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What is Heraldry?

• How Heraldry Began
• Uses of Heraldry

Tinctures

• A Closer Look
• Uses in Literature

Symbols

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• Mythological Creatures

Symbolism in Literature

• Beowulf
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Shields
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Shield 1
Shield 2
Shield 3
Shield 4

Shields can say a lot about its bearer and their family.  The different components of this website have, hopefully, taught you the basics of identifying a shield based off of the color of the field and symbol, as well as how to interpret the symbol itself.  Below are four different shields along with a description hypothesizing as to what it represents.  Also included is a guess at the family's standing and what rank the bearer has.

Red Dragon on sable field http://www.rampantliondesigns.com/ shields.html

Remember this from the mythological creatures page?  While it may be eye-catching and appealing, this modern twist on an ancient art fails most drastically as far as heraldry is concerned.  Most immediate that comes to attention is a violation of the rule of tinctures: never place a color on a color, or a metal on a metal (Slater 72).  On the field, this bearer would be easily lost within the melee - those fighting would be hard pressed to tell if he belonged to their side or to the other, making him an open target to anyone who so wishes to strike him down.

This modernized shield has another, non-heraldic point to it:  the dragon is featured in a 3/4ths view.  A 3/4ths view, in artist's terms, is a pose that isn't a side-view, yet it is not a front-view either.  All heraldic beasts are featured at a side-view for quick, easy identification.  The only time an animal is shown facing forward is if it's just its head, or if its head is turned towards the viewer.  Animals, when they face forward, aren't as stunning as when they're turned sideways and rearing - not to mention that they're hard to discern from another (Slater 84-87).

Family's Possible Standing:  N/A; Modernized Shield.

Bearer's Rank and Possible Feats of Accomplishment:  A custom design that's completely unique would hint at being very rich...  And a dragon hoards treasure, so this bearer could be very wealthy.  Since the beast is breathing fire, it could be possible that this knight is a very fierce opponent.  The length of claws could also suggest this.  Since the wings of the dragon are spread, the knight could also be fast - or it looks like that in order to look good.

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"Medieval Lion" from  Valentine Armouries http://www.varmouries.com/vshields.html

Here we have a gold lion rampant on a field of blue.

Needed:  in-depth heraldic lion facts.

Family's Possible Standing:  The lion was a popular charge in England, so the family could have been any rank, providing that they were high enough to become knights and have the shield in the first place (Slater 84).

Bearer's Rank and Possible Feats of Accomplishment:  Again, it could be anything.  the blue signifies loyalty, so the person who earned the shield in the first place could have been very loyal to the King or Lord who bestowed it upon him.

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"Wales" from  Valentine Armouries http://www.varmouries.com/vshields.html

In comparison to the first, this is how a dragon upon a shield would normally be depicted.  This is a good example of a side-view, passant beast (85).  The red dragon hints at a warrior that is dangerous to battle.  Even though there is color on color on the shield, the silver backing on the top makes identifying the dragon easy.  This type of shield division is known as a per fes.  A green and white field could hint at a knight who is normally docile and peaceful, but if you manage to piss him off...

Family's Possible Standing:  Like the lion, it could be anything.  However, the name of this shield suggests that the family is of noble blood, specifically from Wales.

Bearer's Rank and Possible Feats of Accomplishment:  Peaceful and agreeable to talk to; dangerous to come up against in battle.

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"Rome" from  Valentine Armouries http://www.varmouries.com/vshields.html

The gold and silver on dark red makes identification very easy, even though the design itself is more detailed than usual by heraldic standards.  The dark red field is very appropriate for the shield of "Rome" given its history as a militant state.

The lion represents courage - the roaring could suggest boasting, or perhaps a war cry (Wade).  Wings on shields often represent a celebrity, but can also represent protection (Wade).  The book could also represent knowledge.

Family's Possible Standing:  This possibly represents Rome's popularity as a well-known, militant city.  Even though Rome also doubles as a religious center, the lack of any religious symbols prevents the assumption of being related to the Church.

Bearer's Rank and Possible Feats of Accomplishment:  Unknown; possibly a representation of the city as being a center for knowledge that has stood the trials of time.

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