Heraldry
LANGJ at mail.syntron.com
LANGJ at mail.syntron.com
Tue Mar 28 13:49:19 PST 1995
Yet another consideration to be viewed when "adapting" SCA
heraldry to Amtgard, is that SCA heraldry is based on ENGLISH
heraldry (not the only set of rules, nor the only authority). It
is however, the only one whose procedures are documented in
English (I'm told that Polish heraldry is quite fascinating, but I
cannot read Polish, so I'll have to take other's word for it).
The fundamental principles of heraldry are quite similar in all
cultures none the less. The simple common goal (to produce easily
recognizable design motifs that can function in an illiterate
society) guarantees it.
Reduced to first principles, a heraldic device should be a design
that can be easily recognized at a reasonable distance. A good
heraldic device should be one which can be unambiguously described
using an agreed on heraldic descriptive, so that the design can be
described without the need of a drawing. A great device has an
elegant transcendence that incorporates the first two principles
with a simple elegance that makes it unforgettable (eg. the Arms of
the Barony of Loch Soilleir).
Savian's suggestions make *excellent* guidelines.
If, after seen your arms once or twice, an acquaintance can drive
onto a site, see your banner from a hundred yards away, and say,
"Ah, Sir ____ is here!" You have what you are looking for.
But! For God's sake, develop a system of registration before chaos
can develop. If you have to "grandfather" in a few thousand
devices that meet no standard, you'll know a rare form of grief.
bran
[langj at mail.syntron.com]
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