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Archiver > HERBARZ > 2003-08 > 1060098051


From: "Leon Stevens" <>
Subject: RE: Peacock Feathers
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 11:40:51 -0400


> in case he didn't know the original crest <

In most cases there weren't any original crests to be known. A few were
imported from the west. A few ancient totems were adapted as crests,
but these were infrequent. Poland was slow in acquiring heraldic
devices and never quite reached the evolutionary stage of supporters,
mottoes etc. The reason most Polish arms at first lacked crests is the
same as why colors were unimportant. They mostly began as simple
property markings. Crests were late in arriving because 12th, 13th, and
even some 14th century Slavs didn't attach peacock or ostrich feathers
to their pots, pans and cows. In many cases even seals predate heraldry,
containing only the property marking surrounded by not so much as even a
shield.


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