Heraldic badge
Heraldic badges were common in the Middle Ages particularly in
England. They were used to display allegiance to a particular overlord and typically drew on some element of his
coat of arms. They would be made of base metal and worn on the clothing of the followers of the person in question. This might be in battle or in other contexts where allegiance was displayed.
Heraldic badges fell into disuse after the Middle Ages but were revived by the
College of Arms in
1906, and have since then often been included in new grants of arms, in addition to the traditional grant of the
coat of arms. Whether or not they are so granted is at the option of the grantee, who pays a higher fee if they are. When granted, the badge is typically illustrated on the
letters patent containing the grant of arms, and upon a
heraldic standard (
flag).
