The _fess_ is formed by two horizontal lines drawn above and below the centre of the shield. The fess contains in breadth one third of the field. [Illustration: fess] Ex. Argent, a fess, azure. The _bar _is formed in the same manner as the fess, but it only occupies the fifth part of the field. It differs from the fess, that ordinary being always placed in the centre of the field; but the bar may be placed in any part of it, and there may be more than one bar in an escutcheon. [Illustration: Bar] Ex. Gules, two bars, argent. The _closet_ is a diminutive of the bar, and is half its width. [Illustration: Closet] Ex. Argent, two closets, azure. The _barrulet_ is half the width of the closet. [Illustration: Barrulet] Ex. Gules, two barrulets, argent. The annexed example is to illustrate the word _gemels_, which is frequently used to describe double bars. The word _gemels_ is a corruption of the French word _jumelles_, which signifies double. [Illustration: Gemels] Ex. Azure, two bars, gemels, argent. When the shield contains a number of bars of metal and colour alternate, exceeding five, it is called _barry_ of so many pieces, expressing their numbers. [Illustration: Barry] Ex. Barry of seven pieces, argent and azure. THE CHEVRON. The figure of the _chevron_ has been described as representing the gable of a roof. It is a very ancient ordinary, and the less it is charged with other figures the more ancient and honourable it appears. [Illustration: Chevron] Ex. Argent, a chevron, gules. The diminutives of the chevron, according to English Heraldry, are the _chevronel_, which is half the breadth of the chevron. [Illustration: Chevronels] Ex. Argent, two chevronels, gules. And the _couple-close_, which is half the chevronel. [Illustration: Couple-closes] Ex. Gules, three couple-closes interlaced in base, or. _Braced_ is sometimes used for interlaced. See the word BRACED in the Dictionary. THE CROSS. This, as its name imports, was the distinguishing badge of the Crusaders, in its simplest form. It was merely two pieces of list or riband of the same length, crossing each other at right angles. The colour of the riband or list denoted the nation to which the Crusader belonged. The cross is an honourable ordinary, occupying one fifth of the shield when not charged, but if charged, one third. [Illustration: Cross] Ex. Or, a cross, gules.