Debased heraldry

Use of non-standard devices in heraldry

Debased heraldry is heraldry containing complex, non-standard and non-heraldic charges. They cannot be correctly drawn from the blazon alone, as is the case with the purest form of heraldry. Most debased heraldry was created after the 17th century, and in general early heraldry dating from the start of the heraldic era, deemed the purest and best, utilises simple and standard charges. However some early heraldry was debased, for example the arms of the Bishop of Chichester, overly complex in nature. The original purpose of heraldry was for a knight to identify himself clearly by a unique and clear design on his shield. Debased heraldry treats the shield rather as a canvas for the display of complex art work. The small space available on a shield is thus not ideally suited to this function.

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