Can I understand what heraldry is and can I design my own coat of arms?

Heraldry

In Norman England Knights were very important people. They wore lots of armour so it was hard to tell who they were. Knights began to paint unique combinations of colours, shapes and animals, called their 'arms', on their shields and banners. This was called heraldry.

Important families used symbols to identify them. The symbols were known as heraldry. Heraldry is about showing people who you are.

Here are some examples of ‘arms’.

Each coat of arms was unique and could only be worn by one family. There were rules about the designs of arms.

As the knights spoke French the colours used are said in French.

• Red = Gules • Blue = Azure • Green = Vert • Black = Sable • Purple = Purpure

Plus the two 'metals'

• Gold or yellow = Or • Silver or white = Argent

The shield would be decorated with different shapes added to the background.

• Crosses - of many different types • Stars • Rings • Balls • Crescents • Diamonds • Flowers

They might also be decorated with animals

Different animals were used to show different qualities

• Lions = bravery • Dogs = faithfulness, reliability • Stags = wisdom and long life • Eagles = power and nobility • Hares= speed • Badgers = endurance

You could also design your own animal charge--for instance a cat, horse or other favourite pet. Or you could choose a fabulous beast. • Dragon: the earliest and most common fabulous beast, also used as a badge by Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Welsh. A brave and cunning defender of treasure. • Griffin: a combination of lion and eagle. Symbolises watchfulness and courage - and also guards treasure. • Cockatrice: a cross between a cockerel and a dragon, supposedly hatched from a cock's egg [!] by a snake or toad. Could kill by looking at you, and symbolised protection. • Manticore or 'man-tiger': a fearsome man-eating creature with a lion's body, man's face, tusks, horns and a deafening trumpet-like voice. (Are you really like one of these?) Use the template to design a coat of arms for your family. You can use the animals and fantastic beasts or you could choose your own animals.

You could use symbols that are important to you and the people in your family. You could choose things that show your interests.

Use the colours and patterns that you like to show who you are.