[ANSTHRLD] Pursuivants/Heralds at Large

[robert segrest]

I've only partially followed this discussion, and never saw the original tests but:

Daniel said
"Actually, I think the realer question is this: what would we want to
accomplish with such a system?

- Identify people who can and are expected to fill in as roving
  submissions heralds now that branch heralds are no longer entirely
  mandatory, as I first assumed from the question?

- Reward people who are learned so as to reward learning and thereby
  cause more of it, as "learning enough to pass the test and earn the
  merit badge became a goal for lots of people", as Robin suggested
  was the purpose in the past?

- Identify people's specialties so that they can be "listed as a
  source deputy to the appropriate regional herald for assistance
  in the area of heraldry for which they passed the test", as I later
  noticed Star had actually written?

My knee-jerk reactions for each purpose were "branch heralds' test",
"award recommendations for Sable Thistles", and "the marketplace of
ideas called the Ansteorran Heralds' List", respectively ...

but maybe other people can think of other purposes or can argue that
my knee-jerks are not useful for purpose."


While his points are valid, I can see at least one other legitimate use for a system of testing and identifying Heralds at Large.  Clients frequently consult with heralds other than their branch herald (i.e. Heralds at Large).  The client usually knows very little about the college of heralds.  Most of us have heard some of the ridiculous advice given by "heralds" unquote whose primary qualification as for the title herald is that they were a branch herald in 1982.  Even for those of us who attempt to keep our hand in, heraldically speaking, it isn't that hard to get tripped up on our facts from time to time.  A series of tests that established qualifications levels in different aspects of heraldry, combined with expiration dates for those qualifications if not renewed, would at least allow a few clients to be able to discern the sheep from the goats as it were.  It might also allow heralds to recognize some of their own shortcomings as their knowledge
 passes out of date or their familiarity wanes do to lack of use.

This may or may not justify the administrative investment that such a system would entail, but I do think it weigh on these considerations.

Fattiopap Laszlo
Officeless Herald of Undefined Status