Structure of a Coat of Arms
By default, new coats of arms granted within Shireroth shall follow a common framework in their composition. This Shirerithian approach will be akin to the European tradition of heraldry, being based upon a design on a shield and having some similar associated components, but will have its own distinctive features that differentiate it from other traditions. If a large enough group of people develop their own heraldic tradition, they may petition Mango King of Arms to adopt it as a recognized alternative, which shall be detailed in an appendix to these guidelines, but the remainder of the main body of the document will deal with the primary tradition.
The core of any coat of arms is the shield, which is the surface upon which the design of the arms will be emblazoned. Although the Chroniclers of Arms will use the simple heater shield (unless otherwise requested) when depicting arms in its own records, arms in Shireroth will not have an intrinsic shield shape. The bearer of the arms may use any form of shield they wish when choosing how to depict their own arms. However, in the interests of consistency and aesthetics, the Chroniclers should urge bearers of arms to choose a shape that is a) recognizably shieldlike, and b) fits the design of the arms comfortably.
If the shield and its design signify the identity of the individual, the space around the shield contains elements signifying zir rank, position, awards, and status. In other heraldic traditions, the means by which these would be signified are generally inconsistent, or may also modify the design of the shield. However, due to the social and political mobility of micronationalists in general and Shirerithian citizens in particular, it is desirable to develop a system of recognition that is both logical and modular. When a person can become a Baron, then a Duke, then a Knight of the Dragon, then be knocked back down to a Count while becoming a Minister all within the space of a month, a complete redesign of the shield and all its elements each time becomes both annoying and untenable. In such a situation, an element of the arms should be reasonably clear as to what it represents, and in the event of altered personal status, status, should be easy to change without in turn forcing major changes to other elements.
An explanation follows of the various elements that may be found accompanying a shield. How they are distributed, and whether the bearer has one, will depend on the nature and status of the bearer, and will be explained more fully under the section on entitlements.
-Baton: officials in the Imperial Government each have batons or staffs of office, which are depicted as being placed behind the shield and extending out from behind the edges.
-Canopy: a cloth serving as a shade for the setting of the other elements of the arms, hung above everything else; generally issues from a crown. Reserved for government offices and high feudal rank.
-Collar of knighthood: representation of membership in an order of knighthood. Generally depicted as a chain hanging behind the shield, from which is suspended the emblem of the order at the bottom, below the shield. For those orders divided into multiple classes, there will be differences in the style of the collar and emblem. Multiple collars may be displayed simultaneously if the bearer is entitled, but it may be more aesthetically pleasing to display only the most prestigious one. Medals, if earned, may be hung from a collar.
-Compartment: A field or landscape below the shield, upon which supporters stand. A mark of very high honor, automatically available only to the Kaiser and to the national arms; may only be granted to others by order of the Kaiser. Supporters are a prerequisite for a compartment; if the Kaisers orders a compartment to be added to arms with no supporters, Mango King of Arms is required to add supporters at the same time.
-Crest: a heraldic design sitting atop the helm, issuing either from a wreath or a crown. The design of the crest is the choice of the bearer, although subject to many of the same rules as the design of the arms.
-Crown: an indicator of feudal rank. In personal arms, may sit on stop of or replace the wreath, in which case the crest will issue from it.
-Ecclesiastical hat: a replacement for the helm for those holding recognized religious offices. Comes in variants depending on both feudal rank and ecclesiastical rank. May be charged with the symbol of patron deity or religion.
-Flags: Some coats of arms not already containing supporters are entitled to a pair of flags, one on each side of the shield, as a territorial identifier.
-Helm: sits directly above the shield; to it is affixed wreaths and mantles, crests, and crowns. Comes in variants depending on rank.
-Mantle: a draped cloth hanging down behind the helm/ecclesiastical hat. The mantle should be shown in such a way that portions of both sides can be seen; each side will be in one of the two colors chosen by the Duchy of residence of the bearer.
-Medal: representation of an award given to the bearer of the arms. In the absence of a collar of knighthood, medals hang from individual ribbons below the shield; if a collar is present, they may hang from it on either side of the symbol of the order.
-Motto: a saying or phrase, usually depicted on a scroll below the rest of the arms. Generally available to all bearers of arms.
-Robe of state: a prerogative of the Kaiser. The robe of state is red lined with ermine and hangs behind the Kaiser’s official shield of arms in a manner similar to a mantle.
-Supporters: figures depicted as holding up or leaning against shield; generally in pairs, one to each side of the shield, although there are exceptions. A mark of honor, either inherent to arms due to rank or granted as a reward for service. May be augmented by a compartment. Flags assume the same position, but are identifiers rather than marks of honor.
-Wreath: an object meant to resemble a bicolored cloth twisted around the top of the helm. In personal arms, the two colors will be those chosen by the Duchy of residence of the bearer. The mantle hangs down from the wreath, behind the helm/ecclesiastical hat and the shield.
Draft Guidelines: "Structure of a Coat of Arms"
Moderators: Shyriath, Kaiser Fish XII
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