Guildmaster of Heraldry
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Contents
The Master of the College of Arms
Heraldry Officer, Heraldry educator
Herald; the Meaning of the word
- A person who carries or proclaims important news; a messenger.
- One that gives a sign or indication of something to come; a harbinger: The crocus is a herald of spring.
- An official whose specialty is heraldry.
- An official formerly charged with making royal proclamations and bearing messages of state between sovereigns.
- An official who formerly made proclamations and conveyed challenges at a tournament.
Heralds were originally messengers sent by monarchs or noblemen to convey messages or proclamations—in this sense being the predecessors of the modern diplomats. In the Hundred Years' War, French heralds challenged King Henry V to fight. During the Battle of Agincourt, the English and the French herald, Montjoie, watched the battle together from a nearby hill; both agreed that the English were the victors, and Montjoie provided King Henry V, who thus earned the right to name the battle, with the name of the nearby castle.
Like other officers of arms, a herald would often wear a surcoat, called a tabard, decorated with the coat of arms of his master. It was possibly due to their role in managing the tournaments of the Late Middle Ages that heralds came to be associated with the regulation of the knights' coats of arms. This science of heraldry became increasingly important and further regulated over the years, and in several countries around the world it is still overseen by heralds. Thus the primary job of a herald today is to be an expert in coats of arms. In the United Kingdom heralds are still called upon at times to read proclamations publicly; for which they still wear tabards emblazoned with the royal coat of arms.
There are active official heralds today in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, and the Republic of South Africa. In England and Scotland most heralds are full-time employees of the sovereign and are called "Heralds of Arms in Ordinary". Temporary appointments can be made of "Heralds of Arms Extraordinary". These are often appointed for a specific major state occasions, such as a coronation. In addition, the Canadian Heraldic Authority has created the position of "Herald of Arms Emeritus", with which to honor long-serving or distinguished heraldists. In Scotland, some Clan Chiefs, the heads of great noble houses, still appoint private officers of arms to handle cases of heraldic or genealogical importance of clan members, although these are usually pursuivants.
Guildmaster of Heralds in Amtgard
An official in charge of all the Heralds in a Kingdom or local park. It is the responsibility of the guildmaster of heralds to ensure that each player who wishes to can have heraldry, to write heraldry tests, to educate the public, to make sure that the ORK and wiki are correctly updated.
The GMH is not typically listed in the Line of Succession.
How do you become a GMH?
Typically this office is appointed by the kingdom monarch at the beginning of their reign. New Guildmasters can also be elected by the Heralds from their own number. Check your Corpora for details In some kingdoms the Guildmaster is required to pass heraldry tests; further, kingdoms have required their GMHs to take Corpora tests
Excerpt from the Corpora
The following is take directly from the Taken from the Burning Lands Corpora 5th edition
- 2.142 Heraldry- collect and maintain the personal symbols and persona histories of all group members.
"Taken from Northern Lights [[Corpora version 1.2" 3.5 Northern Lights College of Arms
- 3.5.1 Members are those who have passed the Herald's test within the last six months with a s core of 75% or better.
- 3.5.2 Members of the College of Arms (Heralds) have the following responsibilities:
- 3.5.2.1 to inform and educate the populace about heraldry and the functions of the College of Arms.
- 3.5.2.2 to aid in the creation of new, and the updating of old, Persona, Company, and Household Devices.
- 3.5.2.3 to document all submitted Persona, Company, and Household Devices.
- 3.5.2.4 to turn over all documented Persona, Company, and Household Devices to be registered by the Chief Herald.
- 3.5.2.5 to coordinate with the Prime Minister in order to perform any necessary record updates.
- 3.5.3 Chief Herald of the College of Arms
- 3.5.3.1 Shall be chosen from the College of Arms by election at midriegn. Members of the College who may vote are those who have passed the Herald's Test with a score of 75% or better as well as the current Chief Herald.
- 3.5.3.2 Shall work with the Monarch and Prime Minister to ensure that Heraldic records and Persona histories are being accurately documented and archived.
- 3.5.3.3 Shall work with the Regent in educating the populace about the Heraldry and it's use within the Kingdom.
- 3.5.3.4 Shall be exempt from the Herald's test rule for the duration of their time in office.
- 3.5.3.5 The Chief Herald has the following responsibilities:
- 3.5.3.5.1 Will ensure that the Heralds are competent and that they are fulfilling their duties fairly.
- 3.5.3.5.2 Will keep a complete and publicly accessible record of all devices registered within the Kingdom.
- 3.5.3.5.3 Will be prepared to administer a Herald's test upon request 3.5.3.5.4 Will be responsible for administering at least one (1) public Herald's test on or before kingdom midreign.
- 3.5.3.6 The Chief Herald may be removed by a 2/3 vote of all members of the College of Arms.
- 3.5.3.7 In the case that the Chief Herald vacates their position a replacement shall be appointed, from within the College of Arms, by the Monarch.
