SCA - West Kingdom College of Heralds

Heraldic Templates -- 'Other Charges'

The following links are to pages that contain images that you can use to help design your armory -- this set of images are for all charges that do not fit into other categories as they are used in heraldry. Note that due to size, this will be broken down, and links at the bottom of this page (and at the top) will take you to other groups of charges. These are all listed alphabetically ...

Instructions (please read):

If you want to use this for your heraldic submission, or print it for any reason, click on the 'PDF File' link -- a new browser window will open, and you can print from there.
- If you want to use the image for your own armory submission, these should be sized to be close to the submission forms, and you can trace over them. For straight lines you might want to use a ruler to help.

Note that printing the GIF Files probably will not provide images that are the correct size for the heraldic submission forms.

The descriptions of the charges below are all taken from The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry ...¹, and rather than having a 'footnote' for each, we have one. Note that not all of the detail in the Pictorial Dictionary has been included in the text given ...

Note: These are not done yet -- the links are here to make it easier for Hirsch, rather than having to keep adding them ... this is a work in progress.

[Abacus to Burnisher] [Caduceus to Cushion] [Distaff to Gyron] [Hammer to Keyhole]
[Label to Net] [Oar to Rudder] [Saddle to Stream] [Tablet to Yoke]

Distaff     A distaff is a long staff that holds the fiber ready for spinning. It is a period charge: ... from the civic arms of Lüdger, as shown in the Conzilium zu Constenz of 1413. The distaff is normally shown dressed or with the fiber loaded in chief; it is palewise by default.

        PDF File

Drop Spindle     A drop spindle is a rod set in a disk, used for winding fiber into thread by hand; it is also called a wharrow-spindle or fuseau in period armory, as in the canting arms of Trefusis, 1337.
     When blazoned a full spindle, it is drawn with a load of thread; but this seems to be the default, and need not be blazoned.

        PDF File

Egg     An egg is a hard-shelled ovoid, laid by birds for the making of more birds. It is palewise, narrow end to chief by SCA default.

        PDF File

Equatorium     An equatorium is a medieval astronomical instrument. It was based on the Ptolemaic theory of eqants (epicycles, eccentrics, etc.), and was used for predicting planetary positions.

        PDF File

Ermine Spot     An ermine spot is a highly stylized charge, meant to represent the tail of the ermine beast; it is sometimes blazoned a muskatour. Ermine spots are sometimes charges in their own right; but they are most often found strewn across a field to form the heraldic ermine-style furs. ...
     [The link to show ermine spots shows different stylizations from medieval emblazons ...] Naturally, an emblazon shouldn't mix styles, but should use the same stylization throughout.

        PDF File

Escallop     An escallop is the shell of a bivalve mollusk; also called a scallop, cockle or cockleshell. The escallop is an ancient charge, dating from c. 1255; it was used in medieval times by pilgrims, as it was the symbol of St. James, patron of pilgrims. The escallop has its hinge to chief by default.

        PDF File

Escarbuncle     An escarbuncle is a stylized heraldic charge representing the boss and reinforcing bars on a shield. It is normally of eight spokes, with the ends fleury; this form is found very early, in the arms of the Dukes of Cleves, c.1275. Escarbuncles of six are also found in period arms, as well as pometty ends; such cases are explicitly blazoned. (Sometimes the default fleury ends are explicitly blazoned as well.)
     Escarbuncles may also be constructed by conjoining other charges: the arms of the Kings of Navarre, from the mid-14th Century, had an escarbuncle of chains. In Society heraldry other charges have been employed as well: an escarbuncle of swords, conjoined at the points, for example.

        PDF File

Eyeglasses     Eyeglasses are a set of lenses mounted in a frame, used to correct faulty vision. Period eyeglasses used thick circular lenses; the frames were either tied in place with ribbons, or else held in place by the hand for reading.

        PDF File

Fan     A fan is a device for generating a current of air. The SCA default fan is the handheld type used to cool humans, and open or spread by default.
     There is also the winnowing fan or vannet, used to separate grain from chaff. It's a period charge, found in the canting arms of Septvans c.1275; the wide part is to base by default.

        PDF File

Feather     A feather is one of the growths covering a bird's wings and body; it consists of a quill or central shaft with a flat leaf-like surface growing from it. It is also termed a plume, though this term is usually reserved for ostrich tail feathers; some authors would define a plume as a bunch of ostrich feathers, so it is best to be specific.
     The feather is sometimes blazoned a quill or quill pen. Strictly speaking the quill is the central shaft of the feather, and the quill pen is a quill with its end carved into a nib. These distinctions are often blurred in Society heraldry, and they are clost to synonymous in practice. It is still best to use the correct term.
     In mundane heraldry, the default feather is an ostrich plume, as in the badge of the Black Prince; the SCA default feather is a more generic shape, such as a goose feather. It is palewise by SCA default, with the quill point to base.

        PDF File

Fer-a-Loup     A fer-a-loup is a forestry implement, found in Continental heraldry. In German blazons, it may be called wulfsangel; mundane texts also call it a wolf-claw or wolf-trap. The fer-a-loup is a period charge, found in the arms of von Stein, 1413. Its convex cutting edge is to base by SCA default.

        PDF File

Fetterlock     A fetterlock is a semi-circular manacle, put on a horse's ankle to prevent it from running away. It is open (unlocked) by SCA default. While the bolt part may be either to chief or to base in mundane heraldry, the most common attitude is with the bolt to base, as in the Royal Badge of Edward IV; this is the SCA default.

        PDF File

Fireball     A fireball is a metallic sphere, spewing flame; it was thrown at the enemy as an incendiary device. It is a period charge, found in the arms of Fursdon, temp. Henry III. When proper, the sphere is sable and the flames gules and Or.
     Society heraldry distinguises between the fireball, which spews four flames in cross, and the grenade or (fire)bomb, which spews a single flame to chief.

        PDF File

Flag     A flag is a piece of cloth attached to a pole, allowed to fly in the breeze. Flags are normally found as artistic details on castles, ships, etc.; they are normally termed pennons in such cases. They are sometimes found as charges in their own right, though. Flags stream to dexter by default.
     There are some other special terms for differen ttypes of flags: A banner is a square or rectangular flag on a staff, as in the civic arms of Würtzburg, 1413. A gonfanon is a rectangular or heater-shaped flag, hung from ropes at its top corners, as in the arms of the Counts of Auvern, c. 1275. A wyn is a stiff triangular vane; it is mostly used for the sake of a cant.
     Finally, a vexillum is a standard born by maniples of the Roman army; it denoted lesser rank than the eagle standard.
     Flags are considered a medium for heraldic display. Thus, in order to avoid the appearance of arms of pretense, when used as charges they may not themselves be charged.

        PDF File

Flame     A flame is the area of combustion which gives off heat and light in a fire. It is also, more fully, termed flames of fire. A single flame is drawn rather as a gout or ball, with tiny tongues to chief. Flames are found in late-period armory, as in the arms of Hooper, c. 1550.
     Flame proper is red and gold; the exact deposition of tincture depends on the field. On a metal or light-tinctured field, a flame proper has a red exterior and a gold interior; on a color or dark-tinctured field, a flame proper has a gold exterior and a red interior.

        PDF File

Flask     A flask is a container, usually of glass or cermaic, with a constricted neck and a broad base. Generally, the term implies a laboratory vessel, used for chemical or alchemical procedures. ...
     One specific type of flask is the alembic flask or retort: this has a long sloping spout, and is used for distillation. (It should not be confused with an alembick, which is another type of charge altogether; for this reason, it should be explicitly blazoned an alembic flask, or even more clearly, retort.) There seems to be no default posture for retorts; they may be found with spout to dexter or to sinister, with no mention in the blazon.

        PDF File

Fleam     A fleam is a surgeon's lancet, drawn in a highly stylized manner; it's found in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Barbers, 1451. The blade is to chief by default. Though used as the symbol of some Kingdom's chirurgeons, the fleam is not a restricted charge in the SCA.

        PDF File

Fleece     A fleece is a sheepskin, hung by a band around its waist. It was a period charge: a fleece Or was, unsurprisingly, the badge of Burgundy's Order of the Golden Fleece, c. 1430.

        PDF File

Fork     A fork is an implement with two or more prongs at one end. There are several varieties of fork, and no type seems to be the default; the specific type must therefore be blazoned. All forks have their prongs to chief by default.
     The eating fork is used for food, and has two tines by SCA default. (The number of tines is nonetheless often explicitly blazoned.) The mowing fork (also called the hay fork or pitchfork) is used as a farm tool.

        PDF File

Furison     A furison is a fire steel, used with flint to strike sparks for starting fires. It is also blazoned a ferris in mundane heraldry. The furison is a period charge, used as a badge by the Order of the Golden Fleece, c.1430. It is shown fesswise by default, with its flat to base.

        PDF File

Glove-Puppet     A glove-puppet is a doll attached to a simplified glove, worn over the hand and used in amusements. It is a period charge, found in German heraldry c. 1400.

        PDF File

Goad     A goad is a sharp pointed stick, used for driving beasts such as elephants or oxen. There are two types of goads found in Society heraldry; the better documented form, the elephant's goad ... is also termed an ankhus.

        PDF File

Gout     A gout is a drop of fluid. [There are two representations,] a medieval depiction, with wavy sides, and a modern depiction, which tends to be smooth and fat. The former is the preferred form, but the latter is more often found in Society emblazons.
     ... Originally gouts were always found as a semy ... It was only later in period that gouts began to be used as distinct, single charges, as in the canting arms of Drop, c.1584.
     Post-period heraldry evolved special names for gouts of each tincture; these may be used in SCA blazons, at the users' discretion:

A gout d'Or (drop of gold) is Or
A gout de sang (drop of blood) is gules
A gout d'eau (drop of water) is argent
A gout de larmes (drop of tears) is azure
A gout de poix (drop of pitch) is sable
A gout d'huile (drop of olive oil) is vert
A gout de vin (drop of wine) is purpure.

        PDF File

Grozing Iron     A grozing iron is a metal tool for removing the rough edges from sheets of glass. It is sometimes called a crimping iron or glazier's nippers in mundane blazons. The grozing iron is a period charge, found int he arms of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, 1588.

        PDF File

Gyron     A gyron is a single segment of a gyronny field, used as a charge in its own right; it was so used in period, in the arms of Mortimer, c.1300. A gyron issues from dexter chief unless otherwise specified.

        PDF File

[Abacus to Burnisher] [Caduceus to Cushion] [Distaff to Gyron] [Hammer to Keyhole]
[Label to Net] [Tablet to Yoke]

Footnotes:
¹ The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry as Used in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., 2nd Edition, Bruce Draconarius of Mistholme and Akagawa Yoshio, 1992, self-published.

Disclaimer: All of these drawings are intended for use in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., specifically for heraldic purposes. However, these pages do not delineate SCA College of Arms or West Kingdom College of Heralds policy. All attempts are made when describing or portraying the elements of armory used in these pages to be as accurate to both medieval and SCA usage as possible, but if you are not sure, you should check with the College of Arms or the College of Heralds. You may use these drawings "as is" for the purpose of designing heraldry for use within the SCA with this understanding. All decisions by the West Kingdom College of Heraldry and/or the SCA's College of Arms regarding the depictions used on your submission forms supercedes anything found here.

Heraldic Templates Main Page

Distaff	A distaff is a long staff that holds the fiber ready for spinning. It is a period charge: ... from the civic arms of Lüdger, as shown in the Conzilium zu Constenz of 1413. The distaff is normally shown dressed or with the fiber loaded in chief; it is palewise by default.
		PDF File

Drop Spindle	A drop spindle is a rod set in a disk, used for winding fiber into thread by hand; it is also called a wharrow-spindle or fuseau in period armory, as in the canting arms of Trefusis, 1337. When blazoned a full spindle, it is drawn with a load of thread; but this seems to be the default, and need not be blazoned.
		PDF File

Egg	An egg is a hard-shelled ovoid, laid by birds for the making of more birds. It is palewise, narrow end to chief by SCA default.
		PDF File

Equatorium	An equatorium is a medieval astronomical instrument. It was based on the Ptolemaic theory of eqants (epicycles, eccentrics, etc.), and was used for predicting planetary positions.
		PDF File

Ermine Spot	An ermine spot is a highly stylized charge, meant to represent the tail of the ermine beast; it is sometimes blazoned a muskatour. Ermine spots are sometimes charges in their own right; but they are most often found strewn across a field to form the heraldic ermine-style furs. ... [The link to show ermine spots shows different stylizations from medieval emblazons ...] Naturally, an emblazon shouldn't mix styles, but should use the same stylization throughout.
		PDF File

Escallop	An escallop is the shell of a bivalve mollusk; also called a scallop, cockle or cockleshell. The escallop is an ancient charge, dating from c. 1255; it was used in medieval times by pilgrims, as it was the symbol of St. James, patron of pilgrims. The escallop has its hinge to chief by default.
		PDF File

Escarbuncle	An escarbuncle is a stylized heraldic charge representing the boss and reinforcing bars on a shield. It is normally of eight spokes, with the ends fleury; this form is found very early, in the arms of the Dukes of Cleves, c.1275. Escarbuncles of six are also found in period arms, as well as pometty ends; such cases are explicitly blazoned. (Sometimes the default fleury ends are explicitly blazoned as well.) Escarbuncles may also be constructed by conjoining other charges: the arms of the Kings of Navarre, from the mid-14th Century, had an escarbuncle of chains. In Society heraldry other charges have been employed as well: an escarbuncle of swords, conjoined at the points, for example.
		PDF File

Eyeglasses	Eyeglasses are a set of lenses mounted in a frame, used to correct faulty vision. Period eyeglasses used thick circular lenses; the frames were either tied in place with ribbons, or else held in place by the hand for reading.
		PDF File

Fan	A fan is a device for generating a current of air. The SCA default fan is the handheld type used to cool humans, and open or spread by default. There is also the winnowing fan or vannet, used to separate grain from chaff. It's a period charge, found in the canting arms of Septvans c.1275; the wide part is to base by default.
		PDF File

Feather	A feather is one of the growths covering a bird's wings and body; it consists of a quill or central shaft with a flat leaf-like surface growing from it. It is also termed a plume, though this term is usually reserved for ostrich tail feathers; some authors would define a plume as a bunch of ostrich feathers, so it is best to be specific. The feather is sometimes blazoned a quill or quill pen. Strictly speaking the quill is the central shaft of the feather, and the quill pen is a quill with its end carved into a nib. These distinctions are often blurred in Society heraldry, and they are clost to synonymous in practice. It is still best to use the correct term. In mundane heraldry, the default feather is an ostrich plume, as in the badge of the Black Prince; the SCA default feather is a more generic shape, such as a goose feather. It is palewise by SCA default, with the quill point to base.
		PDF File

Fer-a-Loup	A fer-a-loup is a forestry implement, found in Continental heraldry. In German blazons, it may be called wulfsangel; mundane texts also call it a wolf-claw or wolf-trap. The fer-a-loup is a period charge, found in the arms of von Stein, 1413. Its convex cutting edge is to base by SCA default.
		PDF File

Fetterlock	A fetterlock is a semi-circular manacle, put on a horse's ankle to prevent it from running away. It is open (unlocked) by SCA default. While the bolt part may be either to chief or to base in mundane heraldry, the most common attitude is with the bolt to base, as in the Royal Badge of Edward IV; this is the SCA default.
		PDF File

Fireball	A fireball is a metallic sphere, spewing flame; it was thrown at the enemy as an incendiary device. It is a period charge, found in the arms of Fursdon, temp. Henry III. When proper, the sphere is sable and the flames gules and Or. Society heraldry distinguises between the fireball, which spews four flames in cross, and the grenade or (fire)bomb, which spews a single flame to chief.
		PDF File

Flag	A flag is a piece of cloth attached to a pole, allowed to fly in the breeze. Flags are normally found as artistic details on castles, ships, etc.; they are normally termed pennons in such cases. They are sometimes found as charges in their own right, though. Flags stream to dexter by default. There are some other special terms for differen ttypes of flags: A banner is a square or rectangular flag on a staff, as in the civic arms of Würtzburg, 1413. A gonfanon is a rectangular or heater-shaped flag, hung from ropes at its top corners, as in the arms of the Counts of Auvern, c. 1275. A wyn is a stiff triangular vane; it is mostly used for the sake of a cant. Finally, a vexillum is a standard born by maniples of the Roman army; it denoted lesser rank than the eagle standard. Flags are considered a medium for heraldic display. Thus, in order to avoid the appearance of arms of pretense, when used as charges they may not themselves be charged.
		PDF File

Flame	A flame is the area of combustion which gives off heat and light in a fire. It is also, more fully, termed flames of fire. A single flame is drawn rather as a gout or ball, with tiny tongues to chief. Flames are found in late-period armory, as in the arms of Hooper, c. 1550. Flame proper is red and gold; the exact deposition of tincture depends on the field. On a metal or light-tinctured field, a flame proper has a red exterior and a gold interior; on a color or dark-tinctured field, a flame proper has a gold exterior and a red interior.
		PDF File

Flask	A flask is a container, usually of glass or cermaic, with a constricted neck and a broad base. Generally, the term implies a laboratory vessel, used for chemical or alchemical procedures. ... One specific type of flask is the alembic flask or retort: this has a long sloping spout, and is used for distillation. (It should not be confused with an alembick, which is another type of charge altogether; for this reason, it should be explicitly blazoned an alembic flask, or even more clearly, retort.) There seems to be no default posture for retorts; they may be found with spout to dexter or to sinister, with no mention in the blazon.
		PDF File

Fleam	A fleam is a surgeon's lancet, drawn in a highly stylized manner; it's found in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Barbers, 1451. The blade is to chief by default. Though used as the symbol of some Kingdom's chirurgeons, the fleam is not a restricted charge in the SCA.
		PDF File

Fleece	A fleece is a sheepskin, hung by a band around its waist. It was a period charge: a fleece Or was, unsurprisingly, the badge of Burgundy's Order of the Golden Fleece, c. 1430.
		PDF File

Fork	A fork is an implement with two or more prongs at one end. There are several varieties of fork, and no type seems to be the default; the specific type must therefore be blazoned. All forks have their prongs to chief by default. The eating fork is used for food, and has two tines by SCA default. (The number of tines is nonetheless often explicitly blazoned.) The mowing fork (also called the hay fork or pitchfork) is used as a farm tool.
		PDF File

Furison	A furison is a fire steel, used with flint to strike sparks for starting fires. It is also blazoned a ferris in mundane heraldry. The furison is a period charge, used as a badge by the Order of the Golden Fleece, c.1430. It is shown fesswise by default, with its flat to base.
		PDF File

Glove-Puppet	A glove-puppet is a doll attached to a simplified glove, worn over the hand and used in amusements. It is a period charge, found in German heraldry c. 1400.
		PDF File

Goad	A goad is a sharp pointed stick, used for driving beasts such as elephants or oxen. There are two types of goads found in Society heraldry; the better documented form, the elephant's goad ... is also termed an ankhus.
		PDF File

Gout	A gout is a drop of fluid. [There are two representations,] a medieval depiction, with wavy sides, and a modern depiction, which tends to be smooth and fat. The former is the preferred form, but the latter is more often found in Society emblazons. ... Originally gouts were always found as a semy ... It was only later in period that gouts began to be used as distinct, single charges, as in the canting arms of Drop, c.1584. Post-period heraldry evolved special names for gouts of each tincture; these may be used in SCA blazons, at the users' discretion: A gout d'Or (drop of gold) is Or A gout de sang (drop of blood) is gules A gout d'eau (drop of water) is argent A gout de larmes (drop of tears) is azure A gout de poix (drop of pitch) is sable A gout d'huile (drop of olive oil) is vert A gout de vin (drop of wine) is purpure.
		PDF File

Grozing Iron	A grozing iron is a metal tool for removing the rough edges from sheets of glass. It is sometimes called a crimping iron or glazier's nippers in mundane blazons. The grozing iron is a period charge, found int he arms of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, 1588.
		PDF File

Gyron	A gyron is a single segment of a gyronny field, used as a charge in its own right; it was so used in period, in the arms of Mortimer, c.1300. A gyron issues from dexter chief unless otherwise specified.
		PDF File