Once knights started covering themselves head-to-toe in armor, it became nearly impossible to tell who was on the battlefield. To fix that, they began using bold, personalized symbols on their shields, tunics, and banners—the medieval version of wearing your team’s jersey. These designs helped everyone quickly recognize friends, foes, and family ties.
Over time, those designs evolved into family emblems—a legacy uniform passed down through generations. A coat of arms became a symbol of identity, like a team logo that told the world who you were and what you stood for. Someone had to manage the system as the designs got more detailed and packed with meaning. That’s where the heralds came in. Think of them as the league officials of heraldry—they kept records, enforced the rules, and made sure no one was rocking a copycat design. It was about keeping things official and ensuring every symbol held its unique weight.

Leave a comment