Germanic Heraldry - This is a Section on its Own. In Germanic heraldry the pattern Per fess... a issuant from the line of division... and a ..." is Unusual. "Slot Machine" Heraldry - This practice is occasionally found in late Period German heraldry. If you wish to emulate this extremely odd practice, here are the rules for it: An X and Y in Pale and two Z's in Fess (4). Choose choose three different charges and two or three tinctures that are no worse than Unusual for German heraldry. The charges "In Fess" should probably be mullets of six points Or. Iberian Heraldry - The standard arrangement and number of charges on a plain field is six charges, or charges arranged in rows of three (so there would be two rows of three for six, three rows of three for nine), or twelve charges arranged in three ranks of four. Tudor Heraldry - In later English heraldry the pattern Per chevron... ... and a is Unusual. The pattern "... a bend... between two ... " is Rare. Tinctures and Field Treatments - A field treatment that uses two tinctures must also include the weight of each tincture unless it is a standard form. Where the cost of a motif is not complete a "+" follows the number. In some cases there is a "discount" if certain tinctures are used in a field treatment (e.g. Vair or Ermine). Semes must include the wieght of the charge used in addition to the tinctures. Tinctures -Or (1), Argent (1), Azure (1), Gules (1), Sable (2), Vert (4), Proper (any number of tinctures) (5), Purpure (6), Tenne (8), Murrey/Sanguine (8), Brown (8). Furs - Vair (3), Ermine (3), Vairy (2+), Erminois (5), Pean (5), Counter-Ermine (5), Ermined (other than the standard ermine variants) (6+). Geometric Field Treatments - Checky (2+), Lozengy (2+), Compony (2+), Barry (2+), Bendy (2+), Bendy Sinister (2+), Chevronelly (3+), Paly (3+), Counter-Compony (3+), Fret/Fretty (4+), Lozengy Bendy (4+), Lozengy Bendy Sinister (4+), Barry Bendy (4+), Barry Bendy Sinister (4+), Grillage (6+), Lozengy Triangular (7+, may use two or three tinctures), Chevronelly Inverted (8+). Other Field Treatments - Seme (3+), Plummety (8+), Papillony (8+), Diapered (8+), Masoning (except when used as internal detailing on a wall or tower) (10), Honeycombed (10), Mailly (10). Variations Bendy vs. Bendy Sinister - In medieval heraldry, there doesn't seem to have been much distinction drawn between Bendy and Bendy Sinister, Per Bend and Per Bend Sinister, or a Bend and a Bend Sinister. Likewise, field treatments such as lozengy bendy and lozengy bendy sinister were also interchangable. Sinister and dexter field treatments have been given equal weights to reflect this fact. Some devices seem to have these field treatments as a deliberate design element, but it is just as common to for devices that would normally have bendy or barry bendy field treatments to appear in period manuscripts or printed works with the orientation of the field treatment reversed either because the arms are shown as arms of courtesy or due to a transcription error by the scribe or printer. (In fact, in the Konzil zu Konstanz the arms of Bavaria are variously emblazoned as everything from lozengy fesswise to barry bendy sinister to fusilly. The the orientation of the long ends of the lozenges cover 180 degrees of arc!). Lozengy Bendy vs. Barry Bendy - In Period, these field treatments seem to have been interchangable and have been weighted accordingly. Furs - Germanic, Italian, and Spanish heraldry tended to use the furs to a lesser extent, preferring the geometric field treatments. If you are trying to design a device that is appropriate for one of these cultures, you should add 2 to the weight of all the fur field treatments and subtract 1 from the cost of Checky, Lozengy, Barry, Bendy, Bendy Sinister, Lozengy Bendy, Lozengy Bendy Sinister, Barry Bendy, and Barry Bendy Sinister, Non-Anglo-Norman heraldry would not have used seme of Rare or Unique charges, except as discussed above. The cost of a seme (2 points) plus the cost of the tinctures (at least 2 points), plus the cost an atypical seme charge (2 points) plus the cost of the charges themselves makes this impossible. Iberian Semes - The heraldry of the Iberian peninsula used "semes" on bordures as a Common design element. Common seme' charges were lions rampant (1), castles of three towers (1), wolves passant (2), cauldrons (2), saltorels (2), roundels (2), and fleur-de-lys (3). Any other charge was Rare at best. Add 4 points to any seme used except on the bordure. Add 2 points to any seme charge used on a bordure that isn't on this list. Semes in other Styles of Heraldry - Semes in Germanic or Italian heraldry are Rare at best. Add a weight of 6 points to any seme used in these styles of heraldry. Counterchanging - Counterchanging charges across a line of division doesn't demote the frequency in German or Anglo-Norman heraldry. However, it is Unheard Of in Iberian heraldry and is Rare in other styles of heraldry. In these styles of heraldry, counterchanging adds 4 points to the total weight of the device. Color Next to Color - Field Divisions that place color next to color or metal next to metal are Rare in Anglo-Norman, and Iberian practice. Add 2 points to the total weight of any device that uses this practice. In Germanic and Italian heraldry such designs only add 1 point to the total weight of any design that uses them. Color On Color - Devices that place colored charges on colored fields or metal charges on metal fields are very rare. Add to the weight of any device using such a practice as follows: Sable on Azure (7), Sable on Gules (7), Azure on Gules (8), Gules on Azure (8), Gules on Sable (8), Vert on Azure (8), Vert on Gules (8), Or on Argent (8), Any other tincture combination (10). Costs include the cost of the tinctures involved, so in some cases there might be "discounts" to the cost of the tinctures if they are specifically mentioned. The costs of the charges involved are not included. Ordinaries that violate the rule of tincture may be charged with a standard group of identical charges at no penalty. All tertiary and seme charges must follow the rule of tincture or else they will invoke a second Color-on-Color penalty. Color-on-Color is slightly more common in Germanic heraldry, in those cultures the cost is as follows: Sable on Azure (7), Sable on Gules (6), Azure on Gules (8), Gules on Azure (7), Gules on Sable (7), Vert on Gules (8), Or on Argent (8), only 4 points (5 points for the lighter tincture on the dark). Bends Overall - In Anglo-Norman heraldry a bend that is gules or azure placed overall on a device with a field of a non-identical tincture only adds 2 points of weight to the design including the cost of the bend and the tincture. (So there are only 2 points of extra weight). The bend may be charged with a group of tertiary charges as long as the total weight of the device doesn't exceed 10 points. This was commonly used as a symbol of cadency or difference in Period. There is no "discount" for bends of a different tincture overall or other ordinaries azure or gules overall. This practice is much less common in other styles of heraldry, so there is no "discount" for such a practice outside of Anglo-Norman heraldry. Bordures and Chiefs - In Anglo-Norman heraldry a bordure or chief that is Gules, Azure, or Sable, may be placed on a field of a non-identical color for an additional cost of only 2 points, exclusive of the cost of the charge and tinctures. If the weight allows, the peripheral charge may be charged with tertiary charges. This was commonly used as symbol of cadency or difference in Period. There is no "discount" for chiefs or bordures of different tinctures or for other peripheral charges in gules, azure, or sable on a dark-colored field. This motif only extended to bordures in Iberian heraldry, so there is no discount for a color-on-color chief in that style of heraldry. This motif only extended to chiefs in Italian and Germanic heraldry, so there is no discount for color-on-color bordure in those styles of heraldry. Additionally, in Germanic heraldry, chiefs were far less common, so a color-on-color chief costs 7 points, rather than three, including the cost of the chief. Arrangement of Primary and Secondary Charges - In this case the broad rankings of "Common" and so forth are a misnomer, since they only measure how common a motif is when used with a given pattern of charges. Because they are so closely linked to certain charges that usually carry some wieght themselves, the arrangements of charges are given a much lower weight than normal. These costs don't include the cost of tinctures or charges themselves. Simple Armory Field Only armory (0). Single Ordinary or Group of Ordinaries (0). Single Ordinary Overall (1). Single Primary Charge (0). Three Secondary Charges two and one (0). Non-ordinary Primary surrounded by a secondary charge group of three charges, two and one (1). Single seconardary charge in Chief (1). (This was a mark of cadency.) Three long charges arranged fesswise in pale (2). Three long charges arrange palewise in fess (2). Six charges arranged three, two, and one (2). Two or three charges arranged fesswise in pale (3). Two or three charges arranged palewise in fess (3). Orle of Charges (3). Orle of Charges surrounding Non-Ordinary Primary Charge (3). Orle of Charges surrounding any Ordinary throughout (10). Orle of Charges surrounding any Secondary Charge Group (10). Non-Ordinary Primary surrounded by secondary charge group of two charges in Fess or Pale (3). Two identical long charges in saltire (as single primary charge or as element of secondary charge group). (4). Non-Ordinary Primary surrounded by four or five charges (5). Four or five charges arranged In Cross (conjoining optional) (5). Four or five charges arranged In Saltire (conjoining optional) (6). Three long charges arranged In Pall (conjoining optional) (6) Two or three long charges arranged In Pile (conjoining optional) (6). Two, three or four charges In Bend or In Chevron, (with or without conjoining) (6). Charge group in Annulo (7). Non-Ordinary Charge Overall (10). Charges in an Arch (10). Two long charges in cross(10). Non-Symmetrical Arrangements of Charges (except as noted) (10). Ordinaries Surrounded by Secondary Charge Groups Bend or Bend Sinister surrounded by six charges three and three (0). Bend or Bend Sinister surrounded by three charges two and one (1). Bend with one charge in sinister chief (3). Bend Sinister with one charge in dexter chief (3). Bend or Bend Sinister surrounded by two charges one and one (3). Fess surrounded by two charges, two and one (0). Fess surrounded by six charges three and three (2). Fess two charges in pale (2). Fess with one charge in dexter chief (2). Fess with two or three charges in chief (2). Chevron surrounded by two charges two and one (0). Chevron surrounded by six charges three and three (0). Chevron with one charge in dexter chief (2). Chevron with two or three charges in chief (2). Cross surrounded by two charges two and two (0). Cross with one charge in dexter chief (2). Cross with two charges in chief and two in base (4). Pall (or Shakefork) surrounded by three charges one and two (1). Pale surrounded by two charges fesswise (0). Pale surrounded by four charges two and two (2). Pale surrounded by six charges three and three (2). Pale surrounded by eight charges four and four (2). Pale with one charge in dexter chief (4). Saltire surrounded by two charges one, two and one (0). Saltire surrounded by two charges in pale (2). Saltire surrouned by two charges in fess and two charges and pale (3). Saltire surrounded by one charge in chief and three charges two and one (4). Saltire surrounded by two charges in fess (4). Identical Charge Groups on Divided Fields (with or without an Ordinary) Flaunches, two charges in fess (on the flaunches) (2). Party Per Six, thee charges two and one. (0) Party Per Six, three charges one and two (1) Party Per Six, six charges three and three (2). Per Bend or Per Bend Sinister surrounded six charges three and three (2). Per Bend or Per Bend Sinister surrounded by three charges two and one (1). Per Bend with one charge in sinister chief (3). Per Bend Sinister with one charge in chief (3). Per Bend or Per Bend Sinister two charges one and one (4). Per Fess surrounded by two charges, two and one (0). Per Fess surrounded by six charges three and three (2). Per Fess, two or three charges in chief (2). Per Fess, two charges in pale (2). Per Chevron two charges two and one (0). Per Chevron six charges three and three (1). Per Chevron, two or three charges in chief (2). Per Chevron, two charges in pale (2). Quarterly two charges two and two (0). Quarterly with one charge in dexter chief (2). Per Pall three charges one and two (2). Per Pale two charges in fess (0). Per Pale four charges two and two (2). Per Pale six charges three and three (2). Per Pale eight charges four and four (2). Per Saltire two charges one, two and one (0). Per Saltire two charges in pale (2). Per Saltire two charges in fess and two charges and pale (3). Per Saltire one charge in chief and three charges two and one (4). Per Saltire two charges in fess (4). Charge Groups of Non-Identical Charges - Secondary charge groups made up of two different charge types in equal (or nearly equal for odd numbers) numbers in a standard arrangement add points to the cost. Cost for tinctures and charges are not included. Costs are as follows: Simple Armory Two X's and a Y two and one (2). Non-ordinary Primary surrounded by a secondary charge group of two X's and a Y, two and one (4). An X (either Primary Secondary) between two Y's in Fess or Pale (5). Orle of alternating X's and Y's (6). Orle of alternating X's and Y's surrounding any other Charge Group (10). Two different long charges in saltire (primary or secondary) (10). Two X's and Two Y's arranged In Cross (10). Two X's and Two Y's arranged In Saltire (10). Two X's and One Y arranged In Pall (10). Two X's and One Y arranged In Pile (10). An X between or more Y's In Bend or In Chevron (10). Alternating X's and Y's in Annulo (10). Charge Group of more than two charges (10). Ordinaries Surrounded by Secondary Charge Groups Bend/Bend Sinister between three X's and three Y's (3). Bend/Bend Sinister between two X's and one Y (6). Bend/Bend Sinister between an X and a Y (10). Chevron between two X's and a Y" (2). Chevron between three X's and three Y's in any arrangement(6). Chevron between an X and a Y (6). Cross between any group of two non-identical charges in any symmetrical arrangement (6) Fess between two X's and a Y" (2). Fess between three X's and three Y's in any arrangement (6). Fess between an X and a Y (6). Saltire between two X's In Pale and two Y's in Fess (4) Saltire between one X in chief and three Y's (5) Secondary Charge Groups on Divided Fields (with or without an Ordinary) An X between two Y's in Fess on Flaunches (4). An X between two Y's in Pale on Flaunches (4). Party Per Six, three X's two and one and three Y's one and two (4). Party Per Six, three X's and three Y's three and three (10). Per Bend/Bend Sinister three X's and three Y's (3). Per Bend/Bend Sinister two X's and one Y (6). Per Bend/Bend Sinister an X and a Y (10). Per Chevron two X's and a Y (2). Per Chevron three X's and three Y's in any arrangement (6). Per Chevron an X and a Y (6). Per Cross any group of two non-identical charges in any symmetrical arrangement (6) Per Fess two X's and a Y (2). Per Fess three X's and three Y's in any arrangement(6). Per Fess an X and a Y (6). Per Saltire two X's In Pale and two Y's in Fess (4) Per Saltire one X in chief and three Y's (5) Variations: Non-Standard Numbers - Arrangements that don't use the standard number of charges add 2 points of weight. Non-Standard Orientation of Charges - Non-Ordinary Charges are normally Palewise, though long, skinny charges are equally likely to be Fesswise by default. An charge that is bendwise or palewise when is should be fesswise or palewise when it should be fesswise is adds 4 points of weight. Placing An Ordinary Across a Divided Field of the Same Type - This was far less common in Period heraldry than it is in SCA heraldry. Placing an ordinary over a divided field of the same type adds 2 points of weight to the design. Variations: Other styles of heraldry used tertiary charges to a lesser degree than Anglo-Norman heraldry did. Demote the frequency of all tertiary charge arrangements by one level except as follows: Bordures charged with groups made up of one or two different types of tertiary charges are Unusual in Iberian heraldlry, Chiefs charged with three identical charges are Unusual in other styles of heraldry. Non-Indentical Charge Groups - Tertiary charge groups made up of two different charge types in a standard arrangement reduce the frequency by one level. Historical examples include "an X between a group of Ys." and "Xs and Ys alternating." Non-Standard Numbers - Tertiary charges groups that don't use the standard number of charges are demoted by one level of frequency. Standard numbers are On a Chevron, Fess, Bend, Bend Sinister or Pale: One or three . On a Cross, Saltire, or Pall : One or five. On a chief: One, two, or three. Charges in charge groups are usually identical. Changing one charge of a charge group is unusual. When this is done it is usually the bottom-most charge with a per bend or a per fess line of partition or across a bend or fess or the center-most charge of a group of charges in cross, in saltire, in fess, or in pale. Non-Standard Orientation of Charges - Charges are normally Palewise, though long, skinny charges are equally likely to be Fesswise by default. Any charge that is placed on a pale, chevron, fess, or cross should keep its default orientation. Any charge placed on a bend, bend sinister, saltire or pall should follow the line of the ordinary. (Thus, "Gules, on a saltire Or, five cups sable.", would have the cups on the legs of the saltire in bend or in bend sinister and the cup in the middle would be palewise.) A charge that doesn't follow these defaults is automatically demoted to Unique. "Slot Machine Heraldry" For Tertiary Charges - This practice is very rarely found in late Period English heraldry. If you wish to emulate this extremely odd practice, choose three charge types that are no worse than Unusual for English heraldry, and design arms using an ordinary or chief. The device should be no worse than Rare before you add the tertiary charge group and it should not include any geometric field treatment or any fur except for ermine. All of the "weirdness" of the device should come from charges and lines of division. The Ordinary or Chief must be in a Common tincture but may include a complex line of division that is no worse than Rare. The slot machine charge group must consist of three different charges on a chief, chevron, fess, bend, bend sinister, or pale, or nine different charges in as even a pattern as possible on a saltire or cross. Such a device, in the aggregate, must be considered Unique, though they were merely Rare in the grants made by 16th century English heralds. Lines of Partition - Again, this follows Anglo-Norman practice. Common - None. (This is not a typo.) Unusual - Per Fess, Per Chevron (including Chape'), Quarterly Rare - Per Pale, Per Saltire, Gyronny, "Party of Six Pieces." Unique - Per Bend, Per Bend Sinister, Chausse, Chape Ploye', Gurge, Vetu, Vetu Ploye'. Unheard Of - Per Chevron Inverted, Per Pall, Per Pall Inverted, Gyronny Gyronnant, Schneckenwise. Variations Fess vs. Chief - In Early-Period heraldry Per Fess was occasionally indistinguishable from a chief. Per Chevron vs. Chape' - In Continental and early Anglo-Norman heraldry the line of division "Per Chevron" was indistinguishable from chapé. This custom was retained in Continental styles of heraldry. Per Saltire - In Iberian heraldry and heraldry influenced by Iberian styles, the Per Saltire field partition is Unusual, but it was used as a method of quartering arms. Party of Six - In English heraldry the line "party of six" (what SCA heralds would call "per fess.... a pale counterchanged) is Rarely encountered. This line is also found in the heraldry of France and and Germany though to a far lesser degree than in England. (It would be considered Unique in those cultures.) Per Bend and Per Bend Sinister - Oddly enough, the lines of division Per Bend and Per Bend Sinister rarely occur in heraldry, hence their low ranking. In Period, it was typical for these lines of division to be used interchangably. Extreme Oddities - Extremely rare lines of partition are vetu, vetu ploye', per pall, per chevron reversed (including chausse), and per pall reversed, Schneckenwise, Gyronny-Gyronnant These lines have, at best only one or two Period examples and mostly seem to be confined to late Period German heraldry. These lines of division are so unusual that they should only be used in field-only armory of two common tinctures with no further complication to the design. Lines of Division - Anglo Norman heraldry is notable for its extensive use of complex lines of division. Other styles of heraldry would demote the frequency of these complex lines by one level. Common - Engrailed, Indented, Wavy. Unusual - Embattled, Pily. Rare - Undy/Nebuly, Raguly, Fleuretty. Unique - Rayoneé, Potenty, Enchancreé, Nowy, Tortily (Rare in Scotland) , Trefoileé, Escartellé, Fracted, Bevilled, Offset, Grady Embattled. Unheard of - Linkstuf (left step), Rechtstuf (Right Step), Bevilled, Leaves (either trefoils or linden leaves) issuing from a per bend or per fess line of division. Variations Frequency of Lines of Division - In Anglo-Norman heraldry, Engrailed, Wavy, Indented (including pily) and Embattled account for perhaps 90% of all complex lines of division. Nebuly and Raguly account for approximately 9% of the rest. After that you occasionally see the line of division Fleuretty. The rest are Unique. Lines of Division outside of Anglo-Norman Heraldry - Complex lines of division are less common in other National Styles of European heraldry, except for some odd, uniquely-German designs - Linkstuf (left step), Rechtstuf (Right Step), Bevilled, Leaves (either trefoils or linden leaves) issuing from a per bend or per fess line of division, schneckenwise, gyronny-gyronnant, and so forth. These unusual lines of division have at most half-a-dozen examples in Period rolls, most of them late Period German examples. At best they constitute 1% of all complex lines of division as an aggregate. Any device that incorporates a very odd line of division should just consist of the odd field division in two common tinctures and nothing else. For some reason, the lines of division Engrailed and Wavy are far less common than the line of division Embattled in German heraldry. In German heraldry the line of division "pily" replaces the Indented line of division. Complex lines of division are Rare in Iberian heraldry and should be avoided when attempting to recreate that style. Unique lines of division should only be used for field-only heraldry, and only with devices that carefully follow the other stylistic rules for the heraldry of the proper time and place for that line of division. A device using one of these lines should have a complexity count of three at the outside, and should only use common tinctures and charges. Ordinaries - In all styles of heraldry the Cross, the Bend, and the Fess are found in roughly that order of frequency. The Chevron is particularly popular in Anglo-Norman heraldry and is far less popular elsewhere. It would be Unusual in Continental heraldry. Common - Cross, Bend, Bend Sinister, Chevron, Fess. Unusual - Pale, Saltire. Rare - Pall (in ecclesiastical heraldry), Bars Gemel. Unique - Cross Portate, Cross Potent Reversed Throughout, Pale and Chief, Chevron Inverted, Pall (in Secular heraldry), Shakefork. Unheard Of - Pall Reversed, Other Ordinaries Gemelled, Ordinaries Enhanced, Ordinaries Abased. Variations Chevrons - These are Unusual outside of Anglo-Norman Heraldry. Bend vs. Bend Sinister - The bend sinister is found interchangably with the bend. A bend or bend sinister overall was typically used as a mark of cadency or difference in Anglo-Norman heraldry. Bars Gemel - Bars Gemel are found in Anglo-Norman heraldry from the earliest times but must be considered Rare. The practice was Unheard Of for other Ordinaries. Cotising - Cotised ordinaries are less common than ordinaries without cotising. An ordinary with a plain line of division may be Cotised but this demotes the frequency of the charge by one level. If either the ordinary or the cotising has an unusual line of division, or the ordinary is doubly cotised then the frequency is demoted by two levels. If the ordinary is doubly cotised and the cotises have a complex line of division (whether or not the ordinary shares the complex line of division), the frequency is demoted by three levels. An ordinary which has one sort of complex line of division while its cotises have a different line of division is Unheard Of. Cotising an ordinary outside of Anglo-Norman heraldry demotes the frequency by one more level, since cotising seems to have been restricted to Anglo-Norman heraldry. Multiple Ordinaries - One, two, or three Bends, Bends Sinister, Chevrons, Chevrons Inverted, or Pales may be placed on the field without demoting the frequency. More than that demotes the frequency by one level. If multiple ordinaries are used, the frequency is demoted by one level if the ordinaries are charged or if there are seme' charges on the field. Combining Different Types of Ordinaries - In Period occasionally two common ordinaries were combined on the same device. A fess between two chevrons is Rare in English hearaldry and Unheard Of outside of it. In German heraldry there are single examples of a Pale and Chief and a Pale and Bars. Such combinations must be considered Unique. Any device incorporating such elements should use two common tinctures, two common ordinaries and nothing else. Ordinaries Couped - Rarely ordinaries are couped. Couping an ordinary lowers its likelihood of occurance by two levels. Ordinaries Overall - In Period Anglo-Norman heraldry, a bend overall was used as a mark of difference. A bend overall does not demote the frequency of the underlying device and may ignore the rule of tincture if the bend is gules or azure. Bends overall may be charged. Other Ordinaries Overall demote the frequency of the device by one level. Charges that overlie an Ordinary are Unheard Of. Multiple overlying charges are Unheard Of. Different Tinctures - Ordinaries in the same charge group tend to share the same tincture. If the ordinaries have different tinctures (except for ordinaries overlaying other ordinaries) demote the frequency of the device by one level. Oddities - The chevron inverted, the pall (including the pallium, which is forbidden in SCA heraldry), the pall inverted, the "pale and chief" (also called a cross potent throughout), The cross potent reversed (like a cross throughout with the lower leg cut off), and the cross portate are very rarely found in Period heraldry. These are so unusual that any device with these ordinaries should have no other charges, and should use two common tinctures in the device. By preference these charges should not have a complex line of division, but it is just concievable that an unusual ordinary could have a complex line of division that is extremely common for the place and time where that ordinary is found. (For example Rietstapp has French device a cross potent throughout reversed engrailed.) Peripheral Charges - Peripheral charges seem to be more common in Anglo-Norman and Iberian heraldry than elsewhere. A bordure or chief, was a common symbol of cadency or differencing. Common: None Unusual: Bordure, Chief Rare: Canton/Quarter. Orle Unique: Base, Tressure, Double Tressure, Ford Animate Charges - These frequencies hold for most styles of heraldry. Certain creatures are much more likely to be found in one posture than another. For example, greyhounds will usually be Courant. Frogs will always be Tergiant. Where the posture and the charge are linked, I have listed both the charge and the posture. Beasts - The heraldic bestiary is is surprisingly small. Only the most well known beasts were regularly used. Lions (and leopards) lead the list, followed by wolves, bears, boars, deer, bulls, horses, dogs, foxes, and various small animals. Postures of Beasts Common - Rampant, Passant. Unusual - None. Rare - Sejant, Salient, Two Beasts Combattant/Respectant. Unique - Couchant, Sejant Erect, Sejant Affronty, Two Beasts Addorsed. Unheard Of - Dormant, Statant Affronty. Beasts Common - Lion. Unusual - Boar Passant (and Rampant in German heraldry), Wolf/Fox, Bear, Talbot rampant or passant, Greyhound rampant, passant or courant, Bull passant or rampant, Rare - Heraldic Tyger, Mastiff, Horse statant or passant, Stag, Ram passant or rampant, Sheep passant, Goat rampant, salient or statant, Antelope statant or rampant, Elephant and castle statant, Snake ondoyant Unique - Lion Bircorporate Rampant, Lion Triporporate Rampant, Donkey passant, Lnyx passant, Cat sejant, sejant erect, passant, herissony, Fleece, Hind trippant, Cow passant, Calf passant, Rabbit rampant, couchant, or courant, rampant playing the bagpipes, three rampant in pall conjoined at the ears, Squirrel sejant erect, notoyant, Ape passant, Badger passant, Otter passant, Urchin passant, Beaver passant, Bat displayed, Frog tergiant, Lizard tergiant, Snake nowed, or engoulant in annulo, Weasel/Ermine passant, Camel passant, Porcupine passant, Tortise tergiant, Rat/Mouse tergiant, Mole tergiant, Bee volant in Arriere, Fly tergiant, Beetle tergiant, grasshopper statant, Butterfly displayed. Unheard Of - Everything else. Variations Identifiability - Beasts are inevitably displayed in the position that makes them most recognizable. Lions are rampant or passant. Dogs are rampant, passant, or sejant. Wolves and foxes are passant or rampant. Greyhounds are courant or statant or rarely rampant. Boars are passant in English heraldry, but are also found rampant in German heraldry. Bulls are rampant or passant. Deer and horses are either rampant or passant. (Deer are occasionally found "at gaze" i.e. passant guardant, or very rarely lodged i.e. couchant.) Bears are passant or rampant. Rabbits are courant, or rarely couchant or rampant. Small animals are passant, couchant, or tergiant, depending on which posture makes them most immediately recognizable.Any posture that would make an animal less immediately recognizable, like couchant or sejant (or a small animal rampant) would be Unique at best. Salient vs. Rampant vs. Sejant Erect - In Period the distinction was not always made between the postures salient and rampant. Also, sejant erect was the default position for a rampant animal when it was bearing two maintained charges, so there was no Period difference between rampant and sejant erect. Dormant and Statant Affronty - I have found no evidence the the posture Dormant was used in Period. The posture Statant Affronty does not appear to have been used in Perido as a posture for Beasts. Maintained Charges - Beasts maintaining charges are Rare in Period heraldry and the beast is usually holding a Common charge. Demote the liklihood of a beast maintaining a charge by one level below the least common charge in the group. If the beast is holding a charge in each paw, demote the frequency by two levels. Demi-Creatures - Demi-beasts occasionally appear in Period heraldry. Demote the frequency of any demi-beast by one level below the level of the unaltered charge. The posture of the beast is assumed to be passant or rampant. Any other posture would demote the frequency to one level below the frequency of the least frequently found element. Head Positions - The position of the head doesn't seem to have been specifically blazoned in Period heraldry. Some beasts automatically come with the head posture in a certain way, for example, a lion passant will usually have its head guardant. If the head is guardant (unless the beast is a lion passant) demote the frequency of the charge by one level. If the head is regardant, demote the frequency of the charge by two levels. Tail Positions - Tail positions other than the default occasionally appear in Period heraldry, but only for lions. Lions with Queue Forchee', or tails Nowed or Coward demote the frequency of the charge by two levels. Lions Doubly Queued or with the tail Elevated and Sufflexed or Extended are Uneard Of. Odd tail postures for creatures other than lions are Unheard Of. Proper Colors - Heraldic beasts usually appear in heraldic colors unless the beast must appear in its proper colors to identify it. Any beast that appears in its proper colors unless it wouldn't be identifiable otherwise is demoted in frequency by two levels. The exception to this is a brown or mostly brown creature that appears in its natural colors. The frequency of these charges is demoted by one level. Non-European Animals - With a few well-documented exceptions, animals from Asia and the Americas weren't used in Period heraldry. Non-European animal except for the elephant and the ape are Unheard Of . Rare Creatures - Most small creatures such as rats and lizards were very rarely used in Period heraldry. However, it is concievable that a very simple device using a European beast known in Period but not used in heraldry could have been used, especially in canting arms. Any European animal can be considered Unique even if its use can't be attested to in Period heraldry. It is better style to avoid using such beasts though. Birds - The heraldic aviary is even smaller than the heraldic zoo. Eagles (and hawks and falcons) are most frequently encountered, followed by martlets, crows, cocks, swans, herons, pelicans peacocks, and a few other European birds such as the magpie or hoopoe. Common - Eagles Displayed, Martlets close or volant (Unheard Of outside of Anglo-Norman heraldry). Unusual - Birds, Crows, or Falcons close (Falcons may be optionally hooded, belled and jessed). Rare - Cocks statant, Swans/Geese rousant or close, herons/cranes close, in their vigilance, Pelicans in their piety, close, Popinjays close, Peacock close, in its pride, Doves close Unique - Aiglettes, Cormorant close, Dove/Pigeon close, Duck/Merlot close, Kingfisher close, Heathcock/Moorcock close, Ostrich statant, statant maintaining a horseshoe, Hoopoe close, Magpie close,Pheonix, Hawk Trussing a Duck or Rabbit, Eagle Trussing a Swaddled Infant, Eagle/Falcon Rising, Bustard Close, Lapwing close. Unheard Of - Any bird in the postures Migrant, Striking, or Niant, Volant for any bird other than a Marlet, Non-European birds. Variations Eagles are inevitably displayed.(Properly any raptor displayed is an eagle.) Hawks are either close or very rarely rising or preyant upon a duck or rabbit. (The hawk is shown "rising" but with a duck in its talons and beak.) Very rarely you will have an eagle preyant upon a baby. (The eagle is close statant upon a baby in swaddling clothes feeding on the baby with its beak.) Martlets are inevitably volant or close and seem to be peculiar to Anglo-Norman heraldry. Crows and cocks are usually statant close. Herons and other wading birds are generally statant close, but on rare occasions you will have a crane standing in its vigilance - standing on one leg with the elevated leg maintaining a rock. Swans are always rousant (head down, wings elevated and addorsed, passant - swan in attack mode) or close. Waterfowl niant seem to be an SCA invention. Pelicans are always in their piety - that is wings elevated and with the beak down vulning itself. The next of hungry chicks is a rarely encountered addition. Peacocks are always in their pride (statant affronty tail displayed) or close. Other birds are presented in such a way as to make them immediately identifiable. Usually this position is statant close. Birds other than the Martlet are never encountered in the volant posture. The Migrant and Niant seem to be fancies of modern heralds, not Period heraldic positions for birds. Wings - If the bird is displayed, the wings are usually elevated. Any other posture of the wings is less common and demotes the frequency of the charge by one level. A rising bird always has its wings elevated and addorsed. Any other posture of the wings is less common and demotes the frequency of the charge by one level. Proper Colors - Heraldic Birds appear in heraldic colors unless they must appear in their proper colors to identify them. Any bird that appears in its proper colors unless it wouldn't be identifiable otherwise is demoted in frequency by two levels. Head Positions - Birds don't seem to have used the same head postures as beasts. Any bird with its head in a Guardant or Regardant posture is Unheard Of. Rare Birds - Birds not native to Europe, except for a few exceptions were not used in Period heraldry. It is possible that birds native to Europe that were not used in heraldry could have been used in heraldry, especially if they formed a cant. Such cases could be considered Unique, but it is better practice to avoid undocumentable charges. Monsters Common - None. Unusual - Griffin. Rare - Wyvern, Unicorn. Unique - Winged Lions, Winged Bulls, Pegasi, Seadogs, SeaWolves, Winged Sea Dragons, Sea Horses, Heraldic Tyger, Dragon, Mermaid, Melusine, Merman, Keythong (Male Griffin), Centaur, Sagitaury (lower body may be that of a horse or lion passant), Satyr (Hind legs of a goat), Panther, Salamander, Mandrake, Pantheon, Opinicus, Cockatrice, Hydra. Unheard Of - Everything Else. Variations Unique Monsters - Some Unique examples of other monsters can be found in other countries. German heraldry has examples of the Manticore, the Python, and Man-headed (and Maiden-headed!) lions. Many fanciful creatures appeared as supporters, or badges in Anglo-Norman heraldry but they weren't used as charges. Many more interesting monsters appeared in the bestiaries of the time. It is possible than any of these monsters could have made it into Period heraldry, but any such theoretical usage must be considered Unique at best and should be avoided if possible. Wings - Winged Beasts are Unique or Unheard Of in Period heraldry. Any beast with Wings is automatically demoted in frequency by three levels. Any beast with bat wings or butterfly wings is Unheard Of. Sea-Beasts - Beasts with the lower half replaced by a fish tail to make it a sea beast are seldom encountered in Period heraldry. Any sea-beast is demoted in frequency by three levels below the frequency of the beast. The posture of a sea-beast is assumed to be assurgeant. Any other posture would demote the frequency of the beast by another level. Fish - All Types of Fish are Rare. Types of Fish found in Medieval Heraldry are Fish Niant (Fesswise) or Huriant (Palewise) and Dolphins huraint or niant.Typical fish types are Barbs, Luces and Herring. Prawns, Whelks, Lobsters, Lobster's Claws (which look like a cracked spoon), and Crabs are also found but these are Unique. Two fish huriant can be addorsed. Heads - Beast heads appear with some frequency in Period heraldry. The head of any beast, bird, or monster may be used on its own though its frequency is demoted by one level from the whole charge. The neck treatments Couped and Erased seem to appear with roughly the same frequency. Couped Close demotes the frequency of the charge by a further level. In Scots heraldry couped close seems to have been more common than in other styles of heraldry, so stag's, boar's, and bear's heads that are couped close in Scots heraldry are not demoted. Stags heads, foxes masks, lions heads, and and other charges that require a frontal view for maximum identifiability may appear Affronty without penalty. Otherwise, heads affronty are demoted in frequency by one level. Human heads are all Rare charges. They may appear affronty or couped without penalty. Anything else demotes them by one level. Head of men, kings, wild men, maidens and queens (which may be optionally couped at the breast) appear affronty. Moor's heads and Saracen's heads appear couped. In some heraldic texts human heads appear in a three quarters view. This should be treated as an artistic variation of affronty. A Unique variant of the human head found in Welsh heraldry is a Boy's Head Couped affronty with a snake nowed around its neck. A Charge that is Unique outside of Hungarian Heraldry is the Turk's Head couped affronty. Human Skulls are a Unique charge. They appear affronty or in three quarters view. Animal Skulls are Unheard Of. Leopard's Faces Jessant de Lys are Unique in English heraldry and are Unheard Of outside of it. Simple Abstract Charges Common - Roundel Unusual - Annulet, Escallop. Lozenge/Fusil, Mullet of Five Points, Crescent, Water Bouget Rare - Mascule, Mullet of Six or Eight Points, Billet, Fountains Unique - Delf, Increscent, Decrescent, Crescent Reversed. Unheard Of - Hexagon, Triangle, Roundels or other geometric charges with complex lines of division. Variations The Water Bouget is Unheard Of outside of Anglo-Norman heraldry. The Escallop and the Mullet of Five points are Unique outside of Anglo-Norman heraldry. Plants and Leaves Common - Fleur-de-Lys. Unusual - Heraldic Rose, Cinquefoil, Deciduous Tree (various sorts include the Oak, Ash, Linden, and Maple), Garbs Rare - Trefoil, Quatrefoil, Staves (a bend or fess raguly couped), Oak Leaves, Linden Leaves, Crowns of Thorns, Wreaths of Roses. Unique - Pine Tree, Pine Cone, Acorn, Willow Tree, Thorn Trees, Hurst, Fruit Trees Fructed (Apple, Pear, Pomegranate), Crequier, Apples, Pears, Bunches of Grapes, Pomegranates, Quinces, Gourds, Hazel Nuts,Cloves, Stalks of Grain, Grape Vines Fructed, Bean Pods, Ivy Vines, Fig Leaves, Holly Leaves, Hazel Leaves, Laurel Leaves, Laurel Wreaths, Woodstocks, Branches Slipped and Leaved, Teasels, Thistles, Heraldic Rose Slipped and Leaved, Lily Slipped and Leaved, Seeblatts, Sunflower (Heliotrope), Gillyflowers, Irises, Columbines, Carnations, Violets, Sextfoils, Woodbine Leaves Unheard Of - Shamrocks, Nesselblatts, Garden Roses slipped and Leaved, Other Flowers Slipped and Leaved, Orles of Vines, Natural Pineapples, Oranges, Trilliums, Maple Leaves, Everything Else. Variations Roses - The heraldic rose is more common in Anglo-Norman heraldry than elsewhere. In Continental Heraldry it should be considered Rare. Foils - The various Foils are more common in Anglo-Norman heraldry than elsewhere. In Continental Heraldry the Trefoil, Quatrefoil, and the Cinquefoil should be considered Unique. The Shamrock is not a Period charge. Use the Trefoil instead. Thistles - The Thistle and the Teasel are Unique in all forms of Period heraldry. Their Use in Scottish heraldry should be avoided, since the Thistle was a badge of the Scottish Royalty from the 15th century on. Other Flowers - Easily-identifiable European flowers are either Unique or Unheard Of in heraldry. It is possible that distinctive flowers or plants native to Europe in the Middle Ages might have been used in heraldry, especially for cants. However, such hypothetical usage must be considered Unique, and is best avoided. The Trillium is a New World plant. It was not known or used in Period heraldry. Trees - Various breeds of decidiuous trees appear in heraldry. For the most part, they are Oaks, other breeds mentioned by name are extremely rare. Oak Trees Fructed are Unique in English heraldry and probably in other styles of heraldry as well. Pine trees are Unique in all styles of heraldry except for Iberian heraldry where they are Rare. However, these pine trees look more like Japanese pines than Christmas trees. Olive Trees are Rare in Iberian heraldry and are Unique elsewhere. They are usually vert fructed Or.. Palm Trees are Unheard Of outside of Iberian heraldry where they are Unique. Willow Trees and Thorn Trees are Unique in Anglo-Norman heraldry. Linden trees with stylized leaves and branches are Rare in German heraldry, as are linden leaves. It is possible that other species of European trees with easily identifiable shapes could have been used in medieval heraldry especially if they canted on a surname. Such theoretical usage should be considered Unique at best and should be avoided if possible. Branches - Branches slipped and leaved are Unique in all styles of heraldry. Usually these branches are oak branches fructed. Branches are very similar to staves ( a pale or bend couped raguly) which are a Rare charge in Anglo-Norman and Germanic heraldry. Palm branches might be Unique, but are probably Unheard Of. They are rich in Christian symbolism, but don't appear to have made it into heraldry. Fruits and Vegetables - Heraldic Fruits are the Apple, Pear, Pomegranate, Grapevine Fructed, Pinecone and Acorn. A Unique example of the Strawberry appears in German heraldry. Vegetables are Unique at best in all styles of heraldry and are unknown in English heraldry outside of the bean pod. German examples are the Turnip and the Garlic.Other types of fruits and vegetables weren't used, though easily identifiable fruits and vegetables common in Europe might have been used, especially for a cant. Like all other hypothetical usages, they are best avoided. (It is worth noting that the first usage of an Orange in English heraldry dates to the late 17th century. It is also worth noting that the orange carrot is an out of Period mutation. Don't use orange charges if you want Period style heraldry.) Leaves - In German heraldry, the Linden Leaf, Seeblatt (a stylized, heart-shaped water lily leaf) and Oak Leaf are Rare charges. The other styles of heraldry just seem to have used the linden leaf (which is a simple spade-shaped charge, what SCA heraldry would call the card pique). Maple leaves appear to have not been used in Period heraldry. In Europe, the Maple is far less common and the leaves of European Maples don't turn bright red and yellow in the Fall. This might account for their lack of popularity. The Nesselblat - This charge is Unique in German heraldry and is Unheard Of outside of it. It is found in a few Northern German arms, the most famous of which is the arms of the Counts of Schlieswig. It always appears as a single primary charge with no overall or peripheral charges. If you wish to design a device that uses a Nesselblat, you should use just the Nesselblat and two common tinctures if you wish to remain true to Period heraldic style. Hursts -A Unique charge found in both Germanic and English heraldry is the stag or wolf issuant from a hurst. This is complete device all by itself. The combination of hurst and beast is more than enough weirdness for one device, no more charges should be added. Celestial Charges - In SCA heraldry these charges are ubiquitous. In Period heraldry, they are much less common. Common: None. Unusual: Crescents, Mullets of Five, Six, or Eight points. Rare: Suns, Increscents, Decrescents, Crescents Reversed, Estoilles. Unique: Crescents Reversed, Mullets of Seven Points, Sunbursts, Moons in their Plenitude, Three Crescents conjoined in pall, Clouds. Unheard Of: Comets, Compass Stars, Mullets of Four Points, Mullets of any other number of points, Mullets of Greater and Lesser Points, Suns Eclipsed, Demi-Suns, Thunderbolts, Lighteningbolts, Rainbows, Lightening Flashes (Shazams). Variations Mullets - In Period heraldic symbolism, these were spur rowels, not stars. They were Rarely pierced through the center to make them more obviously spur rowels. In German heraldry mullets of six and eight points are Unusual while mullets of five points are Rare. These mullets appear to represent stars. Unique examples from late Period armorials have them surrounded by thin lines to represent their light. Mullets used in Continental armory appear to have never been pierced. Mullets of less than five or more than eight points don't appear in Period heraldry. If you want a four pointed or three pointed star use the Caltrop instead. Mullets of seven points are unique to one Portuguese armorial. Unless you're designing a device that is supposed to emulate 15th c. Portuguese heraldry, you should avoid them. Estoilles - These charges are Rare in Anglo-Norman heraldry. Other styles of heraldry did not use them. Suns - These charges are Rare in Anglo-Norman heraldry and Unique elsewhere. A sun is always drawn with alternating wavy and straight lines of equal length, the face is optional. Demi-suns and suns eclipsed are not Period. Crescents - Crescents are Unusual in Anglo-Norman heraldry and Rare in all other styles. Decresents and Increscents are Rare in Anglo-Norman heraldry and Unique in all styles. Crescents reversed are Unique in all styles of heraldry. Combining an increscent, a crescent (or a roundel) and a decrescent to form the phases of the moon is an SCA invention. Compass Stars, Compass Roses, and Mullets of Greater and Lesser Points - Not Period. If you want to make spoil an otherwise Period-looking device, put one of these charges on it. Sunbursts - These charges are Unique to English heraldry and Unheard Of elsewhere. Rainbows - These charges are Unique to German heraldry, but they might exist elsewhere. Lightening Bolts - These charges are Unique ot German heraldry, but they might exist elsewhere. Thunderbolts - Don't seem to have been used in Period. Lightening Flashes (aka "Shazams") - Invented along with the comic book. Avoid them. Banned in SCA heraldry. Clouds: In Period, clouds were represented by the line of division Nebuly if they were a peripheral charge. If they were a free-standing charge, they are drawn as a snaky squiggle that is nebuly at each turn. They aren't drawn like pieces of popcorn the way that modern clouds are. A heraldic cloud looks like like nothing so much as a piece of the ribbon candy you get around Christmas. Occasionally, you will find an arm or the bust of a saint issuant from a cloud, but clouds don't seem to have appeared as an independent charge. Clouds are always argent. Weapons, Armor, and Military Tools. Common: None. Unusual: Axes, Pheons Rare: Swords, Arrows, Bows, Lances, Spears, Spear Heads, Armored Arms Embowed (optionally maintaining a sword or seax), Helmets, Hunting Horns, Knights mounted and armed. Unique: Maces, Crossbows, Caltrops, Scaling Ladders, Cuirasses, Armored Legs embowed, Escutcheons, Seaxes, Warhammers, Clarions, Banners, Battering Rams, Morions, Handcannons, Tents, Pistols, Target Shields, Gauntlets (adorsed or clenched), Pavillions. Unheard Of: Cannons, Grenades, Fireballs, Mail shirts, joint armor separate of an armored arm or leg., Shields other than Escutcheons. Variations Gunpowder Weapons - Pistols are found only in one example from the late 16th c. Handcannons are found in a unique example from a 15th c. roll of arms. They should be avoided if you wish to recreate the armory of earlier Periods. Cannons, Grenades, and Fireballs appear to be 17th century charges. They should be avoided if you wish to recreate Period style heraldry. Warhammers are graceful things that look like a pointed hammer on the end of a long pole. They are Unique in Period heraldry. The SCA "cinder block on a stick" is not an accurate representation of any type of hammer used in Period. Armor is the armor of the Gothic Period or later. Period heraldry did not uses spangenhelms, Greek or Roman helmets or similar earlier Period armor styles. The bascinet is a Unique charge with only one example that I have found. The tilting helm was slightly more common. The skirt of leather strips similar to that worn by Roman soldiers is found as the badge of an Italian family. It should be considered Unique in that style of heraldry and Unheard Of outside of Italy. Swords and Daggers were interchangable and always were simple, straight-bladed weapons. Medieval heraldry didn't distinguish between types of swords or knives and never used any odd form of weapon. Weapons such as the Flamberge, Cinqueda, Rapier, Scimitar, or Claymore wouldn't have been used in Period heraldry. Axes - Medieval heraldry always used the single-bladed battle axe wih a small spike on the back or the bearded, single-bladed carpenter's adze. The double bladed axe, the cousin of the SCA "cinder block on a stick" was never used in Period heraldry. Banners - Were typically charged with a single, simple, common charge when they were used as charges. Miscellaneous Charges - It is concievable that any Period artifact that was readily identifiable could have been used in heraldry, especially if it could be used to form a cant on a surname. However, most artifacts weren't used in heraldry unless there was a specific reason for them to be used. Architectural Charges - Rare charges include Towers/Castles and Portcullises. Portcullises were Unique outside of Anglo-Norman heraldry. In Germanic heraldry it was not uncommon for towns to have elaborate representations of walls and gates which were usually based around the blazon "Per fess embattled and argent masoned sable,..." or " a wall throughout argent masoned sable...". This motif is not found in personal arms, but is merely Unusual in Germanic Civic arms. In Iberian heraldry, the Castle was a Common secondary or tertiary charge, since it was allusive to the castle on the arms of Castille. Unique charges include Arches, Columns, Bridges, Windmills, Churches, Church Spires and Wells. Arches and Columns also appear in German and Italian heraldry. Nautical Charges - Charges that use ships or nautical equipment are scarce in Period heraldry. Rare charges include the Lymphad, Ship, and Anchor. Unique charges include the Longship (Unheard Of outside of Scotland), the Hulk (Unheard Of outside of England), the Astrolabe, and the Sail (used as a Badge by Rene of Anjou). Musical Instruments - Hunting Horns (with or without strings) are Rare in Anglo-Norman heraldry and Unique outside of it. Trumpets (either straight or serpentine), and Harps are Unique. Other Period musical instruments don't seem to have been used as charges. If they were used they must be considered Unique. Wood and Metalworking Tools - Since heraldry reflected a bias towards the activities and preoccupations of the noble class craft tools are underrepresented in Period heraldry. The Hammer (which is a charge with a graceful handle and a slightly crescent shaped head) is a rare charge. The sledge maul or "cinder block on a stick" is not Period. However, the Mallet is Period, though Unique. Tongs, Saws, Plumb bobs, Carpenter's Squares, Dividers/Compasses, Nails, Crampons, Staples, Angles, and Gears (probably a representation of a mill wheel though) are Unique charges. The Anvil is a Unique charge, but it looks different from the type of anvil used today. A Period anvil looked like a loaf of bread or else it had a horn on each end. Textile Tools - A regularly encountered in English heraldry, but are far less common in other styles of heraldry. The Woolpack/Cushion is a Rare charge. Wool Cards, Flax Combs, Shuttles, Teasels, Hanks of Cotton, and Embroiderer's Brooches are Unique charges. They are Unheard Of outside of England. Building and Agricultural Tools - These are infrequently found charges. Wheels (including Millwheels and Catherine's Wheels), Millrinds and Keys are Rare. Sythes, Masons Trowels, Dung Forks, Spades, Spade Heads, Millstones, Harrows, Plowshares, Padlocks, Fishtraps, Baskets, and Winnowing Fans are all Unique charges. Except for Millrinds, Catherine's Wheels, and Millstones they are unlikely to appear unless they form a cant. Cooking Tools - Cooking tools are also seldom seen. Barrels and Cups (either covered or uncovered) are rare charges. Forks, Spoons, Plates (indistinguishable from a roundel argent or Or except for internal detailing), Bowls, Buckets, Bottles, Tubs, Coppers, Gridirons, Trivets, and Cauldrons are all Unique. The exception is the Cauldron when used in Iberian heraldry which is an Unusual charge. It is typically found as a secondary charge group or else as a charge on a bordure. Germanic heraldry is notable for its colorful, if Unique food-related charges. One Swiss family has two sausages on a gridiron as the charge on their arms. Another family has as a crest a fork impaling a sausage. Several German baker's guilds have Pretzels on their arms. All such charges must be considered Unique, but they do suggest that especially in German heraldry, there is some latitude in including some downright silly food-related charges into heraldry. Toys and Games - Dice, Backgammon boards, Tops, and Nine-Men's Morris boards are found as Unique charges in English heraldry. A Unique 16th c. German device has a puppet pulling two more puppets from its pockets. Hunting and Horse Furniture - Medieval nobles hunted for food, exercise and pleasure, they rode into battle or to travel from place to place, so there are quite a number of heraldic charges that reflect the pastimes of hawking, hunting, and riding. Hunting Horns and Horse Barnacles are Rare charges in Anglo-Norman heraldry. They are Unheard Of elsewhere., Stirrups, Hawk's Bells, Saddles, Chamfrons (armor for horse's head), Hawk's Lures, Fetterlocks, Bridle Bits, and Horseshoes are Unique charges in Anglo-Norman heraldry. They are Unheard Of outside of it. Scholarly Charges - Scholars were rare in Medieval times and many of them never assumed arms. When they did assume arms, it was probably because they had joined the ranks of the clergy or the courtiers, so they tended to use the symbolism of the Court or Church. A scholar with a taste for pedantry would likely include a Unique charge such as Greek Letters, an Astrolabe, an Armillary Sphere (very Late Period), or a charge from classical mythology. Books as a charge in personal arms are Unheard Of though they appear Rarely in the arms of ecclesiastical institutions or colleges. Spectacles are a Unique and Late Period charge, though they were known for several centuries before that. However, medieval spectacles looked very different from the modern varieties. Scrolls, Oil Lamps, and Quills appear to have not been used in Period. Miscellaneous Body Parts, Jewelry, and Clothing - Again, this category of charges is rarely encountered. Rare charges includes Hands Appaume, Hearts, and Maunches. These charges appear to be Unheard Of outside of Anglo-Norman heraldry. German heraldry would use a Seeblatt or Linden Leaf instead of a Heart. Round Buckles and Lozenge-Shaped Buckles are Rare in Anglo-Norman heraldry. Square Buckles are Unique. All Buckles are Unique outside of 5Anglo-Norman heraldry. Unique charges include Eyes, Breasts, Shoes, Pattens, Hoods, Shin Bones, Caps, Bohemian Caps, Doge's Caps, Hat Bands, Bishop's Mitres, Caps of Maintenance (restricted in usage in the SCA), Crowns (ditto), Finger Rings, Palmer's Scrips, Hose (single-leg variety, not joined), and Spectacles. These charges are just as likely to be found in German heraldry as Anglo-Norman heraldry, except for the Cap of Maintenance which appears to be an English creation. Italian heraldry has a Unique instance where Testicles are used to form a cant on the surname Coda. Mercifully for heraldic censors, it looks just like an stemless ivy leaf reversed. Decorative Chains, Belts, Baldrics, and Garters are not found in Period heraldry. Other body parts or other types of clothing or jewelry are Unheard Of. Miscellaneous Animal Parts - These are also strange charges. Lion's Jambs and Eagle's Jambs, Wings (either individual or conjoined) are Rare. Plumes, Lion's Tails, Ermine Spots, and Bear's Jambs are Unique. Everything else is Unheard Of. Paw Prints, and Dragon's Tails are unique to SCA heraldry. Crosses - There are far too many Period cross variants to treat in this article. In general, Anglo-Norman heraldry had more types of cross variants than other styles of heraldry. The cross throughout is Common in all styles of heraldry. The cross moline, the cross crosslet, the cross bottony, the cross paty, the cross patonce, and the cross fleuretty are Unusual in Anglo-Norman heraldry. Crosses crosslet, bottony, and patty can be fitched at the foot. Germanic heraldry had the cross patty and the cross couped as Unusual Designs. Spanish heraldry seemed to use saltorels in preference to any other variation on the cross. The Salorel is Unusual in Iberian heraldry. The Cross Flory is Rare. The use of the Cross of Calatrava seems to have been unique to that order and should not be used with Spanish style heraldry. Two SCA favorites, the Crux Ansata (the ankh) and the Celtic Cross appear to be modern inventions and are Unheard Of in Period heraldry. Likewise Crosses Nowed and Crosses Quadrate seem to be modern inventions. Non-European and Pre-Heraldic Charges - Things like Thor's hammers, Tai Chis (a roundel embowed counter-embowed), Zils, Gripping Beasts, Bat-Winged Monsters, Non-European Animals not specifically documented as being used in Period heraldry, and all other charges that are based on pre-heraldic (pre-13th century) or non-European designs are not-Period. Either people didn't know about them during the heraldic period or they weren't used in heraldry because they didn't fit the traditional patterns of heraldic design. Examples of The System In Use I have randomly chosen two devices from SCA Armorial and two arms from a Period English Armorial to test my rankings. All arms are assumed to be Anglo-Norman by default. Argent, a mullet of five points between six chessrooks in orle sable. Argent and sable are Common. Mullets are Unusual. Chessrooks are Unique. Charges in Orle are Rare. The device gets one free Rare practice, so the orle of chessrooks isn't completely invalid as Period style. The device is likely to be very rare in Period heraldry, but is still plausible. Argent , ermined azure a bend azure and overall a sword sable. Argent is common. Azure is common. Ermined is Unique. Bends are Common. Sable is Common. Charges overlaying Ordinaries are Unheard Of. The device isn't Period Style. Argent, on a fusil azure, a wolf's head erased argent, langued gules, and in chief two decrescents azure. Argent is common. Azure is common. Wolves are Common, so Wolves heads are Unusual (the tincture of the tongue is an artistic detail which I'll ignore), Fusils/Lozenges are Unusual (no distinction was made in Period), Decrescents are Unique. The pattern of a charge on a Simple Geometric Charge is Unique. The pattern of primary charge and two charges in chief is Unusual. The device gets two Unusual motifs without penalty. The third Unusual practice drops it to Rare. The second Rare practice drops it to Unique. The second Unique practice drops it to Unheard Of. The third Unique practice makes even more implausible. The device isn't Period. Gules, a chevron between thee boars heads couped close within a bordure engrailed argent. Gules and argent are common. Boars are Unusual, so boars heads are Rare. Couped Close adds an extra level of rarity to the lowest level. A bordure is Unusual. Engrailed is Common. The device gets two free Unusual practices and one Rare one. The couped close brings the device down to being Unique. It is rare because of the odd boar's heads,, but is still plausible as Period heraldry.