chances that you may have a claim to a Coat of Arms associated with YOUR surname is very, very slim. Even IF you had a claim on the Arms, the process of actually claiming them is very, very complicated and can be quite costly. It would involve writing to whatever herald is doing the register in the country the Arms came from, having them do a search to see if anyone else has laid claim to them, sending in VERIFIED genealogical trees and paper to prove you actually did descend from the Armiger, then having the herald verify the information, etc. etc. etc. etc. See where I am going with this? The question to you is: Is it worth it? If so, go for it. Be aware that most Dudley arms ARE being bourn by someone already.


But what about those adds I get saying they will send me MY FAMILIES ARMS? (also, the carts in malls, etc.)

Those are quite frankly a rip off. Most of the time, those people have bought some armorial, scanned the picture in, then got someone to cut some plaques, and either had the Arms painted or made some plastic Arms and glued them to the plaque. The "Family histories" that accompany them are generic---questionable at best, outright wrong at worst. Legally (at least heraldically legally) you really have NO CLAIM to any Arms if you do not formally register for them.


In the next part of this series, we will look at Women and Arms, the colors and descriptions. In other parts we will look at the state of Heraldry today.