There is a step from period practice for the use of natural tiger's heads.
The submitter's previous name, Eydís Vígdísardóttir, is retained as an alternate name.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
The submitter's previous device, Argent, on a bend engrailed azure between a brown horse rampant and a tree eradicated proper three gouttes argent, is retained as a badge.
Nice badge!
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified language or culture. Both name elements are in the same language, Old East Norse, but we cannot say for sure whether they are close enough in time to be authentic for a specific era.
River Haven is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Arianna is a reasonable variant spelling of the attested English female given name Ariana based on multiple examples in which -ana and -anna were used interchangeably in late-period English.
The submitter is allowed the use of the Lisbjerg gripping-beast through the previous registration allowance. The submitter has used this particular charge since the registration of his device, Counter-ermine, a lisbjerg gripping-beast gules in March 1978.
The byname the Bere Sone is an attested byname found in the Middle English Dictionary s.v. bere.
There is a step from period practice for charges directly on the field with a tierce.
Nice device!
Herons Reach is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Artist's note: Please draw the feathers larger to fill the available space.
This is the defining instance of a head of Hercules. The charge is found on the arms of de Fenogiis, in Insignia pontificum Romanorum et cardinalium, Part 5, BSB Cod. icon 270, Italy, 1550-1555. It is a man's head in profile issuant from the mouth of a lion's head, and evokes the Nemean lion's pelt that Hercules wore as a mantle after defeating it in his first task during the labors of Hercules. The hero is frequently recognizable in Greek and Roman art based solely on his wearing of the lion skin.
The orientation of a head of Hercules shall be defined based on the orientation/facing of the man's face, not the lion's face. The default for the head of Hercules is facing dexter.
The submitter's previous name, Robert de La Trinité, is retained as an alternate name.
Submitted as Sadhbh Bheag inghean Toirrdhealbhach, Gaelic grammar requires the father's name to be in the genitive (possessive) form when used in a patronymic. We have changed the name to Sadhbh Bheag inghean Toirrdhealbhaigh to use the correct genitive form.
Nice Gaelic name for circa 1450!
Nice 14th century Norwegian name!
Originally submitted as Velen Rulav_, the byname was changed at Kingdom to Rulavov, apparently on the belief that unmarked patronymics were not registerable in Russian names. However, by precedent, unmarked patronymic bynames in Russian are "a rare, but registerable practice." [Marija Kotok, 9/2007 LoAR, A-Æthelmearc; June 2013 Cover Letter]. Therefore, we can return the name to its originally submitted form.
The submitter is a knight and a viscount, and is thus entitled to display an orle of chain and a coronet.
Submitted as Ylsebeten von Hamburg, the given name is not in the correct nominative (base) form. Although the submitter originally permitted no changes, she specifically allowed us to change the given name to the correct nominative form, Ylsebet_, for registration.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
Loch Salann is the registered name of an SCA branch.
There is a step from period practice for use of compass stars.
The submitter's previous device, Vert, in pale a demi-sun issuant from chief and an astrolabe argent, is retained as a badge.
Nice device!
The submitter's previous name, Nicolina of Cornwall, is released.
Submitted as Sajah al ish Shirazyyah, al ish is not a combination found in Arabic. The Arabic definitive article is usually rendered as al-. However, when used before a word starting with Sh-, it may be rendered as ash-. In addition, we found no evidence supporting the transcription Shirazyyah with two ys and no i. Thus, with the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Sajah al-Shiraziyah for registration.
The submitter's previous name, Isabelle MacLeod, is released.
The submitter's previous device, Per pall inverted gules, vert, and argent, two unicorns combattant argent and a tree eradicated vert, is released.
Submitted as Yuki Tomoe, commenters were not able to document the family name as submitted. Both name elements were documented in the Letter of Intent from Anthony J. Bryant's "An Online Japanese Miscellancy: Japanese Names" (http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/miscellany/names.html). We again remind heralds and submitters that, by precedent, this site is not reliable documentation because it does not contain specific dates for any of the elements and does not provide a bibliography. [Morikawa Kenji Katashige, 2/2016 LoAR, A-Antir] Fortunately, commenters were able to re-document both elements through reliable sources, albeit with one slight difference.
Juliana Siren found the family name Yuuki (where uu represents a long vowel) dated to 1332 in Name Construction in Medieval Japan (NCMJ). With the submitter's permission, we have changed the family name to Yuuki to match the documentation.
Although the given name Tomoe appears in the second edition of NCMJ, more recent research by Solveig Þrándardóttir, the author of NCMJ, indicates that the historical figure modernly known as Tomoe Gozen was not actually known by this name in period. Further, Tomoe does not fit the attested patterns for period female Japanese names; the use of -e as an ending appears to be a modern practice. Therefore, while we will allow this submitter to register the name element Tomoe, based on Solveig's new evidence, we will cease to register this element as of the March 2018 decision meetings without more evidence supporting its use in period.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
Angelica Blauschild is now this submitter's primary name.
Angelica Blauschild transferred her alternate name Eoda Blauschild to a new recipient who did not have a registered SCA name at the time of the transfer.
The submitter's previous device, Sable, two serpents erect and entwined that to dexter argent and that to sinister Or, a ford proper, is released.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This device would normally be returned for violation of SENA Appendix I, which requires that there be no more than one tertiary charge on a single charge group. Due to its being divided into only five partitions, the "chevron chevronelly" is, in fact, a chevron argent charged with two chevrons vert. These chevrons are in turn surmounted by the quavers, which causes two different tertiary charge groups on the same chevron.
However, in the March 2016 return of the submitter's previous device, Azure, three chevronels argent surmounted by three musical notes one and two sable, between three stag's heads erased affronty argent, Wreath ruled:
Blazoned on the Letter of Intent as a chevron chevronelly argent and azure, this is must be understood as three chevronels argent on an azure field. As such, the musical notes are lying directly on the field with which they lack contrast. Thus, in the absence of documentation for an Individually Attested Pattern, this device must be returned for this contrast issue.
Alternatively, replacing the blue sections between the chevronels by a color other than azure would solve this issue.
As the submitter followed the instructions given by the previous return, we will give her the benefit of the doubt and accept this submission.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Artist's note: Please draw all charges larger to fill the available space.
Submitted as Gabriel D'Acre, we have changed the byname to d'Acre to match the documentation and standard capitalization.
Nice French name for circa 1300!
Submitted as Hj{o,}rdís Sigbjornsdóttir, the submitted form of the byname did not use the correct genitive (possessive) form of the father's name. We have changed the byname to Sigbjarnardóttir to use correct Old Norse grammar.
Commenters expressed concern that Hj{o,}rdís is the name of a purely legendary figure and thus not registerable. However, Hj{o,}rdís can be constructed as a female given name from the attested Old Norse name elements Hjor- and -dís. Heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found the necessary three examples of each element used in attested given names: Hjorulfr, Hjorvarðr and Hjortr; Vigdís, Arndís and Álfdís. Therefore, Hj{o,}rdís is registerable as a constructed Old Norse given name.
Nice device!
There is step from period practice for use of a wolf ululant.
Artist's note: Depict the sun with fewer rays and points.
Noah is the submitter's legal given name. The byname bar Thamira is a plausible construction given the evidence in the Letter of Intent showing Jewish men being identified as sons of their mothers.
Submitted as Award of the Hydra's Coill, this order name is not registerable because it does not follow an attested pattern for order names. The Letter of Intent cited to the example of the Prisoner's Iron, a period order. However, in June 2014, we ruled:
This submission does not follow a pattern of period order names. The only examples we have of a possessive combined with a heraldic charge follow the pattern of Saint's X, where X is an object of veneration or something associated with the saint, such as St. Williams Shield and St. George's shield. The example of Prisoner's Iron is not applicable. It is the compound name of a heraldic charge, a type of iron shackle, so Prisoner's is not being used as a possessive, just as a descriptor of the type of item. Without further evidence to show that this follows a period pattern, we cannot register this order name. [Middle Marches, Barony of the. Order name Award of the Baron's Cuff of the Middle Marches. June 2014, R-Middle]
The same reasoning applies here. As a Coill is not a heraldic charge, the name does not fit the pattern of Saint's X, and the example of Prisoner's Iron does not justify the name as submitted.
However, the Barony has already registered several order names that use the pattern the Coill's + Heraldic Charge, including Order of the Coill's Bells. Under the Existing Registration Allowance, the Barony can continue to use this pattern without further documentation. A hydra is a period heraldic charge found in the online Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry. Accordingly, the Award of the Coill's Hydra is registerable. With the Barony's permission, we have made this change for registration.
Submitted as Award of the Pewter Spoon, this name is not registerable because it does not follow an attested pattern for order names. By longstanding precedent, the use of metals other than gold and silver in order names is not permitted. [Glymm Mere, Barony of. Order name Order of the Iron Wolf, 2/2009 LoAR, R-An Tir; Northshield, Principality of. Iron Griffin Legion, 1/2005 LoAR, R-Northshield]
However, in commentary, Lillia Crampette was able to construct Pewter Spoon as a compound English place name and/or manor name. As we do have evidence of orders being named for places, this name is registerable as Award of _ Pewter Spoon. With the Barony's permission, we have made that change.
The submitter's previous alternate name, Gwenhwyvar verch Lewis, is released. Rúnfríðr Hofmansdóttir remains the submitter's primary name, with Rúnviðr Hofmansson as an alternate name.
Upon the submitter's death, all names and armory registered solely to her are released.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
This name was returned on the November 2012 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for conflict with the registered William of Thetford. The submitter has obtained permission to conflict from William of Thetford, allowing this name to be registered.
Nice English name from the 14th century onwards!
The submitter is a court baron, and entitled to use of a coronet.
Zachary is the submitter's legal given name. The byname bar Thamira is a plausible construction given the evidence in the Letter of Intent showing Jewish men being identified as sons of their mothers.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
Nice 16th century German name!
Submitted as Svava Suanhuita, the byname Suanhuita, meaning "white swan," was based on the given name of a Valkyrie. However, not only is there no evidence in Old Norse for constructing a name with two given names and no byname, there is no evidence that Suanhuita was ever used as a name element by real people.
As the submitter allowed all changes, we have changed the name for registration to use the double descriptive byname hvíta svanr, which also has the meaning "white swan." By longstanding precedent, double descriptive bynames are permitted in Old Norse. [Þórdís gjallandi eyverska, 2/2002 LoAR, A-Outlands]
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
Nice Roman name for the middle of the first century C.E.!
Rosalia is the registered SCA surname of the submitter's parent, and thus can be used by him without further documentation under the newly-renamed Existing Registration Allowance, PN1B2g.
There is a step from period practice for use of a wolf's head ululant.
Artist's note: Please draw the chief larger.
Nice device!
Tahira al-Fahida is now the submitter's primary name, with Acilia Drusilla as her alternate name.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
The territory's previous device, Or, a double-bitted poleaxe sable between two boars' heads couped respectant gules all within a laurel wreath vert, is retained as their ancient arms.
Sialfason is already registered to the submitter and thus may continue to be used under the newly-renamed Existing Registration Allowance, PN1B2g.
The submitter's previous name, Vimundr Sialfason, is retained as an alternate name
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Submitted as Halfgrímr hafreki, the given name is constructed from the attested elements Hálf- and -grímr. For registration, we have added the diacritical marking to the a in Hálfgrímr to use markings consistently throughout the name.
Commenters noted that two of the three examples of names using Hálf- were literal usages of the term "half-". Even so, the construction Hálfgrímr is plausible. The element -grímr can mean a mask or helm that hides the face; a half-mask or half-helm is at least as reasonable as a half-spear, as in the name Hálfgeirr.
Submitted as Award of the Anchor, this order name presumes on the name of Acre, a major city in Israel. In some dialects, Anchor and Acre have only a single difference in sound, which is not sufficient to bring them clear.
The city of Acre is significant enough to protect. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, with evidence of continual human habitation since the Bronze Age. Within the SCA's period, Acre was one of the largest and most significant Mediterranean ports. Acre was a major Roman base in the region and later became one of the Frankish Crusader States before being reconquered by the Mamluks in 1291. Acre has its own entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica.
The Barony permitted the addition of the phrase of Mag Mor to this order name to avoid conflict or presumption if needed. As Acre is significant enough to protect, we have made this change to allow registration.
Submitted as Order of Gwyneth's Harp, the Letter of Intent relied on the newly-renamed Existing Registration Allowance, NPN1C2g, to document the name Gwyneth as the name of a founder of the Barony. However, the Existing Registration Allowance cannot be used to document Gwyneth's, only Gwyneth, as only the "exact, actual name phrase from the registered form may be used." Moreover, the lingua Anglica allowance cannot be applied to given names.
However, Gwyneth can be documented independently as a variant spelling of Gwineth, which is found in the FamilySearch Historical Records for England dated to 1577. Therefore, the order name is registerable as the Order of Gwyneths Harp. We have made this change for registration.
This name combines an Old English given name with a Gaelic byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
There is a step from period practice for gyrons issuant from the corners of the shield.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
Nice badge!
Constanza grants permission to conflict for all armory that is not identical to her registered badge.
Nordmark is the registered name of an SCA branch.
This is the defining instance of a boat-hook head. A boat-hook is a tool used by sailors to either catch objects (with the hook) or push them away (with the point). The charge is upright, hook to dexter, by default. The German term for it is "Bootshaken", translating to "boat-hook." The charge appears in Siebmacher's Wappenbuch, plate 55, in the arms of von Bischofswerdt and die Oppel. It frequently has a ring attached to the base of the head, opposite the hook, for tying on a rope. This ring is an unblazoned artistic variant that does not count for difference.
Nice device!
Submitted as Sigvard {o,}lfúss, the submitter requested authenticity for "Scandinavian 10-11th c." To meet this request, we have changed the given name to the Old Norse Sigvarðr.
This name combines an Old Norse given name with a pre-1100 C.E. Irish Gaelic byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
This name combines a Spanish given name with an Italian byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns) (to Drachenwald pends)
Submitted as Rikelde Thorebern, the given name does not use the nominative (base) form. The submitted spelling Rikelde is not merely a variant spelling; it is the genitive (possessive) form, which cannot be used as a given name. Accordingly, with the submitter's permission, we have changed the given name to the nominative form Rikeld_ for registration.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
Dragonship Haven is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Saxon." Although the given name is an attested Anglo-Saxon name element, the byname is not authentic because it is constructed from the name of an SCA branch.
This name combines a Gaelic saint's name with an Anglicized Irish byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The byname of Lewes is already registered to the submitter and thus can continue to be used under the newly-renamed Existing Registration Allowance, PN1B2g.
Nice late 16th century German name!
Submitted as Edgithe Hlammandi, the given name does not use the nominative (base) form. The spelling Edgithe is not merely a variant spelling; it is the genitive (possessive) form of the name. Accordingly, with the submitter's permission, we have changed the given name to the nominative form Edgitha for registration.
This name combines a Latinized Old English female name with an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice English name for the 13th century onwards!
Nice device!
Submitted as Halldórr hinn Skarpa, the byname did not use the correct nominative (base) form. We have changed the name to Halldórr hinn Skarpi to use the correct nominative form.
The migrant posture is considered equivalent to displayed. As such, there is a step from period practice for use of a non-eagle bird displayed.
Submitted as Hrafn Rikaðrson, called Bonesetter, two changes are necessary to register the name. First, the byname is not correctly constructed. We have changed it to Ríkarðarson to use the correct Old Norse grammar.
Second, the epithet called Bonesetter cannot be registered in this name because it is not temporally or linguistically compatible with the rest of the name elements. Hrafn and Ríkarðarson are both Old Norse, and, under Appendix C of SENA, cannot be combined with English name elements unless all elements of the name are dated prior to 1100 C.E. Unfortunately, the earliest evidence of anything like "bonesetter" in English is dated to 1500 C.E. As the submitter allows all changes, we have dropped the epithet called Bonesetter for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified place and time. This request was not summarized in the Letter of Intent. In the form Hrafn Ríkarðarson, this name is authentic for the very end of the Viking Age in the Iceland and other West Norse Atlantic colonies.
Nice Anglo-Scots name for circa 1300!
Submitted as Khalil al'urdun, the name as submitted is not grammatically correct. We have corrected the byname to the adjectival form al-Urdunni for registration.
The byname de Lille was not documented in the Letter of Intent as a period form. Fortunately, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found de Lille in "French Names from Paris, 1421, 1423, & 1438" by Aryanhwy merch Catmael (heraldry.sca.org/names/french/paris1423surnames.html).
There is a step from period practice for use of a non-eagle bird displayed.
Submitted under the name Shimazu Yasukaze.
Nice English name from circa 1400 onwards!
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
Nice 14th-16th century Venetian name!
This name combines a Pictish given name with an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Bordescros is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Bordescros is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice device!
The Barony of Lyondemere granted permission for the submitted heraldic title to conflict with its registered heraldic title Coral Herald.
Commenters questioned whether this name is registerable because it does not use a pattern set out in Appendix A. However, Appendix A shows only the most common patterns, not all patterns that can or have been documented. In this case, precedent allows Russian names to use double Christian given names. [Janus Neon Bakinich, 11/2015 LoAR, A-Caid] Therefore, this name can be registered.
This name combines an English given name with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Artist's note: Please draw a few more ermine spots to cover more of the leg and the head.
Nice name for the first two centuries of the Roman Empire!
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
Nice late 16th century Scots name!
Submitted as Anneliese Wolf, with the submitter's permission we have changed the given name to Annaliese to match the documentation.
Nice 16th century German name!
Submitted as Asa Kolbrún, diacritical markings in Old Norse names must be used consistently throughout the name. Therefore, we have added the necessary marking to Ása for registration. If the submitter prefers no markings at all, she may make a request for reconsideration.
The submitter may be interested to know that Athanasios Lakedaimonios is a fully Greek form of the same name. If the submitter prefers this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice badge!
This name combines a German given name and a Russian surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Morris is the submitter's legal surname. However, the submitter does not have to rely on the legal name allowance because Morris is also an attested 16th century English surname.
The byname was documented on the Letter of Intent as the lingua Anglica form of a Livonian city name. However, Saulia is not the correct lingua Anglica form; the city is modernly known as {Sv}iauliai.
There is a city modernly known as Saulia or {S,}{au}ulia, whose existence can be dated to 1377. However, that city is in Romania and therefore the lingua Anglica form of the name is treated as Romanian. Romanian and Russian cannot be combined under Appendix C. Fortunately, Lillia Crampette found Katarzyna in Polish dated to 1569 through 1640-1 in her article, "A Preliminary Survey of Names from the Historical Dictionary of Personal Names in Bialystok" (KWHSS 2011). Polish and Romanian can be combined. With this re-documentation, we are able to register the name precisely as submitted.
If the submitter would prefer Katarzyna of {Sv}iauliai, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice device!
Tir Briste is the registered name of an SCA branch.
This depiction of a martlet descending is allowed via the Existing Registration Allowance.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, a wolf rampant and a lion addorsed sable, on a chief azure a tree blasted between a pair of wings argent, is retained as a badge.
Submitted under the name Shîrîn al-Nisâ, that name was returned in July 2017.
The submitter requested authenticity for "10th Century Norse." As both name elements are found in Landnámabók, which describes the Norse settlement of Iceland in the 9th and 10th centuries, this name meets that request.
Originally submitted as Warick Blackrock, the name was changed at Kingdom to Warick Black_Rock to match the documentation that could be found. However, in commentary, Nicholas Coteswold found evidence of a place in England named Blackrock. As unmarked locative bynames are found in English, we have restored the name to its originally submitted form.
Submitted as Ysabel D'Ange, we have changed the byname to d'Ange to match the documentation and standard capitalization.
Nice late 13th century French name!
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
This award name was pended on the June 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns because the question of whether a tusk is a period heraldic charge was due to be decided by Wreath at the July decision meeting. To keep our rulings consistent, we wished to wait until after Wreath rendered his ruling.
In the July 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Return, Wreath concluded that tusks are not period heraldic charges and that "we will cease further registration of tusks of any kind effective as of the January 2018 decision meeting." [Bowen Doyle, 7/2017 LoAR, R-An Tir]. However, Wreath also noted:
In all, there are less than a dozen registrations of tusks as stand-alone charges, most assumed (or explicitly stated) to be elephant tusks, most dating to the early 1990s, and only one dated after 1995. The last registration of any tusk was the badge of the Shire of Ivory Keep in February 2009, Argent, two tusks in saltire azure and a bordure denticulada sable.
Given that elephant's tusks were plausible charges at the time this order name was submitted, we believe fairness requires us to register this order name. However, consistent with Wreath's decision, as of the January 2018 decision meeting, a tusk is no longer a heraldic charge on which an order name can be based.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
Nice German name for circa 1600!
Nice 16th century Ottoman Jewish name!
Nice 16th century Spanish name!
Monique is the French form of Monica, the name of a 4th century Roman saint who became very popular in the later medieval period.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Thomas grants permission to conflict for all armory that is not identical to his device.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
In commentary, Þorfinn Hund dated both elements to the 14th century in Lind's Norska-Islándska Dopnamn ock Finferade Namn Fran Medeltiden, making this a nice Icelandic name!
Nice device!
Oldenfeld is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Artist's note: Please draw the mullets larger.
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified time and place. This request was not summarized in the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, sufficient data was provided in commentary to allow us to consider the authenticity request without pending the item. This name is authentic for late 16th century England. In fact, in commentary, Elen Woderose documented both elements to 1594 in English.
Nice device!
Nice 16th century English name. In fact, this precise name is found in the FamilySearch Historical Records for Worth, Sussex, England dated to 1567.
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified time period or language. Although this is a registerable Scandinavian name, it is not authentic because the elements are not found in the same time and place. Kolbrandr is attested in Iceland in the 12th and 13th centuries, while Haukr appears in Norway in the 14th century.
Submitted as Merewyn Haukr, after the Pelican decision meeting, the submitter requested that the byname be changed to Sunnild. As we had sufficient time and resources to be able to review the documentation and check for conflicts, we are happy to make the submitter's requested change. Sunnild is a Middle English female given name found in Talan Gwynek's "Feminine Given Names in A Dictionary of English Surnames" (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/reaneyHZ.html). Unmarked matronymics are found in Middle English per Appendix A. Therefore, with the submitter's requested change, this name is registerable.
The submitter's previous device, Argent vêtu gules, a dolphin haurient sable, is released.
This name combines a French given name with an English surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Ringulfr hálfdverg Haakonsson, the nickname hálfdverg or "half-dwarf" is not registerable. By precedent, the single attested byname hálftr{o,}ll is not sufficient to establish a pattern in Old Norse either of naming humans after supernatural creatures or of the construction half- plus the name of a creature. [Gunnarr inn álfljótr, 10/2012 LoAR, R-Middle]
Although Haakonsson is not correct for Old Norse, it is correct for the 14th century and later. Therefore, it can be combined with the 11th century Danish form Ringulfr. However, if the submitter prefers the Old Norse Hákonarson, he may make a request for reconsideration.
The submitter requested authenticity for the 12th-13th century. This name is authentic for early 12th century Irish Gaelic.
Vadrian is the submitter's legal given name.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
There is a step from period practice for the use of a New World trillium.
Nice Anglicized Irish name for circa 1600!
There is a step from period practice for use of a paw print.
Submitted as Sable, on a pile inverted throughout between two Arabic letters Zayn argent, a pink flamingo proper close, this cannot be a pile inverted:
There was some discussion in the commentary about whether this should be blazoned as a per chevron field, or whether it would be more accurately blazoned as Argent, on a pile inverted throughout azure between two sheaves of arrows sable, a stag at gaze argent. Most of the discussion centered on the width of the per chevron angle. We note that earlier period heraldry tended to draw the per chevron field more narrowly than later in period: the angle of the point more acute, and extending further to chief. (It could be considered to trisect, not bisect, the field.) Thus, for example, the arms of von Ortenburg, c. 1413 (Conzilium zu Constenz, folio clxiiii), showed a per chevron field very similar to the one in this submission. Moreover, the presence of three charges two and one on either side of the division strongly reinforces the impression of a per chevron field - and would do so, regardless of the angle of the point. A lone pile inverted was rare enough in heraldry, and when it appeared, tended to be uncharged; in other words, the lower portion of the shield would be uncharged. A chapé field division would never have the upper portions of the field charged. When the upper and lower portions are charged, then, this must (absent of other clues such as cotising) be a per chevron field. (Rorik smiðr, 10/2007)
As this submission has charges both above and below the line of division, it must be per chevron and not a charged pile inverted between two other charges.
While the above precedent allows for the bottom portion of a per chevron throughout field division to trisect, rather than bisect, the field, this particular line of division is far closer to one fifth of the field. Normally, this would be grounds for return. However, upon examination, this line of division meets the requirements of the August 2011 Cover Letter, taken to the extreme of a per chevron throughout. Lest we penalize the submitter for following the letter of the law, we will register this device. However, we are officially amending the ruling from August 2011 to note that a per chevron throughout field division and a chevron throughout as a primary charge should roughly align to the chief, dexter base, and sinister base tick marks on the escutcheon submission form.
There is a step from period practice for use of a pawprint.
Submitted as Skygge Newcombe, the submitter requested the spelling Skeggi Nyewcombe if it could be documented. While we were unable to find any documentation for Skeggi that was compatible with the Middle English spelling Nyewcombe, ffride wlffsdotter documented Skegge as a gray-period English surname that can be used as a given name. We have changed the name to Skegge Nyewcombe to meet the submitter's request.
The submitter is a knight and a count, and is entitled to an orle of chain and an embattled coronet.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This badge is returned for redraw. Submitted as a martlet displayed, the defining trait of a martlet for SCA purposes is a bird without legs, with tufts of feathers representing the bird's thighs in their place. This charge has no legs, but neither does it have the leg tufts of a martlet. Likewise, having no legs, it cannot be in the classic displayed posture which has a leg sticking out on either side of the body. While some commenters suggested that this might be a swallow migrant, as the migrant posture omits the legs, the migrant posture primarily shows the back of the bird to the viewer, rather than the breast, and has the head pointing in the direction of migration. As this bird is not in a blazonable posture, it must be returned.
There is a step from period practice for use of a non-eagle bird displayed.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
This badge is returned for lack of documentation of a bramble. As a stand-alone charge, a bramble has never been registered, though a "sprig of bramble," a "wreath of bramble," and a "circle enclosure of bramble" were registered in the 1980s. SENA A2A requires charges that have not been registered in more than a decade to be documented.
Visually, the closest charge to the submitted badge is a tree. If this is a variant of a tree, then it would conflict with the badges of Roana de Laci, (Fieldless) A rowan tree eradicated purpure, and Áine ingen uí Neachtain, (Fieldless) A weeping willow purpure, and the device of Ealasaid ingen Ioan, Per saltire Or and argent, a tree blasted and eradicated purpure. In each case, there is one DC for fieldlessness. Upon resubmission, the submitter will need to supply documentation both for the charge, and for its consideration as a distinct charge from a tree.
This device is returned for having multiple overall charges. A prior return, from the May 2013 LoAR, states:
Taran mac Tarl'a. Device. Vert, a tree blasted Or within and conjoined to a decrescent, overall five lozenges ployé in bend sinister argent. This device is returned for not being reliably blazonable, a violation of SENA A1C and A3F5, both of which require an emblazon to be describable in heraldic terms. As we have no evidence of multiple overall charges in period armory, this design is difficult to describe. Three of the lozenges are entirely on the field, one partially overlaps the tree, and one partially overlaps the crescent. This is non-period style in general.
In this design, the three music notes overlie the barrulets, and the Letter of Intent did not present evidence of use of multiple overall charges in period armory.
This device is returned for redraw. The per chevron line of division does not meet the requirements set forth in the May 2011 Cover Letter; specifically, it is too low on the field. While some leeway is given when there are charges only on one side of a line of division, it's usually to allow the line of division to be displaced to give the charge more room to breathe. This depiction gives the apple less room to breathe, and so does not get the benefit of the doubt.
There is a step from period practice for the use of this post-period depiction of an apple.
This device is returned for use of a disallowed posture, striking affronty. An example of many returns from precedent, the return of Sarra the Gipsie's device from March 2000:
The posture striking affronty is not allowed as it is not known in period armory and is inherently three-dimensional.
The feet of the owl are not set to either side of the tail, which is one of the definitions of a displayed posture, but are instead pointing directly out towards the viewer, with only the toes visible. This is therefore not "displayed" but instead "striking affronty."
Artist's note: A thyrsus, according to the Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry, is "a staff entwined with leafy vines, and topped with a pine cone; in classical Greek art, it was the token of the god Dionysos." Part of the visual recognition for a thyrsus is the vine coiling around its shaft. We encourage the submitter to depict these vines upon resubmission.
This is returned for conflict with the badge of Isabeau Eaglestone of Glinwood, Argent, a tree proper surmounted by a pair of wings conjoined azure. A pair of wings conjoined is also blazoned as the singular charge known as a "vol," and must be considered both as two charges and as one charge. There is one DC for changing the type of overall charge from a vol to a domestic cat.
By precedent: "There is no difference between a tree proper and a tree vert..." (Anara Urrie, September 2014, citing Áine O'Shaughnessy, December 2005)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Guido Martini of Trinacria, Quarterly sable and Or, a cross crosslet throughout counterchanged between in bend sinister a griffin's head erased and another erased contourny sable. There is one DC for removal of the griffin's heads, but none for a cross crosslet fitchy vs a cross crosslet throughout.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
None.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
None.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This name must be returned because it conflicts with the registered Lassarfina inghean uí Cheallaigh. Not only are the bynames identical, Lasairfhíona and Lassarfina are variants of the same name and are pronounced identically.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This device must be returned for redraw. Commenters were unable to recognize the death's heads at any distance, often mistaking them for mushrooms.
This device must also be returned for using a post-period charge. The form of cutlass with bell-shaped guard has been returned numerous times for lack of documentation.
This device is returned for using a post-period charge. No evidence was presented, and none found by commenters, that showed this form of a curved sword with a closed handguard was found in period. Even the depiction of a cutlass found in the 1632 edition of Guillim's Display of Heraldrie looks different than this depiction, with a different blade and regular guard. It is worth mentioning that Guillim's cutlass does not appear in his 1611 edition at all. These swords look rather more like modern cavalry swords, and as such are not registerable. [Þorgrímr fjallafari Alason, LoAR of Oct 2013]
Absent documentation, this depiction of a cutlass must likewise be returned.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
None.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
This device is returned for conflict with Bruce of Brandy Hall, Purpure, on a sun Or a dagger gules. There is one DC for change of the type of tertiary charge.
This device is also returned for redraw. While it is decidedly a sun (as opposed to a mullet) due to the round shape from which the points issue, no part of the sun's central disk should touch the field. The points and/or rays should completely envelop the disk.
While there are early examples of suns with nothing but straight points - the arms of de la Haye in the Dering Roll, for example - a heraldic sun typically has wavy rays issuant from the central sphere, alternating with the points.
This device must be returned for multiple conflicts. There is a long-standing precedent that no difference is granted between a deer's head and its skull. Therefore, the device conflicts with Roland the Restless, Sable, a stag's head cabossed argent and a base argent masoned sable, Cernach Locha Da Damh Sable, a stag's head cabossed argent, a bordure parted bordurewise embattled vert and argent, Stigr Arngeirsson, Sable, a stag's head couped affronty argent between three Bowen knots Or, and Michael Leopold, Sable, an elk's head cabossed argent and a bordure barry wavy azure and argent. In each case, there is one DC for removal of the secondary charge(s).
This device is returned for redraw of the ship. No documentation was provided, and none could be found, for the type of ship depicted. It is not the late-period three-masted vessel we usually blazon as a "ship", and there are no internal details to allow us to identify it further. While internal detailing will certainly help with identification, we are not sure about the intent of the submitter here. Upon resubmission, the submitter should definitely include internal detailing, and either choose a ship type that has already been documented and registered, or otherwise provide documentation for this particular type of ship and its depiction.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns) (to Drachenwald pends)
None.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
None.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
This device is returned for dividing a charge into twelve gyrons. In the return of the device of Edborough Kellie in April 2007, the March 1983 precedent barring charges gyronny of greater than eight pieces was once again upheld. Barring evidence of charges divided into more than eight gyrons, this precedent stands.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
This device is returned for use of a disallowed posture, striking affronty. An example of many returns from precedent, the return of Sarra the Gipsie's device from March 2000:
The posture striking affronty is not allowed as it is not known in period armory and is inherently three-dimensional.
The feet of the owl are not set to either side of the tail, which is one of the definitions of a displayed posture, but are instead pointing directly out towards the viewer, with only the toes visible. This is therefore not displayed but instead striking affronty.
Even if the owl were depicted as displayed, this device would still be returned for conflict with Manfred, King of Sicily, Argent, an eagle displayed sable. There is one DC for the addition of the wreath, but no DC for types of birds displayed.
Upon resubmission, the submitter should draw the owl larger and the leaves smaller.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird displayed that is not an eagle.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
None.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
This submission was previously returned in September 2016:
This device is returned for redraw, for violating SENA A2C2 which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable." Commenters had trouble identifying the dragon's head, potentially mistaking it for a demon's head. It might be difficult to achieve recognizability without the rest of the dragon's body.
In the appeal, the submitter provided an example of a 15th century Chinese dragon on a carved lacquer box. The kingdom commentators supplied more examples of Chinese artwork depicting dragon's heads, in an attempt to demonstrate that the motif of a Chinese dragon's head (sans body) is reproducible, recognizable, and exemplified by the submitted artwork.
However, this badge runs into more issues than immediate recognizability. There are only two instances of a Chinese dragon's head in SCA heraldry, both registered to Raymond de Caen. The first was his device, registered in May 1989, and the second was a badge from August 1997, with a note that the same head appears on his device. There is an earlier registration of a Japanese dragon's head to Ryugen Morite in the LoAR of October 1983. As it has been 20 years since this charge was last registered, it must be documented as a charge under SENA's rules. Chinese dragon's heads are not found in European heraldry, and so fall under SENA A2B4, "Elements which are a Step from Period Practice."
Allowed steps from period practice fall under a handful of categories, including non-European armorial elements, non-European plants and animals, other European artifacts, and certain post-period elements. This is neither a European artifact, nor an allowable post-period element, nor a non-European plant or animal, which leaves us with non-European armorial elements.
When Chinese dragons were ruled a step from period practice, our access to and knowledge of Eastern armorial equivalents was severely limited. Since then, we have learned much, and several scholarly books and articles have been published, but we have yet to find any examples of Chinese dragons in any period artwork that may be construed as armorial in nature. They are an artistic motif. We don't have a pattern in SENA or precedents that allow for European artistic motifs, let alone non-European motifs (in fact, SENA A2B5 specifically includes artistic elements that are not found in heraldry i.e. Celtic knotwork and Greek "key" patterns). It would appear that Chinese dragon's heads should likewise fall under this category.
By this return we are explicitly disallowing Chinese dragon's heads, absent evidence which demonstrates use of the motif in an armorial context. Given SENA's rules about steps from period practice, we must also cease consideration of Chinese dragons for all armory submitted after the May 2018 LoAR, unless evidence can be provided of their use in an armorial context.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
Unfortunately, this name must be returned. Although Haruyuki is an attested nanori in NCMJ (2d ed.), the other name elements are neither attested nor correctly constructed.
In addition, by precedent, the source relied upon for several of the elements in this name, Anthony J. Bryant's "Japanese Names" (http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/miscellany/names.html), "is not reliable enough to use as the sole documentation for a name element." [Morikawa Kenji Katashige, 2/2016 LoAR, A-An Tir] Commenters were unable to re-document the submitter's constructions from a reliable source.
When his device change was registered in April 2002, his prior device was released instead of retained as a badge. A check of the original submission form confirms that the "release" box is checked. Therefore, we cannot grant this blanket permission to conflict, as the badge has already been released.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
This device is returned for conflict with Gwalchmai ap Bledig, Argent, a pale gules endorsed sable. There is a single DC for the addition of the secondary charge group.
This badge must be returned for using a charged heart as a fieldless badge. In the May 2013 return of Talitha of Avalon's badge, (Fieldless) A heart argent charged with three musical notes two and one sable:
This badge is returned for using a charged heart as a fieldless badge. As a heart is considered a medium for heraldic display, this must be considered the same as Argent, three musical notes sable. The submitter should be made aware that at the current time that armory appears to be clear of conflict. If the heart is important to the submitter, giving the design a field would also resolve the issue.
Likewise, this badge is equivalent to Or, in bend three hurts. The submitter should be made aware that at the current time that armory appears to be clear of conflict. If the heart is important to the submitter, giving the design a field would also resolve the issue.
Submitted as Per pale sable and purpure, an owl displayed argent, this is instead an owl rising, wings displayed, due to its tail being set to sinister, rather than between its legs. This is accepted as a period heraldic posture for owls, and is not a step from period practice the way displayed would be.
However, this device must be returned for conflict with Sofya la Rus, Gules, an owl rising wings displayed argent. There is one DC for the change of the field.
Upon resubmission, the submitter should be aware that there will be several conflicts if this design is modified so that the owl is changed to a displayed posture, due to owls displayed carrying no difference for type from eagles and other birds displayed. These include: Francesca of Bright Angel, Azure, a dove displayed, head elevated argent; the House of Este, Azure, an eagle displayed argent crowned Or; Nemanjici, Kings of Serbia, Gules, a double-headed eagle crowned argent; and Poland, Gules, an eagle displayed argent crowned Or. In each of these examples, there is one DC for the field.
This device must be returned for violation of SENA A2C2, which requires that the orientation of charges be recognizable. The arrow is neither fesswise nor bendwise, and thus blurs the distinction between the two orientations.
This device is returned for redraw. SENA Appendix H states, "In many cases, a charge overlying a low-contrast complex line of division will render the line of division unidentifiable. Thus, divided fields with low-contrast tinctures with complex lines of division will be registered with a charge overlying the line division only if the line of division remains readily identifiable." In this submission, the two primary charges overlay the low-contrast complex line of division, obscuring it sufficiently to render it unrecognizable to many commenters.
This device is returned for presumption on the arms of France, in violation of A6B1. Per the LoAR of June 1995, "Neither France Ancient (Azure semy-de-lys Or) nor France Modern (Azure, three fleurs-de-lys Or) may be used in SCA heraldry, either as the field (or part thereof) or on a charge. To do so constitutes a claim to connection to French royalty."
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3C. Precedent disallows a mullet of interlocking mascles except as a primary charge. In the return of Solia Corsali's device in the LoAR of August 2013, Per bend azure and sable, a bend ermine between two mullets of eight interlocking mascles argent, Laurel ruled:
In this design, the bend is the primary charge, and the mullets of eight interlocking mascles are secondary charges. SENA A3C states that "Voiding and fimbriation may only be used with ordinaries or simple geometric charges when they are part of a primary charge group", but also that "Charges which are voided as part of their type, such as mascles...are not affected by these restrictions." However, this arrangement of mascles is no more complex than a mullet of eight points voided and interlaced, a charge which it certainly resembles and may be the equivalent of, and which is only allowable as a primary charge. Therefore, this device is returned for using a complex voided charge not as part of the primary charge group.
In this submission, the mascles are also a secondary charge, and a maintained one, and likewise run afoul of the prohibition.
In addition, the badge is returned for violation of SENA A2C2, which requires that charges be drawn in a way that is recognizable. No commenters could identify the secondary charge without reading the description.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a mullet of eight interlocking mascles.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This group name conflicts with both the Order of the Trillium and the title Trillium Herald registered to the Kingdom of Ealdormere. Although the Shire obtained permission to conflict with Trillium Herald, permission to conflict with the order name is also required. We have pended this group name to allow that permission to be obtained.
As we cannot create a holding name for a group, we are also pending the device.
This was item 16 on the Drachenwald letter of May 31, 2017.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns) (to Drachenwald pends)
This name combines a family name and a constructed nanori. In the past, we have allowed submitters the benefit of the doubt to register names following this pattern, even though they are not authentic because they do not include a yobina. [Akiyama Kintsune, 8/2016 LoAR, A-East; Godai Katsunaga, 3/2008 LoAR, A-Atlantia]. Based on commentary received, both on the Letter of Intent and at and after the Pelican decision meeting, we are pending this matter for discussion of whether we should cease this practice and more specifically identify registerable patterns for Japanese names.
His device is registered under the holding name Robert of the East.
This was item 19 on the East letter of May 31, 2017.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
After the Pelican decision meeting, Christopher Liber was able to document Romani as a 16th century German byname in the FamilySearch Historical Records and Natalia as the given name of a German saint. Under the February 2015 Cover Letter, Shadrick, a 16th century English given name, can be borrowed into German and treated as a German given name.
In addition, Kolosvari Arpadne Julia documented Romani as a variant of the name Romany in Hungarian, found in Fehértói s.n. Roman. German and Hungarian can be combined under Appendix C.
However, additional research is necessary to document the pattern of the name, as it is not a pattern appearing in Appendix A for German, English or Hungarian. Therefore, we are pending the name for research as to whether the pattern of Given Name + Latinized name in genitive form + Unmarked Matronym is plausible for any of the languages in which we were able to document the name elements.
This was item 8 on the Outlands letter of May 31, 2017.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2017-10-18T17:31:57