Adrian Empire HERALD User Manual

rian Empire,

Inc

.

HERALDRY MANUAL:

RULES FOR REGISTRATON

And

ADMINISTRATION

As adopted October 1999
amended November 2001,
amended September 2005.

© 2002 The Adrian Empire Inc., all rights reserved.

Anyone is welcome to point out any error or omission that they may find.

Imperial Sovereign of Arms [e-mail]

Empress [e-mail]
Emperor [e-mail]

Adrian Emp ire, Inc.
The A

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface..................................................................................................................…..5

I. The Rule of Tincture...............................................................................…............6

A. Simple Ordinaries ........................................….........................…....… 6

B. Field Divisions........……........................….............................................. 6

C. Vert Mounts............................................................................................. 6

D. Furs …...................................................................................................... 7

E. Augmentations ......................................................................................... 7

F. Small Details............................................................................................ 7

G. Metal on Metal...............……................................................................. 7

H. Documenting Violations ......................................................................... 7

I. Acceptable Tinctures ............................................................................... 7

J. Restrictions ......................................…..................................................... 8

II. Struck.................................................................................................................... 8

III. Armorial Style......................................................................…........................... 8

A. Presentation........................................................................................... 8

B. Modern Design.........….......................................................................... 8

C. Animals, Plants, Trademarks, Etc............................................................ 8

D. Offense, Presumption.............................................................................. 8

E. Complexity.…......................................................................................…. 8

F. Layering, Counterchanging....................................................................... 9

G. Fimbriation, Voiding ............................................................................... 9

H. Questionable Elements........................................................................…. 9

I. Oriental Charges......................................................................................... 9

J. Achievements ........................................................................................... 9

IV. Fieldless Armory................................................................................................. 9

V. Tinctureless Armory............................................................................................ 10

VI. Marshalled Armory.............................................................................................. 10

A. Restrictions on Marshalling...................................................................... 10

VII. Restricted Charges.............................................................................................. 11

1.

A. The Fleur-de-Lis ..........................................................……................... 11

B. The Crown ......................................................................................….... 12

C. The Tudor Rose ........................................…...........................................12

D. Suns..................................................................……………………… 13

E. Registering Restricted Charges.....................................…….................. 13

VIII. Defined Charges ............................................................................................... 13

IX. Offensive and Presumptuous Armory................................................................. 14

A. Offensive Armory ...................................................…............................ 14

1. Vulgarisms .................................…............................................. 14

2. Offensive Use of Religion .......................................................... 14

3. Stereotypes…….......…….......................................................... 14

4. Offensive Political Themes....................…................................ 14

B. Presumption ............................................................................................. 14

1. Restricted titles and charges......................................................... 14

2. Supernatural powers...................................................................... 15

3. Pretense........................….............................................................. 15

4. Other presumption ........................................…............................ 15

X. Armory Outside the Empire.................................................................................. 15

A. Persona...................................................................................................... 15

B. Other Medieval Re-Creation Societies ...........................................…..... 15

C. Outside of Adria........................................................................................ 16

XI. Conflicting Armory..........................…............................................................... 16

A. Addition of Primary Charges .......................…....................................... 16

B. Difference of Primary Charges ................................................................ 16

C. Significant Armorial Differences............................................................. 16

1. Field Difference ...............................…......................................... 16

2. Addition of Charges on the Field...............…................................ 17

3. Addition of Charges Overall..........................…............................ 17

4. Tincture Changes .......................................................................... 17

5. Type Changes................................................................................ 17

6. Number Changes........................................................................... 17

7. Arrangement Changes.................................................................... 17

8. Posture Changes............................................................................. 17

9. Addition of Charges on Charges................................................... 17

10. Changes to Charges on Charges...............................…............... 18

2.

D. Visual Test ............................................................................................... 18

1. Overwhelming Visual Resemblance.............................................. 18

2. Overall Effect................................................................................ 18

3. Armory, Not Visual Description.................................................... 18

XII. Structure of the College of Arms....................................................................... 18

A. Members .............................................................................…..................18

B. Local Colleges ................................…..................................................... 19

C. Heralds..........................................…........................................................ 19

D. Sovereign Status ....................................................................................... 19

XIII. Duties of the Imperial Sovereign of Arms and Other Heralds ........................ 19

A. The Imperial Sovereign of Arms ......................…................................... 19

B. Deputies to the Imperial Sovereign of Arms ........................................... 20

C. Sovereigns of Arms serving Geographic Chartered Subdivisions......….. 20

D. Heralds serving Estate Holders................................................................ 21

E. Rank System............................................................................................. 21

XIV. Registration Process......................................................................................... 22

A. In Process vs. Official ............................................................................. 22

B. Presentation..........…................................................................................ 22

C. Local level................................................................................................ 22

D. Imperial Level ......................................................................................... 23

E. Non-Registered Arms............................................................................... 24

F. Heraldry Registered to Deceased Persons................................................ 25

G. Ownership of Estate Armory................…............................................... 25

XV. Court and Other Ceremonies............................................................................. 26

A. Voice of the Crown.................................................................................. 26

B. Herald...............................….................................................................... 26

C. Transcripts ............................................................................................... 26

D. Court Reports........................................................................................... 26

XVI. Heraldic Authority ........................................................................................... 26

A. Ultimate Authority................................................................................... 26

B. Right to Remove From Display ............................................................... 26

C. Local Sovereigns of Arms.................…................................................... 27

D. Imperial College of Arms .................................…................................... 27

E. Appeals .................................................................................................... 27

XVII. Registration Limits ........................................................................................ 27

3.

A. Individual and Estates ............................................................................. 27

B. Geographic Chartered Subdivisions ...................................................... 27

XVIII. The Grandfather Clause................................................................................. 28

XIX. Documentation................................................................................................. 28

A. Unnecessary Documentation...............…................................................. 28

B. Questionable Elements or Style ..................................…........................ 28

C. List of Sources ........................................................................................ 28

D. Local Libraries ........................................................................................ 28

E. Documentable Elements .......................................................................... 28

XX. Registration Forms............................................................................................ 29

A. Forms Used ......................................…................................................... 29

B. Shapes .......................................…........................................................... 29

C. Complete Forms................................…................................................... 29

D. Colors..............................……................................................................. 29

Glossary ………….................................................................................................... 30

Appendix A: Consolidation of Manuals ........................…....................................... 33

Appendix B: Sample Letters ..............................................….................................. 33

A. Right to Use a Restricted Charge ....................................................…... 33

1. Sample 1 ......................................…............................................ 33

2. Sample 2 ....................................................................................... 33

C. Permission to Conflict ............................................................................. 33

D. Monthly Report ........................................................…............................ 34

1. Sample with activity ...............….................................................. 34

2. Sample With No Activity ..............................................…........... 34

E. Heraldic Wills..............................................…......................................... 34

1. Sample 1 ......................................…............................................. 34

2. Sample 2 ....................................................................................... 34

3. Sample 3 (in the absence of a heraldic Will).........…................... 34

Appendix C: “Insta-Boing” Checklist............................…....................................... 34

4.

P

REFACE

These Rules for Heraldic Registrations for the Adrian Imperial College of Arms, October 1999
shall supercede all previous Manuals, Rules and Handbooks, including, but are not limited to:
The Manual for the College of Arms for the Empire of Adria, 1999
The Rules for Heraldic Registrations as used by the College of Arms of the Empire of Adria,
1999
The Herald's Handbook compiled by Del'Shaley nan Tolman, undated
The Manual for the Ministry of Heraldry, 1997
The College of Arms of the Adrian Empire, 1998
The French College of Heraldry of the Adrian Empire, 1997
The College of Heraldry of the Adrian Empire, revised 1993
The College of Heraldry of the Adrian Empire, 1992
All other previous manuals, guidelines, and precedents
These Rules are a consolidation of the previous Manuals and documents into one comprehensive
document (primarily the Manual for the College of Arms, and the Rules for Heraldic
Registration). See Appendix A for more information.

For the purposes of these rules, the term "herald" shall refer to any person acting in a heraldic
manner, regardless of rank.

5.

I. THE RULE OF TINCTURE

The Rule of Tincture is defined as follows: Color may not be placed on Color, nor Metal
on Metal. This rule is generally inviolable, with certain explicit exceptions as outlined
below.

A. SIMPLE ORDINARIES

The so-called simple ordinaries (pale, fess, bend, bend sinister, cross, saltire,
chevron, chevron inverted, pall, and pall inverted), as well as chiefs, may be used
in the following manner so long as they contain no complex lines:

1. Gules ordinary on a sable or azure field

2. Sable or azure ordinary on a gules field

3. Ordinaries used in this fashion may be charged, except where such charging
would violate the Rule of Tincture.

4. Ordinaries used in this fashion may not be cotised in tinctures, which violate the

Rule of Tincture.

B. FIELD DIVISIONS

Field divisions are considered as tincture next to tincture and as such are not considered
subject to this rule. However, this category is subject to the following restrictions:

1. Field divisions of up to four parts (per pale, quarterly, per saltire, etc.) may consist of

two colors or two metals. There are two exceptions to this:

a. The lines of division must be plain line; no complex lines will be allowed.

Divisions with complex lines must be comprised of one color and one metal.

b. Per pall and per pall inverted field divisions must contain either two (2) colors

and one (1) metal, or two (2) metals and one (1) color.

2. Field divisions of more than four (4) parts (gyronny, checky, bendy, paly, etc.) must

be comprised of one (1) color and one (1) metal.

C. VERT MOUNTS

Vert mounts (bases enarched) may be placed on plain azure fields. The converse is not
permitted. The line must be plain and not complex.

6.

D. FURS

Furs are defined as being of two (2) tinctures, one (1) metal and one (1) color. The
tincture sable, since it is a solid color, is not a fur.

1. For the purposes of this rule, ermine and its variants are to be considered
tinctured the same as their background tincture. Erminois is considered
equivalent to or, counter-ermine (also known as ermines) is considered sable, et
cetera. Therefore, an or charge may not be placed on ermine or erminois, and so
forth, except under the conditions specified in this rule.

2. Ermine variants are created by strewing a field with ermine spots. This ermining
is restricted to the Rule of Tincture: Metals may only be ermined with colors, and
colors may only be ermined with metals. Purpure ermined or is acceptable.
Azure ermined gules is not.

3. For the purposes of conflict, ermine and its variants are to be considered one (1)
clear difference (CD) from their background tincture. Ermine is one (1) CD from
argent, gules ermined or is one (1) CD from gules, and so forth.

4. For the purposes of this rule, vair and its variants are considered neutral and may
be combined with any other tincture, except the tinctures that make up the vair or
vair variant. Therefore, a charge vairy argent and gules may not be placed on
argent or gules, and so forth.

5. There are no restrictions on the use of furs of any tincture combination, except
where noted above.

E. AUGMENTATIONS

Augmentations granted by any Crown are exempt from this rule.

F. SMALL DETAILS

Small details of a charge, such as eyes, tongue, or claws on a beast, are exempt from this
rule.

G. METAL ON METAL

Metal on metal is reserved specifically to the Imperial Crown and its agents.

H. DOCUMENTING VIOLATIONS

Any violations to the Rule of Tincture other than those explicitly permitted in these rules
must be adequately documented as described in Rule XIX.

I. ACCEPTABLE TINCTURES

The only acceptable tinctures are as follows:

7.

• Metals: Argent, Or

• Colors: Sable, Gules, Azure, Vert, Purpure

J. RESTRICTIONS

There are no restrictions on any tincture or combination of tinctures, except that the Rule
of Tincture may not be violated except under the conditions listed above.

II. S

TRUCK

This rule was eliminated during the consolidation of manuals. To preserve consistency in
the numbering of rules, it has not been struck from this manual.

III. ARMORIAL STYLE

A. PRESENTATION

All armory must be presented in a period heraldic style. Excessive naturalism or
excessive use of "proper" coloration will not be registered. Also, excessively modern
style ("pictorial" or "landscape" heraldry) will not be registered.

B. MODERN DESIGN

Overly modern design or allusion to modern insignia, trademarks, or other designs will
not be registered.

C. ANIMALS, PLANTS, TRADEMARKS, ETC.

Charges of animals, plants, or artifacts that were not known in Europe during the Adrian
period (1066 - 1603) will not be permitted.

D. OFFENSE, PRESUMPTION

Armory may not violate the standards on offense or presumption in these rules.

E. COMPLEXITY

All armory must be simple in design. Excessively complex armory will not be registered.

1. Complexity is determined by counting the number of types of charges in a
device and adding the number of tinctures. Gules, a lion or has a complexity
count of three (3), while Per pall gules, azure, and or, a griffin sable between in
fess a trefoil vert and a rose purpure has a complexity count of nine (9).

8.

2. Armory with a complexity count of eight (8) or above will not be
registered without a thorough review by the Imperial Sovereign of Arms.
Armory with a complexity count above six (6) is strongly discouraged.

F. LAYERING, COUNTERCHANGING

All elements in a given piece of armory must be arranged so as to preserve their
individual identifiably. Excessive layering, counterchanging, or use of complex lines of
division detracts from the overall identifiably of the elements in the device and will not
be registered.

G. FIMBRIATION, VOIDING

Fimbriation and voiding will only be permitted with simple geometric charges
and non-peripheral ordinaries that have straight, non-complex lines.

H. QUESTIONABLE ELEMENTS

Any questionable element or style should be adequately documented as described in Rule

XIX.

I. ORIENTAL CHARGES

Oriental-style charges, including Mon, dragons, armor, and such, being out of our scope,
are disallowed.

J. ACHIEVEMENTS

Showing your membership in an Order is where the Achievement comes in. That's the
frou-frou stuff “AROUND” the shield.

• If you receive an award that has a badge of its own, you may not augment your
own device to show that you’re the recipient of that award.

• If you receive an award that does not have its own badge, you may not augment
your own arms in the style of the award received.

• If you hold a favor of a person (Royal, Noble, or Gentle) or group (Church,
Estate: Royal, Major, Minor, or Ship), you may not augment my arms with the
favor from that.

IV. FIELDLESS ARMORY

Fieldless armory is that which has a transparent background, allowing the charges to be
placed on any type of background when displayed. Fieldless armory is subject to the
following restrictions:

9.

A. Only badges may be registered as fieldless.
B. Fieldless armory must form itself a unified whole; all elements in the design

must be conjoined.

V. TINCTURELESS ARMORY

Tinctureless armory has no tincture. It is generally meant for such things as wax seals and
engravings. Tinctureless armory is subject to the following limitations:

A. Only badges may be registered as tinctureless.

B. Tinctureless armory is restricted to Royal and Imperial Crowns, and the

ministries that serve them (the offices may register them, but not the individuals).

C. Tinctureless armory is subject to the same standards as fieldless armory, as given

above.

VI. MARSHALLED ARMORY

Marshalling is the practice of combining two (2) or more devices on one (1) shield or
banner. It is generally used to show a relationship of marriage, or to combine the arms of
an individual with the offices they hold.

A. Because each element must be independently registered, registration of the

marshalled arms is unnecessary and will not be permitted.

B. Marshalling is officially considered to be an encouraged practice for individuals

in relationships, whether married or otherwise.

C. Inescutcheons of pretense are considered to be a form of marshalling and as such

are restricted.

1. For this restriction to apply, the inescutcheon must be in the shape of an

escutcheon.

2. No other geometric or non-geometric charges that are themselves

charged shall be considered to be "in pretense".

A. RESTRICTIONS ON MARSHALLING

Research has shown that Marshalling appeared in more than just the familiar forms of Per
Pale and Quarterly. This includes the hitherto-unrestricted Per Fess and Per Saltire
divisions. These divisions have been abused in Adrian armory to allow designers to
combine disparate elements on one shield against the spirit of the Marshalling
proscription. In keeping with our overall push to encourage Period design, the following
is now disallowed:

10.

Any design wherein the field is divided Per Pale, Per Fess, Per Bend, Per Bend Sinister,
Quarterly, Per Saltire, Per Pall, and Per Pall Inverted wherein the charges on either side
of the line of division are of different types.

The following are now DISALLOWED under this Ruling:

• Per bend argent and vert, an oak leaf and an acorn slipped and leaved, all
counterchanged.

• Per fess argent and azure, in pale a kettle and a decrescent counterchanged.

• Per pale gules and argent, a wyvern and a rose counterchanged.

• Per pall sable, argent, and vert, an acorn argent, a lion gules, and a Maltese
cross argent.

• Per saltire argent and vert, in pale two estoiles and in fess two trees eradicated,

all counterchanged.

The following are all ALLOWED under this Ruling:

• Per bend argent and vert, two oak leaves counterchanged gules and or.

• Per fess sable and azure, in pale two kettles argent.

• Per pale gules and argent, two wyverns combattant and in chief a rose, all

counterchanged.

• Per pall argent, sable, and vert, on a pall between in chief a Maltese cross gules
and in base two Maltese crosses argent, three acorns argent.

(Yucky, but allowed.)

• Per saltire argent and vert, in cross four estoiles counterchanged.

Please encourage your clients to simplify their arms to create a coherent whole, rather
than trying to have too many different charges on one design.

VII. RESTRICTED CHARGES

A. THE FLEUR-DE-LIS

1. The gold fleur-de-lis is restricted to the Imperial Crown.

a. Persons granted the title of Prince or Princess are considered members

of the Imperial Family and may therefore augment their arms with this
charge, and wear it upon their clothing.

b. Persons granted the title of Count Royal or Countess Royal are

considered members of their local Royal Family and may therefore
augment their arms with this charge, and wear it upon their clothing.

c. Sovereigns of Arms, Heralds, and Pursuivants directly serving the

Imperial Crown may wear a gold fleur-de-lis upon the left breast while
they remain in the service of the Imperial Crown.

d. The Imperial Crown may choose to bestow this charge as an

augmentation however they see fit.

11.

e. Geographic Chartered Subdivisions may incorporate this charge in their

arms.

2. The silver fleur-de-lis is restricted to officials and sees of the Church of Adria.

a. Officials of the Church may augment their arms with this charge while

they hold their office.

b. Sees, bishoprics, abbeys, and other Church institutions may incorporate

this charge in their arms.

3. No other tincture of fleur-de-lis is restricted in any way, save where it would
violate the Rule of Tincture as given above.

B. THE CROWN

The crown in any tincture is restricted in armory to the Imperial Crown and its
representatives.

1. The following Estates and Ranks may incorporate this charge in their arms:
a. The Imperium
b. Kingdom
c. Prince/Princess
d. Archduchy
e. Duchy
f. Count Royal/Countess Royal
g. March
h. County
i. Viscount/ess
j. Shire
k. Barony
l. House

2. Landed Estate Holders of all ranks may augment their personal arms or
achievement with the Coronet of Rank appropriate to their station so long as they
hold their Estate.

3. Crowns and coronets, whenever appearing in armory, are considered
augmentations and as such are exempt from the Rule of Tincture, unless the
charge forms a central or integral part of the overall design.

C. THE TUDOR ROSE

The Tudor Rose is defined as a rose that is divided between gules and argent in any
combination, including:

1. A rose gules charged with another argent

2. A rose argent charged with another gules

12.

3. A rose divided per pale, per fess, per saltire, or Quarterly between gules and

argent

4. The previous category is considered restricted in all instances save those where
the divided rose appears as part of an overall motif of counterchanging between
Gules and Argent.

o Quarterly gules and argent, a rose counterchanged is acceptable
o Quarterly or and vert, a rose quarterly gules and argent is not acceptable

D. SUNS

Suns may no longer be charged with anything besides roundels (the so-called "sun
eclipsed").

Acceptable: "Gules, a sun or eclipsed sable"
Unacceptable: "Gules, on a sun or a martlet sable"

E. REGISTERING RESTRICTED CHARGES

The arms of any individual will not be registered with any of these restricted charges
unless sufficient written proof is provided with the presentation of the registration forms
that the individual in question has permanent right to the restricted charge. (Previously

Item C.)

VIII. DEFINED CHARGES

When a particular combination of charges and tinctures is registered frequently, the
Imperial Sovereign of Arms may choose to register this combination as a Defined
Charge. This definition is merely for the convenience of the College of Arms. Defined
Charges are as follows:

A. The Lyon de Coucy: A unicorn-headed lion rampant crowned or supporting a

sword inverted gules. This charge is restricted in Adria. When appearing in
armory, it may simply be blazoned as a Lyon de Coucy proper. Any variation on
this (such as no crown) should be blazoned specifically: a unicornheaded lion
rampant supporting a sword inverted gules.

B. The Imperial Office may register other defined charges as situations warrant.

IX. O

FFENSIVE AND

PRESUMPTUOUSARMORY

Armory may not contain elements that would be offensive to a large percentage of the
populace of the Empire or of society as a whole. Neither can armory suggest or imply
powers or ranks that the presenter does not possess.

13.

A. OFFENSIVE ARMORY

Offensive armory falls into four categories:

1. VULGARISMS

Armory suggesting pornographic or scatological themes would offend a
significant portion of the populace of the Empire and will not be permitted, even
if adequately documented.

2. OFFENSIVE USE OF RELIGION

Armory with either excessive or derogatory use of religious symbolism will not
be permitted. This applies to all religions equally, and applies whether the
offense is explicit or implied, or whether the presenter intended it or not.

a. Excessive use of religious symbolism is defined as three (3) or more

elements representing a particular religious idea or theme.

b. Derogatory use of religious symbolism is defined as any element

specifically degrading a particular religion.

3. STEREOTYPES

Armory suggesting derogatory ethnic, racial, or sexual stereotypes will not be
permitted, even if adequately documented. This applies whether the stereotype is
explicit or implied.

4. OFFENSIVE POLITICAL THEMES

Armory suggesting social or political movements or events that may be offensive
to a particular ethnic, racial, or religious group will not be permitted. Swastikas,
even though they are documentable as period charges, are not registerable due to
their mundane association with the Nazi party.

B. PRESUMPTION

Presumptuous names and armory fall into four categories:

1. RESTRICTED TITLES AND CHARGES

Armory containing or alluding to titles, ranks, territorial claims, or restricted
charges will not be permitted. Charges such as crowns, coronets, and fleurs-de-lis
are specifically restricted under the provisions of Rule VII.

2. SUPERNATURAL POWERS

Armory suggesting non-human powers or abilities will not be permitted.

3. PRETENSE

Armory suggesting familial relationship to a protected individual will not be
permitted without the specific written permission of that individual. Likewise,
armory that suggests pretense to protected armory will not be permitted.

14.

4. OTHER PRESUMPTION

Armory that by itself does not imply presumption but together with the
presenter's listed game name is evocative of the above categories will not be
permitted.

X. ARMORY OUTSIDE THE EMPIRE

The Empire of Adria is a separate heraldic jurisdiction from all others, including other
medieval re-creation societies and mundane heraldic courts.

A. PERSONA

Each registrant's game persona is considered separate from their mundane
persona, and as such, a registrant may not present their mundane arms for
registration, even if they can produce legal documentation asserting their claim to
such arms.

B. OTHER MEDIEVAL RE-CREATION SOCIETIES

Persons or groups wishing to register armory they hold in another medieval re­creation society must go through the same registration process as anyone else in
Adria.

1. Members who have armory registered in other games recognized by the

Imperial Crown (including the SCA, ECS, etc.) may request to have their
arms matriculated in Adria so long as such armory does not conflict with
any armory registered in Adria. Such arms do not need to follow the
Adrian rules for heraldic registration current at the time of the
matriculation.

2. Proof of such registration must be presented at the time the armory is

submitted (such as a letter from the Sovereign of Arms in jurisdiction, a
copy of the page in the armorial where it appears, or a printout of the
website where it appears). The standard Adrian forms must accompany
any such request for matriculation.

3. As of 15 March 2001, the recognized Games are: The Empire of

Chivalry and Steel, and the Society for Creative Anachronism. This list

may be expanded at the direction of the Imperial Crown.

C. OUTSIDE OF ADRIA

Any armory outside the Empire that anyone in the College of Arms deems
worthy of protection must undergo the normal presentation process before being
registered by the Imperial Sovereign of Arms

15.

XI. CONFLICTING ARMORY

This section was originally taken from the SCA Rules for Submissions, and is used by
kind permission of
have since been altered from the original, due to subsequent rulings of the Adrian

Imperial Sovereign of Arms.

A. ADDITION OF PRIMARY CHARGES

Armory does not conflict with any protected armory that adds or removes the
primary charge group. Most cadency systems did not involve addition or deletion
of the primary charge group, so this automatically creates an independent design.

B. DIFFERENCE OF PRIMARY CHARGES

Simple armory does not conflict with other simple armory if the type of
every primary charge is substantially changed. These types of changes
were normally seen between complete strangers in blood, and were not
usually used to indicate any form of cadency. For the purposes of this rule,
simple armory is defined as armory that has no more than two types of
charge directly on the field and has no overall charges.

C. SIGNIFICANT ARMORIAL DIFFERENCES

Two (2) pieces of armory will not be considered to conflict if two clear visual
differences exist between them.

1. FIELD DIFFERENCE

2. ADDITION OF CHARGES ON THE FIELD

3. ADDITION OF CHARGES OVERALL

Dame Elsbeth Anne Roth, Laurel Queen of Arms. Some lines

If charges are present, changing the tinctures, division, line of partition,
or treatment of the field is one (1) clear difference. If at least half of the
field is changed, the fields will be considered different.

a. Fieldless Difference

A piece of fieldless armory automatically has one (1) clear
difference from any other armory, fielded or fieldless.
Tinctureless armory is considered to be fieldless for this purpose.

b. Field Only Difference

If neither of two (2) pieces being compared has charges, changes
to the tincture, division, line of partition, and treatment of the
field may be counted separately.

Adding or removing any group of charges placed directly on the field,
including strewn charges, is one (1) clear difference.

Adding or removing a group of charges placed overall is one (1) clear
difference.

16.

4. TINCTURE CHANGES

Changing the tinctures or division of any group of charges placed
directly on the field, including strewn charges or charges overall, is one
(1) clear difference. Changing the tincture of at least half of the charges
in a group is one (1) clear difference.

5. TYPE CHANGES

Significantly changing the type of any group of charges placed directly
on the field, including strewn charges or charges overall, is one (1) clear
difference. Changing the type of at least half of the charges in a group is
one (1) clear difference. Types of charges considered to be separate in
period, for example a lion and an heraldic tyger, will be considered
different. A charge not used in period armory will be considered different
in type if its shape in normal depiction is significantly different.

6. NUMBER CHANGES

Significantly changing the number of charges in any group placed
directly on the field or overall is one (1) clear difference. One (1), two
(2), and three (3) are significantly different from any number, four (4) is
significantly different from six (6) or more, and five (5) is significantly
different from eight (8) or more. Six (6) and higher numbers, including
semy of charges, are not significantly different from each other.

7. ARRANGEMENT CHANGES

Changing the relative positions of charges in any group placed directly
on the field or overall is one (1) clear difference, provided that change is
not caused by other changes to the design.

8. POSTURE CHANGES

Significantly changing the posture or overall orientation of charges in
any group placed on the field, including strewn charges or charges
overall, is one (1) clear difference. Changing the posture of at least half
of the charges in a group is one (1) clear difference. Multiple changes to
the posture or orientation of the same charges may not be counted
separately. Changes of posture or orientation of separate charge groups
may be counted. A change of posture must affect the orientation of the
charge, or significantly change its appearance.

9. ADDITION OF CHARGES ON CHARGES

Adding or removing any group of charges placed entirely on other
charges is one (1) clear difference.

10. CHANGES TO CHARGES ON CHARGES

For simple armory (defined as armory that has no more than two
types of charges directly on the field and has no overall charges),
substantially changing the type of all of a group of identical
charges placed entirely on an ordinary or other suitable charge is

17.

one clear difference. The word "charge" refers both to charged and to

uncharged charges unless it is specifically qualified; a group of charges
may contain one or more charges.

purposes of this rule if (a) it is simple enough in outline to be
voided, and (b) it is correctly drawn with an interior substantial
enough to display easily recognizable charges. Only the new
presentation is required to be a simple case in order to benefit from
this clause.

A charge is suitable for the

D. VISUAL TEST

1. OVERWHELMING VISUAL RESEMBLENCE

If the tinctures, shapes, or arrangement of the charges in a presentation
create an overwhelming visual resemblance to a piece of protected
armory, the presentation will be held to conflict even if sufficient
theoretical difference can be counted between them.

2. OVERALL EFFECT

This rule may also be used in its converse: that even if sufficient
theoretical difference cannot be counted between two (2) pieces of
armory, the overall effect of the tinctures, shapes, or arrangement of the
charges may be sufficient to clear a conflict.

3. ARMORY, NOT VISUAL DESCRIPTION

A piece of armory is registered and protected, not the verbal description
used to record that armory. The use of different terminology to describe
two (2) designs that are visually similar does not affect any potential for
conflict that may exist. Unusual cases may occur where contrast is weak
and unusual arrangements of charges are employed, and in such
circumstances the cumulative similarities between two pieces of armory
may outweigh any specific differences.

XII. STRUCTURE OF THE COLLEGE OF ARMS

A. MEMBERS

The members of the Imperial College of Arms shall include:

1. The Imperial Sovereign of Arms (IsoA) shall be the head of the College.

2. Any Deputies to the Imperial Sovereign of Arms. Note: The Bylaws state that
the members of the College of Arms are exclusively the ISoA and the regional
SoA's (Article VII.F.4.a.). The Bylaws also allow ministers to appoint deputies
(Article VII.B.). Any deputies to the ISoA are allowed, by extension, to be
considered members of the Imperial College of Arms.

18.

3. Each Sovereign of Arms serving a geographic chartered subdivision of the
Empire (kingdom, duchy, or shire).

B. LOCAL COLLEGES

Local geographic chartered subdivision Sovereigns of Arms may choose to form
their own colleges to further the heraldic knowledge and education of themselves
and the populace they serve.

C. HERALDS

Estate holders of all ranks may appoint their own heralds.

D. SOVEREIGN STATUS

Here is how the College's sovereignty works:
Imagine the Imperial College of Auto Repair, with the same sovereignty as the
Imperial College of Arms. The Imperial Mechanic reports to the Imperial Crown
on his actions and the actions of his deputies. The Imperial Mechanic is
responsible for making sure that his deputies and the local Royal Mechanics do
their jobs efficiently and effectively. The Imperial Crown has no say over the
*details* of auto repair as an art form. The Crown cannot say to the Imperial
Mechanic: "You will use rubber bands from now on instead of manufacturer­approved fan belts" or "You will now use olive oil in your engines instead of
motor oil".The Imperial Crown cannot contravene the Rules of Auto Repair any
more than it can contravene the Rules of Heraldry.

Yet we must always keep in mind that we are MINISTERS and serve at the
pleasure of the Crown.

XIII. DUTIES OF THE IMPERIAL SOVEREIGN

OF

ARMS AND OTHER HERALDS

For each of the following ministry positions, the holders of these offices must uphold the
responsibilities listed for their office in order to be considered eligible for a Ministry point.

A. THE IMPERIAL SOVEREIGN OF ARMS

The Imperial Sovereign of Arms (IsoA) is the heraldic officer directly
subordinate to the Imperial Crown, and acts as the head of the Imperial College
of Arms. The Imperial Sovereign of Arms is responsible for:

1. Maintaining, or causing to be maintained, the Armorial, Ordinary, and Roll of
Arms.

2. Keeping, or causing to be kept, a hardcopy file of all presentations and
registrations.

3. Supervising and coordinating the heraldic functions and activities of the Imperial
College of Arms and its members.

4. Processing presentations in a timely manner.

19.

5. Acting as the head of the College of Arms.

6. Resolving conflict of armorial devices presented by the membership of the
Adrian Empire.

7. Reporting on a regular basis to the Imperial Crown.

8. Educating the College of Arms and the populace in the art of heraldry.

9. Establishing precedents, and maintaining and distributing this Manual and the
Guidelines for Presentations.

10. Aiding the Imperial, Royal, and Noble Estates in the design and staging of
authentic ceremonial that is adapted to the needs of the Adrian Empire.

B. DEPUTIES TO THE IMPERIAL SOVEREIGN OF ARMS

Each Deputy to the Imperial Sovereign of Arms is responsible for:

1. Assisting the Imperial Sovereign of Arms in the above duties.

2. Reporting on a monthly basis to the Imperial Sovereign of Arms.

3. Any other duties as may be specifically assigned them by the Imperial Sovereign
of Arms.

C. SOVEREIGNS OF ARMS SERVING GEOGRAPHIC

CHARTERED SUBDIVISIONS.

These Heraldic officers shall be the chief Minister of Arms in their local area.
Each Sovereign of Arms serving a Geographic Chartered Subdivision is
responsible for:

1. Processing presentations in a timely manner.

2. Reporting, on at least a monthly basis, to the Imperial Sovereign of
Arms and to their local Crown.

3. Educating the populace in the art of heraldry.

4. Maintaining a hardcopy file of all presentations and registrations from the local
area.

5. Assisting the Imperial Sovereign of Arms in the making of precedents by
offering opinions grounded in documentable period practice.

6. Aiding their local estates in the design and staging of authentic ceremonial that is
adapted to the needs of the Adrian Empire.
Local Crowns may choose to split the duties of this heraldic office between two
(2) or more individuals.

7. In the case of the local Crown splitting the duties of this office, the minister
directly responsible for processing and handling heraldic presentations shall be
considered the Sovereign of Arms for the area.
a. All other heraldic officers in a geographic chartered subdivision shall be

called "heralds."

b. These heralds shall be subordinate to the local Sovereign of Arms.

D. HERALDS SERVING ESTATE HOLDERS.

Each Herald serving an Estate Holder is responsible for:

1. Reporting, on at least a quarterly basis, to their local geographic chartered
subdivision Sovereign of Arms.

20.

2. Educating the populace in the art of heraldry.

3. Maintaining a hardcopy file of all presentations and registrations given to them
and passed on to the local Sovereign of Arms.

4. Aiding the estate holder they serve in the design and staging of authentic
ceremonial that is adapted to the needs of the Adrian Empire.

E. RANK SYSTEM

King of Arms: Reserved for Kingdoms, and Deputy Regional Imperial Sovereign of
Arms. Regions may petition the Imperial Sovereign of Arms for an appropriate title for
their Sovereign of Arms and any deputies.

Herald: Reserved for Duchies and Archduchies, assistants to Kings of Arms, and higher­level permanent titles. Archduchies may petition the Imperial Sovereign of Arms to raise
their Herald in rank to Sovereign of Arms. The criteria for this elevation shall be:
The Archduchy has a population of 75 or more.
The Archduchy is on track to become a Kingdom within the year.
The Archducal Herald reports on a consistent basis.

herald: Generic term for all of us.

Pursuivant: Reserved for Shires, intra-subdivision Estates, assistants to Heralds, and

lower-level permanent titles.

pursuivant: generic term for novice heralds.

Pursuivant Extraordinary: Former Regional Sovereigns of Arms and Deputy Imperial

Sovereigns of Arms may style themselves Pursuivant Extraordinary, if they remain active
in the College and maintain a current Adrian membership.

Herald Extraordinary: Former Imperial Sovereigns of Arms may style themselves
Herald Extraordinary, if they remain active in the College and maintain a current Adrian
membership.

• The Imperial Sovereign of Arms may grant a permanent title to a Pursuivant or
Herald Extraordinary either as a reward for service or by petition from the
individual affected.

• The Imperial Sovereign of Arms may also raise a Pursuivant Extraordinary to the
rank of Herald Extraordinary for exceptional talent or service.

These rankings are good ONLY in the College of Arms. Outside our
little world-within-a-world, we are all just Ministers of Arms.
Heraldic rank does not equal Adrian rank.

XIV. REGISTRATION PROCESS

A. IN PROCESS VS. OFFICIAL

A presentation is considered "in process" when it has been given to the local
Sovereign of Arms and will not be considered "official" and eligible to be
displayed until registered by the Imperial Sovereign of Arms.

21.

B. PRESENTATION

Individuals must present their registration forms to their local Sovereign of Arms
or other designated heraldic officer. The Imperial Sovereign of Arms will not
accept direct presentations except under special circumstances.

C. LOCAL LEVEL

1. Each presentation given to the local Geographic Chartered Subdivision
Sovereign of Arms must include the following copies:

a. Three (3) full-color copies.
b. Two (2) line drawing copies.

i. A "line drawing" is equivalent to what would appear in a child’s

coloring book. Nothing is filled in, not even those areas that
would appear as black. Internal details, however, are present.

ii. Hatchings are not necessary; the outlines are all that are needed.

c. Copies of all applicable documentation to accompany each of the full-

color copies.

2. Local Sovereigns of Arms shall keep at least one (1) color and one (1) line
drawing copy in the presenter’s local file, along with at least one (1) copy of any
applicable documentation.

3. Local Sovereigns of Arms have the prerogative of requesting additional copies, if
they deem it necessary.

4. Local geographic chartered subdivision Sovereigns of Arms shall check the
presentations for the following:

a. Forms completely filled out
b. Proper number of copies
c. Correct colors
d. Obvious violations of the Guidelines for Presentations
e. Basic conflict check against the armorial and ordinary

5. Presentations may only be returned at the local level for failing any of the above
checks.

6. Local Sovereigns of Arms are responsible for communicating with presenters
during the registration process to keep them updated on the status of their
presentation.

7. Geographic chartered subdivision Sovereigns of Arms will each send a "letter of
report" to the Imperial Sovereign of Arms due by the fifteenth (15th) day of each
month, containing the following information:

22.

a. A list of all presentations given to the local officer since the last letter of

report.
b. The correct number of copies for all presentations listed.
c. A recounting of any heraldic activity that month.
d. If there was no heraldic activity and/or there were no presentations that

month, a statement of that status.

D. IMPERIAL LEVEL

1. The Imperial Sovereign of Arms shall check the presentations for the

above information and for the following additional information:

a. A thorough check for violations of the Guidelines for

Presentations.
b. A thorough conflict check against the armorial and ordinary.
c. If a presentation contains documentation, a check for the

following:

i. The documentation follows the guidelines below.

ii. The documentation adequately documents the element in

question.

2. When two (2) presentations which conflict against each other are
received by the Imperial Sovereign of Arms in one (1) cycle, preference
shall be given to that which was received first.

3. If any questions arise, the Imperial Sovereign of Arms shall consult with
all of the members of the Imperial College of Arms to resolve them.

4. If a presentation satisfies all of the requirements and passes all of the
checks, it shall then be registered.

5. Letters of registration and return shall be completed.

a. The Imperial Sovereign of Arms will send out a regular letter to

all geographic chartered subdivision Sovereigns of Arms and all
other members of the Imperial College of Arms containing all of
the registered and returned items for that period for all areas.

b. Included in these letters will be any changes to these rules,

including any precedents set and any elements that through
adequate documentation have been made registerable.

c. The Imperial Sovereign of Arms has ninety (90) days from

receipt of the letters of report in a particular month to send the
letters of registration and return.

23.

d. Local Sovereigns of Arms shall then notify the presenters of

their registrations or returns and update the each registrant’s
hardcopy file.

6. Any presentation not satisfying all of the requirements or not passing all
of the checks shall be returned by the Imperial Sovereign of Arms.

a. Each return shall be accompanied by suggestions for making the

item registerable.

b. The local Sovereign of Arms shall then forward this information

to the presenter.

7. Appeals of returns may be made directly to the Imperial Sovereign of
Arms, which shall confer with the College of Arms and the Imperial
Crown before issuing a ruling.

8. All armory will be registered as follows:

a. For individuals, under the mundane name of the registrant.

b. For estates, under the name of the geographic chartered

subdivision to which the estate is beholden.

c. For domains, under the name of the Empire.

d. For orders and awards, under the name of the registering entity

as described above.

E. NON-REGISTERED ARMS

There has been some confusion and consternation among the Populace of the
Empire regarding the registration of armory. This Policy is intended to clarify
this issue with regard to the Imperial College of Arms. At current, there is no law
against displaying unregistered armory. The Bylaws are silent on this issue, and
the Estates Writ on Armigerous Rights &c. speaks only that armorial display is
restricted to armigers. Imperial Law holds that new subdivisions and Domains
require registered armory, but this does not hold for individuals. Except where
required by regional Kingdom Law, no person is required to register arms of any
kind, nor is any person required to register the armory that they display. This
brings to mind the question that many have asked: "So why bother to register?"
The answer is threefold:

• Your arms get listed in the Imperial Armorial and Roll of Arms for all
the world to see and admire.

• Other people can use this information to make Nice Stuff for you.

• Your arms are COPYRIGHTED.

24.

This last reason is the most important. No one wants to spend hours working on
an expensive banner or surcoat for themselves only to find that someone else in
another subdivision has created the identical item.
You register your arms so that no matter where you may go in the Empire, your
arms will be unique. If, however, you do not register your arms, no one from the
College of Arms will tell you to take them down unless they violate local
standards regarding offensiveness or obscenity.
The College of Arms does not care about the size or shape of a banner, nor how
high off the ground they are. Therefore, it is the official policy of the Adrian
Imperial College of Arms that while we encourage individuals to register their
armory, we will neither require that displayed armory be registered, nor will we
encourage the passage of laws that require such registration.

F. HERALDRY REGISTERED TO DECEASED PERSONS

We treat all members equally, regardless of current state of vitality. If a person's
membership has expired, we protect their arms for the requisite three-year period
that is our current policy.
If someone has died, we do not treat their arms differently. HOWEVER, if they
have willed their arms to another individual or entity, then that person or entity
will take over the ownership of the arms. All that is required in this case is
notification to this office that the person has passed.
If no specific will has been filed with the College, then the person's mundane heir
may request a simple transfer of arms. If two individuals or groups dispute the
claim, then a Heraldic Court will have to be convened. This Office will not ask
for any mundane documentation on a claim of armorial inheritance unless a
dispute arises.

G. Ownership of Estate Armory (A.E. Bylaws Writ B.25.)

The armorial device of an estate shall be considered the property of the estate,
not the Chartered Subdivision shall follow the majority of its members should
they change their Chartered Subdivision membership, or as otherwise provided
for in the Charter of the Estate, If a clear majority do not select the same
Chartered Subdivision, it shall be decided by a majority vote of the members. If a
vote is taken:

• Only members of the Estate at the time of change in

membership are eligible to vote

• Effort must be made to notify all eligible members

• The Ruling Noble of the Estate at the time of change of

membership shall conduct the vote and notify the respective
subdivisions

• A majority of votes cast shall decide the question

XV. COURT AND OTHER CEREMONIES

A. VOICE OF THE CROWN

25.

When running court, each herald or Sovereign of Arms is considered to be the
voice of the Crown or estate holder they represent.

B. HERALD

Anyone running a court may be called a herald.

C. TRANSCRIPTS

Heralds are required to provide a transcript of court proceedings to the local
minister of rolls containing the following information:

1. Any awards or orders given

2. Any knighting taking place

3. Any announcements of events, demos, or collegia

4. Any estate creations or swearings

5. Any other pertinent information

D. COURT REPORTS

Court reports are due thirty (30) days after the event.

XVI. HERALDIC AUTHORITY

A. ULTIMATE AUTHORITY

The Imperial Sovereign of Arms, in consultation with the Imperial Crown and
the Imperial College of Arms, has the ultimate authority and duty of resolving
conflict of armorial devices submitted by the membership of the Adrian Empire.

B. RIGHT TO REMOVE FROM DISPLAY

The Imperial Sovereign of Arms has the right to remove from display any armory
that has not been registered or any banner that exceeds the limits for its bearer
only under the following conditions:

1. A complaint must be made to the local Sovereign of Arms.

2. The local Sovereign of Arms, in the due diligence of their office, shall
perform a non-adversarial investigation and attempt to resolve the matter
peaceably.

a. If the matter cannot be peaceably resolved at the local level, the

local Sovereign of Arms may request the owner of the armory in
question to temporarily remove it from view pending a decision
by the Imperial Sovereign of Arms.

b. No matter what the outcome at the local level, the matter shall be

reported in writing by the local Sovereign of Arms to the
Imperial Sovereign of Arms.

26.

3. If the matter was not peaceably resolved at the local level, a non­adversarial investigation shall then be performed by the Imperial
Sovereign of Arms.

4. The Imperial Sovereign of Arms shall make every good-faith attempt to
peacefully resolve the situation.

5. Failing that, only after consulting with the Imperial Crown and the
Imperial College of Arms, shall the Imperial Sovereign of Arms make a
final determination.

6. The Imperial Sovereign of Arms has the right to use every legal recourse
to enforce decisions, up to and including a court as defined in the

Bylaws.

C. LOCAL SOVEREIGNS OF ARMS

Local Sovereigns of Arms do not by themselves have the authority to
permanently remove from display any armory. All such actions must follow the
above procedure at the Imperial level.

D. IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF ARMS

No member of the Imperial College of Arms nor any other herald may take it
upon themselves to proactively enforce armorial display.

E. APPEALS

Appeals of any decision by the Imperial Sovereign of Arms may be made to the
Imperial Crown.

XVII. REGISTRATION LIMITS

A. INDIVIDUAL AND ESTATES

Individuals and estates that are not geographic chartered subdivisions may
register up to six (4) items.

B. GEOGRAPHIC CHARTERED SUBDIVISIONS

Geographic chartered subdivisions have no limit on the number of items
registered.

XVIII. T

A.

HE GRANDFATHER CLAUSE

Any armorial element considered legal under the Guidelines for
Presentations at the time it was registered will not be unregistered if
subsequent guidelines changes would prevent registration of said element.

27.

B. Further registration of any element previously registered, but subsequently

declared invalid, will be limited to those to whom it is already registered.

XIX. DOCUMENTATION

A. UNNECESSARY DOCUMENTATION

Documentation is unnecessary for armory allowed by the Guidelines for
Presentations or this manual.

B. QUESTIONABLE ELEMENTS OR STYLE

Any questionable element or style must be documented with the same standards
as are applied to Masterwork entries in Arts Competitions.

1. At least three (3) references citing three different examples are
necessary.

2. Necessary for each piece of documentation is a photocopy of the title
page of each reference, and a highlighted photocopy of the pages of the
reference.

C. LIST OF SOURCES

A list of sources of documentation shall be provided to each member of the
Imperial College of Arms for the benefit of the populace.

1. This list should be distributed freely to anyone who wishes it.

2. Any reference not on this list shall not be considered invalid solely on
the lack of its inclusion but shall be judged fairly on its own merits.

D. LOCAL LIBRARIES

Local Sovereigns of Arms are encouraged to build up libraries of the references
suggested by the Imperial Sovereign of Arms to aid presenters in the creation of
period armory.

E. DOCUMENTABLE ELEMENTS

If an armorial element not registerable under the rules at the time of presentation
is proven documentably to fall within the scope of the Empire, it shall be
considered available to all presenters, not just the person who documented it.

XX. REGISTRATION FORMS

A. FORMS USED

All presentations must be on the registration forms issued by the Imperial
Sovereign of Arms.

1. Variants to the official forms must be pre-approved by the Imperial
Sovereign of Arms.

28.

2. Electronic presentations will not be accepted.

3. Computer-generated images may be substituted for the outlines on the
official forms, as long as they conform to the same size and general
shape as that on the form.

Approved forms are available from the Imperial or Local Sovereign of Arms, or on­line at: http://adrianempire.org/documents/forms/heraldry-device-registration.pdf

B. SHAPES

The shapes on the registration forms are only for the convenience of the College
of Arms. Individuals and groups may display devices and badges on any shape
they so choose that was used in the Adrian Period for displaying armory and is
allowed by the individual or group’s sumptuary right.

C. COMPLETE FORMS

Forms must be filled out completely, except those fields marked "optional". Any
forms not completely filled out will be returned.

1. The field marked "Signature" must be filled in with the presenter’s
mundane signature.

2. The field marked "Today’s Date" must be filled in with the date the
presenter gives the forms to the local Sovereign of Arms or their
designated agent.

D. COLORS

Registration forms must be colored in clear primary colors.

1.

2. Because of the impermanence of the media, forms colored with crayons,

3.

Computer generated color forms will be accepted so long as the
colors are clear and discernable. Color photocopies will not be
accepted.

colored pencils, or pastels will not be accepted.

Colored markers must be in clear primary colors. The preferred

brand of markers is Crayola Classic Colors.

GLOSSARY

Armiger - An individual who has been granted the right to bear arms, either by being created a

Lord or Lady, or by attaining Knighthood. Such individuals are said to be armigerous.

Armorial - (noun) (usually capitalized): The listing of blazons for each heraldic device registered

in the Empire, alphabetically by the first name of the registrant. (adjective): of or pertaining to
armory.

Armory - The art of visual heraldry. This includes shield designs, banners, and sumptuary rights.

29.

Augmentation - Any addition to a registered device that is not specifically registered. Usually,

the badges of awards and orders one may have can be used as augmentations (see Article

XXI.C.). Crowns may also choose to grant augmentations to those of their subjects for whom no

other award may seem appropriate.

Award - A title bestowed by decision of the Crown or vote of the Estates; these can include Lord

and Lady, and also retirement titles such as Count or Countess Royal, or Prince or Princess.

Badge - The armorial device assigned to an individual, domain, or estate for use as the holder

sees fit (usually used for marking members of an estate or domain, or for one’s vassals). While a
device or coat of arms says, "So-and so is here", a badge says, "this belongs to So-and-so".

Blazon - The specialized heraldic jargon for describing armory in such a way that a device or

badge can be reproduced merely from the description.

Cabochon - A way of cutting a gemstone into a rounded half-dome shape. Because faceting of

gems only appears very late in the Adrian period, use of cabochons is the easiest way to
approximate a period look. There is no restriction on the color or clarity of cabochons used in
Adria.

Canton - In heraldry, a canton is classified as a sub-ordinary, which takes the shape of the dexter

chief (upper left) corner of the shield. Describing something as "in canton" means that it is in that
quadrant of the shield.

Cartoon - See line drawing.
Charge - Any item appearing on a device.
Coat of Arms - The armorial device assigned to an individual for their personal use, or assigned

to an estate for its exclusive use.

College of Arms - Collectively, all of the heralds of the entire Empire. Also known as the College

of Heralds. See Imperial College of Arms.

College of Heralds - See College of Arms.
Color Copy - A copy of the presenter’s form which has the emblazon of their arms completely

colored in. Crayola washable markers in the classic colors (get the fat ones) are a preferred brand.

Coronet - A crown worn by anyone other than a monarch (Emperor, Empress, King, Queen,

Duke, or Duchess).

Coronet of Rank - A specific style of coronet or crown for use in armorial display. While the

forms for actual crowns and coronets worn on the head may vary considerably, the style for
armorial crowns, by definition, is fixed. For specific examples of armorial crowns and coronets,
see the article entitled Achievements in the Adrian Empire (available on-line at

http://adrianempire.org/heraldry/library/achievements.html).

Crown - 1. The decorative metal band worn by the nobility during the Adrian Period.

Specifically, such a headband worn only by Dukes, Duchesses, Kings, Queens, and the Emperor
and Empress. The term for this headgear worn by any other rank is coronet.

2. Estate Holders may sometimes be referred to as "crowns", and the heads of Duchies,
Kingdoms, and the Empire may be referred to individually or collectively as "the Crown".

Device - A coat of arms that has been registered by a non-armiger; or any coat of arms in general.
Dimidiation - One way of marshalling arms, by joining the left half of one shield with the right

half of another.

Emblazon - The drawn-out picture of a device. (Antonym: see Blazon.)
Escutcheon - The "shield" shape. Also known by the Victorian word "heater".
Estate Holder - For the purposes of these rules: House Sires, Barons, Counts, Marquesses,

Dukes, Kings, and Emperors (and their female counterparts) are all Estate Holders. While they
hold their estates, they should not use their own arms, but display the arms of the estate they hold.
If they have to act as an individual (for instance, while getting knighted), they may display their
personal arms augmented with the appropriate coronet of rank to the estate they hold.

30.

Fieldless - Refers to badges which have no background. Fieldless badges are useful for

households to be made into pins or other jewelry to show a famous example of a fieldless badge
belongs to the Prince of Wales: Three ostrich feathers issuant from behind a scroll with the words
"Ich Dien".

Fleur-de-Lis - The primary emblem of the Empire of Adria. Fleurs-de-lis take many forms: for

modern examples, see the emblem of the NFL football team New Orleans Saints or the emblem
of the Boy Scouts. There are some restrictions on fleurs-de-lis (see Article XIII.A).

Geographic Chartered Subdivision - A subdivision of the Empire directly beholden to the

Imperial Crown; a Kingdom, Archduchy, Duchy, or Shire.

Goutte - A droplet shape. Gouttes have specific names in Blazon depending on their tincture:

Argent = Goutte de larmes (tear drops)
Or = Goutte d'or (gold)
Gules = Goutte de sang (blood)
Azure = Goutte d'eau (water)
Vert = Goutte d'huile (olive oil)
Sable = Goutte de poix (pitch)
Purpure = Goutte de vin (wine).

Hatching - A way of emblazoning a device using patterns of lines for use in engraving and other

non-colored representations first used in England about 1623. No longer used in Adria.

Hatchment - Specialized display of an individual’s coat of arms after their death.
Heater - A 19th Century term for escutcheon. So called because the medieval shield resembled a

"heater" or iron.

Herald - One who practices heraldry. With a lower-case "h", it is a generic term meaning anyone

from the most junior purusivant to the Imperial Sovereign of Arms. With an upper-case "H", it is
a specific rank in the College of Arms, denoting the herald serving a Duchy or a herald who has
been raised in permanent rank from Pursuivant.

Heraldry - What heralds do. This includes such things as voice-heraldry (doing court and town

cryer) and book heraldry (designing coats of arms).

Impaling - One (1) way of marshalling arms, by squeezing one coat of arms onto the left half of

the sheild to make room for another.

Imperial College of Arms - The Imperial Sovereign of Arms, Imperial Deputies, and the heralds

and Sovereigns of Arms for each geographic chartered subdivision

Label - A horizontal stripe with dags, used to represent the heir to a coat of arms. Married couples

may marshal their arms and place a label across the whole for their children to wear.

Landscape Heraldry - An invention of the late Elizabethan period and popularized in the 18th

and 19th Centuries, it is more pictorial than medieval heraldry, and is characterized by the
depiction of natural scenes rather than the medieval stylization. Also called "pictorial" or "album
cover" heraldry. It is not permitted in Adrian heraldry.

Line Drawing - A copy of the presenter’s form which is not colored in, just like a Monday –

Saturday newspaper comic strip. In heraldic terms, this is called a cartoon.

Lozenge - The diamond shape found in common decks of playing cards. In the 19th Century, it

was thought that women should bear their arms on this shape because they didn't use weapons. In
Adrian practice, anyone may display their arms on this shape if they so choose.

Marshalling - The practice of combining two or more individual devices on one banner or shield.

Couples, married or not, may marshal their arms together, and Estate Holders and Ministers may
marshal their arms with that of the Estate or Office they hold. See the Appendix for examples.
Related terms, see Dimidiation, Impaling, and Quartering.

31.

Order – 1. Bestowed by decision of the Crown or, in some cases, vote of the estates, to

individuals. Orders are always bestowed for specific reasons. For examples, see Article XX.A..
Persons inducted into an order may call themselves a "companion" or that order.

2. A group of individuals banded together for some stated purpose, after the manner of medieval
knightly orders. The Order of St. Bela is one such example.

Ordinary – 1. Any of various heraldic charges, usually broad geometric stripes such as pale, fess,

and bend. 2. (usually capitalized) A listing of blazons for each heraldic device registered in the
Empire, grouped by the type of charges in the armory.

Period - The Adrian period, defined as being from 1066 to 1603. Defining something as "period"

means that it was known in Europe during that time.

Points – When used in reference to crowns and coronets, refers to the parts that stick up over the

headband. Placement of points, while fixed for armorial coronets and crowns, is left up to the
individual or Estate when creating crowns and coronets for actual use.

Precedent – A ruling by the Imperial Sovereign of Arms on a particular presentation that will

affect future presentations and registrations.

Presence Banner – A custom once practiced in Adria, but now generally extinct. Once only

registered by kingdoms and duchies, these were variants of the estate’s arms to mark whether one
or both of its rulers are present at an event. For example, a kingdom may have had a separate
presence banner for its king and another for its queen, especially if the monarchs attended
different events. Such a banner would say "The King (or whatever) is
here". Some presence banners still remain listed in the Armorial. Today, the kingdom or ducal
arms are preferred, whether one or both of the Crowns are present.

Presentation – This consists of all of the heraldic paperwork, including documentation, that is

given to the College of Arms for registration.

Proper – A heraldic term used when a particular charge appears in its default tincture, which is

not necessarily its color as it appears in nature. A lion proper, for instance, is by default tinctured
or, while real lions are light brown with darker brown manes. This term may be used for any
heraldic charge which has a defined default tincture: a sword proper is by default tinctured argent
hafted or.

Pursuivant – A junior herald or a herald serving a shire or non-geographic estate. Pronounced

purse-WEAVE-ent.

Quartering – One way of marshalling arms, by dividing the shield into four (4) pieces and

arranging the two sets of arms in a checkerboard fashion. Some quarterings have more than four
(4) pieces, especially when one (1) or more of the arms involved are themselves quartered or
marshalled.

Registration – What a presentation is called once it has been approved and registered by the

Imperial Sovereign of Arms.

Roll of Arms – Essentially a pictorial Armorial. Devices are emblazoned, whereas in an armorial,

they are merely blazoned.

Roundel – A circle. Roundels have specific names in Blazon depending on their tincture:

Argent = Plate (silver plate)
Or = Bezant (Byzantine coin)
Gules = Torteau (cinammon cake)
Azure = Hurt (bruise)
Vert = Pomme (apple)
Sable = Gunstone, Ogress, or Pellet (cannonball)
Purpure = Golpe (wine in a cup)

32.

Sovereign of Arms – The Heraldic Minister in charge of the registration of armory in a kingdom.

Individual Sovereigns of Arms may choose to use the gender-specific King of Arms or Queen of
Arms at their own discretion or as local custom may dictate.

Submission – See presentation.
Sumptuary Laws – The laws and customs which govern armorial display and regalia for various

ranks. For example, the blue belt is the sumptuary right of Knights.

Tinctures – The heraldic colors. Tinctures are divided into two groups, the Metals: Or (yellow or

gold) and Argent (white or silver); and the Colors: Gules (red), Azure (blue), Vert (green), Sable
(black), and Purpure (purple).

APPENDIX A: CONSOLIDATION OF MANUALS

In some instances, rules may have been deleted or expanded to conform with Bylaw changes or
Fleur-de-Lis
Precedents (See Policy and Precedents
sections on onomastics and regalia have been stricken from the previous documents.
Duplicate paragraphs appearing in both documents have also been deleted. Article numbers in the
previous Rules for
Heraldic Registration (RfHR) remain unchanged. The following table correlates the Manual and
the RfHR article numbers. It is included here for reference only.

Article Numbers
Manual for College of Arms 1999 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX
RfHR 1999 XIIII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX
RfHR 2005 XIIII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX

Reference Guide November 2004). In particular,

APPENDIX B: SAMPLE LETTERS

A. RIGHT TO USE A RESTRICTED CHARGE

1. SAMPLE 1

This letter is to certify that Charles the New has attained the rank of Court Baron and is entitled to
all the Heraldic rights associated thereunto.
(signed)
Bruce the Robert
Minister of Rolls, Duchy of Utopia

2. SAMPLE 2

This letter is to certify that the former Shire of Utopia has been raised to the level of Duchy as of
the March 2004 Imperial Estates Meeting and is entitled to all of the Heraldic rights associated
thereunto.
(signed)
Sir Richard the Chickenhearted
Duke of Utopia

C. PERMISSION TO CONFLICT

I, Baron Charles the New, mundanely known as Chuck Nuevo, do hereby give permission to
conflict against my arms, Per pale purpure and argent, a bend counterchanged, to Hyde de
Rhyneaux, mundanely known as Bob Viejo, for his device Per pale purpure and argent, a bend

sinister counterchanged.

(signed)

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D. MONTHLY REPORT

1. SAMPLE WITH ACTIVITY

Duchy of Utopia Sovereign of Arms Report - April 2004
Sir Merowald the Myopic, Dystopic Herald
Enclosed are the following presentations:

Utopia, Duchy of. Device: Or, a pale gules.
Charles the New. Device: Per pale purpure and argent, a bend counterchanged, overall a

baronital coronet or. He wishes to retain is previously-registered arms, Per pale purpure and
argent, a bend counterchanged, as a badge. See attached letter from the Minister of Rolls
certifying that he has the right to the coronet.
Bruce the Robert. Device: Vert, a fleur-de-lis or. I told him he couldn't have a gold fleur-de-lis,
but he doesn't believe me, so I'm sending this up anyway.
Hyde de Rhyneaux. Device: Per pale purpure and argent, a bend sinister counterchanged. See
attached Letter of Permission to Conflict from Charles the New.
I taught a class in Basic Heraldic design at this month's tourney, with 12 people attending.
My email address has changed: It is now [e-mail]

2. SAMPLE WITH NO ACTIVITY

Duchy of Utopia Herald’s Report - April 2004
Sir Merowald the Myopic, Dystopic Herald
We had no heraldic activity this month.

E. HERALDIC WILLS

1. SAMPLE 1

I, John doe, mundanely known as John doe, do hereby will all of my
registered armory to

date)

2. SAMPLE 2

I, John Doe, mundanely known as John Doe, do hereby will my registered
armory, "Purpure, two lions or" to

Jane Smith, to hold in perpetuity. I do hereby will all of my remaining armory to the Duchy of

Brandenburg, to hold in perpetuity (sign, date)

3. SAMPLE 3 (IN THE ABSENCE OF A HERALDIC WILL)

(in the absence of a heraldic will) I, Jane Smith, mundanely known as Jane Smith, do hereby
state my claim to the arms left by
of his passing on (date).

Jane Smith, mundanely known as Jane Smith, to hold in perpetuity. (sign,

Jane Smith, mundanely known as

John Doe, mundanely known as John Doe, on the occasion

APPENDIX C: “INSTA-BOING” CHECKLIST

This list is from Argent Snail's Armory Insta-Boing Check List, by Dame Jaelle of Armida,
Argent Snail Herald of the SCA College of Arms, Copyright 1993 by Judith Gerjuoy. It has been
edited for Adrian use. You may see the original at http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/boing.html.

1. Is the submission dark on dark, or light on light? This is commonly known as the color on
color, metal on metal rule. You cannot put color on color, or metal on metal.

34.

For instance, you cannot have a sable (black) charge on an azure (blue) field. However, even
items that are not in true heraldic tinctures must follow this rule. For instance a chipmunk
"proper" is brown. Brown is dark. Therefore, it must be on a metal (light) field. Caucasians
"proper" are considered metal, and must be on a dark field.

2. Is the submission slot machine? Armory is "slot machine" when there are three or more
different types of charges (not counting ordinaries) on the same shield that are not interacting
with each other. For instance "Or, a bell, book, and candle sable" is slot machine. "Argent, on a
bend between a bell and a book azure, a candle or". is also slot machine. So is "Per pall gules,
azure, and argent, a bell and a book argent and a candle azure". However, "Argent, on a bend
between two bells azure, a candle or" is not slot machine. Neither is "Argent, a candle between
two bells azure".

3. Is it marshalled armory? Marshalling is a way of showing familial relationships. It was done
in the middle ages, but we don't register it in Adria. Therefore, the following arrangements are not
allowed. First: you cannot have a field divided Per Pale with different charges in each half of the
field. The same rule holds true for Quarterly: Unless the same charge is in each quarter, it's
marshalling. The only exception is in the case of quarterly where quarters that are
only a solid metal or color are also acceptable. For instance, "Quarterly sable and argent, in bend
two eagles displayed or", would not be considered marshalled arms. This also holds true for Per
Bend, Per Bend Sinister, Per Saltire, and Per Fess divisions. "Per bend sable and argent, two
eagles counterchanged" is OK. "Per bend sable and argent, an eagle and a candle
counterchanged" is not.

4. Does it use a forbidden charge or group of charges? There are a number of charges that no
one can use. They are either presumptuous (claiming a mundane rank), or offensive. Examples of
presumptuous charges include: Tudor rose, crowned shamrock, crowned rose. Examples of
offensive charges include the swastika. Note: this list is not all-inclusive.

5. Does it use a restricted charge that the submitter is not entitled to use? There are a number
of charges that only some people in Adria can use. To have a crown or coronet on your device
you must be a Count/ess Royal, Viscount/ess, or Prince/ss, or be a Subdivision or Estate (House,
Barony, County, Shire, March, Duchy, Kingdom). To have a gold fleurs-de-lis on your device,
you must be a Geographic Chartered Subdivision (Shire, Duchy, Kingdom), or a, Prince/ss, or 3rd
level Knight. Only sees and bishoprics of the Church of Adria may have silver fleurs-de-lis.
Only Knights may use blue belts. Note: this list is not all-inclusive.

6. Is the submission too complex? Our rule of thumb is that if the number of different types of
charges plus the number of different tinctures used add up to more than eight, the submission is
too complex. For instance, "Per bend sinister ermine and gules, a tiger rampant azure and a horse
passant erminois, a bordure purpure semy of roundels argent ermined vert" would be too complex
with four different charges (tiger, horse, bend and roundels) and 6 tinctures (argent, sable (the
tinctures in the ermine), azure, Or, purpure and vert).

7. Are the bumpity lines drawn big and bold and butch? Medieval lines of division were
drawn big and bold. Slim and elegant is not period for heraldry. In medieval heraldry charges
were drawn to fill the space. Remember, the purpose of heraldry is identification from a distance.

8. Are the charges drawn in their medieval form? We register medieval, not modern, heraldry.
We use a quill pen, not a fountain pen; a cart, not an automobile. All charges used must be items
used in that form prior to the year 1603.

35.