Heraldic Dictionary - Crowns, Helmets, Chaplets & Chapeaux

ND Home > ND Libraries > Spec. Coll. > Digital > Heraldry > Blazoning > Charges > 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. 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. 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.

Coronets of Rank


Duke	Marquess	Earl	Viscount	Baron

Royal Crown				King of Arms

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 Charlemange	Hanover Crown	imperial crown
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


king	peer (i.e., duke, marquess, earl, viscount or baron)	knight or baronet	esquire


tilting helmets

heumes

Return to top of page.

Eclesiastical Hats and Crowns


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.

Dept. of Special Collections
University of Notre Dame
102 Hesburgh Library
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

Telephone: 574-631-0290
Fax: 574-631-6308
E-mail the Department

Page content last modified
24 February 2003