Home > Rare Books & Special Collections > Digital Projects > Heraldic Dictionary > Blazoning > Charges > Crowns
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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.
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| Royal Crowns | ||||
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| Duke | Marquess | Earl | Viscount | Baron |
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| ducal coronet | chapeau | chaplet | crown triumphant | civic crown |
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| mural coronet | naval crown | eastern crown | celestial crown | astral coronet |
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| crown vallary | palisado crown | Crown of Charlemagne | Hanover Crown | imperial crown |
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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. |
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| King of Arms | ||||
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.
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| king | peer (i.e., duke, marquess, earl, viscount or baron) | knight or baronet | esquire | |
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| tilting helmets | heumes | |||
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.
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| 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:
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