Mudthaw 2016: Heraldic Display Competition Rules

            This competition is intended to encourage period and period-style heraldic display.  “Heraldic display” is not limited to banners.  In period, a person’s armory was placed on any number of personal and useful items, including household objects and clothing.

There will be multiple categories for entries: Youth (ages 12 and under), Teen (ages 13-17), Novice, Journeyman and Craftsman.  Criteria for each category are explained below.  Youth and Teens may, at their choice, enter in one of the other categories instead.  Prizes will be given for every category in which there are entries.  The Baron and Baroness of Settmour Swamp will also be giving out a prize to the artisan(s) of their choice.

            Entries in all categories will be judged based on the following criteria:

(1) Heraldic style:  Points will be given for the use of SCA-registered or period armory.  Extra points will be given if the armory being displayed is good heraldic style.  If you are using SCA-registered armory, please be sure to include a note stating to whom it is registered.

(2) Period display method:  Is this the kind of item that people put heraldry on in period?  Is the heraldry displayed on the item in the way period people did it?  More points will be awarded for more period methods and motifs.

(3)  Artistic merit:  Is the item pleasing to the eye?  Items that convey a good medieval or Renaissance feel will be assigned more points.

(4) Use of period materials and techniques:  As this is an SCA arts and sciences competition, the use of period materials and techniques (or modern techniques replicating period techniques where reasonable) is expected.  The more period your techniques and materials, the more points will be awarded.

As to each individual category:

(1)   Youth (ages 12 and under):  Entrants will be judged against other Youth in the same age group.  Documentation is not expected.  Use of reasonable modern equivalents for period materials and techniques is permitted.     

(2)   Teen (ages 13-17):  Entrants will be judged against other Teens in the same age group.  Documentation is not required.  Use of reasonable modern equivalents for period materials and techniques is permitted.

(3)   Novice:  The Novice category is open to people who have been practicing their art for less than 3 years and have never won an A&S competition in heraldic display.  Laurels, Maunches and Silver Brooches (or the equivalent) in heraldry or heraldic display are not eligible for the Novice category.  Documentation is not required.  The use of reasonable modern equivalents for period materials and techniques is permitted.

(4)   Journeyman:  The Journeyman category is intended for people who have been practicing their art for 3 or more years.  Laurels and Maunches (or the equivalent) in heraldry are not eligible for the Journeyman category.  Journeyman entries must have documentation.  Period materials and techniques are strongly encouraged.

(5)   Craftsman.  The Craftsman category is intended for people who are Laurels or Maunches (or the equivalent) in heraldry or heraldic display or people who have won an A&S competition in heraldry or the art being presented.  (For example, Gendulphe won a competition for pottery, and is entering heraldic pottery today, therefore Gendulphe is a Craftsman.  Hextilda won a competition for brewing, but is presenting a heraldic surcoat today; Hextilda does not have to enter in the Craftsman category).  Craftsman entries must have documentation.  Period materials and techniques are expected.

Please note that documentation is required for Journeyman and Craftsman level entries.  Even for the categories where documentation is not required, documentation is strongly encouraged and will make the judges very happy.  Documentation assistance is available at Mistress Alys’ blog (http://alysprojects.blogspot.com/2016/03/heraldic-display-research-links.html).

Documentation for this competition should address the following issues:

·         Is the device or badge registered by the SCA College of Heralds?  If so, to whom?  If not, is it actual period armory?  If actual period armory, where did you find it?

·         Did medieval/Renaissance people use this method to display heraldry? (For example, is there evidence of heraldry on clothing?)

·         Do you have any examples of this kind of display being done in the way you have done it?  (Copies of pictures, woodcuts and the like are strongly encouraged)

·         What techniques did you use to create the display?

·         What materials did you use to create the display?

·         Assume the judges know nothing about your art.  What are the most important things for the judges to know about your materials, techniques and methods?

·         What sources did you consult in creating your display?

There is no page limit for documentation.