"The alphabet is one set of arbitrary symbols. The figures of heraldry are another set of arbitrary symbols. In the fourteenth century every gentleman knew one: in the twentieth century every gentleman knows the other. The first gentleman was just precisely as ignorant for not knowing that c-a-t spells "cat," as the second gentleman is for not knowing that a St. Andrew's Cross is called a cross saltire, or that vert on gules is bad heraldry." (G.K. Chesterson) [GKC ILN Dec 2 1905 CW27:70-71]
I'm an Academic Herald. I'm not a "real" herald; I don't register people's coats of arms (though I can certainly suggest designs for those who might be interested). What I do is study, research, teach, and write about heraldry. And I like to share what I have learned about heraldry, hence this blog. I hope that you'll find it informative, interesting at least occasionally, and worth your time to come back. Got a question? Comments? Feel free to let me know. I'd love to hear from you. You can find my contact information in my Profile.
Periodically I am reminded, sometimes almost forcibly, that if you are looking around, you can find heraldry anywhere and _every_where! In...
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Friday, June 10, 2016
It's International Heraldry Day!
On 10th June 1128, Geoffrey V d'Anjou is said to have been knighted and given arms by his father-in-law, Henry I of England, and in 2013 June 10 was declared International Heraldry Day.
I'm looking for the blue shield with the gold lioncels and I'm not finding it....
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