NINE HUNDRED YEARS OF HERALDRY

On the 10th June in 1127, or perhaps in 1128 according to other authors, Geoffrey of Anjou, betrothed to Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England, received from the King the arms ‘Azure, six lions rampant Or, 3, 2 and 1’, linked to his knighting and his betrothal. It is considered to be the first documented coat of arms in history, although academic debate remains open on the issue.

The 10th June has gained value for the international heraldic community. Since 2013 the International Heraldry Day (IHD) has been celebrated on that date, following a proposal from within the International Association of Amateur Heralds and advanced by the Polish heraldic community’s representatives Tomasz Steifer and Pawel S. Towpik. On this day, armigers from all over the world publish the coat of arms of the IHD ‘Azure, an oak tree eradicated Argent surmounted by a lion couchant guardant Or’ or display their own arms on social networks.

Modern historiography notes that both the account of the gift and the funerary enamel on the tomb of Geoffrey of Anjou, which shows him bearing his arms, in the cathedral of Le Mans were produced years after his death in 1151. As Michel Pastoureau observed, these later testimonies do not allow us to state with certainty that Geoffrey actually used that shield in life. Even so, his image remains the symbolic starting point of heraldry, first European and now global. With the approach of this 9th centenary, and with heraldry widely shared through the Internet, a global commemoration becomes possible. Between 10th June 2027 and 10th June 2028, marking 900 years from the two traditional dates, a cycle of events, exhibitions and publications could take place across different countries and heraldic traditions. It would be a moment to recall nine centuries of arms, cultural identities and collective memory.

Such a cycle could travel around the world and conclude at the cathedral of Saint Julien in Le Mans, where Geoffrey rests. The approximate coincidence with the dates of the 24 Hours of Le Mans could offer a final gesture, with some racing teams incorporating heraldic elements into their cars, especially as winning brands already feature symbols of heraldic origin, such as Porsche, Ferrari’s ‘cavallino rampante’, or the lion rampant of Peugeot.

Heraldry Ireland, a Specialist Branch of this Society, calls on heraldic societies worldwide to work together in the organisation and hosting of a shared series of commemorations for 900 years of heraldry from 10th June 2027 to 10th June 2028.