Coats of Arms nce upon a time, in lands far, far away, important families wanted to show who they were and what they felt was most important to those visiting their Okingdoms, their businesses, and their property. One of the ways that Medieval people did this was to create a coat of arms.

A coat of arms visually shows others what the family (or military, or business, or kingdom) holds to be important to them. A coat of arms often displays a family motto (e.g., “Semper Fidelis” or “Always Faithful”) that is important; imagery that demonstrates how strong, smart, or brave the members of the family are; colors and designs that further communicate the family’s strengths; and ties to the area the family is from. Having a coat of arms was important because it let others know who you were and what type of person you were.

Most of us in this room will have a family coat of arms. Below is a copy of my family’s English coat of arms. Just as discussed above, my coat of arms has a motto that was important for my family (“Be Fast”), a picture of three owls to show vigilance, wit and wisdom, my family’s last name to show what family this crest belongs to, and the diagonal cotice represents “defense.” It is also topped by a chevalier helmet to show knighthood. My coat of arms also uses the colors red and black to further signify the Savell family’s military strength and constancy, as well as silver to show peace and serenity. This would be placed on all family buildings, on all of the clothing worn by my family, on all of the communication sent by my family—it would go everywhere, so that others instantly knew who we were and what we stood for.

Now, let’s create a coat of arms for your Medieval self!

Using the following pages as reference, come up with a unique coat of arms for your Medieval self. This means that your new coat of arms should NOT be your family coat of arms— you are creating something new and unique for just yourself. Use the grading sheet at the back of this packet as a guide of how your coat of arms should look.

Ms. Savell’s English coat of arms. Shields and Divisions What does all this stuff mean?

COLORS Even the colors can have special meaning in a "family crest" or coat of arms: Gold (Or) Generosity and elevation of the mind Silver or White (Argent) Peace and sincerity Red (Gules) Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity Blue (Azure) Truth and loyalty Green (Vert) Hope, joy, and loyalty in love Black (Sable) Constancy or grief Purple (Purpure) Royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice Orange (Tawny or Tenne) Worthy ambition Maroon (Sanguine or Mur- Patient in battle, and yet victorious ray)

FURS The mere fact that a shield or crest contains furs suggests a mark of dignity. Usually

Ermine

White with black spots. Erminois

Gold with black spots. Ermines

Black with white spots. Pean

Black with gold spots. Vair

Blue and white bell-shaped objects. Heraldic Lines and Ordinaries: Nebuly Line Clouds or air

Wavy Line Sea or water

Engrailed Line Earth or land

Invected Line Earth or land

Indented Line Fire

Dancette Line Water

Raguly Line Difficulties that have been encountered

Embattled Line Walls of a fortress or town (also, fire)

Coat of Arms Requirements

 Your finished coat of arms should be on card stock, cardboard, wood, or metal  Your finished coat of arms should use the whole space/ paper (9” x 12”)  Your finished coat of arms should be neatly colored or constructed (no pencil lines, glue stains, etc.)  Your finished coat of arms should have your Medieval name on it  Your finished coat of arms should have a motto and imagery that helps us, as a class, know what is important to you  On the back of your coat of arms, you need to write a brief statement explaining why you chose the images, motto, and col- ors that you did for your coat of arms. Make sure this is taped/glued to the back of your project.

Your coat of arms is due on Thursday/Friday, May 20th/21st. This project is worth 10-50 grade recovery points DEPENDING ON QUALITY.