Imperial Heraldry

[Condottiere]

Depending on which conspiracy theory you adhere to, the Masons are connected to the Templars, which was a knightly order, or even originated from pyramid builders.

 

[FreeTrav]

Depending on which conspiracy theory you adhere to, the Masons are connected to the Templars, which was a knightly order, or even originated from pyramid builders.

Not merely a knightly order, but one that was directly responsible to the Church and the Pope, rather than to any mere national ruler.

 

[whulorigan]

More correctly,
"Azure, a Roundel above a Crescent Pendent Or"

Mentioning "or" twice is incorrect, and all Ordinaries and tinctures should be capitalized

The Supporters, as evidenced by the headgear, deserve mention as well . . .

 

[whulorigan]

Soc B is the knighthood; Soc A might be those who aren't knighted but are recognized as worthy of being armigers.

Soc A, in addition to Imperial Gentry such as Esquires, Patricians, and holders of MCGs & SEHs, could include Armigers inducted into Chivalric Orders without the actual bestowal of Knighthood, such ranks as Frater/Brother, Member, Officer, Lieutenant, Commander, and Companion of the Order (without the term "Knight-" prefixed to the Rank).

 

[whulorigan]

Not merely a knightly order, but one that was directly responsible to the Church and the Pope, rather than to any mere national ruler.

That, a weak Pope, and a successful banking and lending enterprise serving Pilgrims and Travellers is what got them in trouble with a Pope dominated by the king of France, King Phillip the Fair(ly Rich).

 

[FreeTrav]

That, a weak Pope, and a successful banking and lending enterprise serving Pilgrims and Travellers is what got them in trouble with a Pope dominated by the king of France, King Phillip the Fair(ly Rich).

There is that, but now you're getting into Medieval politics, which can be quite (if you'll excuse the expression) Byzantine.

 

[kilemall]

Considering that Mason membership guaranteed professional success, and judicial immunity.

It's better than a knighthood.

TAS with upgrades?

 

[kilemall]

Well, at one time, yes - although being known to be a Mason has been a good way to be on the outs with the [Catholic] Church since at least 1738, and possibly even before that (unofficially). I don't think they actively excommunicate (or declare Anathema) Masons any more, but Masons are prohibited from taking Communion (and this was reinforced by a Papal statement in 1983). I don't believe that the prohibition extends to fraternal lodges (like the Elks, Lions, or Odd Fellows), but it definitely applies to all Rites and ritual Lodges that call themselves Masons or Freemasons.

The relationship between various national Orthodox Churches and Masonry is ... unclear. Currently, the Russian Orthodox Church has a patriarchal encyclical against it, forbidding Communion to Masons; other national Orthodox Churches may or may not - several countries in Eastern Europe are largely Orthodox, and while the relationship between Masonry and Orthodoxy isn't well defined, it is acknowledged that Masonry played a significant role in their national independence movements, although there is some consideration that Masonry and [Orthodox] Christianity may be incompatible in the way that the Russian Patriarchate and the Pope have asserted. National politics plays a role in this; if the secular government of a state bans Masonry, the Orthodox Church of that state generally will follow.

The Anglican Synod of 1987 concluded that Masonry is "heretical and blasphemous".

I haven't been able to find out about the relationship between e.g. Coptic Christianity and Masonry.

As I understand it there have been Masonic conspiracies alleged in Italy but that gets into Moot territory.

 

[Condottiere]

Travellers' Aid Society you can buy into.

Seems more like a prop.

I tend to think the view players, and possibly Dungeon Masters, have of it as evolved from information booth, to more Adventurers' Guild.

At least, mine has, on a steady diet of anime.

 

[gchuck]

Been lurking here for a few days, and thought I'd post this 'extra-Imperial' heraldry/Coat-of-Arms, I ginned up in '21, for a 'patent of nobility' that an NPC received.
Phlange 1414 Asura.

 

[Commander Truestar]

Not merely a knightly order, but one that was directly responsible to the Church and the Pope, rather than to any mere national ruler.

And, are responsible for the whole "Friday the 13th" thing because King Phillip II of France had the Order arrested en mass on Friday the 13th.
He was massively in debt to the order and stole what treasures of the order they could locate and sent out groups of French Knights to locate, capture and kill every member they could find. (and, take ownership of any goods in the name of the French Crown)

 

[Condottiere]

But, if you have an army, reverse hostile takeover.

 

[whulorigan]

And, are responsible for the whole "Friday the 13th" thing because King Phillip II of France had the Order arrested en mass on Friday the 13th.

Phillip IV the Fair actually. Phillip II Augustus was the contemporary of Richard the Lionheart.

 

[AlHazred]

Even more correctly, ...a Bezant above a Crescent Or; each different roundel had its own name.

I've seen some portray a Bezant as a coin as opposed to a golden circle, hence my "Roundel". It's the artistic license of the herald!

I spent a lot of years as a herald in the SCA - Golden Tygre Pursuivant, Northpass, East, and Seahorse Pursuivant, Østgarðr, East.

You are far more qualified than I, then. I spent a few years as a Pendragon GM, and in Pendragon you use only the most basic heraldry -- since it's supposed to be very early knighthood, and the heraldry hasn't developed its full complexity yet.

 

[AlHazred]

For some heraldry, you can try using pyBlazon, a kind of spiritual successor to the Blazons! 2000 program I used back in the early 00s when I was Pendragoning. The online version is broken currently; as the site was last updated in 2008, I'm not holding my breath on it getting fixed. The GitHub for it is here.

Ultimately, the patron is the final arbiter of what goes on the achievement. The herald can suggest and advise, but they can't determine what the achievement looks like. So, some traditionalists will use only older elements, while newer people will likely go with contemporary objects; see the several achievements (mostly for organizations or settlements) using missiles, or automobiles, or the like.

You know some herald had a conniption fit as soon as he was out of the patron's presence...

 

[kilemall]

And, are responsible for the whole "Friday the 13th" thing because King Phillip II of France had the Order arrested en mass on Friday the 13th.
He was massively in debt to the order and stole what treasures of the order they could locate and sent out groups of French Knights to locate, capture and kill every member they could find. (and, take ownership of any goods in the name of the French Crown)

Very Order66 except with serious cash involved.

 

[whulorigan]

Ultimately, the patron is the final arbiter of what goes on the achievement. The herald can suggest and advise, but they can't determine what the achievement looks like. So, some traditionalists will use only older elements, while newer people will likely go with contemporary objects; see the several achievements (mostly for organizations or settlements) using missiles, or automobiles, or the like.

Sounds reminiscent of Burgher Arms or House Marks.

 

[Condottiere]

Well, Palpatine practically did nationalize, or imperialize, the economy, and put his cronies in charge,

 

[PVernon]

Or could the heradry go more in the Logo/Mon direction? Then color and backgrounds become inmaterial. Simplifys everything (sort of).

 

[AlHazred]

Or could the heradry go more in the Logo/Mon direction? Then color and backgrounds become inmaterial. Simplifys everything (sort of).

There are a ton of abstract shapes in standard, traditional heraldry. In fact, the language used ("blazonry") could be said to be the first markup language (centuries before computers) as it is designed to describe a graphical image in standardized terms; interpretation is based on the interpreter, just as it is nowadays. I suspect the Vilani would have added a bunch, but many would already have been describable.