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The Helmet
When new arms are granted, or upon matriculation of existing arms to take note of the inheritance or new ownership of a barony, the helmet shows the baron’s tournament rank - either a feudal steel baronial helmet with vertical bars or a great tilting helm garnished with gold. This may be shown affronté.
A compartment has occasionally been granted to barons, representing their territories, even in cases where there are no supporters.
SOVEREIGN: A gold helm with grilles, shown full face.
PEERS: A silver helm garnished with gold and with gold grilles (usually five).
KNIGHTS & BARONETS: A steel helm garnished in gold with an open visor and no grill. Alternatively a tilting helm may be used.
FEUDAL BARONS: A steel tilting helm garnished in gold (occasionally a steel helm garnished in gold with one or three grilles).
NB. The actual wording on a Letters Patent is "an helm befitting his degree".
ESQUIRES: A steel pot helm garnished in gold, or a helm with a closed visor.
GENTLEMEN: An ungarnished steel pot helm or helm with closed visor.
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