Achievement

An achievement is the full display of a coat of arms with all of its parts. Along with the shield, it can include the helm, crest, torse, mantling, supporters, compartment, motto and any crown or coronet. Strictly, the coat of arms is just the shield.

Not every achievement has every part, and what it shows depends on what the coat of arms is used for. Most private arms in England show a shield, helm, crest, mantling and motto, while supporters are kept for a smaller group. The UK royal arms show the full set, with lion and unicorn supporters, a grassy compartment and the motto Dieu et mon droit. A simpler lesser version drops the helm, mantling and compartment and keeps only the crown as its crest.

The canvas in the coat of arms maker is laid out for a full achievement: room for a helm and crest above the shield, supporters at the sides and a motto below. The parts of a coat of arms guide labels each piece on a diagram.