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From: GARTONAJ< >
Subject: Re: Heraldry ====Explained ???
Date: 3 Mar 1998 18:04:25 GMT


In article <>,
(Boopatoo) writes:

>Where can I find out how or who can explain a Coat Of Arms ?? I understand
>that
>every crest & design in one has a definate meaning.

I think that you are putting too much into a coat of arms. Some things do have
definite meanings (eg the type of helmet will show whether the bearer of the
arms is a king, a peer, a knight or a gentleman) and some things such as the
garter around the shield are indicators of rank. The design of the shield and
the crest on the helmet are really arbitrary designs. The only important thing
is that each shield should be different. Sometimes they are chosen to indicate
the bearer's name for example Shakespeare had a spear on his shield and the
Queen Mother, whose maiden name was Bowes-Lyons, has a shield with bows (for
shooting arrows) and lions.

If the shield is divided into "quarters" it may help to indicate the marriages
which have produced the bearer. There are also some additional devices which
sons of an arminger may add to their father's coat of arms. These are fairly
standard (except in the Royal family).

Most of the books on heraldry are a bit large but are found in most reference
libraries. A book which I have used and which is pocket sized and covers most
of the basic principles is The Observer's Book of Heraldry. I don't know
whether it is still in print.

Tony Garton

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