We, Mag. Pietari Pentinpoika Uv, O. Pel. etc.; Dom. Johan Magnusson Kivisuo, O. Lindq. etc.; and Dom. Dubhghall mac Ébhearáird, having come together in the pursuit of heraldic arts, have adopted this Rule to aid in such endeavour both ourselves and those who may join us.
The Rule and life of the Society of S. Sylvester is this, namely, to pursue knowledge and foster practice of heraldry, onomastics, and the courtly arts in this our Known World, by living in obedience, learning, and teaching.
Brother Pietari promises obedience and reverence to the Laurel Queen of Arms and her canonically appointed successors, and to the College of Arms; and the other brothers and sisters are bound to obey Brother Pietari and his successors.
If any would desire to adopt this life and would come to our brothers or sisters, let them send them to their Prior, to whom alone, and not to others, is the permission to receive novices conceded. Let the Priors indeed examine them diligently concerning their devotion to Heraldry and the Rules of the College of Arms.
And if they believe these things and want to observe them faithfully and firmly unto the end, let them accept from these the vows of novitiate. Afterwards let them grant them the clothes of probation, that is, a short tunic and a hood. Having truly finished the time of probation and having been examined by their Prior provincial, let them be received to obedience, promising to observe always this life and Rule. And let those who have already promised obedience have a tunic of full length and a hood.
Heralds are to perform their courtly duties according to the customs of the land. In accepting submissions they should likewise follow local practice, save that they should encourage their clients to good heraldic and onomastic style, even beyond that required by the College of Heralds.
And should the customs of the land permit, each convent should strive to be active in the processing of submissions, either in helping one of their brothers and sisters to hold an office in the College of Heralds, or in commenting on submissions. But I warn and exhort them, not to despise nor judge people who wish to submit bad but still registrable names or arms, but rather let each one judge and despise his very self.
Indeed, I counsel, warn and exhort my brothers and sisters, that when they go about through the world, they are not to quarrel nor contend in words, nor are they to judge others, but they are to be honest, peacable, modest and fair, speaking uprightly to all, as is fitting.
If any of the brothers and sisters should commit acts against this Rule or their office as a herald, the aforesaid brothers or sisters are bound to have recourse to their Prior provincial as soon as they can, without delay. Indeed let the Priors themselves with mercy enjoin upon them a penance. And they should beware, not to grow angry and be distressed on account of the misconduct of another, since anger and distress impede diplomacy in themselves and in others.
All the brothers and sisters are bound to have always one of the brothers or sisters of this very same Society as Brother or Sister general and servant of the whole society and they are bound firmly to obey him. Every other year let an election of a successor be made by the Priors provincial and the Custodes in the General Convent, in which the Priors provincial and Custodes are bound to convene at once wherever it will have been determined by the Brother general; and this once every year or at another interval greater or less, as it will have been ordained by the aforesaid Brother.
And if at any time it may appear to all the Priors provincial and to the Custodes, that the aforesaid Brother or Sister is not sufficient for the service and common utility of the Society, the aforesaid brothers and sisters, to whom the electing has been given, are bound to choose another as their Brother general. Indeed, after the General Convent, let any two of the Priors provincial and Custodes be able, if they want and if it will seem to be expedient for them, once in the same year to call their brothers and sisters together in convent in their own provinces.
Let the Brothers and Sisters not engage in consultation in any group, when the Principal Herald has spoken against their doing so. And let no brother or sister at all dare work with clients, unless they will have been examined by the Brother general of this Society or his designated assistant and approved, and there be conceded to them by the same the office of consultation.
I also warn and exhort these same brothers and sisters, that in consultation that they do, their expressions be considered and diplomatic, for the utility and edification of the people, when announcing to them faults and virtues of their designs.
Let those who are Priors and servants of the other brothers and sisters, visit and warn them and humbly and charitably correct them, not commanding them anything which is contrary to their nature and our Rule. Indeed let the brothers and sisters who are subjects remember that for the sake of Heraldry they have to a degree renounced their own wills. Whence I firmly command them, to obey their Priors in all things which they have promised to observe and which are not contrary to their nature or to our Rule. And wherever the brothers or sisters are, who know and understand that they themselves are not able to observe the Rule spiritually, they should and can have recourse to their Priors. Indeed let the Priors receive them charitably and kindly and be so familiar with them, that they can speak to them and act as lords with their servants; for so it should be, because the Priors are the servants of all the brothers and sisters.
Indeed I warn and exhort the brothers and sisters that they beware of all pride, vain glory, envy, avarice, detraction and murmuring, and that those who are ignorant of letters not care to learn letters; but let them strive, so that above all things they should desire to be good heralds and to have honesty, and patience with clients.
This Rule we have decided to adopt. But should it prove insufficient, and the society wish to amend it, let it be with a majority vote at two successive General Convents, with the unanimous approval of the Brother General and the Custodes. And even if the Rule is changed, let each and every one of those who have given their vow to follow it decide whether they wish to continue following the old Rule or change to the new one; but let new brothers and sisters thenceforth vow to follow the Rule as changed.
Given at the Convent of S. Silvester in Hucka, on S. Bartholomew's eve, in the xxxiij year of the Known World.
