Family Crests - Coat Of Arms

By: Daniel A Gilligan

What is a "Coat of Arms"?

The "Coat of Arms" is the surcoat which is made of linen, and is worn over the knight's armour to protect it from direct sunlight. This particular garment was decorated on the front and also the back with the family coat of arms, as it appeared on the shield.
The coat of arms while appearing very complicated to most people, is actually only made up of about six parts and some sub-parts which I shall outline for you.

The "Coat of Arms" make up.

The Shield.
This is literally the heart of the Coat of Arms and everything else is built or located around it, without the shield there is absolutely nothing. It can be constructed in a variety of shapes, sometimes with a piece taken out of the dexter side ( which is the left side) to allow for the movement of the lance or sword, but the most familiar one that we see used is the heart shaped. The shield can be shown upright or in a slant position just right below the helmet. In medieval times the shield would be hung from a peg and would have ended up in a slant position which is the position most official heraldic artist use to paint it. The size of the shield varies but it is normally about four to six times that of the crest. The surface of the shield is called the field, and the figures on the shield are called the charges. Most shields are painted and this is called emblazing the shield.

The Helmet.

The helmet is placed directly on top of the shield with the wreath in between and there are various types. The most popular are the royal helmet, the peer's helmet, the baronet's helmet, the knight's helmet, and the esquires or gentlemen's helmet.
The helmets were constructed with visors or grills so the wearer could actually see his adversary or foe hence giving him the ability to fight. When the helmet is profiled on the coat of arms, it is usually turned to the dexter side. This is a very important part of all family crests.

The Mantling around the Coat of Arms.

The mantling can also be referred to as the lambrequin, and this is a cloth cape worn from the back of the helmet to give protection from the hot rays of the sun. The colours of the mantling is usually the same colour as the shield on the outside, and the inside colour is the same colour as the metal used on the armour, yellow representing gold and silver representing silver metal.During the fights the mantling would become tattered, and on the knights return this proved that he had been on a crusade and he would be proud of his tattered mantle. Family crests are very popular throught the world as a means of honoring the family name.

The Wreath.

The wreath mostly was a circle of silk but mostly it is depicted as a bound rope something like a barber's pole. I was worn by the knight around his neck possibly
To separate the helmet from the main body armour and to offer some comfort to the wearer.

The Family Crests.

Something very important to know is that a person can't have a crest if they don't have a coat of arms. The crest is part of the heraldic coat of arms, and cannot exist without the rest. The crest is actually worn on top of the helmet, and in most displays it is shown in that position.

The Motto.

In England the motto does not form any part of the coat of arms and indeed anyone can use one. In Scotland it is part of the armorial bearings, it is placed below the shield or above the crest.
Many of the mottos were in Latin and still are to-day.
Example:

Latin: ("Dum  Spiro Spero") translated to English is ("While I breathe, I hope".)

How much does a "Coat of Arms" cost?

A good quality coat of arms embroidered or painted will not cost a fortune; check on the links below for further details. 

Where can a "Coat of Arms" be purchased.

The easiest place to find a coat of arms is in one of the online shops like Society Gifts.

About the Author

For further assistance and information visit us, click here Family Crests

Family Crests are available for all families that have origins in ancient Europe. Countries such as Ireland, England, Scotland, Spain, Germany and a host of other countries.

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