Editing Peerages in the United Kingdom (section)

== Heraldry ==
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Peers are generally entitled to use certain [[coats of arms|heraldic devices]]. Atop the arms, a peer may display a [[coronet]]. Dukes were the first individuals authorised to wear coronets. Marquesses acquired coronets in the 15th century, earls in the 16th and viscounts and barons in the 17th. Until the barons received coronets in 1661, the coronets of earls, marquesses and dukes were [[engraving|engraved]] while those of viscounts were plain. After 1661, however, viscomital coronets became engraved, while baronial coronets were plain. Coronets may not bear any precious or semi-precious stones.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Generally, only peers may use the coronets corresponding to their ranks. The [[Bishop of Durham]], however, may use a duke's coronet atop the arms as a reference to the historical temporal authority of the Prince-Bishops of Durham.

Peers wear their coronets at coronations. Otherwise, coronets are seen only in heraldic representations, atop a peer's arms. Coronets include a [[silver]] [[gilding|gilt]] chaplet and a base of [[Ermine (heraldry)|ermine]] fur. The coronet varies with the rank of the peer. A member of the Royal Family uses a royal coronet instead of the coronet he or she would use as a peer or peeress.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

Ducal coronets include eight strawberry leaves atop the chaplet, five of which are displayed in heraldic representations. Marquesses have coronets with four strawberry leaves alternating with four silver balls, of which three leaves and two balls are displayed. Coronets for earls have eight strawberry leaves alternating with eight silver balls (called "pearls" even though they are not) raised on spikes, of which five silver balls and four leaves are displayed. Coronets for viscounts have 16 silver balls, of which seven are displayed. Finally, baronial coronets have six silver balls, of which four are displayed. Peeresses use equivalent designs, but in the form of a [[circlet]], which encircles the head, rather than a coronet, which rests atop the head.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

Peers are entitled to the use of [[supporter]]s in their achievements of arms. Hereditary supporters are normally limited to hereditary peers, certain members of the Royal Family, chiefs of Scottish Clans, Scottish feudal barons whose baronies predate 1587. Non-hereditary supporters are granted to life peers, [[Order of the Garter|Knights of the Garter]], [[Order of the Thistle|Knights of the Thistle]], [[Order of the Bath|Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Bath]], [[Order of St Michael and St George|Knights and Dames Grand Cross of St Michael and St George]], [[Royal Victorian Order|Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]], [[Order of the British Empire|Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the British Empire]], and [[Knight banneret|knights banneret]].

Peers, like most other armigers, may display [[helmet#Heraldry|helms]] atop their arms. Helms of peers are depicted in silver and facing the viewer's left. The helm is garnished in gold and the closed visor has gold bars, normally numbering five. Along with the helm, peers use a [[mantling]], one side of which is red and the other a representation of the heraldic fur ermine. The mantling of peers is emblazoned ''gules, doubled ermine''. Peeresses and other female armigers do not bear helms or mantlings.<ref>For all this section see, for example, Sir [[Bernard Burke]]'s ''General Armoury'' (1884) pp. xv–xx.</ref>