ornaments to an escutcheon. See a more full description under the word
MANTLING.


CHAPEAUX.

A _chapeau_ is an ancient hat or rather cap of dignity worn by dukes.
They were formed of scarlet velvet and turned up with fur. They are
frequently used instead of a wreath under the crests of noblemen and
even gentlemen.

The wreath was formed by two large skeins of silk of different colours
twisted together. This was worn at the lower part of the crest, not
alone as an ornament, but to protect the head from the blow of a mace
or sword. In Heraldry the wreath appears like a straight line or roll
of two colours generally the same as the tinctures of the shield. The
crest is usually placed upon the wreath.

The crest is the highest part among the ornaments of a coat of arms.
It is called crest from the Latin word _crista_, which signifies comb
or tuft.

Crests were used as marks of honour long before the introduction of
Heraldry. The helmets and crests of the Greek and Trojan warriors are
beautifully described by Homer. The German heralds pay great attention
to crests, and depict them as towering to a great height above the
helmet. Knights who were desirous of concealing their rank, or wished
particularly to distinguish themselves either in the battle field or
tourney, frequently decorated their helmets with plants or flowers,
chimerical figures, animals, &c.; these badges were also assumed