heraldry language source?

[piperdbh]

This has probably been answered before, but where does the language of heraldry come from? I can pick up some French words, some Latin and some English, which seems to be a strange combination, especialy the syntax. Is it the product of centuries of cultural mixing, with the protection/support of monarchs and governments?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The language of blazon as used in the English speaking world tends, by and large, to be a slightly bastardized version of medieval French; outside of France most others countries blazon in their native language.

When blazoning a coat of arms the blazon starts with the colour or colours of the shield then progresses to the charges on the shield (animals, crosses, geometric devices, etc.), followed by a description of any external ornamentation that may be exemplified (helmet, crest, supporters, etc.)

If blazoning the arms of my chief one would say:

or (meaning the shield is gold in colour) a lion (the principle charge) rampant (how it is depicted (rearing up) on the shield) sable (black) armed and langued gules (indicating that the claws, teeth and tongue are red) in chief (meaning that the next named charge, or charges if there is more than one, will be placed within the top 1/3 of the shield) three mullets (stars used as a subordinate charge) aruze (the colour blue).

If the external ornamentation were to be exemplified, then the blazon would continue: above the shield is placed a helmet argent (silver) garnished (trimmed) or as befits his degree (different social ranks are accorded different styles of helmets) with a mantling (the frilly bit surrounding the helmet) or doubled sable (this means folded so as to display both sides) and on a wreath of the Liveries (this is the "twisted rope" on top of the helmet and unless else-wise blazoned is usually the first two named tinctures of the blazon-- in this instance sable and or) is set for a crest a dexter and sinister hand brandishing a broadsword proper (proper means painted in their natural colours) above which is placed an escroll upon which is the motto "Miseris Succurrere Disco" and as supporters (the critters placed on either side of the shield) a lion rampant sable, armed and langued gules, collared or (indicating that the lion is wearing a gold collar) charged thereon (meaning placed upon the collar) with three mullets azure.

From the above blazon virtually any armourist could accurately render the arms of Macmillan of Macmillan and Knap.

(I have tried repeatedly to add a picture of the above arms, thus far without success. I shall, however, endeavour to persevere.)

[Morris at Heathfield]

To add to that, it's my understanding that, in the wreath, the first twist is normally (always?) the metal (or or argent), and the next twist is the color.

To give the other answer to the question, the motto can be in any language, as far as I know. In English arms the motto is often in Latin, French, or English. In Scottish arms the motto may also be in Scots or Gaelic.

Also, while English is the base language of English (and Scottish) heraldry, and medieval French is the source of most of the specialized vocabulary, there are a few terms (e.g. dexter and sinister) that were borrowed directly from Latin.

[Joseph McMillan]

(I have tried repeatedly to add a picture of the above arms, thus far without success. I shall, however, endeavour to persevere.)

See if this works:

[Joseph McMillan]

This has probably been answered before, but where does the language of heraldry come from? I can pick up some French words, some Latin and some English, which seems to be a strange combination, especialy the syntax. Is it the product of centuries of cultural mixing, with the protection/support of monarchs and governments?

There's a very funny rant (well, very funny if you have the strange sense of humor that develops after too much exposure to old armorials) by the English heraldic scholar Oswald Barron that blows apart a lot of the mystique of blazonry. It's from the first issue of the journal The Ancestor, from 1902. The passage on blazon starts a little less than halfway down the page with the sentence, "At the outset of our study of medieval armory we meet a difficulty in the fact that our earliest examples of blazonry are written as a rule in the French speech, which was so long in use amongst the great folk and the lawyers."

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/Barron0402.htm

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

To add to that, it's my understanding that, in the wreath, the first twist is normally (always?) the metal (or or argent), and the next twist is the color.

Generally speaking this is the case, however some petitioners have been granted specific livery colours and these may then be displayed as the wreath (or torse as it is sometimes called). Cyril Woods of Slane, Baron of Slane chose to have his livery colours (unusually three colours; or, sable, and gules) so displayed in the exemplification of his arms on his letters patent.

[MacMillans son]

Thanks Piperdbh for the question, and Scott for the detailed answer. I will save your response for a deciphering tool in the future! Very helpful.

[Downunder Kilt]

I too would like to add to MacMillan's sons post and thank all those who have contributed their knowledge to this thread.
As far a heraldry goes I am a ninkanpoop and dunderhead, but with your extremely helpfull explanations, I should be able to work out what is going on in future discusions, well at least to some degree and not simply sit and stare at the screen and think "what are they on about?"

Thankyou again and cheers

[Schiehallion]

No mention of the mound upon which the supporters stand?

[KenB]

Thanks for the question and many thanks for the informative responses. Heraldry has always appeared to be somewhat mysterious for me as the language that describes the coats of arms seems so arcane. I look forward to reading more detailed descriptions in this area. Very enlightening!