Older writers trace origins of supporters to their usages in tournaments, where the shields of the combatants were exposed for inspection, and guarded by their servants or pages disguised in fanciful attire. However, medieval Scottish seals afford numerous examples in which the 13th and 14th century shields were placed between two creatures resembling lizards or dragons. Also, the seal of
John, Duke of Normandy, eldest son of the
King of France, before 1316 bears his arms as; France ancient, a bordure
gules, between two lions rampant away from the shield, and an eagle with expanded wings standing above it.
Australia In
Australia, Knights or Dames of the
Order of Australia may be granted supporters. It is unclear whether supporters may only be used on arms granted by
Garter Principal King of Arms, or whether other heraldic authority suffices. Further, as arms may be legitimately adopted upon an armiger's whim, there may be nothing limiting the adoption of supporters by any person, should they so choose.
Canada In
Canada, Companions of the
Order of Canada,
Commanders of the
Order of Military Merit, Commanders of the
Royal Victorian Order, people granted the style
the Right Honourable, and corporations are granted the use of supporters on their coats of arms. Further, on his retirement from office as
Chief Herald,
Robert Watt was granted supporters as an honour.
France In
France, writers made a distinctive difference on the subject of supporters, giving the name of
Supports to animals, real or imaginary, thus employed; while human figures or angels similarly used are called
Tenants (i.e. 'holders'). Trees and other inanimate objects which are sometimes used are called
Soutiens.
New Zealand Knights Grand Companion and Principal Companions of the
New Zealand Order of Merit are granted the use of heraldic supporters.
Spain In
Spain, there is a difference between
tenantes, used for human figures,
soportes, used for beasts, and
sosténes, used for anything other than humans or beasts. There aren't any rules governing the use, position, or whether they face the viewer or not. Hereditary supporters are normally limited to
hereditary peers, certain members of the
Royal Family, and to some chiefs of
Scottish clans. Non-hereditary supporters are granted to
life peers; Knights and Ladies Companion of the
Order of the Garter; Knights and Ladies of the
Order of the Thistle; Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the
Order of the Bath, the
Order of St Michael and St George, the
Royal Victorian Order and the
Order of the British Empire; and Bailiffs and Dames Grand Cross of the
Order of St John.
Knights banneret were also granted non-hereditary supporters, but no such knight has been created since the time of
Charles I. Supporters may also be granted to corporations which have a
royal charter. ==Examples==