Are heraldic charges merely geometric designs or symbolic representations of the natural world?
In short: In the intricate language of heraldry, a charge is any emblem occupying a shield. These range from rigid geometric ordinaries to diverse mobile charges like animals, plants, or legendary creatures. While these symbols define the flavour of armory, the rules governing their classification remain a subject of constant, centuries-old debate.
A charge is any device placed upon the field of an escutcheon. These are broadly split into two categories: ordinaries, which reach the edges of the shield, and mobile charges, which are independent of the shield's shape. While mobile charges can depict almost anything—from human figures to inanimate objects—the ordinaries are defined by their geometric construction. Common examples include the fess, a horizontal stripe, and the chevron, which resembles an inverted letter V.
The classification of these ordinaries is notoriously contentious. While some writers argue that exactly nine are 'honourable', there is no consensus on which ones deserve that status. Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, a prominent author who lived from 1871 to 1928, famously dismissed the entire debate as an 'utter absurdity', arguing that these shapes are simply 'first charges'. Historically, writers like Leigh, Holme, and Guillim suggested these shapes should occupy one-third of the field, while later figures like Edmondson preferred one-fifth to avoid a clumsy appearance.
Beyond the primary ordinaries, a vast array of geometric charges exists, such as the lozenge, which resembles a playing card diamond, and the mascle, a lozenge with a hole in the center. These are often categorized as sub-ordinaries, though their distinction from other charges is frequently arbitrary. Whether a charge is a simple stripe or a complex legendary beast, its placement and style—sometimes even rendered as a silhouette or 'umbrated' shadow—transform a plain shield into a sophisticated heraldic statement.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Charge (heraldry)
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