Standard
From MiddleWiki
A long, tapering heraldic flag which is flown from a staff and signifies the presence of a noble lord or lady's following, rather than their personal presence, which is signified by an armorial banner. The standard is often very elaborate, with livery colors and fringe. A national flag or ensign is featured next to the staff, and then the badges and motto of the lord or lady are spread over the rest of the flag. In the MidRealm it is permitted to fly the dragon badge of the kingdom as a national flag. It is very common for SCA standards to use modern or otherwise non-period arrangements, including the use of devices instead of badges.
As an example, this is the standard of Mistress Melisande of Woodcrest, OP, with the photo turned sidewise for clarity. The national ensign is in the section known as the hoist, next to the staff from which the standard would be displayed. In this instance, it is the badge of the Middle Kingdom. The remainder of the standard is divided into two long parts with the livery colors, sable and purpure. Next to the hoist is a badge, with smaller badges strewn in the field, a conventional medieval arrangement. The designer (Melisande's husband) has cheated slightly to achieve a medieval appearance. The badge is actually the central charge of Melisande's arms, a greyhound argent, and the smaller badges are from the fleur-de-lys also present in her arms. Her motto, 'Veritas Vincet Omnes' or 'Truth conquers all', is picked out in gilt letters directly on the field, also a medieval practice. The whole section with the livery colors is known as the fly. The standard is divided in two at the end. This is not a very long standard, which many medieval examples were, for practical reasons.
In older Middle Kingdom custom, standards are associated with the status of peerage. There is in fact no Middle Kingdom sumptuary custom or law which defines who may use particular heraldic flags. On the contrary, the College of Heralds encourages the use of all properly constructed flags. But the presentation of a standard to a new peer is still an occasional feature of peerage ceremonies, and someone making a standard may wish to consult local heralds and peers to see whether there is a strong local custom about this practice.
