ACHIEVEMENT OF ARMS

Origins and Explanation
In the middle ages, knights usually wore a helmet / helm to protect there head while fighting. And to protect them from the sun, it was covered with a long piece of cloth ("mantling"). As already noted, in battle wearing full armour, it would be difficult to distinguish one person from another. In addition to shields with designs on them, knights also frequently attached some object to the top of the helm to help distinguish themselves. This is called a "crest". The crest could be made of many different materials and was three dimensional (as opposed to the two dimensional designs applied to the shield). The use of crests actually predates the use of coats of arms and dates back ancient Greece and Rome. Crests were often shown on household items such as cutlery and dishes. Since these things were usually passed on through the generations, crests became associated with the family, and from this, the term "family crest" came about. It should be noted that a family crest is not the same as a family coat of arms. Sometimes (although often not) the crest was similar to the primary charge on the shield.

In heraldry, the shield was often displayed with a helm sitting on top of it. The helm was displayed with the mantling, the crest and if the bearer was nobility then the helm also had a crown, if not then a wreath or a torse (twisted pieces of cloth). Altogether this arrangement is known as an "achievement of arms". 

In the achievement of arms, the mantling is usually the main colours from the shield but not always. As well, the torse is usually the same colours as the mantling. In battle, the mantling on a knight's helm would often become very torn. This was considered honourable and therefore the mantling was displayed as being torn or ripped. Usually this tearing may appear like many ribbons or it may be very stylised and look like flames or vines with leaves. There are no rules as to how the mantling should be portrayed.

Helm	Helm with torse and mantle	Torn mantle	Side view	With a crest

Helm, torse, mantling and crest as might be seen in an Achievement of Arms	With the shield

Diagram: Achievement of arms

An achievement of arms may also include at the bottom a scroll bearing a motto. In some cases, the shield is held up by two people or animals (either real or mythical). These are the "supporters". In some forms of heraldry, they could only be used by royalty, hence their limited usage.
 

Diagram - Parts of an achievement of arms

Back the the table of Contents

Back to The Historical Reenactment and Experimental Archaeology page.