Diversity in heraldry

Regional diversity

This article will show in comparison with the rest of Europe why Serbian arms have developed the way they did. It serves as an introduction. More extended articles will be released on the diversity of arms in Serbia.

During the early ages of heraldry the same shapes of shields were used, figures and color combinations. Therefore there was a noticeable uniformity from the West to the East of Europe. The first bearers of arms, the knights met with each other at tournaments and battles. In the mean time heralds were meeting with each other even over great distances to exchange their knowledge. This also includes the medieval Serbian Princedoms. Because of the developed heraldic system, being a part of the Christian European culture and not of that of one country. Of course there were minor differences between regions, mainly determined by their geographical position and qualities. One can think about mountains, coastal regions, agricultural lands with their own respective unique flora and fauna. It is more then plausible that those identifying marks are to be found on those local arms. Throughout the main development of heraldry one can see a universal uniformity even until the renaissance.

The spread of the renaissance in the 16th century influenced heraldry in such extent that the differences between regional heraldry became more apparent. From that moment on more differences were noticeable between the different countries. That process was speeded up due to the decay of the 15th century society system and the major changes in family structures and political relations.

In Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia the arms became more complex. People started to use multiple weapons in one coat of arms. This did not only happen with the arms of the nobility but also with that of civilians and even cities such as Fulda, Nuremberg and Essen. The crest became more important, and the multiple usage of them wasn’t rare– 4 crests was common–. On the other hand did the supporters loose status in German heraldry in comparison to the French and English system. The oldest civilian arms were already used in the late 13th century in Germany and Switzerland.

Heraldry in Eastern Europe knew its own developments. The Hungarian heraldry was by tradition very close to that of Germany and Austria, but when time passed by they started to use more their own specific forms, colors etc. This however did not lead to an improvement of heraldry, because after centuries of heraldic evolution the Hungarian heraldry started to become a system of emblems that distanced itself gradually from the original symbols. More frequent anomalies were used such as the rules of using colors, it therefore became more common to use color upon color and metal upon metal. During the renaissance in Hungary there was a large preference for figures related to the national history. Especially with the Turkish wars between the 15th and 18th centuries became a large source of inspiration. On more then 15% of the developed arms of that era a Turkish head with a moustache and a turban are displayed. The valor of the Hungarians also was uttered in the frequent use of sabers, swords, lances, usually combined in complex patterns. On some arms complete depictions were given of battlefields with the variety of military personnel and armory. The large number of soldiers active in the military service during the Ottoman campaigns was large. Some of them obtained arms and were even granted noble status within the Hungarian empire. Sometimes a whole garrison was given this honor. Perfect examples are the 9254 soldiers in 1605 by the sovereign Borskai. The blazons of those at that ceremony granted arms are all identical besides some minor details here and there.

In Poland e.g. it was not uncommon for whole areas or groups of families to adopt the same arms. Commonly those arms made a reference to the common heritage and relation of medieval times. Also it should be taken into account that the clan structures used in e.g. Poland gave heraldry there a unique character because there was a strong usage of proto heraldic(sometimes runes), clan symbols.

Many Serbs serving in the Austro-Hungarian armies were granted arms under their respective laws. It is however crucial to point out that in the occupied Serbian area’s no arms were issued (with maybe the exception of some). After Serbia lost its autonomy there was no evolution in its heraldry as was the case with the other states. However, Serbian heraldry closely follows the rules used in the Austrian and German heraldry. With this you can see that the diversity in Serbian heraldry is following the same path as some of the developments in Poland. Many references are being made to the Eagle used by the Nemanjid dynasty, and e.g. the 4 firestones of the Byzantine Empire. Serbia proper has compared to other areas were Serbs live less arms. The Banat region, Vojvodina today was granted to Serbia but originally wasn’t Serbian territory. One can therefore see that many arms granted to families were granted to those who lived, served or operated within the military zones of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and were given arms by those authorities.

The diversity seen in heraldry in Serbia today is mainly contributed by the following factors:

1.changing of administrative borders thus importing arms,

2.occupation of Serbian territory for a period of app. 500 years by the Ottoman Empire; resulting in a stand still in comparison with neighboring states,