Bar (heraldry)

In English heraldry, the bar is an heraldic ordinary consisting of a horizontal band extending across the shield. In form, it closely resembles the fess but differs in breadth: the bar occupies one-fifth of the breadth of the field of the escutcheon (or flag); the fess occupies one-third. Heraldists differ in how they class the bar in relation to the fess. A number of authors consider the bar to be a diminutive of the fess. But, others, including Leigh (1597) and Guillim (1638), assert that the bar is a separate and distinct ‘honorouble ordinary’. Holme (1688) is equivocal. When taken as an honourable ordinary, it is co-equal with the other nine of the English system. Some authors who consider the bar a diminutive of the fess class it as a subordinary. Authorities agree that the bar and its diminutives have a number of features that distinguish them from the fess.

The diminutive of the bar one-half its breadth is the closet, while the diminutive one-quarter its breadth is the barrulet. These frequently appear in pairs separated by the width of a single barrulet. Such a pair is termed a bar gemel and is considered a single charge and a third diminutive of the bar. A field divided by many bars — often six, eight or ten parts with two alternating tinctures — is described as barry. The term bar is also sometimes used as a more general term for ordinaries that traverse the field and sometimes to denote the bend sinister and its diminutives.

A horizontal partition of the field at the base, occupying the breadth of a bar, is termed a base-bar (or baste-bar). This division of the field is also sometimes termed a base (also baste) or a point or plain point. It has also been referred to as a base point, point in base, party per baste bar (or party in baste bar). It has even been termed simply a bar and its position at the base noted. Some authors hold that this bearing is an abatement, or mark of dishonor, if of the tincture sanguine (or perhaps tenné). If sanguine, it is held to be a mark of dishonor for the offense of lying to the sovereign. Newton (1846) elaborates even further and ascribes it to the offense of 'fabricating false intelligence, thereby misleading a commander and placing the army in danger'. However, Berry (1828) stresses that, if of one of the many other metals or colours, it is a badge "of the greatest honor and distinction".

Like other charges, bars (and base-bars) may bear varied lines—such as embattled, indented, nebuly, etc.