Images

A painting of the siege of Lisbon in 1147 CE.

A 13th century CE illustration showing a medieval trebuchet catapult being used during a French siege. From the Maciejowski Bible, c. 1240 CE. (Pierpont Morgan Library)

The Castle of Angers, France. Built in the 13th century CE, it is one of the finest examples of the evolution in medieval castle design where keeps were replaced by large round towers in the curtain wall.

Painted terracotta tankard. End of 8th century BCE. From Bogazkoy (Boğazkale) or Carchemish, in modern-day Turkey. (Museum of Archaeology, Istanbul, Turkey).

The star of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a chivalric order created by Edward III c, 1348 CE and still in existence today. It is the most senior order of knighthood in Britain. (Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood, Estonia)

The badge of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a chivalric order created by Edward III c, 1348 CE and still in existence today. It is the most senior order of knighthood in Britain.

The coats of arms of the knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in the order's religious headquarters, the mid-14th century CE Saint George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, England.

A portrait of Henry, Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310-1361 CE) wearing the robes of the chivalric order, the Most Noble Order of the Garter. From the 15th century CE Garter Book by William Bruge. (British Library, London)

The oldest known English roll of arms, dating to c. 1244 CE. It is a single sheet painted on both sides by Mathew Paris and showing 75 coats of arms starting with the king’s. (British Library, London)

An illustration of a royal herald of arms bearing the helm and crest of Elisabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE) during her funeral in 1603 CE. The figure is wearing the tabard typical of heralds since medieval times and which bears the royal...