Coats of arms of medieval knights are rooted in antiquity. They were symbolic signs by which their leaders, soldiers, detachments and peoples were recognized during the battle and military conflicts.
The emergence and development of knightly heraldry
The first coats of arms, in principle, were already in the X century. Similar signs are known on aristocratic seals, which fastened documents or marriage ties. Specifically, the coats of arms of medieval knights appeared on their shields in the XII century. By the beginning of this century, the development of military affairs was saturated with armies of European powers, and armored warriors became difficult to recognize even for their comrades-in-arms. It was then that the first emblems of the knights of the Middle Ages appeared on the shields, composed of elements of military banners that had existed by that time for many centuries. It should be borne in mind that not only this element performed the function of distinguishing oneself from strangers. On the one hand, this hindered the development of heraldry, but the coats of arms of medieval knights due to this fact over time became the personification of all that we ascribe to them - the embodiment of noble origin, personal courage, military merit and nobility. A significant influence on the coats of arms of medieval knights was provided by the Crusades to the Holy Land, which began at the end of the 12th century.
In the armies, the largest for this time, there is a rapid evolution of heraldic symbols. Many different allegorical signs are introduced into the coats of arms (foxes symbolizing wisdom, oak trunks - firmness and steadfastness, and so on). Almost all the
knightly orders created during this period took Christian crosses at the core of their heraldic signs. That is why they were called crusaders. Over the centuries, such heraldic signs have become widely recognized throughout Europe, not only symbols of warriors and military clans, but also of aristocratic clans, geographical territories and even cities.
Medieval cities designed their coats of arms based on their inherent features. For example, the historical center of Paris has a peculiar shape of a ship, which is reflected in its symbol. The Italian Bologna immortalized swans on its coat of arms, since these noble birds in large numbers live in its canals and lakes.
The value of emblems
In order to be able to correctly explain the heraldic sign, it is necessary to carefully study its background with engravings and figures, colors, the location of the figures, and even the metals from which it is all made. In the modern world there is even a heraldry science that studies the coats of arms of medieval knights: pictures of that era, centuries-old icons, archaeological artifacts and so on. The upper part of the emblem is called the head, and the lower - the foot. Everything that is in his field has a definite meaning.
Modern researchers distinguish the following varieties of heraldic signs:
- Cossacks.
- Surname.
- Coats of arms of the crowned persons
- Protective.
- Coats of arms for matrimony.
- Coats of arms on succession.