[ANSTHRLD] Heraldic Regalia

[kobrien at texas.net]

> At 08:36 AM 2/5/2004, you wrote:
> >I'm not sure if each GoOf has a badge for their office, but I would
> >think that you would not use the black star on group officer's
> >medallions, simply to avoid confusing them with Kingdom Officers. Also,
> >what would you do about officer's in between groups and kingdom, such as
> >regionals, or in a heraldic example, Pursuivant's/Herald's at large?
> 
> I have a seal of office but not a collar or official insignia.  I am 
> working on a tabard to remain with the office.  The principal herald wears 
> the kingdom arms (when I wear a tabard) because that job is always as the 
> herald of the Crown as steward of Their Majesties' College of Heralds, not 
> just during court.


This reminds me of a story I was told.  I can't remember now who told me this 
story.  Might have been Daniel, might have been Zenobia.  I can't recall...

Anyway, a number of years ago, on a particular heraldic test, there was a 
question along the lines of:

"You walk up to two people who are talking.  Both are wearing the tabards of 
the East Kingdom.  You address the man on the left as 'Your Majesty'.  How do 
you address the person on the right?"

The answer they were looking for was "Brigantia" (principal herald for the 
East).  (Credit was given to the person who answered, "Hi, Arval!" since Arval 
Benicouer had held the title of Brigantia for quite awhile at that point.)

I actually had a good "tabard" moment at Pennsic when they were doing the 
switchover for the Laurel Sovereign of Arms when Francois was getting the job.  
We were prepping for the ceremony at the back of Great Court when I walked away 
for a couple of minutes.  On my way out, I passed a couple of merchant booths 
across from Great Court.  One merchant just stared at my tabard as I walked 
by.  (I was wearing the tabard that currently goes with the Pelican Sovereign 
of Arms office.)  On my way back, the gentleman held up his hand and 
said, "Pardon me, my lady."  I stopped and he stared more at the tabard, then 
said, "Those aren't the arms of the West..."  I smiled and replied, "No, 
they're the arms of the SCA."  He looked up in confusion and I explained that I 
was a sovereign of arms, so, since I was representing heraldry at the corporate 
level, I wore the arms of the SCA.  He thought that was kinda cool.  :)

Mari