Heraldry Explained: The Elements of Achievements

Achievement is a heraldic term. The armorial bearings of a person or family in heraldry consist of the escutcheon with the helmet supporting the crest above it, the supporters to the left and right, and the motto below. An achievement is a symbol that only belongs to one family (unlike a crest, which several unrelated families may use). Some significant pieces of silverware can be found either engraved or enamelled, and it frequently serves to establish provenance and date in addition to being ornamental and increasing the piece’s worth. An achievement comprises not only the arms displayed on the escutcheon, the central element, but also the following elements surrounding it:

• Crest placed atop a:
• Torse (or Cap of Maintenance as a special honour)
• Mantling
• Helm of appropriate variety; if the holder of higher rank than a baronet, issuing from a:
• Coronet or Crown (not used by baronets) of the proper variety.
• Supporters (if the bearer is entitled to them, generally in modern usage, not baronets), which may stand on a Compartment)
• Motto, if possessed
• Order, if possessed
• Badge, if possessed

Royal Coat of Arms

The British royal family’s heraldic emblem is the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom, serving as the official symbol of the monarch and the nation. This intricate design reflects the monarchy’s history and the union of its constituent countries.

Historical Perspective

The Royal Coat of Arms has evolved over centuries, mirroring the political and dynastic changes within the British Isles. Its current form represents the unity of England, Scotland, and Ireland under one sovereign.

Visual Elements

• Shield: Quartered to represent the nations of the United Kingdom:
  • First and Fourth Quarters: Three gold lions passant guardant on a red field, symbolizing England.
  • Second Quarter: A red lion rampant within a double tressure flory-counter-flory on a gold field, representing Scotland.
  • Third Quarter: A gold harp on a blue field, denoting Ireland.
• Crest: A gold lion statant guardant wearing the imperial crown, standing atop a royal crown.
• Supporters:
  • Dexter (right): A crowned gold lion, symbolizing England.
  • Sinister (left): A silver unicorn with a gold horn, mane, and hooves, chained and crowned, representing Scotland.
• Mottoes:
  • Main Motto: “Dieu et mon droit” (French for “God and my right”), displayed on a scroll beneath the shield.
  • Order of the Garter Motto: “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (Old French for “Shame be to him who thinks evil of it”), encircling the shield.
• Compartment: The base features a grassy mount adorned with the floral emblems of the UK’s nations: the Tudor rose (England), thistle (Scotland), and shamrock (Ireland).

Sources

Newman, H. (2000). An illustrated dictionary of silverware: 2,373 entries relating to British and North American wares, decorative techniques and styles, and leading designers and makers, principally from c.1500 to the present. Thames & Hudson.

Wikipedia contributors. (2022, May 4). Achievement (heraldry). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:40, July 25, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Achievement_(heraldry)&oldid=1086123714

Related Article

• The Evolution of Branding in Applied and Decorative Arts
• The Prince Eugen Medal – Awarded by King of Sweden
• Academic Style – Dictionary of Silverware
• Uncovering the History of the Act of Parliament Clock
• Normandie: France’s Legendary Art Deco Ocean Liner