Society for Creative Anachronism
College of Arms
427 W Ave
Spokane, WA 99203
+1-509-570-4189
laurel@heraldry.sca.org
For the February 2018 meetings, printed April 30, 2018
To all the College of Arms and all others who may read this missive, from Juliana Laurel, Alys Pelican, and Cormac Wreath, greetings.
From Laurel: Clarion Herald
I'm pleased to announce that Milesenda de Bourges has agreed to take on the job of Clarion Herald. Milesenda is the prior Triskele Herald of Trimaris and a long time herald and scribe. She is the current Baroness of Darkwater in Trimaris, a member of the Order of the Laurel and has been a professional educator for over a decade. She looks forward to bringing her education expertise to this role.
I want to thank Marie de Blois for her many years of hard work. I've depended on her both as a Sovereign and personally for longer than I can say. She'll continue to work on some projects around precedence and continue to hold her personal title, Honnesteté Plus Que Tout Herault.
From Wreath: Manos, the Hands of Fatima
On the September 2017 Cover Letter, we requested period examples of the artistic motif of the hand of Fatima. This was in response to a handful of recent submissions that contained the motif, which had appeared in SCA heraldry as early as 1971 in the device of Yusef Metin el Rumi, but had never been documented. The charge is typically depicted in SCA heraldry as a stylized hand with the outer digits turning outward at the tips in vertical symmetry, either couped close or with a small, tapered point in lieu of a wrist. Preliminary searches for period artwork didn't turn up period images that had these characteristics, so we asked commenters to do a more thorough search.
While many commenters assisted in this search, we are particularly indebted to the efforts of ffride wlffsdotter. The results of the search found the following commonalities and variations on Hands of Fatima in period artwork:
	-	A majority of the symbols identified were non-symmetrical, with thirteen of the twenty examples having a turned out thumb and straight pinky.
	-	When not issuant from another design element, all examples were "erased," with the wrist splaying into three points resembling the bottom of an ermine spot. There were two examples of the wrist splitting into two floral bits similar to demi-fleurs-de-lys. None of the examples were couped close, and none had the kind of tapering nub we see in submitted armory.
	-	Half of the non-symmetrical symbols have the fingers tapering into a single point, while the rest have a more naturalistic depiction.
	-	Of the symmetrical symbols, with both a pinky and a thumb splayed, there were large gaps between each of the digits, varying between half one-and-a-half times the width of the digits themselves. There was larger space between the central three and the external digits, with the latter either angling away from the former, or else curving in, giving the impression more of a Greek lyre than a hand.
SENA requires that charges in SCA heraldry be depicted in a period style, and be reproducible from the blazon. The common depiction of the hand of Fatima in SCA heraldry does not meet the former requirement, and period depictions are too varied for the term to reliably meet the latter requirement.
Therefore, we will cease use of the term "hand of Fatima" in armory submissions. Armory featuring stylized hands of Fatima appearing on external letters of intent dated after June 30, 2018 will be blazoned simply as "a hand," and will be registered only if the depiction is recognizable as a hand and follows period exemplars. Modern depictions of hands of Fatima and designs which are not identifiable as hands will be returned.
From Pelican: Alternative Titles
The November 2017 Palimpsest Letter proposed multiple changes to the alternative titles list.
We approve Magnifico as a masculine Italian peerage title. Thus, it is reserved for members of the Order of the Laurel, Pelican, Defense, or Chivalry, including Masters of Arms. We are also making the feminine form, Magnifica, an official Italian peerage title. This title is also reserved for members of these four peerage orders.
We approve Doge, together with its Venetian form Doxe, as a masculine Italian title appropriate for Ducal rank. We also make the feminine title Dogaressa an official Italian title for the holder of a Duchy.
We do not approve the general use of Doge as a masculine peerage title.
We are pending the submission of Gentle as a gender-neutral English title at the Award or Grant of Arms level for more analysis of the options: for details, see the Letter of Pends and Discussion.
From Ragged Staff: Group Petition of Support Requirements
In recent months, we received several group petitions of support for territorial group names and/or device submissions that have been missing the information required by the Administrative Handbook IV.C.5. Fortunately, the omissions were caught early in the commentary period, giving the groups enough time to obtain correct replacement petitions. Since group petitions may be something that Submission Heralds do not see very often, we would like to review what is required for a valid petition of support.
The Administrative Handbook IV.C.5. sets forth the requirements for a valid petition of support for a group name or group device submission.
A valid name petition must contain: (1) the name being submitted; (2) the name of group making the submission; (3) the date the petition was signed; and (4) the physical (not electronic) signatures of the group's members. Members must sign with their legal names, not their Society names. If the petition has more than one page, the group name and date the petition was signed must be on every page.
A valid device petition must contain: (1) the blazon (heraldic description) and/or emblazon (image) for the group device; (2) the date the petition was signed; and (3) the physical (not electronic) signatures of the group's members. Members must sign with their legal names, not their Society names. If the petition has more than one page, the device blazon and/or emblazon and date must be on every page.
If a group is submitting both name and device at the same time, the same petition of support may be used for both if it has all the required elements. However, a complete copy of the petition should be attached to each item in OSCAR.
A template for a Petition for Registration of Group Name and/or Device can be found on the heraldry website at http://heraldry.sca.org/formletters/standard-branch-petition.pdf
We do not require petitions of support for group badges, order and award names, heraldic titles or guild names. Kingdoms may require petitions for such items, so Submissions Heralds should be sure to check their Kingdom Law.
From Morsulus: Call for Deputies
Morsulus is not looking to step down any time soon, but it would be a Really Good Idea if there were a couple of people who were sufficiently familiar with the job to stand as emergency fill-ins. I am really lousy at delegating and letting go of parts. The duties and functions of these deputies are completely undefined.
What does Morsulus actually do? The primary job is to add the registrations from each Letter of Acceptances and Returns into the Ordinary and Armorial database and index the armory for searching. Other tasks include:
	-	Responding to requests for corrections to the database
	-	Proofreading the Letters of Acceptances and Returns with a particular eye to making sure names and blazons are correct and that actions are appropriate
	-	Updating the my.cat file and related items as new charges appear, etc.
	-	Working on improving the search tools
	-	Publishing the Letters of Acceptances and Returns to the Laurel web page
If you have an interest in getting in on the fun, contact me via email at morsulus@heraldry.sca.org. Also, come to KWHSS and sit in on "How Morsulus Does His Job" to learn more about what I do.
Society Pages
It is our sad news to report that on March 17, 2018, Karina of the Far West, known modernly as Karen Anderson, passed away. Karina was one of the founders of the SCA, and the third Laurel Queen of Arms. Her impact on the College of Arms cannot be overstated.
On April 1st, at the Stronghold of Hellsgate's Commanders Crucible, Their Majesties Ansteorra elevated Keyna Morgan Oulton to the rank of baroness of the court. Keyna is Ansteorra's southern regional herald.
Please send information about happenings to major heralds and major happenings to all heralds to Laurel, so that it can be published here.
Send What to Whom
Letters of Intent, Comment, Response, Correction, et cetera are to be posted to the OSCAR online system. No paper copies need be sent. All submission forms plus documentation, including petitions, must be posted to the OSCAR online system. While black-and-white emblazons must be included in the Letter of Intent, only colored armory forms need to be posted in the forms area.
Cheques or money orders for submissions, payable to "SCA Inc.-College of Arms" are to be sent to Stephanie Ray-Solum, Blue Bug Bookkeeping, 2144 Westlake Ave. North Suite F, Seattle, WA 98109.
Send roster changes and corrections to Laurel. College of Arms members may also request a copy of the current roster from Laurel.
For a paper copy of a LoAR, please contact Laurel, at the address above. The cost for one LoAR is $3. Please make all checks or money orders payable to "SCA Inc.-College of Arms". The electronic copy of the LoAR is available free of charge. To subscribe to the mailings of the electronic copy, please see the bottom of http://heraldry.sca.org/heraldry/lists.html#lists for more instructions.
For all administrative matters, please contact Laurel.
Scheduling
Items listed below in square brackets have not been scheduled yet. For information about future scheduling, please review the status table located on the Web at http://oscar.sca.org/index.php?action=137.
The February Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, February 18, 2018 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, February 4, 2018. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Æthelmearc (07 Nov, 2017), Gleann Abhann (14 Nov, 2017), Northshield LoItP (15 Nov, 2017), An Tir (17 Nov, 2017), Outlands (18 Nov, 2017), Gleann Abhann (20 Nov, 2017), Palimpsest Other Letter (22 Nov, 2017), Lochac (24 Nov, 2017), Ealdormere (27 Nov, 2017), Artemisia (29 Nov, 2017), West (29 Nov, 2017), Ansteorra (30 Nov, 2017), Atenveldt (30 Nov, 2017), Atlantia (30 Nov, 2017), Avacal (30 Nov, 2017), Caid (30 Nov, 2017), Calontir (30 Nov, 2017), Drachenwald (30 Nov, 2017), East (30 Nov, 2017), Laurel LoPaD (30 Nov, 2017), Meridies (30 Nov, 2017), Middle (30 Nov, 2017), Northshield (30 Nov, 2017), and Trimaris (30 Nov, 2017).  All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Wednesday, January 31, 2018.
The March Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, March 4, 2018 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, March 11, 2018. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Palimpsest Rules Letter (02 Dec, 2017), Æthelmearc (11 Dec, 2017), Lochac (11 Dec, 2017), Middle (15 Dec, 2017), An Tir (17 Dec, 2017), Laurel LoPaD (18 Dec, 2017), Caid (28 Dec, 2017), Lochac (28 Dec, 2017), Ealdormere (29 Dec, 2017), Artemisia (30 Dec, 2017), Atenveldt (30 Dec, 2017), Atlantia (31 Dec, 2017), Avacal (31 Dec, 2017), Drachenwald (31 Dec, 2017), East (31 Dec, 2017), Meridies (31 Dec, 2017), Northshield (31 Dec, 2017), and Outlands (31 Dec, 2017).  All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
The April Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, April 22, 2018 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, April 15, 2018. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Calontir (06 Jan, 2018), An Tir (15 Jan, 2018), Ansteorra (16 Jan, 2018), Æthelmearc (18 Jan, 2018), Artemisia LoItUP (18 Jan, 2018), West (19 Jan, 2018), Artemisia LoItP (24 Jan, 2018), Lochac (24 Jan, 2018), Ealdormere (25 Jan, 2018), Laurel LoPaD (26 Jan, 2018), Middle (26 Jan, 2018), Middle (27 Jan, 2018), Outlands (29 Jan, 2018), Artemisia (30 Jan, 2018), Atenveldt (30 Jan, 2018), Drachenwald (30 Jan, 2018), Artemisia (31 Jan, 2018), Atlantia (31 Jan, 2018), Avacal (31 Jan, 2018), Caid (31 Jan, 2018), East (31 Jan, 2018), Gleann Abhann (31 Jan, 2018), and Northshield (31 Jan, 2018).  All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Saturday, March 31, 2018.
Not all letters of intent may be considered when they are originally scheduled on this cover letter. The date of posting of the LoI, date of receipt of the Laurel packet, or other factors may delay consideration of certain letters of intent. Additionally, some letters of intent received may not have been scheduled because the administrative requirements (receipt of the forms packet, receipt of the necessary fees, et cetera) have not yet been met.
REMINDER: Until all administrative requirements are met, the letter may not be scheduled.
Pray know that I remain,
In service,
Juliana de Luna
Laurel Queen of Arms