The Feudal system
As mentioned earlier the feudal system encouraged our ancestors to be extremely class conscious. The higher up the social scale they rose the greater the rewards and privileges they received for their labours. In return for these privileges a man was required to give services to his lord, and in times of war this included military service. A small landowner was expected to take his own horse into battle, and should he distinguish himself on the battlefield he would then be given a knighthood.
Tradesmen, such as smiths and websters, and merchants could earn sufficient money to purchase plots of land and in time many of them became knights with all the extra rights this brought.

King-Queen

Princes-Princesses

Archbishops of Canterbury and York

Dukes

Marque-Earls-Viscounts-Barons-Bishops-Abbots

Gentry-Knights

Magistrates-Administrators-Clergy

Yeomen-Tradesmen-Merchants-Cottars

Agricultural labourers-Unskilled labourers

HERALDRY
A knight rode into the battle totally encased in armour which made identification difficult. To overcome this problem knights were granted the right to 'bear arms' as their royal and noble superiors did. To bear arms meant that they were allowed to paint bold colourful designs onto their shields to provide an easy form of recognition. At the same time they had their wives embroider the same design onto their 'cotte', which was a' loose fitting tunic worn over the armour. It is this practice which gave us the term 'coat of arms'.

Although a knighthood could only be won on the battlefield the family and descendants have the right to bear the coat of arms, to show their connection with the gentility. In old documents a man who had this right to bear arms would be referred to as a "Gentleman', 'Esquire' or in Latin documents 'armiger'. It is only by tracing your ancestors that you can find out if your family is entitled to the use of a coat of arms.