Herald's Handbook for Avacal

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I send in a submission for names or devices

All submissions for the Principality of Avacal go direct to the Kingdom Submissions Herald (Lion's Blood Herald). The information on how to do this can be found at http://www.antirheralds.org/submissions/howtoforms.html. Do not send them to the Avacal Herald.


2. Where do I get the forms?

You should go to your local herald. If that gentle doesn't have them, you can find them on line at http://www.antirheralds.org/submissions/forms/forms.html .


3. As a branch herald, when do I send in my reports:

The reporting dates are July 15, October 15, January 15 and April 15.
Cantons heralds are required to report 15 days prior to their baronial heralds and are not required to report to the Avacal Herald, but a copy to the Avacal Herald is greatly appreciated. I will accept reports by any reasonable method (not telepathy), as long as I have it by the due dates.


4. What goes into the reports

The Principality needs to know that you are there and doing the job. Even if nothing is happening, "Nothing to report" is better than no report. You should include your contact information (mailing address, phone numbers, e-mail, etc) as well as your membership number and expiry date. Please include updates concerning submissions you are consulting on, heraldry activities at local events, education efforts, awards given out and references to those whom you have helped.


5. Where can I get some help?

You should first go to your local herald, all branches in Avacal currently have one. If that gentle cannot help you, try the Avacal Herald's Forum in yahoo groups http://groups.yahoo.com/ ( avacal_heralds), which will put you in touch with a variety of heralds. You can also contact the Sanguinaris Herald (avacal-herald@antir.sca.org). There is also a Kingdom Herald: Æstel Herald (Consulting/Research Assistance) (http://www.antirheralds.org/college/black_lion_staff.html for contact info) who is there to lend a hand. If you have a really obscure question that nobody seems to be able to answer, there is always the An Tir Herald's list, but you have to subscribe to post to it.


6. What do I need to know to herald a court?


• Have index cards. Put one item of business per card
• Call well ahead of time for business
• Talk to the royalty ahead of time. They will always have business (otherwise why have court). You may want to remind them about "thanks to the autocrats", and whether they want to take oaths of fealty. Make sure you have the actual names. Record the award and name and branch the person is from on the cards and then send the information to the Principality Herald to record the awards
• Ask the royals if they want to process in or do a standing start.
• When taking business, discourage commercial announcements, personal presentations, entertainments and the like. Court goes on long as it is. Reducing the number of items of business helps. Ask these gentles to make such announcements between the removes or during the event.
• Check with the royals as you go through the items in case of last minute changes (this will happen).
• There is always a "Three Cheers" or "Joyous Noise" or other applause after most items of business. Mix them up. Hold off until the persons finished their business (hugs, congratulations from the royals, etc).
• The exception is if it is some somber or official item (like reading in law or the like).
• If you are good, you can arrange the items in order yourself (this is why they are on index cards) but pass what you have by the royals, in case they have some specific requirements
• As a herald, you are the "Voice" of the royalty. As such you may speak what they tell you to speak. Your opinions are you own, so you may not present them in court, as they will be taken as being the words of the royalty.
• Have the ceremonial ready. If you are doing a court where the King are at the Event, make sure you bring a Kingdom Ceremonial. Be ready for royalty to spring things on you. If you know what ceremonies you will be doing, take some time before court to familiarize yourself with them.
• Get someone else to handle scrolls and the like. If you are reading directly off scrolls, make sure ahead of time that you can read the caligraphy of the scroll.
  
  
7. But What do I say?

Here are some sample phrases and patter for use during a court. Please feel free to establish your own style and make changes as you like. These samples are based on doing a Principality Court and can be modified by changing names and titles:
• Opening court: Full volume (camp crying level for getting people's attention) as the procession enters the presence of the gathered populous "My Lords and Ladies! Pray attend this the court of their Highnesses <Prince's first name> and <Princesses first name>, Prince and Princess of Avacal!" Can also be used from a standing start at the thrones.
• Usually there will be royal guests (eg. barons and baronesses) to sit in court which will be processing in after their highnesses sit down. If they don't have their own heralds to introduce them, then you will have to, "Your highnesses, ... Their excellencies <first name of Baron> and <first name of Baroness> Baron and Baroness of <name of Barony>." Wait for them to come forward and sit down and then repeat this until there are no more guests.
• To make people sit down at normal volume (normal court volume: loud declaritive voice, but not as loud as camp crying, as you already have their attention)."You have their Highnesses leave to make yourselves comfortable."
• To call someone up who is not expecting it (to give an award etc, in camp cry volume, as they may be outside court and you have to get their attention): "Would <name of person> present themselves before their Highnesses." Wait for a cue from the royals before reading the scroll text, as they may want to talk about the person or terrorize them a little first. Societatis is pronounced "so-Si-a-ta-tus"
• Cheers: (go to camp cry volume, as you may have to drown out applause). Use the newly aquired title if appropriate, eg for an AoA: "Three Cheers for Lord <name of person>! HIP HIP <pause for Hurray from audience>!, HIP HIP <pause>!, HIP HIP <pause>!" Alternately for a Joyous noice (remember to mix them up): "For Lord <name of person>, a Joyous Noise! <pause for applause>"
• To call someone up who is expecting it (to make announcements, presentations etc) (normal court volume) "<name of person> has business before this court." Allow that person to take over and do whatever announcements they need to do.
• If presents are given, it is sometimes appropriate to announce what was given to the audience (because the can't see what is going on up there) (normal court volume): "<name of person> has presented their Highnesses with a <item given, keep the description short>. <pause for oohs and ahhs>"
• Closing Court: Check with the royals if they want to ask for further business. If so, you may ask (start at normal volume), "Is there any further business before this court?" When whatever business is done, or if the royals say not to ask, then, "There being no further business before this court <go to camp crying volume, to drown out the person who is jumping up because he forgot to get his business in ahead of time> Thus ends the court of their Highnesses <Prince's first name> and <Princesses first name>, Prince and Princess of Avacal! <as they walk away> Long Live <Prince's first name> and <Princesses first name>! Long Live <King's first name> and <Queen's first name>!" If there are heirs to the Crown of An Tir at the time, "Long Live <Crown Prince's first name> and <Crown Princesses first name>!" If there are heirs to the Coronet of Avacal at the time, "Long Live <first name of Tanist> and <first name of Tanista>!" In all cases, "An Tir!! <pause for "we stand together" response>, "Avacal!! <pause for "we stand together" response>".
  
  
8. How do I get started as a branch herald?

There is a lot of information on the internet available if you know where to look. Besides going to the AnTir heraldry page or the SCA Heraldry page, the following is a good starting reading list:
• What does a herald do? Heralds job descriptions from the An Tir Handbook (note that branch heralds in a Principality report to the Principality Herald, not to Black Lion Herald)
• What are the rules for submitting devices? SCA College of Arms rules and regulations
• How do I blazon devices? A Grammar of Blazonry
• How do I do voice heraldry? Articles on Voice Heraldry
• At this point start surfing around to find the information you need.
• Try to attend some Ithra classes on Heraldry if you get a chance.