| The family crest, also known as the coat of | | | | upon by the king to settle these disputes by |
| arms, enjoys a long and interesting history dating | | | | verifying and recording the coat of arms. In |
| back to ancient times. In fact, the Greeks and | | | | addition, the Royal regulation of 1419 as |
| African warriors were known to have put special | | | | established by Henry V of England gave the |
| markings on their shields long before Christianity | | | | heralds the power to deny the use of a particular |
| ever existed. The family crest as we have come | | | | family crest. |
| to know it, however, did not begin to develop until | | | | Developing a Unique Language |
| the time of the Crusades of the 1100's. | | | | In order to better keep track of the multiple |
| Creating the Family Crest from Necessity | | | | family crests being created, heralds created their |
| Though looked upon today as a novelty item or | | | | own unique language. This language was used to |
| as a way to connect to past generations, the | | | | describe the symbols of the family crest, which |
| family crest was originally developed out of pure | | | | were officially called the Blazon of Arms. Each of |
| necessity. During the time of the Crusade, men | | | | these descriptions was catalogued in the College |
| from a number of countries joined together in | | | | of Arms that was used throughout the world. |
| battle. In order to survive, it became necessary | | | | These historic records held the same legal binding |
| to form a quick and easy method for visually | | | | as deeds. As such, their registration can be |
| identifying one another. After all, closed helmets | | | | researched even to this day and used by anyone |
| and suits of armor made it virtually impossible to | | | | with the ability to understand the language |
| differentiate one person from the next. | | | | developed by the heralds. |
| In response to this basic need to survive, English | | | | As an example, the Tierney family crest is |
| knights began wearing special marks on their | | | | catalogued as "Azure two lines rampant or, |
| armor. These symbols were referred to as | | | | supporting a sword proper". In the heraldic |
| "arms". This idea caught on quickly throughout all | | | | language, this means the family crest is a shield |
| of Europe. Over time, the family crest was added | | | | with a blue (azure) background containing two gold |
| to the surcoats, which were pieces of cloth worn | | | | (or) rampant lions that are holding a sword. |
| over the armor in order to help keep the armor | | | | Furthermore, these colors and symbols each have |
| cooler. The practice of embroidering the family | | | | their own special meaning. The azure, for |
| crest, which included symbols and marks referred | | | | example, represents truth and loyalty while the or |
| to as arms, onto these surcoats resulted in the | | | | stands for elevation of mind and generosity. |
| term "coat of arms". | | | | Similarly, the lions are representative of courage |
| The Rise of Heralds | | | | and of strength. |
| As the number and variety of family crests | | | | Additional Uses of the Family Crest |
| began to grow, it became necessary to designate | | | | In addition to being used by knights to identify |
| certain individuals to keep track of them. Those | | | | one another in battle, the family crest was used |
| people who were responsible for memorizing the | | | | for a variety of other purposes. For example, the |
| knight's arms and for announcing them to the | | | | family crest was generally easier to recognize |
| public during special ceremonies and events were | | | | than the written word. In addition, many people |
| known as heralds. These heralds were considered | | | | during the time of their development were unable |
| to be the masters of ceremonies at all public | | | | to read and to write. Therefore, the family crest |
| competitions and, over time, they actually | | | | was routinely engraved in a ring, which the |
| became appointed by the court to the position. | | | | wearer used in order to create his or her official |
| Keeping the Peace | | | | signature on documents. |
| The job of the herald also slowly evolved into | | | | The coat of arms was also routinely used in |
| that of playing peacekeeper. As ideas for coat of | | | | wedding ceremonies in order to symbolize the |
| arms designs diminished, it became increasingly | | | | joining of two families. By displaying the family |
| common to duplicate family crests. As a result, | | | | crest of both the bride and the groom, the |
| the very knights that were called upon by the | | | | importance of both families was easily |
| king to work together in protecting the royal | | | | demonstrated to the families and friends of the |
| crown were battling one another over the rights | | | | happy couple. Today, they can be used in much |
| to the family crest. Obviously, this was not a | | | | the same way. |
| desirable situation. As such, heralds were called | | | | |