FANTASTIC BEASTS AND MONSTERS IN HERALDY
A new generation of adults and children has been exposed to the world of fantasy beasts and monsters by authors such as JK Rowling and George RR Martin in books, film and via computer gaming. Advances in cinematography and animation have given life to the real, mythical and fantastic beasts known to historians and heraldists.
Mythical beasts, both fantastic and diabolical, from the medieval romances as well as from Greek, Roman, Norse and Saxon myth and legend, such as the phoenix, unicorn and Pegasus, are to a certain extent recognised. The unicorn has had a recent and profitable resurgence, in a largely pastel and fluffy way, in a market aimed at young girls. But there are many more beasts, some better known than others, especially in the world of heraldry where beasts and birds both zoological and terrific can be represented on a shield of arms, on a crest atop a helm as well as supporters in an achievement of armorial bearings.
Beasts as charges on a coat of arms were and are often
