crest
Quick Summary
A crest is a heraldic symbol placed atop a helmet, secured by a "wreath of the colors" made from the two main colors of the arms. Initially crafted from leather or wood, crests later evolved to be made of more valuable materials. They were first used in tournaments and became common in English families by the 16th century.1
While a coat of arms can exist without a crest, a crest almost always appears with a coat of arms. The use of heraldic symbols, or "coats of arms," as a means of identification spread through European nobility in the 13th century. The crest, a secondary device that emerged in the 14th century, was modeled onto the helm.12
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