Heraldry in Middle Ages and the Heritage of Cyprus of Coats of Arms from Medieval Era

Abstract

The coats of arms in Cyprus are almost identical with the ones that exist all over Europe. They dateback to the days prior to the Ottoman conquest and no doubt conceal in themselves secrets, forinstance, pertaining to heroes and celebrities of tournaments and/or in connection with religiousthemes/dignitaries etc. Moreover they give us clues as to the way of the social life of the elite andwealthy including their habits, customs, traditions, practices and their way of thinking etc. After theconquest in 7577 the tombs of the rich nobles were pil/aged and many of the tombstones weremoved to other places. The Latin cathedrals and some churches were converted into mosques andartistic works such as paintings, drawings, statues and sculpture etc being anti-Islamic in the eyesof the new rulers were either scraped off the walls of buildings or were caused to disappear oneway or other Over the years all the elegant houses built by Latin families have turned to ruins orcollapsed completely. Nevertheless, interest in the coats of arms which connect us to the past of theisland continues to be as intensive and alive as ever.