To Arms — Heraldry of the Portuguese Army

“To arms! To arms!” But which ones? First and foremost, the word “arms” refers to weaponry. As such, the cry “to arms!” calls for taking them up to go into battle, as stated in the lyrics of the National Anthem itself.

However, the same word is also used to refer to heraldic emblems, which generally consist of a shield (also referred to as “arms”) and various external elements. This terminology derives from the relationship that has existed since the 12th century between battlefields and this system of visual representation.

This book, written by Professor Miguel Metelo de Seixas and Master Artist José S. Estevéns Colaço — published with the support of the Army, through the Directorate of Military History and Culture —, offers a reflection on this connection between heraldry and warfare, from a diachronic perspective spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day.

This is followed by the arms of all the units, establishments, and bodies that currently make up the Portuguese Army. Finally, there is a historical chronology of the successive entities and individuals responsible for the creation of military heraldry, a brief treatise on weaponry, and a heraldic glossary that will help the reader understand and contextualize the emblems presented.