Heraldry at Crown Tournaments
by Ciaran Cluana Ferta, GdS, JdL
This document is to clearly define the requirements and needs of the Heraldry community at Crown events. It will also serve to set expectations for the division of responsibilities between the Kingdom Staff heralds and the local branch herald.
The local herald is a deputy to Black Lion, and is in charge of heraldry in his/her branch, but the Kingdom Staff will be there to lend aid, taking the lead roles that they have been appointed to fulfill. This means that Vox Leonis (Court), Löwenmähne (Field and Town Crying) and Æstel (Consulting) are available for suggestions, set-up and planning help before and during the event. If you have any questions, feel free to call upon these Kingdom Staff Heralds.
In addition, Löwenmähne will provide such items as clipboards, pens, pencils, and 3x5 cards, for Town Crier and Field use. There are also some tabards, which may be provided as well as banners to mark the Lists Fields.
What follows is a list of preparations for the herald of a branch that is sponsoring a kingdom event. This list is in two sections: items the Kingdom needs to have done; and options that make the event run easier (and may make the event more fun for you). If at any time you have a question about any of these things please feel free to contact your Regional or Kingdom Heralds.
The branch herald is expected to do the following:
1) Reserve a place for "Herald's Point" on the List Field (this should have a table and seats, be next to the lists Pavilion, and opposite the Royal Pavilion). Contact Löwenmähne for details.
2) The branch herald needs to contact Löwenmähne at LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE the event, to confirm the preparations, and see if there are special needs for that particular event.
3) Have a separate space and table (seating at least six) reserved next to the Lists-Fields for the heraldic consultation table, away from Heralds Point. (This cuts down on the confusion inherent at Heralds Point). This area must be weather-free. (Rain is bad on books!) Contact Æstel for help.
4) The Lists-Fields should be arranged as in the diagram below. If you have questions, contact Löwenmähne or the Lists Mistress.
It has been found useful for the branch herald to:
5) Provide several copies of a map of the site, with Heralds Point and all of the announcement spots marked on it. This should go to the Autocrat, Löwenmähne and Herald's Point.
6) The branch herald should bring a copy of the Kingdom Ceremonial (and a Branch ceremonial is there is one).
More options for the local herald that make your event run more smoothly:
7) Premark the announcement spots around the site.
8) Have a tall Heralds banner at Heralds Point, maybe with a canton of your branch on it, on a 10 X 15 foot pole.
9) Get heralds from your area to sign up for heraldic duties BEFORE the event (bribery works nicely).
10) Get a list of all of the standard announcements (e.g.: When courts are scheduled; when does the tournament begin; where is lost-and-found; etc.) and when they are to be announced from the autocrat BEFORE the event.
11) If you cannot get on site when it opens, get some one to act as the herald until you get there, he/she should know where to set up herald's point.
12) Schedule a herald's meeting early in the morning and get it into the gate handout. This allows the kingdom heralds to get to know who they will be working with, and duties can be parceled out. Contact Autocrat and Löwenmähne.
13) Meet with the autocrat when s/he is planning the event, and try to help organize the scheduling of the event.
Here is the layout for the List-Fields that has been found to work best. If eight fields are desired, it is best to place them in two rows of four Fields each.
NOTES:
This diagram is not exhaustive of ALL Kingdom needs for space about the Lists-Fields. Check with other Kingdom Great Officers (e.g., Marshals, Chirurgeons, Waterbearers, A&S, Constables, Seneschal) for their needs.
The fields are usually 40'-50' square.
In past tournaments we have found that Lists, Herald's Point and Marshall's Point need approximately 25 feet each for frontage, and the consultation table also needs 25 feet of frontage.