The ornaments that accompany or surround escutcheons were introduced
to denote the birth, dignity, or office of the person to whom the coat
of arms belongs. We shall merely give the names of the various objects
in this place, and refer the reader to the different words in the
Dictionary. Over regal escutcheons are placed the crown which pertains
to the nation over which the sovereign presides. The crown is
generally surmounted with a crest: as in the arms of the kings of
England, the crown is surmounted by a lion statant, guardant, crowned.

Over the Papal arms is placed a tiara or triple crown, without a
crest.

Above the arms of archbishops and bishops the mitre is placed instead
of a crest.

_Coronets_ are worn by all princes and peers. They vary in form
according to the rank of the nobleman. A full description will be
found in the Dictionary of the coronets of the prince of Wales, royal
dukes, dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons.

_Helmets_ are placed over arms, and show the rank of the person to
whom the arms belong: 1st, by the metal of which they are made; 2dly,
by their form; 3dly, by their position. See the word HELMET in the
Dictionary.

_Mantlings_ were the ancient coverings of helmets to preserve them and
the bearers from the injuries of the weather. It is probable that they
were highly ornamented with scroll-work of gold and silver, and their
borders or edges cast into fanciful shapes. They are now formed into
scroll-work proceeding from the sides of the helmet, and are great