Unto the populace of the Incipient Principality of Gleann Abhann, comes
warmest greetings from your servant, THL Godfrey of Huntington, Diamond
Pursuivant.
It is my most sincere wish that this missive finds both you and yours in
most excellent health and spirits, as we once again enter the "my Lord, is
it already that time of the year" holiday season. Yes, Thanksgiving is
just around the corner..... and Christmas is following right behind it!
Where has the year gone? Anyway, I have a ton of things I could discuss
and write about, but I will limit them to a few important areas which I
truly feel need to be mentioned at this time.
DEPUTY: I am now accepting applications for a deputy, who will be able to
assume all of my duties and responsibilities as Diamond Pursuivant of
Gleann Abhann. My current deputy has elected to pursue another office at
this time, and I wish him both luck and success in this endeavor. As of
this time, I plan to terminate my existing "warrant" in February of 1999
at the Gleann Abhann Investiture. Interested parties must have experience
and/or proven skills in both heraldry & administrative functions. Only
serious parties who are interested in serving both the Principality &
Kingdom need apply.
PRINCIPALITY LEVEL PURSUIVANTS: I need to know your intentions, as to
whether you wish to renew your term in office or not. Additionally, if
you do not have a deputy lined up, then you need to consider getting
someone to fill that slot and start training them as soon as possible. No
sense in waiting until the last minute to take care of this matter, so you
might as well take care of it now. Additionally, you are required to
provide "Status Updates" to Diamond every month, just to keep everyone "on
the same page".
INVESTITURE: Well, it is now official. The oldest shire in the Kingdom
of Meridies, the Shire of Troll Fen, has been awarded the Investiture bid.
The event will take place at KC Camp Abbey, located in Covington,
Louisiana. It's the same site that Axemoor holds their annual Christmas
Revel. Further and more detailed information will be appearing in
Pop-Chiv and the Ambassador. Due to time and space constraints, there was
only room for a 1/2 page "brief" flier for the Investiture in the current
Pop-Chiv. The next one will be a full-page, detailed version outlining the
various activities, so stay tuned!
Since news first began to spread concerning the Investiture Bid being
awarded to Troll Fen, and in some cases even before the decision was made,
I have been approached by several individuals who have
offered their personal help, or the help of their group, in whatever
area they could be of assistance. I must admit to being greatly touched
by the spirit of cooperation and giving which I have been witness to. It
is this very spirit which defines a Kingdom, a Principality, or a local
group. It is indeed a measure of
greatness, and the very foundation on which the Society has been built.
How then could we as a group deny others the opportunity to participate by
not extending an "open invitation" to help and be a part of such an
important and historical moment? The answer is simply, "we can't".
Therefore, we have come up with two opportunities for every group to get
in on the action. Whether or not your group chooses to act on them and
participate in the Investiture will up to each group.
Option #1: I respectfully ask that every group in the Region lend us
one person clad in a nice tabard, emblazoned with the group's heraldic
arms upon it, to act as a server during feast. Not only has this never
been done before, but it will provide color and atmosphere befitting an
occasion of this magnitude. Additionally, it will provide each group a
chance to be seen, recognized, and to be a part of this grand moment in
history. It will only require a few hours of time, and a minimal
investment for the materials needed to make the tabard, if your group
doesn't already have one.
Option #2: We will accept groups who wish to volunteer to handle a
portion of the event.... be it a breakfast, a luncheon, washing dishes
after feast, making the site/feast tokens, being water-bearers, etc.
There are numerous things to be done at an event of this importance, some
more glamorous than others, but all are essential none-the-less. We do
NOT expect any group who volunteers in such a capacity to bear ANY
financial responsibilities. On the other hand, nor will we turn away any
donations which are made for this purpose. Since several groups have
already jumped on the band-wagon to assist with the event, the list of
"things to do" is becoming shorter. Therefore, if your group wishes to
participate in this manner, I suggest that you notify me of your intent
ASAP so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Regardless of which level of participation your group elects, there is
one small task that I am asking for EVERY group to do. PLEASE, and I
can not emphasize that word enough, please bring a nice banner with your
group's arms upon it to decorate the hall with! If you do not have one
made, then now would be an excellent time to start that project! If you
have ever been wishing for or waiting for a chance to serve and make a
difference for Gleann Abhann, I can think of no better opportunity to let
your light shine than this.
Additionally, I am asking that all Principality Level Pursuivants attend
this event, as your services will be required for the actual ceremony.
THE ARMS OF GLEANN ABHANN: It is now official! The heraldic arms for the
Prince and Princess of Gleann have been approved and registered by the SCA
College of Arms, and are blazoned thus:
Arms of the Prince (Arms of Gleann Abhann):
"Per pale gules and sable, a ram rampant within a laurel wreath, in
chief a coronet argent".
Arms of the Princess :
"Per pale gules and sable, a ram rampant within a wreath of roses, in
chief a coronet argent".
Please note that there are specific rules which govern the use and
display of heraldic arms, especially that of official SCA branches. As a
good rule of thumb to follow, no one except the Prince of Gleann
Abhann, should use or display the Arms of the Prince of Gleann Abhann
(which happens to be the Arms of Gleann Abhann). Additionally, no one,
except the Princess of Gleann Abhann, should use or display the Arms of
the Princess of Gleann Abhann. Generally speaking, the only exception to
this policy would be for the Principality Level heralds (Diamond,
Obsidian, Ruby, Blue Saphyre, Emerald, Topaz, and Amethyst) when they are
"in uniform" and acting in an official heraldic capacity for the Prince or
Princess at an event.
The Arms of the Prince and Princess should not be displayed, unless the
Prince and Princess are physically "on site" where the Arms are
actually being displayed. If/when the Prince and Princess "leave site"
Their Arms should be taken down to indicate They are no longer present.
Since we currently have no officially designated Prince and/or Princess
of Gleann Abhann at this time, their arms should not be displayed.
There is absolutely NO problem with anyone demonstrating their pride and
support for Gleann Abhann, by displaying the Regional/Principality
colors, or the "ram badge". In fact, you are highly encouraged to do
so! The more heraldic display and pageantry, the better, and the more
"colorful" our Dream becomes. But just remember.............. there are
"right" ways and "wrong" ways to go about doing it.
If anyone desires to display something which says, or shows an
affiliation with, "Gleann Abhann", then here are a few suggestions for
you to follow.....
For gonfalons: "Per pale gules and sable, a ram rampant argent".
For flags: "Per fess gules and sable, a ram rampant argent".
For tabards: "Per pale gules and sable, a ram rampant argent".
Any of these suggestions would be perfectly acceptable for "general
use". Please note that nowhere in these designs do you see a "wreath"
or a "coronet" being used, which is exactly how it should be. The
"laurel wreath" is a RESERVED/RESTRICTED charge used exclusively to
denote an official SCA Branch, or the HEAD of an official SCA Branch.
It can not, and should not, be used or displayed by just "anybody".
Likewise, a "wreath/chaplet of roses" and a "crown/coronet" have very
specific meanings as well, and their use is highly restricted. If you
have any doubts or concerns about what you are actually eligible to
display, please contact your either your local herald/pursuivant, or
myself, for assistance and guidance in this matter. Thank you very much
for your cooperation.
"DOOMSDAY" REPORTS: Yes, it's that time of the year again! Shortly, the
Beacon Herald of Meridies will be issuing the guidelines and forms for the
1998 Domesday Reports to all of the known heralds/pursuivants in the
Kingdom. I urge each of you to complete them as soon as possible, and not
to wait until the last possible minute to begin the paperwork. In fact,
you would be well advised to begin organizing all of your 1998 monthly
reports, and start working on a "draft" copy of your "summarization", as
well as noting all of the problems you may have encountered, along with
any "praises" and/or "constructive criticisms" which you feel could be of
benefit to Kingdom and/or the Principality. We need to know "what's on
your mind" in order to address the issue, and this is and excellent
opportunity for you to be heard. All the heralds/pursuivants in Gleann
Abhann are asked to send 1 copy of this report DIRECTLY to the Beacon
Principle Herald of Meridies, and 1copy DIRECTLY to the Diamond Pursuivant
of Gleann Abhann. Make sure that you also deliver a copy to your local
Seneschal as well, in addition to keeping a copy "on file" for your
office. Those individuals who are classified as heralds/pursuivants "at
large" are still required to complete a Domesday report as well. Please
feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding
this issue.
CHANGE OF DIAMOND'S E-MAIL & PHONE: As most of your already know, the
e-mail address and phone number for the Diamond Pursuivant has changed.
The email address for reports & SCA correspondence is now: mailto:
The new phone number is: (318) 269-6365. Please
make a note of this! If anyone experienced any problem or inconvenience
trying to contact me because of this change, I sincerely apologize.
Though the new email address was published in the last issue of the
Ambassador, it was too late to include my new phone number, because it was
"not known" until after the issue had gone to the printers.
In Service to Meridies, Gleann Abhann, Heraldry, and The Dream.....
THL Godfrey of Huntington
Diamond Pursuivant - Gleann Abhann/Meridies
