Crest

Surmounting a helmet with the figure of some real or fabulous animal is a very ancient practice; but, as a heraldic ornament, the crest does not appear in w. Europe till the 13th century. It either rests on a wreath or i ues from a ducal coronet, mural crown, or cap of maintenance. It is not indispensable in a coat of arms, as many continental families bear no crest; nor is it any way distinctive, since the same crest appears on many shields, and branches of the same family are found with various crests. Water Cre ( Roripa nasturtium ). IMG:content-1026.jpg:[graphic]