From: schuldy@bedford.progress.com (Mark Schuldenfrei)
Message-Id: <9211162200.AA16064@ellis.bedford.progress.COM>
Subject: Heraldry explained.
To: carolingia@bloom-beacon.mit.edu (Carolingian Mailing List),
        chron@world.std.com
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 92 17:00:29 EST

  Question:  can you do court/field heraldry without doing arms/device/badge 
  heraldry?  In other words - can you shout and not know what a fess is?
  
Umm, errr. I haven't been doing my job, have I.  I'd better send this
to the chronicler, to publish it then (Elaine, edit this part out, OK?)

Heraldry in the SCA has 3 major parts (and three minor ones).  Any of them
can be practiced independently.  Except for one small part, you DO NOT
have to be an official herald.

field, court, hall, ambasadors and protocol, pennsic cry

You can Field Herald, which is announcing at tournaments, calling fighters,
running salutes, announcing winners, announcing fighters.  In period
heralds might also have run the tournaments, and judged the winners, but
we don't do that in the SCA.  Anyone can do this, at any time.  You can
be taught how in about 3 minutes, and it only takes a medium loud voice.

You can perform Hall Heraldry with even less work.  This is the making
of announcements in the Hall.  I would urge people to coordinate doing
announcements in the hall with whomever is herald in charge, so we don't
end up with an announcement every 5 minutes, but again all it takes is
a firm voice and a sense of presence.

Book Heraldry (creating arms, names, conflict checking, heraldic consulting)
is the only part of SCA Heraldry that is at all challenging, and it isn't
really that hard.  It does take a certain amount of study, but the amount
you need to begin is the equivalent of reading about 60 pages.  I have
copies of the Compleat Anachronist issue on heraldry available for loan,
as part of the office of Golden Gryphon.  In order to accept money to
process submissions, you must be warranted by the regional herald, and
this requires membership, but not necessarily deep and earth-shattering
levels of mental acuity and broad and mountain-high levels of knowledge.

The minor parts of heraldry would be acting as someone's representative
as a herald.  You may have seen me act as Dhugall's herald when paying
his quit-claim rent, or occasionally I will act as Patri's representative
and present a rose to an incoming King at Coronation.  Anyone may do
this for any other person (and should only do so with their permission).

Many people ask Heralds about SCA protocol and medieval behavior.  As
with most things, if you know the answer say so, and if not, say so.
This is a semi-period thing, as heralds often were part of the planning
of events where protocol is concerned.  Anyone can be asked, and answer,
but please, these are cases where toes may be trod on if protocol was
not observed.  Be cautious, but do what you want. As part of this, scribes
often need help finding out how to draw the arms of someone, or how to
spell their name when preparing scrolls.  Anybody can provide this
service, and it is my pleasure to provide this confidential service
as well.

The last, minor thing that anyone can do, and be called a herald for, is
running or helping with an encampment cry.  This occurs in the East mostly
at camping events, and especially at Pennsic.  I would beg, literally,
anyone to help out with these as you can.

What is my job, as Golden Gryphon?  Well, my job is to facilitate any of
you to do anything you want heraldically.  To take care that Carolingian
events are covered for their heraldic needs, that heraldic education
takes place, to help you with submissions planning, picking names and
devices.  Any herald can accept submissions (if they are warranted to
accept money).

What isn't my job?  I don't tell you what not to do: I don't take unregistered
armory off the wall, I don't tell you your name is stupid, I don't run
your life.  I don't play authenticity police, I don't rain on your parade.
And I never, ever, discourage people from becoming heralds, or playing
at being one.

Anyone who wants to do anything heraldic, or needs anything heraldic done,
should feel free to do so, or to ask me for help.  It is my duty, and
my great pleasure, to increase your enjoyment of the SCA as the territorial
Pursuivant.

	Lord Tibor of Rock Valley
	Golden Gryphon Pursuivant to the Barony of Carolingia, East Kingdom.
-- 
Mark Schuldenfrei (schuldy@progress.com)