[Scriptoris] Position Announcement -- Star Principal Herald

[Etienne de St. Amaranth]

Unto the fair, grand, and mighty populace of Ansteorra, greetings from 
Seigneur Etienne de Saint Amaranth, Star Principal Herald.

Know that the position of Star Principal Herald of the Kingdom of Ansteorra 
is now open for applications.  Applications for this position will be 
accepted until July 31, 2005.  Copies need to be sent to Their Highnesses 
Ansteorra (Prince Jason and Princess Saereid), to the Laurel Queen of Arms 
of the SCA, Inc. (Elisabeth de Rossignol), and a copy to myself (current 
office holder).  Addresses for each should appear in the Black Star (the 
new Laurel Queen of Arms was appointed this month and I can forward contact 
info if you need it before it appears in the back of the Black Star with 
the other corporate officers).  Applications should include the kingdom 
application for office form, photocopies of a current membership card and 
photo ID, and a letter detailing strengths and plans for the office.  The 
chosen applicant will assume the office at the Fall Crown Tournament, 
October 1, 2005, to be held in the Northern Region.

The Star Principal Herald is the Chief Heraldic Officer of the kingdom with 
upline reporting duties and responsibilities to both Crown and the Laurel 
Sovreign of Arms.  Specific duties of the Star Principal Herald can be 
found by reviewing three docuements:  1) Article X of the Administrative 
Handbook of the College of Arms of the SCA, Inc. 
(http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/admin.html); 2) Article II., Section 6 
of Kingdom Law of the Kingdom of Ansteorra 
(http://www.ansteorra.org/regnum/seneschal/forms/2005_Ansteorra_Law.pdf); 
and 3) Section 1 of the Administrative Handbook of the College of Heralds 
of Ansteorra 
(http://www.ansteorra.org/regnum/herald/docs/COHAdmin_Handbook_2003.pdf). 
There is some overlap in items described in each.

Some (but certainly not all) specific duties of the principal herald include:
1. Supervisory Duties — The Star Principal Herald is required to exercise 
oversight over deputies and territorial heralds to ensure the smooth 
functioning of heraldry in the kingdom. However, in all cases, it shall 
include the responsibility for the warranting and training of appropriate 
heraldic officers for all official branches in the kingdom.
2. Ceremonial Duties — The Star Principal Herald shall be generally 
responsible for the conduct of ceremonies within the kingdom. In 
particular, the Principal Herald or a responsible deputy shall perform any 
ceremonial duties required by kingdom law and custom or requested by the Crown.
3. Miscellaneous Duties — The Star Principal Herald shall be responsible, 
either directly or through designated deputies, for performing any 
miscellaneous duties required for the furtherance of heraldry within the 
kingdom. As kingdom law and custom require or the Crown requests, this may 
include service on Curia, diplomatic service, service on Courts of Chivalry 
and other courts, etc.
4. Insignia Duties — The Star Principal Herald shall be responsible for the 
establishment of guidelines for and approval of all insignia of rank 
applying to all armigerous and non-armigerous titles, ennoblement's, 
grants, awards, etc., within the Kingdom.
5. Continuance Duties — The Star Principal Herald shall have a warranted 
deputy who shall be responsible for the maintenance of the office in the 
event that the Officer shall be unexpectedly unable to perform the duties 
of the office. The Crown shall warrant said deputy and the Corporate 
Superior shall be notified of the appointment where appropriate. The choice 
of deputy is up to the Principal Herald.
6. College Leadership —The Star Principal Herald is expected to provide 
leadership as the head of the College of Heralds. Star should consult the 
College of Heralds concerning matters of importance or before making broad 
changes in the structure of the College.

Some further explanation of skills and job requirements include (but are 
certainly not limited to):
1. The Principal Herald should generally be expected to attend all Crown 
Tournaments and King's Roundtables.  Attendence at all Coronations would be 
beneficial.  The principal herald leads plenary meetings of the College of 
Heralds at Roundtables or such times as the principal herald deems appropriate.
2. The Principal Herald exercises oversight and supervision of the College 
of Heralds, a large staff of deputies addressing the large volume of duties 
and responsibilities carried out.  Supervisory experience of moderately 
large groups would be beneficial.
3. The Principal Herald provides: four reports to the Crown during each 
calendar year (at Roundtables and Crown Tournaments), four quarterly 
reports to the Laurel Sovreign of Arms due by the last day of February, 
May, August, and November, and an annual report to the Laurel Sovreign due 
by February 15 of each calendar year.
4. The Principal Herald, either directly or through delegated staff, is 
responsible for all aspects of heraldry conducted within the Kingdom of 
Ansteorra.  This partially includes: maintaining a smooth submission 
process for names and armory, maintenance of award constitutions for 
kingdom awards and orders, the update and publication of the kingdom Order 
of Precedence, the quality of field heraldry and court heraldry at kingdom 
events, heraldic education (in addition to education efforts conducted by 
the Arts & Sciences Ministry), oversight and selection of bids for the 
annual kingdom Heraldic and Scribal Symposium, commentary on submissions 
within kingdom, commentary to the College of Arms on submissions from all 
kingdoms and principalities of the SCA, Inc., records retention of 
pertinent documents and materials, oversight of Sumptuary Law and 
interpretations of the legality of coronets for various ranks, the 
encouragment of period heraldic display throughout the kingdom, to counsel 
the Crown on matters pertaining to heraldry within the kingdom, to advise 
local groups with respect to the creation of awards and orders, to maintain 
communication among all of the various arenas in which the principal herald 
represents the kingdom, to produce monthly letters for the kingdom 
newsletter (Black Star) and the heralds' newsletter (Ansteorran Gazette), 
and to generally be available to answer questions of a heraldic nature from 
any level of the populace.  Delegation is considered a critical 
skill.  Communication is considered a critical skill.
5. To exercise, through the the deputy office of Star Signet, oversight of 
the College of Scribes in Ansteorra.
6. Administration skills are critical to the position.  Knowledge of 
heraldry and a ready access to heraldry experts of various fields is 
critical to the giving of accurate information and interpretation of 
heraldic practice.
7. The principal herald is responsible to provide the kingdom exchecquer 
budgets for the each calendar year for the College of Heralds and the 
College of Scribes.

Questions concerning this office can be directed to the current 
officeholder or any prior Star Principal Herald.

Sincerely,
Seigneur Etienne de Saint Amaranth
Star Principal Herald