Allied to the complete achievement are other adjuncts such as badges and insignia. The crest was borne by a knight in armour on top of his helm as an extra ornament which became, like the charges on his shield and surcoat, an hereditary symbol. Crests are often used separately from the shield and are always on a wreath or chapeau or issuing from some form of coronet and often with the motto beneath. Helmets, like coronets, change according to rank. The Sovereign's helmet is gold and barred and faces the beholder.
Peers have a silver helmet with gold bars turned in profile to the left.
Knights and baronets have an open-vizored steel helmet facing the beholder while esquires and gentlemen have a closed steel helmet facing left. Mottoes are not necessarily hereditary and can be adopted and changed at will. In Scotland, and in England where more than one motto has been adopted, they are often displayed above the crest. It is the actual shield itself which is the most important part of an heraldic achievement. Upon it are borne the various markings, known as charges, which make up the design.