From: Stephen.Whitis@fquest.FidoNet.Org (Stephen Whitis)
Newsgroups: alt.missing-kids
Subject: On Registering A Device
Date: 6 Dec 92 08:14:00 GMT


  This is a pre-release of an article I have almost finished.  I am open to
  suggestions & comments.  Permission is granted to re-post, or print in
  SCA related newsletters, as long as it is kept intact and proper credit
  is given.  (I would like a copy of the newsletter if possible, or a note
  that you ran it if a copy isn't feasible, but neither of these is
  required.)



  Advice on Registering a Device

     By Stephen of the Grove


  This article is intended as a guide to help you choose a device and get
  it registered for use in the SCA.  Most people who are involved for a
  significant time decide, sooner or later, that they want to register a
  device.  Hopefully, the advice given here will help you to register a
  device you will be proud of, and to do so with the least amount of
  trouble.

  Many people feel that it is hard to register a device.  Some of the
  horror stories are based on accounts from years ago when the system was
  different.  Many of them are from people who submitted a device without
  consulting a herald.  When it was returned they often made some minor
  adjustment (again without consulting a herald) and resubmitted it.  This
  way lies madness!  Listen to the heralds advice, and you are far less
  likely to have trouble registering a device.  Keep in mind that the
  process is very involved, and that a large number of unpaid people are
  donating their time, energy and money into making the process work.
  Remember that your local herald may or may not have the knowledge and
  resources that you would hope for.  A local group is *required* to have a
  herald.  The local herald will usually try to help, but may not have as
  much heraldic knowledge as I do!  Which isn't enough to blazon a thimble.
  <grin>

  Let's start by examining how long it takes a device to go through the
  registration process.  (This information apply's to names and badges as
  well.)  The process may vary slightly from kingdom to kingdom, and this
  should be reasonably accurate for Ansteorra.

  In January, you submit a name to your local herald.  In February, he
  sends it to the Kingdom herald.  In March, heralds all over the kingdom
  receive the ILOI (Internal Letter of Intent) which contains your device
  information.  They check for conflict and make their recommendations to
  the Star Principle Herald.  Assuming that it passes this level, then in
  May your device will be passed on to the Laurel King of Arms.  Heralds
  all over the known world will then have a chance to check for conflict
  and make comments concerning your device.  It takes time for everyone
  involved to receive the information, and checking for conflict takes time
  too.  It will be three months before Laurel rules on it.  Laurel will
  then either pass or reject your device, based on their recommendations,
  in August.  (Of course, anywhere along the line it could be returned for
  conflict with another device.  It could also be returned if it doesn't
  meet the rules of heraldry used in the SCA.)

  January to August.  Eight months.  That's pretty much a best-case
  scenario to register a device.  So, since the heraldic college will take
  eight months (or more) to register the device, it isn't worth it to
  submit a device that you aren't sure you want.

  Try to work with an experienced herald when designing your device.  They
  will have books you can look at to see devices from our time period, and
  they will know the rules (and how to get around them!)  If you don't
  consult a herald, or if you ignore the advice the herald gives you, then
  the chance of your device passing is probably much smaller than if you
  had used the help that is available. (Though it is certainly easier to
  get good heraldic help in some area's than others.)

  Talk with the herald about what you would like on your device, and which
  colors you would like to use.  Try to come up with at least two or three
  "trial" devices which are dis-similar, and play with it a bit until you
  start feeling like you pretty happy with one.  However, try not to get
  too attached to any one device or idea until it's registered.  Aim for
  simplicity, using only two or three different colors (including metals).

  There is a false rumor that you can't register a simple device anymore.
  But my device is fairly simple, and passed on the first attempt, and I
  have seen several other simple devices (some simpler than mine) which
  also passed on their first submission.  Tadhg invented a "10 word blazon
  test" which can be used to measure how complicated a device is. This
  isn't an official rule, of course.  The theory is that if takes more than
  10 words to blazon a device, it must be complicated.  I suspect that
  exceptions can be found, but they *are* exceptions.

  Most people would like their device to relate to them in some way, which
  is fine.  However, sometimes people fall into a trap when they want their
  device to tell all about them. "Well, I fight, so I want an axe or a
  sword, and I brew, so let's add a mug of some sort, let's put some
  footprints, because I'm a dancer, and..."  Devices designed this way will
  rarely look medieval, and will likely not pass the registration process.
  Heralds refer to this as "life story heraldry" and generally look down
  upon it.

  Tadhg explains it this way... "Devices are abstract identifiers, like a
  company logo. They're not supposed to "mean" anything, unless and until
  you give them a meaning by your actions."

  Try to look at some heraldic devices from in period.  That will give you
  a better idea of what we are trying to emulate.

  Once you have come up with a device (or several) that you think you would
  be happy with, you could go ahead and submit it.  However, I recommend
  that you draw it out at about 8"x10" (sheet of paper size), color it and
  hang it on your wall where you will have to look at it every day.  After
  a month, you will have a better idea of how you will feel about this
  device in several years.  And remember, this device will be yours for as
  long as you are in the SCA (and, for that matter, long after you have
  gotten out or died!) and if you are not sure you like the particular
  device, don't register it.  You can also do this with several devices at
  once, and pick the one you like best.

  Tadhg suggests that you draw it out and color it ten times.  If you get
  tired of it after the third try, then it is too complicated.

  I also recommend that you take that drawing of your (possible) device to
  a number of heralds and sca people who have been involved for several
  years.  If their reaction is "Oh, yuck!", then you need to decide if you
  want to live with people going "Oh, yuck!" every time they see your
  device.  (This might not be bad if your name is "Yuck"! <grin>)

  Also, keep in mind that people are more likely to remember a simple,
  pretty device than a fancy, or complicated, or ugly device. (Though if it
  is *really* ugly, they might remember it!  If so, they'll say "Oh, yeah,
  I know him.  The one with the really ugly device."  <grin>)

  You should also consider how you will use the device once you have
  registered it.  For instance, if you expect to sew banners or tabards
  using the device, then the less detail necessary, the better.  Using a
  fur will create a *lot* of extra work.  My device includes a bend
  sinister rayonne, and the rayonne adds a lot of sewing.  (If you don't
  know what rayonne is, think of it as a curvy zig-zag)  If you expect to
  paint it, this may not be a big problem.  Do you plan to embroider it?
  Some people don't use their device for much, and can be less critical
  about how many details are involved.  Those that plan to put it on
  everything they own should plan ahead.

  Likewise, if you plan to make and wear garb with your device, you might
  consider the colors involved.  Do you want to wear these colors?

  I would recommend that you not make a banner, a tabard, or anything else
  with your device on it until it is registered.  If it doesn't pass, then
  you've spent time which could have been better used.  It also makes it
  harder to accept if your device fails to pass.

  Ladies have the option of designing their device on the standard heater
  (shield) shape, or using a lozenge.  The lozenge is a diamond shape,
  about twice as tall as it is wide.  One problem with using a lozenge is
  that, because the heater shape is by *far* the most common shape, people
  often assume that every device belongs on a heater shape.  If you use a
  lozenge, and your device get's put on a heater shape, (perhaps to be used
  on a tourney board) will it look bad?  Will you be displeased?  There are
  two possible solutions for this.  You can use a heater when you design
  your device, or you can design a device on a lozenge that will still look
  nice when converted to a heater shape.

  The heraldic college doesn't register the background shape, so it is
  perfectly legitimate to register a device on a lozenge and use it on a
  heater, or the other way around.  Many banners are rectangular, for
  instance.  But it helps to think about this when you are designing the
  device.  Again, if you plan to make clothing with your device on it,
  think about how that will work.  Some things work better than others.

  Before you actually do the submission, try to get a herald or two to do a
  quick conflict-check for you.  Some of the heralds have a computer
  database which will allow them to do partial checking very easily.  Most
  have various books which they can check.  A quick conflict check *before*
  you submit may allow you to avoid a return for conflict after you submit
  it and wait several months.  However, keep in mind that no one herald
  will be able to do as complete a job as the heraldic college will do
  during the registration process.  It is possible that it will still be
  returned for conflict.

  And I'll say it one more time, because it is so important.  Work with the
  heralds!  If the heralds are recommending changes, there is a reason.  It
  may help to pass the device, it may help to make it look more like a true
  medieval device, it may just make it simpler.  But there is a reason.  If
  you don't listen to them, you are much more likely to have your
  submission fail, so it is to your advantage. Naturally, some heralds are
  better than others.  If the herald who is helping you is making
  suggestions on how to change it, that is a good sign.  If the herald is
  just saying "Don't do that", then that is not a good sign.  "Don't do
  that, because of X.  Try this instead." is what you want to hear.

  Registering a device can be very satisfying.  It's nice to have your own
  device, and most people learn at least a little bit about both the SCA
  and history while they are researching their device.  Like many things,
  there are pitfalls to avoid (or learn from) and their are easier ways.
  I'm hoping that this will get you started on the easier path.

    Stephen of the Grove
      Gules on a bend sinister rayonny three tourteaux.

  ****

  Disclaimer: These are *not* the opinions of anyone involved with the
  heraldic college.  I am "Not a Herald!  Not a Herald!" and can't even
  blazon (or is it emblazon) my own device (but it's simple and pretty and
  I like it!)  These are just idea's floating around in the mind of a poor
  wandering juggler.  Those who can, do.  Those who can't, teach. <grin>
___
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