Comprehension: heraldry

English first additional language

Grade 7

Module 1

Comprehension

Comprehension

Heraldry

A knight’s coat of arms is his personal symbol. It proves he was a man of importance. The coat of arms was also used on the battlefield. A knight wore a distinctive coat over his armour because in battle he needed to be recognised easily. This was called a coat of arms. These personal symbols were very elaborate and were displayed on the knight’s horse, his banner, and most important, on his shield.

The Shield

This was the main feature of an achievement of arms for a knight. The shield was usually of one colour and a pattern or device was placed on it. These devices were simple geometric shapes or lines dividing the shield into areas of contrasting colour.

The Helmet

There was a special crest on the helmet top. A wreath was wound round the bottom of the crest and also the mantle, which hung from the helmet to protect the knight from the hot sun. It also had a scroll with a motto.

The Colours

Five colours are used in heraldry – red, blue, black, green and purple. Gold and silver are also used, but these are regarded as metals and not as colours. Animal furs are also used as background; the most common being ermine (white and black stoat fur) and vair (grey and white squirrel fur).

Rules regarding coats of arms.

Heralds are people who make sure these rules are carried out. No son is allowed to have the same coat as his father. A small change must be made to the coat. Each son is given a special mark in order of birth. After a man’s death, his coat of arms passes to his eldest son. After a marriage, the wife’s coat of arms is placed beside her husband’s on the shield. The children may divide the shield into quarters. If several generations of children marry persons entitled to bear arms, the shield is quartered many times.

Answer the following questions in full sentences, unless otherwise stated.

1. Why do you think the knight wore a coat of arms over this armour?
2. Name three places where the knight displayed his own distinctive design.
3. What happened to the coat of arms as time went on?
4. List seven features that make up an achievement of arms.
5. Why do you think the shield is the most important feature?
6. What is the writing on the scroll of an achievement of arms called?
7. Whose job is it to make sure that all the rules to do with the coat of arms are carried out?
8. Which shield on page 2 illustrates that the wife’s coat of arms is placed next to her husband’s on his shield? (A, B, C or D?)
   1. Choose a word from the passage which means the same as:

• able to be seen
• keep safe, guard against
• difficult
• Choose a word from the passage which means the opposite of:

• death
• youngest
• Choose your own title for the passage:

Task

This is a shield designed by an 11-year old boy. From the shield you can see where he is placed in his family, what his hobbies and interests are, and even which soccer team he supports. Design your own personal shield. Include little emblems that tell more about you in each quarter.

Cloze procedure

Read the following extract and fill in the missing words:

The flag seen at the Olympic Games reflects the games’ aim of promoting

________________ between all nations of the __________________

The five linked____________ stand for the five ___________________

of the world and for the ideal of friendship. This symbol has been associated

with the______________ since the first modern ____________________

were held in 1906 and was first used on a flag, fourteen ______________

later, in 1920 at the Antwerp Games. The rings are blue, yellow, black, green

and red. Every national _____________ in the world has at least

one of these colours. The following words are displayed at the opening

ceremony: “This most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to _________

but to _________________ part.

Give feedback to another person in your class with regard to your answers. Edit your answers if your choice of words is not totally correct.

Group work (informal oral exercise)

Divide into groups of four. Your group is going to form a club of your own choice (e.g. environmental, sport, drama, recreational). Design your own flag and make up a motto that reflects the nature of your club.

Present your flag to the class and explain your design if necessary.

Assessment

Memorandum

Educators are informed that not every answer to each task is provided; this memo serves only to provide clarity where there could be confusion.

1. Cloze procedure

The following are only suggestions and not the only answers.

Competition / sportsmanship; world; rings / circles; continents; Olympics; games; hundred; flag; win; take