Assorted Lessons in SCA Heraldry

Usable charges

Answers to the Quiz

For each item in the following list, cite the rule under which the charge might be registerable. If no rules apply, note that point.

1. A hedgehog. - VII.4

2. A poison ivy vine. - VII.8 at best; poison ivy is a new world plant.

3. A three-legged cauldron. - VII.3

4. A straight-sided stockpot. - None; this is not a period form

5. A roundel. - VII.1

6. A koala bear. - VII.8 at best; Australian flora and fauna are no longer registerable

7. A Moorish hair brooch. - none; this charge does not satisfy VII.7

8. A cross gammadion (swastika). - VII.1; this is compatible with period armory; there are other problems with this charge outside the scope of this quiz.

9. An orange. - VII.4

10. A rubber tire. - none; this is not a period artifact

11. A grenade. - VII.1

12. A matchlock pistol. - VII.3

13. A griffin. - VII.5

14. A lion-headed sea-sheep. - VII.5; this might run afoul of the requirements of VII.7; this composite monster may be unidentifiable when drawn.

15. A brown thrush. - VII.4; this particular bird was known or is native to Europe, otherwise not this specific species.

16. A ducal coronet. - VII.3

17. A laurel wreath. - VII.3

18. An English sheepdog. - None; this is not a period breed.

19. A rottweiler. - VII.4

20. A hydrogen atom. - None; this is not a period charge