Cap (crown)
Encyclopedia
The cap of a crown
is the cap which fills the inner space of a modern crown. While ancient crowns contained no cap, from mediæval times it became traditional to fill the circlet
with a cap of velvet
or other such cloth, with a base of ermine
.
While the precise reason for the inclusion of a cap is unknown, two reasons are often given:
Not all crowns however contained cloth caps. Some caps were metal
lic and heavily jewel
led.
Crown (headgear)
A crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, honour and glory of life after death. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to...
is the cap which fills the inner space of a modern crown. While ancient crowns contained no cap, from mediæval times it became traditional to fill the circlet
Circlet
A circlet is a crown with neither arches nor a cap ....
with a cap of velvet
Velvet
Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed,with a short dense pile, giving it a distinctive feel.The word 'velvety' is used as an adjective to mean -"smooth like velvet".-Composition:...
or other such cloth, with a base of ermine
Ermine
Ermine has several uses:* A common name for the stoat * The white fur and black tail end of this animal, which is historically worn by and associated with royalty and high officials...
.
While the precise reason for the inclusion of a cap is unknown, two reasons are often given:
- to add to the visual impact of the crown, while showing off the golden circlet to maximum effect;
- to keep a monarchMonarchA monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
's head warm in drafty mediæval buildings during long coronationCoronationA coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
ceremonies or public events where crowns were worn.
Not all crowns however contained cloth caps. Some caps were metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
lic and heavily jewel
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
led.