The Coat of Arms
The coat of arms was a personalized emblem worn by royalty and nobility on shields, banners, seals, and clothing. It provided a quick visual identifier on the chaotic battlefield and at court.
For example, Charles VII of France, whom Joan supported, bore the royal arms featuring the three gold fleur-de-lis on a blue field, known as the “France Modern.” This symbolized the French monarchy’s continuity and divine right.
In England, the royal arms evolved from the red lions of Richard the Lionheart to the quartered arms combining the symbols of England, Scotland, and Ireland—reflecting political unification.
Mottos and Supporters
Royal mottos—short phrases expressing ideals—became part of heraldic tradition. England’s Tudor monarchs adopted mottos such as “Dieu et mon droit” (“God and my right”), emphasizing the divine origin of their authority.
Supporters—mythical creatures or animals flanking the shield—also communicated royal qualities. The English royal lion and the Scottish unicorn remain iconic examples shutdown123