The coats of arms of the knights of the Middle Ages are rooted in antiquity. They were symbolic signs, with the help of which, during the battle and military conflicts, their leaders, warriors, detachments and peoples were recognized.
The emergence and development of knightly heraldry
The first emblems, in principle, were already in the X century. Similar signs are known on aristocratic seals, which were used to seal documents or marriage bonds. Specifically, the coats of arms of medieval knights appeared on their shields in the 12th century. By the beginning of this century, the development of military affairs had saturated the armies of the European powers, and the warriors clad in armor became hard to recognize even for their associates. It was then that the first coats of arms of the knights of the Middle Ages appeared on the shields, made up of elements of battle banners that had existed by that time for many centuries. It should be borne in mind that the function of distinguishing friends from strangers was far from being performed only by this element. On the one hand, this hindered the development of heraldry, however, thanks to this fact, the coats of arms of the knights of the Middle Ages eventually became the personification of everything that we attribute to them - the incarnationnoble origin, personal courage, military merit and nobility. The crusades to the Holy Land, which began at the end of the 12th century, had a significant impact on the coats of arms of the knights of the Middle Ages.
In the largest armies 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 - the firmament and steadfastness, and so on). Almost all knightly orders created during this period had Christian crosses as the basis 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 as symbols of warriors and military clans, but also of aristocratic families, 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 has immortalized swans on its coat of arms, as these noble birds live in huge numbers in its canals and lakes.
Meaning 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, arrangement of figures and even the metals from which it is all made. In the modern world, there is even a science of heraldry that studies the coats of arms of the knights of the Middle Ages: 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 part is called the foot. Everything in his field has a certain meaning.
Modern researchers distinguish the following types of heraldic signs:
- Concessions.
- Family.
- Coats of arms of crowned persons.
- Protective.
- Coats of arms by marriage.
- Coats of arms by succession.
