The submitter's previous device, Argent semy of roundels azure each charged with a quatrefoil argent, a winged domestic cat passant gardant sable, on a chief azure three feathers bendwise sinister argent, is released.
Artist's note: Please depict the cat with a darker shade of sable.
Artist's note: Please depict the crow with a darker shade of sable.
Nice 16th century Japanese name!
An angevine is an early period variant of a sexfoil, found in the arms of Tancarville, d.1297 (Brault's Early Blazon). As an artistic variant, it does not have a DC from a sexfoil.
Nice 16th century Gaelic name!
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
This name does not conflict with the registered Aillén Gunn under PN3C1, as there are at least two changes in sound and appearance: Ay-lith vs. Ah-len.
This order name was pended on the June 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for discussion of whether the substantive element Scholar of An Tir is too generic to be registered. GP2A of SENA states:
Some items are considered too generic to be registered. This means that they may be used by anyone and may not be reserved to one person or group by registration. One such category is generic identifiers such as Brewer's Guild and Queen's Guard. These names may be used by any branch to identify the owner or association of a badge, but no group may register them.
In addition, the December 2002 Cover Letter further defines a generic name as one "that would reasonably be used by more than one branch for common functions of the branch. All kingdoms can have a university.. All baronies can have a baronial guard. All groups can have an equestrian guild."
Scholar is clearly a generic term, even though this order name happens to have been constructed based on a surname used as a given name. Many Kingdoms already use the term Scholar for various official and unofficial ranks within their communities. For example, in Meridies, members of the Order of the Athanor are styled as "free scholars." As another example, because of its historical use by the London Masters of Defense, rapier students in many Kingdoms use the style "scholar." Just like a Queen's Guard, many Kingdoms already have scholars, making the term generic.
The question, then, is whether NPN3C of SENA, which allows the addition of an SCA branch name to a non-personal name to clear conflict, also allows the addition of an SCA branch name to an order name to remove its generic nature. Under the old Rules for Submissions, adding the name of the branch to the substantive element did not solve the problem of a generic name because branch identifiers were transparent for the purposes of conflict. [December 2002 Cover Letter].
However, under NPN3C of SENA, that is no longer the case. On the August 2016 Letter of Acceptances and Returns, we ruled that "Worshipful Company of X is not generic as long as a branch name is also included and have added of Dragonship Haven in order to register this guild name. This ruling does not mean that generic identifiers in general can be made registerable in this manner." [Dragonship Haven, Barony of. Guild name Worshipful Company of Artificers of Dragonship Haven, 8/2016 LoAR, A-East] This precedent was in line with prior rulings, such as the registration of the Company of Artificers of Marinus, which stated: "Submitted as Company of Artificers, we have with the consent of the submissions herald, added the phrase "of Marinus" to make it less generic. [Marinus, Barony of, September 1996, p. 3]
There is no logical reason why the August 2016 ruling, currently applicable to a branch's guild names, should not apply equally to a branch's order names. It does not make sense for the Kingdom of An Tir to be able to register Worshipful Company of Scholars of An Tir (as a guild name under the August 2016 precedent), yet not be able to register Order of Scholar of An Tir. The term Scholar is equally generic in both contexts, regardless of the designator. Moreover, it is nearly impossible to explain to heralds who are not name specialists why one is permissible and the other is not.
In period, professional terms like Scholar and Artificer were used exclusively in guild names, rather than order names. However, the Kingdom of An Tir documented Scholar as a late period English surname, technically allowing its use in an order name. The construction may be inelegant, but that alone should not prevent its registration. Therefore, for guild names and an order names that have the appearance of professions, the addition of the branch name should eliminate the problem of the generic substantive element and allow registration.
The bar on registering generic terms originally had two purposes: (1) to prevent a single branch from monopolizing terms in general use; and (2) to prevent the additional paperwork and workload that would come from every branch seeking to registering terms in general use, such as the names of branch Champions. The first purpose has been dealt with effectively by NPN3C of SENA.
However, the concerns about paperwork and workload that led to the original rule against registration of generic terms remain fully valid, particularly with twenty Kingdoms now sending in submissions. Accordingly, standard generic identifiers, such as King's Champion or Baronial Guard, remain unregisterable even if the branch name is attached. Local groups may, of course, continue to submit badges associated with such generic identifiers.
To sum up, guild names and order names that have the appearance of professions, such as Scholar or Artificer, may add a branch name to avoid the ban on generic names. Other kinds of generic identifiers remain unregisterable.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Italian/Greek 1300-1500." Although it is registerable, this name does not meet that request. Aspasia is a name adopted from a 16th century literary source. While there is a pattern of such names being used in late-period Italy, allowing it to be registered, we have no evidence of this specific given name having been used by real people in that time and place. Thus, we cannot call the name authentic.
Some commenters questioned whether the use of a rabbit salient and an owl respectant violates SENA A3D2c, which requires that "charges within a charge group should be in either identical postures/orientations or an arrangement that includes posture/orientation (in cross, combatant, or in pall points outward, for example)." In the November 2012 Cover Letter, Wreath provided clarification on comparable postures and orientations, noting that "In period armory, when there are two or three dissimilar charges in the same group, they typically have identical postures only in some cases." She then provides the example: "BSB Cod.icon.291, f. 38r: Sable, on a bend between a dog salient and a dolphin naiant argent three roundels gules. Dogs and dolphins do not have comparable postures; the dog here is upright while the dolphin is fesswise."
Likewise, rabbits and owls do not have comparable postures, as one is a quadruped and the other is a bird. Owls cannot ramp, nor can rabbits be close. Their postures therefore needn't be compared for unity.
Wreath further described unity of orientation: "Period armory draws charges to take up the most space possible. With two charges, typically we find both charges placed side by side in fess, with their long axes vertical. There are therefore three posture/orientation cases possible, all of which we see in period armory: both charges facing the same direction, charges addorsed, or charges respectant/combatant." As the two main charges are respectant, they have a unified orientation, and are thus registerable.
This name combines an Anglo-Saxon/Old English given name with an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter may be interested to know that a wholly Anglo-Saxon/Old English form would be Beorn Beowulfes sunu, and a wholly Old Norse form would use the given name Biorn or Bjorn. If the submitter prefers any of these forms, he may make a request for reconsideration.
This name is clear of the registered Cedric Helmcleaver under PN3C1 because the bynames have at least two differences in sound and appearance: Helm-bray-ker vs. Helm-clee-ver.
A well is a heraldic charge and thus may form the basis for an order name.
This name combines a Dutch/Flemish given name with an English surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter has permission to conflict with the device of Conrad Breakring, Argent, an annulet fracted on the dextger side sable.
There is a step from period practice for the use of charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
Submitted as Snorri Styrrbolli, the documentation did not support Styrrbolli as a constructed compound descriptive byname. However, both Styrr (meaning "battle, turmoil, alarm") and Bolli (meaning "rounded bowl") are distinct descriptive bynames in Old Norse. Double descriptive bynames in Old Norse are permitted as long as both bynames can reasonably describe the same person. Therefore, we have changed the name to Snorri Styrr Bolli.
Submitted as ULFA ANNARSDOTTIR, we do not register names in all capital letters. In addition, we were unable to document Annarr or Annar as a Scandinavian name that would yield the patronymic Annarsdottir. However, commenters were able to document Ulfa Andarsdottir as a late period Swedish name. As the submitter permits all changes, we have made this change for registration.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
Artist's note: Please draw the fox larger.
Nice badge!
Nice badge!
Submitted as Order of the Bronzehelm B, the order name as submitted did not fit any of the attested patterns for such names. However, be is a Middle English spelling for bee (the insect), an established heraldic charge. Order of the Be of Bronzehelm therefore fits the pattern of using heraldic charges to form order names. We have made this change for registration.
This order name is clear of the registered Order of the Broche under PN3C3, the so-called Harry/Mary rule.
This badge conflicts with the badge of Zenobia of Rebelswood, Gules, a mountain couped Or. There is one DC for the field, but none for a rock vs a mountain couped. Fortunately, Zenobia has provided permission to conflict to the Barony.
There is a step from period practice for use of a paw print.
Nice Roman name for the first three centuries of the Empire!
Nice 16th century Italian name for Rome!
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns) (to Artemisia pends)
Artist's note: Please draw the ermine spots on the wolf larger.
Submitted as Eugene Haraldsson, the name was documented as a combination of English and Old Norse. However, SENA allows English to be combined with Old Norse only if both name elements are dated before 1100, which is not the case here. We do not have evidence of Eugene or its Latin form Eugenius in English until the 14th century.
Fortunately, both Harald and Eugene are found as given names in Middle English. Under Appendix A, Middle English patronymics can be created by adding -son to the father's name. Accordingly, we have changed the name to Eugene Haraldson for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for "1st-2nd C. Roman." This name meets that request.
Artist's note: Please make both charges wider to aid in identification.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
Venus is found in the FamilySearch Historical Records as the given name of an English woman who married in 1573.
Atlantia is the registered name of an SCA branch.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a valknut.
This item was pended on the June 2017 LoAR to discuss how closely designs using the Existing Registration Allowance must follow the existing registration. The submitter had invoked the allowance based on the previous registration by her father, Jonathas Reinisch, Azure, on a mountain argent a fox's head couped gules. While precedent at the time of submission had disallowed mountains as primary charges, a subsequent ruling had allowed them, so long as they were uncharged.
Ultimately, the submitted design uses a mountain as a primary charge, itself charged with an otherwise unremarkable tertiary charge (a dragon passant vs. a fox's head couped). It therefore meets the previously registered pattern, and is accepted.
The submitter's previous device, Purpure, on a compass star argent a domestic cat couchant gardant sable, is released.
Submitted under the name Lasairfhíona inghean Uí Cheallaigh, that name was returned in August 2017.
Leyli is the Persian form of the attested medieval Arabic name Layla.
The byname Narekatsi is a plausible construction of an Armenian locative byname based on Treasures from the Ark: 1700 years of Armenian Christian Art, which includes the example of a pre-1517 inscription using the Armenian family name Vikhikatsi.
Persians and Armenians had extensive cultural contact in our period. In Ursula Palimpsest's analysis of the names of ethnic Armenians in the 1455 census of Istanbul ("Turkish Names, Christian Faith", to appear in Onoma, http://www-personal.umich.edu/~uaw/research/turkishnameschristianfaith.pdf), a full 37.2% of the individuals use names of Persian or Turkish origin. Persian influence appears in earlier Armenian naming as well. Cultural Interaction in the Middle East as Reflected in the Anthroponymy of Armenian 12th-14th Century Colophons, by J.S. Weitenberg, classifies 5% of the men's given names in his sample as Arabic-New Persian, and 7% as traditional Iranian; 12% of women had Arabic-New Persian names, and 1% traditional Iranian. Given its Arabic roots, Leyli likely would be classified as Arabic-New Persian in Weitenberg's scheme.
Based on this evidence, the combination of Persian-Arabic and Armenian in the submitted name is registerable. We thank Ursula Palimpsest for her invaluable assistance with this analysis.
A reminder: There is no difference in orientation between animals in annulo facing clockwise or counter-clockwise.
There is a step from period practice for the use of charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
Submitted as Award of the Shield_ Knot, the order name as submitted did not fit any of the attested patterns for naming orders. The Letter of Intent argued that it followed the pattern Heraldic Change + Knot based on the prior registration of Order of the Sword Knot to the Barony. However, "sword knot" is a compound noun describing an actual period artifact (a sort of lanyard with both practical and decorative functions), not the combination of a sword and a knot.
The other order names registered to the Barony also do not support the pattern of the submitted name. Order of the Silver Knot and Order of the Golden Knot follow the pattern of Color + Heraldic Charge (Knot), while the Order of the Gordian Knot uses another compound noun describing a type of knot.
However, the order name Award of Shields Knot can be constructed by using the attested 16th century English surname Shield as a given name, and then following the pattern of Saint + Object of Veneration, such as in the Order of Irons Bell [Carillion, Barony of. Order name Order of Irons Bell, 11/2014 LoAR, A-East]. With the Barony's permission, we have made this change for registration.
Scribal guild is a generic identifier.
The submitter's previous name, Seraphina Delfino, is released.
Nice 16th century Italian name from Rome!
Nice 15th century English name!
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Aisling O Grogaine, Kingdom issued a timely correction of the name to Asling O Grogaine to match the documentation. In this form, it is registerable.
Nice 13th-15th century English name!
Nice device!
Submitted as Eirikr inn hárgrá_, two corrections to the name were necessary. First, to be grammatically correct for Old Norse, the byname needs to be inn hárgrái. Second, as diacritical marks must be used consistently throughout, the given name needs to be Eiríkr. We have made these changes for registration.
Nice late 12th century Catalan name!
Submitted as Gustavo de Calafia, Calafia is documentable only as the registered name of an SCA branch. Under the Branch Name Allowance, PN1B2f, "[o]nly the exact registered form of the branch name may be used, and they are registered in the lingua Anglica form, 'of Branchname'. Therefore, we have changed the byname to of Calafia for registration.
Nice 15th-16th century English name!
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
The submitter's previous device, Per pale azure and sable, a sprig bendwise sinister argent, is retained as a badge.
While these musical notes are registerable, a far more usual period form is of a lozenge with the stem coming out of the topmost corner.
The submitter's previous device, Per pale sable and azure, a duck rousant affronty argent within an orle of ducks naiant Or, is retained as a badge.
Submitted as Lyanna de Grahym, the submitter requested the spelling Liana if that could be documented. Fortunately, we are able to do so.
Liana is a variant spelling of the attested Lyanna. On the August 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns, we ruled that "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." [Arianna Freemont, A-An Tir] Following the same logic, Lyanna supports Lyana. As i and y were used interchangeably in Early Modern English, the requested spelling Liana is registerable. Accordingly, we have made this change to meet the submitter's request.
A moucheture is a spot, such as an ermine spot. Thus, this order name follows the pattern of naming orders after heraldic charges.
The submitter's previous name, Alexandrea of the Silver Moon, is released.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Reinholdt Jager Berg, Kingdom made a timely correction of the name to Reinholdt Jäger Berg, which matches the documentation.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
Submitted as Chiba no Suzu, the use of no is not appropriate with the family name Chiba, which was used by the military class and not by the imperial aristocracy. The use of no with family names that are not uji (clan) names must be documented individually. Therefore, we are registering this name as Chiba_Suzu.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
The Kingdom of Calontir has permission from the Barony of Marinus for the title Merlyne Herald to conflict with the Barony's registered Award of the Marlin.
FlíR is a masculine name found as a header form in Lena Peterson's Nordiskt runnamnslexikon. By precedent, the header forms in this work are registerable transliterations of Old Norse runic forms. [December 2010 Cover Letter]
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Gráinne Ó Gallchobhair, the byname was not correctly constructed for a woman. We have changed the name to Gráinne inghean Uí Ghallchobhair, the correct form for a Gaelic woman.
Nice 16th-early 17th century Gaelic name!
Nice late 15th century German name!
This name combines a Russian given name with an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
This name is clear of the registered Mj{o,}ll Úlfsdóttir under PN3C2 because Úlfarsdóttir has one more syllable than Úlfsdóttir.
Per Appendix G, there is a step from period practice for having a gyronny arrondi field, with the gyrons straddling the corners of the shield, covered by a central primary charge.
In commentary, ffride wlfsdotter documented both name elements in the 13th century, making this a nice Latinized German name for that era!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a non-eagle displayed.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
Nice English name for circa 1300!
Submitted as Anton de Federl, this construction is not grammatically correct. Federl is an occupational surname meaning "fletcher" or "feather handler." The appropriate construction is either Anton der Federl or Anton_Federl. As the submitter prefers the former, we have made this change for registration.
This name combines an Italian literary given name with a German surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
This household name is based on the place name Herzwald, found in Ongefehrlicher Bericht, Wannenhero den Ertzvnd Bistumben am Weserstrom vnd daselbsten herumb, ihr ansehlich vermögen kommen, vnd nemblich auß jhren eignen Landen (https://books.google.com/books?id=l75cAAAAcAAJ), published in 1626.
The Letter of Intent did not document the pattern of German household names based on place names. Fortunately, Die Hausnamen und Hauszeichen im mittelalterlichen Freiburg, by Karl Schmidt, gives examples of German household names based on place names using the pattern Haus zum + Place, including zum Bondorf (1343) and zum Österreich (1554).
Gilbert is dated to 1444 in the Middle English Dictionary, a mere two years after the attested 1442 date for Blakthorn in the Letter of Intent, making this a very nice 15th century English name!
Jahanara was previously registered to the submitter and thus can continue to be used under the Existing Registration Allowance without the need for further documentation.
At the Pelican decision meeting, Ursula Palimpsest found evidence of an inscription identifying a medieval Persian woman as being from the Suren family. (https://www.colorado.edu/classics/clas4091/Text/Shapur.htm) As Persian generally does not use gender markings with surnames, the name as submitted is registerable.
The submitter's previous name, Jahanara of West Dragoningshire, is released.
The submitter's previous device, Or, in fess three sexfoils purpure, is retained as a badge.
Ossi is the submitter's legal given name.
This device conflicts with the device of Columb Finn mac Diarmata, Vert, a fess between two chevrons throughout argent, with one DC for change to the tincture of the field. However, Columb has filed a blanket letter of permission to conflict.
The submitter's previous device, Per bend argent and gules, a drinking horn and a valknut counterchanged, is retained as a badge.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
This name was pended on the June 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns to discuss whether we have sufficient evidence to allow the registration of unmarked matronymic bynames in Russian. At the time, Yanka had been documented solely as a feminine Russian name.
After reviewing commentary, and given our limited evidence in the field of Russian names, we are persuaded by the arguments of Sofya Habicht:
[M]atronymic bynames are a name pattern that does not need further documentation in Russian per SENA, Appendix A. They are formed using the same grammatical rules as patronymic bynames per Wickenden. Since unmarked patronymics are registerable in Russian by precedent of the September 2007 LoAR Cover Letter, I don't think it is appropriate to return this name, even [if] we decide to overturn that precedent for future submissions (which I don't think we should). While we have not found any examples of unmarked metronymics, given the extreme rarity of metronymic names in particular, there is no grammatical reason to disallow unmarked metronymics (while allowing unmarked patronymics) since metronymics and patronymics follow the same grammatical rules, as do male and female names in general.
Therefore, pending further research, unmarked matronymics are registerable in Russian.
Alternatively, in the case of this particular name, Yanka is a variant spelling of the attested Ianka, a diminutive of the man's name Ian found in A Dictionary of Russian Names. Therefore, Ana Yanka is also registerable as using an unmarked patronymic.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Based on the documentation presented in commentary by Lillia Crampette, this is an excellent English name from 1300 onwards!
The submitter's previous name, Gillian of Ravenglass, is released.
Nice 9th century Old Welsh name!
Lillia Crampette found the spelling Bonifant in John Stow's Survey of London, compiled 1598-1633 (https://books.google.com/books?id=euDdg91XRoMC). Isabella is found in "Late Sixteenth Century English Given Names" by Talan Gwynek (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/eng16/eng16.html), making this a nice late period English name!
Submitted as Mara of Scraeling Althing, as of the August 2017 Errata Letter, the branch name is spelled Skraeling Althing, Barony of. When relying on the Branch Name Allowance, "[o]nly the exact registered form of the branch name may be used." Therefore, we have changed this name to Mara of Skraeling Althing for registration.
Nice device!
There is a step from period practice for use of a New World trillium flower.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
There is a step from period practice for use of a compass star.
This name combines an Old English given name with an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Iosua O'Mordha, this name improperly combines the Anglicized Irish O' with the Gaelic Mordha in a single name phrase, a practice prohibited by PN1B1.
This name is registerable either as Iosua O Mordha, an English - Gaelic combination (without diacritical marks) or as Iosua O'Mora, an English - Anglicized Irish combination. The submitter specifically permitted the change to Iosua O Mordha, so we have made this change for registration.
Submitted as Kitta Foxdottir, a Scandinavian patronymic must be constructed using the genitive (possessive) form of the father's name. ffride wlffsdotter advised that Fox is the nominative (base) form. We have changed the byname to Fuxdottir to use the correct genitive form.
While these musical notes are registerable, a far more usual period form is of a lozenge with the stem coming out of the topmost corner.
Both elements are found in the 1590s in the FamilySearch Historical Records for Clackmannan, Scotland, making this an excellent 16th century Scots name!
The submitter requested authenticity for "14th-16th C French." This name is authentic for 16th century France.
Nice cant!
The submitter requested authenticity for the 13th - 15th centuries. This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. However, we had sufficient information from which to determine authenticity without needing to pend the name for further research. This is an authentic English name from the 13th century onwards.
The submitter requested authenticity for "12th-13th Century French/Norman." This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, we had sufficient information to determine authenticity without needing to pend the name. This name meets the submitter's request because it is authentic for 13th century Gascony.
Artist's note: Please draw the lion larger to fill the available space.
This name uses the pattern of praenomen + nomen, a naming practice found through the end of the Roman Republic.
The previous device, Azure, on a pale indented Or three crosses patonce gules, is released.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a compass star.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Swiss 13-14th centuries." This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, after the close of commentary, Ælfwynn Leoflæde dohtor was able to find all of the elements in Socin, attested to the 13th century in Basel, Switzerland. Therefore, this name meets the submitter's request.
The submitter's previous name, Seraphina of Skye, is released.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
The submitters have permission to conflict with the badge of Cuhelyn Cam vap Morcant, (Fieldless) A bull rampant guardant sable armed and ringed argent. Commenters asked whether the comflict fell afoul of SENA A5H, which states that "A submission identical to the registered armory will not be registered even with permission to conflict." However, even though there is not a DC between the badges, there is still a blazonable difference, which is all that's necessary to clear that particular rule.
Artist's note: Please provide internal detailing in a contrasting color for greater ease in recognition. Also, typically the posture of rampant has the hind leg in the foreground positioned in the back, so as not to present the charge's backside to the viewer. We encourage the artist to follow these same norms in reproducing this badge.
The submitter requested authenticity for 15th century Italian. This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, we had sufficient information to determine authenticity without needing the pend the name. This name meets the submitter's request because both name elements and the name pattern are found in the 1427 Catasto of Florence.
Nice 16th century English name from London!
De as documented in the Letter of Intent for this name is a form of the surname Dee, not the locative marker de. This name combines a French literary given name with two English surnames, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice 15th century Breton name!
Nice device!
The submitter has permission to conflict with the device of Crespin de Laon, Bendy gules and argent, an orle of martlets sable.
De as documented in the Letter of Intent for this name is a form of the surname Dee, not the locative marker de.
None of the historic Robert Campbells are important enough protect from presumption. Notably, none of them have an entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica.
Nice Scots name from the 14th century onwards!
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
Forgotten Sea is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Windhorn is a plausible constructed German place name, based on German examples of place names using the elements Wind- and -horn. Appendix A permits unmarked locative bynames in German.
Nice badge!
Nice badge!
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
There is a step from period practice for use of a compass star.
Eava is a gray-period English feminine given name found in the FamilySearch Historical Records.
Artist's note: Please provide internal detailing on the lions for greater ease in identifiability.
This set of charges is taken directly from the baronial arms.
This is clear of the badge of the Kingdom of Trimaris, for their Order of the Golden Galleon, Azure, a galleon Or. There's a DC for the field, and per the ruling on ship differences in the Cover Letter of July 2017, a second DC for ship under sail (Trimaris's galleon) vs ship with sails furled (the submitted lymphad).
Desborough is the lingua Anglica form of an English place name found in the SCA's period as Desburg (1216) and Deseburgh (1363), among other forms.
The previous order name, Order of the Dragon's Tooth, is released.
"Middle Kingdom Scribes" is a generic identifier.
The submitter requests authenticity for 14th century Italy. The name may be authentic for the requested place and time, but we cannot be sure because we do not presently have evidence of these name elements in the 14th century. However, the name is authentic for the 15th-16th centuries in Italy.
There is a step from period practice for the use of compass stars.
After the close of commentary, Song Zidie found Zhen as a surname in the 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Due to our current lack of reliable evidence for Chinese names, we are giving the submitter the benefit of the doubt that this literary surname was used by real people.
The submitter requested authenticity for Chinese language/culture. Both the name elements and the pattern are Chinese. However, as we have no evidence that Zhen was also used by real people at the same time it appeared in literature, this name is not what we consider "authentic."
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
Even in dialects that pronounce Vaughan like "vawn," this name is clear of the registered Arabella Thorne under PN3C3.
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice 14th century English name!
Nice 2nd century C.E. Roman name!
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
The byname de Rolfe appears at p. 634 of The Second Part of the Institutes of the Laws of England Containing the Exposition of Many Ancient and Other Statutes, Volume 2, by Edward Coke, in a discussion of a criminal proceeding during the reign of Edward I. As Coke did not modernize the bynames in his work, the name as submitted is registerable.
A question was raised in commentary whether this name presumes on the literary character Curran Lennart, a non-human character appearing in a series of novels by Ilona Andrews. Based on a canvas of many heralds and non-heralds, the character of Curran Lennart is not well-known enough to be protected from presumption under PN4D.
Submitted as Dagrún Björnsdóttir, the submitter preferred the Old Norse form of the patronymic, which is Bjarnardóttir. We have made this change for registration.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
In the registration of the badge for the Sisterhood of Saint Walburga, December 2008 LoAR, it was ruled:
There were calls to return this for having the cup be barely overall. While doing that would be in line with past precedent, we feel that it is too strict: other minor issues merit an artist note, but any hint of this issue and the item must go back. This is not good customer service, forcing a year's wait for such a minor problem.
Therefore, we are overturning precedent to this extent: we will no longer return items for being barely overall if the area of overlap is small, the area of the overlap which projects beyond the edge of the underlying charge is also small, when the overall charge does not obscure significant portions of the outline of the underlying charge, and when identifiability is preserved.
Please instruct the submitter to draw the cup entirely on the standing seraph
As the relative identifiability of these two charges is maintained, and there is only a very slight overlap onto the field, we will likewise accept this badge as blazoned.
Artist's note: Please draw the horseshoe entirely on the chess rook.
Artist's note: Argent ermined azure should be primarily and unmistakably argent. Please draw fewer, larger ermine spots with sufficient space to let the argent show through. In period, ordinaries ermine would be drawn with whole ermine spots, with none cut off at the edge of the ordinary.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
None.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
This badge is returned for violation of SENA A1C, which requires "that the emblazon be describable in heraldic terms." The main charge cannot be blazoned as an orb because it is missing a defining trait of the orb: a cross issuant from the top of the sphere. Nor can it be reblazoned as a roundel, because the banding included in the internal detailing is substantial enough that it cannot be ignored. Because it cannot be reliably blazoned, it must be returned.
This badge is also returned for lack of documentation for maintained charges maintaining charges themselves. Because the demi-lion is not an integral part of the main charge, as the submitted blazon would suggest, it is instead a secondary charge maintained by the roundel. The demi-lion itself is also maintaining an escutcheon, but we have no period support for maintained charges which themselves maintain charges. Absent documentation of this arrangement of charges, it must be returned.
Though this is not a reason for return, we also caution against the use of this badge as a standard augmentation. Due to their nature, augmentations of arms will be smaller than primary forms of heraldic display, and small details are easily lost. Given the already busy checky background that is An Tir's preferred motif, the use of a complex set of charges with increasingly smaller sizes will be incredibly difficult for future submitters to reproduce in a way that will be recognizable by commenters, not to mention reproduce on physical armorial design.
The use of a field checky Or and argent is permissible under the Existing Registration Allowance.
This badge is returned for violation of SENA A1C, which requires "that the emblazon be describable in heraldic terms." The main charge cannot be blazoned as an orb because it is missing a defining trait of the orb: a cross issuant from the top of the sphere. Nor can it be reblazoned as a roundel, because the banding included in the internal detailing is substantial enough that it cannot be ignored. Because it cannot be reliably blazoned, it must be returned.
This badge is also returned for lack of documentation for maintained charges maintaining charges themselves. Because the demi-lion is not an integral part of the main charge, as the submitted blazon would suggest, it is instead a secondary charge maintained by the roundel. The demi-lion itself is also maintaining an escutcheon, but we have no period support for maintained charges which themselves maintain charges. Absent documentation of this arrangement of charges, it must be returned.
Though this is not a reason for return, we also caution against the use of this badge as a standard augmentation. Due to their nature, augmentations of arms will be smaller than primary forms of heraldic display, and small details are easily lost. Given the already busy checky background that is An Tir's preferred motif, the use of a complex set of charges with increasingly smaller sizes will be incredibly difficult for future submitters to reproduce in a way that will be recognizable by commenters, not to mention reproduce on physical armorial design.
The use of a field checky Or and argent is permissible under the Existing Registration Allowance.
This badge is returned for violation of SENA A1C, which requires "that the emblazon be describable in heraldic terms." The main charge cannot be blazoned as an orb because it is missing a defining trait of the orb: a cross issuant from the top of the sphere. Nor can it be reblazoned as a roundel, because the banding included in the internal detailing is substantial enough that it cannot be ignored. Because it cannot be reliably blazoned, it must be returned.
This badge is also returned for lack of documentation for maintained charges maintaining charges themselves. Because the demi-lion is not an integral part of the main charge, as the submitted blazon would suggest, it is instead a secondary charge maintained by the roundel. The demi-lion itself is also maintaining an escutcheon, but we have no period support for maintained charges which themselves maintain charges. Absent documentation of this arrangement of charges, it must be returned.
Though this is not a reason for return, we also caution against the use of this badge as a standard augmentation. Due to their nature, augmentations of arms will be smaller than primary forms of heraldic display, and small details are easily lost. Given the already busy checky background that is An Tir's preferred motif, the use of a complex set of charges with increasingly smaller sizes will be incredibly difficult for future submitters to reproduce in a way that will be recognizable by commenters, not to mention reproduce on physical armorial design.
The use of a field checky Or and argent is permissible under the Existing Registration Allowance.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A2C1, which requires that "Elements must be drawn in their period forms and in a period armorial style." While we generally give substantial leeway for artistic license, this depiction of the bear's head is a very modern interpretation, with heavy monochromatic shading about the muzzle and lower head that, when displayed upon a field that is half sable, makes the charge difficult, if not impossible, to recognize.
Upon resubmission, we encourage the submitter to depict the bear's head in a more period fashion, and at the very least removing the jagged lightning bolt style of shading seen in modern sports team logos in favor of using a simple line drawing of the features.
This badge is returned for redraw. As submitted, this is either a display, on a roundel, of Azure gouty d'eau, a bordure argent masoned azure, or if fieldless, (Fieldless) On a roundel argent masoned [weirdly] azure, a roundel azure gouty d'eau. Either way, it may not be registered as a fieldless badge.
Given the name submitted with this armory, we encourage the Barony to look at period depictions of wells when considering their resubmission.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
This device is returned for lack of documentation of the charge. The wings used in this depiction are seen exclusively on depictions of cranes in Asian heraldry. The use of Asian animals in core style heraldry is already a step from period practice, and the use of these animal-specific Asian-style wings on an otherwise undocumented tortoise torso and head is grounds for return. Absent an individually attested pattern, use of Asian crane wings on any charge other than a crane is disallowed in Society heraldry.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A6F, which prohibits armory which has the appearance of marshalling. The design is not automatically disqualified under A6F1, and A6F2a states that "When a charge or charges terminate at the edge of a section, it creates the unmistakable appearance of marshalling." The demi-angel issues from the per pale line of division, and appears to be a dimidiation of a full angel. It must therefore be returned.
This device is also returned for lack of contrast between the angel and the sword, which appears entirely within the silhouette of the angel.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns) (to Artemisia pends)
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2c, which requires that charges in the same group be in a unified orientation. The two broad-arrows in this submission are placed in bend, with one upright and the other inverted. These orientations must be blazoned individually, rather than being in an identical orientation (either upright or inverted) or a complementary orientation (points to center/outward). If evidence could be found of such a design in period, it could of course be registered.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This device must be returned for violation of SENA A2C2, which requires that the orientation of charges be recognizable. The maintained book is neither palewise nor bendwise sinister, and thus blurs the distinction between the two orientations.
The submitter has withdrawn this submission.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This household name must be returned because it does not match any documented pattern for naming households. The only evidence found to date for Gaelic clan names shows that they were created from given names or patronymic surnames. [June 2013 Cover Letter] As Gallóglaigh is either an adjective or a descriptive surname, it cannot be used to form a clan name.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
This order name was pended on the June 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for a discussion of whether a jess can be considered an identifiable and distinct period charge that could be used to create an order name. Based on the evidence presented in commentary, a jess is not a stand-alone heraldic charge because it is not recognizable as such unless it is attached to a bird. A jess on its own could easily be a ribbon, a scarf, a garter, or a belt. This conclusion is consistent with prior precedents, which have long disallowed ribbons as heraldic charges.
A ribbon is not registerable as a stand-alone charge; that is, as a primary, secondary, or tertiary charge. However, in this case [on a fox's tail] the ribbon is equivalent to a hawk's jesses: a blazonable detail or ornamentation, rather than a charge in its own right. [Bronwen Selwyn, 6/2005 LoAR, R-Ansteorra]
Accordingly, as a jess is not a stand-alone heraldic charge, it cannot be the basis for an order name using the pattern names based on heraldic charges.
This device is returned for using a modern depiction of a lantern, a thin frame with transparent panes. In the return of the device of Domenico Taddio in February 2016, it was ruled "This form of lantern, although used in the past in SCA heraldry is a modern one. Barring documentation, it will not be registerable after the September 2016 meeting."
The Administrative Handbook, Section V.B.2.g, describes how to handle correction of errors. Regarding emblazons, the section states that "If an emblazon image is completely incorrect, it may be replaced within seven days of the publication of the Letter of Intent with a correction noting the replacement." During commentary, revised emblazons were provided which attempted to address the reason for return. Unfortunately, not only did the new artwork fail to address the issue raised in commentary, as the panes were still transparent, showing the field behind, but the emblazons were provided nearly a month after the letter was initially published. The forms bearing the new emblazon were not uploaded until five days before the close of commentary. If this new emblazon was to be considered as a correction, the timing of said correction would preclude its consideration.
However, the timing of the revised emblazon is moot, because the very next sentence of the Administrative Handbook reads "After seven days or if the correction is a redraw of the original emblazon, the associated armorial item should be withdrawn using a correction to the original item and then resubmitted on a new Letter of Intent." It was made clear in commentary that this was a redraw of the original emblazon, created with the intent to address issues raised in commentary. It is, therefore, not eligible for consideration as a correction to the initial submission.
This badge is returned for violating SENA A2C1 which requires that "Elements must be drawn in their period forms and in a period armorial style." The hilt of this rapier appears to be a hand-bell design not unlike a modern saber. The quillons which define the rapier as a heraldic charge are absent, and the knucklebow flows directly into the cup-style hilt. No evidence was presented, and none was found in commentary, demonstrating that this guard is period either as a heraldic charge or an artifact. Absent such evidence, the design is returned for a redraw.
The ladle is likewise not drawn in a period form. The ladles we see in period images had the handle parallel to the lip, not at right angles to it. No evidence was provided and none could be found for the depiction of a ladle in the submitted configuration. However, this configuration of ladle appears in the submitter's device, and is thus allowable under the Existing Registration Allowance.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
Cinquefoils attached to the tips of the tines of the attire are an artistic motif that is seen in crests in German heraldry, notably in the Codex Ingeram. The flowers are decorative, counting for no difference. As such, this badge conflicts with the badge of Angharat Goch verch Gwenhover, (Fieldless) A stag's attire fesswise reversed argent. There is a single DC for fieldlessness.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Torunn Egilsdotter Ask, Bendy Or and vert, a sprig of ash bendwise sinister sable and the badge of the Barony of Lochmere, (Fieldless) An oak branch bendwise sinister sable. In each case, there is a single DC for changes to the field. The only difference between these registrations and the submitted primary charge are in artistic details, such as the addition of thorns and flowers, which do not count for difference when found on branches or trees.
This badge is returned for conflict with the badge of Solondra Carryl, Sable, a heart argent. There is one DC for fieldlessness, but we do not typically grant a DC for enflaming.
To avoid the conflict, upon resubmission the submitter might consider making the heart and flame more equal in size with both touching the fess line, making the charges co-primary. As of this writing, there does not seem to be a conflict with this arrangement.
This device is returned for conflict with Regana van Kortrijk, Azure, a squirrel argent. There is one DC for the addition of the secondary charges, but no difference is granted for incensing or otherwise issuing flames.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Medwe Janos, Vert fretty Or, a quatrefoil argent. Fretwork is a charge group, not a field treatment; and it is the primary charge group, while the bend/coronet is an overall charge. There is just one DC, for type of overall charge.
The submitter is a court baroness, and is entitled to display a coronet. This crancelin-style display of a pearled coronet is not restricted to a particular rank, so anyone entitled to display a coronet may use it.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
This badge is returned administratively. It was submitted as "for use by the Ealdormere College of Heralds." Submitters are not allowed to register armory for officers that fall under the auspices of Society-level officers that have registered badges. As the College of Arms has a badge for heralds, Vert, two straight trumpets in saltire, bells to chief Or, badges for subsidiary offices may not be registered. The sole exception to this rule is for tinctureless seals for principal heralds of kingdoms, under SENA A3A2.
There is a step from period practice for use of a New World trillium flower.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
Submitted as a charged pile inverted, precedent has held that valid alternative blazons must be considered for conflict, and has further held that the motif of a charged pile inverted between two other charges must be considered as per chevron.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Siobhán inghean Éamoinn, Per chevron vert and argent, two open books Or and a brown owl proper. Under SENA A5C2d, only one collective DC can be gleaned from collective changes to half the charges of a charge group when the charge is considered half only under that rule. In this case, the type and tincture of the bottom charge do not count as separate DCs.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
This device is returned for contrast issues. The submitter attempted to create an individually attested pattern of using a low-contrast complex-line chief with high-contrast primary and tertiary charges. Unfortunately, no evidence was provided of embattled chiefs, nor of charged low-contrast complex-line peripheral ordinaries. In fact, only a single example of complex-line chiefs (nebuly) was provided by the submitter, and no other examples were found in commentary. Absent such evidence, the device must be considered by core rules, and is returned for color-on-color. If this were a plain-line chief, it would be acceptable under the IAP rules.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
None.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
This device is returned for lack of identifiability of the maintained charge. The Cover Letter of August 2015 ruled that "Held/conjoined charges must have good contrast with their background... A held or conjoined charge which is not identifiable will render the design unregisterable. A charge may be rendered unidentifiable through the usual methods, including reduction in size, poor contrast, etc." The herring in this emblazon is unidentifiable due to both size and contrast with the field.
In addition, this device is returned for violation of SENA A3F5, which requires that "Designs must be able to be described in standard heraldic terms to be registerable." The placement of this fish, half-on and half-off the head of the otter, is unblazonable in standard heraldic terms, and its placement cannot be accurately reproduced through standard heraldic terms.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
None.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
This device is returned for conflict with Thomas Wolfgame von Lauer, Argent, a bend gules enfiled of an annulet sable. There is one DC for changing the type of overall charge.
Commenters noted that the pithon only had one wing, and could not thus be volant. Upon resubmission, the artwork should reflect our current standards for depicting volant, with wings either displayed or addorsed.
This device must be returned administratively. The shape of the submitted shield is not the same as the one on the approved submission form, which is grounds for return.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2c, which requires all charges in a charge group to be in a unified arrangement. The positioning of the three mullets must be blazoned independently of the bear, and so they are not in a unified arrangement.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
Metron Ariston asks us to consider whether the biscione, the serpent glissant palewise vorant of a demi-man, is important enough to restrict as a motif to individuals or institutions closely linked to the Visconti and Sforza Dukes of Milan. As this comment came late in commentary, we are pending this for further discussion.
Certain motifs that are only found in the arms of a single family are not registerable. This includes both motifs in royal arms/badges and motifs that do not follow our core rules, like Mortimer's Barry Or and azure, on a chief azure two pallets between two gyrons Or and overall an escutcheon argent. This is pended to allow discussion of whether this motif should be considered a charge that creates a presumptuous claim (under A6B1) or a motif that is not constructible under the core style rule (and cannot depend on non-Visconti examples).
This was item 7 on the AEthelmearc letter of August 25, 2017.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
Commenters asked whether there was evidence of a secondary charge group including more than three charges in chief. Six or more charges are particularly problematic as we do not normally enumerate them, but only describe them as semy of charges. Without such evidence, this group of seven crosses in chief cannot be registered. This is pended to allow research on this question. Evidence of charge groups consisting of six or more charges arranged in a way that only covers part of a solid field, like in orle, would also be welcome.
This was item 17 on the An Tir letter of August 17, 2017.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
Past precedent had disallowed the use of rivets as heraldic charges without additional evidence that they were known and used in period:
[S]ince research provided no examples of rivets in heraldry, any submitter wishing to register this charge after the March 2015 Laurel meeting must provide documentation that it is, in fact, a period charge or a period artefact [sic] suitable for a constructed charge. [Unser Hafen, Barony of, LoAR of Aug 2014]
At the Pelican decision meeting, Ursula Palimpsest provided new evidence identified by Master Derian le Breton showing rivets as late medieval artifacts. (https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/496177 and https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/objecttype/RIVET/broadperiod/MEDIEVAL/thumbnail/1). In addition, the Middle English Dictionary shows the word ryvet used in 1435 to identify items of the type shown in Master Derian's images.
However, being shown to be a period artifact does not automatically qualify a rivet as a heraldic charge that could be used in a heraldic title or order name. Precedent requires that, "to use an object as a heraldic charge, a standard depiction [of the object] must be documented." [Caid, Kingdom of. Heraldic title Compendium Herald, 8/2005 LoAR, R-Caid] For example, in returning the heraldic title Compendium Herald, we ruled:
The submitters argued that a compendium was a period object compatible for use as a heraldic charge. To use an object as a heraldic charge, a standard depiction must be documented. However, a compendium does not appear to have a standard form. [The LoAR cites the Oxford Museum of Scientific Instruments to show multiple forms of the artifact, and concludes] Because a compendium is not suitable for use as a heraldic charge, the name cannot be justified in a heraldic title. [Caid, Kingdom of. Heraldic title Compendium Herald, 8/2005 LoAR, R-Caid]
Bruce Batonvert pointed out that Master Derian's examples show multiple forms of fasteners, from hollow cones that could be flattened, to bar-bell-like forms with a central cylinder and flanges on either end. It is unclear whether all of these artifacts were called rivets or whether there was a standard form of rivet in period. Therefore, we are pending this name for additional research and commentary on period rivets and what constitutes a "standard depiction" sufficient to permit their use as heraldic charges.
This was item 5 on the Artemisia letter of August 31, 2017.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns) (to Artemisia pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2018-01-21T20:55:46