3. What is a full Coat of Arms? What are shields, crests and charges?:
- The contemporary full Coat of Arms is comprised of 6 basic elements: (1) the shield, (2) the helmet, (3) the mantling and wreath, (4) the crest, (5) the motto and finally (6) any supporters, compartments and decorations surrounding the shield.
1) The shield is where the actual "Arms" of a "Coat of Arms" are borne. It is comprised of the "field" or surface and "charges" or symbols. Charges are simply the symbols or geometric shapes dear to the bearer and placed on the field. thE field can be a solid color or divided by lines of partition.
2) The helmet is placed above the shield and differs depending on social rank, personal preferences, and local customs.
3) The mantling or lambrequin is the leafy or ribbon like decoration that is attached to the helmet and wreath and usually encircles the entire Coat of Arms. The wreath is a band of six twists representing a silk cloth used to hold the mantling in place and attached to the helmet. It also serves as the resting place for the crest above it. The coloring of these devices is based on the primary color and metal used on the shield itself. On the wreath the metal color is always depectied first.
4) The crest is the design or emblem surmounting the helmet. It is often small and is sometimes just a hand or arm holding something of importance to the barer of the Arms. But like the design below it on the shield, it can be of any type and may or may not be related to the symbols on the shield.
5) The motto is simply the "war cry" or personal motto of the bearer. It is usually placed under the Coat of Arms but in some countries like Scotland bearers may place them above the Coat of Arms.
6) Supporters can be a variety of plants, animals, static objects or people that can be placed outside of the shield to seemingly "support" it. Most supporters are animal in nature and usually a paw or wing is used to hold onto the shield. Supporters are rare in common, personal heraldry and are usually reserved for institutions, companies, and noble families in Europe. But there is no law barring regular folk from using them. A Compartment is usually a patch of land, water or ornate metalic structure used to support the supporters. They are often left out of Complex designs when a designer or Armiger wants to use the motto's banner as the supporter. (Like in the design below)
Take a look at this Coat of Arms as an example...
