Armorial Bearings within Manuscripts

Medieval European battles led to the development of very unique symbols known as armorial bearings placed on one’s protective amour. These symbols helped to distinguish friends and foes while waging war or during medieval tournaments. Overtime the use of the armorial bearings expanded into other parts of society such as seals, signets, coat of arms and eventually manuscripts.[1] By looking deeper into works such as The Genealogie Royall and Lineall Discent of all the Kinges and Queenes of England from the Les Enluminures collection, I will be able to analyze the development and usage of hereditary symbols in medieval manuscripts.