SCA heraldry, anybody have a link on the translations?

Question

I want to make a device, since i am now a consort, i need to make a favor for my fighter to carry. The problem is I have no links that I can find on the matter, and no idea what the terminology means when it is spoken or read. I am sure that the 2 ideas that I have will be shot down by the college of Heralds, but I have a goal.

Anyone have any links, books, way to decode the jargon? Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Okay. As far as the jargon goes, the following site seems to make it a little clearer.

http://www.sca.org/newcomers.html

This site seems to outline fairly well how to structure your design.

http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/whatis/de...

Links to other sites with information about Heraldry

http://heraldry.sca.org/heraldry/links.h...

I hope this helps some. Best Wishes.

Answer 2

It usually takes years for stuff to get approved.  A favor doesn't need to show your full "device" or achievement of arms.  It's not a body-identification method.  Historically, it's a physical token of good wishes for the fighter's physical safety.  

One of early the forms of a "favor" is a long narrow strip of cloth.  This could be used as a bandage or a tourniquet.  In early form it might be embellished with runes or other magical symbols (for safety & healing), however the SCA currently limits use of such in combat situations.  Use one or more elements of your proposed device, perhaps a simple repeat the length of the strip.  If you do white on white embroidery, it can be good-both-sides, not requiring a lining, and there will be no fuss if you don't get the colors you originally desired approved.

Answer 3

You might find it faster and easier to sit down with a herald to work on your device. I was fortunate enough that one of my best friends is my Kingdom's Keythong Herald so she helped me with mine. Heralds can often look up devices that are already registered, and why they can't guarantee something will pass, can tell you if an idea would be outright rejected. In my Barony the Baronial herald would have weekly "open houses" to help you with your device or name.  Check to see if your local group has a herald or look for one at your next big event (they often hold open houses at events, at least in Northshield they do).

We're not really meant to understand that strange language these heralds speak (I'm chatting with my herald friend as I type this lol) but they really can help you and make the process soooooo much easier. I even found that like with learning a language, I could understand what I read easier than I could speak it. :P

Good luck! I hope whatever you come up with passes. I'm waiting on mine.