Post by roland on Jun 28, 2004 12:53:44 GMT -5
I question why does Heraldry exist in th4e first place. Warfare in the begining of time was very basic indeed. Men dressed in Animal skins (Vikings...LOL) and armed with wooden spears would fight each other over small bits of territory. Later as man always does weapons became bigger, stronger and more lethal. So the need for better armor came about to protect the brave warrior. It got to a point that a man was covered from head to toe in armor or at least the warriors or noble birth or with a great del of wealth. Dressed in this manner one could not tell on a battle was the battle was hottest who was friend and who was enemy. So there needed to be a way of telling them apart from a great distance. Imagine you are on the battlefield and Charles IV rides up to you and takes a swing because you do not know if it is he or Agustin your King. Oops sorry about that sire and off goes your head.
The very first designs were very simple and example would be a large man with dark hair and beard might be called John the Bear. So John's Arms might be Argeant a Bear Combatant Sable. This would mean a Black bear standing and paws out ready for battle on a Silver (white) field.
Later as households combined and/or lands granted more was placed upon the field. So more divisions were also added.
In the making of these Arms or Surcoats, Barding (for horses) and shield a method was needed to make them visible from far away. Thus the first rule mentioned no Tinchure on tinchure or metal on Metal. Most of you have seen many examples of this (Stop Signs, Gasoline station signs such as BP, and the like.
The very first designs were very simple and example would be a large man with dark hair and beard might be called John the Bear. So John's Arms might be Argeant a Bear Combatant Sable. This would mean a Black bear standing and paws out ready for battle on a Silver (white) field.
Later as households combined and/or lands granted more was placed upon the field. So more divisions were also added.
In the making of these Arms or Surcoats, Barding (for horses) and shield a method was needed to make them visible from far away. Thus the first rule mentioned no Tinchure on tinchure or metal on Metal. Most of you have seen many examples of this (Stop Signs, Gasoline station signs such as BP, and the like.
Nor did they wear helmets with horns, a common misconception! 