Armory Blanks

When you're working out ideas for your arms or your achievement, it's often convenient to have ready-made blanks that you can fill in with the details you're considering. I prefer to use blanks directly based on surviving manuscripts. That way I know what I've got forms the basis for an authentic achievement, and I don't have to try to draw anything (which is, given my utter lack of artistic talent, a big plus). With that in mind, I've constructed some doodle sheets, appropriate for printing on A4 or U.S. letter paper, that could be used during consultation or by individuals trying to decide what they want. I'm happy to share them here.

I've also made each image available in a larger size, in case anyone wishes to create a more detailed rendering than the doodle sheets support. Among other things, these larger images might make it easier to create the graphics Stellar Scroll Pursuivant now requires to accompany an Ansteorran achievement registration form. (She's indicated she prefers the one from Anton Tirol's armorial for that purpose.)

All of these printables include copyright statements and explicit permission for non-commercial use, so you can print, copy, and distribute them freely.

Please note: The rules regarding heraldic display vary from kingdom to kingdom. Consult the heralds in your own kingdom to determine whether a display based on one of these images would be appropriate for you. In Ansteorra, only those who have been granted an Award of Arms are permitted to display helms and mantling, and higher rank is required for the display of any other achievements. You can learn more about this on the Ansteorran College of Heralds' site. If you would like to print doodle sheets that feature simple escutcheons with no additional elements, you will find one on the website of the West Kingdom College of Heralds.

Manesse Codex Zürich, 1305 available as: single large image (JPEG) doodle sheet with 12 small images (PDF)
Anton Tirol's Armorial southern Germany, between the end of the 15th century and 1540 available as: single large image (JPEG) doodle sheet with 9 small images (PDF)
an English armorial in the collection of the Bavarian State Library (same manuscript as below) middle of the 16th century available as: single medium-sized image (JPEG) doodle sheet with 9 small images (PDF)   This one is particularly handy if you're drawing supporters.
an English armorial in the collection of the Bavarian State Library (same manuscript as above) middle of the 16th century available as: single large image (JPEG) doodle sheet with 9 small images (PDF)   This is good for supporters, too.

Of course, there are people out there who do have talent, and are able to generate lovely original blanks. One of them, Lord Garreth Silverthane, has generously offered to share his work here.

available as a single large image (GIF)

Assorted Displays Doodle Sheets

Many heralds recommend their consultation clients use "the refrigerator test" on any proposed armory before they submit it. This consists of making a good rendering of the design and hanging it somewhere you'll see it several times a day (like on your refrigerator door) for a week or two before you fill out the paperwork. If you get sick of looking at it, the wisdom goes, it's not the right design for you. After all, if you use the armory you register (and we hope everyone does), you'll be seeing a lot of it for years to come.

I like to go a step further. You have to submit your device on an escutcheon, but you don't have to display it on one. Before you register a device, I think it's a good idea to try it out in a variety of settings, with an emphasis on those you'll actually use most. If you think you'll be flying it on banners, see what it looks like on one. If you mean to wear it, test it on a piece of heraldic clothing. If you're going to want to make grand processions on a horse draped in your colors, check that out. Some designs simply don't look right on fields of certain types. You don't want to go through the long (and sometimes arduous) process of registering a device only to discover it's not suited to what you want to do with one.

There's one more advantage to testing the fit of a device more than once before you send in your paperwork. You'll get a feel for how difficult it will be for you to execute it. If by the time you draw it two or three times you're wishing it were simpler and easier to reproduce, maybe you should pick something that is.

Like my other sheets, these include copyright statements and permissions. Feel free to pass them out to anybody you think might get good use out of them.

from the Manesse Codex (Zürich, 1305): heraldic surcoats with escutcheons on them heraldic surcoats appropriate for overall decoration three shields, one with a helm and mantling horse barding with escutcheons horse barding appropriate for overall decoration a banner available as a one-page PDF This one's good for testing out crests as well as devices.	the blank page	an example completed page (my arms)
from René d'Anjou's tournament book-- BNF Français 2695 (Provence, around 1460): two tabards, one on a herald and one on a mounted fighter a banner a drape hanging from a trumpet horse barding with escutcheons horse barding appropriate for overall decoration BNF Français 2692 (Bruges, 1488-1489): a shield with helm and mantle Both manuscripts are in the collection of the French National Library. Enter either's designation into the "Cote" field in the expert search form on the library's website and click "Chercher", then "Images" to view its pages. The doodle sheet is available as a one-page PDF	the blank page	an example completed page (my arms)