P.O. Box 1646

Dallas, TX 75221-1646

Unto the members of the College of Arms and all others who may read this missive does Da'ud ibn Auda, Laurel King of Arms, send Greetings!

The attached Letter of Acceptances and Returns covers the following Letters of Intent dated in August: Ansteorra (8/10), Meridies (8/10), Caid (8/13), Ansteorra (8/15), Ansteorra (8/20), Caid (8/22), Atenveldt (8/29), Calontir (8/31), East (8/31), and West (8/31).

The December Laurel meeting is scheduled for December 22, and will consider letters of intent dated in September (and one in August): Middle (9/7), Laurel (9/10), Atlantia (9/20), Ansteorra (9/20), West (9/21), Meridies (9/22), An Tir (dated 8/13 and/or 9/15, treated as 9/24, its date of mailing), East (9/25), Atlantia (9/25) and Calontir (9/30).

The January Laurel meeting is scheduled for January 19, 1991, and will consider the following letters of intent dated in October, 1990: Trimaris (10/1), An Tir (10/1), Outlands (10/3), Caid (10/6), Middle (10/10), Laurel (10/16), Ansteorra (10/20), Meridies (10/23), Atenveldt (10/25), East (10/28), and Calontir (10/31).

The February Laurel meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 1991, and will consider letters of intent dated in November, 1990.

ROSTER CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS

The address for Eclipse Herald and Tamarisk Herald: Robin of Gilwell and Adelicia Gilwell (Jay and Peggy Rudin) has two numbers transposed. The correct address should be 7135 Vinland, Dallas, TX 75227.

Lord Rouland Carre, formerly Blue Mountain Pursuivant, is now Silver Trumpet Herald for the Kingdom of Caid. The numbers for the area code in his telephone number were accidentally transposed. The correct number is (619) 686-6177.

Mistress Jaelle of Armida, Nereid Herald, asks that you send all correspondence in large envelopes (larger than 4¼ x 9½") to her at her office address: c/o Judy Gerjuoy, 1815 H Street NW, #408, Washington, DC 20006.

1991 SYMPOSIUM

Just a reminder that I would like to hear your choice for the 1991 Known World Heraldic Symposium so that a decision can be made by December 15. You may write or call (I'm keeping a log by the telephone). The two bids received this year are from the kingdoms of the East and Atlantia (see last month's cover letter for a summary of their respective bids).

... AND ON A CHIEF A DEMI-SUN ISSUANT FROM THE LINE OF DIVISION THROUGHOUT ...

I tell you, it's decisions like this that gives me ulcers. It was especially difficult this time where there were two examples of the same style in a single LoI (West: Adriana Belechere and Robert Furness of Southwood), one of which appeared to have enough visual contrast that it could be rationalized while the other did not, really. Yet how could we register the one and return the other and still keep a simple, consistent standard? Well, I didn't think we could either. In brief (so you don't have to go thumbing through the whole LoAR to find out), we registered them both. The statement of the rationalization for doing so comes down to this: a demi-sun throughout on a chief must have good contrast with the charge upon which it lies (the chief). It will automatically by definition have poor contrast with the field which it adjoins (assuming that the field is not neutral). This will be permissible so long as the demi-sun is not of the same tincture as the field. For example, if the sun in Adriana's device, Argent, two swans naiant respectant and on a chief sable a demi-sun throughout issuant from the line of division Or, were argent instead, it would be returned. Robert's, Vert, a horseshoe and on a chief Or, a demi-sun throughout issuant from the line of division gules, could not have a vert demi-sun on the chief.

FIELDLESS STYLE

Lord Batonvert has requested that we set a date after which no "disjoint fieldless badges" would be registered. A number of commenters have expressed sympathy with this position. How does the rest of the College feel? Should we discontinue the registration not only of fieldless badges with disconnected charges of more than one tincture class but of all fieldless badges with disconnected charges? Part of the issue which needs to be addressed is whether fieldless badges which have disconnected charges do or do not form a "self-contained design" within the meaning of RfS VIII.5. I think that we all can pretty much agree that a roundel between three caltraps probably do not. How about a sun within five or six crescents in annulo (as on a recent submission)? Or a beast within an annulet? I would like your commentary, opinions, ideas, etc. on this issue for the January Laurel meeting.

MISCELLANY

It's wonderful to have friends who keep an eye out for books for you. I was given a volume entitled The Book of the Weird by Barbara Ninde Byfield, which covers in often humorous fashion a variety of magical, mystical, and medieval subjects. It's rather like a specialized encyclopedia with short descriptions. For instance, under "A" we have Advisors, Alchemists, Alligators and Crocodiles, Almanacs, Alms, Ambassadors, Ambrosia and Nectar, Animals, Apprentices, Apprentices' Tools, Armor, Arms, and Arras. You get the idea. Well, it has an entry on "Heralds". What follows are the pertinent (or impertinent) parts.

It is a solemn matter to appoint a Herald to your household, for he will be with you, assuming your need for him continues, forever after. His presence alone can turn a simple sandwich into a solemn banquet. Never take a Herald on a picnic.

Your Herald will, in time of war, step in when the Ambassadors have Stepped out. He will carry from you to the enemy messages, ultimatums, warnings, and entreaties. Unlike Ambassadors, he will always be given an audience, and promptly. By his tone of voice he should be able to evoke terror, despair, mercy, or confusion, according to the contents of your message.

Heralds expect to be consulted when new Coats of Arms are being designed. Their proper function is to inform you if the new Arms duplicate those of another person, but they seldom can refrain from voicing their opinions as to the new bearer's worthiness.

Since Heralds are, after all, hired help they must not be expected to follow you into banishment, exile, or imprisonment, nor otherwise to share your misfortune. They are free to turn their tabards inside out and seek other employment without shame. Unlike Ambassadors, Heralds are not permitted to lie, take bribes, revel in personal publicity, or amass private fortunes in the course of their work. Therefore provision for their old age is of concern to them and it is only natural that their attendance upon you depends upon your continuing good fortune.

Your servant,

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