Rondel Heraldry

The idea of Rondel Heraldry comes as a reaction to members trying to explain designs while using inconsistent terminology. Structured and detailed descriptions would make it easier to document changes or variations between rondels. While the system adopts rules from a discipline considered to be extremely strict, Rondel Heraldry, it is not a set of imposed rules. It is a standard that can evolve; to be used for the benefit of its users, making discussions about rondels easier and more fun.

Blazon

The diagram names key areas of the rondel. Blazon is the exercise of describing a rondel with sufficient detail that a reader can reconstruct the appropriate image. Some examples are presented below:

Blazon for Round Table International Rondel

    • At the chief, light gold RTI King Arthur holding sword and orb, on gold,
    • At the fess, forward tilted isometric globe with twelve longitudinal sections and three latitudinal sections,
    • Light gold inner partition circle,
    • Gyronny of twenty-six in alternating white and black, top two segments fully covered by the chief, bounded by the ends with black arches,
    • Border, of inner light gold thin band, and gold outer band, divided by black partition.

Blazon of King Arthur’s Round Table in
The Great Hall, Winchester

    • At the chief, King Arthur with royal mantle and heraldic crown, holding upright sword and orb, sitting within a wooden baldachin, with white text reading “King Arthur” next to his head,
    • At the fess, charge of Tudor Rose on blue field,
    • Thick inner band with “text”, bounded by inner maroon partition circle and outer dark green partition circle.
    • Gyronny of twenty-six in alternating light green and light yellow, top two segments fully covered by the chief, bounded by the ends with thin arches, with “text” starting from the second clockwise and every subsequent fourth,
    • Border, divided as the gyrons with the names “…” in black in each section clockwise, on light yellow, bounded by inner dark green partition circle and outer maroon partition circle.

Round Table Malta Blazon

    • At the chief, RTI King Arthur holding sword and globus cruciger on white,
    • At the fess, white eight-pointed Maltese cross charge, on red field,
    • Thin black inner band,
    • Gyronny of twenty-six in alternating white and black, top two segments fully covered by the chief,
    • Border of white on the dexter, red on the sinister, bounded by thin black bands.

Adapting Club and Event Rondels

As association rondels are adapted to represent constituent Tables or events, they are often modified slightly while their decoration could be inspired by heraldic influences. This could result in the additions of crowns, crests, supporters on the sides, mottos, mantle and pavilion, mantling, etc. Heraldic nomenclature can be used to describe these additions to the standard Round Table imagery. While these additions may slightly overlap the original rondel, this is usually kept to an absolute minimum, just enough to give a required impression of depth, or to consolidate all the elements of the logo. In some situations, the changes could be more substantial, which would be controversial within some associations.

Examples of Table Logos

The Table logo for Round Table Malta 3 consists of the Rondel of Round Table Malta, with a gold fortress crown featuring 3 look-out towers, and some blocks in red connecting with the red section of the border to form a “3”. The minor addition gives all the required information about the club’s association and number.

 

The logo for Round Table 46 Karlsruhe is an interesting example of substantial changes. Very little of the German rondel remains besides the gyrons and base shape, removing the chief completely. This makes it less obvious which Association it forms part of, implying its intended audience is within the German Round Table community. The charge (Karlsruhe Palace) extends beyond the edges of the shape. At the bottom, we have an inescuteon, where a shield (coat of arms of City of Karlsruhe) is placed on the design at the middle base. The top bend is imposed by the inscription “Round Table 46 Karlsruhe”.

Examples of Event Logos

The logo for the RTI HYM 2020 Luxembourg consisted of the Rondel of Round Table Luxembourg with the addition of a crimson mantle lined with erminer, and a coronet.

To commemorate 25years since their charter, Round Table Nepal, with supporters lions rampant, a crest depicting “25” and crown, and the name of the association and motto of the year in a compartment beneath.

Marshalling

To marshal two or more rondels is to combine them in one logo; in order to express being part of multiple clubs, or to signify close cooperation between said clubs. This could be a combination of the RTI rondel, Association rondels, club logos, or even with other organisations such as 41Club or Ladies Circle. The division could be by a straight line, S‑shape, or other cuts. Some examples:

Cap 41

The Round Table France rondel (dexter) and the 41 Club France logo (sinister) are combined with an s‑shape dimidiation to create the Cap 41 logo, clearly explaining it mission of being “a team of ambassadors” that promotes links between the two clubs. The s‑shape is effective as it ensures that the chief is not cut. A drop shadow makes the 41 logo appear floating above.

Side by Side in Karlsruhe

The logo for Round Table 46 Karlsruhe is interesting in its own right. Meanwhile the logo for Ladies’ Circle 81 Karlsruhe shares the same charge, making it the ideal axis about which the two logos are combined. This results in one logo being made up of three; RT46, LC81 and the City of Karlsruhe.

Association and Club

The French tricolore roundel is the charge for Round Table France, and for its first Club; RT Paris 1. They were combined diagonally while keeping the charge unaffected. This personal logo, embodied on a coin, would indicate a Tabler who identifies strongly with his club and with the national association, in this case having a role on the National Board.

Conclusion

Rondels within Round Table tell many stories of national and personal identity, of development, and of ongoing relationships. Adding minor details to a rondel can define a club, an individual, or an event. Designing rondels and logos in a structured manner is on par with writing stories with good grammar, making it easier for the reader to understand. No rondel exists in isolation, and the same goes for logos of other clubs; the easier they can be combined together, the more likely it is that they will. I look forward to reading the blazon of your Association’s rondels and following the evolution of upcoming meaningful symbols within this organisation.