Bar (heraldry)

In English heraldry, the bar is an heraldic ordinary consisting of a horizontal band extending across the shield.^[1] 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);^[2] the fess occupies one-third.^[3] 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.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]} But, others, including Leigh (1597) and Guillim (1638), assert that the bar is a separate and distinct ‘honorouble ordinary’.^{[11][12][13][14][15]} Holme (1688) is equivocal.^[16] When taken as an honourable ordinary, it is co-equal with the other nine of the English system.^[17] Some authors who consider the bar a diminutive of the fess class it as a subordinary.^[18][19] Authorities agree that the bar and its diminutives have a number 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.^[20] 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.^[21] 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.^[22]

A horizontal partition of the field at the base, occupying the breadth of a bar, is termed a base-bar (or baste-bar).^[23][24][25] This division of the field is also sometimes termed a base (also baste) or a point or plain point.^{[26][27][28][29][30][31]} It has also been referred to as a base point, point in base, party per baste bar (or party in baste bar).^{[32][33][34][35]} It has even been termed simply a bar and its position at the base noted.^[36] Some authors hold that this bearing is an abatement, or mark of dishonor, if of the tincture sanguine (or perhaps tenné).^{[37][38][39][40]} If sanguine, it is held to be a mark of dishonor for the offense of lying to the sovereign.^[41][42] 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'.^[43] 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".^[44]

Like other charges, bars (and base-bars) may bear varied lines—such as embattled, indented, nebuly, etc.^[45]