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Origins of Heraldry. Proto-Heraldry: Traditions of field signs, personal emblems, or seals date back to at least the Bronze Age. In the Carolingian era (around the 9th century CE), round shields featured spiral patterns representing iron bracing reinforcing the shield. The Bayeux Tapestry (c. 1077) provides glimpses of proto-heraldic shield decorations1. Emergence in the 12th Century: Heraldry began on the mid-12th century battlefield as a practical means to identify medieval royalty and princes who were otherwise unrecognizable beneath their armor. Knights, wearing helmets that covered their faces, started painting unique combinations of colors, shapes, and animals on their shields and...

Let’s delve into the fascinating world of heraldic tinctures. Heraldry is the art and science of designing, displaying, and describing coats of arms. Tinctures play a crucial role in this ancient tradition. They are the limited palette of colors and patterns used to depict various elements within heraldic designs. Let’s explore the key tinctures: Metals: Argent (Silver/White): Represented by a plain white field, argent symbolizes purity, innocence, and sincerity. Or (Gold/Yellow): Depicted as a gold or yellow field, or signifies generosity, wealth, and nobility. Colours (also known as “stains”): Gules (Red): A vibrant red color, gules represents courage, valor, and...

Name Motto Translation Historic Family Mottoes - Names starting with B Babington Foy en tout Faith in everything Babington Insolitos docuere nisus Taught unwonted exertions Backhouse Confido in Deo I trust in God Backie Commodum non damnum A convenience not an injury Bacon Mediocria firma Mediocrity is safe Baggalay Stemmata quid faciunt? What avail pedigrees? Bagge Spes est in Deo My hope is in God Bagot Antiquum obtinens Possessing our ancient honour Bagshawe Forma flos, fama flatus Beauty is a flower, fame a breath Bagshot Sapiens qui vigilant He is wise who watches Bagwell In fide et in bello fortis...

Name Motto Translation A Abbot Benedic fontes, Domine Bless wells, O lord! Abbot Labore By labour Abbott Age officium tuum Act your office Abbott Clamamus, Abba, Pater Whereby we cry, Abba, Father Abbott Toujours pret, or prest Always ready Abbs In te, Domine, speravi In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust Abbs Noli irritare leonem Irritate not the lion Abdy Tenax et fidelis Persevering and faithful Abell Invicta veritate By invincible truth Abercorn Sola nobilitas virtus Virtue is the only nobility Abercorn Through Through Abercrombie Mercy is my desire Mercy is my desire Abercrombie Petit alta He seeks...

Let’s delve into the fascinating world of heraldic charges. These symbols and emblems have adorned coats of arms for centuries, each carrying its own significance. Whether you’re a knight, a scholar, or simply curious, heraldic charges offer a rich tapestry of meaning. Here’s an essay to explore their depths: The Meanings of Heraldic Charges 1. What Are Heraldic Charges? In heraldry, a charge refers to any emblem or device that occupies the field of an escutcheon (shield). These charges can take various forms, from geometric designs (often called ordinaries) to symbolic representations of animals, plants, objects, buildings, and more1. 2....