Originally these were a structural part of the shield, and can be shown as raised above the level of the background or field.
Ordinaries are the simplest form of charge.
The Quarter and Canton are usually included in the Sub-ordinaries . Chief A horizontal band across the top of the shield, conventionally occupying one third of the shield but usually drawn smaller, say one quarter the depth. A very common charge, the chief does not obscure other charges such as a bend or saltire. Fess A horizontal band across the middle of the shield, conventionally occupying one third of the shield but usually drawn smaller, say one quarter the depth. Back to the Ordinaries menu Pale A vertical band down the middle of the shield, conventionally occupying one third of the shield but often drawn smaller, say one quarter of the width.