Herald: Difference between revisions
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Medieval heralds served as envoys, granted devices (called arms), oversaw the provision of heraldic trappings for funerals, and provided support at tournaments. SCA heralds provide support at tournaments by announcing the names of the combatants, serve as the voice of the [[Crown]] during courts and as otherwise needed, make announcements at events, provide information to resolve questions of precedence and protocol, and help others to find appropriate names and armory for their chosen culture and time period. |
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A '''herald''' is in charge of [[heraldry]]. |
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=== Heraldic Organization === |
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In the [[SCA]], a group herald assists people in the [[groups|group]] with the registration of an [[SCA name]] and [[device]], either through their own [[knowledge]], or by connecting people with more experienced heralds. They are also the Voice of the [[Crown]] and as such make announcements at [[event]]s, announce bouts in [[tournament]]s and act as Master of Ceremonies and Public Address system at [[court]]s. |
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The first level of SCA heraldic organization is the kingdom level; each kingdom has a College of Arms. Many SCA groups have a designated heraldic officer. In baronies, principalities, and kingdoms, this officer is usually the designated voice of the ruling nobility. In principalities and kingdoms, the officer is called the Principal Herald, and usually has some administrative responsibilities, including the appointment of deputies to oversee the processing of name and device submissions and maintenance of the order of precedence. (These functions are not always separate from those of the kingdom in principalities.) In baronies and smaller groups, the heraldic officer is usually the default person to make announcements and to assist group members who wish to submit names and devices. However, any herald can assist with these tasks. |
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The [[College of Arms]] administers [[heraldry]] throughout the [[SCA]]. It maintains a [[Society]] wide record of all registered names and [[device]]s. At [[Kingdom]] level it maintains the [[Order of Precedence]] and keeps track of all [[award]]s given to the populace. Heralds are given ranks, according to their experience and accomplishments. A trainee herald is called a [[Cornet]]. In some Kingdoms, once the Cornet has passed a basic test and has gained experience in the various fields of heraldry they are accorded the rank of [[Pursuivant]]. Senior heralds are entitled Herald. In other Kingdoms, these titles are based solely on the heraldic office an individual holds. |
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The process of providing heraldic credentials varies from kingdom to kingdom. Some kingdoms have a system of training and testing heralds for advancement or to issue warrants; others simply issue warrants to persons who provide proof of membership and demonstrate an interest in heraldry. |
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The second level of SCA heraldic organization is the Society level. The SCA [[College of Arms]] administers [[heraldry]] throughout the [[SCA]]. Its head is the Laurel Sovereign of Arms; the Laurel Queen of Arms is currently Countess Elizabeth de Rossignol. Warranted heralds are usually automatically members of their kingdom's College of Heralds; however, membership in the College of Arms is limited to the Laurel Sovereign of Arms, their designated deputies and staff, and those who provide commentary on name and device submissions. Some kingdoms designate a specific herald to provide commentary on submissions. |
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Presently, there is a deputy for name registration (Pelican Queen of Arms Margaret Makafee) and armorial registration (Wreath Queen of Arms Gwenllian ferch Maredudd). The Morsulus Herald maintains the [[Society]] Ordinary and Armorial, a record of all names and [[device]]s registered in the Society. |
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=== Heraldic Titles and Ranks === |
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There are a number of heraldic ranks and titles, both at the kingdom and Society levels. In some kingdoms, a trainee herald is called a [[Cornet]]; once the Cornet has passed a basic test and has gained experience in the various fields of heraldry they are accorded the rank of [[Pursuivant]], while senior heralds are referred to as "Herald." In other kingdoms, these titles are based solely on the heraldic office an individual holds. For example, a kingdom may choose to style all deputies to the principal herald as "herald," and all local heraldic officers as "pursuivant." Heralds who hold no particular office are frequently referred to as pursuivants-at-large. Finally, the Laurel Sovereign of Arms may choose to name heralds who have provided long and dedicated service to the College of Arms "Herald Extraordinary." |
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=== Who is a Herald? === |
=== Who is a Herald? === |
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Revision as of 05:23, 9 May 2005
Medieval heralds served as envoys, granted devices (called arms), oversaw the provision of heraldic trappings for funerals, and provided support at tournaments. SCA heralds provide support at tournaments by announcing the names of the combatants, serve as the voice of the Crown during courts and as otherwise needed, make announcements at events, provide information to resolve questions of precedence and protocol, and help others to find appropriate names and armory for their chosen culture and time period.
Heraldic Organization
The first level of SCA heraldic organization is the kingdom level; each kingdom has a College of Arms. Many SCA groups have a designated heraldic officer. In baronies, principalities, and kingdoms, this officer is usually the designated voice of the ruling nobility. In principalities and kingdoms, the officer is called the Principal Herald, and usually has some administrative responsibilities, including the appointment of deputies to oversee the processing of name and device submissions and maintenance of the order of precedence. (These functions are not always separate from those of the kingdom in principalities.) In baronies and smaller groups, the heraldic officer is usually the default person to make announcements and to assist group members who wish to submit names and devices. However, any herald can assist with these tasks.
The process of providing heraldic credentials varies from kingdom to kingdom. Some kingdoms have a system of training and testing heralds for advancement or to issue warrants; others simply issue warrants to persons who provide proof of membership and demonstrate an interest in heraldry.
The second level of SCA heraldic organization is the Society level. The SCA College of Arms administers heraldry throughout the SCA. Its head is the Laurel Sovereign of Arms; the Laurel Queen of Arms is currently Countess Elizabeth de Rossignol. Warranted heralds are usually automatically members of their kingdom's College of Heralds; however, membership in the College of Arms is limited to the Laurel Sovereign of Arms, their designated deputies and staff, and those who provide commentary on name and device submissions. Some kingdoms designate a specific herald to provide commentary on submissions.
Presently, there is a deputy for name registration (Pelican Queen of Arms Margaret Makafee) and armorial registration (Wreath Queen of Arms Gwenllian ferch Maredudd). The Morsulus Herald maintains the Society Ordinary and Armorial, a record of all names and devices registered in the Society.
Heraldic Titles and Ranks
There are a number of heraldic ranks and titles, both at the kingdom and Society levels. In some kingdoms, a trainee herald is called a Cornet; once the Cornet has passed a basic test and has gained experience in the various fields of heraldry they are accorded the rank of Pursuivant, while senior heralds are referred to as "Herald." In other kingdoms, these titles are based solely on the heraldic office an individual holds. For example, a kingdom may choose to style all deputies to the principal herald as "herald," and all local heraldic officers as "pursuivant." Heralds who hold no particular office are frequently referred to as pursuivants-at-large. Finally, the Laurel Sovereign of Arms may choose to name heralds who have provided long and dedicated service to the College of Arms "Herald Extraordinary."
Who is a Herald?
In the SCA, anyone can practice heraldry as an activity. You do not need a special office or title to help choose names and research devices, herald a tournament, or make announcements at an event. The only activities limited to persons of a particular rank involve actually accepting and processing submission forms. This is because this duty involves working with money. Who may do this varies from Kingdom to Kingdom. Officially licensed Kingdom heralds are said to have a warrant.
Also, royalty, nobility, households, or any individual may retain someone as their personal herald for court, as a messenger, and other heraldic duties. Who this person is and what their duties are is strictly the perogative of the "employer."
See also:
