Glossary
Field: The primary color of the shield.
Ordinary: One of several common design motifs including chevron, saltire, bend, fess, pale, and chief.
Charge: A design, such as a martlet or a lion, that is placed on top of an ordinary.
Tincture: The colors of the field, ordinary, and charges.
Crest: The emblem that adorns the armorial helm.
Supporters: Heraldic beasts or anthropomorphs placed on the dexter and sinister sides of the shield.
Differencing: Differences between two like shields to convey extra information about the armiger such as cadence or bastardy.