Block, Siteadmin, SkipCaptcha, Upload, Automoderated users, delete, edit, Moderators, move, protect, rollback, Administrators
27,336
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
mLine 13:
Line 13: − + − + − + + + + + + + + + + + + + Line 32:
Line 44: + + + +
→Components of a coat of arms
==Components of a coat of arms==
==Components of a coat of arms==
[[File:Risby Church arms.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Coat of Arms of King George III in St. Giles Church, Risby, Suffolk, England; labeled to show components]]
[[File:Risby Church arms.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Coat of Arms of King George III in St. Giles Church, Risby, Suffolk, England; the shield's round shape indicates a non-combatant clergy (labeled to show components)]]
A coat of arms is based on the shield and other weapons of the medieval knight. It consists of, at minimum, a shield, helm, and crest, and usually also includes some sort of decorative mantling around the helm. Optional elements include a motto, badges, and banners. Some elements, such as supporters, crowns, robes of estate, and so forth, are traditionally reserved for royalty and nobility. A full display of all the elements of a coat of arms is sometimes called a "heraldic achievement".
A coat of arms is based on the shield and other weapons of the medieval knight. It consists of, at minimum, a shield, helm, and crest, and usually also includes some sort of decorative mantling around the helm. Optional elements include a motto, badges, and banners. Some elements, such as supporters, crowns, robes of estate, and so forth, are traditionally reserved for royalty and nobility. A full display of all the elements of a coat of arms is sometimes called a "heraldic achievement".
===Escutcheon===
===Crest===
The escutcheon, or shield, is the central device in any coat of arms, and is based on the medieval war shield carried by the knight. The field, or ground, of a shield is divided into nine areas:
A distinct personal badge or display, the crest has its origins in the tournament, where mounted and armored knights sought to distinguish themselves further by placing an item - such as feathers or fans - on their helmets.
===Coronet===
The coronet is a stylized version of a crown, whose overall shape denotes the rank of the individual bearing the arms; the viewer of the arms would know at a glance if the person is a lord, a baron, a viscount, an earl, or a duke.
===Torse and mantle===
The simplest version of the coronet is a bi-colored, twisted device called a torse, which secured the mantle to the helmet; the mantle originally being a piece of cloth. Appearing on knights during the Crusades in the Middle East, the torse and mantle were based upon the Arab headdress called ''keffiyeh'', which is used as protection against the hot desert sun. The mantle's torn appearance on displays of coats of arms may indicate a secondary use, which was to lessen the effect of sword-blows to the helmet.
===Helmet===
Also indicative of rank, the helmet is shown open-faced or closed, with the closed helmet indicating low rank. When atop the helmet, the crest is usually facing in the same direction. Multiple helmet/crests have appeared in German coats of arms beginning in the 16th century.
===Shield===
The shield, or escutcheon, is the central device in any coat of arms, and is based on the medieval war shield carried by the knight. The field, or ground, of a shield is divided into nine areas:
*Top row (''l-r''): dexter chief, center chief, sinister chief;
*Top row (''l-r''): dexter chief, center chief, sinister chief;
*Center row (''l-r''): dexter flank, fess point, sinister flank;
*Center row (''l-r''): dexter flank, fess point, sinister flank;
*Objects
*Objects
::Designs depicting animals, both real and mythological (lions, bears, eagles, griffins, etc.), inanimate objects (swords, lances, ships, etc), or geometric symbols (sun, stars, ''fleur de lys'').
::Designs depicting animals, both real and mythological (lions, bears, eagles, griffins, etc.), inanimate objects (swords, lances, ships, etc), or geometric symbols (sun, stars, ''fleur de lys'').
===Supporters===
These devices are sometimes included in a coat of arms, and are meant to support the shield. Usually they are stylized animal charges, but humans, angels, and pillars have also been displayed. The name "tenant" is used if the supporter is a human.
[[Category:Heraldry]]
[[Category:Heraldry]]