Finding delight in family crests

Heraldry is the study of coats of arms. The somewhat grim picture here shows the arms of a noble family that occupied ecclesiastical offices in various places in central Germany. Notice how the so-called “ironhead” motif on the escutcheon (the shield) reappears in the crest above the helmet. I believe this is a sign of the family’s ancient origins – from the time when there were actually knights who tried to knock each other off their horses with long lances. I can’t say whether members of this particular family ever did that – they might not have been rich enough – but it is possible.

Coats of arms are now mostly decorative, but once they were symbols of power and status. This particular plaque and its inscription still graces the house that Canon von Lochow of Halberstadt Cathedral fixed up in 1613, but it does not intimidate anyone; it only delights foreign visitors like me. The house itself bears the signs of the turbulent times it went through, not only in the 17th but also the 20th century; nonetheless, it is a wonderful place of joy and hospitality. In summer the yard is full of wildflowers, bumblebees and butterflies.

Colour & imagination

Coats of arms are not only decorative, they’re also great for fantasy. As a child who loved knights’ stories and pretty colours, I would copy interesting coats of arms in my drawing book, including one with elaborate French lilies, maples and a unicorn. I also invented new ones for the vicious Playmobil characters my brother and I created. Those may not have been very orthodox in their choice of design elements, but they spoke eloquently of their imaginary owners (and of their creator, no doubt).

In case anyone thinks coats of arms are passé, just recently on the train I met a young cartoonist perusing an old black and white paperback titled Nederlandse gemeentewapens – Dutch Municipal Coats of Arms. He had great plans for using these in his work with children in the classroom. His favourite in the book were the “talking arms” of Hensbroek (look it up!), featuring chickens and a piece of clothing. I explained a few things he didn’t know yet, such as the colour codes you’re supposed to follow in designing coats of arms. Those rules may truly be passé, but they are still helpful.

Ideally, summer is a time for wandering – for delight and imagining new possibilities. As I wander, coats of arms speak to me of the power of design, of an ordered society and of the ideals of chivalry. The weight of history is mostly gone from them. Peace reigns.

“There will be rest, and sure stars shining,” wrote the poet Sara Teasdale, in words beautifully set to music by Elaine Hagenberg. “I shall make this world of my devising; I shall make this world out of a dream in my lonely mind; I shall find the crystal of peace.” Poets may be dreamers, holy fools even. But whatever the truth of these lines, they make for a good summer wish. I hope everyone’s summer is full of colour and stories, unexpected meetings, new plans, dreams and stamps on greeting cards.