Bonet's Arbre des Batailles (1387)

Last revised September 1996

Honoré de Bonet

Honoré de Bonet (ca. 1340-ca. 1410) was a Frenchman from Provence, a cleric who was prior of Salon near Embrun. He studied at the University of Avignon where he was received a doctor, traveled around France and Aragon, and held various minor official positions. His book L'Arbre des Batailles is a treatise on war and the laws of war. It is not meant to be a scholarly book, but rather written for a fairly broad readership, in ordinary French. It found great favor and was extremely influential.

Bonet on Heraldry

The following text comes from the edition of Bonet's work by G. W. Coopland, Harvard University Press, 1949.

The substance of Bonet's treatment of heraldry (chapters 124 to 129) comes from Bartolo da Sassoferrato, although he does not cite his source. The details vary somewhat, in interesting ways.

In chapter 124, Bonet distinguishes from the outset arms of dominion:

Having set aside arms of dominion and arms of office, Bonet discusses whether gentlemen, that is barons or small landowners, can bear the arms of another at will (Chapter 125).

In Chapter 126, Bonet distinguishes himself further from Bartolo, and expresses the opinion that even among self-assumed arms, there is a public interest in avoiding confusion.

In Chapter 127 Bonet takes up the story of the Italian and the German from Bartolo, adapted to France and with a picturesque dialogue added (notice the digs at the Germans).

Bonet, in Chapter 128, discusses fraudulent adoption, for example a soldier of modest descent adopting the arms of an ancient house in order to receive more honor and credit; or a craftsman counterfeiting the mark of another, better skilled craftsman in order to increase the sale of his goods. Both cases would call for punishment.

Chapter 129 is devoted to the tinctures and their significance.

Impact of Bonet's Writings

Bonet was very influential in the 15th century. Christine de Pisan copied liberally from him, quoting him as one of her sources: her writing was popularized by Caxton in England in the late 15th century. The herald Sicile, herald of Alfonso V of Aragon, also used Bonet extensively in his Blason des Couleurs, as well as 15th century Burgundian heralds.


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