Cap of Maintenance

Cap of Maintenance

A Cap of Maintenance is a ceremonial crimson velvet cap lined with ermine. It is one of the insignia of the British sovereign, and paraded directly before the monarch during the coronation procession or on such state occasions as the State Opening of Parliament. It is carried by the Leader of the House of Lords, upon a white wand.

A similar cap is used throughout British heraldry, and is worn inside the coronet of Lords. For this reason, it is also borne before the Lord Mayor of the City of London and Lord Mayors of other cities.

The origin of this symbol of dignity is obscure. It may have had a purely practical origin being used to help a crown fit more firmly or to protect the head from bare metal on the crown.

According to the "Oxford English Dictionary" it was granted by the pope to Henry VII and Henry VIII. It is probably connected with the cap of estate or dignity, sometimes also styled Cap of Maintenance, similar to the royal symbol with two peaks or horns behind, which is borne as a heraldic charge by certain families. It seems originally to have been a privilege of dukes. Where it is used the crest is placed upon it, instead of on the usual wreath.

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/03/uk_politics_state_opening_of_parliament/html/3.stm The Crown, Cap and Sword] get their own coach on a trip to the Palace of Westminster.
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/03/uk_politics_state_opening_of_parliament/html/5.stm The Cap of Maintenance] and the Sword of State are carried before the Queen in the procession of the State Opening of Parliament.
*1911


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cap of maintenance — Cap Cap (k[a^]p), n. [OE. cappe, AS. c[ae]ppe, cap, cape, hood, fr. LL, cappa, capa; perhaps of Iberian origin, as Isidorus of Seville mentions it first: Capa, quia quasi totum capiat hominem; it. capitis ornamentum. See 3d {Cape}, and cf. 1st… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cap of maintenance — Maintenance Main te*nance, n. [OF. maintenance. See {Maintain}.] 1. The act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense; vindication. [1913 Webster] Whatsoever is granted to the church for God s honor and the maintenance of his service, is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cap of Maintenance — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Una Cap of Maintenance es una capa de terciopelo carmesí que se usa en ceremonias que está adornado en armiño. Es una de las insignias de la soberanía británica, y es utilizada por el monarca durante la procesión… …   Wikipedia Español

  • cap of maintenance — also cap of dignity or cap of estate 1. : a cap formerly worn as a symbol of office or high rank and still used as the cap of state borne before the British sovereign on certain ceremonial occasions and in modified form as the lining of British… …   Useful english dictionary

  • cap of maintenance — Brit. a cap or hat worn or carried as a symbol of official dignity. → cap …   English new terms dictionary

  • Maintenance — Main te*nance, n. [OF. maintenance. See {Maintain}.] 1. The act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense; vindication. [1913 Webster] Whatsoever is granted to the church for God s honor and the maintenance of his service, is granted to God.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cap — (k[a^]p), n. [OE. cappe, AS. c[ae]ppe, cap, cape, hood, fr. LL, cappa, capa; perhaps of Iberian origin, as Isidorus of Seville mentions it first: Capa, quia quasi totum capiat hominem; it. capitis ornamentum. See 3d {Cape}, and cf. 1st {Cope}.] 1 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cap in hand — Cap Cap (k[a^]p), n. [OE. cappe, AS. c[ae]ppe, cap, cape, hood, fr. LL, cappa, capa; perhaps of Iberian origin, as Isidorus of Seville mentions it first: Capa, quia quasi totum capiat hominem; it. capitis ornamentum. See 3d {Cape}, and cf. 1st… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cap money — Cap Cap (k[a^]p), n. [OE. cappe, AS. c[ae]ppe, cap, cape, hood, fr. LL, cappa, capa; perhaps of Iberian origin, as Isidorus of Seville mentions it first: Capa, quia quasi totum capiat hominem; it. capitis ornamentum. See 3d {Cape}, and cf. 1st… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cap of a cannon — Cap Cap (k[a^]p), n. [OE. cappe, AS. c[ae]ppe, cap, cape, hood, fr. LL, cappa, capa; perhaps of Iberian origin, as Isidorus of Seville mentions it first: Capa, quia quasi totum capiat hominem; it. capitis ornamentum. See 3d {Cape}, and cf. 1st… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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