Society for Creative Anachronism
College of Arms
601 S Washington
Stillwater, OK 74074
+1 405 428 3662
laurel@heraldry.sca.org
For the February 2017 meetings, printed April 22, 2017
To all the College of Arms and all others who may read this missive, from Emma Laurel, Andrewe Laurel Emeritus, Alys Pelican, Brunissende outgoing-Wreath, and Cormac incoming-Wreath greetings.
Items listed below in square brackets have not been scheduled yet. For information about future scheduling, please review the status table located on the Web at http://oscar.sca.org/index.php?action=137.
The February Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, February 19, 2017 and the Wreath meeting held on Saturday, February 18, 2017 and Sunday, February 26, 2017. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: West (16 Nov, 2016), Ansteorra (25 Nov, 2016), Ealdormere (27 Nov, 2016), Laurel LoPaD (27 Nov, 2016), Atlantia (29 Nov, 2016), Middle (29 Nov, 2016), Outlands (29 Nov, 2016), Æthelmearc (30 Nov, 2016), An Tir (30 Nov, 2016), Avacal (30 Nov, 2016), Caid (30 Nov, 2016), Calontir (30 Nov, 2016), Drachenwald (30 Nov, 2016), East (30 Nov, 2016), Lochac (30 Nov, 2016), Meridies (30 Nov, 2016), Middle (30 Nov, 2016), Northshield (30 Nov, 2016), and Trimaris (30 Nov, 2016).  All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Tuesday, January 31, 2017.
The March Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, March 12, 2017 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, March 12, 2017 and Sunday, March 19, 2017. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Atenveldt (30 Nov, 2016) (pushed due to late packet upload), Gleann Abhann (01 Dec, 2016), Æthelmearc (05 Dec, 2016), Palimpsest Rules Letter (16 Oct, 2016), Palimpsest Rules Letter (11 Dec, 2016), Æthelmearc (18 Dec, 2016), Atenveldt (25 Dec, 2016), Artemisia (26 Dec, 2016), Ealdormere (26 Dec, 2016), Atlantia (27 Dec, 2016), Northshield (27 Dec, 2016), Northshield (28 Dec, 2016), Outlands (28 Dec, 2016), Atlantia (30 Dec, 2016), An Tir (31 Dec, 2016), Avacal (31 Dec, 2016), Caid (31 Dec, 2016), Drachenwald (31 Dec, 2016), East (31 Dec, 2016), Lochac (31 Dec, 2016), and Meridies (31 Dec, 2016).  All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Tuesday, February 28, 2017.
The April Laurel decisions will be made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, April 9, 2017 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, April 16, 2017 and Sunday, April 23, 2017. These meetings will consider the following letters of intent: Calontir (02 Jan, 2017), Laurel LoPaD (09 Jan, 2017), West (13 Jan, 2017), West (14 Jan, 2017), Outlands (23 Jan, 2017), Atenveldt (26 Jan, 2017), Ealdormere (29 Jan, 2017), Artemisia (30 Jan, 2017), Laurel LoPaD (30 Jan, 2017), An Tir (31 Jan, 2017), Ansteorra (31 Jan, 2017), Atlantia (31 Jan, 2017), Avacal (31 Jan, 2017), Caid (31 Jan, 2017), Calontir (31 Jan, 2017), Drachenwald (31 Jan, 2017), East (31 Jan, 2017), Lochac (31 Jan, 2017), Meridies (31 Jan, 2017), Northshield (31 Jan, 2017), and Trimaris (31 Jan, 2017).  All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Friday, March 31, 2017.
The May Laurel decisions will be made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, May 21, 2017 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, May 14, 2017 and Sunday, May 21, 2017. These meetings will consider the following letters of intent: Middle (30 Jan, 2017) (pushed due to no packet), Gleann Abhann (01 Feb, 2017), Palimpsest Rules Letter (19 Feb, 2017), Outlands (23 Feb, 2017), Ealdormere (25 Feb, 2017), Æthelmearc (27 Feb, 2017), Artemisia (27 Feb, 2017), An Tir (28 Feb, 2017), Atlantia (28 Feb, 2017), Avacal (28 Feb, 2017), Calontir (28 Feb, 2017), Drachenwald (28 Feb, 2017), East (28 Feb, 2017), Gleann Abhann (28 Feb, 2017), Lochac (28 Feb, 2017), Meridies (28 Feb, 2017), and Northshield (28 Feb, 2017).  All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should be entered into OSCAR by Sunday, April 30, 2017.
Not all letters of intent may be considered when they are originally scheduled on this cover letter. The date of posting of the LoI, date of receipt of the Laurel packet, or other factors may delay consideration of certain letters of intent. Additionally, some letters of intent received may not have been scheduled because the administrative requirements (receipt of the forms packet, receipt of the necessary fees, et cetera) have not yet been met.
REMINDER: Until all administrative requirements are met, the letter may not be scheduled.
From Laurel Emeritus: So Long and Thanks for all the Fish!
This is not an easy message to write, so I will cut to the chase. My resignation has been tendered to the Board effective November 30th, 2016.
During a particularly trying time in my life, I experienced a membership lapse which went undetected until recently. Upon realizing my membership had lapsed, I notified the Board, and ultimately they accepted my resignation effective as of the above date. I am extremely grateful for the Board, and everything they have done. They have been a pleasure to work for, representing and guiding the College these last few years. The situation with the lapsed membership was unfortunate, but the lesson learned for me is the value of honesty. I have chosen to write this missive in an effort to fill in the gaps for all of you, so that you can understand what has happened, and why. It would have been easier to step away without explanation, but that is not the right thing to do.
I will not be attending Known World Heraldic, but will ensure the office regalia is passed on to Magistra Emma, who will shortly be confirmed as Laurel. Emma has been my ER deputy since I stepped up back in 2014, and has been dialed in with all key decisions, and actively a part of the CoA leadership since before my lapse.
I have greatly enjoyed my time as Laurel and while I regret that it has come to an end this way, I look forward to my next adventure.
You have all been very dear to me and it was an honor and a privilege to represent you.
I remain your servant,
Andrewe
 Laurel Emeritus
From Laurel: Uh, Hi!
As you will have already read, Andrewe has honorably resigned as Laurel. With the Board's blessing, I have stepped in and been warranted as Laurel, to serve out the duration of his tenure. For those who don't know me, I am Emma de Fetherstan, Temperaunce Herald; I was Andrewe's ER deputy, and prior to that served as Wreath, sometimes also acting as ER to Gabriel when he was Laurel. I will be retaining the duties of postmeeting and errata clerk because I clearly need more to do.
Levity aside, I wish to thank Andrewe for the service he's provided to the College of Arms, and to thank him for his trust in letting me stick around behind the scenes when he first became Laurel. This fortunately ensures a smooth transition, as abrupt as it may seem.
As was announced last month, we have two positions that are actively seeking applications. The Sign Herald deputy is accepting applications at laurel@heraldry.sca.org until May 31, 2017. Resumes for Laurel Sovereign of Arms must be sent in both hardcopy and electronically:
Laurel Resume, SCA Inc., Box 360789, Milpitas CA 95036
resumes@sca.org and bids@heraldry.sca.org
Bids for Laurel must be received by July 31, 2017.
In service,
 Emma Laurel
From Wreath(s): Beginning the Transition
As was announced last month, and confirmed this month, the next Wreath King of Arms will be Cormac Mor, with the official change to happen at Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium in Meridies.
This month, we have started to split the decisions. Cormac Mor made the armory decisions for the kingdoms of Æthelmearc, Atlantia, East and Middle. Brunissende Dragonette made the armory decisions for the kingdoms of An Tir, Ansteorra, Avacal, Caid, Calontir, Drachenwald, Ealdormere, Lochac, Meridies, Northshield, Outlands, Trimaris and West.
From Incoming Wreath: On Inverted Reremice
The device submission of Hallveig Alfarinsdóttir, Argent, a reremouse inverted sable maintaining in its feet a spear fesswise point to dexter and on a chief azure a crescent in sinister Or brought an inconsistency in precedents regarding inverted animate charges to light.
Recent precedent states that "there is a step from period practice for the use of a reremouse inverted." (Emelyn de Chelseye, 3/2010). However, this is at odds with the long-standing and oft-reiterated precedent that states "We do not allow inverted animate charges in SCA heraldry except when in recognized orientation, such as in annulo. (Daibhidh MacRaibert, 2/1999, upheld 6/2016)"
To resolve the conflict between precedents, as of September 2017 reremice inverted in any posture will no longer be registerable.
Society Pages
On March 16, 2017, at Gulf Wars, Colm Dubh, Black Dove Herald, was made a Baron of the Court by TRM Trimaris, Sibilla and Ari.
On the same day at Gulf Wars, Bran Finn, Diamond Principal Herald of Gleann Abhann, named Brigit Olesdottir of Loch Ree a Herald Extraordinary posthumously. Brigit had herself once been Diamond and had done much work for the kingdom.
On March 29, 2017, Jere Fleck, better known to heralds as Geirr Bassi Haraldsson, passed away just shy of his 82nd birthday. His name will not be soon forgotten.
Please send information about happenings to major heralds and major happenings to all heralds to Laurel, so that it can be published here.
Send What to Whom
Letters of Intent, Comment, Response, Correction, et cetera are to be posted to the OSCAR online system. No paper copies need be sent. All submission forms plus documentation, including petitions, must be posted to the OSCAR online system. While black-and-white emblazons must be included in the Letter of Intent, only colored armory forms need to be posted in the forms area.
Cheques or money orders for submissions, payable to "SCA Inc.-College of Arms" are to be sent to  Stephanie Ray-Solum, Blue Bug Bookkeeping, 2144 Westlake Ave. North Suite F Seattle, WA 98109.
Send roster changes and corrections to Laurel. College of Arms members may also request a copy of the current roster from Laurel.
For a paper copy of a LoAR, please contact Laurel, at the address above. The cost for one LoAR is $3. Please make all checks or money orders payable to "SCA Inc.-College of Arms". The electronic copy of the LoAR is available free of charge. To subscribe to the mailings of the electronic copy, please see the bottom of http://heraldry.sca.org/heraldry/lists.html#lists for more instructions.
For all administrative matters, please contact Laurel.
Pray know that I remain,
In service,
Emma de Fetherstan
Laurel Queen of Arms