National Arms, part 1

A dynastic change, which introduces new sovereign dominions, may introduce new elements into the Arms. A ruler ascending a throne by election may choose to show this by combining his family Arms in some way with those of the State; the usual method being through an escutcheon ( a smaller shield in the center of the Arms). In summary, National Arms are continuing, but not necessarily immutable. A change of regime may totally extinguish them. The one thing that is absolutely certain is that their display is not to be accorded to subjects. They are the symbolic representation of the sovereignty of the state and any use to which they may be put must be fully compatible with this.
National Arms are as varied as the states that bear them. They fall into two main categories; one is clearly heraldic, the other is not. The presence or absence of a shield is largely an accidental consequence of the history of the State. For example Europe has always been within the hera