Chapter 30 - 18: The Ball (3)
On this continent, the nobility each had their own crest, and generally speaking, each crest was unique.
The content of a crest had various symbolic meanings and many details to consider.
For example, the crest of the Beisher Family first featured a shield, indicating that their family came from knightly origins within secular power. Then, there were the dual rosemary totems on the shield, one representing the Beisher Family and the other symbolizing the rule of the Beisher Duchy. The laurel branches and gold horns around the shield indicated that the Beisher Family held the rank of Duke and were also conferred by the King, not an independent lordship. The silver edging on the shield showed that this family was recognized by the Church.
In fact, this was the crest used by Yilin's father. One day when Yilin truly ascended to the position of Duke, the crest would need to be altered. Elements from Yilin's mother's family would have to be incorporated because Yilin fully inherited all the wealth and rights from her mother, who was also an only daughter.
Gray's crest, on the other hand, was very simple, featuring a shield with a silver moon in the center, surrounded by laurel leaves and reindeer moss. This indicated that Gray had a hereditary baronetcy and was granted his title by a Duke. The silver moon was his totem.
Actually, the laurel leaves and reindeer moss on Gray's crest were still controversial since Yilin had not formally inherited the duchess title. Only after Yilin formally inherited would Gray's title of baron formally take effect. Until then, it was still acceptable for him to call himself a knight.
Generally speaking, the more complex the crest, the more powerful it represented the family.
And the crest of the old man before them was extremely complex...
Ivy vines indicated that he was an Earl. Like Gray, it had laurel leaves and a shield, indicating his knightly origins and that his rank was also granted by a Duke. Additionally, there were silver cross edges, showing he was recognized by the Church, similar to the Beisher Family. But the most crucial part was the family totem on his shield... as many as eight kinds. Yes, eight. The shield was divided into eight sections, with eight different totems on it!
This meant that the old man inherited the rights and properties of eight distinguished families.
Of course, Gray could not recognize these details now, but he really recognized this crest! Because he had seen it when he dug up the Gruglu family's ancestral tomb! It was engraved on a big stone around the cemetery!