Page:The Grammar of Heraldry, Cussans, 1866.djvu/71

This page has been validated.
Accessories to the Shield.
57

lofty rays or spikes, alternating with strawberry leaves of about one fourth the height. In illustrations, four of the latter, and five of the former are shown.

A Viscount’s has fourteen or sixteen pearls, which are placed close together on the rim, without leaves. Eight or nine are apparent in representations.

A Baron’s coronet is ornamented with six pearls, of which four are seen.

Besides the above coronets, there are others which should more properly be considered but as common charges, as they are not the recognised insignia of any particular rank, but may be borne on the escutcheon of either peer or commoner, which are the Eastern, or Antique crown, which has its circle of gold, from which rise an indefinite number of rays, as shown in the illustration. Fig. 182.

Fig. 182.

Cussans-Fig. 182.png

Fig. 183.

Cussans-Fig. 183.png

Fig. 184.

Cussans-Fig. 184.png

The Celestial crown differs from the Eastern, in having its rays somewhat higher, and each charged on the top with a small etoille.

The Mural crown, also of gold, has the top of the circle embattled. It was conferred by the Romans on the soldier who first scaled the walls of a besieged town. Fig. 183.

The Naval crown bears on the circle the sterns of vessels, alternating with masts, on which are affixed sails. Fig. 184.