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Spanish heraldry
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The tradition and art of heraldry first appeared in Spain at about the beginning of the eleventh century AD and its origin was similar to other European countries: the need for knights and nobles to distinguish themselves from one another on the battlefield, in jousts and tournaments. Knights wore armor from head to toe and were often in leadership positions, so it was essential to be able to identify them on the battlefield. The idea of putting identifying marks on a shield, however, originated much earlier, probably immediately after warriors started using shields. Symbols depicting tribal affiliations, city state, and military unit designations were used universally, but the idea of identifying an individual by the symbols on a shield took hold during the middle ages.
Features The design of the arms themselves, excepting for the rules of Heraldry, were up to the owner, and sometimes the design had a specific meaning or symbolism. Originally, anyone could bear (display) arms. Later, it became more of a practice for the nobility. Until the end of the middle ages only the paternal arms were used but later both the paternal and maternal arms were displayed. The arms of the maternal and paternal grandfathers were impaled (shield cut in half vertically, showing the respective arms on each half). During the 18th and 19th centuries, the use of four quarterings came into use by the nobility (the shield was cut into four parts and the design of the arms of each grandparent was placed in each quarter).
The order of display was:
- Paternal grandfather
- Maternal grandfather
- Paternal grandmother
- Maternal grandmother
Origins and historyThe Spanish nobility, unlike their , was based almost entirely on military service. Few families of eminence came from the law, commerce or the church. The great families of Spain and Portugal fought their way to their rank, which allowed commoners to join the ranks of the nobility through loyal and successful military service. Many poor families came to prominence and wealth quickly as a result of their successful military exploits. In Spanish heraldry, arms are a symbol of lineage and a symbol of the family as well. Spanish arms are inheritable like any other form of property.
The descent of Spanish armsThe descent of Spanish arms and titles differs from much of Europe in that they can be inherited through females. Also, illegitimacy did not prevent the descent of arms and titles. The great Spanish families believed that a family pedigree could be more damaged by misalliance than by illegitimacy. Indeed, the patents of nobility of many Spanish families contained bequeathals to illegitimate branches in case no legitimate heirs were found. Illegitimacy in Spain was divided into three categories.
- Natural children: Those born of single or widowed parents who could be legitimized by the marriage of their parents or by a declaration by their father that they were his heirs.
- Spurious children: Those whose parents were not in a position to marry. These children had to be legitimized by a petition of royal ratification.
- Incestuous children: Those born of parents too closely related to marry or who were under a religious vow. These hijos required a papal dispensation in order to inherit their parent's arms or property. These papal dispensations were granted so often that every diocese in Spain had signed blanks ready to affix the appropriate name.
Style and practiceThe charges shown on Spanish armorial bearings can depict historical events or deeds of war. They are also characterized by a widespread use of and borders around the edge of the shield. In addition to borders, Spain and Portugal marshal arms more conventionally by quartering. The Spanish also allow words and letters on the shield itself, a practice which is considered incorrect in northern Europe. There is also a lack of crests, and mottoes are rare.
Spanish Heraldic practice has gone through several stages. The original style was simple and elegant. Later, especially around the end of the 16th century, Spanish heraldry went into a decline. The art was commercialized and served more the egos of the armigers and to show family alliances than any other purpose. The art became rather unpleasant to the eye. This decline began to end around the 19th century and presently the art is in a sort of re-birth. The tendency in the art is now once again towards simplicity and elegance.
DefinitionsThe "Coat" of Arms was actually the cloth cape or coat that the knights wore over their armor to protect them from direct sunlight. This garment was often decorated with the arms exactly as they were on the shield. Most people refer to the shield as the "Family Crest". This is wrong. The crest is a symbol used a lot in English heraldry and is generally placed on top of the helmet in the achievement. (The entire coat of arms with supporters, etc.)
The Spanish achievement is simple, composed of the shield, a cape which can be simply drawn or ornate, a helmet (optional) or a Crown if for a member of the Nobility and a motto (optional). In Spanish heraldry, that which is placed on the shield itself is the most important.
In English, Scottish and Irish Heraldry one can find many additional accessories not found or used in Spanish Heraldry. They can include, in addition to the shield, a helmet, mantling (cloth cape), wreath (a circle of silk with gold and silver cord twisted around and placed to cover the joint between the helmet and crest), the crest, the motto, chapeau, supporters (animals real or fictitious or people holding up the shield), the compartment (what the supporters are standing on), standards and Ensigns (personal flags), Coronets of rank, insignia of orders of chivalry and badges. In general, the older the arms, the simpler or plainer is the achievement.
How to enter the HeraldsIn the early days of Heraldry, anyone could bear arms and as is normal where human beings are involved there arose disputes between individuals and families. These disputes were originally settled by the King, in the case of a dispute between nobles or by a lower ranked official when the dispute involved non-nobles. Eventually, the task of settling these disputes was passed on to officials called Heralds who were originally responsible for setting up tournaments and carrying messages from one noble to another. The office of the King of Arms in Spain originated in that of the Heralds (Heraldos). The precise functions and duties of the King of Arms were clearly defined by the declarations of several Kings and are still in force today.
The post of King of Arms took several forms and eventually settled on a Corps of Chronicler King of Arms (Cuerpo de Cronista Rey de Armas) which was headed by an Elder or Dean (Decano). It usually consisted of four officers and two assistants or undersecretaries which usually acted as witnesses to documents. The entire corps wore a distinctive uniform. The corps were considered part of the royal household and was generally responsible to the Master of the King's stable (an important position in the middle ages)
Appointments to the Corps of King of Arms were made by the King or reigning Queen. These appointments were for life and while not intended to be hereditary, often went from father to son or other close family member. The Spanish Heralds had other duties which pertained to matters of protocol and often acted as royal messengers and emissaries.
In modern times the Corps of Chronicler King of Arms went through several changes. Important changes were made in 1915, it was abolished in 1931 and restored in 1947-1951. There were two Chronicler Kings of Arms and at least one undersecretary. Don Vicente de Cadenas y Vicent (Decano) and Don Alfonso Ceballos-Escalera y Gil, Marques de la Floresta (Chronicler of Arms for Castile and Leon). Presently, everything that the Spanish Heralds do must be approved by the Ministry of Grace and Justice.
National and Civic ArmsSee also Coat of Arms of Spain
Like most European monarchies, Spain has a national coat of arms. Many cities also have civic coats of arms; some are recent grants, others date back to the medieval period. Toledo, in previous periods the most important city of Spain, has a particularly elaborate coat of arms; it uses the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire as supporter on its coat of arms; this represents its former importance and power. Madrid, the capital, has a less elaborate coat of arms, depicting a bear taking fruit from a tree.
Coats of arms are regularly depicted on various buildings and objects belonging to national or local government; in Madrid, even such unglamorous objects as manhole covers are decorated with the civic coat of arms.
Personal ArmsSome ancient Spanish families bear personal arms. The Dukes of Alba, historically among the most powerful noble families in Europe, bear an elaborate achievement of arms, featuring the 'arms of justice' symbolising their hereditary office as Constables of Navarre. The monarch and the heir apparent have their own personal coats of arms.
Heraldic RegulationSpain originally had a corporation of heralds (Spanish 'cronistas de armas') linked with the royal palace.. However, the Spanish body of heralds was abolished in 1931 with the establishment of the Spanish Republic. Since the restoration of Juan Carlos I in 1975, Spain's first post-republican herald has been appointed.
As in other European nations, arms are regulated, and it is unlawful to assume arms belonging to someone else.
Spanish coats of arms are divided in the same fashion used by other European countries. Since coats of arms were granted to new separate families, there was the need to join multiple coats of arms into one when a new branch of a family was formed. Thus Spanish escutcheons are commonly parted.
The tradition of differentiating between the coat of arms proper and a lozenge granted to women did not develop in Spain. Both men and women inherited a coat of arms from their fathers (or a member of a clan who had adopted them). In the case of women they could also adopt the arms of their husbands. The brisure was commonly used.
See also
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