Section C:  Divisions & Complex Lines

This section deals with the different ways you can divide a field, as well as the different lines you can use to do.

When looking at armory, you will often see fields that are something other than one solid tincture.  We talked about furs in Section A, but another option is to divide the field into multiple sections.  Those divisions aren't random or arbitrary, however.  They are based on the central ordinaries that we talked about in Section B. 

When dividing a field, the divisions mirror the shapes of the ordinaries.  The way you designate the difference is by the word in front of the term.  For example, when you are talking about an ordinary, you would say 'a fess' or 'a saltire'.  When you are talking about a division, you would say 'per fess' or 'per saltire'.  The word 'per' lets you know that you are talking about a field or charge divided into multiple sections.

There are some important rules that apply when you are dividing a field.  If there are 2 or 4 sections, you can use any combination of two tinctures.  If there are 5 or more sections, then the tinctures used must have good contrast with each other.  For per pall divisions, which have 3 sections, one of the tinctures must be a color and one must be a metal.

Ordinaries and field divisions have a fun option that doesn't apply to other things.  They can use a varied or complex line instead of a straight line when they are drawn.  There are several complex lines that are used in SCA heraldry.

When using a complex line, it is very important that the details be identifiable.  The 'bumps' need to be drawn at even intervals, with a reasonable number of repeats, and of a size that it is clear what they are.  Many submissions have been returned for a complex line not being drawn properly.

It is also important to remember that complex lines cannot be applied to anything other than ordinaries and field divisions.

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