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Holy Roman Empire really doted on those heraldic signs, with England and a few others, too. In German, the word for the heraldry banner is "waffen" which is the
by mistrial9 3y ago
Holy Roman Empire really doted on those heraldic signs, with England and a few others, too. In German, the word for the heraldry banner is "waffen" which is the same word for actual weapons. In English, to say "Coat of Arms" says the same thing, if I understand it.
- maratc 3y ago“Arms” has the same two meanings as in German (see e.g. the College of Arms — hint: it’s not a place where they teach weaponry). “Coat” in this context refers to the actual coat worn by heralds representing the sovereign. The modern word for that outfit is “tabard” I believe.
- ttepasse 3y agoThe german word for coat of arms is „Wappen“. Etymologically that word is descended from „Waffen“, although the difference happened in the high middle ages.
- bewaretheirs 3y agoThat's because originally they were arms - it's how combatants would identify who was who on the battlefield based on what was painted on their shield and helmet.