Sect. V. What Field and Charge are.

THE Field is the whole Surface of the Shield or Escocheon, overspread with some Metal, Colour or Furr, and comprehendeth in it the Charge, if there be any.

Note 1. There are as many several Fields as there are Tinctures.

Note 2. When ever a Field consists of one only Metal or Colour, it is said, that in such a Coat, such a Colour, or Metal does predominiate. But in some Coats the Field consists of many Tinctures.

A Charge is whatsoever is contain’d in the Field, whether it occupy the whole, or only a Part thereof.

All Charges are Proper or Common.

Those which are common only to and in this Art, are called Proper or Honourable Ordinaries.