Heraldry & Honours
Armorial bearings of Novaltans.The Chancellor of Arms is the definitive authority on Novaltic heraldry and vexillology, and he is supported by the Imperial College of Arms. The Chancellor is of Ministerial rank, and reports directly to the Lord High and Great Chamberlain.
Proposals for Grants-of-Arms, once prepared by the Chancellor, are submitted to the Sovereign for approval and issuance.
All Citizens in good standing are eligible for an Armorial grant, and such Arms must be, insofar as may be practically known, distinctive from those borne by any other person in any country.
Therefore, despite special exceptions, such as those already bearing legitimate Arms, all such Arms are drawn up from scratch in close consultation between the Chancellor and the recipient, in adherence to long-established heraldic conventions.
The Arms of private Citizens may be seen in the Virtual Capital. Below are the blazons and graphical depictions of the official flag and full achievement of Arms of the Commonwealth. The Lyre is a prominent symbol in Novaltia, in its representation of beauty, peace, and harmony. The Novaltic Lyre is stylised Greek lyre of eight strings and three supporting base scrolls.
Blazon: Party-per-saltire Gules and Azure eight diamonds Or irradiated fess pale and saltire to a bordure Argent, a Novaltic Lyre Or.
Blazon: Quarterly first and fourth Gules a Novaltic Lyre Or (for the Spiritual Kingdom of Novaltia) second and third Azure three lions passant guardant Or armed and langued Gules (for the Temporal Kingdom of Novaltia) all within a bordure Or.
Blazon: Quarterly first and fourth Gules a Novaltic Lyre Or (for the Spiritual Kingdom of Novaltia) second and third Azure three lions passant guardant Or armed and langued Gules (for the Temporal Kingdom of Novaltia) all within a bordure Or; the whole surrounded by the circlet of the Most Excellent and Noble Order of the Lyre; and for a Crest upon the Royal helm an Imperial Crown Proper; Mantling Or and Ermine; and for Supporters dexter a lion rampant Or crowned and sinister a dragon rampant Gules and supporting flagpoles Proper flying from the dexter the flag of the Empire and from the sinister a banner of the Shield. Motto: 'Novaltia'.
The Arms of The Church of Novaltia
Blazon: A Cartouche Quarterly first and fourth Gules a Novaltic Lyre Or (for the Spiritual Kingdom of Novaltia) second and third Azure a Novaltic Cross Or all within a bordure alternating quarterly Or and Argent; the whole surrounded by the circlet of the Most Excellent and Noble Order of the Lyre and Ensigned with two Croziers Or saltire-wise behind the Cartouche; for a Crest a Patriarchal Mitre Proper with a Pallium Or and Argent; and for Supporters upon a Compartment of Heavenly Clouds two Nordic Angels Proper enrobed and winged Argent. Motto: 'Deus Familiam Patriam'.
The Arms of The Principality of St. Ambrose
Blazon: Quarterly first and fourth Gules a two-towered Castle Or, second Azure three lions passant guardant Or armed and langued Gules (for the Temporal Kingdom of Novaltia), third the Arms of the Empire, all within a bordure Or; the whole surrounded by the Collar of the Most Excellent and Loyal Order of Saint Ambrose; and for a Crest upon the Royal helm the Coronet of the Prince of Saint Ambrose; Mantling Or and Ermine; and for Supporters dexter a unicorn rampant Argent and sinister a dragon rampant Gules. Motto: 'Traditiones Digna'.
Honours
As the fons honorum, or fount of Honour, the Sovereign grants awards to Citizens on the basis of meritorious acts performed in service to the Crown and Empire. These are announced on Honour Lists, which are published four times throughout the year.
These awards are all bestowed after careful consideration and loyal service; only the Friendship Medal may be awarded to foreigners.
There are other Honours in addition to those below, such as Peerages, Baronetcies, and Knights Bachelor.
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For supreme intrepidy. |
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The premier order of chivalry. |
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For honour and gallantry. |
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For distinguished service to the Empire. |
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For services to the Crown. |
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For exceptional service and merit to Novaltic society. |
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For indispensible service to the Founding. |
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The premier guard of Sovereign and Empire. |
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For spiritual and philosophic merit. |
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For service and merit in agriculture or the military. |
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For high merit in the arts. |
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For high merit in invention and business. |
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For honourable bravery. |
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For wounds in the line of duty. |
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For heroism in the saving of a worthy person's life. |
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For exceptional merit. |
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For friendship to the Novaltic people. |
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For commendable service in an act or series of acts. |
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For Citizens who recruit and mentor a new Citizen. |
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For Citizens exhibiting excellent courtesy and manners. |
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For Novaltans who have completed a certified course in public service. |
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For service in an act or series of acts. |
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For an interval as an active Burgess. |
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For the first 100 Citizens. |
The Badge of Glory may only be awarded posthumously, to any Citizen, for the highest and most glorious sacrifice for or on behalf of the Empire. It must be awarded after the utmost deliberation, and it is granted jointly by the Emperor and the Patriarch. The award includes an automatic Baronetcy (hereditary knighthood); in lieu of a territorial designation, the Baronetcy is titled, 'Baronet [Surname] of the Glory of Novaltia'.
The Most Excellent and Noble Order of the Lyre
The Order of the Lyre is reserved for Citizens best exemplifying national values, and pure of heart. The King and Patriarch jointly decide on appointments. It is limited to eight Knights and Ladies. Knights of the Lyre use the postnomials K.L. and ladies those of L.L. Knights use 'Sir' before their Forename and Dames use 'Lady'.
The Novaltic Cross is the highest pure valour decoration, it is awarded for the most conspicuous gallantry in service, in which one's life and limb was in imminent peril, yet courage and duty prevailed. If the awarded service results in death, a cross device is included on the award. Recipients use the postnomials N.V.C.
The Empire Medal is the highest service decoration, the Empire medal is awarded to Citizens who have achieved the utmost distinction in service to the Empire of Novaltia, typically in some public and indispensable capacity. Recipients use the postnomials E.M.
The Most Excellent and Loyal Order of Saint Ambrose
The Order of St. Ambrose consists of Citizens who have been of great service to the Sovereign, the Imperial Family, or the Household in general. It consists of five grades: Knight Grand Cross/Dame Grand Cross of St. Ambrose (G.St.A.), Knight Commander/Dame Commander of St. Ambrose (K.St.A./D.St.A.), Commander of St. Ambrose (C.St.A.), Lieutenant of St. Ambrose (L.St.A.), and Member of St. Ambrose (M.St.A.). Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander use 'Sir' before their Forename; Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander use 'Dame'.
The Most Excellent and Honourable Order of the Society
The largest Novaltic Knightly order, the Order of the Society recognises Novaltans who have performed great service for Novaltia as a whole, whether in a public or private capacity. It consists of five grades: Knight Grand Cross/Dame Grand Cross of the Society (G.N.V.), Knight Commander/Dame Commander of the Society (K.N.V./D.N.V.), Commander of the Society (C.N.V.), Lieutenant of the Society (L.N.V.), and Member of the Society (M.N.V.). Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander use 'Sir' before their Forename; Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander use 'Dame'.
The Founding Medal is awarded for indispensable service to the Founding. This includes any such prominent service within the first eight years of the Founding. Generally the recipient would have been an active citizen for at least one year, had competently executed the duties of some high station, and faithfully served the Emperor and Empire as an example of the values of the same. Recipients use the postnomials F.M.
The Most Excellent and Gallant Order of Patricius
The Order of Patricius is the only truly chivalric order in the world still existing with functional Knights. Members of the Order of Patricius are the core defenders of Novaltia, and also provided close protection to the Imperial Family. The order consists of two ranks: Knights of Patricius (Kt.P.), and Squires of Patricius (Sq.P.). Knights use 'Sir' before their Forename.
The Right Excellent and Holy Order of Saint Florian
The Order of St. Florian is a lay order (without the rank of Knight) which recognises achievement in the realms of philosophy and virtue. Generally the Patriarch nominates candidates for this Order. It consists of three grades: Master of St. Florian (M.St.F.), Fellow of St. Florian (F.St.F.), and Companion of St. Florian (C.St.F.).
The Right Excellent and Dutiful Order of Saint Phocas
Novaltans who have contributed to Novaltia with agriculture services, or with beneficial innovation, are appointed to the Order of St. Phocas. It is named after the 4th century Christian Saint Phocas, known also as 'Phocas the Gardener'. It consists of three grades: Master of St. Phocas (M.St.P.), Fellow of St. Phocas (F.St.P.), and Companion of St. Phocas (C.St.P.).
The Right Excellent and Lyrical Order of Saint Cecilia
Novaltans who have contributed to Novaltia with merit in the arts, music, or literature are appointed to the Order of St. Cecilia. It consists of three grades: Master of St. Cecilia (M.St.C.), Fellow of St. Cecilia (F.St.C.), and Companion of St. Cecilia (C.St.C.).
The Right Excellent and Industrious Order of Saint Thomas
The Order of St. Thomas recognises achievements in the areas of invention, science, and enterprise. It consists of three grades: Master of St. Thomas (M.St.T.), Fellow of St. Thomas (F.St.T.), and Companion of St. Thomas (C.St.T.).
The Novaltic Star is a valour decoration recognising acts of honourable bravery in civilian or military life, in both public or private capacities. Recipients use the postnomials N.V.S.
The Novaltic Heart is awarded for severe acute or mortal wounds relating to gallant service. It is marked with a cross device when the wound results in death (even if long after the date of award). Recipients use the postnomials N.V.H.
The Lifesaving Medal is awarded for saving the life of a worthy person, especially a vulnerable one, in a manner well above and beyond the call of duty, profession, or expectation, and in a compassionate, deliberate, and virtuous way. Recipients use the postnomials L.M. It may also be awarded with a 'V' device for Valour, in which case the postnomials used are L.M.V.
The Medal of Merit is awarded to Citizens who perform a significantly meritorious act, or series of acts. Recipients use the postnomials R.M.
The Medal of Friendship is primarily conferred for upstanding foreigners who show warmth and friendship to the Novaltic people, either in a single great act, or in a series of smaller acts. Novaltans themselves may be awarded the Friendship Medal for acting as superlative ambassadors of Novaltia. Recipients use the postnomials R.F.
The Commendation Medal is awarded to Citizens who perform a significantly commendable act, or series of acts. Recipients use the postnomials R.C.
The Recruiting Medal is awarded to any Novaltic Citizen who introduces a foreigner to Novaltia, who later becomes a Citizen. However, implicit in the criteria is a requirement that the Citizen helps to mentor and assist the candidate, so that they feel at home in Novaltia.
The Gentility Medal is awarded to Citizens who exhibit exceptional manners and courtesy, and generally set an excellent example of the Novaltic values.
The Training Medal is awarded to recognise Novaltans who pass authorised courses of education and learning in Novaltia.
The Service Medal is awarded for a good act or series of acts which benefits Novaltia.
The Longevity Medal is a procedural award, granted biannually to Novaltans who have been in good standing for the preceding period.
The Pioneer Medal is awarded to the first one hundred Citizens, to reward them for their pioneering spirit, courage, and fidelity.