Heraldry and coats of arms in the 17th-century treatise by Alvaro Ferreira de Vera

Abstract

The 17th-century Portuguese author Alvaro Ferreira de Vera’s «Origem da nobreza política, brasões de armas, apelidos, cargos e títulos nobres» is a treatise on nobility. This genre is characterized by its examination of the history of the origin and use of coats of arms. The author attributes the origin of coats of arms to the custom, dating back to ancient times, of «rewarding the good and punishing the wicked», in pursuit of honor and glory for oneself and one’s descendants. Nobles acquired coats of arms by which they were recognized in war, representing their nobility and recalling the exploits of their ancestors. In this regard, the author cites several legends about the acquisition of coats of arms. At the same time, he attempts to determine the time of the emergence of coats of arms on the Iberian Peninsula and concludes that the use of coats of arms in Portugal predates that of Castile, dating back to the 11th century. He links the emergence of coats of arms of individual Portuguese families to memorable events in their history. Overall, he recreates the erudite mythology of heraldry, within which he attempts to expound the meaning of heraldic colors. Reflecting the norms of his time, Ferreira de Vera argues that noble and distinguished individuals have distinctive emblems denoting the dignity each holds within the state. He addresses the issue of granting coats of arms but denies individuals of humble origin the right to bear the same shields as prominent fidalgos