Report of the Meeting of the College of Heralds at Hightower, 1 January 1971.
There were present:
The Lord Laurel King of Arms; the Lord Clarion Herald; the Lady Banner Herald; the Seraphim Pursuivant Sárkányi Gérö Gyula; and Boncueur de Myrobolan, Pursuivant Extraordinary and note-taker.
* It was decided to raise the cut-off date for the period approved by the College from 1450 to 1485, the date of the end of the Plantagenet line in England considered as marking the end of the Middle Ages in that country.
* It was decided to reserve the use of the cap of maintenance to the corporate arms of the Board of Directors and other Society and Kingdom bodies (the various Colleges and Offices, &c.)
The following applications for registration of devices were acted upon:
* 1. Patrick of Loch Mer: Gules, upon a chevron argent a morningstar chevronwise sable.
* 2. James de Saint-Germain: Azure, upon a chevron argent beneath a paraclete descending proper, three Latin crosses sable.
* 3. Estienne des Estoiles: Sable, a bendlet enhanced argent between in chief three stars with four greater rays and centre [O]r and four lesser rays argent, and in base an astrolabe [O]r.
* 4. Sten av Norden: Per chevron sable and argent, in chief an estoile [O]r.
* 1. Christopher the Fair: resembles an ensign of Hungary with an augmentation of honour. Sent letter #2 suggesting: Quarterly [O]r and gules, a cross azure throughout.
* 2. Gwydion Pendderwen: Too cluttered. Sent letter #2 suggesting he drop the oak twigs and the crescent and retain: Argent. upon a pale vert three acorns [O]r. But if he really wants the crescent, we shall allow it.
* 3. William of Sachalcros: Arms and crest copied from the Scotch family of Welch. Plagiarism. Sent letter #2 suggesting he redesign from the ground up.
* 1. The emblem of a bear statant was registered to Sir Caradoc ap Cador.
* 2. The emblem of a grape-leaf and tendril was registered to Sir Bela of Eastmarch.
* 3. The Artisans' Guild submitted a design for a badge to be registered by the College. The Iord Laurel dictated a letter in reply, stating that, as the College had been given to understand that the Guild is not a part of the Society, the proposed device was not subject to the jurisdiction of the College. See copy of letter in files.
* 1. The Barony of Madrone: Sable, upon a pile argent a Madrone tree proper [stalked and limbed gules, foliated vert]; in base a laurel wreath or.
* 2. Jo Anne Blue: Per pale azure and ermine. Rated a BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE and awarded ten Brownie points.
* 1. Friedrich von Rheinhausen: Argent, an eagle displayed vert. (Seraphim Pursuivant agreed to accept it without kleestengel after long discussion thereupon. Clarion: "We don't like it." S.P.: "Ignorant barbarians.")
* 2. Charles Edward Alexander of Everman: Ermine, a unicorn forcene sable, armed crined unguled and tufted on the hocks gules.
* 1. Ioseph the Rhymer: Vert, a tree eradicated argent. Rated a Beautiful Example and awarded ten Brownie points.
* 1. Robert Roundpounder: A white cross on red field is too similar to Switzerland. Also the flaming sword thereupon is busy.
* 2. Arthur of Lockhaven: Lanthorn as described not in period. Sent #2 suggesting use of lamp, torch, etc.
* 3. Angela of the Meadows: Present device on file is cluttered & bears an inéscutcheon (inadmissible.) In principle a #2 should be sent. Clarion however said that at Westercon in July 1970 Angela had talked with him about submitting a completely different design; but she has not yet sent it in. It was therefore decided to write her a letter about this.
The following submissions were not accompanied by the $1.00 filing fee, and so were held over until fee is received:
Robert the Blind
Terrance Corflu
Woodford of Lorién
Anne Tannith Court
Gareth of Moore
Eideard Slaightear Feusagach (Edward the Bearded Rascal)
Rodric the Sly
Ishmael Daood
Solomon the Black Wizard
Eilidh na Caitich
* At this time Boncueur read a letter from Ioseph asking for information on the status of the applications submitted some time ago by himself, Charles of the J.A.C.s, Robert Roundpounder, Arthur Of Lockhaven, Ivan of Navarette, and William of the Shire; saying that all these have in the mean time been knighted or made masters in Atenveldt and would like to know what has happened to their arms? The following was ascertained:
1. Ioseph's arms were approved at this meeting.
2. Charles had been approved and sent a #3 on 30 May 1970 (attest: the carbon-copy in his file folder); it had apparently never reached him. A duplicate #3 was to be sent to him.
3. Robert Roundpounder and Arthur of Lockhaven had been "Filed until further action" in May; no further action seems to have been taken. At this meeting their arms were considered and disapproved.
4. NO folders could be found in the files for Ivan of Navarette and William of the Shire. It was decided to ask the Lady Dorothea of Paravel to research the minutes of previous meetings in order to find some mention of these two.
* In addition, Ioseph wrote:
"Michael of Moria's device/Arms, as registered, are improper. Please advise on acceptable changes. He plans to appeal to the Lord Laurel for an exception (His saltorel is pean — or to bring it in line with Society practice, gutte d'or — but he refuses to change it.)"
The Lord Laurel said that (1) pean was not a fur allowed by the College; (2) Moria could have no exceptions; (3) he would write a personal letter to Moria.
* In addition, Ioseph asked the College to hold up the current registration for Rodema de Rohan, who has changed her mind and will presently submit a new design. A "hold" notice was accordingly placed in her file.
* In addition, Ioseph wrote:
"When you register a device from Atenveldt, PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER IT IF IT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ARMS, unless specified on the form that this will not be used for arms."
He had explained to Boncueur on the farspeaker that he is trying to inaugurate a policy in Atenvelt that devices as well as arms must be heraldically correct, & desires the College's cooperation in enforcing this policy.
It was declared that this is and has consistently been the College's position; that few exceptions are granted, save occasionally for ladies who (a) indicate they will not attempt to do anything for which they might be rewarded with arms and (b) do not appear upon the fighting field.
* 1. Richard the Mild and Sigurd Svensson were not acted upon, as it was determined their applications had previously been held up pending some sort of action; but no-one could remember what action had been intended to be taken. It was determined to ask the Lady Dorothea of Paravel to research the minutes of past meetings to find out if possible what action was to have been taken.
* 2. Geoffrey of Northaven was granted permission to bear Azure, a saltire engrailed ermine between four spur-rowels [O]r, provided that (a) he obtain from Sir Bela in writing permission to do so, and (b) he submit a sketch on the proper form. The Lady Banner said she would take it upon herself to communicate with Northaven and arrange matters.
* 3. As regards Edward the Bearded Rascal, the College defines "leopard" as a lion passant guardant. Should the spotted cat, known in modern times as a leopard be desired as a charge, it will be blazoned as "an African leopard." (Cf. "a tyger" — "a Bengal tiger.")
Boncueur was asked to type up the form letters to be sent to those persons whose applications were considered during this meeting and to those whose applications had been considered at the previous meeting (December 1970).
* The treasurer's report was presented by Lady Alison: it shows the treasury to be some $40-odd (sorry, I did not make a note of the exact amount, but it can be jotted down in the margin) in the black. This is the largest surplus the College has had in some time. Principal source of income: Registration fees. Other sources: private donations. Principal expenditures: office supplies and artist's materials.
Form letter #1, modified to indicate non-receipt of filing fee, was sent to:
Bergen von Rauch
Elriin of Rhassvelg
Gonwynlynn Hrassvelg
Robert the Lame (all of Shasta)
No form letters were sent to those Atenveldters listed on page three; they were all mentioned by name in a letter to Ioseph the Rhymer in which other matters were also spoken of. Ioseph is requested to see that they send in their filing fee.
Boncueur was also unable to determine by consulting the folders whether Robert Roundpounder, Arthur of Lockhaven, Angela of the Meadows, and Rodema Of Rohan had paid their $1.00 filing fee. Therefore he requested information of Ioseph the Rhymer on this subject and will not send #2 to Robert, Arthur, and Angela until affirmative responses (or the money) arrive.
Form letter #2 was prepared for the Lord Clarion's signature, to be sent to the following persons:
Gwydion Pendderwen
William of Sachalcros
Jay Freeman
Christopher the Fair (all of Mistland)
Edward the Indolent (of Madrone)
Rhiannon pen Tyrhon
Alan Gillen (all of the Angels)
Kathleen MacChluarain, the Pure
Dav Greyhart
Debrangal Greyhart
Thomas ap Thomas
Nirriti the Reiver (all of Atenveldt)
A duplicate letter of approval (#3) was prepared for the Lord Clarion's signature, to be sent to Charles of the JACs.
Form letter #3 was prepared for the Lord Clarion's signature, to be sent to the following:
Stephen von Behrend
Sten av Norden
Myles of the Shamrock
William the Lucky
Estienne des Estoiles (all of Mistland)
The Barony of Madrone
Michael the Maladroit
Gwynfad of Ogg
Jo Anne Blue (all of Madrone)
Jaime da Açores
Michel du Serpent Noir
Roger Alton of the Desert
Branwen pen Tyrhon
Barry Goldsson
Charles Edward Alexander Everman (all of the Angels)
Dawn of Jusbourne
Ioseph the Rhymer (all of Atenveldt)
At this point Boncueur ran out of #3's and will have to replenish his supply before typing up:
Deborah Of Llyr (Atenveldt)
Lenore of the Dark Lands (Mistland)
Randall of Willowrock (Angels)
Raymond the Mild, Baron Madrone, and Sheen of Ire, Acting Madrone Pursuivant, were informed personally of the acceptance of their devices by Boncueur and no letters were sent.
Patrick of Loch Mer and James de Saint-Germain were informed personally of the acceptance of their devices by the College, and no letters were sent.
This concludes my Report on the Meeting of the College of Heralds of 1 January 1971.
Submitted: 5 January 1971.
/s Boncueur
[Minor typographic errors have been corrected or standardized above, as marked in square brackets.]