Uses for Heraldry
compiled by Baron Modar Neznanich
Okay, so you have a heraldic device or badge. Now what do you do
with it?
Put it on things naturally.
What sort
of things should you put it on? As someone once said, "When
it comes
to your personal items, if it doesn't move, put your armory on
it. If it's moving, stop it
and put something with your armory on it (if it doesn't object
too loudly)."
Following
are uses for heraldry that have been noted from either period
sources
or in SCA use.
These
items have been marked using needlework (embroidery,
cross-stitch, applique),
silk screening, painting, carving, burning or other methods.
How many
of these items do you have your armory on?
General Items
banners,
pennons and standards
book covers
book spines/binding
bookplates
charters, scrolls and other documents
coins
coronets
favors
hallmarks
herald's tabards
inkwells
maps
notebooks
personal prayer books
portraits
scribal tools
tabard/baldric with your badge for your retainers
tabard/baldric with your device for your personal herald
tents/pavilion (roof & walls)
tokens
wax seals
Clothing & Accessories
armbands
baldrics
belts
busk (for corset) carving
cloaks
garters
gloves
hats
jewelry (including bracelets, necklaces, medallions and rings)
pouches
sideless surcoats
shoes and boots
stockings
t-shirts
tunics
under-garments
Martial Items
armor bags
arrow boxes
body armor
bow bags/cases
bow/archery stands
fighting surcoats
helms
knife sheaths
markers for tourney-field ropes
quivers
shields
sword scabbards
tourney chests
Domestic Items
bathtubs
bedspreads
candle holders
carry-bags
chairbacks
cookware
cooler covers
door frames
door stops
doors
drinking vessels
eating plates
feastgear boxes
firepits
glass jars
headboards of beds
knobs for cabinets, doors, etc.
lanterns
lintels
napkins
night stands
outer painting for a diptych
pillowcases
pitchers
place mats
pot-holders
rugs
serving platters
shower curtains
stained glass windows
stall-plates
stationary
table runners
tablecloths
tapestry
throw pillows
throws/comforters
tole stools
towels (can be cross-stitched)
trinket boxes
wall hangings/plaques in various mediums
water bottle covers
woven into lace
Animal Items
equestrian items
(caparisons, saddles, tack equipment)
pet accessories (leashes, collars, tags, carriers, blankets,
coats)
swanmarks (you carve these on the bill of the swan)
Miscellaneous Items
birdcages
(there are period examples)
bumperstickers
car carriers
christmas ornaments
clock/watch faces
commode lid decoration
computer background and/or screen saver
decorative plates and cups
doormats
drink coasters
etchings on blades, etc.
false fingernails
grave markers
hair "thingies"
magnets (small for refrigirator, large for side of car)
mounting block (step for getting on horses)
pens
stone cairns
tattoos/body art
tiki torches
toys (children's wagons, hobbyhorses, juggling equipment, cube
puzzles, game boards)
vehicles: side of tourney carts, pushcarts, wagons and wains plus
modern vehicles
wallpaper stencil
web pages
Use of Device vs Use of Badge
While there is no restriction on use in the SCA, there are times when it is more appropriate (historically speaking) to use one's heraldic badge instead of ones's device and vice-versa.
Which are those times?
The general rule of thumb is that your device says, "Hello, my name is George." and your badge says, "This belongs to George."
As such, use your device on things that you personally wear or which represent you: armour, clothes, banners, tabard of personal herald speaking in your name, rings, stationary, etc.
Use your badge on other things: books, tents, carts, clothes of retainers, etc.
©1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Ron "Modar" Knight
Baron Modar
Neznanich, OPel, Volk Herald
e-mail: modar@everestkc.net
Back to Modar's Heraldry Page (Articles)