SCA - College of Arms
600 Cedar Street, NW
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 726-4396
herald@SCA.org
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel
May 22, 1997
Unto the members of the College of Arms and all others who may
read this missive do Mistress Jaelle of Armida, Laurel Queen of
Arms, and Mistress Sionyn Muirgen níDhomnall, Pelican
Queen of Arms, send Greetings!
The May 1997 Laurel meeting was held on Saturday, May 10, 1997,
with a roadshow in Calontir on Saturday, May 3, 1997, and
considered the following letters of intent: Lochac (December 31,
1996), Atlantia (January 4), Atenveldt (originally dated October
21, 1996, redated to January 5, 1997.), Drachenwald (January 5),
Ansteorra (January 8), An Tir (January 12), Meridies (January
25), West (January 26), and East (January 27).
The June 1997 Laurel meeting has been rescheduled for Saturday,
June 14, 1997 with a roadshow meeting at the Known World
Symposium on Sunday, June 22, 1997 and will consider the
following letters of intent: Lochac (February 4), Caid (February
5), Ansteorra (February 7), Atlantia (February 9), Drachenwald
(February 10), Meridies (February 19), Calontir (February 25),
Middle (February 25), Trimaris (February 25), Ansteorra (February
27), West (February 27) and Caid (February 28). Original
commentary on these LoIs must be in the College's hands no later
than April 30, 1997. Responses and rebuttals to commentary must
be in the College's hands no later than May 31,
1997.
The July 1997 Laurel meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 12,
1997 with a roadshow meeting in Oertha, and will consider the
following letters of intent: Atenveldt (March 1), Atenveldt
(dated Feb 22, postmarked March 3, redated by Laurel to March 3),
An Tir (dated February 27, postmarked March 3, redated by Laurel
to March 3), Drachenwald (March 7), Atlantia (March 9), East
(March 11), Lochac (dated February 28, redated by Laurel to
March 12), Meridies (March 23), Ansteorra (March 24), East (March
30), Middle (March 30), and Calontir (March 31). Original
commentary on these LoIs must be in the College's hands no later
than May 31, 1997. Responses and rebuttals to commentary must be
in the College's hands no later than June 30,
1997.
The August 1997 Laurel meeting is scheduled for Saturday August
23, with a possible roadshow at Pennsic, and will consider the
following letters of intent: Calontir (March 31, postmarked April
3, redated by Laurel to April 3), Lochac (April 9), Drachenwald
(April 11), Atlantia (April 13), Caid (April 18), Caid (April
19), West (dated March 30 postmarked April 21, redated by Laurel
to April 21). Meridies (April 28), and East (April 29).
Original commentary on these LoIs must be in the College's hands
no later than June 30, 1997. Responses and rebuttals to
commentary must be in the College's hands no later than July 31,
1997.
The September Laurel meeting is tentatively scheduled for
Saturday, September
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.
Note: if your letter of intent is not listed, it could be because
Laurel hasn't gotten some or all the paperwork, and you should
contact Laurel.
Roster on the Web Page
We are planning to keep an up-to-date roster of the College of
Arms on the Laurel Web page. Anyone who does want their address
and/or phone number put on the web page should contact me by the
end of July 1997.
New E-mail address
You will notice a new e-mail address listed above for me. This is
an alias provided by me the Webfolk at sca.org. This will allow
people to reach me if I change providers. Furthermore, my
successors can use the same alias, so people won't have to use a
new e-mail address.
New Forms
If all goes well, draft new forms will go out in June.
They will have space for kingdom specific
information, and be designed for 8.5 by 11 inch paper and A4
paper. Commentary, changes, additions, etc., will be due by the
end of September 1997, and the final version will be distributed
in October. We would like to see them in use by January 1, 1998,
and they will become mandatory by March 1, 1998.
Alternate Russian Titles - Revision
Below you will find some suggested alternative Russian titles and
justifcation for them. Please get your comments pro and con back
to us by the end of September, 1997.
Suggestions for a Revised Alternate Title List for Russian
Personae
by Predslava Vydrina.
I would like to offer a new list of Russian alternate titles
based on period usage and terminology. First, I would like to
point out that the titles on the present list did not come into
use until the XVIII century when Peter I
reorganized the Russian system of ranks after Western models
(specifically -- German). The only occurrences in period of some
of these titles refer to Western nobles, and as such have no
significance within the Russian social
structure. (1)
The Russian system of ranks did not remain immutable throughout
the SCA period, and therefore any attempt at creating a title
list will have to be, to some extent, both creative and
anachronistic, but no more so than for any other list of titles.
Rather than attempt to explain the changing structure of the
Russian society over some ten centuries and thus justify the
titles I propose, I will present my arguments in favor of each
proposed alternate title.
1. King -- Tsar.
The title currently included in the list, "korol," was never used
for the Russian ruler, but only for foreign kings. The Russian
corresponding title should be "Tsar," even though its use began
only with Ivan IV, the first ruler to be crowned Tsar (1547).
Nevertheless, the use of the title offers a simple solution to
the clear differentiation between King and Prince (see
below).
2. Queen -- Tsaritsa.
Although the word "Tsaritsa" (literally, "king's wife") appears
to have been used in period only in reference to the wives of
foreign rulers, especially Tartar Khans, it is the logical title
to be used as the feminine form of "Tsar."
3a. Prince (reigning) -- Velikii Kniaz.
The title "Prince" is used in the SCA to indicate either the heir
to the King or the ruler of a Principality. "Velikii Kniaz"
(usually translated as Grand Prince) was the title used by the
premier Russian ruler: first by the Kievan
Prince, then by the Muscovite Prince (up to Ivan IV who assumed
the title "Tsar"). Thus it seems a fitting equivalent to the
title of a ruling Prince in the SCA.
3b. Prince (heir to a Kingdom) -- Tsarevich.
"Tsarevich," strictly speaking, means "son of the Tsar," but can
be used in the context of the SCA in the sense of "heir to the
Tsar." I would like to note that the form "Knyazi," in the
present list of alternate titles, is grammatically
incorrect.
4a. Princess (reigning) -- Velikaia Kniaginia.
"Velikaia Kniaginia" is the feminine form of "Velikii Kniaz." For
arguments and commentaries, see section 3a.
4b. Princess (heiress to a Kingdom) -- Tsarevna.
"Tsarevna" corresponds to "Tsarevich." For arguments and
commentaries, see section 3b.
5. Duke -- Kniaz.
The significance of this SCA title is peculiar and specific to
our activities. As a certain gentle whose name I cannot remember
noted once, "the designation for a former king would be 'dead,'
in period." However, the SCA title "Duke" conveys the idea that a
person so titled is particularly inclined towards combat and
ruling.
We have seen that the title Velikii Kniaz meant "Grand" or "High
Prince." Although the Russian word "kniaz" is usually translated
as "prince," it does not quite correspond to the Western European
word. "Kniaz" indicated essentially, in medieval Russia, a member
of the Rurikid dynasty that ruled
Russia until the late XVI century. There is no differentiation in
the title itself between the ruling prince of one of the Russian
lands and the members of the minor branches who did not inherit
rulership. However, the word
"kniaz" is historically connected, in our period, with ruling and
military leadership. Therefore I suggest that the title "Kniaz"
be used as an alternative to "Duke."
6. Duchess -- Kniaginia.
The arguments in favor of "Kniaz" apply also to "Kniaginia,"
which is its feminine form (see section 5).
7. Count -- Kniaz.
As there are no titles other than "Kniaz" and "Boiarin" (see
section 15 and below), I suggest that "Kniaz" be also used as an
alternative to "Count."
8. Countess -- Kniaginia.
Feminine form of "Kniaz." See sections 5 and 7 for
comments.
9. Viscount -- Kniaz.
See section 7 for comments.
10. Viscountess -- Kniaginia.
See sections 7 and 8 for comments.
11. Master -- Master.
The word "master" was used in period to denote a. the head of a
group; b. the magister (head of an order); however, both [a] and
[b] refer to non-Russians (examples in Sreznevskii's dictionary
for [a] are taken from a Russian-language Bible, and for [b],
from various documents concerning foreign dignitaries). c. a
master craftsman. In that the Russian word "master" was known in
certain aspects of its Western meaning, and in that it also
referred to a person of considerable skill, I think it can be
used in the alternate list of titles for Russian personae as it
is in the English title list.
12. Mistress -- Master.
There is no feminine form of the Russian word "master." The
modern Russian word "masteritsa" means "skilled woman" (not
"master craftswoman") and does not reflect any other aspect of
the English word "master." In addition, it does not seem to have
been used in period at all. I suggest the masculine form be used
as an alternative for "Mistress" as well as for "Master."
13. Knight -- Rytser or Ritor.
There was no institution in Russia such as Chivalry, no chivalric
order, or anything corresponding to it. The Old-Russian words
"Rytser" and "Ritor" are used to designate Western European
knights.
14. Sir.
There is no equivalent in Russian.
15. Baron (ruling) -- Posadnik, (court) -- Boiarin.
The title of Baron belongs to a different category than those of
King down to Viscount, as they are obtained in a different
manner. This aspect of SCA rank can be reflected in the alternate
titles for Russian personae.
There were two groups of nobles in medieval Russia: the Rurikid
princes and the boiars (in Russian "boiarin," singular). While
the princes were the rulers of the land, the boiars were
essentially landowners who derived their wealth and power from
the lands they owned and the people in their employ. (2) Late in
our period (late XIV/XV centuries), the title of "boiarin" came
to be bestowed in recognition of long and reliable service. (3)
Therefore the alternate title for an SCA court baron would be
"Boiarin." To distinguish him from a simple Lord, he could be
called "Starshii Boiarin" (literally, "Older Boiar," but meaning
"High Boiar"). However, the adjective "starshii" seems to have
been used exclusively in official documents, and not when
addressing or referring to a person informally.
The "Posadnik" in medieval Russia was the appointed ruler of a
city or land, the representative of the Prince, who could be a
member of the Prince's retinue, or of his family. He could also
be chosen from among the citizens of a given city (usually a
"boiarin"), or he could be elected, as he was in the city of
Novgorod where he was always one of the boiars. Therefore I
suggest that the alternate title for a ruling Baron be
"Posadnik."
16. Baroness -- Posadnitsa or Boiarynia.
"Posadnitsa" is the feminine form of "Posadnik." "Boiarynia" is
the feminine form of "Boiarin." "Starshaia Boiarynia" is the
feminine form of "Starshii Boiarin." See section 15 for
commentary.
17. Lord -- Boiarin.
The Russian word "gospodin," although is was used in period, is a
form of address, not a title. Instead, I suggest that the title
"Boiarin" be used here as well. If a distinction is necessary,
the designation "Mladshyi Boiarin" can be used (literally,
"younger boiar," but meaning "lesser boiar"), although the
comment about official vs. informal use of the adjective applies
here as well.
18. Lady -- Boiarynia.
Boiarynia is the feminine form of "Boiarin." "Mladshaia
Boiarynia" is the feminine form of "Mladshyi Boiarin." See
section 17 for commentary.
19. Forms of address.
The forms of address to be used in connection with the various
alternate titles merit a note. The word "gospodin" ("sir,"
without the capital "S"), or its feminine form, "gospozha," can
be used when addressing any person of equal or higher rank or to
whom one wishes to show respect. It is often found in personal
letters of medieval Russia. "Gosudar" ("lord") would be the most
appropriate form of address for a "Tsar." The titles can be used
in addressing a person (i.e. "Kniaz Ivan"). However the
adjectives attached to some of them ("Velikii," "Starshii" or
"Mladshii" and their feminine forms) would not be used when
addressing the person, only when referring to them in an official
manner. There are no equivalents to forms of address such as
"your Majesty" or "your Excellency."
Notes:
1. The word "gertsik" or "ger'tsiuk" (in modern Russian, as in
the present Alternate Titles list, the form of this word is
"gertsog," "Duke") are included in Sreznevskii's _Dictionary of
Old Russian_ (see Bibliography), but exclusively in reference to
foreign personages.
2. There were no serfs in medieval Russia: slaves and
bondservants, but no serfs. The peasants working the lands were
mostly free men.
3. In the case of Novgorod, and of other cities, Ivan III
dismantled and dispossessed the boyars, effectively destroying
the old landowning class. The Muscovite boyar class was created
anew by the Grand Prince Ivan III and the system was subsequently
modified and refined.
Works Consulted
Martin, Janet. Medieval Russia: 980-1584. Great Britain:
Cambridge University Press, 1995.
Sreznevskii, I. I. A Dictionary of Old Russian. Volumes
1-3. Russia, Sanktpeterburg: Typography of the Imperial Academy
of Sciences, 1893. Reprint edition, Moscow: Kniga, 1989 (6 vols.)
[in Russian].
Vernadsky, George. A History of Russia. Vols. 2-6. New
Haven: Yale University Press, 1948-1969.
Zenkovsky, Serge A. "Introduction: The Nikonian Chronicle, its
Problems and its Era." pp. xiii-xliv. Zenkovsky, Serge A., editor
and translator, and Zenkovsky Jean, translator. The Nikonian
Chronicle. Princeton, NJ: The Kingston Press, 1984.
Zenkovsky, Serge A. "Preface." pp. ix-xii. Zenkovsky, Serge A.,
editor and translator, and Zenkovsky Jean, translator. The
Nikonian Chronicle. Princeton, NJ: The Kingston Press,
1984.
Changes to the Roster
Atlantia:
Golden Dolphin Herald: Herveus d'Ormonde (Michael Houghton) 5412
Lakeford Lane, Bowie, MD 20720; (301) 464-8375;
herveus@access.digex.net He will take e-mail commentary.
(Please removed Aodhá Doilfin from your mailing lists and
rosters)
Escutcheon Herald: Paul Wickenden of Thanet (Paul Goldschmidt)
755 Siemers Street, Platteville, WI 53818; (608) 348-6209;
goldschmidt@uwplatt.edu.
Rouge Scarpe Herald: Emrys Eustace (Joe Marfice) 233 Perrine St.,
Dayton, OH 45410-1311; (937) 222-2330; broom@dnaco.net. (New area
code and e-mail address)
Please note the following changes/corrections to the roster
only:
Fenris Herald: Clarissa Wykeham (Nancy Rivers) 11110 Nichols Rd.,
Burt, MI 48417; (517) 770-4475; Rivers_N@msb.flint.umich.edu OR
Rivers_N@ucen.flint.umich.edu. (Please remove Lothair Glenlogan
from your rosters)
Oaken Herald: Malcolm Drum (Robert L. Kirby) P.O.Box 643, West
Chester, OH 45071-0643; (513) 759-9530; lariandrobert@fuse.net
(Please remove Solveig Gunadottir or Ulfey from your
rosters)
Polaris Herald: Moraig Anne Drummond (Sarah Fowlston) 3436
Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406; (612) 721-0128. (Please
remove Master Caradoc from your rosters)
Southern Oaken Herald: (Please remove Richard of Ditton Priors
from your rosters. No replacement at this time)
Trillium Herald: Marian of Heatherdale (Heather Dale) 74
Woodgarden Cres., West Hill, ON M1E 3K2. (New Address)
LoAR Subscriptions and Roster changes:
Send roster changes, additions, subtractions, subscriptions to
the LoAR and address changes to: Mistress Sionyn Muirgen níDhomnall, Pelican Queen of Arms, Jackie Watkins, 3532 Winding
Wind Cove, Bartlett, TN, 38135-3044. Please make all checks or
money orders payable to "SCA Inc. - College of Arms". The cost is
currently $25.00 a year.
Also, remember all administrative issues
(requests for warrants, quarterly reports, etc.) need to be sent
to Pelican.
Certified mail.
I cannot accept certified mail at home. If you need to send me
mail return receipt requested, contact me privately, and I will
send you my work address.
Miscellany:
"Heraldry has been contemptuously termed "the science
of fools with long memories." There is more wit than
wisdom in the remark, and with the many, a smart saying
has unfortunately a great advantage over a just
one....but the abuse of an art can never, amongst
thinking men, lessen the use of it; and until all
respect for high and noble deeds shall be destroyed on
earth, an art which assists to perpetuate the
remembrance of their enactors can never truly be called
"the science of fools." Heraldry is the short-hand of
History. In its figures, properly interpreted, we read
the chronicle of centuries."
From The Pursuivant of Arms by J.R. Planch
Until next month, pray believe that I am, and remain,
Copyright © 1997 Society
for Creative Anachronism, Inc.