1. Communication and Announcements:
* Royal Proclamations: Heralds were responsible for announcing important royal decrees, laws, and news to the public, often with elaborate ceremonies.
* Messages and Diplomacy: They carried official messages between monarchs, nobles, and other dignitaries, both within and beyond their own kingdoms.
* Tournament Announcements: Heralds proclaimed the rules and schedule of tournaments, a major form of entertainment and social event in the Middle Ages.
2. Heraldry and Identity:
* Recording Genealogies: Heralds were experts in genealogy and heraldry, keeping track of noble families, their coats of arms, and lineage.
* Assigning Coats of Arms: They were responsible for granting and regulating the use of coats of arms, symbols that distinguished individuals and families.
* Ceremonial Roles: Heralds presided over important ceremonies, like coronations, weddings, and funerals, ensuring proper protocol and order.
3. Warfare and Chivalry:
* Battlefield Communication: In battle, heralds acted as intermediaries between opposing forces, carrying messages, negotiating truces, and ensuring the safety of prisoners.
* Code of Chivalry: Heralds were often responsible for upholding the rules and etiquette of chivalry, a code of conduct for knights.
* Military Orders: They served as messengers and administrators within military orders like the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Knights.
4. Legal and Judicial Roles:
* Public Records: Heralds kept records of important events, legal proceedings, and land grants.
* Legal Witnesses: Their presence at official events and their ability to verify information made them valuable legal witnesses.
Beyond their practical functions, heralds were highly respected figures, symbolizing authority, order, and communication in medieval society. Their colorful attire, ceremonial trumpets, and formal language reinforced their important role as representatives of the monarch and keepers of tradition.