[ANSTHRLD] Heraldic Regalia

[Jon South]

Greetings!

I am Ivo FitzDonald (mka Jon South) the new Herald for the Shire of 
Ffynnon Gath.  I will in future be bothering all of you with requests 
for information, training, help, and in general making a nuisance of 
myself <g>.

I currently have a question - what is the form that a Heralds tabard for 
a group should take?  I have attempted to research the issue on the SCA 
website and the Kingdom website with no success.  In period usage the 
tabard would have borne the group's arms (please correct me if I'm 
wrong) and nothing else.  The Shire does not currently have a tabard for 
the Shire Herald since the Shire is not required to have a Herald, and I 
thought it would be cool to have one to wear in my "official" function. 
 My initial feeling was that it should bear the arms of the Shire 
period.  Others in the shire feel that it should bear the arms of the 
shire and the badge of a herald - this would result in a tabard with the 
front and right sleeve bearing the Shire arms and the back and left 
sleeve being vert charged with crossed trumpets Or.  I don't really have 
a preference, but am concerned that the design should be "correct" in 
terms of SCA usage.  I note that in the various discussions of regalia I 
have encountered on-line, the subject of tabards is not addressed.  If 
it is could someone please provide a reference (preferably on-line).  If 
the subject of tabards is not addressed anywhere, perhaps it is time for 
the CoH to look at the subject and consider whether it is something that 
requires standardization (one of the functions of heraldry).

Yours,

Ivo FitzDonald
Acting Herald, Ffynnon Gath
mka Jon South