What is the difference between a device, a coat of arms, and a badge?
A device is really a coat of arms by another name. In the SCA there’s a technical difference between the two: a device is what is registered by the College of Arms, a Coat of Arms is used by someone once they are granted the right to bear arms (an Award of Arms by the King and Queen or Prince and Princess, or higher award that grants an Award of Arms, Grant of Arms or Patent of Arms). Note that this is a technical difference: once you register a device you can display it on your shield, a banner, etc. It becomes a “Coat of Arms” if/when you are granted the right to call it such, but until that point you can display it as you will. A badge is normally a simpler form of armory. The difference between a device (Coat of Arms) and a badge is that a device is used to signify you, and a badge is used to mark your belongings. A badge can also be used to signify a relationship, such as being a member of a household or other group. (Badges are also used for reserving specific displays for branch
