The crowns of kings and emperors are closed above, whilst the coronet of a noble is merely an open circlet surrounding the head; hence, to close the U. has been the ambition of princes desirous of shaking off the authority of feudal superiors, and assuming a com plete sovereignty.
The royal C. of Great Britain is a circle of gold enriched with stones and pearls, and heightened with four crosses pattee, and four fleurs-de-lis alternately. From these rise four arch-diadems, adorned with pearls, which close under a mound, ensigned with a cross pattee. The C. used at the coronation of queen Victoria was adorned in accordance with the taste of the present time.
The coronet of the prince of Wales is a circle of gold, set round with crosses pattee and fleurs-de-lis, but has only one arch, decorated with pearls, surmounted with a mound and cross, and bordered with ermine. In addition to his coronet, the prince of Wales has a cognizance consisting of three ostrich feathers, argent, quilled or, cnflled with a prince's coronet of the ir.st, with an escrol azure, whereon are the German words Ich dien (I serve). For the traditionary origin of this badge, see PRINCE OF WALES.
The younger sons and brothers of the sovereign wear as coronet a circle of gold, bordered ermine, heightened with fleurs-de-lis, crosses pattlie, and strawberry leaves alternately. Nephews of the blood-royal have strawberry leaves on their coronets, where the sons and brothers have fleurs-de-lis. Princesses-royal have a circle of gold, bordered with ermine, and heightened with crosses pattee, fleurs-de-lis, and strawberry leaves alternately. For the coronets of the different orders of nobility, see their titles.
'TILE is a term often employed to signify the state, and the matters under control of the executive authority. Thus, in the interests of the state there are C. min isters, C. lawyers, C. officers, C. lands, etc.—the term, in no instance, having any special connection with the sovereign personally. In Scotland. certain high crimes are techni cally called pleas of the crown. These are four in number—murder, robbery, rape, and willful tire-raising—and fall within the jurisdiction of the high court of justiciary. Like wise, in Scotland, them is a functionary styled C. agent. Be is is practicing law-agent or solicitor, who, under the lord advocate and his deputies, takes charge of criminal proceedings. Ills duty is to receive from the procurators-fiscal of the different counties the precognitions which they have taken, and to lay these precognitions before the law. yens for the crown, that they may determine whether-there is ground sufficient to call for prosecution. He also expedes indictments and criminal letters, and otherwise discharges the duties of an agent in preparing and assisting in the conduct of trials before the high court of justiciary, which are generally superintended or conducted by the solicitor general. The appointment of the C. A. is with the lord advocate, and ceases with the administration.