Medieval heraldry originated, then, sometime in the 12th century CE as individual warriors – first kings and then knights, too – sought to show off to their opponents exactl… 展开

The first symbols of identification did not have to be very complicated; indeed, simplicity and boldness made them all the more visible on the battlefield. The most obvious and strik… 展开

Coats of arms could be repeated on other paraphernalia of warfare such as on the front and back of surcoats (a long sleeveless gown tied at the waist and worn over armour), pe… 展开

Heraldry employs an extensive range of specific vocabulary so that coats of arms may be precisely described in words (a blazon). The shield, known as the field or ground, is divide… 展开