[ANSTHRLD] Voice herald insignia.

[Coblaith Mhuimhneach]

Lord Ivo Blackhawk wrote:
> A few quick questions about herald's tabards.
>
> 1) Are their any patterns out there, or at least guidelines for length 
> or design?

The Laurel Sovereign at Arms' site includes an article titled "What Did 
Heralds Wear" <http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/Heralds_wear.html> 
that discusses documentable options in detail, and offers citations for 
the sources which you could use to investigate further.

Two of the 15th- and 16th-century images of heralds mentioned in the 
above article are reproduced at 
<http://sca-garb.freeservers.com/articles/tabards.html>, as part of an 
unrelated article which also includes instructions for making a 
reasonably authentic tabard.

> 2) What is the criteria for waring a tabard in relation to other garb. 
>  one example is this: I own a very bulky surcoat with a train that I 
> tend to put on for court, would the tabard go over or under that?

Every period image of a herald that I have seen shows the tabard as the 
outer-most layer of clothing.  As its purpose is to proclaim, "I am a 
working herald!", it seems logical that you would wear it so.  You 
wouldn't want anyone to miss it.

> 3) Can I make a Green sash with a single trumpet? I have heard this 
> idea, but am not entierly sure how recognizable or proper that would 
> be. I'm not trying to replace the tabard outright, but I can think of 
> places where a sash would be more piratical for the type of work I do 
> other than court.

There are a lot of sashes and baldrics on display at S.C.A. events.  I 
wouldn't count on anyone realizing yours is meant to have the same 
significance as a herald's tabard.  I've also not seen any indication 
that medieval or Renaissance heralds were ever distinguished by sashes.

If you plan to "re-educate" your local populace to recognize some form 
of insignia other than a tabard as an indication of a herald's status, 
you might consider having a staff of office made.  (A staff is unlikely 
to be confused with something else, and is distinctive enough to make 
even people who don't already know what it is stop and ask, "What does 
that thing mean?"  It's also a real, honest-to-goodness piece of period 
regalia.)  "Herald's Staves of Office" 
<http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/staves.html>, also on the Laurel 
Sovereign at Arms' site, should help you get started.


Coblaith Mhuimhneach
<mailto:Coblaith at sbcglobal.net>