Statuses

Archery, unlike the other groups with their white belts, chains of estate, laurel wreaths or pelicans in piety, don’t have a specific identifier. Bracers get hidden under coat/court dress sleeves, bows and quivers get awkward after a while and just like heavies, after a long day on the field, who wants to continue wearing their armour?(read post)

This is two questions really. How do the average archers say “Hi, Im an archer!” and how do those who have been recognized for a “thing” do that as well?
There are plenty of fighters who wear nothing to denote that they fight. They just do.

We have a lot to choose from though. Whether its a leather medallion imprinted with a pheon, or wearing a bracer, there are many things that can be a tell tale sign that we are archers. In some ways we have it easier. I wear a belt favor with rings on it and hang all kinds of archery bling on it from site tokens that look like arrow heads, to actual awards.

As for recognized orders such as the Order of the Grey Goose or Companion of the Yew Bow, there is specific bling you can wear that denotes your ‘status’. Knights have white belts, we have heraldry. But is there a color left that we can wear? Or use something for what it’s not intended. For instance I wear my Valiance bracer on my boot!

As for having a unified ‘thing’ to wear, it’s not a bad idea, but who wears it? Does any archer wear it? Is there a minimum rank we can all agree on? Currently only (practically) Royal Round scores would work for this kind of minimum bar. And of course having this be Society official is another kettle of fish.

The various Kingdoms rules and cultivation of their communities varies widely, and getting them all to agree on one thing is like… well, lets just say that pride and history might well get in the way of that kind of thing. It might be easier to settle on a heraldic badge and allow the comminities to use whatever ‘vehicle’ they prefer. It could also be used in conjunction. For instance the Yew Bow is a Seahorse Unicornate Head with an arrow in its mouth, well if the pheon (if that was what the herd of cats agreed on) could be appended below. But this is just an example.

Some of this discusiion is happening on the Martial Peerage Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/638147782978374/), as well as the Peerage Page (http://periodpersonas.com/village/martial-peerage/) (open to all, not just FB). The idea that solidarity go a long way when recognition is desired.

There is even discussion about parades, which happened in period (thanks John Edgerton). Once some basic concepts can be agreed to, why not do this, and include other groups as well!

Additionally, take a look at the omnibus badges! There is a general badge , but there are also badges which denote specific martial disciplines (eg: thrown weapons, siege, etc.) (http://periodpersonas.com/village/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/omnibus_5.1.png). So feel free to check it out and use it.

PS, if you don’t know what the Valiance (Omnibus) proposal is about, and you are an archer or other martial discipline that falls under it, you should take the time now to learn and participate! View the proposal here: http://endlesshills.net/valianceproposal.pdf

I know youre saying, “Man will this guy just shut his yap?!” Yup! But the idea of common branding is a great one, lets do it, but lets make sure we all participate in the conversation for better or worse! Share and show your pride, this is what you love to do!