In the Society for Creative Anacronism (SCA), heraldy and heraldic display play an important role in the pagentry and atmosphere of bringing the Middle Ages into present time. Hi there, I'm Rachel Gray. I'm known in the SCA as Anpliça Fiore, and I am a herald. It's my job to help others find and document names and devices for use in the Society.

Devices

In History

Better know today as family crests or coats of arms, devices were mainly used to identify people in power - especially on the battlefield. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, these devices were hereditary, and heraldry as we know it really got going in the 12th-13th Centuries. The unique and somewhat challenging language was developed, along with a

College of Heralds (at least in England) to make sure each family or indvidual's device was unique. Most of the heraldry I'll be discussing on this webpage is based on historical evidence in England. Other countries may have used heraldry differently or they may not have used it at all.

Devices were used anywhere people needed to be identified. This is the most important reason behind their use in battle. An armed knight looks like any other armed knight when on the back of a horse with their armored helm's visor down over their face. With their devices on a tabard over their armor or on their shield, their allies know who they are and that they shouldn't to attack them. As seen in the image to the right, many knights used their device in many parts of their fighting gear to make sure everyone saw who they were. They did not want to be mistaken for an enemy knight!

In the SCA

In the SCA, everyone is able to select the design and layout they like best. These devices are used not only on the battlefield but also on many everyday items like mugs, banners and jewelry. While no-one needs register their chosen device with the College of Heralds, it is recommended so they can help insure that the device is unique. As in the Middle Ages, what good is a representation of someone if many people use it as their own?! While at times, groups of people use the same device or badge on armor and camping gear, these are usually registered by groups or households so they can all be readily identied as being together.

Please click on the Basic Rules of Heraldry link for more information.

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