Please advise the submitter to draw the laths of the fretty thinner, in order to show more of the sable field beneath.
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century Ireland. This name meets that request.
The byname of Dunvegan is the lingua Anglica form of a period of Dunnevegane or something similar.
The submitter asked for help dating the given name Ernine. Eastern Crown was able to redocument the given name as a late period English given name derived from a family name, making the name completely English.
The submitter's previous name, Wren of Hunter's Home, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous name, Milka Vydrin, is released.
Nice late period English name!
Blazoned when registered in September 2007 as Per pale azure and Or goutty de sang, a harpy displayed per pale Or and azure, this is a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for a discussion of this charge.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a natural tiger.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
There is a step from period practice for counterchanging a bordure over a central ordinary.
Please advise the submitter to draw the Maltese cross with wider arms and deeper notches at the ends of the arms.
Please advise the submitter to draw the Maltese cross with wider arms and deeper notches at the ends of the arms.
While a quill pen is naturally longer than a compact charge such as a lozenge, please advise the submitter to draw the quill pen shorter, and the lozenges larger, to make it more clear that this is a single group of tertiary charges.
Amira, like Regina, is an attested given name that is identical to a title. As such, it can be registered when the name as a whole cannot be understood to create a claim to rank. This is true here; the byname means "Lupo's child."
This name mixes a Arabic given name and an Italian byname; this is an allowable lingual mix under Appendix C of SENA.
An Tir Equestrian Guild is a generic identifier.
Blazoned on the Letter of Intent as a harpy, we have reblazoned this as a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for more information on this charge.
This device change has been specially ruled on by Laurel directly, with Wreath's input.
Firstly, a cautionary note about administrative requirements. Section IV.C.5 of the Administrative Handbook covers the documentation required for evidence of support for changing the branch arms of a principality. One of the requirements is that "support must be demonstrated by the results of a poll conducted in the relevant official newsletter..." While the results of the poll were included in the packet, documentation of the poll in the relevant official newsletter was not included. Fortunately, with a little digging and inquiry we were able to obtain the necessary documentation, and so this submission may proceed.
Secondly, the motif of a crown within a laurel wreath is seen as two separate tertiary charge groups, something not ordinarily allowed by our style rules. However, we are relaxing our style rules in this case, as the crown and laurel wreath are quite identifiable, and the overall design does not greatly suffer from the addition of the crown. Therefore, this device change can be registered. Please see this month's Cover Letter for more detail about this relaxation of the style ruels and when it can be applied.
The principality's previous device, Quarterly argent and Or, a griffin rampant, on a point pointed gules a laurel wreath Or, is retained as ancient arms.
Submitted as Beatrix Cardinalli, the documented form of the byname is Cardinali. We have changed the name to that form in order to register it. Commenters questioned if this name were a claim to be a cardinal; it is not. Family names derived from titles, like Visconti, have long been allowed, as they were used by people who had no rank or position in period.
Blazoned on the Letter of Intent as a harpy, we have reblazoned this as a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for more information on this charge.
There is a step from period practice for the use of compass stars.
This is the defining instance of this charge in SCA heraldry. This depiction of a stag's antler can be seen in the Zurich Roll, on strip 2 back p.10 in the arms of Sumerow. The same arms of Sumeraw, in annulo but not conjoined to itself, can be seen on pl.116 of Siebmacher. Another example, also not conjoined to itself, from Siebmacher can be seen on pl.113 in the arms of Hornstein, which is likewise in the Zurich Roll strip 2 back p.1. We will not grant difference for conjoined or not conjoined, but there is a DC for orientation between a stag's antler in annulo and a stag's antler not in annulo.
This device is not in conflict with the device of Kourost Bernard of the East Woods, Sable, a sun Or eclipsed sable. There is a substantial change of type of primary charge between a stag's antler and a sun. There also is not a visual conflict under SENA AX, as the rays of Kourost's sun and the tines of Hafr-Tóki's antler here are sufficiently different.
His previous device, Sable, a chevron rompu inverted Or, is retained as a badge.
This badge is not in conflict with the badge of Alys de Wilton, (Fieldless) An attire sable. There is a DC for fieldlessness, and another DC for the change in orientation of the stag's antler.
The submitter requested authenticity for 1560 Germany. This name meets that request.
Submitted as Maiôsara thugatêr Azariôn, the patronymic byname requires the father's name to be placed in the genitive (possessive) case. That form is Azariônos. We have made that change in order to register the name.
Her previous device, Per fess ermine and purpure, a turnip proper leaved vert, is retained as a badge.
This badge is not in conflict with the badge of the War ensign of the Outlands, Pily bendy vert and Or, a stag's attire bendwise sinister gules. There is a DC for fieldlessness, and another DC for the change in orientation of the stag's antler.
Please advise the submitter to draw the bordure wider so the fleurs-de-lys can be larger and more easily identified.
Submitted as Merwenna æt wiella, the submitted byname uses the nominative form of the word "well." Brían dorcha ua Conaill provides evidence from Bosworth Tolliver that wielle is the dative form derived from that nominative spelling. We have changed the name to that spelling in order to register the name. It is possible that wiella might be a late period dative form, but commenters could not find clear evidence to support this idea.
The documentation for Merwenna is derived from a potentially problematic Anglo-Saxon charter. As this spelling is found as a documented Latinized Middle English name and the underlying name is clearly dated to the 10th century, we will give this form the benefit of the doubt as a Latinized 10th century Anglo-Saxon given name.
The submitter requested authenticity for 10th century Anglo-Saxon; with the caveat given above, this name meets that request.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Muirecán of Bristol, a timely correction said that the submitter's preferred name was Muirghein of Bristol. OC&M say that this name was used by normal people but provides no further details; this means the name was in use in an early time, which would not be compatible with an English byname. Luckily, there is a gray period saint of this name, found in the Martyrology of Gorman (among others).
Thus, this name mixes a Gaelic given name and an English byname; this is an allowable lingual mix under Appendix C of SENA.
The submitter's previous name, Muirecán of the Highland, is released.
The submitter requested authenticity for 9th century Iceland; we cannot confirm that the byname was used in Iceland at the time of the Landnámabók. However, the name is a reasonable Old Norse name and can be registered as submitted.
The submitter's previous name, Oddr mj{o,}ksiglandi, is retained as an alternate name.
The Letter of Intent asked for assistance documenting Yusuf. It is a standard spelling, found for example in Juliana de Luna, "Arabic names from al-Andalus" (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/juliana/alandalus/).
The submitter requested authenticity for 14th century England; this name does not meet that request. The given name only appeared in England between 1600-1650. However, the name can be registered as submitted.
Nice 16th century Scots name!
Zada is the submitter's legal middle name. Middle names may be used as given names or bynames, depending on the type of element; in this case, Zada is a post-period given name.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
The submitter requested authenticity for 13th century Gaelic; this name meets that request.
Nice late period English name!
Please advise the submitter to draw the arrows thicker, so they are more noticeable.
Nice 13th century Welsh name!
Nice name for England around 1600!
The submitter has permission to conflict with the device of Thomas Hendersonne, Per pale indented sable and Or.
Nice device!
Nice badge!
Nice badge!
Submitted as Vigdís Gràfeldr, the accent on the a in the byname should be an acute accent, making it Gráfeldr. We have made that change in order to register the name.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
Blazoned when registered in July 2008 as Azure, a harpy displayed and on a chief embattled argent three nesselblätter vert, this is a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for a discussion of this charge.
This name does not presume identity with any of the rulers of the kingdom of Jerusalem named Baldwin. The kingdom of Jerusalem existed in two iterations; the various Baldwins ruled over the first one, which fell in 1187. The second, founded in 1192, was the one also known as the Kingdom of Acre. Thus, none of the historical Baldwins would have been known as Baldwin of Acre.
Submitted as Ciaran Colquhoun, the name was changed at kingdom to Ciarán Colquhoun to match the documentation. This change was unnecessary; Gaelic names may be registered either with or without accents. We have therefore restored the name to the submitted form.
This name mixes a Gaelic given name and a Scots byname; this is an allowable lingual mix under the standards of Appendix C of SENA.
The byname of Crete is the lingua Anglica form of a Greek locative byname.
The most likely way to interpret this name is as a double given name followed by a single byname. This name combines two English given names and a Scots byname; this structure is registerable in a mixed English/Scots context.
Jennifer was documented as the submitter's legal given name; Eastern Crown also dated it as a given name to 1602 from the FamilySearch Historical Records.
The submitter's previous name, Jeneuer de Trethewy, is retained as an alternate name.
This depiction of a natural rose is grandfathered to the submitter.
The byname of Crete is the lingua Anglica form of a Greek locative byname.
Rodney grants permission to conflict for all armory at least one countable step (DC) from his device.
Siobhan grants permission to conflict for all armory at least one countable step (DC) from her badge.
Siobhan grants permission to conflict for all armory at least one countable step (DC) from her device.
Submitted as Vanora O'Davorean, the documented form of the byname (and the one registered to her mother) is O'Davoren. We have changed the name to that form in order to register it.
Orle was able to document Vanora as a form of Guinevere: "George Buchanan. Rerum Scoticarum Historia. Arbuthnetus. 1583. p. 27. http://books.google.com/books?id=tohSAAAAcAAJ has: Vanora uxor Arcturi. This is clearly discussing Arthurian legend." There is a pattern of creating new names from Arthurian names. Thus the given name can be registered in English context.
The byname of Alexandria is the lingua Anglica form of a Greek locative byname.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
The given name is documented as French. A byname of the form documented here would not be typical of Jewish names in France, but would be typical of Jewish names in Spain. Such a mix is allowable under Appendix C of SENA.
Her previous device, Vert, a hind trippant to sinister argent, a bordure argent semy of hearts vert, is released.
Blazoned when registered in December 2004 as Or, three harpies displayed gules, winged and tailed sable, these are frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for a discussion of this charge.
The submitter's previous name, Torcail Ó Maonaigh, is retained as an alternate name.
His previous device, Per pale argent and azure, a goblet between in fess two ivy leaves, its foot within two antlers crossed at the roots in saltire, all counterchanged, is released.
Nice device!
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
This name mixes an English given name and a Gaelic byname. This is an acceptable lingual mix under the standards of Appendix C of SENA.
While the submitter's original blazon used the term lunel, these are not lunels. A lunel is the French heraldic term for what the English call "four crescents conjoined in cross", and what the Portuguese term a "quaderna de crescentes." There are several families in Portuguese armory which use lunels, with four crescents. There is only one family, Froes, which uses a similar design with three crescents. No evidence could be found of a similar motif with five crescents, but as we can describe it in heraldic terms it is registerable. As we do not have any evidence of the five-crescent version actually being used in period armory, however, there is a step from period practice for the use of charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
Her previous device, Gules, a catamount passant and on a chief embattled Or three suns gules, is retained as a badge.
Nice badge!
This title is derived from the Order of the Duellist, registered to the submitter.
This name mixes a Dutch given name and an English byname; this is an allowable lingual mix under the standards of Appendix C of SENA.
Submitted as a mix of English and French, Eastern Crown was able to find the byname in English. She found Mortmayn "in a will dated to 1509 in Testamenta Eboracensia, Or, Wills Registered at York (http://books.google.com/books?id=8AAVAAAAQAAJ)." Mortmain is also a plausible spelling, given the common i/y switch in English.
The submitter's previous name, Florie Seaborn, is released.
Her previous device, Argent, a fleur-de-lys vert issuant from a base wavy azure, is released.
Submitted as Lasair Ruadh an Eich Gil, this name includes two descriptive bynames. There is no evidence for two descriptive bynames in Gaelic. Thus, one of these bynames must be dropped. Lasair Ruadh would conflict with the registered Lassar Ruad. Thus we must drop the first descriptive byname to make it Lasair an Eich Gil. We have done this in order to register the name.
There is a step from period practice for the "phases of the moon" motif of a roundel between two differently-facing crescents. Appendix G of SENA currently says only "a roundel between an increscent and a decrescent", but obviously the crescent orientation would change when the motif is placed upon a pale.
There is a step from period practice for the use of any part of a natural tiger.
Submitted as Ormarr berfóti, the byname was constructed. There is a documented form of a byname with this form: berf{ae}ttr, which is found as the byname of King Magnús Óláfsson. We have changed the name to the documented form in order to register it.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a footprint.
Documented as a German-French mix, the name can also be documented as a wholly 13th century English name. Thanks to Eastern Crown for providing those documents.
Submitted as Shaia the Gipsie, the kingdom corrected the name to the documented Sha'ya the Gipsie. While Sha'ya is a more accurate transliteration, this change was not necessary. Judeo-Arabic given name, Juetta observed that Shaia is a plausible casual transliteration. Thus it is registerable in a Judeo-Arabic context. We have restored the given name to the submitted form.
The byname the Gipsie is grandfathered to the submitter, but "[t]he use of the grandfather clause does not allow the submitter to evade new style problems (as discussed in PN.2 below). It only allows the submitter to keep style problems that already exist with the registered name." As the combination of Judeo-Arabic and English does not exist in her previous name, this adds a new problem. However, this given name is compatible with a lingua Anglica byname based on a documented Italian byname with that meaning. For a lingua Anglica byname, we must use the standard modern gypsy or gipsy; we have changed the name to the latter in order to register this name.
The submitter's previous name, Sarra the Gipsie, is retained as an alternate name.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
Nice device!
Blazoned when registered in May 2006 as Vert, a harpy displayed maintaining two swords argent, a bordure rayonny Or, this is a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for a discussion of this charge.
Commenters questioned whether Auditore da Venezia constituted a claim to rank like Abbot of Saint Giles or Bard of Armagh. It does not. Auditore means "judge," but there is no suggestion that there would have been only one auditore in Venice or an official one. Thus, this combination of bynames, like Seamstress of York can be registered.
Blazoned when registered in January 2008 as Sable, a harpy displayed within a bordure embattled Or, this is a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for a discussion of this charge.
The Japanese crane displayed as depicted in this device has been registered several times before in the SCA and, based on those depictions, is legless by default. This device is not presumptive of the logo of the airline company JAL, as their Japanese crane is gules, not purpure, and is charged with the letters JAL.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a Japanese crane, a non-European charge. There is not an additional step from period practice for being a non-eagle displayed, as this non-European charge is commonly displayed. If this design had been documented as an Individually Attested Pattern, there would have been no step from period practice.
His previous device, Argent, three triangles conjoined one and two purpure, is retained as a badge.
Blazoned on the Letter of Intent as Argent,...within a triangle inverted voided sable, this triangle is too thin-line to be considered a voided triangle. It is apparent that this badge is instead a charge on an argent triangle, and thus we have reblazoned this as (Fieldless) On a triangle inverted argent...
There is a step from period practice for the use of a Japanese crane, a non-European charge.
The submitter requested authenticity for 15th-16th century Bohemia. This name is authentic for the mid-16th century.
The name is documented with a double given name in Anglicized Irish; there is no evidence for that pattern. Instead, what you find in Anglicized Irish is double bynames. The most likely form has both patronymic bynames marked, as Michael MacSean MacGee.
Luckily, Lillia de Vaux was able to date Sean as an English family name in 1604 Hertford. This allows us to register Michael Sean MacGee by justifying Sean as an English family name; a pattern of an English family name followed by an Anglicized Irish patronymic byname is sometimes found in Anglicized Irish. Michael of course is found in both English and Anglicized Irish contexts.
Sciath is the name of an early Irish saint.
Calanais Nuadh is the registered name of an SCA branch.
This name mixes an Old Norse given name with a later Scandinavian byname. These elements are both from a single naming pool under Appendix C of SENA. The submitter may want to know that the fully Old Norse form would be Vigr Biarnarson (from Geirr Bassi); the 16th century form (documented by Goutte d'Eau from Diplomatarium Norvegicum) would be Vigar Biornsson.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
Blazoned on the Letter of Intent as a dove, the bird here lacks a dove's distinctive tuft of feathers on its head, and otherwise looks indistinguishable from a generic bird.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
Submitted as King's Order of Excellence, that name conflicts with Caid's Royal Recognition of Excellence. King's and Royal modify the designator and thus do not contribute to difference. Thus, we have added of the East in order to clear the conflict and register the name.
Blazoned when registered in August 1996 as Vert, three rabbits courant in annulo conjoined by the ears argent, we are making the blazon more consistent with similar registrations of this motif.
There is a step from period practice for using a rose in profile.
Please advise the submitter to draw a more visible rapier hilt.
Submitted as Academy of Saint Gregory with the Dove, the documentation for this item combines multiple types of non-personal names. We require a household name to follow a single model of a particular type of group of people or place where they might gather. See the Cover Letter from October 2013 for more details.
The designator academy is rarely (at best) used in England before 1600 (a 1605 citation from the OED s.v. academy observes, "It importes no litle disgrace to our Nation, that others have so many Academyes, and wee none at all."). However, academies were common in Renaissance Italy. A few of these Italian accademias were named after saints, such as the 1593 Roman Accademia di San Luca and the 1485 Venitian Accademia di San Rocco. However, the combination of a saint and an object is not found. Thus, Academy of Saint Gregory would be registerable, but barring further evidence, Academy of Saint Gregory with the Dove would not.
The only model which includes a saint and an object is the model of order names. The reason for that more complex model is straightforward: it combines two separate names for the order, the "religious" name (the saint's name) and the "secular" name (the object). As a variety of groups in period Germany and France blur the line between knightly orders, tournament groups, and other kinds of associations, we are willing to let patterns for those sorts of order names be used for household groups that are not orders. While there are inn-sign names derived from saint's names and objects of veneration, there are no documented inn-sign names combining the two. Thus, this pattern can only be used with designators suitable for societies like orders. Designators like order are not allowed for household names of this type, but designators like society, brotherhood, or company, as well as less common terms like French alliance or emprise, may be used for household names. Thus, Society of Saint Gregory with the Dove would be registerable, among other names.
The submitter indicated that he preferred the designator be changed to society if a change had to be made. We have made that change in order to register the name.
Blazoned when registered in January 1994 as Gules, on a fess rayonny between three hawk's lures Or, a harpy displayed sable fleshed proper, this is a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for a discussion of this charge.
Blazoned when registered in April 1988 as Counter-ermine, a harpy displayed Or and on a base potenty gules, a serpent nowed Or, this is a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for a discussion of this charge.
Blazoned when registered in May 2012 as Per bend sinister sable and vert, three coneys courant contourny, heads to center and ears conjoined, within an orle argent, we are making the blazon more consistent with similar registrations of this motif.
Blazoned when registered in September 2004 as Vert, a horse courant contourny conjoined with an annulet argent, the horse is within the annulet.
Nice device!
The forms were ambiguous as to whether the submitter intended there to be an accent over the o in Simeon. The spelling without accents is the more typical form and the one appearing on the Letter of Intent. If he did want one, he may submit a request for reconsideration.
Vairy of four tinctures is found in de Bara's Le blason des armoiries, 1628, on p.11 (found at http://books.google.com/books?id=4AhJAAAAcAAJ). Gerald Legh, in his The accedence of armorie, 1597, also mentions vairy of four tinctures. In both cases, only the field is mentioned or shown; there are no charges. However, as long as identifiability is maintained, vairy of four tinctures may be registered with charges.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Sitt al-Gharb ha-nigret Khazariyya, a timely correction changed the word to the correct spelling al-niqret.
Commenters questioned whether X ha-niqret Y ("X known as Y") was a legitimate name construction. We have long allowed equivalent constructions in many other languages (using terms like dictus, cognomento, and alias). We see no reason to think that Hebrew should be treated differently. Thus, this name consists of a given name and a byname (ha-niqret Khazariyya) and can be registered.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
Please advise the submitter to draw the whelks larger so they are more easily identified.
Nice late period English name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of pawprints.
Nice sixteenth century Gaelic name!
A ram's head is often drawn with a beard whether or not it is explicitly blazoned, but we are retaining the blazon here for the cant.
Submitted as Guinevere verch Robin, the submitter indicated that she preferred the spelling ferch if it could be justified. It can. While verch remains common through 1600, in July of 2013, Pelican said:
[T]he word meaning "daughter" in medieval Welsh is spelled verch until the end of the 15th century. After that time, ferch becomes progressively more common. Thus, the typical form of the byname in the 15th century would be verch Rys; we have made that change in order to meet her authenticity request. [Nest verch Rys, 07/2013 LoAR, A-Aethelmearc]
Thus, we have changed the byname to the 16th century ferch Robin in order to meet the submitter's request.
Embroidery Guild of Meridies is a generic identifier.
Please advise the submitter to draw the charges larger to better fill the available space.
Embroidery Guild of Meridies is a generic identifier.
Shea was documented as the submitter's legal middle name. It can also be constructed as a late period English given name derived from the attested surname Shea.
The submitter's currently registered alternate name, Thorgrim Ketilsson, is now his primary name.
The submitter's previous primary name, Gaston de Poitou, is released.
The submitter requested authenticity for "12th-13th Gaul," which we take to mean "France." Unfortunately this name does not meet that request. The given name can be documented a late 16th century German or English; the byname can be documented from the Netherlands in the gray period. It is registerable as submitted; either German and Dutch or English and Dutch is an allowable lingual mix under Appendix C of SENA.
The expected form of the byname is de la Coste (note the capitaliztion). However, capitalization in period is sufficiently irregular that we will give the submitter the benefit of the doubt and register the name as submitted.
Nice late period English name!
In 1987, Yrsa was returned as a unique name. This is not currently a bar to registration unless the person who used that name was not human or we have reason to think that name would never be used by another human being. Neither would normally apply to the name of a normal person, even if that name only appeared once.
Ridanäs is a modern form of the name of a Viking-era port, abandoned around 1180. The name is obscure, but is as close as we can come to a standard modern form (as required for this lingua Anglica based byname).
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
Please advise the submitter to draw the chevronels larger.
The submitter's previous name, Christian Thierry, is released.
The submitter requested authenticity for 15th or 16th century German; this name is authentic for the 16th century.
Nice device!
This name mixes a French given name and an English byname; this is an allowable lingual mix under Appendix C of SENA.
The submitter's old name, Deirdre de Lacy of Meath, is retained as an alternate name.
Her previous device, Gules, a Lacy knot argent between three roses Or, is retained as a badge.
Her previous device, Paly sable and Or, on an hourglass purpure in pale two popinjays argent, is retained as a badge.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
Submitted as Adelaisa Bernoe, the byname uses an inflected (ablative) form which is not suitable as a byname; the nominative or genitive (possessive) form Bernois is the grammatically correct form. We have changed the byname to that form in order to register the name.
The submitter requested authenticity for 12th century Outremer. Commenters could not find evidence that the names were used in Outremer or in the 12th century; this name is however, registerable.
This name was pended from the June 2013 Letter of Acceptances and Returns.
Caer Galen Bookbinders Guild is a generic identifier.
Blazoned when registered in October 1976 as Sable, two arrows in saltire, in chief a tulip-tree slip fesswise Or, the arrows have their points to chief.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
Blazoned when registered in January 1973 as Ermine, above a mount vert a penannular brooch, tongue pendant, Or, we are clarifying the primary charge and orientation of the brooch.
Blazoned when registered in February 1991 as Gules, a harpy displayed and a chief rayonny argent, this is a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for a discussion of this charge.
Blazoned when registered in August 1977 as Azure, a sun-wheel ensigning a curule chair Or, we are clarifying the arrangement of the charges.
Blazoned when registered in January 1973 as Per bend azure and Or, a seagull rising argent and a laurel wreath vert, the seagull is volant, not rising.
Blazoned when registered in October 2010 as Or, a harpy displayed gules, on a chief sable three crescents Or, this is a frauenadler. Please see this month's Cover Letter for a discussion of this charge.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This badge is returned for violating section A2C1 of SENA, which states that "Elements must be drawn in their period forms and in a period armorial style." We have long required that any letters and words in armory be written in a period script, although we no longer blazon the exact script used. Letters should look as if they were actually written in period, with lines of varying thickness, not the rounded uniform thickness of a modern ball-point pen, as seen here.
This device is also returned for violating SENA A2C2 which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable." While we do not expect the general public to need to be experts on Mongolian, the letters "AE" here are a touch confusing; blazoned on the Letter of Intent as being Uighur letters, these letters are not from the Old Uyghur alphabet, but are from the later Uyghur-Mongol alphabet, also known as the Traditional Mongolian alphabet, which was adapted from the Uyghur alphabet early in the 13th century. One of the differences is the inclusion of distinctly different forms of some letters when used to represent words of foreign origin. For example, while the "A" here is the traditional letter, the "E" here is the foreign version, not the traditional version. Furthermore, this is not a word per se, but the letters are conjoined as if it were a single word. This design is problematic as far as reproducibility goes. However, precedent does say:
While we could choose to limit submitters to a specific runic alphabet, we have decided this is far more work for too little gain, requiring a level of expertise that few in the Society have. Matins noted it is the equivalent of Linnaean proper, which we have also long-since banned for being far too specific. We are therefore choosing to treat the specific alphabet a given rune comes from as artistic variation; while we will still name runes as best we can to enable scribal reproduction, submitters and heralds are reminded that we grant no difference between abstract symbols of any kind.[Ella Blackwolf, A-Middle, September 2012 LoAR]
We are willing to give the submitter the benefit of the doubt as regards to the specific letters chosen from the Mongolian alphabet. However, we must consider the identifiability issue: to the layman, this looks like nothing more than a single squiggle. It is also not a single word; it is a monogram. As this requires significant research to be able to recognize this charge at all, or to be able to reproduce this from the blazon alone, this is too difficult to properly identify.
This device is returned for not providing sufficient evidence of the submitted cross as a period charge. SENA A2B provides for the standards of acceptable elements: this cross is not attested in period armory (A2B1), is not a tool or everyday artifact (A2B2a), is not a European plant or animal (A2B2b), is not a constructed monster (A2B2c), and does not fall under the Grandfather Clause (A2B3). The one attestation of the charge is a single image from an 11th century manuscript, which does show some sort of Latinate cross with decorative ends to the arms that could be described as like columns or capitals. However, as this is the only instance we could find of such a cross even in period art, this is not sufficient to invent a new charge.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
This badge is returned for using an embattled coronet: such a coronet is reserved for Counts and Countesses. The use of coronets as a charge in armory is quite period, yet those same coronets do not indicate ranks. However, as our SCA practice is to reserve coronets to only those people or branches entitled to them, rank and entitlement of the bearer must be considered. While some kingdoms allow Viscounts to use embattled coronets, this is not a Society-wide designation, and indeed is contrary to the Society restriction on embattled coronets. The difference between a crown as regalia and as a reserved charge is a bit confusing; the Glossary of Terms is quite explicit on coronet type as regalia, but lumps them all together in the list of reserved charges. However, past precedent has ruled that "court baron/ess may use a coronet in their arms, so long as it does not use the embattlements of county rank, or the strawberry leaves of ducal rank." [Tsivia bas Tamara of Amberview, A-Middle, May 1999 LoAR]. The submitter is a viscountess, not a countess.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
None.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of William de Cameron, Sable, a fess ermine. There is a DC for the addition of the ram's head, but nothing else.
The fess as depicted here is also drawn far too wide, blurring the distinction between a charged ermine fess and an ermine field with a chief and a base. Blurring the distinction between charge groups and having a design that could be interpreted as combining a chief and a base are also both causes for return.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Morgan Morfydd Gwilym, Pean, a phoenix displayed gules, issuant from flames, maintaining in its beak a dexter hand couped proper. There is a DC for the change in field, but nothing for the maintained hand or tincture of the phoenix. As flames proper are considered to be half Or and half gules, Morgan's phoenix is therefore considered entirely gules for purposes of difference.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This name conflicts with the registered Katherine Johnson. We must consider all likely pronunciations of the name. In Middle English, the name Katherine may be four syllables, with the final -e pronounced. Thus, only the consonant cluster which starts the second syllable (t vs. th) contributes to difference. We note that these names are different enough to be registered with a letter of permission to conflict.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
While the Letter of Intent makes it clear that the Oriflamme is the period battle standard of the French army, it does not make the case that oriflamme follows a period pattern for creating a heraldic title. Thus, this item cannot be registered.
The only example of the creation of a knightly order from a similar object (the Dannebrog) is well after the end of the gray period. As such, the submitter has not made the case that the French Oriflamme is a suitable model for an order or a heraldic title.
Post-period, oriflamme becomes a generic name for a type of flag. This meaning could be the basis of an order name and heraldic title, but commenters could not find evidence that this meaning of the word is period.
This badge is returned for presumption, for using a restricted charge of a ducal coronet. The origin and original meaning of the crancelin, a period charge, are unclear. However, Woodward, Parker, and other heraldic authorities all refer to the charge as being a "crown of rue," a "chaplet of rue," and "a segment of a crown." Parker also calls it "a ducal coronet in bend", or "a bend archy coronetty," and relates a story of the origin of the arms of the Dukes of Saxony: "the bend vert was added by the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, when he confirmed the dukedom on Bernard of Anhalt (c. 1156), who desiring some mark to distinguish him from the dukes of the former house, the emperor took a chaplet of rue which he had upon his head, and threw it across the shield."
All known citations of its use in period, save perhaps one, are of arms belonging to dukes. Its appearance, having multiple types of alternating points and leaf-like protrusions, certainly looks far more like a segment of a ducal coronet, rather than merely a complex line applied to a bend. We would not consider a bend embattled on the upper edge to be anything other than a bend; however, a crancelin is quite distinctive and unique in armory.
The practice of restricting coronets in armory to the entitled rank of the bearer is not a period one, but it is a long-standing SCA tradition. Precedent says:
We have precedent indicating that such presumption is determined based on visual similarity to the reserved charge:
The quadruple mount overwhelmingly resembles a crown, and the submitter is not entitled to display one on her arms. (Laurel had been inclined to allow the charge, but at the Laurel meeting where it was viewed, my staff, who had not seen the LoI, immediately started looking for evidence of her entitlement to use a crown, since they all thought it was one until the blazon was read. This served to change our mind.). The submitter is correct in stating that it is a period charge. However, that is not relevant in matters of presumption. (LoAR 5/99
The commentary from the College showed a strong consensus that this form of coronet visually appeared to use strawberry leaves. By the May 1999 precedent on quadruple mounts, it must therefore be treated as a ducal coronet, and reserved for the use of dukes and duchesses. As the submitter does not hold this rank, she may not register this form of coronet. [Ghislaine d'Auxerre, R-Caid, April 2002 LoAR]
Similarly, commentary showed a strong consensus that the crancelin should be considered a coronet. We will henceforth consider the crancelin to be a variant of a ducal coronet, and restrict its use in armory to Dukes and Duchesses.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
None.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
None.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This device was pended from the June 2013 LoAR to discuss whether or not marshalled arms may be used in their entirety as documentation for an Individually Attested Pattern, or only their component arms. It was also pended in hopes that further documentation of this pattern could be found.
Commenters unanimously agreed that as we should not allow marshalled arms to be used as documentation, only their constituent parts. This seems clearest, and easiest to explain to submitters, as we also do not allow marshalled arms to be registered.
Unfortunately, there was not sufficient documentation to support this design under the Individually Attested Pattern rules. While we could find sufficient examples of identical charges placed across a divided field where half of the charges had poor contrast with the underlying field, in all cases the charges were identical; this no doubt helps identifiability of the low-contrast charge, by being able to compare it to the high-contrast charge. Cases of dissimilar charges were vanishingly rare, not enough to document this pattern.
The roundels here, which are not exactly "in cross", are not large enough to be considered sustained secondary charges; being less than half the visual weight of the elephant, they are considered maintained charges. This badge is therefore returned for conflict with the device of Simona dell'Amore, Sable, an elephant rampant argent. As the previous return explained, "The motif of an elephant with a castle or tower upon its back is period, but we grant no difference between a howdah and a castle or tower, and as an elephant with such on its back was used interchangeably with an elephant unburdened, we do not grant difference for the existence (or lack thereof).". There is a DC for fieldlessness, but nothing for the maintained charges.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
There is a step from period practice for the use of a natural tiger.
This device is returned for violating SENA A3E2, which states complexity of a design is "measured by adding the number of types of charges to the number of tinctures. Items with a complexity count of eight or less receive no penalty for complexity from this rule... An item with a complexity count of nine or higher that follows a period pattern of charges and tinctures may be registered, but may need to be documented as an Individually Attested Pattern." Here we have four types of charges (tiger, chief, increscent, mullet) and five tinctures (azure, Or, sable, argent, purpure), for a total complexity count of nine. While the overall arrangement of the design is period, a natural tiger is not a period heraldic charge, and so this design is not registerable. The simplest change would likely be to make the chief Or, or the charges on the chief sable, or change the increscent into another mullet.
This device is returned for blurring the difference between charge groups. These gouttes as drawn are too small to be considered secondary charges, being more of the size expected from maintained drops. However, maintained drops would also be expected to be closer to the garb, if not outright touching it as they are distilled. Distilled gouttes are considered maintained charges in Society armory, and so do not count for difference. This device would then conflict with the device of Mædscir, Vert, a garb and in base a laurel wreath, a bordure Or, with a single DC for removing the secondary wreath. This device also then conflicts with the badge of Dagmaer or Nautaloek, Purpure, a garb within a bordure Or, with a single DC for the change in field. There may also be a conflict with the device of Óengus Minogue, Vert, a sheaf of five stalks of wheat and a bordure wavy Or, as there is a DC for the complex line of the bordure, but there may or may not be a DC for the difference between a sheaf of five stalks of wheat and a garb.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
None.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
This badge is returned for not being a valid depiction of a cog-wheel. A properly drawn cog-wheel has a central hub and typically four spokes leading to the outer rim, as seen in Siebmacher, pl. 177, in the arms of von Wedel.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
None.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This is pended to discuss whether this household name conflicts with the registered Barony of An Dubhaigeainn. The names are different enough in appearance, but may not be sufficient enough in sound. We had little commentary on this issue, and some of it mistakenly used the standards for personal names, not non-personal names. Under the latter standards, An "the" does not contribute to difference. We would like further commentary on pronunciations and whether they are different enough.
We note that the names are different enough that this name could be registered with a letter of permission to conflict.
This was item 3 on the Æthelmearc letter of August 27, 2013.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
On the August 2013 Letter of Acceptances and Returns, Order of the Winged Seamonkey was pended in order to discuss whether Winged X follows a pattern of period order names. This is pended until that decision is made.
This was item 13 on the An Tir letter of August 30, 2013.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2014-01-01T22:58:52