Infernal Devices

[jamesq]

Reading about manyra's eventual success and ya_inga's continuing nightmare, I'm wondering if it's even worth it to submit a device. I'm allowed to because I have my AoA, but it sounds like I'll be waiting forever for them to tell me "no".

Anyway, here's what I want:


Yeah it looks really crappy, that's because I can't draw and my ability to use graphical programs is at the hold-a-crayon-in-your-fist level. My talents lay in other creative realms.

Can anyone out there in SCA-land tell me if it has anything obviously wrong with it, and how I would describe it in heraldese?

I have two additional ideas: The first is to simply use the device above and skip getting it approved. Really, who's going to call me on it (unless it duplicates someone else's device)?

Second, if I decide to go that route, do I replace the purple background with the same fabric as on my sanity-blasting kilt? That probably will elicit negative comment. Perhaps I'll make two - one "fun" one to show friends and one "official" one for actual display where strangers will see it. I'm one of the least "period" guys in the society, but that doesn't mean I want to ruin anyone elses fun.

Comments

[conejita-diabla.livejournal.com]

Well, so far all the herald on the An Tir list have been very helpful and encouraging about getting my stuff registered. That being said, here's my understanding about your situation/device/etc... First, I know it doesn't make a difference in your case, but I anyone can register a device - it's just that it's only a device and not "arms" unless you have an AoA. A weird distinction that I'm not sure I get, but I believe it's the case. :-) Second, you have to register a name (or give authorisation for a "holding name" to be assigned) to register a device. Third, there's one major issue I see. The x-shaped cross is a saltire, in heraldic terms. However, I so far can't find any evidence for using one only along the top third of the shield as you do above. They are either across the entire shield (see http://www.geocities.com/sorchamacleod/hfs.html) or possibly in a defined section (i.e. if you had the shield quartered, it could be in a quarter). I can investigate on the heralds' list if you like, though...

[mallt.livejournal.com]

You can register a device before you get your AoA... I did! :) I had been told that you couldn't display it until you got your AoA... but I checked with Gemma & she said that wasn't the case. :)

As for the second... I registered my name at the same time so it was a moot point!

& the third... I know nothing of hearldry... which is why mine was devised but someone else!

[wendy-licious.livejournal.com]

I believe you are correct about the saltire.
James, if you were OK with it, you could put a white section at the top with a purple cross in it. That would work. Alternately, you could make the bottom white with a purple windmill.
If it makes you feel any more positive about the process, my name and device passed on my first try. Don't know why, I didn't even use the "legal" felts - I used a blue sharpie :-)
http://badger.cx/heraldry/roll/display.php?id=1759

[conejita-diabla.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I was pondering that (putting it in a white chief or something similar). I tried searching for "chief saltire" or "saltire chief" in the O and A, but didn't find anything. I guess it might need a colour descriptor breaking it up, though.

[mallt.livejournal.com]

Mine passed first time too... I didn't use the "legal" felts either... I used a colour printer... but I guess that's the advantage to using colours such as blue & green which can vary in hue but are still recognisable as blue & green... purple, as Inga found out, can be a little trickier.

I also didn't have a "recognized herald" as the person who did the artwork... I did have Annys' name on the paperwork as she helped me with the documentation for my name but it was Rogez who came up with my device & did the conflict check for me.

[snooness2]

Mine passed first try - as long as it's clear.
I think aside from the oddness of how to do the top section... take a look at mine - something like it might work for your "x" at the top.

Maybe choose a more blocky version of your windmill because they might say the one you used is to detailed, and therefor not clear enough.... I had to change the dragon-snake design during initial consults (prior to submission) because of that.

mine:
http://badger.cx/heraldry/roll/display.php?id=1443

Someone else who has windmills:
http://badger.cx/heraldry/roll/display.php?id=1266

Also a quick look of the SCA Ordinal comes up with only 20 hits for windmill...
I'm not sure how the heralds count points of difference so you may want to ask about it before submitting.
http://oanda.sca.org/oanda_complex.cgi?w1=1&m1=blazon+pattern&p1=windmill&w2=&m2=&p2=&w3=&m3=&p3=&w4=&m4=&p4=&w5=&m5=&p5=&l=500&s=blazon&d=modern&g=enabled&a=disabled
:)

Good luck. I found it easiest with name and device to be willing to accept changes they want to make to the name/device especially if the changes are only minor.
:)

[snooness2]

hmmm.... we should start a "on a chief azure" + " fret argent" club.
:)