July 1989 LoAR Cover Letter

Box 522
Mount Pleasant, SC 29465
8 August, 1989

Unto the members of the College of Arms and any others who may read this missive, greetings from Alisoun MacCoul of Elphane, Laurel Queen of Arms!

As some of you already know, the July "meeting" was held over a somewhat protracted period of time. At the Heraldic Symposium in Caid the College considered the letter from Meridies (4/27). Despite a notable paucity of commentary, the regular scheduled meeting was held on Sunday, July 23, and considered the letters from the Middle (4/3), Atlantia (4/15), Ansteorra (4/21), Caid (4/23), East 4/28) and Atenveldt (4/30) and Calontir (4/30). In the three or four days following that meeting significant commentary amounting to at least half the mass of the commentary received on the letters to be considered prior to the meeting arrived and so a second "meeting" (attended only by Laurel, as it turned out) was held on the following Sunday, July 30, to reconsider all of the submissions. The enclosed letter is a result of those two meetings with one or two emendations in the light of late-breaking commentary/documentation received in the week or so since (ten or more days after the scheduled meeting!). Of 272 actions arising from the letters considered, 218 were positive, 51 were negative and 3 resulted in pended items for an overall acceptance rate of 80%

The August meeting will be held on Sunday, August 27 to allow the maximum amount of time for commentary to reach the Laurel office and all submitted heralds well before the actual meeting. That meeting will consider West (4/28), Middle (5/12), Caid (5/14), Ansteorra (5/17), East (5/20), Middle (5/22), Outlands (5/25), Atlantia (5/30), Calontir (5/31) and Meridies (5/31). Please note that the Calontir letter of appeal dated in April mentioned in commentary for July by several commentors is actually part of the Calontir letter of May 31. The May letter from the West has been postponed to the September meeting due to delayed paperwork.

The September meeting is currently scheduled for September 17. It will consider the letters from the West (5/26), Caid (6/15), Trimaris (6/15), Ansteorra (6/16), East (6/22), Meridies (6/26), Calontir (6/30), and Middle (6/30).

The October meeting is somewhat more tentatively scheduled for Sunday, October 15. At that time we will consider the letters dated in July, including East (7/15), West (7/17), Ansteorra (7/1 ), Meridies (7/24) and Calontir (7/31).

The tentative dates for the November and December meetings remain November 12 and December 17 respectively. Please note that the March letter from An Tir is still on administrative hold due to non-receipt of the paperwork.

AN TIR

Black Lion asks that you add the new Lion's Blood Herald of An Tir to your mailing lists: Graham MacRauri (Dave Bulman, 4425 19 Ave. NW, Calgary, Alberta T3B 0R8, CANADA; 403-286-6030).

The address for the Stellanordica Herald of Oertha has changed: mail should now be addressed to 1307 Britany Place, Juneau, AK 99801. There is a new Sable Swan Herald for the Principality of Cynagua: Caroline O Chainnigh (Carol Stephenson Furey, 1816 Proctor Ave., West Sacramento, CA 95691). Neither principality herald will be commenting at this time.

KANGAROOS AND KOALA BEARS, KCONTINUED

I do not yet have written information, either in the form of an informal letter from the Laurel Ombudsman or formal communication from the Steward or the Board, but the Laurel Ombudsman has telephonically indicated to me that the bulk of the issue of what to do with non-European charges has been remanded to the College of Arms for further discussion as part of the ongoing rules discussion.

However, it appears that the Board has concluded that Antipodean flora and fauna could not have been "known to Western Europeans before 1600" and has directed me to stop registering such flora and fauna immediately in anticipation of the implementation of the verbiage from the draft rules of June, 1989, on this subject.

By tradition, the College and the Laurel Office have considered that a grace period for "in the pipeline" submissions is only equitable and the Laurel Ombudsman agreed that submissions which had already left Kingdom should not be penalized by this action. Therefore, effective with any letter of intent dated on or after August 15, 1989, no submission may be registered which contains any item which is known solely from Australia prior to 1600.

HERALDICA IN THE NEW CORPORA

At the recent Board meeting in Michigan, the Board also approved for implementation a revision of Corpora to replace the 1984 edition. This revision is now in effect, although there will be a final opportunity to comment on wordings, etc. for the October Board meeting before the revision is literally "set in stone" as it is sent to be typeset.

There are a number of heraldically significant additions/emendations in this revised Corpora and its appendices. The most important is probably the revised wording concerning the Laurel Office and the College of Arms which now reads as follows:

C. LAUREL SOVEREIGN OF ARMS AND THE COLLEGE OF ARMS

1. Laurel Sovereign of Arms. The Laurel Sovereign of Arms (Laurel) is the principal heraldic officer of the Society and the head of the College of Arms. Laurel is responsible for fostering the study and practice of heraldry, and for establishing rules and making determinations regarding names and armory, royal and noble titles, and geographical designations to be approved for use in the Society. (See Appendix C.)

2. College of Arms. The College of Arms of the Society consists of the Principal Heralds of the kingdoms and such other persons as Laurel may deem to be of assistance. It aids Laurel in studying medieval heraldic usage, developing heraldic rules for the Society's use, and reviewing individual items prior to their registration for use in the Society.

3. Heraldic Administration.

a. Standards of difference and other rules. Laurel shall define standards suitable to the type of item to be registered, and apply them uniformly to all such submissions. These standards shall be designed to support the historical recreations of the Society and to provide sufficient difference from names and armory registered within the Society to avoid undue confusion, to avoid the appearance of unearned honors or false claims, and to provide sufficient difference from historical or fictional personages to prevent offense due to obvious usurpation of identity or armory. Members are encouraged to develop unique, historically valid names and armory.

b. Any item once registered shall remain registered unless the owner requests its release, and shall be accepted in the Society for the person for whom it was registered without regard to changes in the rules and standards applied to future submissions, or to the membership status of the owner.

c. The standards and rules employed by Laurel and College of Arms shall be published so that participants in Society activities can obtain copies for their own reference. The Armorial and Ordinary listing registered names and armory shall also be made available to the membership.

d. Laurel shall ensure that fees for the Society's heraldic publications (as defined in IV.C.3.c) and for its services in registering names and armory are sufficient to cover the cost of such services, both at the corporate level and within the kingdoms.

In addition to this lengthy passage and Appendix C on titles, which is appended to this letter, a number of other changes to Corpora have an effect on things heraldic:

1. The introduction now defines the scope of the Society slightly differently, with some potential effects for the rules for submission and scope of heraldry: "The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization devoted to the study of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Most of its activities take place in the context of a social structure adapted from the forms of the European Middle Ages, which allows participants to take a first-hand look at various aspects of the life, culture and technology of the times under study."

2. It specifically defines "period": "Noun: The era used by the Society as a base for its activities, that is, Western culture prior to the beginning of the 17^th century - mainly the European Middle Ages and Renaissance. Adjective: Of, from, or reflecting that era."

3. The term "Society event" has been broadened to include events not in Kingdom newsletters, so long as the event is publicized at least locally and has at least one appropriate responsible member attending. This means that such happenings as local heraldry meetings, etc. could technically be events.

4. Actions and announcements with "long-term" impact on the Society must still be conducted at events announced in advance in the Kingdom newsletter. Specifically included are Crown and Coronet lists, Coronations and Investitures, appointment of officers at principality level or above, presentation of awards and titles, and proclamation of law or the establishment or advancement of branches. Note that this can have a significant impact on the Order of Precedence and the legitimacy of the creation of awards and orders.

5. The right of appeal to the Board is reaffirmed for all individuals, "provided they follow proper channels for complain and appeal." In the case of submissions or requests for change of policy, this would presumably require following the normal submission and discussion path and, in the case of a return from Laurel level, at least one appeal through the College of Arms prior to appealing to the Board.

6. A group wishing to petition for Kingdom, Principality, Baronial or Provincial status must now have a name and device registered with the College of Arms before petitioning for that status.

7. Any other local branches must have a name registered with the College of Arms before petitioning for official status.

8. Provinces are specifically defined as differing from Baronies in lacking a "ceremonial representative" appointed by the Crown and thus not being able to create and administer awards.

9. The following branch designations are defined as "standard" (i.e., not requiring justification): Kingdom, Principality, Barony, Province, Shire, Canton, Riding, College, Stronghold, Port. Definitions are provided for all those types of groups below the Baronial/Province level which must be adhered to in future submissions. However, groups which have used any of the terms in a manner other than that defined in the 1989 Corpora are specifically grandfathered.

10. Groups wishing to alternate designations for one of the standard group designations are specifically required to apply to the College of Arms through their kingdom College of Heralds for approval of an alternate usage, if it has not previously been approved by the College of Arms.

11. In privileges of royalty, it is specifically noted that "Royalty may receive such gifts as may be made to the realm and preserve them for their successors. If a gift is designated as personal by the donor, royalty may retain it after the conclusion of the reign." Although it is already the case in many kingdoms that the court herald is required to maintain a careful list of gifts and the intent of each gift, this wording may make the precise statement accompanying each gift in court more critical.

12. Royalty are specifically allowed to delegate the execution of royal power for a specific purpose. This specifically includes the ability to transmit an award to an individual named by the royalty, subject to the laws and customs of the kingdom. This should end some of the O.P. discussions in certain kingdoms over the validity of awards given in absentia through a local Baron or Baroness.

13. Royal authority over officers is specifically limited to directives "which do not contravene established rules of the Society, and which do not conflict with the laws of the nation or any of the subdivisions of the nation in which such directives would apply." This should resolve the problem heraldic officers in several Kingdoms have had in past years with royal commands which were directly in contravention of Corpora or kingdom law.

14. It has been reaffirmed that subjects are not responsible under a provision of law proclaimed by royalty until that law has been proclaimed at a Society event and published in the kingdom newsletter. Note that the kingdom newsletter is specifically mentioned so that changes to principality law published only in a principality newsletter would presumably not be binding. (This has been a problem with some awards/orders in the past.)

15. If a new law which contravenes an existing kingdom law, the latter must specifically be repealed. It cannot be assumed that the later law automatically holds sway. In cases where there are cumulative modifications of law concerning awards and orders, kingdom insignia, etc., this requirement may be operational.

16. The requirements on banishment have been extensively revised in their wording. It now specifically including a banishment from the royal presence which bars attendance in court and any exercise of rank or office which would require interaction with royalty. This may be imposed without review. The broader banishment from the realm withholds recognition of an individual's honors and titles and bars them from active participation in Society events. If the cause for banishment is for a reason related to the Society's medieval structure, banishment specifically does not preclude attendance at events. The Steward and Board will automatically review all banishments from the realm. This section of Corpora is new and relatively exact in its use of language so will require careful reading. However, in the event that a banishment does occur in your area, it will no doubt require such careful reading on the part of precedence and court heralds as well as administrators.

17. Agreement for award of an armigerous award to a subject of another kingdom must be in writing and given in advance. An armigerous award is specifically defined as one which can give an award, grant or patent of arms, without regard to the current status of the recipient. In other words, even if someone already has a patent of arms, an award which would carry a patent to someone who lacked a patent will require permission in writing. If your royalty expresses any intent to give such an award, please remind them of this requirement and do your best to make sure that a copy of the written permission is on file before the award is given!

18. The Board specifically reserves to itself discipline for actions arising during service as a Sovereign or Consort. However, it is indicated that the Board will not intervene until the parties involved have tried to resolve things with the royalty involved, the appropriate kingdom officers and the appropriate corporate officers, including the Steward.

19. It is now specifically noted that armigerous awards may be made by a Coronet only to subjects of their principality. Specific authorization must be received for an award to other persons. (I would interpret this as requiring permission from the Crown of one's own kingdom and the Crown of the recipient's kingdom to given an armigerous award, e.g., the Lindquistring of Drachenwald, to someone who lived outside the boundaries of the principality.)

20. Prior written approval by the Crown is required for a banishment imposed by a Coronet and a Coronet may only hold a Court of Inquiry with permission from the Crown.

21. The Board reserves to itself the final determination on discipline of members for actions while Sovereign or Consort of a principality. However, the Coronet still remains subject to the Crown and "provisions concerning Courts of Chivalry and banishment still apply." If you are a principality herald or kingdom herald in a kingdom with principalities, you should read the sections of discipline for actions while wearing a principality coronet very carefully. These sections were triggered by near current events and it is not impossible that the situation could arise again (although we sincerely hope this will not be the case!).

22. The right of territorial Barons and Baronesses to give non-armigerous awards is specifically stated.

23. It is specifically stated that a Kingdom Officer is responsible directly to the Crown and to the appropriate corporate officer for proper execution of their duties, including reports.

24. The procedures for installation of new Great Officers (including heralds) are clarified. It is specifically stated that Great Officers are nominated by the Crown "after due consideration with the outgoing officer, the Seneschal, and any other appropriate Great Officer." It is also specifically stated that an appointment takes effect "when and if ratified by the corresponding Corporate Officer by countersignature of the warrant." Technically this means that your kingdom has no herald if I have not received and signed a warrant from your kingdom, signed by the Crown after proper consultation.

25. The period for which the Crown may authorize an officer to continue in office without a valid warrant after his warrant expires is specified to be 45 days provided that a "good-faith effort" is being made to fill the office.

26. A Great Officer such as a Principal Herald may only be removed by joint action of the Crown and Laurel. A Principal Herald can be suspended by Laurel for no more than 90 days, by the Crown for duration of the reign. The designated deputy of the suspended officer will automatically take over, provided that the deputy has been officially warranted with approval from the Crown and without objection from Laurel. (Yes, this means you have to tell me in advance, preferably in writing so I can approve in writing.)

27. One of the duties of the Principal Herald of a kingdom is now specifically stated to be "the timely processing of submissions for names and armory." This means that this is no longer merely a requirement of the Laurel Office for holding office as a Principal Herald, it is now part of the "law" of the Society.

28. It is stated that, although the final decision on warranting local officers remains with the superior officers and the royalty, local officers "must not be substantively opposed by the people of the branch." This puts an extra responsibility on those of you responsible for warranting to investigate the local situation before warranting or rostering anyone for a local herald's post.

29. It is reiterated that the Chivalry, Laurel and Pelican are of equal precedence "and must be considered as one group." Precedence and court heralds, take note.

30. It is stressed that an individual is admitted to the Order of Chivalry "and the choice of which order to join is made by the new member." This should mean that neither the Crown nor the Order may require an advance commitment from an individual as to whether to become Master or Knight before admitting that individual to the Order.

31. It is specifically noted that members of the Order of the Laurel and Order of the Pelican may swear fealty but are not required to do so. Thus any kingdom law or custom that requires fealty on the part of members of those Orders is presumably automatically null and void.

32. The names and insignia of armigerous orders are specifically required to be ratified for Laurel. (This does not seem to be required by the current wording for non-armigerous orders, but we are querying that for the October meeting, since previous communications suggest that this may be inadvertent.)

33. Resignation of an armigerous order now specifically requires a letter to the appropriate royalty (i.e., the one at the level that gave the award), the Principal of the Order, if any, and the Principal Herald.

34. Principalities may only establish armigerous awards and orders with the consent of the Crown. Baronies may only convey arms with baronial orders where this is specifically delegated by the Crown.

35. The Crown must approve of any non-armigerous order from a Barony or Principality before the College of Heralds of a kingdom may recognize it or place it in the Order of Precedence.

36. Restrictions on titles which suggest landedness, reservation by the Board of the right to create any new titles of rank, requirement for ratification of alternate titles by the College of Arms and verbiage on styles and unrecognized titles (e.g., apprentice, squire, etc.) have been retained.

Note too that the standard warrant form has been slightly modified and is more specific on those required to sign. A copy of that warrant is attached to this letter and should be used for all warrants for Principal Heralds or designated Deputy (i.e., "drop dead successor") effective immediately.

A few emendations to the Policy Statements are also of note, those of the greatest interest to heralds perhaps being those on Crown and Coronet lists, etc.:

1. All prospective fighters and consorts must sign a written statement that they meet membership requirements.

2. Rapier combat is specifically excluded from formal lists for royal ranks or armigerous titles.

Remember that all these regulations are now in effect and your actions, advice to your royalty, etc. should be governed by them. I am informed by the Steward that she will be meeting intensively with your Kingdom Seneschals on the new Corpora at Pennsic so you may want to get together with your Seneschal for further details and/or interpretations after the Seneschals' meeting.

Your servant,

[Alisoun]