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Heraldry
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Heraldry is a system of hereditary identification using visual symbols called coats of arms, or armorial bearings. In origin, armorial bearings consisted of a variety of conventional devices, or charges, displayed on the shield, or escutcheon, of the medieval knight. The practice of displaying the same emblem on the knight's surcoat, or tabard, the tunic worn over his armor, gave rise to the expression "coat of arms." The use of such symbols, which became elaborate, soon spread beyond the military field.
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Heraldry is one of the quieter occupations, a backroom job involving close research and much poring over ancient documents to ensure historical accuracy. It's a loner's world, far removed from the noise and realities of everyday life. But that's where Gerry's other existence comes in. At intervals, he swaps the baggy jumper for a flight suit, the books for a safety harness and takes off with the Air Sea Rescue team from Shannon in the biggest helicopter in these islands, the giant SikorskyS61n. On these flights, Gerry acts as observer, recording the details of the mission while others carry out their vital work.
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Heraldry began in the early Middle Ages of Europe to help the knights and foot soldiers identify each other during a battle. Since all of the knights wore shiny (sometimes) metal amour covering their whole body, they had trouble identifying their allies during a battle. Thus, the noble and knightly families designed patterns and symbols to paint on their shields that would represent their family. These shields were called coats of arms, and any family of noble rank could have one. Peasants of the middle class could earn their own coat of arms by performing a great deed or earning the favors of a nobleman. Many peasants had their own coat of arms that were not recognized by the College.
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Heraldry in the European tradition came to Canada with the voyages of the French and English explorers in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. At first, much heraldry in Canada was borrowed, the colonies using heraldic devices created by the heraldic authorities of the European powers identifying sovereign states, corporations or individuals. Early in the 17th century, the first devices created specifically for the colonies came into being when the Lord Lyon of Scotland granted arms to Nova Scotia in 1625 and the College of Arms in London granted arms to Newfoundland in 1638. Later in the same century, the heralds of France granted the first arms to individuals resident in New France for service to Louis XIV in the new colony. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Canada and each of the provinces were granted coats of arms through the British heraldic authorities.
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The word “Heraldry” is derived from the German “heer” -- a host, an army -- and “held” -- a champion. The term “blason,” by which the science of heraldry is denoted in French, English, Italian, and German, is probably derived from the German word “blazen” -- to blow the horn. Whenever a new Knight appeared at a Tournament, the herald sounded the trumpet, and as the competitors attended with closed visors, it was his duty to explain the bearing of the shield or coat-armour belonging to each. This knowledge of the various devices and symbols was called Heraldry, and as the announcement was accompanied with the sound of a trumpet, it was termed “blazoning the arms.” Source: Burke, Bernard, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (Heritage Books, Inc., 1996).
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According to experts in Heraldry, "Arms" were (and are) granted to individuals (and their direct descendants). Patrick O'Shea, one such expert, writes, "Most of these examples of armorial bearings originated as English Grants of Arms in the late Medieval or early Renaissance periods. Today the regulation of armorial bearings in Ireland is handled by the Chief Herald of Ireland or the U.K. College of Arms (in Northern Ireland), and both authorities continue to make new grants of arms to worthy individuals."
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Heraldry