Heraldry is the use of Coats-of-Arms and similar displays. In the SCA heraldry adds great visual splendour to proceedings as well as performing it’s mediaeval function of identifying people by their heraldry. On the battle field it’s easier to recognise people at a distance by their painted shield than by simple recognition.

Arms (the word is used to mean the image which makes up a coat of arms) are individually composed with the aid of the Heralds in the SCA.  Everyone is entitled to use arms within the Society.  The arms are used to distinguish people on the field of combat, by having them displayed on ones shield and on banners to add pomp and atmosphere to events.

This is the arms of the Shire of Eplaheimr

The arms of the Kingdom of Drachenwald

All heraldic devices must conform to the rules of heraldry (these rules make it so that ones coat of arms stands out and is easily recognisable as well as making sure that no two people are using the same one); the local herald will guide you through this process.  If you register your device (another common name for a coat of arms in period) with the SCA College of Heralds then it will be reserved for your use alone within the Society.  You’re not allowed use famous heraldry from history or modern times, but the list of items used on coats of arms makes it easy to come up with authentic looking coats of arms without clashing with others.

Banners, shields, helmet decorations, tabards, and many personal items like chests, chests, rings, etc. often had coats of arms on them. We encourage people to come up with authentically styles arms and to display them often as it adds a lot to the mediaeval feel of events.