Coat of

MULCASTER of Surrey and of Carlisle A lion rampant az ducally gorged or  holding a sword erect arg hilt  and pommel of the second  the point embrued gu.

COATS OF ARMS

Wars were almost a continual occurrence during the Middle Ages and more and more armor was added to a knight's battle uniform until the Medieval warrior was finally protected from head to toe. The metal suit of armor always included a helmet to protect the head so it was impossible to tell one knight from another.

In order to pervent misphaps on the battlefield, a means of identification was necessary. A colourful solution first came as knights painted patterns on their battle shields. These patterns were eventually woven into cloth surcoats which were worn over the suit of armor. A fancy cloth surcoat was also put on the master's horse showing his Coat of Arms ablaze on the side. 

This means of identification was displayed with great pride. As more designs were created, it became necessary to register or copyright these designs to prevent two knights from using the same insignia. Records were kept that gave each knight exclusive rights to his arms. In many cases records were then compiled listing the family name and an exact description of its Coat of Arms. These are called "armorials" or "Blazons."

The word "heraldry" is associated with Coats of Arms due to the role of the "herald" in recording the blazons, and comes from a common practice at a medieval sporting event. Tournaments or jousting contests were popular during the days of knighthood.

As each soldier was presented at a tournament a herald sounded the trumpet and then announced the knight's achievements and described his Arms. The heralds would then record the Arms as a way of ensuring that a family maintained its protective rights to have and use its individual arms. 

Historically, different creatures of nature denoted certain characteristics, and various inanimate shapes implied certain traits, historical factors or aspirations.

For example, the chevron symbolized protection and has often been placed on Arms to tell others that its bearer achieved some notable feat. A symbol (or charge) placed on a Coat of Arms usually provided clues to a person's being.  Some Arms are an artistic interpretation of a person's name, (i.e. many of the Fisher Arms including dolphins or fish).

Hope is shown by a wheat garb or sheaf, and joy by garlands of flowers or a red rose.

Crosses and religious symbols often meant the person felt a closeness to his god, or could have symbolized that the knight was a veteran of one of history's bloodiest series of battles - the Crusades. 

The first Arms were quite simple, consisting only of the shield. The design was set off with a horizontal or vertical band, star or half-moon.

The renderings became more complex during the later times. Immediately above the shield is the helmet, the style of which depends on the country and the status of the early bearer.

The wreath, or torce, is mounted on top of the helmet.

The crest wasn't included on the Coat of Arms until the 13th century. The crest was the emblem that survived when the banner was destroyed and the shield shattered, as a rallying symbol of the knight's courage. It was painted on leather, somethings thin metal or wood and was attached to the helmet so that allies could easily pick out who was who.

The lambrequin or mantling, now represented in stripes was once cloth which hung down from the helmet to cover the back of the neck. It meant that the bearer had been to battle. The mantling is most instances is of secondary importance to the shield and crest. Standardized mantlings are often used to illustrate different Coats of Arms. 

Some families have also passed down mottos through the ages. They may have begun as war cries or as a variation of a family name. They might express piety, hope, or determination, or commemorate a deed or past occasion. 

By 1419, Henry V of England found it necessary to impose rigid legal regulations over the use of Coats of Arms because court battles were becoming quite numerous.

The King forbade anyone to take on arms unless by right of ancestry or as a gift from the Crown. Later Henry VIII even sent the heralds (now Royal Authenticators of Arms) into the shires on what were called "visitations".

These visitations were held once every generation for almost two centuries for the sole reason of officially verifying, listing or denying Arms in use. The language most commonly used by the heralds was Norman French, the court language at the time.

Mulcaster, Surrey and Cumberland 

Description of Coat of Arms 

A lion rampant az ducally gorged or holding a sword erect arg hilt and pommel, gold, the point embrued gu.

lion rampant - a lion standing on one hind leg with the front paws raised 

Explanation of terms:-

azure, az. - blue, engraved as horizontal lines; 

ducally gorged - collar around neck 

hilt - handle of sword 

pommel - rounded knob of sword's handle. 

gules or gu - red, engraved as perpindicular lines