Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19980804094207.006f9e84@ct1.nai.net>
Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 09:42:07 -0400
To: sca-east@indra.com
From: Ernie Martinez <cyrano@mail1.nai.net>
Subject: Re: EK: Heraldic Angst-need a hand?
Cc: Wendy Case <wjcase@acornearth.com>
In-Reply-To: <01BDBF82.D7DF47F0@acorn_pdc.acornearth.com>
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-Poster: Ernie Martinez <cyrano@mail1.nai.net>

At 08:35 AM 08/04/1998 -0400, Fionnuala Ni Maolchraoibhe wrote:
>Are these local heralds, or Kingdom heralds
>that require extra sets of hands/eyes to see their tasks to completion?

Cadell is mostly speaking of the kingdom level. But since you're in the
kingdom there's no reason you can't help.


>I know we have some wonderful heralds here within the borders of
>Malagentia, in that they are kind, very patient and generous with their
>time.  Seeing the big picture, I now realize that perhaps not all the
>Kingdom is as fortunate as we.

Aye! But here is the rub.. a herald is not a herald is not always a herald.
("What the heck does that mean?" you ask. Glad ya asked.) There are three
basic types of herald. Cadell is mostly talking about book heralds. Those
are the folks who sit in musty little rooms and argue about colors, pales,
tints and weird animules. Then there are field heralds. Those are the folk
who announce entrants at tourneys or cry the camp at events when
announcements need to be made. Finally there are court heralds who read the
scrolls and are responsible for being the voice of whichever potentate they
represent. Many book heralds can't do a court because getting in front of
groups terrifies them. Many court heralds are semi-lousy book heralds.
(Yup... you guessed it, I'm one of them.) 

>How are heralds chosen and invested? 

You may think this strange but you become a herald when you decide you want
to be one. If you don't know where to start then contact your local herald
and say, "I'm a herald wanna be. Can I help you and learn?" At that point
your herald should give you small tasks and a lot of homework. (S)he will
probably even lend you a copy of a basic book on heraldry so you can learn
the basics of book heraldry.

If you want to be a Warranted Herald then you apply with the Brigantia
Herald (Senior Herald of the East Kingdom) who will require proof of
membership and you'll be a warranted herald. You can become either the
pursuivant of your local group or you can be a pursuivant at large. All the
warrant means is that you can accept money and submissions for devices and
names and all the fun packed paperwork that goes with this. Remember
this... because you took an interest in heraldry you, by default, become
the local expert.

>And can someone in one province
>assist a local herald in another province, or is that not permitted?

The SCA is all about helping other folks. Something that's virtually
preached in the SCA is the educational aspect. You can help anyone with
anything. Location means nothing. 

If you want to be a field herald, simply volunteer at the next tournament
and *POOF* you're a herald! This is how many of our best court heralds
started.

If you're a real ham and enjoy the challenge of improvisational theater
then Court Heraldry is the way to go. To get involved there, go to the
herald who's running a court and ask to help. Don't be shy (If you're gonna
be a court herald you're not shy anyway) about letting him/her know that
you'd like to be a court herald at some point.

There is no official program for training new heralds. One last note, no
matter which of the three types of herald you aspire to be you must have a
fairly good grasp of all areas to become a complete and well rounded
herald. Three of the best are Tibor, Cadell and Stefan. If you have other
questions I'm sure they can answer them completely.


You're just upset cause the voices only talk to *me*!
	Dooky


Visit my web page at:
http://nw3.nai.net/~cyrano
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