GoodGuyMatt 7072 Share Posted March 18, 2023 DAS BAND DES BANNER THE BAND OF BANNERS Issued by the Lord of Arms in the year of our Lord 1916 SÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON MINITZ, Since their exposure to the feudal ways and customs, the Reinmaren people have always shown fascination with one feudal art amongst others, that being Heraldry. Beginning as an unofficial tradition amongst certain members of House Barclay back in its inception in the 1720s, a good few Reinmaren Wappenmeisters have emerged through the centuries. Amongst these, Venerated Anton, Albrecht Barclay, and Herzog Leon Barclay have been the most prominent. As Herzog of Minitz, it was Leon Barclay’s ambition to foster a Heraldic culture amongst his populace, to embrace the display of glory, tradition, and history through art, shields and banners, as our tribal forefathers were believed to have done many eons past. It is in this day and age that time has finally come for such centuries of tradition and mastery of the Heraldic arts amongst the Reinmaren people to not only be officialized, but institutionalized. Thusly, it is by the blessing of Herzog Brandt ‘the Bosnan’ Barclay, and the work and leadership of Ludrik Katzak as first Lord of Arms that the Band of Banners be founded. To document, produce, grant and display arms and record the genealogies of our forefathers, to embrace the traditions of our ancestors and to expand upon their work, such is the mission of the Band. As its Motto professes: THROUGH SERVICE, HONOUR. BAND HIERARCHY THE DUCAL HERALD (HONORARY) - The Ducal Herald of Minitz, as member of his Grace’s Herrenhaus and primary bearer of the Herzog’s arms is positioned as the Symbolical Head of the Band of Arms. With their presence they now not only represent the Herzog himself, but also the Band as a whole. They don the arms and carry the banners granted by the Band, but hold no authority to grant such. Furthermore, the Ducal Herald acts as the Band’s representative within the Herrenhaus. Currently held by Eloisee von Minitz (IGN: Aimy_lol; Disc: ♡ Aimy_lol ♡#7910) @Aimy_lol THE LORD OF ARMS - The more senior of the Lords of the Band, the Lord of Arms acts as its de facto head. Their say in the decisions and work of the Band is final, and their approval mandatory in matters of granting of both arms and banners. The Lord of Arms focuses on the designing and granting of all arms relating to the feudal, noble, and knightly institutions of the Duchy, as well as recruitment and leadership of the band as a whole. Currently held by Ludrik Katzak (IGN: GoodGuyMatt2k; Disc: GoodGuyMatt#2000) @GoodGuyMatt THE LORD OF BANNERS - Whilst the work of the Lord of Arms focuses on the feudal institutions of the realm, the Lord of Banners, also termed ‘the Bannerlord’, is in charge of designing and granting of all banners within the realm. Such include the banners donned by the tribes of Minitz, the Standards of War raised by either Theoderic’s Warband or the Order of Saint Tylos, etc. As junior lord of the Band. Currently held by Sir Maxell ad Landren (IGN: boarlord; Disc: boar#5647) @Lord of Boars THE KEEPER OF GENEALOGY - Mainly invested in purposes of genealogical record keeping, the Keeper of Genealogy also acts as the Band’s head of archival research and overseer of the integrity and credibility of all arms and banners produced and proposed. Currently Vacant AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DESIGN AND GRANT OF ARMS AND BANNERS Amongst the main purposes of the Band, the Lords of Arms and Banners specialize in the very designing of these, alongside holding the power to officially grant both arms and banners. Whilst many may ask for the granting of arms or banners, it is only those who complete a set of requirements that may be worthy and eligible to hold such. This privilege is mostly reserved for the Noble Tribesmen of the realm, including chieftains, the nobility and the Ducal house of Barclay, and lastly the Ritter of Minitz. It is, however, possible for a servant of the realm who has shown great dedication and assistance to the Duchy, but does not fill the above roles, to be granted arms or banners of their own. DISPLAY OF ARMS AND BANNERS Mainly fulfilled by the Ducal Herald, the display of arms and banners from the Herald is only reserved for the arms of the Ducal House of Barclay, and of the Herzog whom the Herald serves. They carry these arms in their attire, and blow on the Herald’s horn to signify the coming of the Herzog. It is the aim of the Band to expand upon these displays of arms, to include the display of Banners and Standards of War. RECORDKEEPING OF GENEALOGY Mainly upheld by the Keeper of Genealogy, the studies of the tracing of one’s descendants becomes paramount when dealing with the distribution, granting, and proper attribution of heraldic arms or banners. Whilst any tribesman or tribeswoman may ask for the services of the Band to trace their genealogies, it is mainly for the lords and chieftains that the Keeper conducts research. STANDARDIZATION AND UPKEEP OF HERALDIC SYSTEMS Alongside the making and utilizing of both arms and banners, it is the duty of the Band to standardize the Heraldic practices within the Duchy of Minitz. Thusly, they are in charge, with the blessing of the Herzog, to officiate documents detailing the Heraldic rules, such as the Cadency system, the Minitzian Blazonry, the requirements for the granting of arms, etc. THE WAPPENROLLE OF THE BAND OF BROTHERS The following are the arms and banners used by the Band of Banners, be it her officers, chiefs, or the associated attributed arms: THE ARMS OF THE LORD OF ARMS Quarterly, Gules a cross Argent; 1st and 4th quarter a swan proper, 2nd and 3rd five cross crosslets Or; For a crest, a feather argent. The main charge used to symbolize the Band is the swan proper (colored in its natural tints). Representing grace, beauty, and purity, it is through this avian that the ideals and purpose of the Band is best displayed. Quartered by an argent (white) cross, the other two quarters are filled by five cross crosslets. The cross crosslet in itself is made out of four crosses, brought together to form the fifth cross between them. Thus, the 2nd and 3rd quarter have a total of 25 crosses each, symbolizing the 25 years passed between the founding of the Harvest Confederation during Duke Leon’s reign in 1889, and the first Duke’s abdication in 1914. The white feather issued from the chief represents the feather of a quill, a symbol of artists and painters, which becomes standard throughout the arms and banners of the Band. THE BANNER OF THE LORD OF BANNERS A Banner Azure, a man Carnation to sinister clothed Vert, crined Or, crowned a Tribal Cap, in the dexter hand a spear proper flagged Vert, in the sinister a feathered quill Argent. Featuring the figure of a Reinmaren tribesmen clothed in the colors of his fatherland, the Bannerlord’s Banner shows to represent the tribal prowess. The held spear, also bannered, represents the Bannerlord himself, meanwhile the tribal cap he adorns represents the Chief of Reinmaren, as it has been used through the centuries before by Reinmaren heralds. Wearing naught to protect his feet, the lack of footwear represents the humble life of Reinmaren tribesmen, displaying the egalitarian ideal of our people proudly, for the farmer is, ultimately, equal to the lord. On his left hand, the tribesman holds a feathered quill, one again signifying artistry of the Lord of Banners, and of the Band as a whole. THE ARMS OF THE KEEPER OF GENEALOGY Or, a book Vert charged an oak tree Sable surmounted by a quill Argent issuant from the dexter base. A rather self-explanatory amongst the arms of the Band, the Keeper, as holder of the Tome of Genealogy, has this displayed on his own arms. The green color of the book refers to the Reinmaren colors, with the branched oak tree used for its common symbolism for family trees. Once again, the feathered quill appears in the Keeper’s arms, issuant from the dexter base, touching the tree. THE ATTRIBUTED BANNERS OF THEODERIC AND GELIMAR Two banners crossed, the dexter Vert, a Horse Salient Argent, the sinister Azure, an Eagle displayed Sable, Armed Or. Whilst historical records mention the usage of banners by the olden tribes of the Reinmaren, the exact designs have been lost to time. It is, however, a widely accepted theory that of the main tribes of Gelimar and Theodrik, the eagle and the stallion were used. Thedoeric’s men were said to have been superior horsemen, and found the argent stallions more noble and bringers of better omens. As such, it is theorized that after the beginning of his rebelion against Chieftain Gelimar, the young Theoderic adopted the sigil of the white stallion as his mare. Thus, it is through these historical records that the Band grants the Attributed Banner of Banner Vert, a Horse Salient Argent to Chieftain Theoderic, this be a banner granted post-mortem. Gelimar, on the other hand, seen as the more senior of the Chieftains, was associated with the Waldenic eagle, with whom the Reinmaren people shared common forefathers. It is thus that the Chieftain Gelimar is granted the Attributed Banner of Banner Azure, an Eagle displayed Sable, Armed Or. THE GREATER COAT OF ARMS OF THE BAND OF BANNERS Quarterly, Gules a cross Argent; 1st and 4th quarter a swan Argent armed Or, 2nd and 3rd quarter five cross crosslets Or; For a crest, three feathers argent, issuant from the chief two banners, the Dexter Vert, a Horse Salient Argent, the Sinister Azure, the sinister an Eagle displayed Sable, Armed Or; on the dexter a man Carnation to sinister clothed Azure, crined Sable, in the dexter hand a book Vert charged with an oak tree Sable crowned a Tribal Cap, on the sinister a man Carnation to dexter clothed Vert, crined Or, holding a spear proper flagged Azure, crowned a Tribal Cap. For a Motto: "Durch Dienst", Ehre; meaning "Through Service, Honour" A combination of the entirety of the arms and banners above mentioned, the Greater Arms of the Band of Brothers symbolizes the unification of all offices within it, as well as the very forefathers of the Reinmaren people. As the most senior of the Lords, the Arms of the Lord of Arms is displayed as the main escutcheon, supported by the Bannerlord’s tribesman to the right, and another tribesman of opposing features to the left, holding the Tome of Genealogy. The crest, composed of three feathers, includes the main feather used by the Lord of Arm’s Coat of Arms, coupled with those of the other two offices. Finally, the Banners of Theoderic and Gelimar remain issuant from the base of the escutcheon, signifying the origins of the Reinmaren people, and their importance to the Heraldic traditions to follow. RECORDS AND COLLECTIONS Such are the records and collections held by the Band of Banners as per its founding in the Year of our Lord, 1916: BARCLAYS WAPPENROLLE: The first official Roll of Arms recorded by a Reinmaren and Barclay Wappenmeister. The Armorial is a collection of most heraldric achievements of members of House Barclay until the Year of our Lord, 1789. Authored by Venerated Anton Barclay. MINITZISCHE WAPPENROLLE- VOLUMEN I: One of the two main heraldic collections designed and granted by the first Herzog of Minitz, Leon Barclay, the publishing of the first Minitzian armorial was the beginning of a more consistent, organized Minitzian Heraldic tradition. The original copy is held within the Band’s Archives. Authored by Leon Herzog Barclay von Minitz in the Year of our Lord: 1914, a few days before the Herzog’s death. THE BALIANITE ROLL OF ARMS: The second of Herzog Leon’s works, the first Balianite Roll of Arms was designed and granted after the shared agreement of mutual respect and friendship was established between the Duchy of Minitz and the Kingdom of Balian. Such occurred after the publishing of “REINMARIA’S BLOOD PRICE”, in which many Canonsit princes joined the Barclay-led cause against Antonius and Gwendel Vilac, who were found to have murdered Lord Teft Barclay. After Balian’s agreement, Herzog Leon offered to design Balian its missing armorial, and so delivered later in the Year of our Lord 1914. COMMISSIONS AND PRIVATE WORK Aside from its duties within the Duchy, the Band of Banners also works on an international scale through commissions. Such commissions, however, are purely based on artistic work, rather than official actions such as grant of arms, banners, etc. The members of the Band who accept such commissions keep a portion of the earnings as their personal payment, whilst the rest of the amount is donated to the Herzog’s coffers. Those who wish to employ the services of the Band may do so for the following: Designing of Achievements, being: Escutcheon (the Heraldic shield) Coat of Arms (including crests, mottos, etc.) Banners and Standards of War Heraldic Decorational Elements (Such as the page dividers of this document) Producing of Genealogical Records Writing of Blazons (Descriptions for Coats of Arms) RECRUITMENT AND APPRENTICESHIP Alongside maintaining the Heraldic traditions of the realm, the offices of the Band also work to pass down their craft and traditions, apprenticing those who wish to learn more on the art of Heraldry, Genealogy, Blazonry, etc. Thusly, those who wish to one day join one of the offices of the Band may do so by apprenticing under one of the current holders, gaining the title “APPRENTICE AT ARMS”. It is mostly those who have taken the Ritual of Blood and become Reinmaren tribesmen of Minitz who are usually accepted as such, for the Band’s main function is to serve the Fatherland. THROUGH SERVICE, HONOUR; Ludrik Katzak Lord of Arms, Ducal Scribe, Father of the Katzak. His Grace, Brandt Wilheim Barclay Herzog von Minitz GMSTSR Duke of Minitz, Count of Neu Brandthof, Viscount of Tucay, Baron of Boriënwald and Brandthof, Lord of Durres, Harvest Lord, Protector of the Aaunic Heartlands, Chief of the Minitzian Reinmaren Spoiler Sorry if the Blazonry is not on point, I'm still researching and getting used to it. If you see something wrong with it pls shoot me a DM so I can fix it :) 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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