Page 47 - Dictionary of Heraldry and Related Subjects

In early days the Constable and Ckest - A figure anciently affixed io
the Marshal held sway over the the helni of every commander for
Court of Chivalry but in modern purposes of identification in the
limes it is the responsibility of the confusion of battle and certainly in
Earl Marshal who at its Iast sitting use long before the hereditary bear-
delegated his authority to the Lord ing of coat amour. It is frequently
confused with the badge which is a
Chief Justice acting as his deputy.
totally different thing and in many
Covered Cup - Similar to a chalice cases modern writers refer loosely
(q.v.) but provjded with a dome to the expression crest when in fact
sliaped cover.
they mean Coat of Arms or even
Achievenient.
Coward - A lion or other beast
Crests were not considered as
whose tail is hanging between his being a part of the family arms
hind legs is said to be coward.
until the commencement of the 14th
century. They were originally con-
Crane - The bird of that name which fined to a few and given by Royal
must not be confused with the stork grant and even to this day there are
or heron.
several old families who have never
used them; conversely, there are
families bearing two and even three
crests.
Ancient crests were for the mosl
part the Iieads of animals or plumes
feathers. Such inappropriate
of
figures as buildings. rocks. clouds
and thunder bolts were never used
for crests when Heraldry was used
as a means of identification.
Unless the contrary be explicitly
mentioned a crest is always placed
A Fess Embattled
upon a wreath and it was not until
(Crenelated)
the reign of Elizabeth when the
Crenelated - Enibattled. The aper- ducal coronet and chapeau came
tures of an embattled wall are to be granted 'on occasions as an
known as the crenels or embrasures alternahe.
Crests may not be used by clergy-
and the waUs standing between
them as the merlons.
men or ladies as of course neither is
considered capable of wielding a
Cresœnt - A figure resembling a sword.
half moon with the horns upper-
most. When piaced in other posi- Crest Coronet - Generall y blazoned
tions it is called increscent or decres- as a ducal coronet but it has no
cent (q.v.). relationship to ducal rank and no
The crescent is the ensign of the resemblance to the coronet worn by
Turks and was introduced into Her- the Duke,
aldry by the crusaders. It was originally used on occa-
It is the mark of cadency assigned sions as an alternative to the torse
to the second house. and they were seldom borne to-
gether.
Cressit - A fire basket. The crest coronet is seldom