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Page 14
The crest is the highest part among the ornaments of a coat of arms.
It is called crest from the Latin word _crista_, which signifies comb
or tuft.
Crests were used as marks of honour long before the introduction of
Heraldry. The helmets and crests of the Greek and Trojan warriors are
beautifully described by Homer. The German heralds pay great attention
to crests, and depict them as towering to a great height above the
helmet. Knights who were desirous of concealing their rank, or wished
particularly to distinguish themselves either in the battle field or
tourney, frequently decorated their helmets with plants or flowers,
chimerical figures, animals, &c.; these badges were also assumed
by their descendants. The difference between crests and badges as
heraldic ornaments is, that the former are always placed on a wreath,
in the latter they are attached to the helmet. The scroll is a label
or ribbon containing the motto: it is usually placed beneath the
shield and supporters; see the word MOTTO in the Dictionary.
CHAP. VI.
MARSHALLING CHARGES ON ESCUTCHEONS BY THE RULES OF HERALDRY.
The symbolic figures of Heraldry are so well known to those acquainted
with the science in every kingdom of Europe, that if an Englishman was
to send a written emblazonment or description of an escutcheon to
a French, German, or Spanish artist acquainted with the English
language, either of them could return a properly drawn and coloured
escutcheon; but a correct emblazonment would be indispensable. A
single word omitted would spoil the shield.
I.
The reader has already been informed that in emblazoning an
escutcheon, the colour of the field is first named; then the principal
ordinary, such as the fess, the chevron, &c., naming the tincture and
form of the ordinary; then proceed to describe the charges on the
field, naming their situation, metal, or colour; lastly, describe the
charges on the ordinary.
II.
When an honourable ordinary or some one figure is placed upon another,
whether it be a fess, chevron, cross, &c., it is always to be named
after the ordinary or figure over which it is placed, with either the
words surtout or overall.
III.
In the blazoning such ordinaries as are plain, the bare mention of
them is sufficient; but if an ordinary should be formed of any of the
curved or angular lines, such as invected, indented, &c., the lines
must be named.
IV.
When a principal figure possesses the centre of the field, its
position is not to be expressed; it is always understood to be in the
middle of the shield.
V.
When the situation of a principal bearing is not expressed, it is
always understood to occupy the centre of the field. Ex. See Azure, an
annulet argent, p. 48. (Dictionary)
VI.
The number of the points of mullets must be specified if more than
five: also if a mullet or any other charge is pierced, it must be
mentioned.
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