Crowns

Though their original purpose was most likely to keep long hair out of a man's face, crowns evolved into a symbol of rank and position and were often emblazoned on heralds. Royal leaders wore them as a sign of power. They also wore them in battle to show that they were due special protection from their own soldiers.

Coronets of Rank

•  

• 

• 
  Royal Crowns

• 

• 
  Duke

• 
  Marquess

• 
  Earl

• 
  Viscount

• 
  Baron

Return to top of page

---

Crest Coronets, Crowns, Chapeaux, and Chaplets

• 
  ducal coronet

• 
  chapeau

• 
  chaplet

• 
  crown triumphant

• 
  civic crown

• 
  mural coronet

• 
  naval crown

• 
  eastern crown

• 
  celestial crown

• 
  astral coronet

• 
  crown vallary

• 
  palisado crown

• 
  Crown of Charlemagne

• 
  Hanover Crown

• 
  imperial crown

• 
  King of Arms

Another crown which occurs, though rarely, in heraldic arms is the crown of Spain, described as:

A circle of jeweled gold, supporting eight strawberry leaves, no cap. Sometimes the crown includes four ogee arches, meeting under a mound and cross patée.

Return to top of page

---

The Heraldic Helmet

Helmets too served a purpose besides protecting one's head. The different designs of different helmets signified who was wearing them, be it a king, esquire, or knight.

• 
  king

• 
  peer
  (i.e., duke, marquess, earl, viscount or baron)

• 
  knight or baronet

• 
  esquire

• 

• 
  tilting helmets

• 

•  

• 
  heumes

Return to top of page

---

Ecclesiastical Hats and Crowns

Religions men too wore crowns. Similar to royal ones, the crowns and hats of the religious were signs of rank and standing within their religious order.

• 
  papal crown

• 
  bishop's mitre
  (without and with ducal coronet)

• 
  ecclesiastical hat*

* Ecclesiastical (or clergymen's) hats come in a variety of colors and tassel numbers, which when properly drawn indicate rank or calling. According to Boutell's Manual of Heraldry (pages 226-228) these are:

• Crimson with fifteen tassels per side = a cardinal (the number was fixed in 1832)
• Crimson with six tassels per side = a vicar
• Violet with six tassels per side = a domestic prelate of the Pope
• Green with ten tassels per side = continental archbishops and bishops
• Black with three tassels per side = an abbot
• Black with one tassel per side = any other clergyman

Return to top of page