Harold the Herald: An Automated Heraldic Conflict Checking System by David P. Salley

Problem Statement The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is a non-profit educational organization whose members study and re-create aspects of the Middle Ages. The Society maintains a registry of its members heraldic devices (popularly referred to as “coats of arms”)

Problem Statement (cont’d) The Society adds over 500 devices to its registry each year, more than England’s College of Arms registered in the last century Prior to the late 1990’s this registration was done strictly manually. Online text checking has improved the situation, but not by much

Conflict Checking

Conflict Checking - Fields Division – Barry Partition – Wavy FieldT1 – Vert FieldT2 – Argent 1st Point of Difference Division – Quarterly Partition – none FieldT1 – Vert FieldT2 – Argent

Conflict Checking – Chargelist Type1 – Uni. Head Not Enough Difference Type1 – Horse Head

Conflict Checking - Charge Location1 – Center Number1 – One Type1 – Uni. Head Position1 – Couped Tincture1 – Sable Not Enough Difference Location1 – Center Number1 – One Type1 – Horse Head Position1 – Couped Tincture1 - Sable

Conflict Checking

Conflict Checking - Fields Division – Barry Partition – Wavy FieldT1 – Vert FieldT2 – Argent 1st Point of Difference Division – Quarterly Partition – none FieldT1 – Vert FieldT2 – Argent

Conflict Checking - Chargelist Type1 – Uni. Head Type2 – Chief 2nd Point of Difference Type1 – Horse Head

Actual Run Typescript Please enter a blazon: Per bend sable and argent, a decresent and a hound dormant counterchanged. ERROR #092 "I'm sorry, could you please reblazon the charges? First incorrect word -- decresent Please enter a blazon: Per bend sable and argent, a decrescent and a hound dormant counterchanged.

Actual Run Typescript Possible conflicts: Name: Morgan Kildarby Date: 9109C Blazon: Per fess argent and sable, a crescent and a wolf rampant counterchanged. Name: Bran of Silver Keep Date: 9707A Blazon: Per chevron azure and argent, two demiwolves rampant addorsed and a dog statant reguardant sable.