Research Heralds

These heralds are often manning the Consultation Table at SCA events. They are there to assist "walk-ins" with research for names, devices and/or badges.

Voice Heralds

"Duty" heralds walk around and make announcements at events. To do this a person must have good voice control, good diction, and the ability to walk distances (some events can be held in large areas and spread out). Normally they greet all in the morning with a "wake up call" announcing morning activities at the event or court.

"Field" heralds stand on the tournament field (called "The Eric") and announce fighters, and after the fight they announce the victors who continue in the Lists.

"Court" heralds take care of the business needed during court.

All "voice" heralds must have good voice control, good diction, the ability to exercise these for an extended period of time, and the stamina to stand for an equally long time

Herald Resources

Society for Creative Anachronism Heraldry

West Kingdom College of Heralds This site has it all! Links to the Kingdom Consult Table schedules, FAQ, The West Kingdom Roll of Arms, Submissions for Names and Armory, Awards and Honors,  Information for Heralds, articles, Ceremony Book, and for Recommending someone for an award.

West Kingdom Herald's Handbook

Duties of a Herald-The Duties and Responsibilties of  Rostered Heralds

BOOK OF CEREMONIES

Opening Court

HERALD:  Pay heed to the Court of Her Excellency, Cassandra, Baroness of Fettburg.

If there is Royalty present:

HERALD: Your Majesties, Her Excellency wishes to welcome you to Her Court.

Inserting a Royal Court:

HERALD: Your Excellency, Their Majesties wish to hold a court at this time.

BARONESS: Please grant them their wish.

HERALD: Pray attend the court of Their Majesties, (Name) and (Name), King and Queen of the West.

HERALD: This concludes the Court of Their Majesties. Pay heed once again to the Court of Her Excellency.

Installation of a New Officer:

HERALD:  Would (name of outgoing officer) and (Name of incoming officer) come before Her Excellency.

OUTGOING OFFICER: For reasons known to Your Excellency, I must resign my office of (Name of Office) in the Barony of Fettburg. I do here present for your approval, (Name of Incoming Officer) to take my place as your (Name of Office).

BARONESS: (Name of Outgoing Officer) you have served the Barony well, and I thank you for your service.
(Name of Incoming Officer), are you willing and able to undertake the duties and responsibilities of the (Name of Office) of the Barony of Fettburg.

INCOMING OFFICER: Yes, your Excellency.

BARONESS: Then let the Office pass.

HERALD: Three cheers for the Outgoing and the New (Name of Office), hip, hip...

At the End of Court:

HERALD: Attend now to the words of Her Excellency, Cassandra Cernakova.
BARONESS: (Thanks all for their attendance).

Closing Court:

HERALD: There being no further business, this court is ended.
Long live the King. (Audience responds).
Long live the Queen. (Audience responds).
Long live the Baroness of Fettburg. (Audience responds).
Hip, hip...

Closing Court with Their Highnesses Present:

HERALD: There being no further business, this court is ended.
Long live the King. (Audience responds).
Long live the Queen. (Audience responds).
Long Live the Prince and Princess of Cynagua. (Audience responds)
Long live the Baroness of Fettburg. (Audience responds).
Hip, hip...

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Admitting a New Member to the Order of the Argent Fleece:

HERALD: Would (Name of person) come before Her Excellency.(Read Name from Scroll).
Your participation with the Barony has considerably enhanced the quality of the Dream that is the Society for  us all. It is therefore my pleasure to admit you into the Order of the Argent Fleece, thereby adopting you as a honorary member of our flock.
By my hand this (Day) day of (Month), Anno Societatis (Year).
Cassandra, Baroness.

BARONESS: (Thanks the new member).

HERALD: Three cheers for the newest member of the Order of the Argent Fleece, hip, hip...

Admitting a New Member to the Order of the Acanthus Leaf:

HERALD: Would (Name of person) come before Her Excellency.
Whereas (Name of person) has shown Great Skill and Meritorious Achievements in the Arts, and Whereas I do herewith chose to show Suitable Recognition thereof. I do hereby admit (him/her) to the Order of the Acanthus Leaf.
By my hand, this (Day) day of (Month), Anno Societatis (Year).
Cassandra, Baroness

BARONESS: (Thanks the new member).

HERALD: Three cheers for the newest member of the Order of the Acanthus Leaf, hip, hip...

Admitting a New Member to the Order of the Brass Bell:

HERALD: Would (Name of person) come before Her Excellency.
Be it Known by these Presents that (Name of person), having given greatly of (his/her) labor to the Barony, does hereby deserve reward. Therefore, I am minded to admit (him/her) into the Order of the Brass Bell. The token of this Order shall be a small brass bell with a sounding clapper by which we may all know of (his/her) presence in times of need.
By my hand, this (Day) day of (Month), Anno Societatis (Year).
Cassandra, Baroness

BARONESS: (Thanks the new member).

HERALD: Three cheers for the newest member of the Order of the Brass Bell, hip, hip...

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Admitting a New Member to the Order of the Bitten Tongue:

HERALD: More feared than taped rattan, some have caused devastation greater than the melees of war.  When a tongue turns rampant, the populace suffers, until it is depressed.  Therefore, your Excellency, the members of the Order of the Bitten Tongue have a gag to present.

BARONESS: Please call the Order forward.

HERALD: Would the members of the Order of the Bitten Tongue approach her Excellency.

SPEAKER: Your Excellency, there are loose tongues not among us.

BARONESS: Have any of you tasted a sample of the candidate’s puns?

SPEAKER: Yes, your Excellency.

BARONESS: Then, put the bite on them.
(Members of the Order retrieve the candidate)

HERALD: (Read Name from Scroll).
Whereas puns are a form of period humor, and Whereas it is my desire that all be warned of Pundits and their punditry, and Whereas the Order of the Bitten Tongue is to mark those who have inflicted puns upon the populace of Fettburg, and Whereas it has come to my notice that you greatly deserve this reward, it is Therefore my responsibility is to act, and for wit, I grant you membership into the Order of the Bitten Tongue.

I grant you the right, and charge you with the responsibility, to bear about your neck: Pendant from a ribbon vert, a tongue purpure, with in base, a sinister flank invected.

By my hand, this (Day) day of (Month), Anno Societatis (Year).
Cassandra, Baroness

BARONESS: Wear this token so that all may know of the distinction you have attained this day.  Go now and greet you’re your compatriots.

HERALD: Three cheers for the newest member of the Order of the Bitten Tongue.  Hip, Hip...

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