Heralds

Herald involvement and heraldic pageantry is a major component of the Emprise of the Black Lion.

... the heralds and pursuivants, dressed in their coats of arms,
should go crying through the city before the inns of the tourneyers:
"To honor, lords knights and squires! to honor! to honor!"

-from A Treatise on the Form and Organization of a Tournament (c.1460)

During the processional

Each competitor will be introduced during the processional by a herald, who will speak on their behalf to the judges, ladies, and spectators.

All competitors should secure the services of a herald for the processional. Competitors are asked to supply a script for the herald for these introductions, especially if you have not worked with your herald before.

Every time you take the field

Each time you are about to do something cool, you are encouraged to have your herald announce draw the attention of the judges and spectators, so that they know who you are and what you are about to do. This goes a long way towards establishing a nobility and pageantry, and substantially decreases the chances of people watching.

As needed for whatever is needed

One of the realities of being a mounted competitor is that you are typically 100% occupied managing your horse. But your herald can be free to:

• speak on your behalf
• deliver messages on your behalf
• arrange for your preferred weapons to be in place before you take the field
• ask an attractive spectator for their favor
• extol your finer qualities to the judges, or ask for their forgiveness for your mistakes
• call attention to you before you display skill and panache
• remind the spectators to cheer for you when you complete said task
• generally do whatever on-the-ground tasks you might need doing

Plus, being a herald is a great way for someone who might not be a rider to participate in the pageantry of the tournament.

Recruiting a herald

All tourneyers in the Emprise of the Black Lion are encouraged to recruit the services of a personal herald. No prior heraldic experience is necessary, just a willingness to take part in the pageantry. The minimum requirements for a personal herald are to introduce the competitor during the procession, but heralds are welcome on the field throughout the tournament and throughout the weekend.

Matching with a volunteer herald

Competitors without the services of a personal herald may request to be "matched" with a herald for the processional. This will be facilitated by the Herald-in-Charge.

Equipping your herald

All competitors will be encouraged to provide their herald with a simple script of what to say. Samples in the style of King Rene's tournament book are available for inspiration.

The competitor who outfits their herald in an appropriate coat of arms is sure to catch the eye of the judges.