HERALDRY
The term heraldry now usually refers to the branch of knowledge dealing with the history and description of armorial bearings. Symbolic and ornamental figures similar to those of heraldry have been used as tribal or national emblems since ancient times. The practice of carrying personal armorial devices on shields and banners began during feudal times, when it was necessary for a knight, with his face covered by the visor of his helmet, to be recognized at a distance . In the 14th century the practice was introduced of embroidering the family insignia on the surcoat worn over the coat of mail, giving rise to the term coat of arms. The original purpose of identification in battle developed into a complex system of inherited identification of social status.
In early heraldry it was the practice to display no more than
one coat of arms on an escutcheon. If, however, the wife were an heiress (that
is, without brothers and therefore entitled to inherit the paternal arms), the
arms of husband and wife were sometimes displayed side by side on separate
escutcheons.
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