Simple heraldry

Simple Heraldry is one of the most misunderstood concepts in SCA heraldry. It is a term used to describe certain devices that, when conflict checking, may not require two clear differences to pass. Heralds refer to these devices as being "X.2 simple".

From the Rules for Submission:

Simple armory does not conflict with other simple armory if the type of every primary charge is substantially changed.

These types of changes were normally seen between complete strangers in blood, and were not usually used to indicate any form of cadency. For purposes of this rule, simple armory is defined as armory that has no more than two types of charge directly on the field and has no overall charges.

For example, Or a lion gules only has one clear difference from Or a sword gules. However, because it meets the definition of simple heraldry, and the primary charge has changed, it is considered free of conflict.