1. Coat of Arms Morgan Davis

2. The coat of arms is thought to have begun in the mid twelfth century. A coat of arms is the design displayed on a knights shield and helmet to help identify him in a battle.

3. Each coat of arms was unique to a family. The use of one symbol per family for identification sprouted into the system of heraldry. It is believed that the reason Heraldry spread so quickly is the crusades. People also think that the coat of arms got its name from the crusaders.

4. The coat of arms that we see today was not formed until the late thirteenth century. It was created when the knights began to wear full visor helmets. These new helmets did not show their faces at all. This made identification very essential.

5. At its most simple state a coat of arms is only a color. This is very rare. It used to be used by knights for tournaments. The Golden Rule of creating a coat of arms: one color and one metal. No colors on colors and no metals on metals. Jerusalem is the only know exception to this rule. RED BLUE BLACK GREEN GOLD YELLOW SILVER WHITE

6. The different colors were thought to mean different things: Gold-Generosity and elevation of the mind Silver or White-Peace and sincerity Red-Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity Blue-Truth and loyalty Green-Hope, joy, and loyalty in love Black-Constancy or grief Purple-Royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice Orange-Worthy ambition Maroon-Patient in battle, and yet victorious

7. All objects on the field of a shield are referred to as charges. The simplest geometric shapes are called ordinaries. Most commonly used charges are animals. Animals almost always face the right side of the shield. (from the shield bearers point of view) The lion meant courage.

8. Other animals and what they mean… The bear represents strength, cunning, and ferocity. A boar meant you were brave and would fight to the death. Having a bull meant you were brave and generous. A dear meant that you were peaceful and would only fight if provoked. The dog represents someone who is brave as well as loyal.

9. A few common symbols and their meanings… An anchor represented hope. A castle meant safety. A drum meant that you were ready for war. A gavel showed that you were just and had legal authority. A lighting bolt meant swiftness and power. The palm branch meant that you had some sort of royal power. A trumpet showed that you were ready for war.

10. The signs of the sons or cadency… Label - First born son Fleur-de-lis -sixth son Huitfoil -ninth son Martlet -fourth son Mullet -third son Rose-seventh son crescent -second born Annulet-fifth son Cross moline -eighth son

11. Nebuly LineClouds or air Wavy LineSea or water Engrailed LineEarth or land Invected LineEarth or land Indented LineFire Dancette LineWater Raguly LineDifficulties have been encountered Embattled LineWalls of a fortress or town

12. Sometimes charges were used as a pun on the owner. Castles for Castile and lions for Leon. A hog for Sir Nicolas Bacon.

13. In large households it was not ideal for every member to carry around a shield displaying the coat of arms. In these houses a symbol was chosen. The most well known are the Tudor Rose, the white rose of York, and the red rose of Lancaster.

14. The description of charges on a coat of arms is called a blazon. If a coat of arms has a complicated design then the blazon begins in the top right hand corner and spirals around. During the second half of the fourteenth century a shield was no longer necessary as battle gear so putting the coat of arms on flags and banners became more important. By the end of the sixteenth century the coat of arms had become largely decorated symbols.