Heraldry

Heraldry. What is it? Historically, it was very important to be able to identify those approaching you at a long distance so you could tell if they were friend or foe. Heraldry is defined as "a communication system that uses colors and symbols for the purpose of personal or organizational identification." This definition used by The Institute of Heraldry pretty much sums it up. Those banners, flyers, and flags you see waving with heraldic symbols and devices are identifying pieces of work. The shields that fighters carry upon the field show their heraldry, too. (And yes, there are still modern applications of heraldry - our government has lots of it!)

Our Heralds help us design heraldic devices so we can reproduce this elegant art of the Medieval days. We have our own system of registering devices and smaller personal badges, where you submit your choice to the Society. Where necessary, they will work with you to make changes that fit the standards better, and also that do not conflict with others' work. After all, if your symbol looked a great deal like your enemies' from a distance, in the Medieval days that could have meant the difference between life or death! Once passed your device will then be registered as your own, forevermore. You can then use it to decorate your tent setup (flags, plaques, etc), your clothing, fighting gear, personal items like notebooks, and anything else you desire, and show it off proudly!

Look at all our Barony members' devices right here -- Members

Heraldry becomes an activity within itself that interested individuals may pursue. The local or kingdom office of Herald performs the duties of a Herald. Heralds are the ones who loudly proclaim announcements in court, meetings, on fields, etc. A group's herald is also the person you go to in order to create and submit your device and name paperwork. For more information, see our group's current herald.

More information --

On the Meridies Heraldry website, you will find an excellent repository of resources and information for those interested in pursuing Heraldry as an office in the SCA.

http://www.heraldry.meridies.org/

SCA Heraldry Chat https://www.facebook.com/groups/235137199202/

Discussion and help with heraldry within the SCA

There is also Silent Heraldry https://www.facebook.com/groups/231308760308691/

OSCAR is where the submissions letter is posted, to be decided on by the Society College of Arms. http://oscar.sca.org/

The LOAR, or Laurel Sovereigns of Arms, lists the decisions by the Society College of Arms. http://heraldry.sca.org/loar/

While on the topic of Heraldry, I also consider the pageantry of heraldic display creation to be a part of heraldry. One way that most anyone can take part in this form of heraldry is through creating and displaying your own flags, banners, standards, etc.

Info on Painted Silk Flags https://www.facebook.com/download/317471658360155/Painted%20Silk%20Flags.doc

Word doc linked in the Artisans Collaboration of Meridies facebook group

For Serti (silk banner painting), Banner/Standard/Flag, or Heraldry Questions -- see the files section in the Artisans Collaboration of Meridies facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/314196732021880/files/

A collection of related links -- http://www.scatoday.net/links/weblink/128

A collection of related emails -- http://www.florilegium.org/files/HERALDRY/idxheraldry.html

Heralds and Heraldry -- http://sandradodd.com/ideas/herald.html

Visit Colblaith's Heraldy Stuff for some very useful articles - http://coblaith.net/Heraldry/default.html

An amazing collection of Heraldic eyecandy http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sodacan