be able to identify individual knights in tournaments gave them a special
interest in the cognizances or “arms” whose use (on shields, pennons, and
banners) was first adopted by princes in the 1130s and became general
among ordinary knights in the period between ca. 1190 and ca. 1250. It is
likely that heralds not only encouraged the use of such cognizances among
those who took part in tournaments, but played an important role in de-
signing them and in systematizing their use. In fact, there is reason to be-
lieve that “armory,” as this aspect of heraldry came to be called, was164 Heralds
A medieval trial by combat between two knights inside a fenced ring, ca. 1350. The victor would be deemed to have
been vindicated by God. (Hulton Getty/Archive Photos)