Charge

See electric charge or colour charge

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During the European Middle Ages, a charge often meant an underage person placed under the supervision of a nobleman. Charges were the responsibility of the nobleman they were charged to, and they were usually expected to be treated as guests[?] or a member of the household[?]. Charges were at times used more or less openly as hostages, ensuring that the parents kept in line.

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To charge is a maneuver in battle where soldiers rush towards their enemy to join in close combat[?]. Charges have lost a lot of their effectiveness over the last 150 years because of handguns, assault rifles, and various forms of of artillery. See also military tactics.

Famous charges

• Charge of the Light Brigade (October 25, 1854) at the Battle of Balaklava[?] in the Crimean War
• Pickett's Charge[?] (July 3, 1863) at the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War

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In Heraldry, charge means objects on the shield.