Creating a society/order?

[Sir Brian]

Great pair of CoA Sir Nathan! I'm more partial to the 2nd one but they both look great!

I put up Sir Brian's as well:

Thank you for that Sir Edward! Today is really the first day I've had a chance to get back on the forum and really look around. Man, the things you miss after a couple of days!

[Sir Edward]

Yep, last night I put up Nathan's, and this morning we added Paladin's as well.

 

[Sir William]

Whoo hooo!!  Many thanks to Sir Edward...it was really his expertise that got it all together.  Now I'm gonna have that shield made!  But I just tried to hit up the roster page and got an exception error...you guys must still be working on it.

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, the new site is having issues this morning. I've re-ordered the old one to look more like it: http://orderofthemarshal.org/roster.html

[Sir William]

There we go, that looks fantastic!

[Sir James A]

I started a new thread for feedback, suggestions, etc for the Order website here: http://modernchivalry.org/forum/index.php/topic,790.new.html#new

[Sir Edward]

I just noticed that Chris Torres has a violation of tincture. That grail is metal on metal. Heh. I think you can get away with that if the chalice is "Proper" instead of "Or" though.

The rule of tincture can be really complex, especially with the exceptions that are permitted. As much as Wikipedia isn't the end-all be-all of truth, it does have some good info on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_tincture

It looks like with regards to his chalice, it's a violation because they blazoned it as "a chalice Or", but they could get away with it by blazoning it as "a gilt chalice proper" or something like that. Heh. Manipulation of the rules.

[Sir William]

It seems mine is in violation as well...but if Sir Edward is kind enough to change the cross to 'gules' then I should be good to go?

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, this stuff can be so confusing at times. I kept thinking that even though the charges are stacked, they're still individually touching the azure field and needed to be a metal. But since they're technically on top of each other, I'm now thinking the cross needs to be a color so that it stacks properly over the wings which are a metal. It's all in how you interpret the rules, and they do explain it in terms of layers.

This isn't helping my headache today... lol It's fun puzzling these things out sometimes though.

[Sir William]

I didn't know you were ailing, Sir Edward- or I wouldn't have bothered you so much today!  Thanks for all of your help though...great work. 

The rules seem simple at first until they're applied...

[SirNathanQ]

Thank you for the kind words regarding my COA. I like it very much also. (BTW, just to make it official, I'm using the 2nd one.)
And Paladin, I like your COA very much. care to explain the symbolism behind it?
Heck, lets all have a crack at that. Sounds like fun.  
Ive already explained mine earlier in the topic, but I'll do so again.  
The crosses symbolize my devotion to my faith, the Jerusalem crosses (in blazon, cross crosslet) because the crusades were a time of great Catholic fervor (which I am BTW). The tower symbolizes fortitude, strength, and unbending resolve in the facing of enemies. The oak represents nobility, authority, and not allowing outside forces to change and bend you.
And those rules of tincture are insane! I think a herald can be more looked at like a lawyer than an announcer and accountant.
Thats why I kept mine relatively simple. (Also much easier to draw/paint/sew/make wax seals)

[Sir William]

After reading the Red Knight's breakdown, I thought that maybe I should elaborate somewhat so, here we have it.

What I do, I do it for my faith (cross potent), which protects me (wings) and for my lady's sake (maunch, or lady's sleeve).  As for the colors; gules (red) signifies a warrior (or martyr), paired with the cross it means to me that the bearer is a defender of the faith; the quartered sable/azure field signifies constancy (sable) and truth & loyalty (azure); lastly, the argent of the wings and maunch identify with peace and serenity- Milady being the source of said peace and serenity, what better homage than to display it on my shield and Coat of Arms?  

[Sir Patrick]

Love the CoA, Paladin!  Our Roll of Arms is really coming together!

Sir Edward, I hope you feel better soon.

EDIT:  Forgot to translate my CoA.  Gules is for magnamity and fortitude; the cinquefoil represents strength, loyalty, and honor; and the chevron denotes protection.  To me, the whole thing is basically a warning to oppresors and predators:  I will defend the innocent and the weak against you.

[SirNathanQ]

Whoa, thats awesome. I like that you really have a theme to yours.
Well since we're going in depth here, I have two crosses to show that God and faith is doubly worth any other virtue. The color sable is to represent constancy, especially the enduring and faithful/dependable parts. The argent is representative of inner calmness and composure.   

[Sir Edward]

Sir Edward, I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks, I feel much better today. It got worse as the day went on yesterday and cost me a bit of sleep. Ugh.

My COA has a page describing it here: http://ed.toton.org/chivalry/my-coa.html However here's the most relevant bits:

Colors:

• Argent (silver/white) represents Peace and Sincerity.
  
  
• Azure (blue) stands for Truth and Loyalty.
  
  
• Sable (black) is for Constancy (not grief in this case).
  
  

Devices/Charges/Divisions/Ordinairies/etc:

• Dragon - Valour and Protection. (Personally, also acknowledging and honoring my fantasy gaming and other interests that helped push me towards where I am today)
  
  
• Crux Ansata (Ankh, or Cross with Handle) - long life, eternal life, or virtuous life. (Personally, also a promise of leading a chivalrous/virtuous life, and acknowledgment of how that promise has saved me)
  
  
• Sword - Justice and Honour. (Personally, also represents my interest in swords and armaments, and personal growth and mental fortitude that was hard earned)
  
  
• Bend - Shield suspender of a knight commander; signifies defense and protection.