Device

How to Register a Name and Device

A Barony in the Kingdom of An Tir which is
a Part of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA, Inc)

So you want arms

You've seen them on the banners and shields of others, on their tents, tourney-chairs and tankards, the lions, unicorns, swords, arrows and other such that make up the artwork on arms. You have admired them, wondered at them, and now you've decided you want them for yourself. The question that remains is “How do I get them for myself?” This will be the answering of that question.

You've probably toyed with several ideas, even drawn them out. That is the first important step. The NEXT step is to take those ideas and drawings to a herald. The herald will examine your ideas and drawings, point out any problems, and make suggestions on how to solve those problems. The herald will also assist you, as far as their individual expertise allows, in choosing a registerable unique name. Some articles that may help you in the design phase are found at: http://www.antirheralds.org/other/other.html

Once you find a solution to any problems that may have existed that you like, the next step is to prepare the actual submissions forms. You can find the forms you need HERE: http://www.antirheralds.org/submissions/forms/forms.html

Information on how to fill them out can be found HERE: http://www.antirheralds.org/submissions/submissions.html

As a quick but important note on the process of filling out the forms, once you have a clean line-drawing of what you are wanting, make several copies of that line drawing, and be sure to keep a clean copy of that line drawing. For the colored copy, do NOT fill it in on a computer and print it, the inks used in printers are fugitive and submissions forms done that way will be sent back. The recommended media are Crayola brand felt-tip markers. Save a clean copy of the colored drawing for yourself with your copy of the line drawing.

Once the forms, both name and arms, are filled-out completely, with all required documentation attached, be sure to include a cheque for the required amount in your submissions packet, and mail it to the appropriate address.

The process has now begun, and, baring any problems, should result in your receipt of a registration letter from Laurel in about 10-12 months. Yes, it really does take about that long; Laurel has to review heraldic submissions from the entire SCA.

We look forward to seeing YOUR arms displayed about the barony, in what ways you may choose to do so.

H. L. Ian MacKynnes, July 2011

For More Help with your Arms:

Contact the Baronial Book Herald, Lord Diomedes Rib-breaker, who just happened to write this article! The Book Herald offers many things: If you need the line-drawing of your arms, I have a goodly number thereof in my vasty files, and will be happy, if asked, to send that file to you as an e-mail attachment. This can make the rendering of patterns and stencils for various forms of display much easier. Shield-boards, flag-making outlines, needlework on garments, all those things are much easier with a pattern. Even if I don't currently have yours, I can very likely obtain it in short order, so do not hesitate to ask.