Dragon's Mist Heraldry Page
The Shire Order of Precedence
The Shire Arms (Device)
SCA Shires do not have ruling nobles but shires are required to have
arms (devices). The Shire has an official Banner (insert pic here when
we get one) which is used to designate that the branch is holding an
official function and acts as the place to give reverance to the Crown
at Shire Tournaments. The shire arms should not be used on clothing
except for the Shire Herald speaking as the Voice of the Shire.
Our arms (device) are blazoned as:
Sable, a dragon's head couped within a laurel wreath, a bordure nebuly
argent.
The shire's name and device were registered in November of 1992. The
device is depicted as:
This is the most oft-seen version (art by Moreach) but there are many
versions of the device that may be used (including your own version);
click on image(s) below to see the full-size version: (Left to Right: Moreach no border version, Moreach square version, Sebastian
version)
The Shire Populace Badge
For gentles wishing to show allegiance to the Shire, the Shire Populace
Badge is the way to do it.
Our badge is blazoned as:
(Fieldless) A dragon's head issuant from a cloud argent.
It was registered in October of 1993 and is depicted as:
This is the most oft-seen version (art by Moreach) but there are many
versions of the badge that may be used (including your own version);
click on image(s) below to see the full-size version:
(Top to Bottom: Renaissance Italy version, Morgan de Comyn version, Moreach
color version, Morgan color version, Sebastian version)
Most of this art gleefully grabbed from Moreach's
Dragon's Mist Armory Page. Thanks much.
The Shire Livery & Regalia
Officer Livery & Regalia: In 2002, the Shire made black officer's
robes and livery-chain regalia with officers badges for the use of
officers at official functions.
Herald Livery: The Shire Pursuivant (the official title of a
herald at the Shire level) can wear the Shire Arms when acting as the
Voice of the Shire (The shire arms should not be used on clothing
except for the Shire Herald speaking as the Voice of the Shire). The
SCA heralds's office badge (gold crossed trumpets on a green
background) is also worn when working in a heraldic capacity by others
heralds of the realm.
Server Livery: In 2003 the Shire made parti-colored black and
white tabards for use of servers/helpers/event staff. See the current
Chamberlain (keeper of the shire stuff) for access to these garments.
The Shire "Awards"
By Corpora, Shires do not give out Awards (Awards flow from the Crown
and Shires do not have ruling nobles). Shires can and do give out
"tokens of esteem" and scrolls of thanks. The Shire has three tokens of
esteem that it bestows on its members (generally at Shire Moots and
other events):
 |
Dragon's Scale: Token of esteem for service and/or
arts/sciences. The token is a pendant fishing lure. The Seneschal takes
recommendations from the populace for the Dragon's Scale.
|
|
|
Seneschal's Favor: Given by the current Seneschal to those
who have assisted him/her greatly. Token is a pewter pendant of the
Shire Populace badge. |
|
|
Fellowship of the Dragon's Tear: Fellowship of former
Seneschals. New members of the Fellowship are invited by former
Seneschals.
|
The Shire Achievement
At some point, someone will write cogent text describing exactly what
is a full heraldic achievement. For now, here's an Italian Renaissance
inspired version of what the Shire Achievement might look like:
Other Kingdom heraldry, and other forms of heraldic display
Kingdom
Ensign and (fieldless) Populace Badge
Kingdom
Populace Badge (the earlier field version)
Heraldic
Display by Dame Zenobia Naphtali.
An
Tir Achievement Customs
An
Tir Circlet Conventions
Standards
and Pinsils and Pennons, Oh My! A Cursory Glance at Medieval Flags and
Banners by Mistress Elizabeth Braidwood.
|
