![]() Later, he provided a well-known account of the king’s life and the conquest. When William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, William of Poitiers was his chaplain. Trained as a knight in his youth, William went on to become a priest and scholar. One of the earliest and most significant victories for knights in the Middle Ages was the Norman conquest of England, and a lot of what we know about that fight comes from William of Poitiers (c. ![]() Some were writers of history and poetry, helping to craft the image of the knight that we still know today. Many held important religious positions as well as military ones. But they also made history in other ways. Naturally, as leaders of armies, knights were responsible for winning-and losing-some of the most important battles of the Middle Ages. READ MORE: Medieval Weapons That Maimed and Killed ![]() Most knights came from noble families, and success in battle might lead to a royal grant of additional land and titles. The resources needed for horses, armor and weaponry meant that knighthood was generally a job for the rich. Accounts from the Middle Ages describe the well-trained, heavily-armed warriors trampling through enemy forces while chopping off limbs and heads. But knights were far more than romantic figures-they were a triumph of military technology. Tradesmen and even peasants started using coats of arms around 1250.ġ3 A brief History In an era when few people could read or write, coats of arms made it easier for people to recognize each other's marks.There’s no more iconic symbol of medieval Europe than the knight: clad in shining armor, jousting with his rivals, wearing a token of his lady love. The first women known to have had their own coat of arms got them around Around 1230 towns and cities began having coats of arms. signet rings) and the personalized stamps for sealing letters.ġ2 A brief History Soon, Coats of Arms weren't just for soldiers! From about 1210 A.D., some priests are known to have had them. They were carved into coins, jewelry (e.g. They were used in signs and advertisements. They were applied on tunics, saddle blankets, banners and tapestries.ġ1 A brief History They were duplicated in sculpture and architectural features. The designs weren't just used on shields. It became quite fashionable to have a "coat of arms", so people hired artists to design them. Shield Colors: Yellow or Gold - Generosity White or Silver - Peace & Sincerity Black - Constancy (& sometimes Grief) Blue - Loyalty & Truthfulness Red - Military Fortitude & Magnanimity Green - Hope, Joy & sometimes Loyalty Purple - Royal Majesty, Sovereignty & Justice 6ħ Animals Heraldic Animals: Bear - Protectiveness Bee - Industriousness Camel - Perseverance Dog - Loyalty Double Eagle & Eagle - Leadership & Decisiveness Dragon - Defender of Treasure Falcon or Hawk - Eagerness Fox - Cleverness Griffin (part eagle, part lion) - Bravery Horse - Readiness to Serve Lion - Courage Pelican - Generosity & Devotion Raven - Constancy Snake - Ambition Stag, Elk or Deer - Peace & Harmony Tiger - Fierceness & Valor Unicorn - Extreme courage Wolf - Constant Vigilance 7ġ0 A brief History Over time, shield emblem designs became enduring symbols of their owners, and of their owners' families. The decoration and colors on a shield, or the shield symbols were therefore highly functional allowing knights to be easily recognised. Medieval shield designs were decorated with symbols which were used as a means to recognise a knight when they were jousting at tournaments and on the battlefield. The art of designing, displaying, describing, and recording arms is called heraldry. Medieval shields were made of a variety of materials including Hide or animal skins (leather), Bark, Wood, Metal, Leather-covered wood and Wicker or basket work. ![]() ![]() The Medieval Shield Medieval Shields were developed to shield, or protect, a knight or soldier from the direct blows from the weapons of their enemies. These designs were important in battle, but they also functioned like team uniforms when knights met in tournaments. In the early twelfth century, helmets and other armor began making it difficult to tell armed warriors apart.ģ Emblems The solution was for each knight or soldier to paint something personal on their shield. Presentation on theme: "Medieval Shields."- Presentation transcript:Ģ What side are you on? Coats of Arms date to the early Middle Ages. ![]()
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