Heraldry in Gotzborg
REGINSBURG HOUSE
Heraldic Guidelines
Gotzborg heraldic practise emphasises
the use and importance of arms as both a quick identifier and a unique
signature to be used as a symbol of rank, status and, most importantly,
as a citizen. Compared to European heraldry, especially that of
the British, Gotzborg heraldry emphasises on the most important part of
the achievement, the shield. Except for the Arms of the Kingdom,
supporters
are not used on any other achievement. Mantling and Pavilions are
only used at the
discretion of the Royal King of Arms and primarily for the Royal
Family. The beauty of the heraldry focuses on two parts, the
shield and the appropriate crown. A motto may be chosen but is
not registered with the achievement.
Familial Arms
In Gotzborg, arms are based on the person as a citizen. If a person applies for and is granted an achievement, they remains with that person. Due to the transient nature of the micronational population, coupled with the fact that more than one member of a real blooded family is not often involved online, the existence of familial arms is not often an issue. In the case where another family member is participating online, then it is recommended that arms be completed in the sense of typical familial style, that being an agreed upon achievement that is then differenced between family members, depending on their position within the family. Micornational family relationships will also be accepted for blazoning arms as described above.
Citizens
Each and every citizen is entitled to a shield which when issued, is one-of-a-kind, registered with the Royal King of Arms and protected by Royal Law. There is no crown used however a personal symbol may be chosen and displayed above the registered shield or seperately. The 'torse' above the shield represents a Citizen of Gotzborg.
Knight
Once knighted, a Knights crown, known in Gotzborg as a "Cavalier Band", may be displayed above the shield.
Peerages
Should the King warrant raising a person to the Nobility, He will do it through appointment to a Landed Peerage or a Titled Peerage. A Landed Peerage is only given for life. A Titled Peerage is only given for life and is not passed down to an heir.
Landed Peerage
A Landed Peer is a noble who holds one of Gotzborg's twenty peerages. They are considered senior to a titled peer of the same rank. These peerages are given 'for life' that meaning the life of the persons participation and existence in the online world. In such a case where a person holding a peerage decides to leave Gotzborg or micronations, then the peerage reverts to the Crown, having become the 'end of life' for that person. Peerages may be held at the discretion of the King.
Using their own personal achievement, the landed peer is entitled to place upon their shield the arms of their peerage inestucheon. This remains a personal arms and does not override the arms of the peerage, however its use conveys that the holder of the arms is the holder of that peerage. Where a citizen may have two seperate landed peerages, the senior-most peerage is used inestucheon. Landed peers are also entitled to utilize the specific crown of their rank above their personal arms.
Crown Prince
The Crown Prince is entitled to use the Royal Arms with the Crown Prince's crown and the Archduchy of Aremberg inestucheon upon the shield to signify the holder as the Crown Prince and Heir Apparent.
Royal Prince
A Royal Prince is a blood relative of the King. A Royal Prince bears only a Prince's shield unless so granted a peerage by HRM at which point the peerage may be displayed upon the shield as per a Landed peerage above.
Prince
Should the King warrant raising a person to the rank of Prince, a Princely crown may be affixed in place over that persons arms. Unless of the Royal Family, a raised Prince is not entitled to use the Royal Shield. The rank of prince carries with it no peerage and as such, a persons shield would not be changed in any way.
Foriegn Commissions
Foreign commissions will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Should a foreign commission be accepted it will be done in the Gotzborg style and under these guidelines. If the foreign applicant is of noble rank in another micronation, they will only be entitled to a citizens achievement unless an exception is provided by the King, or if the foreigner holds a landed or titled peerage in Gotzborg.
Familial Arms
In Gotzborg, arms are based on the person as a citizen. If a person applies for and is granted an achievement, they remains with that person. Due to the transient nature of the micronational population, coupled with the fact that more than one member of a real blooded family is not often involved online, the existence of familial arms is not often an issue. In the case where another family member is participating online, then it is recommended that arms be completed in the sense of typical familial style, that being an agreed upon achievement that is then differenced between family members, depending on their position within the family. Micornational family relationships will also be accepted for blazoning arms as described above.
Citizens
Each and every citizen is entitled to a shield which when issued, is one-of-a-kind, registered with the Royal King of Arms and protected by Royal Law. There is no crown used however a personal symbol may be chosen and displayed above the registered shield or seperately. The 'torse' above the shield represents a Citizen of Gotzborg.
Knight
Once knighted, a Knights crown, known in Gotzborg as a "Cavalier Band", may be displayed above the shield.
Peerages
Should the King warrant raising a person to the Nobility, He will do it through appointment to a Landed Peerage or a Titled Peerage. A Landed Peerage is only given for life. A Titled Peerage is only given for life and is not passed down to an heir.
Landed Peerage
A Landed Peer is a noble who holds one of Gotzborg's twenty peerages. They are considered senior to a titled peer of the same rank. These peerages are given 'for life' that meaning the life of the persons participation and existence in the online world. In such a case where a person holding a peerage decides to leave Gotzborg or micronations, then the peerage reverts to the Crown, having become the 'end of life' for that person. Peerages may be held at the discretion of the King.
Using their own personal achievement, the landed peer is entitled to place upon their shield the arms of their peerage inestucheon. This remains a personal arms and does not override the arms of the peerage, however its use conveys that the holder of the arms is the holder of that peerage. Where a citizen may have two seperate landed peerages, the senior-most peerage is used inestucheon. Landed peers are also entitled to utilize the specific crown of their rank above their personal arms.
Crown Prince
The Crown Prince is entitled to use the Royal Arms with the Crown Prince's crown and the Archduchy of Aremberg inestucheon upon the shield to signify the holder as the Crown Prince and Heir Apparent.
Royal Prince
A Royal Prince is a blood relative of the King. A Royal Prince bears only a Prince's shield unless so granted a peerage by HRM at which point the peerage may be displayed upon the shield as per a Landed peerage above.
Prince
Should the King warrant raising a person to the rank of Prince, a Princely crown may be affixed in place over that persons arms. Unless of the Royal Family, a raised Prince is not entitled to use the Royal Shield. The rank of prince carries with it no peerage and as such, a persons shield would not be changed in any way.
Foriegn Commissions
Foreign commissions will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Should a foreign commission be accepted it will be done in the Gotzborg style and under these guidelines. If the foreign applicant is of noble rank in another micronation, they will only be entitled to a citizens achievement unless an exception is provided by the King, or if the foreigner holds a landed or titled peerage in Gotzborg.
Corporations, Associations or Institutions
Only domestic corporations registered and legally entitled to operate within the Royal Kingdom of Gotzborg may be granted arms. Corporate arms may be used by the corporate body holding them and like personal arms, may not be used by any other without express permission granted by the corporation. Corporate arms are granted in an oval shield and surmounted by the 8-point crown of corporation.
Corporations who have received Royal Appointment, may display a Royal Crown sable on a background Or in chief.
Crown Corporations, or Corporations created by Royal Charter, are entitled to display ribbons emanating from the crown of corporation.