Crown

a circlet worn on the head as an ornamental mark of honor, or emblem of authority. The Greek crown placed on the head of the victor in the national games consisted of a garland of laurel. The Romans bestowed a number of crowns,--a garland of wild flowers on the general who relieved a beleaguered garrison; a garland of oak leaves and acorns on him who saved the life of a Roman citizen in battle; and a golden band surmounted by miniature turrets on the first to scale the walls of the enemy. The Roman bride wore a garland of flowers of her own plucking and weaving.

The crown of authority of sovereignty is supposed to be derived from the diadem of the Persians. Alexander the Great wore a crown. Charlemagne was crowned with the iron crown of the Lombards. His imperial crown of heavy, pure gold, adorned with hundreds of large, uncut precious gems, and ornamented with inscriptions and enamels, is kept at Vienna. The triple crown of the pope is called his tiara. The royal crown of Great Britain consists of a band of gold enriched with precious stones and pearls, and heightened by four Maltese crosses alternating with fleur de lis. Imperial arches spring from the crosses, uniting under a mound, above which rises a jeweled cross. The heir to the throne, royalty of each degree, and earls are entitled to wear coronets.

The term crown is used also in the sense of royal authority and the state. Thus the English speak of the prerogative of the crown, crown lands, crown ministers, crown lawyers, crown officers. Crimes, which in this country are called offenses against the state, are in the United Kingdom offenses against the crown. The governor-general of Canada is said to be appointed by the crown.