Charge

Charge (Heraldry)

A charge is anything that appears on the field of a device.

Period examples include myriad forms of crosses, animals (leopards, lions, cattle), plants and plant parts (roses, thistles etc), celestial objects (comets, stars, suns, moons), weapons (Swords, spears etc), tools (fleams, hammers etc) or pieces of anatomy (heads, eyes, limbs, moustaches). Charges also include ordinaries.

• Heraldic beasts
• Plants
• Body parts
• Weapons
• Buildings
• General objects
• Geometric shapes
• Crosses
• Ordinaries

Charges should be distinguished from line divisions and the field.

Charge (Fighting)

To charge is to advance against the enemy, typically at a run.

It is not to be confused with the command to retreat.