#heraldry
The Eldar had formulated rules or principles for the shaping of heraldic devices, which can be summarized in the following way:
- Devices for males were placed within a lozenge.
- Devices for females were placed within a circle.
- Devices for families,housesorcountries were placed within a square.
- The rank of the owner was shown by the number of “points” reaching the outer rim of the device. Four points signified a prince, six to eight signified a king. The oldest of the Elven kings, like Finwë, could sometimes have as many as 16 points.
The rules of heraldry were usually followed by both the Noldor and the Sindar, which might indicate that they were already in existence (albeit in a crude form) at Cuiviénen.
But it is tempting to argue that at that time the Quendi were not yet culturally “sophisticated” enough for such ideas. The rules may also have evolved over time, and become known by oral tradition before recieving written form.
If the rules were invented by the Noldor, which would otherwise seem likely, it seems strange that the Sindarin heraldry follows these rules, considering Thingol’s anti-Noldorin politics.
One thing that supports the Noldor as being the originators of the rules is that the Noldorin royals generally seem to have been given higher “status” in their devices, according to the rules above.
Fingolfin’s device shows a distinct relatedness with the device of Fingolfin’s older brother, Fëanor, with the natural exception of Fëanor’s Silmaril.
The silver stars on blue background is probably the source of the blue and silver of Fingolfin’s banners mentioned in The Silmarillion. Eight “points” reach the edges, as is the case with all the devices for the sons of Finwë.
John the Blind falls at the Battle of Crécy
Crests of the seven families of The Resurrection from The House of Scattered Roses (Scattered Roses in the Palm of Your Hand remake)
First is House Arclight, whose motto is For whom the roses grow
House Ashby: Tradition. Loyalty. Honour.
House Phillips: Under the Lord we serve
House Thurston: Beware the bears who walk in men’s skin
House Williams: Beloved by God
House Radcliffe: A hortensia among men
House Marlon: Fidelity and Prosperity.
Map of the Agincourt battleground. Taken from Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas’ book
Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas’ 1827 work The History of the Battle of Agincourt, an in-depth account of the battle drawn from further contemporary accounts – and one which includes the ‘roll of the men at arms in the English Army’; or, to give the full description: the “names of the Dukes, Erles, Barons, Knights, Esquires, Serviteuers and others that wer with the Excellent Prince King Henry the Fifte, at the Battell of Agincourt, on Fryday, the XXVth Day of October, in the Yere of our Lorde God, 1415”.” Perhaps your ancestor was one of these men, Shakespeare’s “few…happy few…band of brothers”?
Platinum Jubilee Silk Scarf, Westminster Abbey Shop, 2022
Designed with artist Rory Hutton, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
The coronation chair forms the centre of the scarf’s design, as the starting point of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. The martlets and oak leaves which originally decorated the coronation chair represent strength and nobility.
Surrounding the central motif are traditional symbols which are repeated throughout the architecture of Westminster Abbey - including the heraldic lion, the crown, the fleur-de-lis, the Tudor rose, the English rose, the Irish shamrock and the Scottish thistle. (No Welsh leek that I can see though!)
Silk scarves and cushion, Fortnum’s x Silken Favours, 2022
Designed by Vicki Murdoch. Commemorating the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. From £95.
Please use this freely, a small campaign design contribution, for our 2022 new Philippine President and Vice President, Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan. May they be grace to win!
History of the Winged Sea Lion: https://twitter.com/Aericangelo/status/1477787783871676417/?s=20
Incidentally 2022 is the 20th Anniversary of my getting started on the official design requirements for the coat-of-arms, seal, and flag of the President and Vice President of the Philippines, of which the Executive Order No. 310 is signed on 20 April 2004 https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2004/04/20/executive-order-no-310/