Accident

An additional mark on a coat of arms, which may be retained or eliminated without altering its essential character.

In his 'Display of Heraldrie', Guillim uses the term to describe a charge which is voided, couped or pierced, in the sense that these alterations do not affect the solidity of the charge, and could therefore be regarded as accidents, as may be deduced from the following extract:

Whereas I have formerly made mention of Voiding, in the Chapter of Bends, and of one other Accident, namely Couping, in the Chapter of Fesses, I will now express them both in one examplein this Escocheon

He beareth Argent, a Cross voided and Couped, Sable, by the name of Woodnoth.

There is an other Accident whereunto this ordinary is subject, that is to say Piercing.