[ANSTHRLD] branch pursuivant title instruction, please

[kevinkeary at aol.com]

In looking through the administrative handbook dated 12/2007, I find 
that Northkeep is the only barony in Ansteorra that does not have a 
title "or serve award" registered. This information is a little out of 
date, as our baronial service award HAS been registered for a few years 
now, but that's not the question I have.

Actually, I have several.

1) What IS the relationship between the branch pursuivant title and the 
service award name, if there is one? Does the service award name 
function as a 'default' title for the branch pursuivant until and 
unless the branch registers one?

2) The handbook refers to "Heraldic titles registered to Ansteorra", so 
who actually owns a registered title, the branch or the kingdom, and is 
the owner the entity who initiates registration, or does the kingdom 
hold the title but the branch must still initiate? (I know that when a 
branch dies, ownership of all armory and titles reverts to the kingdom. 
That's not the question either.)

3) If it IS the responsibility of the branch to initiate the 
registration by submitting a name/title for registration to the kingdom 
for review, what guidelines exist for that title? I can see that most 
of the branch titles in this kingdom refer to something associated with 
the branch, a charge on their arms or a badge, or a service award. Most 
of them appear to be nouns, although 'Serpentine' could go also be an 
adjective. Are other parts of speech, like adjectives or verbs allowed?

4) Is there a place I should have gone to to garner this information so 
I wouldn't have to bother you all? If it is in the online handbook I am 
too blind or obtuse to see it. A very quick scan of the College of Arms 
Administrative Handbook (1/20/2002) didn't turn up any answers either, 
save the implication that, as far as the COLLEGE is concerned, branches 
can own titles themselves, but I suspect that is an area that could be 
modified by kingdom law, and I haven't dug through that yet.

Any advice anyone could give would be appreciated.

Kevin, no-name Northkeep pursuivant