Middle Kingdom Pursuivants Handbook 2nd Edition - Midrealm ...

Gilding the Trumpet:How to Look Like a HeraldBronwyn ferch Gwyn ap RhysOkay, you’ve taken the job, and now it is time to stand up in public and act like a herald. But first, you needto do one more thing — you need to look like a herald, too.Heraldic trappings serve two functions. First, they allow others around you to know that you do, indeed, havethe authority and responsibility to act as a member of the College of Heralds; second, they make you feel moreconfident: and believe me, this is a very important function, especially if you are a relatively new member ofour august circle.Figure 1Heralds have a wide choice of styles in which they can dress — baldrics, surcoats, tabards, cloaks, etc.(Figure 1). In addition, you might also want to purchase or make a medallion with the crossed trumpets: thisdoes not imply that you are on duty, but simply identifies you as a member of the College of Heralds.Furthermore, you may also buy or make a staff (mine is made from a fallen white ash tree which I found oneday in a rowan grove) and attach green and gold ribbons to its top. These can be very handy if you sign up tocry the camp at Pennsic (I have also been tempted on occasion to use it in other situations, like getting theattention of a less-than-sober gentle, but needless to say I have resisted temptation… so far).In the appendix you will find templates for heraldic trumpets that may be photocopied. (Don’t use theoriginal, especially if this Handbook is an office copy rather than yours.) At full size, the large trumpet is 17inches long; however, with the aid of a reducing/enlarging photocopier, you can change easily change the size.If you are making a baldric, you will want the trumpets to be at most 4 or 5 inches long; tabards, on the otherhand should have trumpets somewhere about 12 to 18 inches. After you have photocopied and reduced orenlarged the trumpets as needed, you should cut out the two pieces and tape them together.Baldrics, surcoats and tabards are very easy to make, even if you don’t have any experience; cloaks are alittle more complex, and I suggest that, if you really want a heraldic cloak, you talk with an experiencedtailor/seamstress.MaterialsWhen you go to look for fabric for your baldric or tabard, look for green poly-cotton blend. While it’s notperiod, the finished product will be able to stand up under the wear-and-tear that can take place; furthermore,poly-cottons tend to be rather colorfast so that there won’t be any bleeding if you accidentally wash your tabardwith your underwear. If you are making a tabard, determine the amount of fabric you’ll need, have a friendmeasure you across the shoulders and from your collar to your buttocks. Simply purchase your back length plusabout 3 inches; if you want sleeves, add about another ¼ yard. You will also need about a half-yard of a goodstrong yellow (preferably in the same kind of fabric as the green fabric. A baldric requires about a half-yard of45" or 60" green fabric plus about ¼ yard of yellow. In addition, you will need a spool of green thread (to match18 Middle Kingdom Pursuivants Handbook2nd Edition - 2002