"Chapeau" is a French term signifying a
hat or other covering for the head. In
heraldry, it is used as a mark of
ecclesiastical dignity, especially that of
cardinals, which is called the red chapeau. It is worn over the shield by way of
crest, as
mitres and
coronets are.A chapeau is flat, very narrow atop, but with a broad brim, adorned with long silken strings interlaced; suspended from within with rows of
tassels, called by the Italians focci, increasing in number as they come lower. The hat was given to them by
Innocent IV in
1250, but was not used in arms till the year
1300. Until that time, the cardinals were represented with
mitres.
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