In heraldry, an Orle is a subordinary that is a narrow bordure following the exact outline of the shield, but within it, showing the field between the outer edge of the orle and the edge of the shield. An orle is roughly half the width of a bordure. An orle that approached the width of a bordure would be better classed as an inescutcheon within a bordure (see example below).
Variations of orles
Orles may varied by any of the lines of variation. For instance an orle may be indented (see example below).
Charges may be placed on the shield in the form of an orle (see example below).
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Example of an inescutcheon within a bordure: gules, inescutcheon argent within a bordure argent
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Example of an orle indented on its inner edge
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Example of a shield argent with bezants goules placed in orle
References
- A C Fox-Davies A Complete Guide to Heraldry (revised by J P Brooke-Little, Richmond Herald), Thomas Nelson and Sons, London 1969