Order of the Flower
 | |
| Award Level | Grant of Arms Order |
|---|---|
| Award Type | Arts and Sciences |
| Chartered On | November 14, 1998 (A.S. XXXIII) |
| Reign | King Hrothger II & Queen Madigan |
| White Stag | Pendar the Bard |
| Number of Recipients | 248 |
| Precedence | Grant of Arms |
| Entitles Use of | Entitles bearer to post-nominal letters OFO and a Grant of Arms if not already held |
Order of the Flower
The Order of the Flower is a Kingdom-level Grant of Arms Order in the Kingdom of the Outlands. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional ability in the Arts and Sciences, particularly those who also contribute to the teaching and growth of these disciplines within the Kingdom. This award was chartered on the 14th day of November, A.S. XXXIII (1998), during the reign of King Hrothger II and Queen Madigan. At that time, Pendar the Bard served as White Stag Principal Herald.
Purpose and Recognition
A member of this order is styled as a "Flower of the Outlands." This award celebrates skill, deep knowledge, and significant contributions to the Arts and Sciences, especially highlighting those who actively teach and foster these fields at both local and Kingdom levels.
Recipients of this award are entitled to use the post-nominal letters [OFO] after their name.
The Order bestows a Grant of Arms upon the recipient, if they do not already possess one.
Precedence
This Order carries the precedence of a Grant of Arms. If the recipient already holds a GoA, their precedence remains unchanged but the honor is added to their list of recognitions.
Badge
- Vert, two stags combatant argent sustaining between them a sexfoil, a bordure engrailed Or.
Recipients are entitled to display the badge of the Order and may wear appropriate regalia.
Scroll Text
The following are common versions of scroll text used for the Order of the Flower:
Version 1
- [King's Name] and [Queen's Name], King and Queen of these fair Outlands send greetings to all.
- As the gardener labors so grows the flower, thus from great work cometh great beauty. So the Arts of the Outlands grow only by the strong labor, fine skills and dedicated teaching of Our [craftsmen/craftswomen/artisans]. One such is our trusty [Recipient's Name].
- It is meet and fitting We prefer and create [him/her/them], by Grant of Arms, a Flower of the Outlands. [He/She/They] shall receive all honors, duties and privileges as are conveyed with such station. The College of Arms having approved [BLAZON] for [his/her/their] sole and unique use, the Honorable [Lord/Lady/Noble Name] shall bear them as a sign of Our high favor. We further grant [him/her/them] the right to bear the badge of the Order, to wit: Vert, two stags combatant argent sustaining between them a sexfoil, a bordure engrailed Or.
- In witness whereof have We set Our hands {at [EVENT] in Our [Barony/Shire] of [NAME OF CHAPTER],} this ____ day of , Anno Societatis, being _____ in the common reckoning of years.
- [King’s Signature]
- King
- [Queen’s Signature]
- Queen
- The College of Arms, finding no impediment to the Arms here blazoned, has assigned their exclusive use to [Recipient's Name].
- White Stag Principal Herald
Version 2
- We, [King's Name], by Right of Arms, King, and [Queen's Name], by Grace and Courtesy, Queen of these fair Outlands, send due Commendations and Greetings to all good gentles and nobility to whom these present letters shall come.
- It is the great duty and privilege of the Crown to recognize those whose skill, knowledge and teaching of the Arts increases the glory and beauty of the Outlands. By the report and testimony of Our counselors and by Our own certain knowledge, We are truly advised and informed that [Recipient's Name] has long pursued good works and deeds of virtue and enriched Our realm through [his/her/their] practice of the art(s) of (ART).
- We therefore do publicly prefer and create [him/her/them] as a Flower of the Outlands and bestow upon [him/her/them] these Arms: [BLAZON] to be borne and displayed by the Honorable [Lord/Lady/Noble] (first name) and none other in all the lands of the Known World.
- Done by Our hands this ____ day of ______, Anno Societatis _____ being _____ Gregorian.
- [King’s Signature]
- King
- [Queen’s Signature]
- Queen
- Being required by Their Majesties to make search in the records of my office for the Arms of the aforementioned gentle, I do find that [he/she/they] may lawfully bear the Arms herein mentioned.
- White Stag Principal Herald
Version 3
- [King's Name] and [Queen's Name], King and Queen of these fair Outlands send greetings to all.
- Just as the flowers of the desert flourish and bloom in their harsh surrounds, so in these rough Outlands do artisans of great skill grace Our Kingdom with their works. It is the privilege of the Crown to recognize those whose skill, knowledge, and teaching of the Arts serves to increase the glory of the Outlands.
- As such We are pleased to prefer and create [Recipient's Name], by Grant of Arms, as a Flower of the Outlands. [He/She/They] shall receive all honors, duties and privileges as are conveyed with such station. The College of Arms having approved [BLAZON] for [his/her/their] sole and unique use, the Honorable [Lord/Lady/Noble Name] shall bear them as a sign of Our high favor. We further grant [him/her/them] the right to bear the badge of the Order, to wit: Vert, two stags combatant argent sustaining between them a sexfoil, a bordure engrailed Or.
- In witness whereof have We set Our hands {at [EVENT] in Our [Barony/Shire] of [NAME OF CHAPTER],} this ____ day of , Anno Societatis, being _____ in the common reckoning of years.
- [King’s Signature]
- King
- [Queen’s Signature]
- Queen
- The College of Arms, finding no impediment to the Arms here blazoned, has assigned their exclusive use to [Recipient's Name].
- White Stag Principal Herald
Optional Additions for Unregistered Arms
If the recipient does not have registered Arms or a device, the following language may be used in the scroll text:
In Versions 1 and 3, replace the sentence beginning [The College of Arms having approved...] with:
- We charge the Honorable [Lord/Lady/Noble] [Recipient's Name] to consult with Ourselves and Our heralds to determine suitable and unique Arms, that [he/she/they] might bear these Arms throughout the Known World as a sign of Our high esteem.
In Version 2, replace the reference to the recipient's blazon with:
- We charge the Honorable [Lord/Lady/Noble] [Recipient's Name] to consult with Ourselves and Our heralds to determine suitable and unique Arms, that [he/she/they] might bear these Arms throughout the Known World as a sign of Our high esteem.
Heraldic Achievement Notes
If this award confers a Grant of Arms to a recipient who did not already have one, it should have the standard achievement for a GoA: a black helm resting on the shield, with mantling of the main colors of the arms (refer to "Grant of Arms" in the Achievements section). Alternatively, the shield may be encircled with a ribbon (no chains) from which depends the badge of the Order. The ribbon may be any color but white.
If no GoA is conveyed, the recipient’s Arms should not be displayed in achievement.
Recipients
See Also
External Links
https://wimble.outlandsheralds.org – Wimble Heralds: Outlands Awards Site
https://scribes.outlands.org/handbook2021/aoa.html – Outlands Scribes Handbook