SCA 201 Heraldry

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Heraldry: 

What is it for, who needs it, when do I need it, how do I get started? 

Name first, then device. 

The only REQUIREMENT to play in the SCA is your best effort at pre-17th century dress.  However, it is very difficult to interact with other people if you don't have a name.  So, one of the first things to consider about your life in the SCA is what you would like to be called.  This is fairly easy if you already know what area and time period you would like to concentrate on.  If you do not, don't worry too much.  First, most SCA people change their SCA name a few times over the course of their SCA lives, second, lots of names are transferable, and third, you can always go by your modern name for a while you figure things out.  

Let's look at a few plans of how to get a good name.  

First up, the common name

Many names are common across times and places.  Mary is a good example.  There are lots of regional variations, but the basic name is common across Europe in the middle ages.  If you don't know when/where you want to be from, then you can take a name that is found in most of the times and places you are most interested in.  

Second, the start-of-a-persona

If you know where and when you are interested in recreating, then get a name that was suitable for there/then!  Hooray!  

A few pointers for your FIRST NAME: 

1. I highly recommend a common name.  No, not a common to the SCA name, a common to the middle ages name.  We are not actually staring in our own fantasy novel here, so name yourself something a little bit practical.  

2. In the same vein, pick a name that SOUNDS good.  Meanings are all well and good, but...if your name means "looks great from all angles", but no human can pronounce it, you're in trouble.  Let me tell you about my friends who have had the following called on the field "Nozzlehead Volkswagen-tire". Or had the boys call them "Cat-ball" or "Ass-bjorn".  Again, not staring in a fantasy novel, so ignore the name that means "wolf stands alone" and name yourself Adam or Alice. 

Remember, this is a name that will be shouted across the field to get your attention.  This is the name that will be called in court.  This is the name that will be carefully lettered onto your award scrolls.  Pick one that people can pronounce, and that doesn't sound like something really rude. 

3. Check with someone first!!!!  There is a well-rehearsed procedure in my local shire.  When someone is ready to choose a name, they go to the big name websites and write down 10 on a card.  They bring the card to fighter practice, and we let the boys read the names out loud. This rapidly gets rid of names that sound like, say "Cat-Ball". Then we check and make sure you aren't accidentally naming yourself after somone too famous (or infamous!).  One of the guys who didn't do this has ended having to be called "not the Duke" as his physical description matches a very famous Duke in our area.  Sigh.  We also once had 5 guys named Ulf, and that was WAY too confusing.  

4. Don't start at the beginning of the alphabet.  There are more SCA people with names at the start of the alphabet, because by the time you get to the end, you're tired and annoyed.  

As for second names, this varies wildly by culture.  Mostly they are descriptive or your parent's name.  Letting your friends pick a descriptive name can be, uh, hilarious?  But sometimes it can get wildly offensive.  Do some research (or consult your local herald, and let them help), and figure out what the pattern for last names is for your culture.  I can't really help you here, varies too much.  If you have options, then do the same procedure as above, where you write them down and take them to a large collection of SCA people. 

Devices.

This is a "coat of arms", a heraldic signal that means you. 

Go consult your local herald.  Many people already have a symbol that they strongly identify with, others can pick out of a book.  You'll want to draw up nice representations of a few variations of what you think you want, and test them out.  Put them on your fridge, or along the top of your computer monitor, or anywhere else where you have to look at them all the time. The ones you don't hate after two weeks are good candidates.  

Names and devices can be registered with the SCA for a small fee.  Once a name and/or device is registered, no one else may ever register that one or one very similar to it.  Again, consult your local herald. 

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