Duties of Heralds

New Heralds: A New Herald Packet is available, as well as in a booklet format.

There are some basic duties common to all heralds -- all officers generally, but heralds especially due to the wide variety of specialties we cover. Here are some broad points to help you succeed in your office.

  1. Maintain Membership Officers are required to have active membership status with the Society. Send a scan of your membership card as proof.

  2. File Quarterly Reports This is a basic function of all officers in the Society.

  3. Maintain an Inventory Many of you will be given possession of SCA property. Maintain a catalog (eg, of books on LibraryThing) and photos (eg, of tabards), in accordance with your branch's policies.

  4. Network Your ability to do your job and recruit help is greatly improved when you know who your fellow heralds are and what they're capable of. Good ways to accomplish this include attending Black Lion's meetings at Crown events, attending the Kingdom and Known World symposia, participating in the various groups on Facebook, reading the LOAR each month, and learning about your fellow heralds.

  5. Learn You are not expected to know it all, but it shows well on your part to seek out knowledge to increase your understanding of the heraldic practices of the Society and those we imitate. When in doubt, ask those in your network for help in developing the skills you seek.

  6. Teach Heraldry includes a vast collection of subjects -- field, Court and ceremonies, armory, names, history of heralds -- and we cannot exist as a College without recruiting and training new heralds.

    You should actively work to support the interests of others: point them to our websites, connect them with mentors, help them become socialized into the College at both local and regional levels, and the Society as a whole. Volunteer to teach at events.

  7. Avoid heraldic myths! It's remarkable how quickly misinformation spreads:

    • Verify your claims with current resources, especially if they include such words as "cannot" or "never" or "not period".
    • Ask about the claims of others (without being rude -- let someone teach you).
    • Recognize that our access to knowledge has improved, and that we adjust our teachings to match. While not everything is plausible, ongoing research is a reality. Keep abreast of it by reading the LOAR and KWHSS Proceedings.
  8. Remember the Oath of Arms