eraldry is closely interwoven with the development of knights and knighthood. Contrary to popular opinion, heraldry did not materialize as a system that revealed friends from foes when the knight started wearing great helms, which covered their faces, rendering them unidentifiable. Instead, it developed out of the much older tradition of military leaders having a banner that could be seen across the battlefield, acting as a rallying symbol, and a challenge to their enemies. These noblemen’s military retainers started wearing their lord’s symbol on their own shields. This
