Why was heraldry necessary in the middle ages?

Answer 1

They eventually became what we call "last names" or "surnames". The web site House of Names is an excellent place to go and view your family's last name history and heraldic colors or symbols. These symbols are often called "Coat of Arms". An example; The Washington family coat of arms is a white field with two large horizontal bars of red running across the center with three red stars lined horizontally above the bars. The DC license plates usually have this symbol as the city bares the family name.

Answer 2

Before the 1140s it was not necessary and did not exist; even after that time it was unregulated and chaotic for several hundred years.

Heraldry was simply a general means of identifying the position of individual noblemen and their troops on the field of battle; heralds were required to learn which heraldry belonged to which knights, both on their own side and any potential enemy.

Some people hold the view that heraldry became important when helmets fully covered the face, in order to instantly identify the knight; this is not supported by the facts since facial recognition was difficult in the heat of battle long beforethe introduction of heraldry (as with Duke William at Hastings in 1066, who was not recognised until he removed his Norman helmet). The fact that heraldry continued long after knights stopped wearing helmets and armour is also significant.

In England there were many difficulties produced by having an unregulated heraldic system, where more than one knight could be using exactly the same heraldry. This eventually led to regulation and the creation of the College of Arms, but the damage had already been done and it took many years to sort out the mess.

Answer 3

Heraldry began because most people could not read, so symbols were used to identify different nobles on the field of battle.