Within the SCA, combat is a very important aspect of the way our organization operates. The king and queen are even determined by combat. Large scale battles occur at some of the greater events with many hundreds of participants. The colours of the heraldry are one of the most pleasing wonders that occur in the ensuing tests of skill and chivalry. Every individual is entitled to obtain their own device or arms that they might display them on their shield or banner or in other fashions. The arms granted by the Laurel Sovereign of Arms displayed or emblazoned upon this shield are that of the Shire of Oakford. The blazon, which is written in the manner that heralds of old would use, is "Argent, four oak leaves conjoined in cross within a laurel wreath vert, a ford." This is an excellent example of canting arms, meaning arms that contain a visual pun, where there is an allusion to the oaks and a ford which is represented in a stylization of three wavy blue bands. It is proud thing to see a group of fighters carrying the Oakford device into combat.