Coronets Of Peers And Peeresses Coronets Of Peers And Peeresses Description This section is from " Every Woman's Encyclopaedia ". Also available from Amazon: Every Woman's Encyclopaedia . Coronets Of Peers And Peeresses The Power of Tradition-the Original Use of Coronets-the Coronet as the Distinctive Badge of Rank-the Coronets Worn by Members of Each Grade of the Peerage Notwithstanding De Foe's assertion that " titles are shadows, crowns but empty things," and the much more familiar Tennysonian aphorism that "true hearts are more than coronets," there is, and in all human probability always will be, a certain charm and fascination as well as dignity attached to a coronet. It is not merely an ensign of rank, though this in itself would suffice to account for much of its undoubted attractiveness.

Associated with it, as a rule , are an ancient and lofty lineage, an historic name distinguished in the Senate or " tented field ," broad acres, vast wealth, a princely mansion, and many social privileges and advantages which, in this very matter-of-fact world , are likely to outweigh all the sage utterances of poets , cynics , and philosophers. But a coronet is, of course, primarily and essentially a distinguishing badge of rank, worn only on great State occasions, as, for example, the coronation of a sovereign. In its inception, however, it was merely a personal ornament which played a useful part by confining the hair at the brows at a period when it was the fashion for men of noble birth or great wealth to wear long, curling locks falling over the shoulders . This custom prevailed till the middle of the fourteenth century; and at festivals or on occa-s ion s of special cere- Fig . I.

The coronet of the Prince of Wales, which differs from the Royal crown only by the absence of one of the arches mony or rejoicing, these fillets, or plain broad bands of gold , were usually adorned with leaves and berries, thus suggesting the subsequent or-namenta-tion of the coronet with which we are now so familiar. Fig. 2. Coronet of a prince or princess of the Blood Royal, without arches. Sons and daughters of the Sovereign retain the fleur' de-lis, but in the case of their children strawberry leaves are substituted The great nobles of those days, of course, wore these adornments, though not as a distin-guis hing mark of their exalted rank; and numerous examples of ladies wearing coronets of various descriptions are to be met with in the richly illuminated books of the fourteenth and fiteenth centuries. Previous to the reign of Edward IV. the form of the coronets worn by the nobility appears to have been designed according to the taste and fancy of the wearers, and not prescribed by authority.

It was not until a considerably later period that the style of the various coronets was definitely fixed, and their use rigidly restricted to the members of the peerage. As now worn, the coronet of each rank is of a distinctive character or design , and in every case the coronet of a peeress is similar to that of her noble husband , the only difference being in the size. Next in importance to the Crown of England is the coronet of the Prince of Wales, which r e -sembles it c 1 o s e 1 y (Fig. 1.Indeed, it differs from the Royal crown only by the ab-sence of one of the arches. Springing from the the Sovereign, in which strawberry leaves Fig. 3. Coronet worn by grandchildren of take the place of fleurs-de-lis Fig. 4. A ducal coronet, with its eight golden strawberry leaves. The coronets of peers and peeresses are alike in every respect except size.

No coronets of peers, except those belonging to the Royal Family , may be adorned with jewels golden circlet are four crosses pattee, and four fleurs-de-lis, the latter, of course, being emblematic of the now long-abandoned claim of the Kings of England to the throne of France, an absurd pretension which was not dropped officially until the coronation of George IV. The coronets of princes and princesses of the Blood Royal are without arches; the sons and daughters of the Sovereign retain the fleurs-de-lis (Fig. 2), but in the case of their children "strawberry leaves," of which more anon, are substituted for the French emblem (Fig. 3). The ducal coronet has undergone several modific a-tio ns in form since it was first i n t r oduced in 1337. when Prince Edward of Woodstock, better known as the Black Prince, was created Duke of Cornwall by his father , Edward III. As now worn, it has eight golden leaves of a conventional type-the "strawberry leaves," so called - set erect upon a circlet of gold, and having their stalks so connected as to form a wreath .

Of late years this coronet has enclosed a cap of rich crimson velvet , surmounted by a golden tassel , and lined and "guarded" with ermine (Fig. 4). The first noble to bear the title of Marquis in England was Robert de Vere, ninth Earl of Oxford, who, in 1383, was created Marquis of Dublin by Richard II.; John de Beaufort, son of John of Gaunt, who was created Marquis of Dorset in 1397, being the second. Here, again, several changes have taken place in the form of the coronet, but the prescribed design is now four leaves and as many large pearls-a semi-heraldic designation for silver balls (Fig. 5). The next grade in the British peerage is that of an earl, which, however, was the highest title and rank of English nobles until the Black Prince was created Duke of Cornwall. The earl of England was identical with the leaves and four pearls - a semi-heraldic Fig. 5. The coronet of a marquis bears four term for silver balls eight 'rays of gold, on each of which is a Fig. 6.

An earl's coronet is distinguished by pearl. Between each pair of rays is a strawberry leaf Comte or Compte of France; and so long as Norman -french continued to be spoken in this country, the English "earls" were styled counts and their ladies countesses. The coronet, which is one of the most striking, has, rising from a golden circlet, eight lofty rays of gold, each of which upon its point supports a small pearl, while between each pair of rays is a conventional leaf, the stalks of these leaves being connected with the rays and with each other so as to form a continuous wreath (Fig. 6). The title of Viscount was created in 1440 by Henry VI., John, Baron Beaumont, being the first to enjoy the new honour. It was not until the reign of James I., however, that a special coronet was assigned to this order of nobility, and the design then chosen was that of sixteen small pearls-or silver balls, set in contact on the edge of the circlet (Fig. 7).

The title of Baron is one of the oldest in the kingdom, but in the Middle Ages it was used indiscriminately, even by those who had no right or claim to rank as peers. The coronet is more modern. Charles II. granted it, and it has six large pearls set at equal distances on the chaplet (Fig. 8). With regard to the "strawberry leaves" which adorn the coronet of a duke, marquis, and earl, there has long raged a controversial storm in a tea-cup. The College of Heralds is unable to throw any light on the subject. But a writer in the " Encyclopaedia Londinensis" offers the following curious solution: "The decoration by the strawberry leaves is very ancient, and we do not doubt but the honour of adorning the brows of majesty was reserved to this humble plant in order to remind sovereigns that though elevated to so high a station in society they ought never to forget that they are but men, and but a single leaf in the great scale of Nature and in the dispensation of Divine Providence." Fig. 7.

A viscount's coronet is adorned with a row of sixteen small pearls, or silver balls, set in close connection to form a circlet. This coronet dates only from the reign of James I. pearls set at equal distances round the Fig. 8. A baron's coronet bears six large chaplet Coronet Contents Coronet Coronets are all based on the Chapeau or Cap of Maintenance and are therefore of a feudal land holding nature. Until the seventeenth century no distinction was made between Lords of Parliament and Barons who both wore the chapeau alone. In latter years a convention has arrived where the coronet denotes rank DUKE Four strawberry leaves interspersed with four silver balls on short spikes. EARL Eight strawberry leaves interspersed with eight silver balls on long spikes. VISCOUNT Sixteen silver balls on short spikes sitting on the circlet. LORD OF PARLIAMENT Six silver balls on short spikes sitting on the circlet. BARON (who is not a chief) A chapeau.

The chief of a family may use a 'ducal coronet' of four strawberry leaves (one plus two half leaves visible in a typical drawing) tinctured to indicate whether or not the chief is still in possession of the former estates. This achievement of the Duke of Hamilton taken from Sir Thomas Innes of Learney's book "Scots Heraldry" p33 shows a coronet of a duke immediately above the shield. Thereon two helmets befitting his degree, and for crests dexter, on a ducal coronet an oak tree fructed etc.sinister, on a chapeau gules, lined ermine, a salamander in flames proper etc. This wonderful achievement shows a proper regard for the ancient baronial status.

The Coronets of Members of the Royal Family and of the Peerage The Coronets of Members of the Royal Family and of the Peerage Noel Cox originally published in (1999) 22 The Double Tressure, the Journal of The Heraldry Society of Scotland 8-13 Unlike ordinary individuals, members of the royal family are not automatically entitled to arms, as the armorial bearings of the Sovereign are not hereditary as such, but are so-called arms of dominion or sovereignty.(1) Princely coronets also are as set by royal warrant, and are only granted to individuals, with the appropriate armorial ensigns.(2) These coronets of rank are not merely found on armorial bearings, they are also actually worn, as part of the official costume of rank. Those members of the royal family who hold peerages wear their coronets with the appropriate peerage robes. Those who are not peers or peerages wear the appropriate coronet with suitable dress, such as uniform or court dress. The coronets used with the arms of princes and princesses come in five forms, settled in 1662 by King Charles II.

What might be termed type I has been used by the heir apparent since 9 February 1662. This consists of alternating four crosses-patï¿½e and four fleurs-de-lis, and an arch (only three crosses-patï¿½e and two fleurs-de-lis visible). This is currently only used by Charles Prince of Wales, and is the same circlet as the St Edward's Crown. It is erroneously styled the Prince of Wales's crown or coronet, erroneously because it appertains to the heir apparent regardless of any title they may hold. Type II has been used for the sons and brothers of Sovereign, since 9 February 1662; and for the daughters and sisters of the Sovereign, since 19 November 1917. This is a coronet composed of four crosses-patï¿½e and four fleurs-de-lis alternately Or (only three crosses and two fleurs-de-lis visible). This is used by the Duke of York, the former Duchess of York, Prince Edward, Princess Royal, Princess Margaret, Princess Alice Duchess of Gloucester, and also by the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Coronet of HRH The Princess Royal (from a Garter Crest) Type III, is used for the sons of the heir apparent, since 9 February 1662; and for the daughters of heir apparent, since 19 November 1917; and formerly for the sons and daughters of sons of the Sovereign, from 1662 to 1917. This has alternatively two strawberry leaves, two crosses-patï¿½e and four fleurs-de-lis (only two strawberry leaves, one cross and two fleurs-de-lis visible). This would be used by Prince William of Wales, and Prince Henry of Wales, with any armorial bearings granted to them. Till the time of Edward VII this was also used for the daughters of the Sovereign. Lady Patricia Ramsay retained it even though she renounced her royal style and title. It was worn by the Duke of Cumberland in 1902, and (presumably) by his sister, Princess Frederica.

Type IV, for the sons of sons and brothers of the Sovereign being dukes, has been used since 9 February 1662; and for the non-ducal sons and daughters of sons of the Sovereign (other than the heir) and of brothers of the Sovereign, since 19 November 1917. This has alternatively four crosses-patï¿½e and four strawberry leaves (only three crosses and two leaves visible). This is the style used by the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duchess of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, and Princess Alexandra of Kent. It is available for Princess Beatrice of York, Princess Eugenie of York. The Coronet of HRH The Duke of Gloucester (from a Garter Crest) Type V, for the sons and daughters of daughters of the Sovereign, being styled His or Her Highness, has been available since 19 November 1917. This has alternatively four fleurs-de-lis and four strawberry leaves (only three fleurs-de-lis and two leaves visible).

It has not been in use by such people since the death of HH Princess Maud, born Lady Maud Duff (later HH the Countess of Southesk), in 1945. However, Princess Marie Louise, Hon Gerald Lascelles, did not wear robes or coronets, so this type may appertain to grandchildren throught daughters, who are peers or peeresses. It was granted 1917 to the Marchioness of Carisbrooke, and she actually wore it in 1937 and 1953. It was to have been lent to the Earl of Harewood 1953, but the Countess had to wear an ordinary countesses coronet as the marchioness attended herself, and there was only one coronet of this pattern. The coronets of these princes and princesses are borne in place of any peerage coronet to which the holder may otherwise be entitled. Thus whether a prince is or is not a duke is not apparent from their armorial bearings, unless they are sons of sons and brothers of the Sovereign, not being dukes, granted arms prior to 1917. There are none such alive today.

The then Princess Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret Rose, wore robes at the coronation of King George VI in 1937. They were loosely based on the king's coronation robes, and had trains. Their coronets, or rather golden circlets, conformed with the patterns for daughters of the Sovereign, namely four crosses-patï¿½e and four fleurs-de-lis alternately. The wearing of robes and coronets of rank is not uniquely British.(3) Nor are they confined to members of the royal family. Indeed, the robes worn by peers, both at coronations, and for formal sittings of the House of Lords, are well known. As early as the end of the fourteenth century the greater peers wore distinctive robes of state.(4) One of the first recorded instance was the robe conferred upon John Beaufort Earl of Somerset, in 1397. These included robes, mantles, and hoods of scarlet furred with miniver.(5) The mantles were open on the right shoulder, and guarded with two, three or four bars of miniver in the form of short stripes high up on the shoulder.

As with the gowns of judges, these were of the same general pattern as mediï¿½val doctors after the latter had adopted scarlet in about 1340. Dukes, marquesses, and earls received robes in the late fifteenth century, which resembled the almuce. Viscounts received robes in the sixteenth century. In the early seventeenth century the robes, or mantles, were of a circular cut, open from the shoulder on the right hand side, and with a short slit at the front of the neck. They might be fur-lined. From the centre front to the centre back, across the right shoulder, and side were miniver guards, consisting of bars of white fur with a gold lace edging above each bar. By 1685, when barons at last received robes of estate, the robes peers wore at coronations were standardised as being of crimson velvet cloaks or robes of foot length, extending slightly to trail the ground at the back, open front, lined and edged miniver fur, and a hood, tippet or cape of miniver. Later rows or "doublets" of black ermine tails(6) replaced the bars of miniver on the right shoulder.

The robes had sometimes varied to purple. The mantle was lined with white taffeta, with the mantle doubled from neck to below the elbow with ermine. By 1788 a white fur turn-down collar had been added to the ermine cape. These robes were given at the investiture and not worn again except at coronations. The coronet which is worn with the coronation robes, is now a silver-gilt circlet, has a crimson silk Genoa velvet lining, with a gold tassel and a band of ermine around the base, based on the old cap of estate,(7) which has been combined for over three hundred years. First conferred on kings and later on royal dukes, the cap of estate was conferred on John of Gaunt as Duke of Lancaster in 1362. It was later conferred on dukes, possibly encircled by a coronet. By the end of the fifteenth century it was given to marquesses.(8) The earls received it in 1546-7, viscounts (with plain fur rather than ermine) by King James I.(9) It was allowed to barons in 1661.

The original chaplet may well have been a wreath or garland, but became a gold circle, sometimes jewelled, often ornamented in the shape of flowers. The coronet proper appears in the fourteenth century, and the name itself from the late fifteenth century, first for earls and dukes. Marquesses had coronets from 1385, earls received a coronet in 1547, viscounts 1604 (although the evidence is conflicting(10)), and barons only in 1661. The rank of the wearer is indicated by the form of the coronet, as it is shown by the pattern of the robes. Dukes coronets, which, unlike their lesser peers, are of silver gilt (originally gold), have eight strawberry leaves. Marquesses have four strawberry leaves and four silver balls(11) a little raised on points or spikes from the rim of the coronet. Earls have eight strawberry leaves, and eight silver balls a little raised on points from the rim of the coronet. Viscounts have sixteen silver balls on the rim of the coronet. Barons have six silver balls on the rim of the coronet.

A ducal coronet (from a Garter Crest) To 1661 the circlet of earls and above were engraved, those of viscounts being plain. After 1661 barons had plain rims, and those of viscounts were engraved. In 1665 Scottish and Irish peers acquired the right to similar coronets. No real or artificial pearls or precious stones are permitted.(12) A baronial coronet (from a Garter Crest) Peeresses coronets are gold circlets, similar in form to those of peers, but considerably smaller. They are designed to sit on the top of the head. Girls and young women wear circlets rather than coronets, which encircle the head. Investiture, or Coronation Robes, and their coronets, have only been worn at Coronations since the formal investiture was replaced by the informal practice of introducing peers in 1621. Since then the investiture of the Prince of Wales, revived in 1911, alone remains as a reminder of the old practices.

The regalia, or Honours of the Principality of Wales, traditionally comprised the coronet, ring, rod, and mantle, as for any peer of high degree. The Tudors added the sword, and the girdle. The golden rod of the dukes disappeared with the formal investiture ceremony, but appears in the investiture of the Prince of Wales. Since 1911 the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff has kept the Prince of Wales's Verge, Prince of Wales's Sword, Prince of Wales's Coronet, and Prince of Wales's Ring, all made in 1911. These were removed 1968 for the forthcoming investiture, and returned 1969 with the new Prince of Wales's Coronet. The Prince of Wales's Coronet or chaplet (1911) is made to the ancient crown pattern. The design is by Sir William Goscombe John, RA, and it was made by Garrard and Company. As with the other 1911 items it used gold from Prince Edward Mine, near Trawsfyndydd, Gwynedd.

Within an outline of four crosses-pattï¿½e run sprays of roses, and within outlines of four fleur-de-lis are daffodils. The gems are pearls and amethysts. The 1969 Prince of Wales's Coronet is mounted with 12 emeralds and 75 diamonds. It weighs 3 lb (105 oz), and is of 24 carat gold, reinforced with iridium platinum. It was designed by Louis Osman, and made by David Mason. The design was approved January 1969. A copper mock-up was ready April 1969, and the final coronet was grown over a period of three days in an electroplating bath. The first version was flawed, and the golden sphere was given strength by being built around a resin ping-pong ball, silver-coated, placed in an electroplating vat of gold. The final coronet was only ready ten days before the investiture. There is a single arch surmounted by a symbolically engraved orb featuring a Welsh dragon, the corn stooks of the Earl of Chester, Prince of Wales's Feathers, and the bezants of the Duchy of Cornwall.

The four crosses pattï¿½e, and four fleurs-de-lis are of Welsh gold. The total cost was ï¿½3,600. It was the gift of the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company. The Prince of Wales's crown or coronet of 1728 was made for Frederick Louis, used in 1729 when he took his place in the House of Lords, where it was placed in front of him on a cushion. It was last used in this fashion by King Edward VII. Made of gold, the crown weights approximately 1 lb 14 oz, and has a single arch which is said to have been taken from the coronation crown of Mary of Modena. A silver-gilt crown was made 1901-1902 for George V when Prince of Wales, to attend the coronation of his father, King Edward VII, in 1902. It was used by the late Duke of Windsor for the coronation of King George V (and worn with the robes of a Knight of the Garter), and was sent to the Jewel House after his death in 1972.

It was made by Garrard and Company, weighs 11.4 oz, and has a cap of estate of red velvet turned up with ermine. Top (1) Licences may be granted by the Crown to use the royal arms, and they may be displayed in church to signify the royal supremacy; Re West Tarring Parish Church [1954] 2 All ER 591; [1954] 1 WLR 923n; Re St Paul, Battersea [1954] 2 All ER 595; [1954] 1 WLR 920. (2) The armorial bearings which were or are hereafter assigned to a grandchild of a Sovereign become hereditary after a royal warrant of 24 February 1975 signed on HMY Britannia: The Armorial Ensigns assigned by royal warrant to any grandchild of a Sovereign of these Realms (excepting the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall henceforth become heritable by the descendants of such grandchild with due and proper differences. The "due and proper differences" must include different coronet.

(3) Although Swedish princes possess princely coronets, these are not now worn. (4) In 1362 John of Gaunt, created Duke of Lancaster, received at his investiture a sword, a circlet or coronet of gold and precious stones, a cap of estate, and a golden rod. (5) Miniver, or minever, is a white fur, originally mixed or variegated, used for lining and trimming. (6) For a very long time past the original black-tipped tail of the ermine has been replaced by pieces of black fur cut out with a special steel punch. (7) Now invariably worn beneath the coronet. (8) Possibly on Robert de Vere, Marquess of Dublin (Edward IV). (9) Though it has been said that this was done in 1550. (10) See WH St John Hope, "The Cap of Maintenance" in LG Wykeham Legg, English Coronation Records (1902) appendix. (11) "Pearls".

Crowns, coronets and chapeaux CROWNS, CORONETS AND CHAPEAUX Crowns were not originally marks of sovereignty, but were bestowed on those who gained a prize at the Olympic games, and at the first were only bands or fillets, but subsequently they assumed various forms according to the peculiar feat of valour the person to whom they were granted performed. The CROWN, a distinctive badge of Royalty, was anciently made open, but is now closed at the top with four arches and is usually called the Imperial Crown. That used at the coronation of the sovereigns of England is made in imitation of the Crown supposed to have been worn by Edward the Confessor. The pressent imperial Crown has the rim adorned with four crosses pat�e, and as many Fleurs-de-lis alternately. From each cross rises an arched diadem closed at the top under a mound supporting a cross. The cap within the Crown is of the purple velvet (Heraldically represented crimson), and turned up with ermine. The CORONET of the prince of Wales is according to a warrant of Charles II.

dated 19 February, 1660, composed of a circle or fillet of gold, adorned with four crosses pat�e, and as many fleurs-de-lis alternately; the two centre crosses rises an arched diadem, closed at the top under a mound supporting A cross, one arch only from the centre cross appearing in the presentation. The cap is of crimson velvet, lined with white sarsnet, and turned up with ermine. The Prince of Wales also bears as a badge a plume of three ostrich feathers, encircled by a coronet adorned with crosses and fleurs-de-lis; the motto peculiar to this badge being Ich dien. The CORONET of the Prince of the Blood Royal is similar to that of the Prince of Wales, without the arched diadem. The cap is of crimson velvet, boarded with ermine, with a tassel of gold. The PRINCESSES bear a similar Coronet, but instead of the four crosses and as many fleurs-de-lis, is is adorned with three strawberry leaves alternately, with a similar number of fleurs-de-lis and crosses.

The Arms and Coronets of the members of the Royal Family are always assigned by the Sovereign to them individually. The Coronet of a DUKE is composed of a circlet of gold, chased as jewelled, having on it eight golden strawberry leaves, five of which are seen in representation. The cap is of crimson velvet, turned up ermine, thereon a golden tassel. It is sometimes used as a charge in armorial bearings, when it is called a Ducal Coronet, and is represented with only three strawberry leaves and without the cap,tassel or ermine. The Coronet of a MARQUESS is a circlet of gold, chased as jewelled, charged with four strawberry leaves and as many large pearls alternately; when represented, only two pearls and three leaves appear. The cap is similar to that of a Duke. An EARLS Coronet is a circlet of gold, chased as jewelled, upon which rise eight pyramidical points gold, each of which supports a large silver ball, the spaces between the points being filled up at the bottom with strawberry leaves of gold, not rising as high as the balls. Only five of the balls will appear when heraldry displayed.

the cap is the same as the Dukes and Marquess. A VISCOUNTS Coronet is a circlet of gold, chased as jewelled, supporting sixteen silver balls, seven of which appear in the representation. The Coronet of a BARON is a plain circlet of gold, thereon six balls, four of which are seen in the representation. The two last-named Coronets have the crimson velvet cap with the tassel, and the edging of ermine, the same as those as those of a Duke, Marquess, and Earl. The Coronet of a King OF ARMS is a silver gilt, formed of a circle, upon which is inscribed part of the first verse of the 51st Psalm,viz, Miserere mei Deus secundum magnam misericordiam tuam The rim is surmounted with sixteen leaves, in shape resembling the oak leaf, every alternative one being somewhat higher than the rest, nine of which appear in the profile view of it the cap is of crimson satin, closed at the top by a gol;d tassel, and turned up with ermine.

A crest- coronet or ducal coronet, on which, or issuing from which crests are often bourne, is composed of a circlet of gold chased and jewelled, having raised on it four strawberry leaves, three of which appear in representation. As the crown of Sovereign of England is not exactly similar to those borne by other potentates, so most of the Coronets of foreign noblemen are different from those of British peers. Dukes, Coronets, Strawberry Leaves, and Silver Balls - Simply Romance Simply Romance Dukes, Coronets, Strawberry Leaves, and Silver Balls Posted on by akfield April 21, 2014 Coat of Arms Duke of Sutherland “Good morning, sir,” said one child, on being introduced to the Duke of Sutherland at one Coronation.

“No, boy!” hissed his embarrassed father, “Say ‘Your Grace.'” “Beg pardon, father,” rejoined the child, and looking the Duke full in the face, cried: “For what we are to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful.” — Their Noble Lordships , Class and Power in Modern Britain, by Simon Winchester I recently overheard an (unpublished) romance writer complaining about the plethora of randy dukes who populate the Amazon bestseller lists. And she is right about the numbers. Of the top 100 Regency Romances on Amazon, I counted fifteen titles involving Dukes or Duchesses. It appears that there are currently thirty-one British dukedoms . An analysis of ancient, extinct and extant titles since the early nineteenth century (and I’m not doing that math) would likely reveal that there weren’t many more during the Regency period. Readers with a nose for historical accuracy will see the impossibility of finding that many virile, unmarried dukes desperate for romance.

The “Bachelor Duke” of Devonshire 1811 Source: Wikimedia But those who can suspend historical disbelief, and those with a nose for romance, know that this loftiest member of the peerage (addressed not as my “My Lord” but “Your Grace”) makes the perfect Regency hero–bred to responsibility, often emotionally isolated, and very, very rich. And rich he must be when it’s time to “suit up” for a coronation. Author Simon Winchester says the ducal coronet is made of solid gold, with “eight strawberry leaves round the rim, and fits around a velvet and ermine ‘cap of estate’ that stops the ducal brow from becoming chafed.” Hard to picture? Here it is: A mere marquess is adorned with four strawberry leaves and four silver balls: An earl with eight silver balls and eight strawberry leaves: A viscount with sixteen silver balls: And a baron a mere six silver balls. I imagine the more cash-strapped members of the peerage–and there must be some–are grateful their monarch is so long-lived.

British Peerage - Duke - Marquess - Earl British Peerage: Royal Dukedoms Style, His Royal Highness The Duke of __ With the exceptions of the dukedoms of Cornwall and Rothesay (which can only be held by the eldest son of the Sovereign), these dukedoms are hereditary according to the Letters Patent that created them, which contain the standard remainder "heirs male of his body". The British monarch also holds and is entitled to the revenues of the Duchy of Lancaster, and within the borders of the County Palatine of Lancashire is by tradition saluted as "The Duke of Lancaster" (even when the monarch is a Queen regnant, she does not use the title Duchess). She also rules the Channel Islands as Duke of Normandy. Past Royal Dukedoms include: * Albany * Albemarle * Bedford * Windsor * Clarence * Connaught * Cumberland * Hereford * Kendal * Sussex The Hanoverians occasionally combined two territorial designations into a single royal dukedom - for example, the Duke of York and Albany.

Other combinations included Gloucester and Edinburgh, Cumberland and Strathearn, Clarence and St Andrews, Kent and Strathearn, Cumberland and Teviotdale, Connaught and Strathearn and Clarence and Avondale. The idea was often to combine an English title with a Scottish one, emphasizing the unity of the (then new) United Kingdom. Such Hanoverian Dukes were generally also given an Irish title. The dukedoms of Albany and Cumberland are not vacant but were suspended in 1919, as their holders were also reigning German rulers when Britain was at war with Germany in World War I; there still exist heirs to these titles who could apply for their restoration. There was speculation that Prince Edward would receive a dukedom such as Cambridge or Sussex upon his marriage in 1999, but instead he received the lesser title Earl of Wessex. At the same time as his creation as Earl of Wessex, it was announced that Prince Edward will be created Duke of Edinburgh on the death of both of his parents as Prince Charles will succeed to the title on his father's death. The Dukedom of Edinburgh will become a non-royal dukedom with Prince Edward's descendants.

In the United Kingdom, there is nothing about a particular dukedom that makes it "royal". Rather, these peerages are called Royal Dukedoms because they are held by a member of the royal family who is entitled to the style Royal Highness. Although the term Royal Duke therefore has no official meaning per se, the category "Duke of the Blood Royal" was acknowledged as a rank conferring special precedence at court in the unrevoked 20th clause of the Lord Chamberlain's order of 1520. This decree accorded precedence to any peer related by blood to the Sovereign above all others of the same degree within the peerage. The order did not apply within Parliament, nor did it grant precedence above the Archbishop of Canterbury or other Great Officers of State such as is now enjoyed by royal dukes. But it placed junior Dukes of the Blood Royal above the most senior non-royal duke, junior Earls of the Blood Royal above the most senior non-royal earl, etc. It did not matter how distantly related to the monarch the peers might be (presumably they ranked among each other in order of succession to the Crown).

Although legally "time does not run against the King", so that the 1520 order is theoretically still in effect, in fact the "Blood Royal" clause seems to have fallen into desuetude sometime in the 19th century. Thus peers of the Blood Royal who are not grandchildren of a Sovereign no longer enjoy precedence above other peers. Under the 20 November 1917, Letters Patent of King George V, the titular dignity of Prince or Princess and the style Royal Highness are restricted to the legitimate children of a Sovereign, the sons of a Sovereign's sons, and the eldest living son ofthe eldest son of a Prince of Wales. For example, when the current Duke of Gloucester and Duke of Kent are succeeded by their eldest sons, the Earl of Ulster and the Earl of St. Andrews, respectively, those peerages (or rather, the 1928 and 1934 creations of them) will cease to be royal dukedoms, instead the title holders will become ordinary Dukes.

The third dukes of Gloucester and Kent will each be styled "His Grace" because as great-grandsons of George V, they are not Princes and are not styled HRH. Similarly, upon the death of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught (1850-1942), the third son of Queen Victoria, his only male-line grandson, Alastair Arthur Windsor, Earl of MacDuff (1914-43), briefly succeeded to his peerages. However, as a duke, the second Duke of Connaught, amale-line great grandson of Queen Victoria, he was simply styled "His Grace". The sovereign's eldest daughter is typically created Princess Royal, and her marriage may create an interesting situation. Princess Louise, daughter of King Edward VII, married the 6th Earl of Fife in 1889; he was elevated to the title Duke of Fife, and his wife was styled HRH The Duchess of Fife. The dukedom was a non-royal one and it continues today.

Princess Mary, daughter of King George V, married Viscount Lascelles-who succeeded as the 6th Earl of Harewood-in 1922, retaining her HRH; there was no elevation to a dukedom. Anne, Princess Royal, daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, has taken no title for herself or either of her commoner husbands, though there is absolutely nothing to impede the Sovereign creating a title-almost certainly an earldom, as for HRH Princess Margaret on her marriage to a commoner as Earl of Snowdon in 1961-at any time. Sons of the sovereign are usually granted a dukedom upon marriage. Queen Victoria made her some of her grandsons Royal Dukes. Queen Elizabeth II could choose to do the same. While non-royal dukes are entitled to a coronet of eight strawberry leaves, to bear at a coronation and on his coat of arms, royal dukes are entitled to princely coronets (four crosses patée alternating with four strawberry leaves). The coronets of the royal family are dictated by letters patent.

The Duke of York bears by letters patent, and the Duke of Edinburgh was granted in 1947 use of, the coronet of a child of the Sovereign (four crosses patée alternating with four fleurs-de-lis), while the Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay has use of the heir apparent's coronet, and the current Dukes of Gloucester and of Kent, as grandsons of a Sovereign bear the corresponding coronet. FAQ – Circlets and Coronets | Barony of Altavia FAQ – Circlets and Coronets By Cat Ellen (THL Eilidh Swann) My sincerest thanks to Baron Bruce Draconarius, Duchess Ceinwen, and Mistress Huette for their input and suggestions regarding this article. Some of the text is quoted from them, however all errors are my own. Please feel free to send comments about this page to eilidh@crescentwing.com for any corrections or updates. — Sincerely, Eilidh Swann (some kingdoms reserve 12 for Viscount/ess, 6 for Baron/ess) Circlet A circlet is a circle, usually made of metal, worn on the head.

It is the generic term — all coronets are circlets, but not all circlets are coronets. Fillet A fillet is a plain circlet, thin and unadorned. It is more like a wire than a band of metal. It has no points and no jewels. Coronet A coronet is usually acknowledged to be a metal circlet with at least one raised point. It is frequently jeweled as well. However, no definition is perfect. A coronet is one of those things that you know one when you see one. A good rule of thumb is, “If you wear it on your head, and people bow to it as they pass you, it’s a coronet.” Back to the top The Actual Laws Individual kingdoms can have their own sumptuary laws, which can add to (but not override) the SCA-wide laws. Caid has no sumptuary laws. We do have some pretty strong sumptuary traditions, though, and if you ignore them you should know how this could affect you.

There are only two sumptuary laws in the SCA that refer to coronets: (1) Coronets with strawberry leaves are reserved to dukes and duchesses.(2) Coronets with embattled rims are reserved to counts (earls) and countesses. That’s it. There’re no defined baronial or viscomital coronets, at least on the SCA-wide level. All normal-sized fillets without points or extensive jewels are okay for anyone to wear, in Caid. All coronets are reserved for Dukes, Duchesses, Counts, Countesses, Viscounts, Viscountesses, Barons, and Baronesses. In Caid, a single point is traditionally found on the Baronial coronets. Found on the Ansteorran website, “Pointy Hats” defined: “There are two subgroups which make up the Peerage: the Royal Peers and the Orders conferring a Patent of Arms. Royal Peers are Dukes and Duchesses, Counts and Countesses, and Viscounts and Viscountesses.

These, together with Barons and Baronesses, are referred to as the Nobility.” Thus, “pointy hats” are “the Nobility.” Back to the top How To Understand The Laws and Traditions Okay. So you’re brand new and you really like a circlet that you found at the local merchant booth. Should you buy it? What if someone already bought one for you as a present — can you wear it? A Good Rule of Thumb: If you see a part of the circlet that goes up to a point or raises up at all from the headband section, the slang for that is a “pointy hat” and these are restricted either by law or tradition to persons who have been awarded a rank or station appropriate to that coronet. Typically, if you see someone with a coronet on their head, it is polite to nod and/or curtsey/bow to them. Certainly, treating them politely and with respect is a good idea. If you find yourself walking along and people are bowing or curtseying in front of you, perhaps your circlet is being interpreted as a coronet.

In some Kingdoms, wearing a circlet made of metal (a fillet) is limited to those who have been awarded at least the first level of rank within the Society: an Award of Arms, or the title “Lord” or “Lady” (with a capital “L”). This is not the case in the Kingdom of Caid, where the Shire of Darach is located. Anyone can use a fillet to hold on a veil or keep their hair out of their eyes. You may think this sounds confusing. Here are some graphics to help you out a little bit. Although the drawings show a woman’s veil, these drawings are equally applicable to men’s fashions. Let’s say you’re planning to wear a veil on your head. A small fillet would be a great first choice. In some kingdoms, not Caid, the metal circlet is reserved for Award of Arms level awards (the title Lord or Lady with a Capital “L”). In theory, a broad band circlet may also be chosen. It could be made of almost any material: metal, fabric, leather, etc. But if you use too broad a band, it can be confused with a coronet, despite the lack of raised points.

Remember, if people treat it as a coronet (e.g. bow to it), it’s a coronet. In some kingdoms, not Caid, specific broad widths are reserved for certain levels of awards. A very simple metal fillet could be made of chainmail. Some people find these very comfortable because they are not rigid. A circlet of flowers is, of course, a wreath. Wreaths of roses are reserved to the Ladies of the Rose (women who have ruled as Queen at least once in the past). Other flowers are probably fine, at least in Caid. And of course, not many men wear wreaths of flowers to hold scarves or veils on their heads. A circlet of laurels is reserved for the Laurels (the highest award for outstanding work in an Art or Science). A cap of maintenance is also reserved for Pelicans (the highest award for outstanding work in Service). [This side-view drawing of a cap of maintenance is somewhat limited, my apologies for the drawing.] Please note: Laurels are not required to wear laurel wreaths, and laurel wreaths are not required to be only green and leafy.

Certainly a Laurel could be wearing a subtle and cunning design in metal, fabric, embroidery — you name it! And certainly there are plenty of Laurels and Pelicans who are not wearing any specific head decorations (caps or circlets) that denote their rank and title. Just know that “laurels” are reserved for Laurels, and “caps of maintenance” are reserved for Pelicans. You probably won’t make mistakes when you’re designing your first garb — but you’ll recognize a laurel wreath or a cap of maintenance when you see one! A coronet with a single point or a single decoration in the front is NOT formally reserved for just Barons or Baronesses. But because there is a raised point, it is unquestionably a coronet, and therefore should not be worn by just anyone. It is our tradition in Caid that Barons and Baronesses wear these coronets, but there is nothing stopping a Countess or Count from wearing one as well. This coronet is best worn only after you have been awarded at least the rank of a Court Baron/ess. These six examples are all similar. They are all coronets, and may be worn by anyone with the right to a coronet.

When you see one, you could reasonably guess you have seen a Royal Peer (someone who has served as a King, Queen, Prince, or Princess in the past). But they’re not legally limited to Royal Peers. That means that there are Baronial coronets that look remarkably like these pictures. * Refreshing your memory: one of the two Society-wide rules: (2) Coronets with embattled rims are reserved to counts (earls) and countesses. So both the Embattled and Embattled Wavy examples above ARE limited to specifically Counts/Countesses. You will not see a Baron/ess wearing an embattled coronet. ** In some kingdoms, coronets rimmed with pearls are reserved. “Pearls” in this case refers to spheres set atop the coronet’s rim. They need not be actual pearls, in fact they’re often silver. Those kingdoms generally reserve coronets with 12 pearls to Viscounts and Viscountesses (someone who has ruled as the Prince or Princess of a Principality at least once), and coronets with six pearls to Barons and Baronesses (court and landed). You should be aware that coronets of any kind are limited to those who’ve earned them.

And though we have no laws regarding pearled coronets in Caid or the SCA, we know what they mean, and our traditions are strong in that regard. (And if you ever move to another kingdom, you could get in serious trouble.) And finally, strawberry leaves on a coronet are reserved by law, to Ducal peers. Note that the law does not limit the number of strawberry leaves on ducal coronets. The most common number is four: front & back, and on each side. Each strawberry leaf is a three-lobed leaf. But they can have as many leaves as they want, in bunches or spaced out; doesn’t matter. Strawberry leaves make it a ducal coronet, not the number of them. Back to the top More Resources There is a wonderful site showing proper ways to wear a veil and proper ways to wear a circlet or coronet on a veil, based on period pictures, sculptures, and drawings. If you go to you’ll find wonderful photos and drawings, great instructions for keeping a veil on, even without a circlet.

You can also find other SCA or SCA-related sites that show photos of coronets, both currently worn by members of the SCA (such as the examples found under ), some historical examples from heraldry (such as ), or samples from an artisan’s line of coronets (such as ). Of course this article does not endorse any specific artisan or merchant, so please take my example link as it is intended, just as a sample of the kinds of photos you can find on the internet for coronet examples. Back to the top FAQs based on content that is © 2006 Shire of Darach, Cat Ellen (THL Eilidh Swann), and others as stated in the FAQs Many of the graphics on these pages were generated by Ursula Messerschmitt and are used with permission. Circlets and Coronets - Compendium Caidis Circlets and Coronets My sincerest thanks to Baron Bruce Draconarius , Duchess Ceinwen ferch Rhys ap Gawain , and Mistress Huette Aliza von und zu Ährens und Mechthildberg for their input and suggestions regarding this article. Some of the text is quoted from them, however all errors are my own.

— Sincerely, Eilidh Swann Contents Embattled Wavy *(society-reserved for Count/ess) Pearls ** (some kingdoms reserve) 12 Raised Pearls **(some kingdoms reserve 12 for Viscount/ess, 6 for Baron/ess) Circlet: A circlet is a circle, usually made of metal, worn on the head. It is the generic term — all coronets are circlets, but not all circlets are coronets. Fillet: A fillet is a plain circlet, thin and unadorned. It is more like a wire than a band of metal. It has no points and no jewels. Coronet: A coronet is usually acknowledged to be a metal circlet with at least one raised point. It is frequently jeweled as well. However, no definition is perfect. A coronet is one of those things that you know one when you see one.

A good rule of thumb is, "If you wear it on your head, and people bow to it as they pass you, it's a coronet." The Actual Laws Individual kingdoms can have their own sumptuary laws, which can add to (but not override) the SCA-wide laws. Caid has no sumptuary laws. We do have some pretty strong sumptuary traditions, though, and if you ignore them you should know how this could affect you. There are only two sumptuary laws in the SCA that refer to coronets: Coronets with strawberry leaves are reserved to dukes and duchesses. Coronets with embattled rims are reserved to counts (earls) and countesses. That's it. There're no defined baronial or viscomital coronets, at least on the SCA-wide level. Some Traditions All normal-sized fillets without points or extensive jewels are okay for anyone to wear, in Caid. All coronets are reserved for Dukes, Duchesses, Counts, Countesses, Viscounts, Viscountesses, Barons, and Baronesses. In Caid, a single point is traditionally found on the Baronial coronets.

Found on the Ansteorran website, "Pointy Hats" defined: "There are two subgroups which make up the Peerage: the Royal Peers and the Orders conferring a Patent of Arms. Royal Peers are Dukes and Duchesses, Counts and Countesses, and Viscounts and Viscountesses. These, together with Barons and Baronesses, are referred to as the Nobility." Thus, "pointy hats" are "the Nobility." How To Understand The Laws and Traditions Okay. So you're brand new and you really like a circlet that you found at the local merchant booth. Should you buy it? What if someone already bought one for you as a present — can you wear it? A Good Rule of Thumb: If you see a part of the circlet that goes up to a point or raises up at all from the headband section, the slang for that is a "pointy hat" and these are restricted either by law or tradition to persons who have been awarded a rank or station appropriate to that coronet. Typically, if you see someone with a coronet on their head, it is polite to nod and/or curtsey/bow to them.

Certainly, treating them politely and with respect is a good idea. If you find yourself walking along and people are bowing or curtseying in front of you, perhaps your circlet is being interpreted as a coronet. In some Kingdoms, wearing a circlet made of metal (a fillet) is limited to those who have been awarded at least the first level of rank within the Society: an Award of Arms, or the title "Lord" or "Lady" (with a capital "L"). This is not the case in the Kingdom of Caid, where the Shire of Darach is located. Anyone can use a fillet to hold on a veil or keep their hair out of their eyes. You may think this sounds confusing. Here are some graphics to help you out a little bit. Although the drawings show a woman's veil, these drawings are equally applicable to men's fashions. Let's say you're planning to wear a veil on your head. A small fillet would be a great first choice. In some kingdoms, not Caid, the metal circlet is reserved for Award of Arms level awards (the title Lord or Lady with a Capital "L"). In theory, a broad band circlet may also be chosen.

It could be made of almost any material: metal, fabric, leather, etc. But if you use too broad a band, it can be confused with a coronet, despite the lack of raised points. Remember, if people treat it as a coronet (e.g. bow to it), it's a coronet. In some kingdoms, not Caid, specific broad widths are reserved for certain levels of awards. A very simple metal fillet could be made of chainmail. Some people find these very comfortable because they are not rigid. A circlet of flowers is, of course, a wreath. Wreaths of roses are reserved to the Ladies of the Rose (women who have ruled as Queen at least once in the past). Other flowers are probably fine, at least in Caid. And of course, not many men wear wreaths of flowers to hold scarves or veils on their heads. A circlet of laurels is reserved for the Laurels (the highest award for outstanding work in an Art or Science). A cap of maintenance is also reserved for Pelicans (the highest award for outstanding work in Service).

[This side-view drawing of a cap of maintenance is somewhat limited, my apologies for the drawing.] Please note: Laurels are not required to wear laurel wreaths, and laurel wreaths are not required to be only green and leafy. Certainly a Laurel could be wearing a subtle and cunning design in metal, fabric, embroidery — you name it! And certainly there are plenty of Laurels and Pelicans who are not wearing any specific head decorations (caps or circlets) that denote their rank and title. Just know that "laurels" are reserved for Laurels, and "caps of maintenance" are reserved for Pelicans. You probably won't make mistakes when you're designing your first garb — but you'll recognize a laurel wreath or a cap of maintenance when you see one! A coronet with a single point or a single decoration in the front is NOT formally reserved for just Barons or Baronesses. But because there is a raised point, it is unquestionably a coronet, and therefore should not be worn by just anyone. It is our tradition in Caid that Barons and Baronesses wear these coronets, but there is nothing stopping a Countess or Count from wearing one as well.

This coronet is best worn only after you have been awarded at least the rank of a Court Baron/ess. These six examples are all similar. They are all coronets, and may be worn by anyone with the right to a coronet. When you see one, you could reasonably guess you have seen a Royal Peer (someone who has served as a King, Queen, Prince, or Princess in the past). But they're not legally limited to Royal Peers. That means that there are Baronial coronets that look remarkably like these pictures. * Refreshing your memory: one of the two Society-wide rules: (2) Coronets with embattled rims are reserved to counts (earls) and countesses. So both the Embattled and Embattled Wavy examples above ARE limited to specifically Counts/Countesses. You will not see a Baron/ess wearing an embattled coronet. ** In some kingdoms, coronets rimmed with pearls are reserved. "Pearls" in this case refers to spheres set atop the coronet's rim. They need not be actual pearls, in fact they're often silver.

Those kingdoms generally reserve coronets with 12 pearls to Viscounts and Viscountesses (someone who has ruled as the Prince or Princess of a Principality at least once), and coronets with six pearls to Barons and Baronesses (court and landed). You should be aware that coronets of any kind are limited to those who've earned them. And though we have no laws regarding pearled coronets in Caid or the SCA, we know what they mean, and our traditions are strong in that regard. (And if you ever move to another kingdom, you could get in serious trouble.) And finally, strawberry leaves on a coronet are reserved by law, to Ducal peers. Note that the law does not limit the number of strawberry leaves on ducal coronets. The most common number is four: front & back, and on each side. Each strawberry leaf is a three-lobed leaf. But they can have as many leaves as they want, in bunches or spaced out; doesn't matter. Strawberry leaves make it a ducal coronet, not the number of them.

More Resources There is a wonderful site showing proper ways to wear a veil and proper ways to wear a circlet or coronet on a veil, based on period pictures, sculptures, and drawings. If you go to you'll find wonderful photos and drawings, great instructions for keeping a veil on, even without a circlet. You can also find other SCA or SCA-related sites that show photos of coronets, both currently worn by members of the SCA (such as the examples found under ), some historical examples from heraldry (such as ), or samples from an artisan's line of coronets (such as ). Of course this article does not endorse any specific artisan or merchant, so please take my example link as it is intended, just as a sample of the kinds of photos you can find on the internet for coronet examples. Peers' Robes - Ede & Ravenscroft Peers' Robes Peers' Robes Peers' Robes From the very first days of business in 1689, Ede & Ravenscroft has provided robe makers with the skills and craftsmanship to produce peers' dress.

Peers' Parliamentary Robes About Peers' Robes The ranks of the peerage are: Baron, Viscount, Earl, Marquess and Duke. Each rank has its own ceremonial dress. Full regalia is worn at the coronation of a Sovereign and at the State Opening of Parliament. From the very first days of business, Ede & Ravenscroft has provided peers' dress for ceremonial occasions. Peers wear two kinds of ceremonial outfits: their coronation robes and parliamentary robes. Both designs date back at least 400 years. Robes are handed down the generations. This calls for Ede & Ravenscroft to care for their appearance so that each new generation feels and looks as comfortable and dignified as the previous generation. In 1614 a barrister called John Selden published ‘Titles of Honour’. In it he described the peers’ robes in detail. His descriptions virtually match to the last detail the robes worn by today’s peers. Peers in their robes The Earl of Lichfield with his Coronation Robe and Coronet Peeress' Coronation Robes Instead of a loose cape as worn by peers, a peeress’s robe is close fitting, open down the front and with short fitted sleeves.

A small cape is worn across the shoulders. In addition to rows of spots on the cape, the peeress’s two other symbols of rank are designed into the dress: the width of the edging and length of train. The ranks are: Duchess - 2 yard train and 5-inch edging Marchioness - 13/4 yard train and 4-inch edging Countess - 1½ yard train and 3-inch edging Viscountess - ¼ yard train and 2-inch edging Baroness - 1 yard train and 2-inch edging Coronets Peers' Coronation Robes In the last 300 years Peers’ coronation robes have only been used twelve times. Made of crimson silk velvet, the rows extend around the full width of the Cape, with half rows reaching from the right front edge to the centre back. These rows of spots reveal a Peer’s rank. Duke - 4 rows Viscount - 2½ rows Baron - 2 rows The Duchess of Buccleuch, Mistress of the Robes at the coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII, with her page Coronets The pivotal moment during a coronation is when the Archbishop of Canterbury places St.

Edward’s Crown on the head of the new Sovereign. From this point, and for the rest of the service, peers wear their coronets. Every coronet has a crimson silk velvet lining with a gold tassel in its centre, trimmed with a band of ermine around the base. Each coronet is styled according to the peer’s rank: Duke - A gold circlet with 8 strawberry leaves Marquess - A silver-gilt circlet with 4 strawberry leaves alternating with 4 silver balls slightly raised on points Earl - A silver-gilt circlet with 8 strawberry leaves alternating with 8 silver balls raised on points Viscount - A silver-gilt circlet with 16 silver balls set on the rim Baron - A silver-gilt circlet with 6 silver balls set on the rim Peeress’ coronets have identical designs but are smaller and rest on the top of the head. Peers' Parliamentary Dress Peers' Parliamentary Robes Seated together in the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament, the robed peers form a sea of scarlet, gold and white. Meticulously maintained, refurbished and altered, ceremonial robes rarely need replacing.

Made from scarlet superfine faced cloth, a durable tightly woven wool fabric, they were finely trimmed with three-inch wide bars, and two-inch wide gold oak leaf lace. The number of bars and gold reveals the wearer’s rank: Duke - 4 rows

Question: Which leaves adorn the coronets of dukes and earls?
Answer: STRAWBERRY