The submitter noted that she believed the given name was pronounced <EN-ya>. This is the modern pronunciation for this name, but it is not the pronunciation used in period. In the period appropriate for this spelling (Middle Irish), the pronunciation would be <AYTH-ñ@> where ñ is the sound of gn in lasagna, and @ is the sound of a in soda.
Her old name, Emilia O'Madigan, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter requested an authentic 10th C name. This is a fine Old English name for that period.
Nice badge.
Nice badge.
The submitter has permission to conflict with Ana Moonstar's device, Azure, a wolf rampant reguardant Or, maintaining in its teeth a mullet of eight points argent, standing upon a moon in her plentitude per pale argent and sable.
The submitter requested a name authentic for 12th-15th C England. This is already an authentic 13th C English name.
The submitter requested an authentic 9th C Danish name. However, the earliest we have been able to date the given name is the 12th C; in Lind, Norsk-Isländska Dopnamn ock Fingerade Namn från Medeltiden, s.n. Hialmr, the form Hialmr is dated to 1187. In addition, we do not have an example of this name from Denmark. Given this, we are unable to fulfill the submitter's request for authenticity.
Registered in April 1986 with the blazon Vert, a torch argent enflamed at the tip proper between two panther's gambs palewise erased Or, the gambs lack the spots of an heraldic panther. We would normally blazon these as lion's gambs, but as Rowen has a badge with a natural panther and the original paperwork blazoned these as panther's gambs we have chosen to reblazon them as natural panther's gambs. There is no heraldic difference between the gambs of natural panthers and lions. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
The submitter requested an authentic Irish/French name. While names of mixed etymology do exist, the tendency to spell a name according to the orthographical system of its origin is modern. In period, we would expect such a name to appear in a Gaelic spelling when recorded in a Gaelic document and in a French spelling when recorded in a French document. The Annals of the Four Masters record Early Modern Irish forms of de la Roche as Róitsi (1262 entry), and Róidsi (1260 entry). Siobhan Róitsi would be an authentic Early Modern Irish form of this name. Conversely, a French document would likely record the Gaelic Siobhan as Jehanne; Jehanne is found in Colm Dubh, "An Index to the Given Names in the 1292 Census of Paris" (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/paris.html). We asked the submitter whether she preferred one of these options or whether she preferred the name as submitted; she indicated that she preferred the name as submitted. As submitted, this name is registerable but not authentic. The name mixes Gaelic and French; this is one step from period practice.
The submitter has permission to conflict with the badge of Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, Per chevron argent and vert, in base a falcon close argent.
The submitter requested an authentic 16th C English name. Bardsley, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames s.n. Barberry, has Henri Barbery in 1609 and Barbary Marbeck in 1581. This suggests that both the submitted form and the form Catherine Barbery would be authentic 16th C English names.
When engrailed, a per bend field division has its points facing to chief.
Registered in July 2000 with the blazon Per pale sable and argent, two panthers combattant guardant counterchanged, the tincture of the panthers' spots and incensing was not clear. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
Submitted as Order of the Dogs Gamb, the earliest date for the spelling gamb in the Oxford English Dictionary is 1727. However, the "Middle English Dictionary" (ets.umdl.umich.edu/m/med), s.v. jaumbe, has the spelling chambys in 1500 meaning "leg". In addition, the "Dictionary of the Scots Language" (www.dsl.ac.uk), s.v. Jambe, has jambe meaning "leg" in the latter half of the 15th C. Given this, we would expect jambe to be found in 16th C English. We have changed the name to Order of the Dogs Jambe in order to register it.
This registration is for a heraldic badge, not regalia. A checky collar with bells is not a badge; the proper way to display this is as an annulet with bells as part of an obvious heraldic display, such as on a medallion.
Registered in January 1985 with the blazon Gules, a bald eagle's head and shoulders issuant from base argent holding in its beak a sword inverted bendwise sable, the sword is large enough to be considered a co-primary charge. The sword is not really in a blazonable position as a large portion of it overlies the eagle; this is the best blazon we could derive.
Registered in January 1985 with the blazon Azure, a bald eagle's head and shoulders issuant from base argent holding in its beak a sword inverted bendwise sable, the sword is large enough to be considered a co-primary charge. The sword is not reall in a blazonable position as a large portion of it overlies the eagle; this is the best blazon we could derive.
Nice 12th C Russian feminine name!
Submitted as Nikolás Sieghard, the submitter requested an authentic 10th C Old Norse name. As submitted, the name mixes a 9th C Old Norse given name with a 12th C German byname. Aryanhwy merch Catmael, "Viking Names found in the Landnámabók" (http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/norse/landnamabok.html) has Sigurðr, which is the expected Old Norse form of Sieghard. We have changed the name to Nikolás Sigurðarson, a fully Old Norse form, to fulfill the submitter's authenticity request. We note that the originally submitted form is registerable, but one step from period practice.
Registered in October 1992 with the blazon Per pale argent and azure, a panther's face sable incensed proper within a bordure crusilly fleury counterchanged, the cat lacks the spots of an heraldic panther. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
The LoI stated:
Consider Evan Little: Or, hurty., if the submission were alternately blazoned as Or semy of bezants fimbriated sable. Although an annulet has an independent heraldic existence it is still a roundel voided; still both are distinct period charges, and between the type and tinctures, we hope that this is clear.
This is not a conflict - there is at least a CD between a roundel and an annulet and another CD for the tincture of the charges. Just as Or, a bend Or fimbriated sable appears to be two bendlets, not a fimbriated bend, Or semy of bezants fimbriated sable appears to be annulets, not fimbriated bezants. Given the fact that, as the LoI noted, an annulet is a distinct heraldic charge we see no reason to treat the charge as anything other than an annulet.
Submitted as Sha'ul of Yoppa, no documentation was submitted and none found suggesting that Yoppa is a period form for the place known as Jaffa in period. The form of the placename closest to the submitted form is found in the King James Bible, Jonah 1:3 as Joppa. We have changed the name to Sha'ul of Joppa in order to register it.
Submitted as Thomas Mac Aedain, the submitter requested an authentic 9th C Scottish name. At that time, the language appropriate for someone surnamed mac Aedain would be Middle Gaelic; we would also expect the language spoken and written in Scotland and Ireland to be fairly interchangeable in the 9th C. The Annals of Ulster, whose orthography is largely Middle Irish, the form appropriate for the 9th C, lists the name Tomas in an entry for 808. In addition, we would expect the first letter of the patronymic marker to be in lowercase. We have changed the name to Tomas mac Aedain to fulfill the submitter's request for authenticity.
Please advise the submitter to draw the crosses larger.
There was some question whether the locative byname of Kiddall Hall was registerable; by precedent, compound locative bynames were not registerable in English:
The name uses a compound locative as a byname, but no documentation was submitted and none found showing any English surnames that evolved from a full compound place-name rather than just the first part of the place-name. Such bynames were declared unregisterable for Spanish names in 2002:
"Lacking documentation that compound forms of placenames like Santiago de Compostela were used in locative bynames, this cannot be registered. [Beatriz de Santiago de Compostela, 01/02, R-Caid]
"Barring evidence of locative bynames formed from full compound placenames in English, such names cannot be registered.[Lyneyea of Aston-upon-Trent, March 2005]
However, Rowel supplied three examples of such compound placenames from Gray, Irvine and J. E. Gethyn-Jones, editors, The Registers of the Church of St. Mary's, Dymock, 1538-1790: Margery Wills of Gamage Hall in 1570/1, Wyllyam Hill of Gamag Hall in 1586, and Edward Hill de Gamag Halle in 1603. Given this, compound locative English bynames of the form [place] + Hall are registerable.
This badge does not conflict with the device for Elswyth of Bery, Argent, in pale three holly leaves vert stems conjoined in pile issuant from six torteaux conjoined three, two and one, which is reblazoned elsewhere in this letter. There is a CD for fieldlessness and another for changing the co-primary roundels to maintained charges. There is not a visual conflict between these two pieces of armory as the orientation of the leaves differs and because Elswyth's roundels are clearly co-primary charges.
This was pended on the August 2006 LoAR.
Rhiannon is an SCA-compatible Welsh name.
This name mixes Hebrew and Russian; this is one step from period practice.
Registered in July 1999 with the blazon Gules, a winged panther passant contourny head facing sinister, a chief urdy Or, the cat lacks the spots of an heraldic panther. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
Submitted as Andrew Bruce, the submitter indicated that his preferred spelling for the given name is Andru. The Dictionary of Scots Language (www.dsl.ac.uk) s.v. Willfully, has the spelling Andru in 1428 in the quote "Or gif the said Andru will nocht wilfully fulfill the said mariage" (Or if the said Andrew will not voluntarily fulfill the said marriage). We have changed the name to Andru Bruce to fulfill the submitter's spelling preferences.
His old name, Andro Bruce, is released.
As documented, this name mixes English and German, which is one step from period practice.
Current precedent holds that most bynames in German feminine names must either be feminized or be in the genitive case. There are examples of names in names lists such as censuses that do not follow this pattern, although when found in contexts that aren't lists, such as land deeds or contracts, the femininization of bynames appears fairly regular. A further analysis of the available sources, and further examples of German feminine names in the context of (more or less) natural language rather than lists is necessary to determine whether femininizing bynames is a grammatical rule or just a usual custom. Until such time as this can be done, we will no longer require bynames in German feminine names to use the genitive or feminine forms. However, we do encourage submitters of such names to use these forms.
This device does not conflict with the device for Alexandre sur la Mer, Azure, a compass rose argent. There is a CD for adding the base and at least a CD for the difference between a compass rose and an escarbuncle.
Registered in February 1992 as a device, and retained in November 2003 as a badge, with the blazon Per chevron pean and erminois, two panther's faces Or enflamed proper and a Celtic cross sable, the cats lack the spots of heraldic panthers. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
The submitter's previous device, Sable, on a pile inverted throughout argent in base a crescent and overall in chief two chevronels inverted enhanced counterchanged, is retained as a badge.
Submitted as Conrí Mac Eógan, the patronym is in the nominative form rather than the required genitive form. We have changed the name to Conrí Mac Eógain to correct the grammar.
Submitted as Fáelán O'Gradáigh, the submitter accepted minor changes only. In this case, the patronymic mixes the Anglicized particle O' with the Gaelic Gradáigh in violation of RfS III.1.a, Linguistic Consistency. Correspondence with the submitter revealed that he would accept the necessary language change of an element to make the name registerable. We have changed the name to Fáelán Ó Gradáigh in order to register it.
Registered in November 2003 with the blazon Argent, a panther rampant head to dexter sable incensed gules and on a chief azure in saltire a sword argent and an artist's brush inverted Or, the cat lacks the spots of an heraldic panther. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
His old name, Hroar Njalsson, is released.
The submitter's previous badge, Chequy purpure, crusilly Or and Or, is released.
There was some question whether the name constructed placename Falconhurst was registerable; the etymology of the name cited to support the theme Falcon- (Faulkbourne) was uncertain. However, we do find the theme Falcon- in at least one placename in period. The Brut, or The chronicles of England. edited from Ms. Raw. B171, Bodleian Library, &c., by Friedrich W. D. Brie, has a Lord Facounbryge. In a work published in 1600, he is referred to as Falconbridge (Thomas Heywood, The first and second partes of King Edward the Fourth Containing his mery pastime with the tanner of Tamworth, as also his loue to faire Mistrisse Shoare, her great promotion, fall and miserie, and lastly the lamentable death of both her and her husband. Likewise the besieging of London, by the bastard Falconbridge, and the valiant defence of the same by the Lord Maior and the citizens. As it hath diuers times beene publikely played by the Right Honorable the Earle of Derbie his seruants). This would support Falconhurst as a constructed placename appropriate for the 16th C.
This was pended on the August 2006 LoAR.
The submitter requested an authentic 7th C Persian name. However, the given name is documented from early 17th C Mughal India, while the byname is a group name. The name Jahan is found in the 14th C in Persia. Loyall notes:
John Woods' pamphlet The Timurid Dynasty has at least seven different women named <Jahan>, a name which I believe is related to <Jahanara>. One of these women was a concubine of Timur himself, which places the name firmly in Persia.
However, we have no evidence that this name was used in the 7th C. Therefore, we are unable to make the given name authentic for the requested period.
Blazoned on the LoI as cinquefoils, most commenters noted that the flowers are actually sexfoils so this need not be pended for further conflict checking.
Registered in February 1994 with the blazon Or, a panther rampant reguardant vert, incensed proper, charged upon the flank with a cross crosslet fitchy Or, all within a bordure gules, the panther is a Continental, not an English, panther. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
While this name is registerable as submitted, if the submitter is interested in an authentic Irish name, we suggest the form Conall mac Ernáin. Rowel explains:
The name is certainly registerable. However, my bet is that it is not authentic since <Ernán> seems to have dropped out of use as a given name well before "Mac" style clan names began forming in Ireland (the "O" style family names formed earlier). From the looks of what the submitter requested, it seems that he filled out the "most important" section but did not request authenticity. In that case, the name should be fine. It may be worth noting that <Conall mac Ernáin> would be a fabulous name for the early 8th century. In that time period, the byname would be literal - indicating that his father was named <Ernán>.
Very nice armory - it made the Wreath staff stand up and cheer.
The submitter has permission from the Crown of Ealdomere to conflict with the kingdom's badge Gules, three trillium argent, barbed and seeded vert.
Fiona is an SCA compatible Scots name.
This badge does not conflict with the device for Ismay Ponde, Argent, a peacock contourny azure, pavonated to base vert, atop a claymore fesswise sable, reblazoned elsewhere in this letter. There is a CD for fieldlessness. An examination of the emblazon shows that the claymore is a sustained charge, not a maintained charge. Thus there is another CD for changing the number of primary charges.
This was submitted under the name Madinia Devereaux inghean uí Thuathail.
Submitted as Sunniva Isensmiðsdohtor, the appropriate genitive form for Isensmið is Isensmiðes. We have changed the name to Sunniva Isensmiðesdohtor to correct the grammar. This name mixes Old Norse and Old English; this is one step from period practice.
This name mixes Spanish and English; this is one step from period practice.
Please advise the submitter to draw fewer roundels.
The LoI questioned whether this submission is clear of the device of Luke of Iron Bog, Argent, a goutte de poix between two bars wavy azure. In both cases the central charge is the primary charge and the bars are secondary charges. Thus there is a CD for changing the type of the primary charge and another for changing its tincture. The gouttes in Anna's device are also secondary charges, but a different charge group from the bars, and thus there is a third CD for adding the secondary gouttes.
Batonvert wrote:
In early period, unfortunately, this would have been considered Quarterly argent and vert -- the Per fess line being drawn a bit higher then. In Anglo-Norman Armory Two, we see examples of this equivalence: e.g., the arms of Ralph Perot, c.1300, being blazoned both as Per pale azure and Or, a chief indented counterchanged (p.278) and as Quarterly per fess indented Or and azure (p.526).
Considering this, then, as a valid depiction of Quarterly argent and vert, it conflicts with the arms of Hohenzollern (important non-SCA armory), Quarterly argent and sable.
We have a history of returning things for blurring the distinction between a chief and a per fess line. As we routinely enforce the difference between the two, this does not conflict with a quarterly field. We do recommend drawing the chief a bit narrower so as to minimize the potential confusion.
The chevron in this badge issues from the corner of the shield. We have in the past returned chevrons inverted for this, for example in returning Anastasia Gutane's badge in October 1999 Laurel noted:
"The chevron [inverted] should not intersect the corners of the chief" (Baldwin of Erebor, LoAR 7 July 1986, p. 6). The device needs to be redrawn with the ordinary issuing from the sides of the shield.
This raised the question of whether chevrons should be treated the same way as chevrons inverted. In this case, no. Chevrons are much more common in period heraldry than chevrons inverted and it is not unknown for period emblazons to show a chevron as depicted in this submission. While we encourage the submitter to draw the chevron from the sides of the shield rather than the corner, at this time we do not believe that this is cause for return.
This name mixes Gaelic and Old Norse; this is one step from period practice. If the submitter is interested in an entirely Old Norse form of this name, we suggest Dungaðr Bjarnarson. Dungaðr is listed in Haraldson, The Old Norse Name.
This is clear of the device for Tatiana Ivanovna, Azure, a Russian firebird displayed Or, crested and its six tail-feathers each charged with a heart gules. There is a CD for adding the chief and another for removing the tertiary hearts.
Her previous device, Argent, two arrows in saltire surmounted by a needle gules, flaunches purpure, is released.
Submitted as Geneviève Bertholet, the given name was documented from Colm Dubh's Index to the Given names in the 1292 Census of Paris. However, the accents in the publication from which this article is derived are modern editorial additions; they do not appear in the original census document. We have changed the name to Genevieve Bertholet to match the original source.
We have registered nine-armed menorahs twice before. We have no evidence that a nine-armed menorah is a period artifact, but we will register them as an artistic variant of the seven-armed temple menorah, which is found in period. The number of arms will not be blazoned.
The submitter requested an authentic Scottish Gaelic name. As submitted, this is an authentic 14th C Scots name, but it is not a Scottish Gaelic name. If the submitter is interested in a similar sounding 15th C Irish Gaelic name, we suggest Isibél inghean Rossa. Isibél is found in a 1441 entry of the Annals of Ulster. Rossa mac Muirchertaigh appears in a 1443 entry of the Annals of the Four Masters and Cairpre mac Laoighsigh mic Rossa in 1450.
Nice armory.
Blazoned on the LoI as per pale invected, the line of division is actually per pale engrailed. Please see the Cover Letter for a discussion on engrailed and invected for various field divisions.
Nice 15th C Florentine name!
Nice armory.
Submitted as Marcellus Corionus, Corionus was a proposed adjectival form for a byname meaning of Corionium. Lewis and Short, Latin Dictionary, shows the adjectival form for the city of Londinium as Londiniensis; given this, we would expect Corioniensis as the appropriate adjectival form of Corionium. We have changed the name to Marcellus Corioniensis to correct the grammar.
Submitted under the name Adhemar von Kempten.
Nice 13th C Latin form of a Pisan name.
A bird displayed, other than an eagle, is a step from period practice.
The submitter's previous device, Per saltire sable and argent, four hammers counterchanged, is retained as a badge.
Her old name, Gilian la Rousse, is released.
Her previous device, Per pale nebuly argent and vert, six martlets contourny two two and two counterchanged, is released.
Submitted as Rhiannon of Carreg Cennen, the byname phrase combines the English preposition of with an otherwise Welsh name in violation of RfS III.1.a, Linguistic Consistency, which forbids name phrases that use more than one language. The submitter indicated that she would not accept changes such as changing the language of a name element, but correspondence with the submitter revealed that she was willing to change the preposition to de. Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvyn, "A Simple Guide to Constructing 13th C Welsh Names", (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/tangwystyl/welsh13.html), indicates that in the Merioneth Lay Subsidy Roll of 1292-3, the preposition de was sometimes used with a Welsh placename. We have changed the name to Rhiannon de Carreg Cennen in order to register it.
The combination of the name Rhiannon with a unicorn's horn (or a unicorn) is not presumptuous. A single reference to a god or saint has not been considered presumptuous since August 1992. We see no reason why a single allusion to a legendary hero should be treated any differently than a single allusion to a god or saint. This overturns prior precedent, as stated in the registration of her armory in October 1992 (submitted under the name Rhiannon de Licorne of Carreg Cennen):
The byname de Licorne, "of Unicorn", is as ungrammatical in French as in English. Either Licorne must be documented as a place, or else the definite article inserted. Far more problematic was the use of the Welsh horse goddess Rhiannon with "of Unicorn": "It is a long-standing policy that the name Rhiannon may not be coupled with horses or unicorns, in view of Rhiannon's function as a horse goddess." [AmCoE, 27 Sept 86] The submitter specifically forbade any deletions to her name; however, as she permitted a holding name, we've registered her armory under Bev of Settmour Swamp.
The submitter requested a name the sounded like Mackyle. Most modern Americans would pronounce Mackyle with an ae or schwa-e diphthong, and, according to "Wir Ain Leid - The Pronunciation of the Scots Language" (http://www.scots-online.org/grammar/pronunci.htm), this is an expected pronunciation in at least modern Scots. Black, The Surnames of Scotland, s.n. MacKill, has M'Kille 1475, 1493, and Makkill 1529; while these names might also be pronounced with the schwa-e diphthong, most modern SCA speakers would pronounce these more like the i in bit. This is also a correct Scots pronunciation. Given this, we are reluctant to change the name. If the submitter is interested in the sound of MacKyle, we suggest the locative surname Kyle. Black, s.n. Kyle, has a Robert Kyle in 1572.
There is no default orientation for keys, though (as noted in the Glossary of Terms) when they are fesswise, the wards are to dexter and facing downwards. In this case the wards are to sinister and facing downwards, so the key is reversed.
The submitter requested an authentic 12th C Irish Gaelic name. However, we have no evidence for the given name Seamus in Ireland before the 13th C. The name Seamus is a Gaelic rendering of the name James, which was introduced into Ireland by the Anglo-Normans. As the Anglo-Normans came to Ireland in the 1170s and later, it is unlikely the name was adopted by Gaels as early as the 12th C. While this is an authentic Irish name for the 13th-16th C, we are unable to make it authentic for the 12th C without changing the given name.
Nice 15th C German name!
His old name, Henri Maisiere, is released.
Nice armory!
The submitter's previous device, Per bend sinister engrailed sable and vert, a decrescent argent and a natural dolphin naiant Or, is released.
While the name Talan was documented as Old Cornish, it is also a Welsh Name from the Book of Llan Dav, dated to a charter from the 11th C.
Nice early 16th C Russian name!
This household name does not follow a pattern found in Scottish placenaming practice. Effric Neyn Ken3ocht Mcherrald comments:
"Clan Campbell of Applecross", which is in Scots/English, does not follow any known period pattern of Scottish clan names in Scots/English.
So far the patterns for Scottish clan names in period Scots/English that I have found have fallen into four patterns, two used (one commonly) for Gaelic/Highland clans and two used (both rarely) for Lowland families (ref=Krossa):
1 - <phonetic or semi-phonetic rendering into Scots of a Gaelic form of the clan name>
(used for Gaelic/Highland clans)
For example, from 1506 through 1619 (in alphabetical order by Gaelic form): <clan Allaster>, <Clan Cameron>, <Clanchattane>, <Clan Donald>, <Claneandow>, <Clan Gregour>, <Clan Gune>, <Clan Leod>, <Clanrannald>, <Sheill Torquill>, <Sheall Tormoyd>, and <Scheall Hutcheoun> (and various other spellings)
2 - Clan of <Scots language form of the relevant Gaelic chiefly title>
(used for a Gaelic/Highland clan)
For example, from 1596: <klan of Makdonel>
3 - Clan of the <surname of a Lowland Border family>s
that is, Clan of the <plural form of the surname of a Lowland Border family>
(used for a Lowland Border family)
For example, from about 1597 or about 1617: <clan of the Ellots>
4 - Clan <surname of a Lowland family>
(used in poetry for a Lowland family)
For example, from 1540: <clan Jamesoun>
I have found no period examples using either a pattern of
<phonetic or semi-phonetic rendering into Scots of a Gaelic form of the clan name> of <place name>
or
Clan <surname of a Lowland family> of <place name>
or any other pattern with "Clan X of <place name>", so adding "of <place name>" to a Scots-language clan name is not a plausible way to distinguish between different Gaelic clans or different Lowland families identified with "Clan ...", and thus "Clan Campbell of Applecross" is not a plausible period name.
However, this pattern is so common in SCA naming practice that to ban it would be too confusing to submitters. Therefore, we are declaring the pattern Clan + [surname in Scots] + of [placename in Scots] SCA-compatible.
This was pended on the August 2006 LoAR; we note that the documentation for this submission can be found on that Letter of Pends and Discussion (LoPaD).
Many commenters originally noted that this should be returned for lack of identifiability of the raven (due to poor contrast) and for violating RfS VIII.2.b - Contrast Requirements. While we sympathize with those commenters, this motif was submitted under RfS VIII.6.b - Documented Exceptions - Regional Style. When supported by documentation, the regional style exception allows the registration of motifs that would otherwise violate our rules. In this case, evidence was presented for the use of complex dark or sable charges on azure fields; for green trimounts, mounts, or bases with azure fields, some with dark or sable charges standing on them; for light-colored peripheral stars, often accompanying otherwise low-contrast designs; and for the use of all three design elements together. This meets the requirements of RfS VIII.6.b.
Submitted as Wystan Healfdene, the name combines a Middle English given name and an Old English second name. However, no documentation was submitted and none found to suggest that unmarked patronymics were used in Old English. Although the submitter indicated he would not accept major changes, correspondance with the submitter revealed he was willing to accept a fully Middle English form in order to make the name registerable. We have changed the name to Wystan Haldane in order to register it; Haldane is dated to 1208 in Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames, s.n. Haldane.
Nice armory.
As part of Lesotho's 40th anniversary of independence, 4 October 2006, they adopted a new flag. Their prior flag, Per bend sinister argent and vert, a bend sinister azure, in dexter chief a spear and a round-headed mace in saltire surmounted by a plant pod, all surmounted by a Basotho shield brown, continues to be protected.
This was the flag of Lesotho from 1966 to 1987. The flag currently protected, Per bend sinister argent and vert, a bend sinister azure, in dexter chief a spear and a round-headed mace in saltire surmounted by a plant pod, all surmounted by a Basotho shield brown, continues to be protected.
The protection afforded the symbol of the International Red Crystal by international treaty and by national laws is at a much higher level than simple copyright or trademark. By treaty, the symbol of the Red Crystal has the same protection as the symbols of the Red Cross and of the Red Crescent. The consensus of the College of Arms was that the Red Crystal does need to be restricted in accordance with these treaties and laws. We believe that the symbol of the Red Crystal should be protected to the same extent as the symbols of the Red Cross and Red Crescent are protected. Thus, at this time, we are adding to the list of restricted charges the Red Crystal, "A single gules mascle on any argent background or in any way that could be displayed on an argent background (such as a fieldless badge)". The use of multiple gules mascles may be returned on a case-by-case basis if their placement or usage appears too evocative of the symbol of the Red Crystal.
Nice 15th C Swedish name!
This device is clear of the device for Michael Robertson, Or, a cross formy fitchy and on a chief sable, two wolves heads erased Or. There is a CD for the changes to the tertiary charges and another for the difference between a cross formy and a key cross.
This name mixes Old English and Old Norse; this is one step from period practice. If the submitter is interested in a fully Old Norse form, we suggest Hálfdan westfara. The name Hálfdan is found in kafli 96 of the Landnámabók.
Nice armory.
This device is clear of the badge for Brian ua Brénainn, Per pale gules and sable, a goose's head erased, a bordure argent. There is a CD between eagle's head and goose's head and another CD for changes to the field.
This device is also clear of the badge for Frederick Tinamou the Untamed, Gules, a bald eagle's head and shoulders issuant from base argent sustaining in its beak a sword inverted bendwise sable, reblazoned elsewhere in this letter. There is CD for adding the bordure. The sword in Frederick's badge is not really in a blazonable position, but it large enough to be considered a co-primary. Removing the sword grants the second CD.
This name mixes English and Spanish; this is one step from period practice.
Registered in February 1985 with the blazon Argent, a three-horned chameleon statant to sinister vert on a branch bendwise sinister throughout proper. [Chamaeleo Jacksoni], the chameleon and the branch are co-primary charges. We have dropped the Linnean description, in accordance with current SCA heraldic practice.
Registered in July 2004 with the blazon Per pale azure and gules, two panthers addorsed heads addorsed argent and a chief embattled Or, the cats lack the spots of heraldic panthers. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
Submitted under the name Katherine of the Wode, that name was returned on the September 2006 LoAR.
Registered in January 2004 with the blazon Argent, in pale two Continental panthers rampant sable between flaunches vert, the tincture of the incensing was omitted.
The submitter requested a feminine name, but the given name Vyvian was only documented as a masculine name. However, there are many English names where both sexes uses the same spelling. While we have no examples of this name used that way, there is no reason to believe it could not have been so used.
Registered in April 1994 with the blazon Argent, two panthers rampant addorsed regardant tails entwined sable incensed gules within a bordure embattled sable platy the cats lack the spots of heraldic panthers. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
Registered in July 1989 with the blazon Per pale engrailed sable and argent, an eagle's head erased and a thistle, slipped and leaved, counterchanged, the line of division is invected, not engrailed. Please see the Cover Letter for a discussion on engrailed and invected for various field divisions.
Registered in April 1994 with the blazon Ermine, a winged panther rampant regardant sable bezanty incensed proper, the panther is a Continental, not an English, panther. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
Registered in August 1984 with the blazon Azure estencelé Or, a panther passant facing dexter argent gorged with a ducal coronet Or, the cat lacks the spots of an heraldic panther. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
This was pended on the August 2006 LoAR.
The submitter requested an authentic 15th C name. While the given name is a lovely 15th C German name, the byname is an SCA group name. We cannot make this combination authentic as requested. If the submitter is interested in a 15th C German name, the standard reference works for German names, Bahlow/Gentry German Names and Brechenmacher, Etymologisches Woerterbuch der deutschen Familiennamen, contain a number of surnames and bynames dated to the 15th C.
Please advise the submitter to draw fewer gouttes.
Registered in November 2003 with the blazon Argent, a bend sinister cotised gules and overall a panther's head facing dexter erased sable incensed gules, the cat lacks the spots of an heraldic panther. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
Submitted under the name Karel Van Eikenweiden.
The LoI provided only the source and page number as documentation for the name Sorcha. Such information is almost never sufficient documentation; in almost all cases it is also necessary to summarize what the source says about the name. Had the commenters not provided the missing information, we would have been forced to return this name.
Please advise the submitter to draw the chief wider.
Please advise the submitter to draw the bordure wider.
This name mixes English and Old Norse; this is one step from period practice. If the submitter is interested in a fully Old Norse form of this name, we suggest Úlfr inn hugprúði. Haraldson, The Old Norse Name, p. 15 lists Úlfr.
The use of a paw print is a step from period practice.
This is clear of the Emperor of Japan (important non-SCA mon), Dark, a sixteen-petalled chrysanthemum light. There is a CD for the difference between tinctured and tinctureless, and another for adding the chevron.
This was pended on the August 2006 LoAR.
Registered in April 1999 with the blazon (Fieldless) A panther's face argent enflamed proper, jessant of a cross crosslet fitchy sable, the cat lacks the spots of an heraldic panther. We have reblazoned the cat as a natural panther instead of an ounce to retain the cant. The panther is not really incensed as the flames are coming from its ears and nose; it is not breathing flames. Please see the November 2006 Cover Letter for a discussion on the difference between English, Continental, and natural panthers.
Registered September 1990 with the blazon Argent, three holly leaves vert stems conjoined and issuant in base from six torteaux conjoined three, two and one, the blazon did not clearly indicate that the torteaux are co-primary charges, nor did it describe the orientation of the holly leaves. We have corrected these omissions.
Registered March 1975 with the blazon Azure, a dragon forcene affronty, wings semidisplayed Or, a chief ermine, we have reblazoned the device to clarify the dragon's posture.
Registered in November 1979 with the blazon Azure, on a pile inverted argent a swan affrontée, wings addorsed, head to sinister, sable, it is currently listed in the O&A as a device with the note "should have been changed/released?". While we agree that this most likely should have been released, we are reluctant to do so at this late date without Rowena's permission. We have therefore redesignated it as a badge and reblazoned it to clarify the posture of the swan. This blazon is similar to that of her device, which was registered in May 1980, Azure, on a pile inverted throughout between two fleur-de-lis argent a swan naiant affrontée, wings elevated and addorsed, head to sinister, sable. The swan is identical in both pieces of armory.
- Explicit littera accipendorum -
This device is returned for violating the "sword-and-dagger" rule. The use of both a goose and ducks on the same device leads the eyes to be confused by the almost-but-not-quite-identical charges into thinking that this is three ducks, or three geese. Whether or not the use of similar charges as primary charges and tertiary charges creates is permissible led to much discussion. The original precedent, from the September 1993 Cover Letter states:
If two charges are artistically distinct, but heraldically identical, they should not be used in the same armory.
The reason for this is the raison d'etre of heraldry: instant identification. When the eye first sees a design such as, say, Sable, two lions and a Bengal tiger Or, it will be fooled for a moment into seeing three lions, or three tigers. There'll be a moment of confusion until the eye sorts out the almost-but-not-quite-identical charges... and that confusion is exactly what we try to avoid.
The charges, be it noted, need not be in a single group for confusion to arise. Sable, a sword between three daggers argent will suffer the same lack of ready identifiability, despite the sword being primary and the daggers being secondary. Nor need the charges necessarily be "artistic variants" of one another, although that is the most common application of the rule: any too [sic] charges that are visually indistinct may run afoul of this policy (for instance, Sable, in pale a horseshoe and a torc Or). In general, if there's a CD of difference between the charges, the "sword-dagger" ruling won't apply; less than that, and one takes one's chances.
This precedent was partially overturned in February 2003:
Geneviève de Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Device. Purpure, a sun Or eclipsed by a moon in her plenitude azure and on a chief Or three compass stars azure.
It is acceptable for charges on charges to be a close variant of charges on the field. This sort of design does not run afoul of the design strictures colloquially known as the "sword and dagger" problem:
[...on a chevron between three hearts argent three hearts sable] There is no problem with having the same type of charge as both secondaries and tertiaries. Submissions are only returned if the same type of charge is used as primary and secondary charges. (LoAR September 1999.)
While it is acceptable to use the same charge as both a primary (or secondary) charge and a tertiary charge, using a similar charge is not acceptable for exactly the reasons discussed in the September 1993 Cover Letter. We hereby overturn the February 2003 precedent and restore the September 1993 precedent. Due to the armorial identification problems caused by using similar but not identical charges in two different charge groups, this practice is no longer allowed. The use of identical charges as both a primary (or secondary) charge and a tertiary charge is allowed.
While the depicted furisons (fire-steels) are period artifacts, they do not resemble the heraldic furison nor are they recognizable as furisons. Therefore this must be returned for lack of identifiability.
This device is returned for redesign; the thistle violates RfS VIII.3 as it is not identifiable. We do not believe that this arrangement of charges can be emblazoned so that all of the charges maintain their identifiability.
None.
This name does not follow documented patterns of period order names. The submission was documented as following the pattern "basing a name on Things". However, this pattern is very specifically names based on heraldic charges. While a tree eradicated has its root system showing, there are no examples of just a generic "root" in period heraldry, nor is there a unique period depiction thereof that can be used to justify the charge as following period patterns of heraldic charges. Without meeting one of these two criteria, such a heraldic charge cannot be registered. If a charge cannot be registered, its name cannot be used to justify an order name using the pattern heraldic charge.
This badge is returned for lack of identifiability. The roots are detached from the palm trees, making them impossible to identify as roots. The palm trees do not resemble palm trees - the "leaves" are drawn incorrectly. While the barony has other armory with crossed palms, those trees do not resemble the trees in this submission; thus the style of the palm trees is not grandfathered to the barony.
This badge is returned for lack of identifiability. The palm trees do not resemble palm trees - the "leaves" are drawn incorrectly. While the barony has other armory with crossed palms, those trees do not resemble the trees in this submission; thus the style of the palm trees is not grandfathered to the barony. We note that the palm frond is clearly from a palm tree, but that it could not have come from one of these trees depicted in this emblazon.
No documentation was submitted and none found to suggest that Dasha or Dascha was a feminine given name in period. The name Dasha is documented in 1633 as a masculine name in Wickenden, A Dictionary of Period Russian Names s.n. Dasha, but there is no evidence that it was used in period as a feminine name. The name Dascha is documented only as a modern feminine diminutive of Daria. The submitter argues that Dascha is an alternative transliteration of Dasha, but this is not the case. The letter transliterated as sh in Dasha is shah, while the letter transliterated as sch in Dascha is schyah. The two Cyrillic letters are almost identical in appearance but are distinct letters with distinct pronunciations and transliterations. Barring documentation that the name Dascha is found in period, it is not registerable. Barring documentation for Dasha as a feminine given name in period, it is not registerable in a name that is otherwise feminine in grammar. We would change the name to a masculine form, Dasha Alexandrov Rostov, in order to register it, but the submitter will not accept changes.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Marusha Ivoninskoi, Azure, a pale raguly argent between a pair of wings Or. There is a single CD for changing the secondary charges.
Blazoned on the LoI as a pall, as most of the commenters noted, the primary charge is actually a pale.
This badge is returned for style problems. As Batonvert noted: "This is essentially a 'yin-yang' symbol with Stars of David replacing the roundels. And the yin-yang symbol isn't really heraldic, nor blazonable in standard heraldic terms (if it were, we wouldn't have to call it a 'yin-yang symbol' in blazons). In fess puts the Stars of David along the horizontal axis, which only a non-period counter-embowed line makes possible." The design depends on very careful drawing of the line of division, making it unlikely that the emblazon will be recreated from the blazon. This is itself sufficient grounds for return.
Conflict with Marina de Valencia, registered October 2005. The names are too close in appearance.
The name Clockmakers' Guild is a generic identifier. The December 2002 cover letter provides this definition of a generic identifier: "Names that fall into the generic identifier category are names that would reasonably be used by more than one branch for common functions of the branch." While this name was submitted by an individual instead of a branch, it is the type of identifier that would reasonably be used by more than one entity to designate a clockmakers guild. Therefore, we will decline to register it. Although generic identifiers have, in the past, been used only by branches, we see no reason why individuals cannot also be allowed designate such identifiers for badges.
Submitted as Clockmakers' Guild, the apostrophe was not used in genitive forms in English until after period. The Oxford English Dictionary says its use was "not yet established in 1725." While the identifier is generic, and, therefore not registerable, it still should follow period forms if it is to be listed in the Armorial. The badge, if it passes, will be associated with the generic identifier Clockmakers Guild.
Conflict with the character Sébastien de Valmont in the popular play and movie Dangerous Liasons. The theatrical phenomena of Dangerous Liasons and the recognizability of its main male villain means that the character is worthy of protection. While it is unclear whether Sebastien is the given name of the character in the original novel, the popular adaptations make the form with this given name worthy of protection.
This device is return for conflict with the device of Ella Anne de Kari, Per chevron throughout azure gouty d'eau and argent, in base a seeblatt purpure, which was registered in February 2007. Considering Ella's device as Azure gouty d'eau, on a pile inverted argent, a seeblatt purpure, there is a single CD for the changes to the tertiary charges.
This device also conflicts with the badge for Rowena d'Anjou, Azure, on a pile inverted argent a swan naiant affronty, wings elevated and addorsed, head to sinister sable, which is reblazoned elsewhere on the letter. There is a CD for adding the gouttes but nothing for changing only the posture of the tertiary charge.
This badge is returned for conflict with device for Leofua of Thornridge, Gules, on a bezant, a leopard leaping bendwise sinister, head to base, sable, with a single CD for the changes to the tertiary charge.
This device is returned for a redraw; the chevron cannot be counterchanged over the chaussé portion of the field. While you can blazon your way out of a style problem, this particular emblazon cannot be reblazoned as a pile because it issues from the corners of the chief. A correctly drawn field with a pile would allow the chevron to be counterchanged.
This device is returned for conflict with the device for James Sparhawke, Sable, two compass stars elongated to base and a hawk striking all within a bordure Or. There is a CD for changing half the charges (the bottommost sun to a hawk), but that is the only difference.
This device is returned for a redraw. The low contrast between the wooden boat and the azure base make it impossible at any distance to identify the line of division as wavy. Since the line of division cannot be identified, this must be returned.
While the use of a chief of Scotland's flag caused concern among some comments, its use is allowed under our current rules.
The name Madinia is a unique name born by one of the daughters of John Dee, the Elizabethan mathematician and astronomer. This daughter was named after her father's spirit familiar. We have no other examples of ordinary humans bearing this name, and we have no general pattern in English naming practices of naming children for communicative spirits. As a unique name, Madinia is not registerable. We cannot just drop this element to make the name registerable, because a registerable name must contain a given name.
There is also a problem with the byname phrase Devereaux inghean uí Thuathail. Rowel explains:
The real problem with the submitted form of this name is that the construction says that her father's surname was <Devereaux> and that her father's surname was <Ó Tuathail>. Both cannot be true at the same time.
Finally, no documentation was submitted and none found for the spelling Devereaux in period. However, we do have similar spellings. The name Devereux is born by the Earl of Essex, Robert Devereux, who lived from 1567-1601. This spelling is found in several publications in the grey area, including a broadsheet published in 1635 titled A lamentable ditty composed vpon the death of Robert Lord Devereux, late earle of Essex who was beheaded in the Tower of London, on Ashwenesday in the morning, 1600. To the tune of Welladay.. If the submitter resubmits a name using this element, we suggest the spelling Devereux.
This device is returned for conflict with the device for Constanza de Mendoza, Vert, a sun within an orle Or; there is a single CD for changing the number of suns. It also conflicts with the device for Jora in Irska, Vert, six suns and a bordure Or, with a single CD for changing the bordure to an orle.
Her badge was registered under the holding name Marsha of Ealdormere.
This device is returned as the dragon is not in a blazonable posture. In addition, this device is returned for being two steps from period practice. Laurel has previously ruled:
[an Oriental dragon tergiant embowed-counterembowed] An Oriental dragon in this posture is a weirdness, as it combines a monster not found in period heraldry with a posture not found for similar monsters in period heraldry. Such a combination is well beyond period practice. [Richard of Wyvernwood, 04/02, A-Trimaris]
We note that an Oriental dragon embowed-counterembowed is likely to be registerable, assuming it is correctly drawn and that the dragon maintains its identifiability.
Blazoned on the LoI as Or, 'Je me souviens' between two scarpes engrailed on the outer edge between two fleurs-de-lys within a bordure engrailed sable, that blazon, while technically valid, neither represents the visual reality of the emblazon nor reflects period style. For these reasons, we do not consider it a valid alternate blazon. As is made clear in the blazon above, this appears to be four layers (field, bend sinister, scarpe, words), which is sufficient cause for return.
There was some discussion if the use of the phrase "Je me souvienes" ("I remember") was presumptuous as this is the official motto of Quebec. Unlike many official mottos, this is widely used and appears on many items, including Quebec license plates. At this time we decline to rule on the issue. If this is resubmitted with the phrase "Je me souviens", the submitter should be prepared to argue why it should not be considered presumptuous.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Elizabeth Amy Godwin, Or, a compass star gules and a gore sinister sable, with a single CD for changing the type of the secondary charge.
The submitted device does not conflict with the device of Etienne d'Argent, Or, a mullet of twelve points pierced gules, a chief triangular sable. The piercing of the mullet is equivalent to adding a tertiary charge (an Or roundel) and thus there is a CD for removing the tertiary charge. There is a second CD for changing the type of the secondary charge from a chief to a Chinese dragon.
The primary charge in this device is the rooster; the pallets form one secondary charge group and the bezants another secondary charge group. This must be returned for fimbriating the pallets; secondary charges may not be fimbriated. The Rules for Submission (RfS VIII.3) state "Voiding and fimbriation may only be used with simple geometric charges placed in the center of the design." As secondary charges, the pallets do not meet the requirements of this rule.
This device is returned for non-period style of the annulets. An annulet engrailed would have the points of the interior and exterior lines pointing in opposite directions. As drawn, the charges are not recognizable as annulets or any other heraldic charge.
None.
This device is returned for a redraw of the line of division; the wavy is so shallow that it is not recognizable. Even given the more shallow forms of wavy that we have registered recently, this is still too shallow.
Conflict with the 16th C general, ruler, and master politician, Alessandro Faranese, who is known in many modern popular texts as Alexander of Parma or Alessandro of Parma. According to "Britannica Online", he was regent of the Netherlands for Philip II of Spain from 1573-1592. The same article states, "His great achievement was the restoration of Spanish rule in the southern provinces and the secure perpetuation of Roman Catholicism there." He is an important figure of his time and worthy of protection. As we protect important historical figures under all the names by which they are commonly known, including modern forms, the name Alessandro da Parma is also protected.
None.
This device is returned for redraw; the wavy lines on the fountains are too shallow.
No documentation was submitted and none found to suggest that Eikenweiden follows a pattern for Dutch placenames in period, or that the submitted spelling is consistent with period Dutch forms. We have found no period examples of Dutch placenames that use either eiken- or -weiden, nor have we found any compound placenames using any form of eiken-. If the submitter is interested in a name meaning "Oak" we suggest van Eyck. This surname is found in Aryanhwy merch Catmael, "15th C Dutch Surnames" (http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/dutch/dutch15.html.
His device has been registered under the holding name Karel of Silfren Mere.
Aural conflict with Eoin Cerd, registered August 1996. The only difference in sound is the consonant at the end of the byname.
This order name conflicts with the Order of the Guardians of Atenveldt. The summarization of documentation states "Fontaine, as the name of the Barony, should satisfy the placename standard." While Fontaine is not the full name of the Barony, and the group has documented Fontaine as a mundane placename, the combination of the main descriptive element of the barony's name in an Order name with ownership by the barony makes it impossible to view this placename as referring to anyplace but the Barony of Fontaine dans Sable. This name should be registerable with a letter of permission to conflict from the Kingdom of Atenveldt.
This name does not follow meta-patterns of period order names. The documentation defines sprite as a disembodied spirit or ghost. This is not an object of religious veneration, a saint's name, a heraldic charge, a placename, or a virtue. Because it does not match any of these meta-patterns, this name is not registerable.
None.
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
Blazoned on the LoI as Sable, on a saltire nowy quadrate argent, a cogwheel vert, the saltire is not nowy quadrate: the central rhombus is neither square (the literal meaning of quadrate) nor has sides parallel to the arms of the saltire (a not-uncommon rendition of the motif)As the presence of an overall charge significantly changes potential conflict calls, and because commenters did not indicate that they had conflict checked under this interpretation, the badge is pended for further conflict checking.
If registered, this badge is to be associated with the generic identifier Clockmakers Guild.
This was item 14 on the Atlantia letter of November 27, 2006.
This name combines the Occitan spelling Adhemar with the German locative byname von Kempten. However, no documentation was submitted and none provided by the commenters discussing the sorts of linguistic and culture contact these regions may have had in period. This combination has not yet been ruled on. Therefore, we are pending this item to allow the commenters to discuss whether there is sufficient contact between Occitan speaking regions and German speaking regions for this combination to be registerable. We note that this name is registerable in some form, possibly in the submitted mixed Occitan/German, but definitely in a fully German form. We note that Bahlow/Gentry, German Names, s.n. Almer, gives Adal-mer as the etymology for the name and lists as Almarus in 1300, and Brechenmacher, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der Deutschen Familiennamen, s.n. Almer, has Almar in 1359 and Almer as a surname in 1410.
His device has been registered under the holding name Michael of Eisental.
This was item 1 on the East letter of November 22, 2006.
- Explicit -
Created at 2007-06-19T00:30:02