[Scriptoris] Ansteorran Heraldic & Scribal Symposium

[Stephen Macthomas]

Greetings to all to whom these presents shall come, with all apologies for
multiple deliveries, from Lord Stephen Macthomas, Tressure Herald, Heraldic
Class Coordinator for the Ansteorran Heraldic and Scribal Symposium:

The Ansteorran Heraldic and Scribal Symposium is being held this Saturday,
July 14 at the E.H. Hereford University Center at the University of
Texas-Arlington.  Earlier, Countess Sara Penrose, the Scribal Class
Coordinator, posted a list of scribal classes being offered.  Here's some of
what we have for your education and entertainment in the heraldic tracks:

"Ansteorran Court Ceremonies and Customs for Voice Heralds," by Master
Lucais du Belier:  The course focuses on elevation and peerage ceremonies,
as well as special court ceremonies such as Coronation, Crown Tourney, etc.

"Blazon 102: The Grammar of Blazon," by Master Da'ud ibn Auda:  An overview
of the grammar of blazon, how the words go together to create an accurate
and reproducible word "picture" of a coat of arms.  The first half of the
class uses graphic examples to demonstrate the way a blazon works; the
second half allows attendees to apply the principles learned on real coats
of arms.

"Germanic Armory," by Baroness Gwenllian ferch Meredudd:  Based on an
analysis of Siebmacher's Wappenbuch von 1605, this class looks at stylistic
trends in armory found across the Germanic portions of Europe.  We will
examine common tinctures, charges and arrangements as well at looking at
armory that violates SCA registration rules.

"Guided Tour of the Ansteorran College of Heralds," by Lord Stephen
Macthomas:  A discussion of the various offices within the College of
Heralds and their duties, as well as what mundane skills each requires.
There may also be a brief discussion of the College of Arms and its
structure, time permitting.

"How to Consult 101," by Baroness Katherine Constancia (Kathri) da Feltre:
The quick-and-dirty version of What You Need and What You Should Do in
consulting with submitters of names and armory.

"It Was Funny Til We Found It In Real Heraldry," by Master Da'ud ibn Auda:
The title really says it all.  The class is examples of "weird" stuff found
in real-world coats of arms, some of which match heraldic "jokes" that have
been made or proposed in the SCA.

"Managing Court Heraldry: Lecture and Mock Court," by Seigneur Etienne de
St. Amaranth:  This class is targeted for people with minimal court
experience who are interested in court heraldry or, as a branch herald, have
some responsibility for court heraldry.  Topics include court agendas &
preparation, coordination with nobles, multi-herald/multi-noble courts,
contingency planning, heraldic uniform, the court book, ethics & court
heraldry, the mis-pronunciation of names, conservation of voice, and other
topics as seem appropriate.  Participants are expected to bring their own
note paper and writing utensils.  The mock court is a practicum of the
topics covered in the lecture portion of this class.

In addition to these fine classes, we will also be offering classes covering
such topics as:

* Online conflict checking by Master Francois la Flamme
* Basic court heraldry by Viscount Galen of Bristol
* Basic name construction by Honorable Lady Mari Elspeth nic Bryan
* Ansteorran precedence, and Knowne World precedence, by Lord Timothy of
Glastinbury

Lastly, we'll also be having the following meetings and activities:

* the College of Heralds plenary meeting
* the local herald's warranting class & exam
* the July Asterisk decision meeting
* an open roundtable discussion on silent heraldry (the use of sign language
in court for the hearing-impaired)
* heraldic and scribal pictionary and the Heraldic Triathlon, as refereed by
Honorable Lady AElfwyn aet Gwyrum

A full list of classes and schedules is available on the Ansteorran Heraldic
and Scribal Symposium website at http://home.earthlink.net/~dmriney/AHSS/.

In your service,
Lord Stephen