The pile (Fig. 143) is a triangular wedge usually (and unless otherwise specified) issuing from the chief. The pile is subject to the usual lines of partition (Figs. 144-151).
The early representation of the pile (when coats of arms had no secondary charges and were nice and simple) made the point nearly reach to the base of the escutcheon, and as a consequence it naturally was not so wide. It is now usually drawn so that its upper edge occupies very nearly the whole of the top line of the escutcheon; but
the angles and proportions of the pile are very much at the discretion of the artist, and governed by the charges which need to be introduced in the field of the escutcheon or upon the pile.
| Fig. 140.—Chevronels. | Fig. 141.—Chevronels braced. | Fig. 142.—Chevron rompu. |
| Fig. 143.—Pile. | Fig. 144.—Pile engrailed. | Fig. 145.—Pile invecked. |
| Fig. 146.—Pile embattled. | Fig. 147.—Pile indented. | Fig. 148.—Pile wavy. |
A single pile may issue from any point of the escutcheon except the base; the arms of Darbishire showing a pile issuing from the dexter chief point.
A single pile cannot issue in base if it be unaccompanied by other piles, as the field would then be blazoned per chevron.
Two piles issuing in chief will be found in the arms of Holles, Earl of Clare.
When three piles, instead of pointing directly at right angles to the line of the chief, all point to the same point, touching or nearly touching
at the tips, as in the arms of the Earl of Huntingdon and Chester or in the arms of Isham,[[9]] they are described as three piles in point. This term and its differentiation probably are modern refinements, as with the early long-pointed shield any other position was impossible. The arms of Henderson show three piles issuing from the sinister side of the escutcheon.
A disposition of three piles which will very frequently be found in modern British heraldry is two issuing in chief and one in base (Fig. 152).