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--- miscellanea:bearing_arms_in_albion [2023/12/16 10:13] – created cobdrag
+++ miscellanea:bearing_arms_in_albion [2023/12/16 15:01] (current) – cobdrag
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 My own Dragon Warriors games have long been enhanced by the use of heraldry. Describing how this occurs, and especially outlining all the laws and traditions of heraldry in my (or any version) of Albion and Legend goes beyond the possible scope of this article -- I have literally written a [[https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/156791/A-Guide-to-Heraldry-for-Roleplayers|book on heraldry in roleplaying games]] -- but here I will outline the process involved in gaining the right to own and bear a Coat of Arms -- a heraldic achievement -- in Albion. Similar processes occur in most of the nations north of the Coradian Sea and in the Lands of the Crusades -- in many, formal rules on these matters are more developed than in Albion.
-Warriors have long worn personal symbols on their shields and clothing for entirely practical reasons -- to allow for identification in battle. Likewise, leaders have often required those fighting under their command to wear their badge for the same reason. But it is only in the last three decades that a more formal and regulated approach to such matters has taken hold in Albion. The King's Heralds, based from the College of Arms in Ongus, have the legal authority to decide who is allowed to have a Coat of Arms, and precisely what that Coat of Arms should be. At the same time, bearing
+Warriors have long worn personal symbols on their shields and clothing for entirely practical reasons -- to allow for identification in battle. Likewise, leaders have often required those fighting under their command to wear their badge for the same reason. But it is only in the last three decades that a more formal and regulated approach to such matters has taken hold in Albion. The King's Heralds, based from the [[atlas:college_of_arms|College of Arms]] in Ongus, have the legal authority to decide who is allowed to have a Coat of Arms, and precisely what that Coat of Arms should be. At the same time, bearing
 a Coat of Arms authorised by the College has become a considerable symbol of prestige that goes beyond those who regularly wear armour and fight in battles or tourneys -- wealthy merchants, in particular, seek this distinction as a mark and recognition of the fact that they are considered gentleman and ladies of quality, to be respected. The Guilds seek the distinction. So do 'Free Cities', which acknowledge no lord but the King. Even the Church, its orders, and its leaders have found value in such recognition as a symbol and acknowledgement that they have civil and secular authority that goes beyond their religious powers. And the College of Arms is prepared to assist in all of this -- for a price.