ORDINARIES

The simple divisions of the field are called ORDINARIES. The illu~trations will indicate some of the more popular divisions and' parting lines. The most important are the CHIEF, FESS, BASE, PALE and CROSS. The CHIEF occupies the upper third of the shield. The FESS is a horizontal band and occupies the middle third while the BASE is the lower third of the shield. A PALE is known to' heraldists as a vertical band, also approximately one third of the shield face, which divides the shield in the center.

The list of geometric figures which are formed when the shield is divided into different fields by straight or curved partition lines are illustrated with a complete heraldic description. The illustrations are color-coded graphically and also include examples in their correct terminology. It would be helpful to study the preceding section on colors, tinctures and metals to avoid confusion.

HERALDIC COLORS AND TINCTURES COLOR CODE

Many armorial bearings employed in volumes are color-coded by an engraving method which identifies visually each color recorded by a series of lines or markings. The particular shade or density of any given color is incidental to the direction of the lines, which is the clue to the specified tincture to be used.

CHARGES

Previously, charges were mentioned as having started with the symbols used on seals. The extent of the charges and figures employed is unlimited and uninhibited. In describing a charge it is also necessary to specify the posture or position of most animals, because popular charges are listed under the section entitled "Symbolism in Heraldry", their position often distinguishes one coat from another.

THE HERALDIC LANGUAGE

Heraldry has a special vocabulary also. The wording was developed by the early heralds and its precise formation achieves a brevity by which a single word might indicate the position, posture and attitude of a charge. If one were to describe this charge in common terms, the resulting description would take several sentences. In heraldic terminology, the verbal or written description of an armorial bearing is a blazon. A knowledge of simple rules which govern the blazoning of arms is important to an understanding of the arms described.

In most cases the first word mentioned is the field or shield color. The next in importance is the major division of the shield, followed by the major charge in the description. Thereafter the remaining elements would follow in order reading from chief to base and dexter to sinister (top to bottom, left to right as you view the shield). In all cases the color of the charge follows the description of the charge. For example: a /ion rampant gules means that the lion is the charge, rampant indicates the position of the lion, gules or red tells us the color of the lion.

Colors are never repeated in a blazon. Therefore terms such as "of the first" and 'of the last" refer to the first. or the last color mentioned in the description. When two or more charges of the same color occur, the color is not mentioned until the end of the description relative to that color. Example:
a lion rampant between two roses gules.

THE CREST

The crest is found and pictured on the top of the helmet. The history of the crest is somewhat obscure and more than likely represents a symbol of the military leader. As a recognition symbol, it might not have anything to do with the arms. In fact most early coats of arms had no crest and those that do are probably of a later time. In the heraldry of some nations, the crest is absent and only a plain helmet or one with plumes of various colors is employed. These are primarily decorative and need not be assumed to bear any inherent meaning.