[MR] Greetings, thanks, and notice.

[Michael Houghton]

Howdy!

On Wed, May 11, 2005 at 07:41:29AM -0400, Prince Janos wrote:
[snip]
> 
>     Speaking of the Shield Tree, one thing that distresses us every time is
> seeing the spike shields on the tree.  Those are used for those combatants
> who do not have personal heraldry or it has not passed Laurel yet.  We wish
> it known, that in six months, at Fall Crown Tourney, We will only accept
> Letters of Intent from those who have Heraldry (i.e. passed Laurel or by our
> minds, have made a reasonable attempt).  This is not meant to discourage any
> from entering, but to greatly encourage everyone to submit personal heraldry
> as We feel this greatly enhances many aspects of what is great about the
> SCA.  This pertains only to the combatants, not their consorts, though it
> would please us to see the consorts displaying their heraldry as well.  So
> if you have thoughts of entering Crown, we urge you to submit your chosen
> device to the College of Heralds as soon as possible.

If someone submits armory right now, it it not assured that it will have been
ruled on by Laurel by the time letters are due. I applaud the intent behind
this condition, but I fear that it may have unintended side effects. 

I don't have much time right this moment to speak more fully; I will expand
on my remarks in the near future unless someone else speaks my mind before
I get a chance to do so.

yours,
Herveus
-- 
Michael and MJ Houghton   | Herveus d'Ormonde and Megan O'Donnelly
herveus at radix.net         | White Wolf and the Phoenix
Bowie, MD, USA            | Tablet and Inkle bands, and other stuff
                          | http://www.radix.net/~herveus/wwap/