page_title: Spanish heraldry
section_title: Descent of Spanish arms
hierarchical_section_title: Spanish heraldry / Descent of Spanish arms
context_page_description: The tradition and art of heraldry first appeared in Spain at about the beginning of the eleventh century AD and its origin was similar to other European countries: the need for knights and nobles to distinguish themselves from one another on the battlefield, in jousts and in tournaments. Knights wore armor from head to toe and were often in leadership positions, so it was essential to be able to identify them on the battlefield.
context_section_description: The descent of Spanish arms and titles differs from much of Europe in that they can be inherited through females.  Also, illegitimacy did not prevent the descent of arms and titles. The great Spanish families believed that a family pedigree could be more damaged by misalliance than by illegitimacy.  Indeed, the patents of nobility of many Spanish families contained bequeathals to illegitimate branches in case no legitimate heirs were found.  Illegitimacy in Spain was divided into three categories.
  Natural children: Those born of single or widowed parents who could be legitimized by the marriage of their parents or by a declaration by their father that they were his heirs.
  Spurious children: Those whose parents were not in a position to marry. These children had to be legitimized by a petition of royal ratification.
  Incestuous children: Those born of parents too closely related to marry or who were under a religious vow.  These hijos required a papal dispensation in order to inherit their parent's arms or property. These papal dispensations were granted so often that every diocese in Spain had signed blanks ready to affix the appropriate name.
caption: Coat of arms of John of Austria, an illegitimate son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (also King of Spain)