| What is a "Coat of Arms"? | | | | lambrequin, and this is a cloth cape worn from the |
| The "Coat of Arms" is the surcoat which is made | | | | back of the helmet to give protection from the |
| of linen, and is worn over the knight's armour to | | | | hot rays of the sun. The colours of the mantling is |
| protect it from direct sunlight. This particular | | | | usually the same colour as the shield on the |
| garment was decorated on the front and also the | | | | outside, and the inside colour is the same colour |
| back with the family coat of arms, as it appeared | | | | as the metal used on the armour, yellow |
| on the shield. | | | | representing gold and silver representing silver |
| The coat of arms while appearing very | | | | metal.During the fights the mantling would become |
| complicated to most people, is actually only made | | | | tattered, and on the knights return this proved |
| up of about six parts and some sub-parts which I | | | | that he had been on a crusade and he would be |
| shall outline for you. | | | | proud of his tattered mantle. Family crests are |
| The "Coat of Arms" make up. | | | | very popular throught the world as a means of |
| The Shield. | | | | honoring the family name. |
| This is literally the heart of the Coat of Arms and | | | | The Wreath. |
| everything else is built or located around it, | | | | The wreath mostly was a circle of silk but mostly |
| without the shield there is absolutely nothing. It | | | | it is depicted as a bound rope something like a |
| can be constructed in a variety of shapes, | | | | barber's pole. I was worn by the knight around his |
| sometimes with a piece taken out of the dexter | | | | neck possibly |
| side ( which is the left side) to allow for the | | | | To separate the helmet from the main body |
| movement of the lance or sword, but the most | | | | armour and to offer some comfort to the |
| familiar one that we see used is the heart shaped. | | | | wearer. |
| The shield can be shown upright or in a slant | | | | The Family Crests. |
| position just right below the helmet. In medieval | | | | Something very important to know is that a |
| times the shield would be hung from a peg and | | | | person can't have a crest if they don't have a |
| would have ended up in a slant position which is | | | | coat of arms. The crest is part of the heraldic |
| the position most official heraldic artist use to | | | | coat of arms, and cannot exist without the rest. |
| paint it. The size of the shield varies but it is | | | | The crest is actually worn on top of the helmet, |
| normally about four to six times that of the crest. | | | | and in most displays it is shown in that position. |
| The surface of the shield is called the field, and | | | | The Motto. |
| the figures on the shield are called the charges. | | | | In England the motto does not form any part of |
| Most shields are painted and this is called | | | | the coat of arms and indeed anyone can use one. |
| emblazing the shield. | | | | In Scotland it is part of the armorial bearings, it is |
| The Helmet. | | | | placed below the shield or above the crest. |
| The helmet is placed directly on top of the shield | | | | Many of the mottos were in Latin and still are |
| with the wreath in between and there are various | | | | to-day. |
| types. The most popular are the royal helmet, the | | | | Example: |
| peer's helmet, the baronet's helmet, the knight's | | | | Latin: ("Dum Spiro Spero") translated to English is |
| helmet, and the esquires or gentlemen's helmet. | | | | ("While I breathe, I hope".) |
| The helmets were constructed with visors or grills | | | | How much does a "Coat of Arms" cost? |
| so the wearer could actually see his adversary or | | | | A good quality coat of arms embroidered or |
| foe hence giving him the ability to fight. When the | | | | painted will not cost a fortune; check on the links |
| helmet is profiled on the coat of arms, it is usually | | | | below for further details. |
| turned to the dexter side. This is a very | | | | Where can a "Coat of Arms" be purchased. |
| important part of all family crests. | | | | The easiest place to find a coat of arms is in one |
| The Mantling around the Coat of Arms. | | | | of the online shops like Society Gifts. |
| The mantling can also be referred to as the | | | | |