"The helmet, called _galea_ by the Greeks, _cassis_ by the Romans, is called _helm_ (which signifies the head) by the Germans; whence the French _heaume_, and our _helmet_. It is of great account with the Germans: the helm and crest deriving their use from tournaments, whence arms took their origin; and this being with them the most essential mark of noblesse, neither the Germans nor French allow a new made gentleman to bear a helmet, but only a wreath of his colours; and when he is a gentleman of three descents, to bear a helmet with three barrs for his three descents (Menestrier, _Abrégé méthodique des Armoiries_, 1672, p. 28.; _Origine des Ornemens des Armoiries_, p. 2.). _Tymbre_ is the general word used for the casque or helm by the French. Menestrier, in his _Origine des Ornemens des Armoiries_, p. 13., says the modern heralds observe three things with regard to the _tymbre_: the matter, the form, and the situation. That kings should have their helmets of gold open, and in full front; princes and lords of silver, and somewhat turned with a certain number of barrs, according to their degree; gentlemen to have their helmets of steel, and in profile. Colombiere assigns a knight a helmet bordered with silver, barons with gold, counts and viscounts the like, and the barrs gold; marquisses the helm same, and damasked with gold; dukes and princes the gold helmet, damasked. And as to the barrs, new gentlemen without any; gentlemen of three descents, three barrs; knights and ancient gentlemen, five; barons seven; counts and viscounts nine; marquisses eleven. But Moreau, who first propagated these inventions (_Origine des Ornemens des Armoiries_, p. 17.), assigns to an emperor or king eleven, a prince or duke nine, a marquis and count seven, a baron five: whence it seems there is no {646} certain rule or uniform practice observed herein, unless in the situation of the helmet, wherein both the Germans and French account it more noble to bear an open helmet than a close one; but these are novel distinctions. Anciently, the helmets were all turned to the right, and close; and it is but some years since, says Menestrier (_Abrégé Méthodique_, 1672, p. 28.), that they began to observe the number of grilles or barrs, to distinguish the different degrees. But however ingenious these inventions are, it is certain that they are useless (as gold and silver helmets would be) because every rank of nobility is distinguished by the coronet proper to his degree. Whatever honour may be attributed to the helmet, the use of it with the arms is but modern; and upon the coins of kings and sovereign princes, where they are chiefly to be met with, the helmets are barred, and either full or in profile, as best suited the occasion; and upon the