Spanish school; 17th century.

Spanish school; XVII century.
"Heraldic coat of arms for the execution of nobility".
Ink and gouache on paper.
Measurements: 29 x 21 cm; 44,5 x 38,5 cm (frame).
The heraldic designs became widespread among the European nobility in the 12th century. Hereditary and systematic heraldry had developed in the early 13th century. Exactly who was entitled to bear arms, by law or social convention, although this law varied to some extent between countries. The earliest heraldic designs were personal, used by individual nobles, who could also alter their chosen design, although coats of arms became hereditary in the late 12th century, in England by King Richard I during the Third Crusade (1189-1192). In the late medieval period, the use of heraldic coats of arms spread to the clergy, to cities as civic identifiers, and to organizations authorized by royalty, such as universities and commercial enterprises. The term coat of arms in its origin refers to the surcoat with heraldic designs worn by combatants, especially in the knightly tournament, in Old French cote a armer. Although there is no common and predictable generalized regulation, heraldry has remained constant throughout Europe, where tradition alone has governed the design and use of arms.