THE OLD - Old Wirral.com

THE OLD CHURCHES OF WIRRAL
much tolerated, almost everywhere,
that little or no notice is taken of it and
in process of time such Arms become
true marks of distinction."
Turning now to the component parts of
a Coat-of-Arms, we note that they may
consist of six figures : the crest, the torse,
the helmet, the mantling or lambrequin,
the shield, the supporters, and the scroll.
Of these the shield is the principal part, for
on it are depicted the particular signs and
emblems which the bearer carries, the
augmentations of honour which the
sovereign has conferred, the quarterings
inherited from families, the impalement
of marriage, and the different marks which
are expressive of cadency. The shape of
the shield is arbitrary and has no special
significance, save that the lozenge, or
diamond-shaped shield, is reserved for
women.
Surmounting the shield is the helmet.
The helmet was formerly worn as a defen-
sive weapon to cover the bearer's head,
and so it comes to be placed over a Coatof-Arms
as its chief ornament. Helmets
are distinguished by their kind, form, and
position, those of sovereigns being gold,
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