View source for Outlands College of Heralds

[[Category:Colleges]]
==Outlands College of Heralds==
__TOC__

==Overview==
The Outlands College of Heralds is the heraldic arm of the Kingdom of the Outlands within the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). It supports name & armory submissions, field and court voice heraldry, awards tracking, scribal activity, and educational outreach across the kingdom. Heralds ensure accurate recordkeeping and provide ceremonial support at events.

==Roles & Warranting==
'''Warranting (“Getting Rostered”)'''
* Must be a paid SCA member in good standing.
* Submit contact information (SCA & modern names, member number, address, phone, e‑mail) to the White Stag Principal Herald.<ref name="Handbook"/>  
* Demonstrate reliable reporting for three consecutive periods; failure to report for three periods may result in removal.<ref name="Handbook"/>

==Reporting & Record‑keeping==
'''Reporting Schedule'''
* Kingdom Staff: quarterly (due 10 Jan, 10 Apr, 10 Jul, 10 Oct)  
* Baronial Heralds: monthly  
* Shire/Canton/College Heralds: quarterly (to baronial herald or White Stag)  
* Heralds‑at‑Large: periodic activity reports; removal after one year of silence.<ref name="Handbook"/>

'''Report Contents'''
Each report should include:
* Herald’s SCA & legal names, membership info, group served, reporting period, date of report  
* List of submissions sent to Castle Herald (submitter, type, status, dates)  
* Accounting of heraldic funds handled (submission fees in/out)  
* Status of in‑process submissions (milestone dates)  
* Awards received by populace during period  
* Other activities: courts, lists, demos, classes, publications.<ref name="Handbook"/>

'''Record‑keeping'''
Maintain files for:
* Correspondence (incoming & outgoing)  
* Submissions (pending & registered)  
* Court Reports & Precedence updates  
* Heraldic reference materials and forms.<ref name="Handbook"/>

==Equipment & Resources==
Heralds should have:
* The Outlands Heralds’ Handbook and Guide to Submissions Heraldry<ref name="Handbook"/>  
* Portable file box/folders, scroll case, clipboard, file cards  
* “Greenwear” (tabard/baldric) for voice heraldry  
* SCA Corpora & Kingdom Law texts  
* Access to the Online Ordinary & Armorial (http://oanda.sca.org/)  
* Kingdom heralds’ websites (Rampart, Wimble, Wharrow, Plover, Gimlet, Weel, Stags Attire)  
* Personal heraldic reference library.<ref name="Handbook"/>

==Structure==
The College comprises three tiers:
# '''Senior Staff''' – Kingdom officers appointed by White Stag  
# '''Local Heralds''' – Baronial/Shire/Canton/College heralds (White Stag‑approved)  
# '''Heralds‑at‑Large''' – Un‑warranted but active participants.<ref name="Handbook"/>

==Senior Staff Titles and Duties==
* '''White Stag Principal Herald''' – Chief administrative herald & voice of the Crown  
* '''Rampart Herald''' – Submissions (name/device) intake & processing  
* '''Castle Herald''' – Letter of Presentation compiler  
* '''Besom Herald''' – Rampart’s clerk (submission notices)  
* '''Wimble Herald''' – Order of Precedence & awards database  
* '''Wharrow Herald''' – Roll of Arms (registered devices)  
* '''Gimlet Herald''' – Book of Ceremonies & court protocol  
* '''Plover Herald''' – Field heraldry coordination  
* '''Weel Herald''' – Education & publications  
* '''Blue Iris Herald''' – Queen’s court herald  
* '''Palmer, Scribe, Stags Attire, Liber/Trefoil/Fretty Heralds''' – Deputies, regalia, commentary.<ref name="Handbook"/>

==Local Herald Titles==
Local baronial Pursuivants include:
* Aspen (Caerthe)  
* Scorpion (al‑Barran)  
* Scalene (Dragonsspine)  
* Rook (Citadel of the Southern Pass)  
* Barbican (Unser Hafen)  
* Ray du Soleil (Caer Galen)  
* Black Fountain (Fontaine dans Sable).<ref name="Handbook"/>

==Heraldic Ranks==
* '''Messenger‑of‑Arms''' – Entry level  
* '''Macer''' – Demonstrates continuing commitment  
* '''Pursuivant''' – Solid knowledge in at least one heraldic area  
* '''Herald''' – Excellence in two or more heraldic disciplines  
* '''Herald Extraordinary''' – Honorific for outstanding service and impact.<ref name="Handbook"/>

==Types of Heraldry==
* '''Book Heraldry''' – Assisting with name & device research, documentation, submissions  
* '''Field Heraldry''' – Announcing lists, match results, fighter identities  
* '''Court Heraldry''' – Master of ceremonies for courts; awards announcements.<ref name="Handbook"/>

==Philosophy==
Heralds serve as the Crown’s voice with courtesy, discretion, professionalism, and fun. Mentorship and education are core values.<ref name="Handbook"/>

==Recommended References==
====Basic Heraldry Texts====
* Complete Guide to Heraldry (Fox‑Davies)  
* Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry (Draconarius & Akagawa)  
* Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names (Withycombe)  
* Surname & place‑name dictionaries (Reaney & Wilson; Black; Ekwall)  
* Dictionary of German Names (Bahlow)

====SCA‑Specific Publications====
* Guide to Submissions Heraldry in the Outlands (Companion Handbook)  
* Compleat Anachronist #22, #51, #66  
* Free Trumpet Press pamphlets (Laurel Precedents, KWHS Proceedings)

==External Links==
* [http://outlandsheralds.org/ Official Outlands College of Heralds]  
* [http://rampart.outlandsheralds.org/ Rampart (Submissions)]  
* [http://wimble.outlandsheralds.org/ Wimble (Precedence)]  
* [http://wharrow.outlandsheralds.org/ Wharrow (Armorial)]  
* [http://gimlet.outlandsheralds.org/ Gimlet (Ceremonies)]  
* [http://plover.outlandsheralds.org/ Plover (Field Heraldry)]  
* [http://weel.outlandsheralds.org/ Weel (Education)]  
* [http://stagsattire.outlandsheralds.org/ Stags Attire (Regalia)]

==References==
<references>
<ref name="Handbook">{{cite web
  | last=
  | first=
  | title=Outlands Heralds’ Handbook, 5th Edition (v5)
  | url=http://weel.outlandsheralds.org/docs/OHH%20v5.pdf
  | publisher=Outlands College of Heralds
  | date=2009
  | accessdate=2025-07-24
}}</ref>
</references>