Newsgroups: rec.heraldry
Subject: Blazon Taxonomy
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 21:37:10

 I realize that this area is not specific to SCA heraldry, but since we
 FidoNet people appear to be having a bit of trouble getting messages onto
 the SCAHERALDS mailing list, and since there seems to be some overlap
 between the two, and since the following is about 90% relevant to heraldry
 in an abstract sense, I thought I might post it here as well.

 A major part of the ongoing effort to create a useful conflict-checking
 program involves development of a useful data structure for storing the
 characteristics of a piece of armory. In that regard, I should appreciate
 reactions to the following:

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                        PROPOSED TAXONOMY OF A BLAZON
                Tadhg Liath, Obelisk Herald, 23 January 1993

 In the SCA, blazons are classified on the basis of layers, and SCA armory
 is restricted to three layers.

 I. FIRST LAYER

 A. The first layer is the field.

 B. The field is either present (in the case of "fielded armory",
    traditionally arms) or not present (in the case of "fieldless armory",
    traditionally badges). Because of its peculiar history, what real
    armory calls "arms" the SCA terms either "devices" or "badges",
    depending on how they are registered and used; what real armory
    calls "badges" are always "badges" in the SCA, except in the case of
    "tinctureless seals" (at present restricted to Principal Heralds).

 C. A field can be unitary or parted.

    1. A unitary field is classified as an "area". An area is an unbounded
       heraldic entity; it has no set shape, but assumes the shape of the
       entity upon which it is displayed.

    2. A parted field is classified by the number of parts and the nature
       of the lines dividing those parts ("partition lines").

       a. Each part of a parted field is an area.

       b. Partition lines can be either all of the same kind, or varied.

       c. Parted fields can have charges that overlap the partition lines
          ("overlapping charges"). All charges are considered as being on
          the layer next higher than that of the entity on which they are
          placed (q.v.)

 D. An area can be plain or treated.

    1. A plain area is classified by its tincture.

    2. A treated area is classified by its tincture and the attributes of
       its treatment. A treatment is considered to be of the same layer as
       its area.

       a. A treatment is a regular repetitive pattern of legitimate
          heraldic design, any portion of which that is large enough to
          identify is sufficient to replicate the whole pattern. Treatments
          are classified by type, tincture, and (infrequently) orientation.

 E. An area can be charged. Charges are bounded heraldic entities. Charges
    are considered to be on the layer next higher than that of the entity
    on which they are placed (q.v.).


 II. SECOND LAYER

 A. The second layer consists of charges placed, in whole or in part,
    directly on the field.

 B. Charges have unbounded entity (area) attributes plus their own bounded
    entity (charge) attributes. Charges are classified firstly by their
    area attributes (tincture and treatment) and then by their charge
    attributes (number, location, arrangement, type, variation, posture,
    and orientation).  [comment solicited on the proper order for these]

 C. Charges placed directly on the field are classified as primary charges,
    secondary charges, and overall (or surmounting) charges.

    1. Primary charges consist of the central ordinary, if present, or
       otherwise the charge or group of charges of the same size that are
       largest and visually dominate the center of the design. (definition
       per the RFS).

    2. Secondary charges consist of charges placed directly and wholly on
       the field that are not part of the primary charge group.

       a. Secondary charges can be peripheral or non-peripheral.

          * Peripheral charges consist of those charges that by their
          nature cannot occupy the center of the field. Bases, bordures,
          chiefs, flaunches, gores, gussets, quarters, and their
          diminutives (points, orles, tressures, fillets, cantons) are
          peripheral charges.

          * Non-peripheral charges consist of those charges which could be
          primary charges were there no primary charge present.

       b. Identical secondary charges can be of a specified number or an
          unspecified number. An unspecified number of identical secondary
          charges is called a "semy" of that type of charge. Semy charges
          are very similar to treatments in the way they are handled, but
          are technically not treatments.

    4. Overall or surmounting charges consist of charges that are partially
       on the field and partially on other charges.


 III. THIRD LAYER

 A. The third layer consists of charges placed wholly on other charges.
    Such charges are termed tertiary charges. Tertiary charges are
    classified as are other charges, and are associated with the charges on
    which they are placed.

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 Lord Dobharcu and I hope to be able to produce a working and useful
 conflict-checking program by the Known World Heraldic Symposium this
 summer. Any constructive criticism would be gratefully appreciated.


 * Origin: Herald's Point * Steppes/Ansteorra * 214-699-0057 (1:124/4229)