In which I nerd again about history. Because I can't stop and there are so many awesome books 8D

[scarletmorning]

So, I was looking up stuff in the library and after I finished that, I suddenly noticed a lovely book standing out. It's title was "Johannes Rothe; Ritterspiegel" and I KNEW I couldn't walk past it without devouring reading it 8D Oh, the fun I had. Anyway, most of the things I already knew but there were a few things about heraldry and signs of stand that were new and awesome.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. It would be smarter to start at the beginning. So:

Johannes Rothe lived in the 14th and 15th century (1360-1434) and was a cleric and teacher. Said "Ritterspiegel" is a didactic poem which should teach young nobles how a proper knight should live (there were also such texts for royals, which were called "Fürstenspiegel"). If they lived appropriately is another question, but the Ritterspiegel is a testimony about how the ideal looks like; and that this ideal was taught in this time period by this teacher to a certain audience in a specific region.

However, the ideals when it comes to behaviour are not what I am interested today (as already mentioned; I learnt nothing new here). However, heraldry. New and shiny. And yes, I really, really do want to incorporate that in fic someday XD
So, this is what Rothe teaches his pupils about crests and what they mean:

• an animal on the shield is a sign of a specific tugend and of his status of a free man
• if there is no gold or silver on the shield, the bearer is not true nobility; green is also an instant sign for a non-noble
• the more colourful the shield is, the lower is the stand of the bearer
• if the shield is divided one half is only coloured, the other one has a picture on it. And if the coloured half is gold, then the bearer has done an special deed for his lord

So, after the more general stuff, onward to the meanings of the animals and other pictures 8D

• any animal which are blindfolded in any way: sign of dishonor, the mother was dishonourable when the shield was made (yes, I did WTF here as well)
• animal is crossed out: sign of dishonour, the knight has acted against the kingdom and Christianity
• tools and other household articles: dishonour, the knight did a dishonourable deed
• wild animals: means proper "bravery/power/courage", extra honour if the animal has a golden frame
• tamed animals: means proper "gentleness/sweetness of temper" (I'm not sure if the translation here is accurate...)
• fishes: the knights is gentle, wise and well-considered
• flowers: the knights has fame and reputation
• leaves, herbs, trees, fruits: means good education and upbringing
• a divided field: if it has only two colours, it means old nobility

Yesssssssssss, that was the heraldry 8D Awesomesauce. Of course, I don't claim that this reading applies to everywhere, but at least it does to this region in this time (though it would makes sense if it were somewhat universal...)

AND now, a quick list of the seven signs of knighthood.

• Sword: has to be given to the new knight by another knight (via accolade, probably), BUT it also has to be blessed by a priest, otherwise it's tainted with dishonour
• Ring: a gold ring with one gemstone. The golden ring stands for the knight´s loyalty to his king and the gemstone for his loyalty to God.
• Squire: a boy who the knight educates and brings up to be a proper knight himself. The knight shows his knowledge and smartness by turning the squire into a good knight. The squire is supposed to serve him, carry the knight´s sword and also has to watch over the knight and control if the knight lives a proper life. (Also, a knight who carries his sword himself and has no squire is not considered a real knight and is looked down upon.)
• Gold on their clothes: Gold is supposed to strengthen the heart and their tugends. It also stands for patience and wisdom and being blessed by God.
• Colourful clothes: the colours stand for all the tugends the knight has (or is supposed to have).
• Title "Herr": sign of superiority and his higher rank
• Washing his hands: after a meal a knight has to wash his hands and symbolically washes all his sins from his hands. Stands for purity and honesty.

Yeah, the last point was very new for me. But interesting 8D

ALRIGHT, history hour is over 8D I'll stop pestering you now~

Comments

[raphiael]

I love heraldry. *A*
I don't utilize it in fic often (I touched on it in "The End Of War", but I'm pretty sure uhh the rest of the fic overshadowed that, ha), but it's fascinating.
<3

[crimsonmorgan.livejournal.com]

Heraldry is awesome 8D
/fails forever since she can't remember which fic "The End of War" was

Also, iconnnnnnnnnnnnnnn XD

[raphiael]

It's my Valter fic.

[crimsonmorgan.livejournal.com]

That... still doesn't ring any bells. I'll have to look it up :3 (It's Valter so yay~)