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]

Label     A label is an ancient charge, dating from early heraldic records, c.1244. It consists of a horizontal stripe with several short dags (called points) dependant from its lower edge. By default the label is in chief, throughout, and of three points.
     When blazoned dovetailed or couped, the label is not throughout, and is drawn more compactly. While there is some evidence this form of label was used in period, most texts consider it a Victorian monstrosity, and prefer the medieval form. (Still, there are a number of labels couped in Society heraldry.
     The label was universally recognized throughout Europe as the brisure of the eldest son. However, there are examples (in both period and Society armory) of its use as an independant charge, with no cadency intended.

        PDF File

Ladder     A ladder is a climbing tool, with two parallel side pieces connected by a series of rungs; it was most commonly made of wood, though metal and rope were also used. It is a period charge, dating from at least 1413.
     A variant, the scaling ladder, has hooks at the top for fastening to a wall; it was used in sieges. (The German form of scaling ladder is drawn quite differently, as a broad hooked post with footholds on either side; this stylization seems to be unique to Germany, and no difference is granted for it.) Ladders are palewise by default.

        PDF File

Lamp     A lamp is a source of light, consisting of a container of oil with an emerging wick. The earliest form, dating from Roman times, was simply a shallow bowl bearing a wick; this form is found in period armory, in the arms of Wetewang, c.1410.
     In Society armory, the most common form is the Arabian lamp, with a handle at one end and the wick in a spout at the other; it's also called a Greek lamp, or an oil lamp, though the shape is unchanged. This lamp has its handle to sinister by default; if blazoned flammant or enflamed, the wick is lit.

        PDF File

Lantern     A lantern, or lanthorn, is an enclosed source of light. The mundane heraldic lantern is a ship's lantern, spherical and with swivels to keep the inner lamp upright. The SCA default lantern is more fully termed a hanging lantern: a transparent box containing a candle, which it protects from the elements; the box usually has a handle as well. The candle is usually shown lit, whether blazoned so or not.

        PDF File

Letters     Letters and similar alphanumeric symbols were not permitted in SCA devices at one time, although they were permitted in badges. Currently, letters are permitted in all Society armory. This more closely approximates period style: the use of single letters as charges dates back to 1221, in the arms of William, Bishop of London. However, since any person may use their own monogram, no Society armory may consist of nothing but a letter; there must be some other charge.
     As of this writing, both letters and full words are permissible, though the latter only in simple armory; instances of Japanese kanji and Arabic script have also been registered.

Level     A level is a tool used by carpenters and architects for determining the true horizontal and vertical. The default level is a roughly triangular piece of wood, surrounding a plumb-line; it is used as a charge in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, granted 1588. There is also the A-frame plumb-line, simpler but less accurate than the standard level; though a period artifact, it does not seem to have been used in period armory.

        PDF File

Lightning     Lightning is a huge electrical discharge common in violent weather. It was represented in period art as "fire from heaven". In Society heraldry, lightning is represented as flashes and bolts. The distinction is made in blazonry to denote two different styles of emblazonry, one of which was common in early SCA devices but is no longer permitted.
     A lighting flash is a tapering bevilled stripe, as found in modern comib books; for that reason, it's sometimes termed (only half-jokingly) a shazam. This form is no longer permitted in Society heraldry, as it is a purely modern depiction.
     A lightning bolt is an embattled stripe with barbs at either end. It is a period depiction: two lightning bolts in saltire are found in the standard emblazon of the thunderbolt. This form is still permitted in Society heraldry.
     Japanese heraldry also uses a distinctive way of representing lightning, which is allowed for use in Mon.
     A thunderbolt is a winged, swirling pillar of flame, thrown from the hand of God or the gods. It may be shown with lightning bolts behind it, crossed in saltire; the pillar is palewise by default. While described in de Bara's Blason des Armoiries, 1581, the thunderbold does not seem to have been actually used in period armory.

        PDF File

Lure     A lure is a pair of bird's wings tied together at the end of a cord; it's swung on the cord, mimicking a flying bird, to recall a falcon in flight. It is more fully called a hawk's lure for that reason. It is a period charge, found in Jenyn's Roll c.1410. The lure's cord is to chief by default.
     [To see vol, wings conjoined, wings conjoined in lure, see Beast, Monster and Bird "Parts"]

        PDF File

Match, Slow     A slow match is a flammable cord, used for lighting matchlock rifles. It is drawn wound into a roll or annulet of cord. The slow match is found as a charge in the arms of Leete, 1632, and is considered compatible with Society armory.

        PDF File

Millrind     A millrind is an heraldic representation of the iron struts that hold a millstone together. It is also called a fer-de-moline or inkmoline. The millrind is a common charge in mundane heraldry, dating from the mid-13th Century. There were several artistic variations; the earliest form was identical to the charge now called the cross moline.

        PDF File

Millstone     A millstone is a large circular stone, turned by water power, used for grinding grain> It is essentially a roundel charged with a millrind.

        PDF File

Mirror     A mirror is a polished pane of metal or glass, set in a frame, and used to look at oneself. The standard heraldic form is more fully termed a hand mirror, as it has a handle attached to the frame. The mirror is the traditional accoutrement of the mermaid, but is also found as a charge in its own right.

        PDF File

Mortar and Pestle     A mortar and pestle is a set of tools for grinding substances to powder. The mortar is a hard, deep bowl; the pestle is a club, which does the grinding. They are usually found together, with the pestle in the mortar. Mortars and pestles are period charges, dating from 1404.

        PDF File

Nail     A nail is a sharpened metal spike, driven with a hammer, used for holding together or anchoring pieces of stiff material (such as wood). Nails are palewise, point to base, by default.
     In heraldry, the most common sort of nail is the passion nail, symbol of Christ's Passion: this has a triangular cross section, and a slightly pointed head. It was used as an heraldic charge in the arms of Tyndale, c.1480. Less common is the tiler's nail, a builder's implement, with a square cross section and a flat head.
     Finally, there is the closing nail, used by glaziers to hold pieces of stained glass in place during leading. It too is a period charge, found in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, 1588. The three types are not always distinguished in emblazons, and no heraldic difference is granted between them.

        PDF File

Needle     A needle is a slender sliver, sharpened at the end and used for manipulating thread. In Society armory, the defualt needle is the sewing needle, sometimes so blazoned: a metal needle with ah ole in one end for thread, used for hand sewing. Though a period artifact, the sewing needle does not seem to have been used in period armory. Sewing needles are sometimes found threaded; their points are to base by SCA default.
     There is also the knitting needle, which may be singly-pointed or double-pointed; this too, while a period artifact, is unknown to medieval armory. The knitting needle does not seem to have a default posture.

        PDF File

Nefr     A nefr is an Egyptian heiroglyphic, signifying the "heart and windpipe", and used by them as a good-luck symbol; it is sometimes mistaken for a lute.

        PDF File

Net     A net is an openwork pattern of cords, loosely woven and knotted, and used to catch fish and game. The typical net in Society heraldry seems to be the fisherman's net; in mundane heraldry, net is also a canting term for a fret or a fretty field.

        PDF File

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

Label	A label is an ancient charge, dating from early heraldic records, c.1244. It consists of a horizontal stripe with several short dags (called points) dependant from its lower edge. By default the label is in chief, throughout, and of three points. When blazoned dovetailed or couped, the label is not throughout, and is drawn more compactly. While there is some evidence this form of label was used in period, most texts consider it a Victorian monstrosity, and prefer the medieval form. (Still, there are a number of labels couped in Society heraldry. The label was universally recognized throughout Europe as the brisure of the eldest son. However, there are examples (in both period and Society armory) of its use as an independant charge, with no cadency intended.
		PDF File

Ladder	A ladder is a climbing tool, with two parallel side pieces connected by a series of rungs; it was most commonly made of wood, though metal and rope were also used. It is a period charge, dating from at least 1413. A variant, the scaling ladder, has hooks at the top for fastening to a wall; it was used in sieges. (The German form of scaling ladder is drawn quite differently, as a broad hooked post with footholds on either side; this stylization seems to be unique to Germany, and no difference is granted for it.) Ladders are palewise by default.
		PDF File

Lamp	A lamp is a source of light, consisting of a container of oil with an emerging wick. The earliest form, dating from Roman times, was simply a shallow bowl bearing a wick; this form is found in period armory, in the arms of Wetewang, c.1410. In Society armory, the most common form is the Arabian lamp, with a handle at one end and the wick in a spout at the other; it's also called a Greek lamp, or an oil lamp, though the shape is unchanged. This lamp has its handle to sinister by default; if blazoned flammant or enflamed, the wick is lit.
		PDF File

Lantern	A lantern, or lanthorn, is an enclosed source of light. The mundane heraldic lantern is a ship's lantern, spherical and with swivels to keep the inner lamp upright. The SCA default lantern is more fully termed a hanging lantern: a transparent box containing a candle, which it protects from the elements; the box usually has a handle as well. The candle is usually shown lit, whether blazoned so or not.
		PDF File

Letters	Letters and similar alphanumeric symbols were not permitted in SCA devices at one time, although they were permitted in badges. Currently, letters are permitted in all Society armory. This more closely approximates period style: the use of single letters as charges dates back to 1221, in the arms of William, Bishop of London. However, since any person may use their own monogram, no Society armory may consist of nothing but a letter; there must be some other charge. As of this writing, both letters and full words are permissible, though the latter only in simple armory; instances of Japanese kanji and Arabic script have also been registered.

Level	A level is a tool used by carpenters and architects for determining the true horizontal and vertical. The default level is a roughly triangular piece of wood, surrounding a plumb-line; it is used as a charge in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, granted 1588. There is also the A-frame plumb-line, simpler but less accurate than the standard level; though a period artifact, it does not seem to have been used in period armory.
		PDF File

Lightning	Lightning is a huge electrical discharge common in violent weather. It was represented in period art as "fire from heaven". In Society heraldry, lightning is represented as flashes and bolts. The distinction is made in blazonry to denote two different styles of emblazonry, one of which was common in early SCA devices but is no longer permitted. A lighting flash is a tapering bevilled stripe, as found in modern comib books; for that reason, it's sometimes termed (only half-jokingly) a shazam. This form is no longer permitted in Society heraldry, as it is a purely modern depiction. A lightning bolt is an embattled stripe with barbs at either end. It is a period depiction: two lightning bolts in saltire are found in the standard emblazon of the thunderbolt. This form is still permitted in Society heraldry. Japanese heraldry also uses a distinctive way of representing lightning, which is allowed for use in Mon. A thunderbolt is a winged, swirling pillar of flame, thrown from the hand of God or the gods. It may be shown with lightning bolts behind it, crossed in saltire; the pillar is palewise by default. While described in de Bara's Blason des Armoiries, 1581, the thunderbold does not seem to have been actually used in period armory.
		PDF File

Lure	A lure is a pair of bird's wings tied together at the end of a cord; it's swung on the cord, mimicking a flying bird, to recall a falcon in flight. It is more fully called a hawk's lure for that reason. It is a period charge, found in Jenyn's Roll c.1410. The lure's cord is to chief by default. [To see vol, wings conjoined, wings conjoined in lure, see Beast, Monster and Bird "Parts"]
		PDF File

Match, Slow	A slow match is a flammable cord, used for lighting matchlock rifles. It is drawn wound into a roll or annulet of cord. The slow match is found as a charge in the arms of Leete, 1632, and is considered compatible with Society armory.
		PDF File

Millrind	A millrind is an heraldic representation of the iron struts that hold a millstone together. It is also called a fer-de-moline or inkmoline. The millrind is a common charge in mundane heraldry, dating from the mid-13th Century. There were several artistic variations; the earliest form was identical to the charge now called the cross moline.
		PDF File

Millstone	A millstone is a large circular stone, turned by water power, used for grinding grain> It is essentially a roundel charged with a millrind.
		PDF File

Mirror	A mirror is a polished pane of metal or glass, set in a frame, and used to look at oneself. The standard heraldic form is more fully termed a hand mirror, as it has a handle attached to the frame. The mirror is the traditional accoutrement of the mermaid, but is also found as a charge in its own right.
		PDF File

Mortar and Pestle	A mortar and pestle is a set of tools for grinding substances to powder. The mortar is a hard, deep bowl; the pestle is a club, which does the grinding. They are usually found together, with the pestle in the mortar. Mortars and pestles are period charges, dating from 1404.
		PDF File

Nail	A nail is a sharpened metal spike, driven with a hammer, used for holding together or anchoring pieces of stiff material (such as wood). Nails are palewise, point to base, by default. In heraldry, the most common sort of nail is the passion nail, symbol of Christ's Passion: this has a triangular cross section, and a slightly pointed head. It was used as an heraldic charge in the arms of Tyndale, c.1480. Less common is the tiler's nail, a builder's implement, with a square cross section and a flat head. Finally, there is the closing nail, used by glaziers to hold pieces of stained glass in place during leading. It too is a period charge, found in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, 1588. The three types are not always distinguished in emblazons, and no heraldic difference is granted between them.
		PDF File

Needle	A needle is a slender sliver, sharpened at the end and used for manipulating thread. In Society armory, the defualt needle is the sewing needle, sometimes so blazoned: a metal needle with ah ole in one end for thread, used for hand sewing. Though a period artifact, the sewing needle does not seem to have been used in period armory. Sewing needles are sometimes found threaded; their points are to base by SCA default. There is also the knitting needle, which may be singly-pointed or double-pointed; this too, while a period artifact, is unknown to medieval armory. The knitting needle does not seem to have a default posture.
		PDF File

Nefr	A nefr is an Egyptian heiroglyphic, signifying the "heart and windpipe", and used by them as a good-luck symbol; it is sometimes mistaken for a lute.
		PDF File

Net	A net is an openwork pattern of cords, loosely woven and knotted, and used to catch fish and game. The typical net in Society heraldry seems to be the fisherman's net; in mundane heraldry, net is also a canting term for a fret or a fretty field.
		PDF File