Image:Kempe-family-crest.gif

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Kempe family crest

How the term "Coat of Arms" evolved makes an interesting story. Because wars were almost a continual occurance during the Middle Ages, more and more armor was added to a knight's battle uniform until the medieval warrior was finally protected from head to toe. The metal suit of armor always included a helmet to protect the head, thus it was virtually impossible to tell one knight from another. In order to prevent any mishaps on the battlefield, such as one friend injuring another, a means of identification was necessary. A colorful solution first came as knights painted patterns on their battle shields. These patterns were eventually woven into cloth surcoats which were worn over the suit of armor. In fact, many a horse was also seen prancing around in a fancy cloth surcoat with its master's Coat of Arms ablaze on the side.

Records were kept that gave each knight exclusive rights to his arms. In many cases, records were then compiled listing the family name and an exact description of its Coat of Arms. These are called "armorials" or "blazons". The word "heraldry" is associated with Coats of Arms due to the role of the "herald" in recording the blazons, and comes from a common practice at a medival sporting event. Tournaments (or jousting contests) were popular during the days of knighthood, and as each soldier was presented at a tournament, a herald sounded the trupet and then announced the knight's achiements and described his Arms. The heralds would then record the Arms as a way of ensuring that a family maintained its protective right to have and use its individual Arms.

Historically, different creatures of nature denoted certain characteristics, and various inanimate shapes implied certain traits, historical factors or aspirations. For example, the chevron symbolized protection and has often been placed on Arms to tell others that its bearer achieved some notable feat. A symbol (or charge) placed on a Coat of Arms usually provided clues to a person's being. Some Arms are an artistic interpretation of a person's name, e.g. many of the Fisher Arms include dolphins or fish. Many Arms reveal a person's occupation. Others tell about less tangible characteristics, such as the early bearer's hopes, wishes and aspirations. For example, hope is shown by a wheat garb or sheaf, and joy by garlands of flowers or a red rose. Crosses and religious symbols often meant the person felt a closeness to his god, or could have symbolized that the knight was a veteran of one of history's bloodiest series of battles

The first Arms were quite simple, consisting only of the shield. The design was set off with a horizontal or vertical band, star or half-moon; however; the renderings became more complex during later times. Immediately above the shield is the helmet, the style of which depends on the country and the Status of the early bearer. The wreath, or torce, is mounted on top of the helmet. The crest wasn't included on the Coat of Arms until the 13th century. The crest was the emblem that survived when the banner was destroyed and the shield shattered, as a rallying symbol of the knight's courage. It was painted on leather, sometimes thin metal or even wood, and was attached to the helmet, so that allies could easily pick out who was who.

Some families have also passed down mottos through the ages. They may have begun as war cries or as a variation of a family name. They might express piety; hope or determination, or commemorate a deed or past occasion. The historical tradition of Coats of Arms became more complicated as the designs became more complex. By 1419, Henry V of England found it necessary to impose rigid legal regulations over the use of Coats of Arms because court battles were becoming quite numerous.

The King forbade anyone to take on Arms unless by right of ancestry or as a gilt from the Crown. Later Henry VIII even sent the heralds (now Royal Authenticators of Arms) into the shires on what were called "visitations." Unbelievable as it may seem to us today, these "visitations" were held once every generation for almost two centuries for the sole reason of officially verifying listing or denying Arms in use.

Under most heraldic rules, only first sons of first sones of the recipient of a Coat of Arms are permitted to bear thier ancestor's arms. Younger sons may use a version of their father's Arms, but the rules of heraldry say that they must be changed ("differenced") somewhat. If the bearer of a Coat of Arms (called an "Armiger") dies without heirs, his daughter may combine her father's Arms with her husband's Arms. This process is called "impaling". Although these principles seem formal today, they do give us an idea of the rich, protective tradition which surrounded heraldry through te ages.

Under the Laws of Arms in countries following the English tradition armorial bearings DO NOT belong to all persons of a given surname and may rightfully be borne ONLY by the direct descendants of the individual to whom they were first granted or allowed .

Image is part of the masthead for the Kempe surname website, recorded for the WeRelate Surname:Kemp page.

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• (del) (cur) 21:12, 4 May 2010 . . BobC (Talk | contribs) . . 178×222 (23,099 bytes) (==Kempe family crest== How the term "Coat of Arms" evolved makes an interesting story. Because wars were almost a continual occurance during the Middle Ages, more and more armor was added to a knight's battle uniform until the medieval warrior was finall)

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