Herald's Insignia Question

Armor +10 (while holding an item), what exactly counts as an "item?" Are "items" the things that you have to put away your weapon and off-hand to hold as well as slowing you down? If so isn't Herald's Insignia worthless?

99% sure it only refers to rit "Item Spells" = ash pots.

Those items are ashes(like VwK),flags,ambers in CM etc.

Thanks guys.