Category Archives: Thoughts on the mind,

my thoughts and work on SCA things non Heraldry

To be a Herald

What does it take to be a Herald?

I have thought about this question a lot.  More and more I keep hearing the phrases “we just need a warm body”, or “any monkey can do this.”  All in all, this is true as it actually takes a certain level of skill sets that many people might find entertaining enough, or rewarding enough to learn.  It is not as sexy as heavy combat, nor Is it as flashy as say Rapier.  However, for those who are willing to learn, a Herald is just as important and needed as any other position in this great thing in our communities.

Now some may be wondering why that is?  Or what is it that a herald does that makes them special?  In my experience it is really nothing that makes a Herald unique except one thing.  A passion for the position.  A Herald will take to task what he or she needs to do for the office.  Regardless if it is name and device submissions, being vocal at courts, tourney list voice herald, or even the behind the scene keeping of honors and updating records that record our history, (which some may say a good Chronicler could take that part over) and you would be correct, however after seeing both positions, the news letters, and what not that person is entrusted with, yea trust me they tend to go no thank you on the OP.

Heralds come in all shapes and sizes.  We take to task many rather not, and we are steadfast in learning our craft as much as any heavy fighter, archer, fencer.  We work hard in front of crowds and behind the scenes, we are task with the important things that might seem to some trivial however does keep the game alive and well.

I am a Herald and I love my job

Onward toward new possiblities

I have a few things on my mind as of late, all good and all looking bright.  Within the last month time frame, I was taken on as a protogie to Mistress Brita.  Now a protege for those who do not know a protege is the same as a squire is with a knight, or even an apprentice is for a laurel.  In my particular case my path is to eventually be a Pelican one day, and by doing so swore fieldity to a Pelican to learn.

This was not as easy task as you might as well imagine.  First of all who could i pledge myself to, that would understand excattly what kind of service a herald does.  For example, a Pelican that obtained their peerage for sevice in another form may not understand all the things a Herald may do, and their by not be able to instruct them well.  So I knew that I would need a Pelican that is a herald.

First attempt or thought was not as a good match as I would of thought at first, for the Pelican in question first, had his particular plate full in the ammount of proteges he had already.  This was a first lesson I learned. When taking on potental pupals for yourself, make sure that you are never overstretched.  Also i have found out that distance even with todays technology advancements is that a peer should keep in contact with their pupal, whether online or in many cases offline.  For me if the day should come, I feel that whatever works better if we can skype chat that works, as well as reading their EK wiki pages and any blogs they may have to follow their journey.

After some debate enternally and asking that of a friend of mine, who made the overture to Mistress Brita about the idea of me becoming her protege.  She is one of the local heralds I supervise as Northern Region so she knew my service and can work with me for the parts that i am not sure of.

After a years discussion and weighing out things. Back in this last fall she bestowed me her yellow belt, and now the real journey begins.

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With that part complete I am looking forward to the next set of tasks that I may either jump on or asked to be called upon.  One in particular comes to mind, however more on that as things get ironed out

Yours in Service