This page is a directory of articles on devices/coats of arms. These articles cover both SCA practice and real-world heraldic practices and should be of interest to submitters as well as heralds of all levels in the SCA.
Understanding Armory
- What is a Device? by Jasper Greensmith, Zenobia Naphtali, and Torric inn Bjorn (1992)
- What is a Badge? by Zenobia Naphtali (1997)
- Period Style: An Introduction by Da’ud ibn Auda (1994)
Basics and Primers
- Heraldry for Non-Heralds (A Heraldry Primer) by Cormac Mór (2009–2013): A ten-step introduction to armory basics.
- Assorted Lessons in SCA Heraldry by Herveus d’Ormonde and Jaelle of Armida (1994-2002): A series of short lessons in assorted aspects of SCA heraldry.
- Heraldry for Non-Heralds: Designing Your Arms [1 hr Video Presentation] by Cormac Mór (2021)
- A Beginner’s Guide to Designing Heraldry by Sigrith parði (KWHSS 2020)
- Field Divisions, Ordinaries, Orientations, and Arrangements [3 min Illustrated Video] by Cormac Mór (2024)
- Quick Reference: Ordinaries, Divisions & Arrangements (1 page PDF) by Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin (2024)
- Tinctures, Divisions, and Contrast [3 min Illustrated Video] by Cormac Mór (2024)
- Armory 101 (1 hr Video Presentation) by Yehuda ben Moshe (2014)
Armory Registration Rules and Practices
- A Grammar of Blazonry by Bruce Draconarius (1988): Master Bruce’s Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Blazon.
- Conflict Checking 101 (2013): The principles of armory conflict with examples and exercises.
- Argent Snail’s Armory Insta-Boing Checklist by Jaelle of Armida (1993): Nine basic checks for any SCA device or badge submission.
- Counting Complexity in Devices and Badges by Dmitrii Volkovich (1997): How to apply the SCA’s rule-of-thumb regarding heraldic complexity.
- Table of Restricted Charges in the Administrative Handbook: Heraldic design elements whose use is prohibited in the SCA.
- Table of Reserved Charges in the Administrative Handbook: Heraldic design elements whose use is limited to certain groups or individuals in the SCA.
- The Philosophical Basis of Difference by Pedro de Alcazar (before 2005): What are Little CD’s Made of?
Articles on Specific Armory Elements
- Roundels and Gouttes by Lord Madog Hir of Aire Faucon (2016)
- Posture Quick References: Quadrupeds, Birds, Fish
- An Essay on Seme by Eowyn Amberdrake (1985)
- Ermine Spots by Daniel de Lincoln (1998)
- Furs by Daniel de Lincoln (1998)
- “Nowy” in Period Heraldry by Iago ab Adam (2020)
- Flames in Period Heraldry by Iago ab Adam (2020)
- Rainbows in Period Heraldry by Iago ab Adam at caerlaverockroll.com (2022)
- Period Armorial Palettes By Iago ab Adam at caerlaverockroll.com (2021)
Illustrated Catalogs of Charges and Elements
NOTE: Use of these illustrations is NOT a guarantee that a submission will pass Laurel. These images are provided as a service to heralds and submitters.
- The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry by Bruce Draconarius at mistholm.com: An illustrated reference to charges used in period and SCA armory, accompanied by extensive commentary.
- Book of Traceable Heraldic Art by Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin at heraldicart.org: A large collection of armorial clip art, with illustrations from numerous contributors and period sources.
Period Armorials
- Period Armorials Online By Iago ab Adam (2020–2023) at caerlaverockroll.com.
- Iago’s Guide to Finding Period Armorials Online By Iago ab Adam (2021) at caerlaverockroll.com.
- Period Rolls of Arms and Armorials (and how to find them) By Zenobia Naphtali (2003–2006)
- Banners from the Battle of Tannenberg by Lothar von Katzenellenbogen and Johannes von Narrenstein (1995, 2002) at s-gabriel.org: This is a collection of German armory, both personal and municipal.
- A Roll of Japanese Armory by Solveig Throndardottir (1992, 2000) at s-gabriel.org: A discussion of pre-modern Japanese heraldry, with 11 pages of illustrations.
- The Zurich Roll of Arms at knownworldweb.com via archive.org: The oldest known surviving original of a roll of arms, with photographs of its hand-painted shields.
Period Heraldic Practice
- Abatements and Augmentations of Honor By Dom Pedro de Alcazar (2004)
- The Law of Arms in Medieval England By Dom Pedro de Alcazar (2004)
Assorted Heraldic References
- Medieval Heraldry Archive at s-gabriel.org: The Academy of Saint Gabriel collection of articles on medieval and renaissance heraldry.
- François Velde’s Selective Heraldry Archive at heraldica.org: Numerous articles on various aspects of armory, history, and related topics.
- An Annotated Bibliography of Scottish Heraldic Materials by Zenobia Naphtali and David of Moffat (2003) at heraldica.org: Lists a range of books of use for heraldic research pertaining to Scotland.
- University of Notre Dame’s Heraldic Dictionary at nd.edu: A primer to aid in understanding blazons (descriptions) of heraldry. With illustrations of field divisions, animals, and inanimate charges.
- The College of Arms of England and Wales at college-of-arms.gov.uk: Official repository of the coats of arms and pedigrees of English, Welsh, Northern Irish and Commonwealth families and their descendants. Its records also include official copies of the records of Ulster King of Arms the originals of which remain in Dublin
SCA Armorial Rolls
- SCA Kingdom Arms, Badges, and More at goldenstag.net: Information about armory and “colors” for each kingdom in the SCA, and for badges for various SCA offices and for kingdom awards.
- The Inter-Kingdom Directory: Includes rolls of arms where available
SCA Heraldry References
- Modar’s Heraldry Page at modaruniversity.org: A large collection of articles, and tools and forms to assist in SCA heraldry.
- Khevron’s Heraldry Page at khevron.com: A variety of references, including the Principality of Oertha Roll of Arms and Order of Precedence
- Miklós Sándorfia’s Heraldry Links and References at draskoy.net: References and articles on names, armory, titles, flags & banners, and tournaments.