[antir-heralds] Interesting precedent on branch arm use

[Teceangl]

The question of who may display and use the arms of a canton or shire
comes up every so often. This is still the answer.


Branches may register one or more badges which are to be useable by
groups or individuals belonging to those branches. A province could
register a badge to be used by a provincial mercenary unit, such as a
shield wall squad. A kingdom could register a badge to be used by all
subjects of the kingdom at wars with another kingdom to show their
allegiance. The arms of a branch are reserved to the head of the
branch. In the case of a kingdom, principality or barony this is the
King, Prince or Baron. In all other cases it is the seneschal. Kings,
Princes and Barons may bear the arms of their branch upon a shield in
battle as if they were their own personal arms, so long as they hold
their office and no longer. Seneschals may not do so. All heads of
branches may display the banner of the branch to indicate their
presence. At any event held in a branch the arms of the branch may be
displayed whether or not the head of the branch is present, to
indicate that the branch is hosting the event. In grand marches the
arms of branches may be carried by groups marching as those branches.
Otherwise nobody can display the arms of a branch as if they were
personal arms. WVS [20] [CL 21 Jul 80], p. 3


- Teceangl
-- 
Heraldry is designed to be easily reproduced by anyone who sees the arms. -
http://www.s-gabriel.org/docs/clichelist.html