The Manual of Heraldry
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Chapter VI.
Marshalling Charges on Escutcheons by the Rules of Heraldry.
The symbolic figures of Heraldry are so well known to those acquainted with the science in every kingdom of Europe, that if an Englishman was to send a written emblazonment or description of an escutcheon to a French, German, or Spanish artist acquainted with the English language, either of them could return a properly drawn and colored escutcheon; but a correct emblazonment would be indispensable. A single word omitted would spoil the shield.
I.
The reader has already been informed that in emblazoning an escutcheon, the color of the field is first named; then the principal ordinary, such as the fess, the chevron, &c., naming the tincture and form of the ordinary; then proceed to describe the charges on the field, naming their situation, metal, or color; lastly, describe the charges on the ordinary.
II.
When an honorable ordinary or some one figure is placed upon another, whether it be a fess, chevron, cross, &c., it is always to be named after the ordinary or figure over which it is placed, with either the words surtout or overall.
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