SUBORDINATE ORDINARIES.

In order more particularly to distinguish the subordinates in an army (the chieftains of different countries alone being entitled to the preceding marks of honour), other figures were invented by ancient armorists, and by them termed subordinate ordinaries.  Their names and forms are as follows:—­

[Illustration:  Gyron]

The gyron is a triangular figure formed by drawing a line from the dexter angle of the chief of the shield to the fess point, and an horizontal line from that point to the dexter side of the shield.

The field is said to be gyrony when it is covered with gyrons.

[Illustration:  Gyrony]

Ex.  Gyrony of eight pieces, argent and gules.

[Illustration:  Canton]

The canton is a square part of the escutcheon, usually occupying about one-eighth of the field; it is placed over the chief at the dexter side of the shield:  it may be charged, and when this is the case, its size may be increased.  The canton represents the banner of the ancient Knights Banneret.  The canton in the example is marked A.

See KNIGHTS BANNERET in the Dictionary.

The lozenge is formed by four equal and parallel lines but not rectangular, two of its opposite angles being acute, and two obtuse.

[Illustration:  Lozenge]

Ex.  Argent, a lozenge, vert.

The fusil is narrower than the lozenge, the angles at the chief and base being more acute, and the others more obtuse.

[Illustration:  Fusil]

Ex.  Argent, a fusil, purpure.

The mascle is in the shape of a lozenge but perforated through its whole extent except a narrow border.

[Illustration:  Mascle]

Ex.  Gules, a mascle, argent.

The fret is formed by two lines interlaced in saltier with a mascle.

[Illustration:  Fret]

Ex.  Azure, a fret, argent.

Fretty is when the shield is covered with lines crossing each other diagonally and interlaced.

[Illustration:  Fretty]

Ex.  Gules, fretty of ten pieces, argent.

At the present time it is not usual to name the number of pieces, but merely the word fretty.

The pile is formed like a wedge, and may be borne wavy, engrailed, &c.; it issues generally from the chief, and extends towards the base, but it may be borne in bend or issue from the base.

See PILE and IN PILE in Dictionary.

[Illustration:  Pile]

Ex.  Argent, a pile, azure.

The inescutcheon is a small escutcheon borne within the shield.

[Illustration:  Inescutcheon]

Ex.  Argent, a pale, gules, over all an inescutcheon or, a mullet sable.

An orle is a perforated inescutcheon, and usually takes the shape of the shield whereon it is placed.