The Origins of Coats of Arms
Coats of arms, often known as family crests, appeared first in England in the early 1300s and quickly spread throughout Europe. The ?science' of heraldry was thus established with rules and terms.
Coats of arms were displayed on banners, tabards and, of course, shields. The term coat of arms was derived from the surcoat, a linen garment that was worn over the suit of armour when a nobleman, knight or landowner fought in battle. ?Surcoat' led to the term ?coat of arms'.
Although coats of arms were very decorative, they grew out of a need to identify who was who in battle. Landowners had their own small private armies and took their followers off to battle, particularly during the Crusades.
When battle was joined, the suit of armour completely covered the knight who was thus unidentifiable and risked an early form of ?friendly fire'! So, to enable their rabbles of followers to identify them and rally to their side, the knights stated to paint symbols on their shields and surcoats.
It is difficult to prevent a good idea from being copied and, before long, what we would now call the middle classes started to produce their own coats of arms. The nobility objected and, at their request, the King sent heralds to try to stamp out unauthorized arms and save them for the privileged few. It was to no avail though, and a compromise was reached that allowed any ?gentleman' to display a coat of arms.
Today many people display a coat of arms in their family name. The prints and shields are much smaller than those displayed in medieval times ? but so are the houses!
Coats of arms are sometimes referred to as ?family crests'.
Technically, the family crest is the part of the arms that is found on top of the helmet. You will often find a family motto shown as part of the coat of arms. The first mottos appeared around 1660, although not all arms included a motto.
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Creating Music Boxes, Part V
Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins
Creating carousel music boxes, ballerina music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, musical jewelry boxes, and other types of music boxes is a relaxing and creative activity. Here a few general directions for those who are ready to begin or are in the process of creating their own music box.
Antiquing
When antiquing the flat surface of a music box, use an old paintbrush or a clean rag. Brush in the same direction and cover as much of the music box as desired. Make sure the surface thoroughly dries and do not go back over areas one the drying process begins.
If antiquing a textured surface, an old paintbrush works well. Be sure that the antiquing gel covers all the surface and work on small sections at a time; allow to dry.
Dry Brushing
Dry brushing causes a carousel music box, ballerina music box, and other types of music boxes to look as if they have more depth.
A stiff, round...
Creating Music Boxes, Part V
Coats > Creating Music Boxes, Part V
21 Life Changing Questions You Can't Afford to Not Ask!
21 Life Changing Questions You Can't Afford to Not Ask!by http://www.InspiredEnoughToChange.com Imagine finally taking off seven coats you?ve been wearing on top of each other for years and years. You've forgotten that some people consciously choose to live without seven layers of coats on even though most people are living that way.You remember the possibilities you imagined your life would be when you were a child. You decide to take off the coats and start running joyfully through the spring fields you forgot about. You move into the light where you finally begin to laugh and live feeling inspired every day instead of simply walking around reacting to life, complaining, counting down the days to the next weekend or vacation until you finally die. Start taking off the coats that have layered your soul since you started to grow up.
Forget about the negativity of the news. Don?t believe negative people telling you that you can?t make more money or move to a nicer city or do anything...
21 Life Changing Questions You Can't Afford to Not Ask!
Coats > 21 Life Changing Questions You Can't Afford to Not Ask!
21 Life Changing Questions You Can't Afford to Not Ask!
Imagine finally taking off seven coats you?ve been wearing on top of each other for years and years. You've forgotten that some people consciously choose to live without seven layers of coats on even though most people are living that way.You remember the possibilities you imagined your life would be when you were a child. You decide to take off the coats and start running joyfully through the spring fields you forgot about. You move into the light where you finally begin to laugh and live feeling inspired every day instead of simply walking around reacting to life, complaining, counting down the days to the next weekend or vacation until you finally die. Start taking off the coats that have layered your soul since you started to grow up.
Forget about the negativity of the news. Don?t believe negative people telling you that you can?t make more money or move to a nicer city or do anything to better your life. Ignore all the forces telling you what you can?t do. Close your ears...
21 Life Changing Questions You Can't Afford to Not Ask!
Coats > 21 Life Changing Questions You Can't Afford to Not Ask!
Shearling Coat Care
Shearling coats and jackets are easy to take care of, although you do have to keep in mind a few things to avoid accidental damage to them.
Here's our care guide.
If your shearling jacket gets wet, let the coat dry naturally. Don't place by a fire or other high heat source.
Heat can dry out the natural oils in the hides.
Do not wash your shearling coat or jacket in a washing machine or put in a dryer. Most shearling coats are meant to be dry cleaned.
When looking for a dry cleaner, make sure that they know how to properly clean a shearling coat.
The process must include putting the natural oils back into the hides.
Without doing this process, the hides will dry out and the coat will be ruined.
When hanging your Shearling Coat or Jacket use on a sturdy, well shaped coat hangar. Don't use a wire hanger that's going to put "pokies" in the shoulders and don't hang it up on a knob for extended periods of time. ...
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