I have recently added a facility to allow you to upload a photo (emblazonment) when you register your arms with us. If you would like a new emblazonment, just say so in the "Other Notes" section of the "Register Arms" page. Remember, registration of your arms is free and encouraged! We can also help with your blazon if you are having trouble.
Yours In Arms,
Michael C. Richards
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Heraldry In America
Heraldry in America is a somewhat unusual situation. In countries like England and Scotland, arms must be "granted" by an official body, such as the Lord Lyon or the College of Arms. These countries have been granting arms from roughly the 12th century, depending upon which country and who you talk to. Note that I am not referring to symbology, which undoubtedly has been with us since cave painting, but the specific assigning of a coat of arms to an individual that can be handed down from one generation to the next. As an aside, I want to say again that arms are not granted to a family, but to an individual, who may bequeath it to his children. Said children do not have to keep it the same and as a matter of fact, quite often change a charge when they take it over.
So back to heraldry in these United States. There are no laws or regulations regarding the assumption of arms in America. There are several heraldic societies and places that will register your arms (including for free at this site) which basically makes a written record or database entry, but they do not have the power to grant arms, there is simply no provision for that here. One of the oldest and most distinguished is the American College of Arms. But despite their name's similarity to England's College of Arms, they are not a granting body any more than I am. As a matter of fact, I encourage people (if they have the money) to register with them because they have the most extensive database.
So what does all this mean to you? Basically, in the United States, you may create a coat of arms on the back of a cocktail napkin from the bar and assume those arms. Although there is no legal recourse, you should never buy a coat of arms from somewhere that you pick your last name from a book. You would be stealing someone else's armorial achievement and that's just not cool. So look around, do some research and then come up with something and we'll look it over and register it for free. If you're not a designer and would like help, we can do that too...
Your In Arms,
Michael C. Richards
So back to heraldry in these United States. There are no laws or regulations regarding the assumption of arms in America. There are several heraldic societies and places that will register your arms (including for free at this site) which basically makes a written record or database entry, but they do not have the power to grant arms, there is simply no provision for that here. One of the oldest and most distinguished is the American College of Arms. But despite their name's similarity to England's College of Arms, they are not a granting body any more than I am. As a matter of fact, I encourage people (if they have the money) to register with them because they have the most extensive database.
So what does all this mean to you? Basically, in the United States, you may create a coat of arms on the back of a cocktail napkin from the bar and assume those arms. Although there is no legal recourse, you should never buy a coat of arms from somewhere that you pick your last name from a book. You would be stealing someone else's armorial achievement and that's just not cool. So look around, do some research and then come up with something and we'll look it over and register it for free. If you're not a designer and would like help, we can do that too...
Your In Arms,
Michael C. Richards
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Welcome To The AssumeArms.com Heraldry Blog
Hello All and welcome to our heraldry blog. This blog is run by Michael C. Richards, the Executive Director of AssumeArms.com. As an American heraldic artist and graphic designer, I hope to bring you insights into both the world of heraldry and graphic design as it pertains to designing "Coats of Arms."
Let's start with the real basics. "Coat of Arms" actually refers to a cloak that was worn by heralds that carried the Armorial Bearings of their master. Armorial Bearings or Armorial Achievement is the proper term for a coat of arms as most people think of it. It includes the shield (the most important part incidentally) the mantling, the supporters, the motto, the helmet and the crest. That brings up the other common misnomer, "Family Crest." A crest is actually a charge (any item can be a charge, think sword, fist, bird, etc.) that sits above the helmet, which sits above the shield or escutcheon. But for the sake of anyone trying to find us via Google and because it is so widely used, I will use the term coat of arms or arms for short to describe a complete armorial achievement.
Next we'll tackle some more of these basics and try to give a basic understanding of Heraldry in America...
Yours In Arms,
Michael C. Richards
Let's start with the real basics. "Coat of Arms" actually refers to a cloak that was worn by heralds that carried the Armorial Bearings of their master. Armorial Bearings or Armorial Achievement is the proper term for a coat of arms as most people think of it. It includes the shield (the most important part incidentally) the mantling, the supporters, the motto, the helmet and the crest. That brings up the other common misnomer, "Family Crest." A crest is actually a charge (any item can be a charge, think sword, fist, bird, etc.) that sits above the helmet, which sits above the shield or escutcheon. But for the sake of anyone trying to find us via Google and because it is so widely used, I will use the term coat of arms or arms for short to describe a complete armorial achievement.
Next we'll tackle some more of these basics and try to give a basic understanding of Heraldry in America...
Yours In Arms,
Michael C. Richards
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