Post by Dietrich von Sachsen on Jun 21, 2017 13:43:03 GMT
This is a re-post of mine from the now-defunct Medieval Game, but I thought I would place it here for Posterity.
In the middle ages - at least in the West - there are two types of heraldry: devices and a badges.
A device is a heraldic symbol that declares to the world "This is me, I am here". Every noble, from the King down to the lowest knight, has his his own device, and it would ONLY be worn by that noble and his herald (and only when acting in an official capacity). Banners with a device would only be flown in the vicinity of said noble.
A badge, on the other hand, declares to the world "This is mine". Badges are (typically) more simple than devices, and these are displayed on the nobles possessions, whether it be items, lands, or servants. Therefore, serjeants and levies in the service of a lord would wear his badge, not his device.
A good example of the difference between the two is the flags of Scotland. This is the Royal Flag, which is a device, only worn by the King of Scots and his herald, the Lyon King-of-Arms.
In the middle ages - at least in the West - there are two types of heraldry: devices and a badges.
A device is a heraldic symbol that declares to the world "This is me, I am here". Every noble, from the King down to the lowest knight, has his his own device, and it would ONLY be worn by that noble and his herald (and only when acting in an official capacity). Banners with a device would only be flown in the vicinity of said noble.
A badge, on the other hand, declares to the world "This is mine". Badges are (typically) more simple than devices, and these are displayed on the nobles possessions, whether it be items, lands, or servants. Therefore, serjeants and levies in the service of a lord would wear his badge, not his device.
A good example of the difference between the two is the flags of Scotland. This is the Royal Flag, which is a device, only worn by the King of Scots and his herald, the Lyon King-of-Arms.
Wheras this, the Cross of St. Andrew, is a badge, flown over those lands held directly by the King, and by those in his service. English Kings had a similiar thing, with the Royal Standard for the King and the Cross of St. George for his possession and servants.
Knights and nobles would not wear the king's badge - they would wear their own devices, and the soldiers that are sworn to them would wear their badges, not the king's, even if they were part of the King's army.
Devices had to be fairly different from each other; otherwise, the bearer was making the implicit claim that they are related to one another. As a result, medieval armies should be a riot of colours and symbols; the army should not look uniform.
The final point I would make is about Marshalling of Arms. Marshalling is when a new device is created for a son of two nobles. This could be done in one of four ways, as the image below shows (The Escutcheon of Pretense way was fairly rare in the 13th century, becoming more common in the late 14th century):
Devices had to be fairly different from each other; otherwise, the bearer was making the implicit claim that they are related to one another. As a result, medieval armies should be a riot of colours and symbols; the army should not look uniform.
The final point I would make is about Marshalling of Arms. Marshalling is when a new device is created for a son of two nobles. This could be done in one of four ways, as the image below shows (The Escutcheon of Pretense way was fairly rare in the 13th century, becoming more common in the late 14th century):
Marshalling therefore says to the world that you are the offspring of the owners of the two devices that make your device. You can avoid the appearance of marshalling by either having a charge go across the line of division (so it couldn't possibly be two seperate devices dimidated, impaled, or quarted), OR make the lines of division anything but a straight line.
Remember, knights and lords are trying to loudly declare "THIS IS ME - I AM HERE" to the world.
Now, as you go east, Heraldry become different in it use. But that's a topic for a future post.
Remember, knights and lords are trying to loudly declare "THIS IS ME - I AM HERE" to the world.
Now, as you go east, Heraldry become different in it use. But that's a topic for a future post.