Heraldry Corner

Heraldic Charge of The Week!

by HL Taran Saraev

The Maunch

A heraldic charge is an emblem, figure, or picture that is displayed on a piece of heraldic armory. Examples of heraldic armory are devices (coats of arms in mundanea), ensigns (flags), or badges. This week we are looking at the maunch.

This heraldic charge can be seen as early as the 13th and 14th centuries. A maunch, or maunche, is a greatly stylized (ladies) sleeve. The word maunch has its origins with the French word “manche” meaning simply sleeve. The sleeve is seen detached with a long hanging cuff. Apparently in the Middle Ages it was popular for ladies to give their sleeves as favors in tournaments. Displaying the maunch on ones arm came to be a way for one to show his popularity with the ladies, or that he was beloved by his wife. In the SCA the default is for the wrist to be at dexter (viewers left), and the elbow bent to base (bottom). In Trimaris the maunch is prominently featured on the order badge of the Order of the Herald's Tressure. This award is given for exemplary and continued service as a herald. It is blazoned, “(Fieldless) A maunch azure semy of triskeles argent.” Which could be described as a blue maunch with white triskeles all over it on any background.

[pictures from pic dic]

http://mistholme.com/dictionary/maunch/

http://www.aeheralds.net/submissions/traceable_art/IndivPDFs/Maunche.pdf

Heraldry Corner

Greetings!

Welcome to the first post in our Heraldry Corner series.  This series will talk about all things heraldry in the SCA.  HL Taran Saraev will be teaching us about the various heraldic charges found in period and available for use in the Society.

~~~~~

Heraldic Charge of The Week!

The Trident

A heraldic charge is an emblem, figure, or picture that is displayed on a piece of heraldic armory. Examples of heraldic armory are devices (coats of arms in the mundane world), ensigns (flags), or badges. This week we are looking at the trident.

A trident is a weapon with three spear points attached to a long pole. The word Trident comes from the Latin word tridens or tridentis: tri "three" and dentes "teeth". The Trident is one of the primary charges on the device/arms of the Barony of Darkwater and is also featured in the baronial awards and regalia. It is identified as the weapon of choice for Poseidon, or Neptune, the god of the sea in the Greece-Roman myths. Because of its association with sea gods, the trident is often considered to be a symbol of maritime dominion. While the trident certainly has other regional associations, these relations to the classical myths make it a favorite in Trimaris and Darkwater where maritime themes dominate the heraldry. A stylized trident head from the Rus/Ukrainian region has been used in the SCA. It's often considered to be a symbol of the Rurik Dynasty. Enjoy these trident depictions found at the sites listed below.

http://mistholme.com/dictionary/trident/

http://www.aeheralds.net/submissions/traceable_art/IndivPDFs/Trident.pdf