What is a mantle?
The mantle is an ornamental design, often depicted in armorials of coats of arms as draping the helmet to both sides of the shield. Originally, a lambrequin or textile covering was worn over the helmet and hung to below the shoulders to protect the knight and his armor from heat and moisture. When worn in battle, the lambrequin was subject to sword slashing and hacking and often ended up in tatters and literally “cut to ribbons”. In their renditions of coats of arms, heraldic artists would embellish this torn textile covering by adding their own artistic flourishes. The colors of the mantle usually reflect the predominant color of the shield and crest.
