Heraldry

 Updated: 02/10/2010

 Heraldry or coat of arms science is the lesson of the rules of coat of arms guided tour and representation (systematical coat of arms science) and the history of coat of arms nature (historical coat of arms science). They are today an historical subsidiary science [2].

This page:

Etymological Origin
Historical origin
Scientific Heraldry
Sources

Etymological Origin


Already with Tacitus (roman historiographer 55 - 115 p. Chr.) appears a Bataver (German tribe that settled in the delta field of the Rhine and rose in the 4th century in Franconians [2]) as "chariovalda" (to army and administrations). From this "hariwald" (army official) is originated and from the end of the 12th century appears in old French "hiraut". In the 14th century develops from it in late Middle High German "herolt"[1].

The term "heraldry" itself comes from French "science héraldique" (coat of arms art). The "ars heraldica" (heraldic art) appears in Germany in the 17th century and there has been the term "heraldry" since 1727 [1].

Historical origin


The task of the heralds consisted in to identify and test the coats of arms. Heralds were army managers called by princes and institutions, who were responsible for war and especially for tournament being and too were inserted as transmission messengers and agents [2].

The heralds developed the heraldic terminology (coat of arms science), listed the coats of arms and checked ones also general in domination task coats of arms and titles, of what itself later the herald offices diverted [2].

Since the 13th century, the heralds and offices constructed coat of arms lists (coat of arms roles, coat of arms books) as aids for identification of the coats of arms, developed coat of arms right and the heraldic rules [2].

Scientific Heraldry


In the 2nd half of the 17th century the scientific heraldry was developed by the works of the French Jesuit C.F. Menestrier (died 1659) and the German theologian Spener [2].

Johann Siebmacher, died 23.03.1611 in Nuremberg, German painter and copperplate engraver (sign art in copperplates, suitable for printing) established the biggest German-speaking coat of arms book designated after him, in which until 1806 in different costs 19 000 coats of arms were published. Disposed as reprint in Neustadt in 35 volumes again in 1970-90 [2].

For further information about heraldry and knighthood I can recommend François Velde .

Sources

 [1] Kluge, Friedrich: Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschenSprache,21. Auflage, Walter de Gruyther, Berlin, New York (1975)
 [2] Meyers Großes Taschenlexikon: B.I. Taschenbuchverlag, Mannheim,Leipzig,Wien, Zürich (1992)

 
 


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