How to Become a Medieval Herald or Banner Bearer

A medieval herald was far more than someone who shouted announcements across a tournament field. Heralds served as ceremonial officials, messengers, announcers and authorities on coats of arms. A banner bearer had a different focus: carrying a lord’s, household’s, guild’s or combatant’s colours with confidence and care. In modern living history, the two roles often overlap, especially at fairs, feasts, historical demonstrations and armoured-combat events.

You do not need a noble title, a theatrical agent or a background in military history to begin. What matters is a strong interest in medieval culture, reliable conduct and a willingness to learn how public events operate. Clear speech, historical research, costume awareness and physical stamina will take you further than an expensive outfit alone.

Australia has a lively but geographically spread reenactment scene. A person in regional New South Wales may travel to Sydney, Canberra or the Hunter Valley for an event, while someone in Victoria might attend activities around Melbourne, Ballarat or the Mornington Peninsula. Distances, summer heat and limited local suppliers mean that preparation is especially important.

The most useful first step is to watch how experienced organisers and performers work. Attend a medieval festival, join a reenactment group, volunteer for a tournament or speak with a historical society. Observe when announcements are made, how banners are handled and what visitors respond to. Then choose the role that suits your voice, interests and practical abilities.

Learn What The Role Involves

A herald’s duties can include opening a tournament, introducing fighters, announcing processions, reading proclamations, welcoming guests and explaining the rules of a demonstration. In a historically focused setting, the herald may also research titles, symbols, lineages and period forms of address. At a smaller community event, the same person might act as master of ceremonies, public information officer and backstage coordinator.

A banner bearer has a more visual and ceremonial responsibility. They may lead a procession, stand beside a fighting list, carry a household standard during an entrance or display colours during a formal court. The work requires awareness of spacing, wind, crowds and sightlines. A large flag can catch a surprising amount of wind, so the bearer needs a secure grip and enough endurance to remain composed while standing for extended periods.

Learn the distinction between a historical office and a modern performance role. Some groups recreate a particular period closely, while others use medieval-inspired presentation for entertainment. Neither approach is automatically better, but you need to know which standard applies before choosing language, costume or heraldic symbols.

Build Historical And Speaking Skills

Start with the basics of medieval heraldry: tinctures, charges, ordinaries, shields, badges, standards and the rules traditionally associated with combining colours. You do not need to become a professional heraldic scholar, but you should be able to describe a device accurately and avoid confusing a personal banner with a national or institutional flag.

Reading period sources, reputable history books and museum material will help you develop appropriate vocabulary. Listen to recordings of formal speakers, stage announcers and historical interpreters to study pacing and projection. A herald must be understandable over conversation, armour, music and wind without sounding as though they are shouting angrily. Practise breathing from the diaphragm, articulating names and pausing before important information.

Record yourself delivering a short proclamation and check whether the words remain clear at a distance. Work on names from different languages before using them in public. It is better to pronounce a name carefully and simply than to force an exaggerated medieval accent. A natural Australian voice can sound authoritative when it is well prepared; there is no need to imitate a fantasy film.

Join The Community And Find Experience

Most people enter the role through volunteering. Contact reenactment societies, medieval combat clubs, historical dance groups, living-history camps and festival organisers. Offer to help with registration, procession management, announcements or banner handling. This gives you practical experience while allowing organisers to judge whether you are punctual, calm and safe around equipment and crowds.

A useful starting point is the event listings, where you can look for festivals, demonstrations and gatherings that may suit your location. When contacting an organiser, briefly explain your experience, availability and interests. Mention whether you are comfortable speaking into a microphone, walking in costume, carrying a polearm-length banner staff or working outdoors.

Australian events often involve long drives and volunteer-based organising. A Canberra event may attract participants from several states, while a smaller gathering near Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth may rely heavily on a compact local team. Be realistic about travel, accommodation and fuel costs. Some festivals provide meals or camping space, but many expect volunteers to be self-sufficient.

Treat every event as a professional commitment, even when nobody is paid. Arrive early, follow the chain of command and ask who has authority over the tournament field, stage or procession. A herald who improvises at the wrong moment can disrupt a bout or create confusion for visitors. Reliability is one of the fastest ways to receive better responsibilities.

Assemble Clothing And Equipment

Begin with a clean, comfortable outfit that fits the event’s historical period and your group’s standards. Depending on the setting, this might include a tunic, hose, belt, shoes, cloak or tabard displaying appropriate colours. Avoid symbols that imply a rank, office or household you have not been authorised to represent. Ask the organiser whether there is a dress code before commissioning expensive clothing.

For banner work, consider the staff, finial, fabric weight, pole length and method of attachment. A lightweight banner may be easier for a first procession, while a large standard can become difficult in strong coastal or open-field winds. Check that edges are finished, seams are strong and any fittings are secure. Never allow a banner to trail across a walkway where someone could trip.

Practical modern equipment matters as much as visual authenticity. Wear sunscreen, carry water and pack a hat or period-appropriate head covering that offers genuine protection. Australian summer events can expose you to intense sun, while winter evenings in Victoria, Tasmania or the elevated parts of New South Wales can be cold. Comfortable insoles, blister treatment, spare fasteners and a discreet rain layer can save a day.

Before a weekend camp, review a detailed camp packing guide and adapt it to your role. Keep a small repair kit, safety pins, cord, tape and spare gloves in a concealed pouch or nearby kit box. If the event requires public liability cover, working-with-children compliance or a volunteer briefing, complete those requirements ahead of time.

Develop A Personal Heraldic Style

Once you understand the basics, create a short repertoire of announcements. Prepare an opening welcome, a procession call, a fighter introduction, a safety reminder and a closing statement. Write versions for a microphone and for an unamplified field. Keep essential information concise: who is acting, what is happening, where spectators should stand and what they must not do.

A good herald balances ceremony with accessibility. Formal phrases can establish atmosphere, but visitors may need plain English explanations as well. You might introduce a combat display with period-style language and then clearly explain that the weapons are being used under modern safety rules. This approach respects the historical mood without leaving newcomers confused.

Banner bearers should develop presence without turning the role into a competition for attention. Stand upright, keep the banner visible and move at the agreed pace. During a procession, follow the person in front rather than racing ahead. During combat, stay outside marked boundaries and lower or reposition the banner only when instructed.

Photographs and short videos can help you build a portfolio for organisers. Ask permission before recording participants, particularly children, and avoid presenting a modern event as historically authentic if it is a fantasy or hybrid production. Over time, your reputation will come from consistent preparation, respectful collaboration and an ability to make an event feel organised.

Whether you prefer the spoken authority of a herald, the visual discipline of a standard bearer or a combination of both, begin with small duties and grow steadily. Learn the event’s rules, practise your announcements, test your equipment in local conditions and keep your costume practical enough to wear for hours. A dependable performer with a clear voice and a well-cared-for banner will always find a place in Australia’s medieval living-history community.