Crowns On Coat Of Arms: Meaning

Crowns on coats of arms are used to signify the status of their owners. The type of crown used depends on the rank of the owner, with different crowns for royalty, nobility, and other members of the royal family. In heraldry, crowns can be used as charges, which are images occupying the field of a coat of arms. They can also be set upon the shield, above the helmet, or floating above the crest. The appearance of the crown follows strict rules and varies depending on the country and historical period. For example, the United Kingdom traditionally used St. Edward's Crown, but may transition to the Tudor Crown.

Crowns on coats of arms often signify the status of the owner

Crowned heads of state are a common symbol of a country's monarchy or sovereignty. The crown in heraldry is often used to represent various levels of authority. In the United Kingdom, for example, crowns are used to represent the monarchy. The type of crown used in heraldry is usually specific and follows strict rules, though this is not always the case.

The appearance of the crown or coronet also follows strict rules. A royal coat of arms may display a royal crown, while a princely coat of arms may display a princely crown, and so on. In the British peerage, the design of a coronet indicates the rank of its owner. The coronet of a duke, for instance, has eight strawberry leaves, while a peerage baron's coronet has six "pearls".

In addition to indicating rank, crowns on coats of arms can also signify an achievement or award. For example, a naval crown, composed of the sails and sterns of ships, is often awarded to distinguished naval commanders. A mural crown, composed of battlements, is sometimes used as a token of civic honour. Crowns can also be granted to individuals for particular service in the army, navy, or air force.

There are crowns for specific ranks, e.g. earls, dukes, and counts

Crowns on coats of arms are often used to symbolise an individual's rank or status. In British heraldry, a coronet is any crown whose bearer is less than sovereign or royal in rank. The coronet is reserved for the lower ranks of nobility, including earls, dukes, counts, marquesses, viscounts, barons, and some lords and ladies.

The design of a coronet is indicative of the rank of its owner. The coronet of a duke has eight strawberry leaves, that of a marquess has four strawberry leaves and four silver balls, that of an earl has eight strawberry leaves and eight silver balls raised on stalks, that of a viscount has sixteen silver balls, and that of a baron or lord has six silver balls.

In addition to the coronet, the coat of arms may also feature a crest coronet or a ducal coronet. The crest coronet, also known as the ducal coronet, is a separate matter from the coronet of rank. While the coronet of rank for a duke features five strawberry leaves, the crest coronet has only three.

The coronet is typically displayed above the shield and below the helm in British heraldry, and often above the crest in Continental heraldry.

In the UK, commoners don't get crowns of rank

Crowns are often used as emblems of sovereign states, usually in monarchies, but also in some republics. They are also used as symbols of religious status or veneration. In heraldry, crowns are used under strict rules. They can be used as a charge in a coat of arms or set atop a shield to signify the status of its owner.

In British heraldry, the word 'crown' is reserved for the crown of a monarch and the Queen consort, while the word 'coronet' is used for all other crowns used by members of the British royal family and peers of the realm. The design of a coronet shows the rank of its owner. For example, the coronet of a duke has eight strawberry leaves, while the coronet of a peerage baron has six 'pearls'.

While crowns of rank are generally reserved for nobility and aristocracy, there are some exceptions and special circumstances where commoners may be granted crowns or coronets. For example, in Canada, people who can prove descent from British subjects who remained loyal during and after the American Revolution are granted a special coronet. In addition, naval crowns may be granted to admirals, and astral crowns to prominent air force marshals. Mural crowns, which are plain gold circlets of battlements, may be used as tokens of civic honour.

Crowns can be used as charges, or augmentations of honour

Crowns are a common symbol of status and power, and as such, they are often incorporated into coats of arms. In heraldry, a charge is an image that occupies the field of a coat of arms. Crowns can be used as charges, or augmentations of honour, and they can also be set atop a shield to signify the status of the owner.

Crown charges are usually generic and are often depicted as medieval crowns without arches. However, there are a few different types of crowns used as charges, including 'eastern' crowns, which are pointed, and mural crowns, which resemble battlements. In Spanish heraldry, an "open royal crown" (corona Real abierta) is used, which does not carry a specific royal meaning.

Crowns can also be used as augmentations of honour, which are changes to a coat of arms granted to reward a particular action. For example, the Earl of Kintore was granted a Scottish royal crown in his coat of arms to commemorate his keeping of the Scottish crown jewels during the interregnum. More recently, the St. Edward's Crown has been included in the grants of arms made to Governor Generals of Canada, who represent the Crown in the country.

In addition to generic crowns, specific types of crowns can also be used in coats of arms to signify the rank or status of the owner. For instance, in British heraldry, different crowns are used to denote the ranks of dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons. Similarly, in Spanish heraldry, specific crowns are used for counts, earls, and dukes.

Crowns can also be used to signify religious status or veneration. For example, the Black Crown of the Karmapa Lama is used as a model for wider use by devotees.

Loyalist coronets in Canada are for those who can prove descent from Americans loyal to the British Crown during the revolution

Crowns are often used as emblems of sovereign states, particularly monarchies, but also some republics. They are also used as symbols of religious status or veneration. In heraldry, crowns are used under strict rules, and their appearance depends on the rank of their owner. For example, a royal coat of arms may display a royal crown, while a princely coat of arms may display a princely crown.

In Canadian heraldry, special coronets are used to designate descent from United Empire Loyalists. The Loyalist coronets are used only in heraldry and never worn. There are two types of Loyalist coronets: the civil coronet and the military coronet. The civil coronet is made up of alternating oak and maple leaves, while the military coronet is made up of maple leaves alternating with crossed swords. The right to use the United Empire Loyalist coronets is established by the Canadian Heraldic Authority according to the regulations of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada.

Loyalists were American colonists of different ethnic backgrounds who supported the British during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). They fought to defend the Crown and protect their homes. After the war, they were branded as traitors and forced to leave the United States, with many seeking refuge in British Canada. An estimated 70,000 Loyalists, about 3% of the total American population, left the newly independent states, with 46,000 fleeing to Canada.

To be recognised as a Loyalist by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, a petitioner must provide proof of each generation between themselves and their Loyalist ancestor. The ancestor must have left the American colonies to settle in Canada between 1776 and 1789. Both male and female Loyalists, and those of all races and religions, are recognised.

Frequently asked questions