Crests

"The flat top of the helm was an obvious place to display an easily recognisable device and the crest was the result. This varied in complexity from a simple bunch of feathers to enormously elaborate recreations of heraldic beasts or symbolic objects, delightfully portrayed in the miniatures from the great collection of German love poetry in the Manesse manuscript. These were probably constructed out of light materials - cloth over a wooden frame, perhaps - and would have been totally impractical for real warfare."

From "Tournaments", Barber & Barker, 1989 Boydell Press

Crests for Chivalric competitors are requested (but not required) to help recreate the pageantry of the event. These crests will not be used in actual competition (unless you choose to wear it during the fighting) but will be for show only. Crests should be approximately 4" wide and 9" tall, and might reflect some element in your arms; however, your crest does not have to be registered. Please, no stuffed animals or anything blatantly mundane.

Crests are from "Arms and Uniforms: The Age of Chivalry", Lilian and Fred Funcken, Ward Lock Limited, London, 1980