Fig. 77. Stall-plate of Hugh lord Burnell, c. 1421.
PLATE XIV.—Examples of crests and mantlings.
- A, Edmund Grey earl of Kent, 1442.
- B, Thomas Ballard, Esq.
- C, Sir Henry Ingelose, of Loddon, 1451.
The crown was merely ornamental, and had no reference to the dignity of the wearer, but was used alike heraldically by prince and peer, knight and esquire, and the same may be said of the cap of estate.
Crowns were anciently formed of a number of leaves or fleurons set upright upon the band, sometimes with lesser leaves or jewels between them; the bands too were often jewelled. But in practice only three (fig. [78]), or sometimes five, principal leaves are shown when the crown is drawn in profile (fig. [83]).