The Heraldic “Theater” of Russian Cities

Abstract

The usurpation of the right to unite the surrounding territories bestowed some exclusive rights upon Moscow. Which other coat of arms apart from that of Moscow could surround itself with such a suite, such an entourage, of serving shields of arms on its heraldic map? An almost ideal social and geographical model is drawn up around the capital by the coats of arms of Moscow’s retinue: all three principal forces of society are gathered in this national nucleus — those being craftsmen, parishioners and warriors — forming the trade, monastic and defense appendages to St. George’s robe.