the Arms of Ansteorra

[ND Wederstrandt]

I remember that the Collegium set up commitees to work on different areas
of what would become parts of the Region of Ansteorra, one of the
committees dealt with Arms and Awards.  At that time all or most of the
Kingdom devices (and here were like 5 back then) had celestial bodies in
them -- Mostly Suns. We wanted to have something uniquely ours.  The name
had been decided about --  Ansteorra winning over Gilanathe and
Terebinthia, and it meant One or Prime Star which was a take off on Lone
Star State. (Oklahoma was a dream away at that point, nothing personal)  So
the Heraldry committee voted on who they felt would be the first Regional
Herald and then the Arms.  The star was picked for the name, and not the
name for the star. The gold field was a contrast from the other Kingdoms (
who had mainly white or blue backgrounds) and because of the symbolism of
the Sun.  The Sun is the second most important symbol of the Arms.  It
represents the Sun of Atenveldt setting, it's influence and control fading
(which is why it is red for setting sun) while the One Star is in it's
nadir. The Laurel wreath was a mandatory thing so it went on and the rest
went on for balance and form.  It was agreed that the Sun would be taken
off when we became a Kingdom. (When, that was attempted some years back no
body wanted it off (loudly) and so it stayed on.)
        The Kingdom supporters were going to be Cranes in their Vigilance,
holding a star instead of a rock, to honor the Whooping Cranes , which at
that time were very endangered (like 17 left)  (Remember this was in the
mid 70's and we were a little more conscious of these things).  The Kingdom
service award was going to be the Crane of Ansteorra. (Now white Scarves
back then, no Art awards on a Kingdom level.
        Not all this was a peaceful discussion but it was what the groups
at that time wanted.  The two primary people at the event involved were
Elnora the Capricious and Erasimierz Waspaneski.  ( Now known as Duchess
Leah Kasmira of the Outlands and Greyraven.) Mss Aureliane Rioghail later
developed the rest of the orders and I believe she suggested the name of
Ansteorra.
        On the Name... there was a big argument on whether Ansteorra has
two "r" s or one.   Sounds silly but the fight really reached huge
proportions before it was resolved.

How's that for history.... this was something like A.S. XIII, IX or X can't
remember.  They say your memory goes first.

Clare