Like lords and kings, knights in the Middle Ages had their own coats of arms. During the Middle Ages, coats of arms were used to identify people, families, or territories. They were an important part of a person’s social status and identity.
During the time of feudalism, knights were part of the upper class. They were just below the lords on the social ladder. In exchange for their service in the army, the king or a lord gave them lands, titles, and rights. So, they could use their own coat of arms, which was a unique symbol that showed who they were and where they came from.
The shield was usually the main part of a knight’s coat of arms and the part that people saw the most. Usually, the shield was divided into four parts called “quarters,” and each quarter had a different design on it. The design could be a mix of symbols with a personal or family meaning, such as lions, crosses, or other figures.
A knight’s coat of arms could have more than just the shield. It could have a crest, a motto, or a banner, for example. The crest was a small design that went on top of the knight’s helmet, and the motto was a phrase or sentence that showed what the knight stood for or what he wanted to achieve. The banner was a long piece of fabric, usually silk, that was hung from a pole and had the coat of arms of the knight on it.
Not every knight had a coat of arms, and some may have used the same symbol as their lord or king. But most knights did have their own coats of arms, which they used to set themselves apart from other people and show that they were noble.
In the end, knights in the Middle Ages had the right to their own coats of arms, just like lords and kings. During the Middle Ages, coats of arms were important signs of identity and social status. They were also a big part of the culture of knights.