SCA - College of Arms
P.O. Box 742825
Dallas, TX 75374-2825
(214) 276-2129
74107.1446@compuserve.com
Unto the members of the College of Arms and all others who may read this missive do Shayk Da'ud ibn Auda, Laurel King of Arms, and Baron Talan Gwynek, Pelican King of Arms, send Greetings!
The January 1996 Laurel meeting was held on Saturday, January 13, 1996, and considered the following Letters of Intent: Caid (9/1); Atenveldt (9/10); Ansteorra (9/10); Middle (9/10); Middle (9/12); An Tir (9/17); Atlantia (9/17); East (9/26); Calontir (9/26); and West (9/27). Original commentary on these LoIs must have been in the College's hands no later than November 30, 1995. Responses and rebuttals to commentary must have been in the College's hands no later than December 31, 1995.
The February 1996 Laurel meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 17, 1996, and will consider the following Letters of Intent: Middle (10/9); Middle (10/11); An Tir (10/12); Atlantia (10/15); Caid (10/18); Trimaris (10/25); Caid (10/27); West (10/29); and East (10/29). Original commentary on these LoIs must have been in the College's hands no later than December 31, 1995. Responses and rebuttals to commentary must be in the College's hands no later than January 31, 1996.
The March 1996 Laurel meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 1996, and will consider the following Letters of Intent: Meridies (10/31); Outlands (11/1); An Tir (11/13); West (11/15); and Outlands (11/20). Original commentary on these LoIs must be in the College's hands no later than January 31, 1996. Responses and rebuttals to commentary must be in the College's hands no later than February 28, 1996.
The April 1996 Laurel meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 1996, and will consider Letters of Intent dated and mailed in December 1995. Original commentary on these LoIs must be in the College's hands no later than February 28, 1996. Responses and rebuttals to commentary must be in the College's hands no later than
March 31, 1996.
Not all Letters of Intent may be considered when they are originally scheduled on this Cover Letter. Date of
mailing of the LoI, date of receipt of the Laurel packet, or other factors may delay consideration of certain Letters of
Intent. Additionally, not all Letters of Intent received have been scheduled because the administrative requirements
(receipt of the forms packet, receipt of the necessary fees, etc.) have not yet been met.
ROSTER CHANGES
Ferrule Pursuivant (Meridies) has a new address. It is: Dunstan Dangar of Shaddowe Woode (Dan Calvert), 804 Old
Trail Road, Birmingham, AL 35215; (205) 836-9296.
Drachenwald has a new Schwartzdrachen Principal Herald. He is the former Pursuivant at Large, Pietari Pentinpoika
Uv [please note the corrected spelling of the patronymic] (Antti Leino), Vironkatu 10 D 23, FIN-00170 Helsinki,
FINLAND; +358-0-1357 094; antti.leino@helsinki.fi. Please remove his predecessor, Hartmann Rogge, from the mailing
list.
Schwartzdrachen asks that you add to the Roster and mailing list Albion Herald, Johan Magnusson Kivisuo,
Kummelv„gen 4, FIN-00830 Helsingfors, Finland; +358 49 478 537; tsahib@vipunen.hut.fi.
Vesper (West) requests that we make the following changes to the Roster and Mailing List:
Remove Leveret (Harold von Rheinfelden) from the Roster and Mailing List.
Change Maxen Dawel ap Morgan's title to Green Crown Herald. (He will remain on the Mailing
List.)
Add Compline Herald Krysta of Starfall (T. Krysta Hiller), 1738 Columbus Place, Santa Clara, CA 95051;
(408) 243-0350, to the Roster, but not yet to the Mailing List.
Morsulus (Laurel Staff) has changed his legal name. It is now Stephen R. Gold.
Ansteorra has a new Star Principal Herald. He is: Tostig Logiosophia (Bob Wade), 11045 Spur 164, Tyler, TX 75079;
(903) 592-5074; starherald@aol.com. Please place him on the Roster and Mailing List in place of Arenvald Kief av
Kiersted.
Star (Ansteorra) asks that you make the following additional changes to the Mailing List:
Please add Asterisk, Donal O'Dochartaigh (Lee Cavett), 11819 Plum Point, Houston, TX 77099; (713)
495-1617, who is already on the Roster, to the Mailing List.
Please add Orle Pursuivant, Orle Pursuivant: Ana ibn Haroun Abd al-Zaki (L.D. Beers), P.O. Box 6691,
Huntsville, TX 77342; (409) 294-9045, to the Roster and Mailing List.
Solar Herald (Atenveldt) has stepped down. Please substitute on the Roster and mailing list for him the new Solar,
formerly Corona, Severian the Northumbrian (Bard Kinser), 8144 North 33rd Avenue #261, Phoenix, AZ 85051; (602)
841-9057.
Da i orfinnson (Calontir) notes that his ZIP code is 50605.
In part because of all these changes, a new Roster is enclosed with this letter. Please compare it carefully with your
mailing list/labels.
HEIRS APPARENT
The Board of Directors, in their January 20, 1996 meeting, selected the bid of Jaelle of Armida and Sionyn Muirgen nˇ
Dhomnall as Laurel and Pelican Sovereigns of Arms, to succeed the incumbents at the end of June. We congratulate
them on their selection, and we will all no doubt be hearing from them regarding the change of office, new mailing
addresses, etc. as the date for the changeover of office draws nearer.
For now, Mistress Jaelle requests that any mail sent to her as Laurel-designate should be sent to the following
address:
ERROR IN LAST MONTH'S COVER LETTER (No, say it isn't so!)
In the Cover Letter with the December 1995 LoAR, it was incorrectly noted in the section entitled "From the Desk of
Morsulus" that "about 80% of the Mailing List has not given permission for their letters to be redistributed." In fact,
80% of those on the Mailing List have given permission for their letter to be redistributed. Laurel apologizes for the
error. (And urges the remaining 20% who have not yet given permission for redistribution to do so.)
RESUBMISSION OR APPEAL?
There were a number of armory submissions considered at the January meeting which were labeled as "appeals" which
were in fact resubmissions under the conflict checking standards of the Modest Proposal. Were they to truly be
considered as appeals, they would have needed to specify why the former decision (return for non-SCA conflict) was
incorrect, give additional information regarding why the conflict should not have been called, and so on. Additionally,
were they to have been treated as appeals by Laurel, the standards in effect at the time of the return would
have had to have been considered. In the future, please, if you are not appealing the former decision, do not label the
action as an appeal, but as a resubmission.
FREE UPGRADE (Well, Not Exactly, But Close)
The registration this month of the name change of Pagan l'Óarro de Montpeller deserves mention. This name
change had been submitted and returned as "Pagan L'Ósaro de Montpeller" in the February 1995 LoAR because
according to the documentation the byname should have been either l'Ósaro or Lóarro, and the submitter
allowed no changes. The submitter has since corresponded directly with Laurel (in June and November 1995) regarding
the return and the reasons therefore, and has requested that the minor change to l' sarro be made and the name
registered.
While this is not quite the "free upgrade" option which has been discussed among the members of the College and which
most members appear to favor, it is a timely request to register a form of the name which would have been registered
at the time had changes been permitted, and we saw no benefit to be gained by anyone in requiring the submitter to go
through the entire submissions process again simply to "de-capitalize" an "L". As a consequence, we are, at the
submitter's specific and timely written request (no conflicting name having been registered in the meantime), registering
the requested one of the two forms of the name specifically noted in the prior return as being registrable.
EX ROSTRO PELECANI
SCA-Compatibility is Weird. This month's submission of the name Rhonwen Briana MacLean
(Atlantia) raised in almost its purest form the question of just what is meant by `SCA-compatibility' of a name.
(Ceridwen Rhiannon MacLean might have posed the question a little more bluntly.) Does `SCA-compatibility' give a
name the same status as an attested period name, or does it represent a kind of second-class onomastic
citizenship?
In actual usage the term SCA-compatible, when applied to a name, appears to mean `not used by human beings in period
(so far as we know), but too popular in the SCA to be disallowed'. Thus, use of one of these names is (on the best
available evidence) a non-period practice. We allow many practices that were non-existent or nearly so in period, both
in our names and in our armory, but in general we stigmatize them as `weirdnesses' and do not allow too many of them
to be combined in a single name or armory. They are `compatible' in the sense that they are not completely disallowed,
but they are still not considered fully acceptable. It is consistent with this approach to allow a name to include a single
`SCA-compatible' element but no more; each such element added to a name further removes it from the realm of
authentic period practice. Indeed, we see no reason to distinguish between `SCA-compatible' names and other non-period names permitted under the provisions of RfS II.4 (Legal Names): both are allowed as concessions to modern
sensibilities despite their inauthentic nature.
Beginning with the 5/96 meeting, therefore, use of two individually permissible non-period elements in a single name
will be considered two `weirdnesses' and will be grounds for return. Such elements include non-period names allowed
under the Legal Name Allowance as well as those names, apparently not used by human beings in period, that have been
declared `SCA-compatible', e.g., Briana, Ceridwen (in several variants), Gwendolen/Guendolen, R(h)onwen, and
Rowena.
FREE TRUMPET PRESS WEST
The seventeeth semi-annual update to the SCA Ordinary and Armorial is now available. This covers registrations from
the July through December cover letters of 1995 plus the list of flags dated 1 October 1995 that came from Laurel. A
novel feature of this update is that, for the first time, most diacritical marks and ligatures in names and blazons will
appear as they did in the LoAR.
Because it is slightly oversize (and FTPW operated at a net loss last year) the price will be US$7.
The combined update for 1994-5 is also available now. This volume covers all of semiannual updates 14 through 17,
but is cheaper and more convenient than the four volumes it replaces. Diacritical marks and ligatures have been added
here, as well.
The two parts of the combined update are sold separately:
Updates 14-17 to the SCA Ordinary (FT-17) US$11
Updates 14-17 to the SCA Armorial (FT-18) US$5
You can order any of these now by sending your check or money order to:
SCA - Free Trumpet Press West
877 San Lucas Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94043
HERALDS' POINT, PENNSIC XXV
From: Hywel ap Ieuan
Subject: Camping at Herald's Point Pennsic 25
Unto the heralds of the Known World, greetings from Lord Hywel ap Ieuan, who is slightly surprised to find himself
assisting the Pennsic War Herald, Lady Irene von Schmetterling.
As winter rolls over us, the time has returned to consider Pennsic and plan our camp at Herald's Point. With any luck,
this message is getting to you in plenty of time to think about it, put it off for the usual period, and eventually answer
it. Please pass this along to anyone else you know who might be interested in camping at the Point.
Camping at Herald's Point at Pennsic XXV is open to all heralds, pursuivants, cornets, kings-at-arms, and others
interested in heraldry from anywhere in the Known World, together with their significant others (tentmates and children
included). The only stipulation is that you, the heraldic person (regardless of title or lack thereof) must work at Herald's
Point during the time you are at Pennsic. This means either:
Working at the armory and/or name consult tables,
working at the emblazon table,
working at the cashiers table, or
working in the message tent (cries and message board).
We are asking that each herald in the camp commit to a minimum of one hour's work per day and be on call for
emergency cries of the camp. We will be flexible regarding how each herald meets the minimum time, so as to allow
prime time for fighting, shopping, and schmoozing. When you send in your letter of intent to camp at the Point (see
below), please include a list of the area(s) you would like to work. We'll pass them on to the coordinators for
scheduling.
And who are the coordinators, you ask? So far, we have
Armory : To Be Determined
Names: Dathi Thorfinnsson
Cries: Paul Wickenden of Thanet
Artists: Margaret Holmwood
War Herald & Heralds Point Administration: Lady Irene von Schmetterling
We will offer classes on how to consult at the Point (rules, conflict checking, and basic style), and also plan to offer
advanced heraldry classes. Lady Irene is (surprise!) looking for instructors - please see her contact info at the end of
this message.
If you don't think you have enough experience to work at the consulting tables or enough talent to draw, we can always
use help with the cashier's table. We particularly need people who are familiar enough with heraldry and the
submissions forms to catch any glaring errors. The exchequers are still hunting volunteers to handle the money for
us.
There may be opportunities to do field heraldry for various tourneys held during the week and we hope to be able to
provide quality services to any sitting Royalty that are far from home and need a herald to do court.
In return for your labors, camping at Herald's Point means that you are in one of the prime camping locations at the War,
convenient to everything, that you will have a wonderful time hobnobbing with the "names" in SCA heraldry, and you
might even get invited to some nifty parties! (Special added bonus for Pennsic XXV: Irene's shower will return with hot
water!)
In order to reserve your space at Herald's Point, we need a statement of your intent postmarked no later than May 15th
(?). As in the past, we will request a fee of $5 per tent to pay for supplies for the Point: Ropes, firewood, garden hoses,
and fire extinguishers (these are in addition to each party's extinguishers, not instead of). Please make checks payable
to Wendy Colbert. Any letters postmarked later than May 15th, 1996 will be considered on a first-come, first-served
basis *if* there is available space. Your statement should include
who will be camping (mundane and SCA names please),
address and phone number of contact,
expected dates of arrival,
how many tents you will be bringing (with sizes),
and how much space you need, including guy ropes.
Based on this information, we will adjust the size of the Point to better use the space. Please let us know so we can
give the Pennsic Land Autocrat accurate information.
**Special Note** ***New for 1996***
Campers at the Point will *still* need to go through regular Pennsic Pre-Registration (see your Kingdom newsletter or
other sources for details). Include in your Pre-Registration that you will be camping at "Herald's Point".
Further information will be published as it develops. In the meantime, you can contact either:
Pennsic XXV War Herald
Irene von Schmetterling
mka Wendy Colbert
1496 Briers Dr.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
(404) 297-7519
wendyc@vivid.net
or
Part-time Assistant
Hywel ap Ieuan
mka Jack Dominey
175 Lucile Lane
Lilburn GA 30247
(770) 925-3555
domineys@mindspring.com
XXIIND INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF GENEALOGICAL AND HERALDIC SCIENCES
More information has recently been made available on this Congress, being held this year on this side of the
Atlantic.
The Congress is being held August 18-23, 1996 in Ottowa, Canada. The registration fee is $275.00 Canadian through
March 31, 1996, and $325.00 Canadian thereafter. These prices include the Banquet. Registration fee for accompanying
persons are $125.00 Canadian through March 31, and $150.00 Canadian thereafter.
The theme of this year's Congress is Families and Emblems Transcending Frontiers. Speakers in the Heraldry
Programme are expected to include Sir Conrad Swan (former Garter King of Arms), Dr. Marjorie Halpin (British
Columbia anthropoligist), Japanese author Marmoru Mori, Dr. Frederick Brownell (Chief Herald of South Africa), Dr.
Jean-Claude Loutsch of Luxembourg (President of L'Acadéie internationale d'héaldique), Mr Robert
Pichette (Canada's Dauphin Herald Extraordinary), Mrs. Clara Nev‚us (State Herald of Sweden), Mr. Andriy Grechylo
(President of the Unkrainian Heraldry Society), Dr. Whitney Smith of the Flag Research Center in the U.S., and
others.
Further information on the Congress, travel and housing arrangements, the program, etc. can be obtained by writing
to:
The 22nd International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences
c/o The Canadian Heraldic Authority
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0A1
MISCELLANY
Quick! Can you list the three most commonly-called SCA conflicts? The answer is below.
They are, in alphabetical order:
Eleanor Leonard, A mullet of four points distilling a goutte;
Kourost Bernard of the East Woods, Sable, a sun eclipsed Or; and
Paul of Sunriver, Azure, a compass star Or.
Until next month, pray believe that I am, and remain,
Copyright & copy; 1996,97 Society
for Creative Anachronism, Inc.