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THE HERALDIC MEANING OF THE MANTLING

Mantling represents the cloth covering worn by knights to protect their helmets from the elements. Sometimes mantling is drawn intact; but occasionally it is tattered, as if in battle. This is usually at the individual's discretion for decorative rather than symbolic reasons.

In heraldry, mantling is drapery depicted tied to the helmet, creating a backdrop for the shield. The description of Mantling in the blazon is, for the example above, "mantled or, doubled sable"; this indicates that the cloth has two sides, one of the heraldic colour Or (gold, yellow) and the double, or lining of sable (black). 

The mantling is usually in the main colours of the shield (but not in the above case), or else in colours that symbolize the person bearing the arms.