MacBain is the registered surname of the submitter's parent.
Some commenters asked whether the use of an orle of roses was presumptuous of the badge of the Order of the Rose, (Tinctureless) A wreath of roses. An orle of roses has been registered five times previously, most recently in February 2012 by Elena le Breustere with no comment or note about her rank. A wreath of roses is a single charge, with connecting slips and leaves. An orle of roses has a number of separate roses arranged around the edge of the field.
This name combines a Finnish given name with a Russian byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Birna Ríkarðarkona ins blakka bjarnar, the submitter wanted her name to refer to her husband's full name and requested in the Letter of Intent that "that any changes made to her husband's submitted name be reflected in the final version of her own." Accordingly, when her husband changed his submission to Ríkarðr við-bj{o,}rn we changed her byname to Birna Ríkarðarkona við-bjarnar to reflect her wishes. Because, in this name, the byname við-bj{o,}rn applies to her husband and not to her, it must take the genitive case, i.e., við-bjarnar.
The submitter is the legal spouse of Ríkarðr við-bj{o,}rn, whose name appears elsewhere on this letter, and has permission from Ríkarðr to use his name as part of her registered name.
Nice Gaelic name for the 16th century and possibly earlier as well!
The submitter's previous device, Argent, a sea wolf sejant sable within a bordure indented azure, is released.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, a horse rampant and a base purpure, is released.
This name combines an English given name with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter's previous name, Theodwulf fitz Renaut, is released.
Submitted as Ríkarðr inn blakki bj{o,}rn, the submitter desired a byname meaning "black bear." While the byname inn blakki means "black" and the byname bj{o,}rn means "bear," this double byname does not specifically refer to the animal known as a black bear.
Cleasby and Vifgusson provides við-bj{o,}rn as the Old Norse term for "black bear" the animal species, also known as a "wood bear." Using við-bj{o,}rn as a byname follows the pattern of other Old Norse bynames based on wild animals, including bjarki ("bear cub"), brimill (a type of seal), and ref ("fox"). Although the submitted form was registerable, the submitter preferred this form and, accordingly, we have changed the name to Ríkarðr við-bj{o,}rn.
Artist's note: Please draw the tail so that it doesn't overlay the body to aid in identifiability.
Artist's note: Please draw the tail so that it doesn't overlay the body to aid in identifiability.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
Artist's note: Please draw the tail as a solid piece with a discernible silhouette to aid in visibility.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a dragon displayed.
Artist's note: Please draw the tail as a solid piece with a discernible silhouette to aid in visibility.
The submitter's previous device, Purpure, a decrescent maintaining between its horns a mullet argent, a bordure argent mullety purpure, is released.
Submitted as Varghoss jarnsida, the byname as submitted was misspelled. The byname is properly spelled jarnsiða, which can be rendered in simplified transliteration as jarnsitha. As the former involves the smaller change to the name, we have corrected the name to Varghoss jarnsiða for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for 9th-10th century Norse language or culture. The name is not authentic because the elements are not found in the same place and time. The given name is found exclusively in Sweden circa 1070-1100, while the byname is from 9th-10th century Iceland. However, it is a registerable Old Norse name.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
The submitter requested authenticity for "11th Century Scottish Highlands". This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Seraphina Ragged Staff identified the authenticity request during commentary, allowing sufficient time for research.
The name is not authentic for the 11th century, but is authentic for 12th century Gaelic. Although we have evidence of the male given name Muiredach specifically in Scotland, we do not have similar evidence for Aife in Scottish Gaelic, just Irish Gaelic. However, given that Aife is a form of Eva, which is found in the early 12th century Gaelic notes in the Book of Deer as Éua, we would not be surprised to see this name in the Highlands in the 12th century.
The submitter's previous name, Cunen Beornhelm, is retained as an alternate name.
Henrik is the submitter's legal given name and Bruun is his legal surname. Therefore, these elements are linguistically neutral and can be combined with the 16th century English surname Blads.
The usual and expected form of the byname is dei Medici. This byname is also sometimes rendered as de' Medici, using a scribal abbreviation for dei or degli. Fortunately, Lillia Crampette found the submitter's requested de Medici, without the marking indicating a scribal abbreviation, in Libro intitulato Cronica Ove si tratta di Epitaphii di Amore e di Virtute by il Magnifico Hieronimo Casio de Medici, published in 1525. Therefore, the submitted name can be registered.
If the submitter prefers Ilaria dei Medici or Ilaria degli Medici, she may make a request for reconsideration.
The submitter requested authenticity for "1100-1300 English." This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. However, Ragged Staff identified the request in commentary early enough to allow for research on this issue.
This name is not authentic for the requested time period because Mærwynn is attested only in the 10th century. As noted by Lillia Crampette in commentary, "Merewen or Merewina Elyot would be authentic for early to mid-13th [century]." If the submitter prefers either of these forms, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice badge!
Merin is the submitter's legal given name. Although the submitter requested the spelling du Bourbon if it could be documented, we were not able to do so.
Artist's note: Please draw the charges so that they are centered on the field, each taking up an equal amount of space on the field.
Loch Salann is the registered name of an SCA branch.
A rare but notable practice in German heraldry was to have charges issuant symmetrically from either side of a line of division, forming the appearance of a complex line of division. When formed of animal's heads, the jaws of each head would frequently interlock in the center of the line of division. The practice appears to always have the same type of charge repeated on each side of the division, rather than different charges on each side. For SCA purposes, each submission following this pattern should be treated as two separate charges, each issuant from the line of division, with the type of field division (per bend, per fess, per pale, etc.) dictating the angle of the charges issuant therefrom.
This is one of the rare cases in SCA heraldry where we will allow animate charges inverted.
Nice device!
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
The submitter's previous name, Serena the Lavendere, is retained as an alternate name.
Submitted as Mathurin Arnorsson, the given name was documented in French and the byname was documented in Old Norse. This combination can be registered only if the name elements are dated within 300 years of each other. We were unable to document the spelling Mathurin within 300 years of the byname. However, the Latinized spelling Maturinus can be documented to the 9th and 11th centuries, which is well within 300 years of the Old Norse byname. We have change the name to Maturin Arnorsson, using the vernacular form of the attested Maturinus, for registration.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
The spelling MacLean was documented in the Letter of Intent only as a modern header form in Black's Surnames of Scotland. Fortunately, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found Maclean dated to 1636 in the FamilySearch Historical Records for Perth, Scotland. Given the variability in capitalization in Scots records, MacLean is a plausible variant form of the attested Maclean.
Stormwall is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The Letter of Intent did not document the spelling Holstein to period. Fortunately, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found von Holstein in Chronica, Zeitbuch und Geschichtbibell, published in 1536.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether this name presumes on any of the historic Dukes of Holstein named Heinrich. PN4D1 of SENA states:
Sovereign rulers of significant states are generally important enough to protect. Some historical city-states are not considered significant states. Provinces or regions integrated into larger units like the Holy Roman Empire are not generally considered significant states. Sovereigns of small states that did not give rise directly to modern countries will not be protected under this clause, nor will legendary kings of any state (though these kings may be individually important enough to protect). [emphasis added]
Not only was Holstein part of the Holy Roman Empire during the SCA's period, it was also a fief of several larger German states at various times. In addition, Holstein did not give rise directly to modern Germany. Therefore, the Dukes of Holstein are not automatically significant enough to protect. Each individual Duke must be assessed for his own historical importance. Applying the standards of PN4D1, none of the rulers of Holstein named Heinrich made any significant historic contributions in any field. Therefore, this name can be registered.
Nice 16th century German name!
The submitter's previous device, Bendy sinister sable and argent, on a chief Or a pair of wings conjoined in lure gules, is retained as a badge.
J{o,}ðurr is the name of a human male character in Fóstbræðra Saga, a saga relating the deeds of the sworn brothers Þorgeirr and Þormóðr in the early 11th century.
Seareach is the registered name of an SCA branch.
It was asked in commentary whether the July 2017 LoAR ruling that prohibits "animate charges displayed with the torso twisted to dexter or sinister" applied to this. As the torso and limbs are both oriented to dexter, the wyvern is in profile, not displayed.
Lochmere is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter requested authenticity for Norse-Viking language or culture, but withdrew this request in favor of registering this precise name. In fact, this name was documented entirely in English.
The tierce takes up more than a third of the device, which would normally be grounds for return. It is allowed in this instance due to the existing registration allowance.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, an eagle displayed per pale sable and azure, a sinister side indented azure, is retained as a badge. It is reblazoned below to match the new device's blazon.
Registered in January 1995 as Argent, an eagle displayed per pale sable and azure, a sinister side indented azure, displayed is redundant here and we more commonly refer to the peripheral charge as a tierce.
Nice Roman name for the last century of the Republic or the first century of the Empire!
The submitter's previous name, Iohanna filia Iacobi, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Sable, on a tower within an orle argent a decrescent gules, is retained as a badge.
The submitter's previous badge, (Fieldless) On a tower Or a cross crosslet fitchy azure, is released.
Specifying the type of breed of a dog beyond that which is normally found in heraldry (e.g. talbot or greyhound) is a step from period practice.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether this name is an obtrusively modern reference to the nonsense phrase "ollie ollie oxen free" often used by children playing hide-and-seek. PN2E of SENA sets a high threshold for obtrusive modernity:
No name will be registered that either in whole or in part is obtrusively modern. Something is said to be obtrusively modern when it makes a modern joke or reference that destroys medieval ambience and drags the average person mentally back to the present day. Obtrusiveness can be either in the written form or when spoken. A period name that has a modern referent will not generally be considered obtrusively modern. Only extreme examples will be returned.
This name is not an extreme example that requires a return. The game of hide-and-seek is period; descriptions of a game nearly identical to hide-and-seek are found in the 2nd century. The call "ollie ollie oxen free" is consistent with period nonsense rhymes found in English poems and songs. Therefore, the joke is just as likely a period one as a modern one.
Moreover, the name is not actually "Ollie Ollie Oxen Free." It is Oliver Oxen Free. This combination is no more bizarre or overwhelmingly modern than the actual period and gray period names identified by Lillia Crampette in commentary, such as Margaret Oxen Beare (1642), Jacob Turban Ox (1612), Maria Savyge Byggamus (1656), or Oxonbrig Barware (1649). Given these examples, we see no reason not to register this name.
Submitted as Pietro Trevisan de Vettor, after the close of commentary the submitter requested that de Vettor be dropped from the submitted name. We have done so.
The submitter's previous name, Tristan de Brailesford, is released.
A pye is a type of bird, modernly known as a magpie. The variant pie is attested in English inn-sign names, making it particularly appropriate for use in a household name.
Nice English name for the 13th and 14th centuries!
Black Diamond is the registered name of an SCA branch.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
Nice 16th century English name!
Artist's note: Please draw the owls larger to fill the available space.
Artist's note: Please draw the bear with reasonable vertical symmetry, and ensure that the ears are of sufficient size to be recognizable.
The name was documented in Spanish on the Letter of Intent. However, Saxa appears in Spanish only as a surname and no evidence was provided for the practice of using surnames as given names in period Spanish.
Fortunately, in commentary, Alisoun Metron Ariston documented the submitted name as a combination of Latinized 10th century French and 11th century Italian, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
Nice 13th century English name!
This name combines a Scots given name with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice badge!
Nice 16th century Italian name!
Submitted as Kristrøðr Eldrimsson, Kingdom provided a timely correction to Kristrøðr Eldgrímsson, fixing the typo.
Artist's note: Please color the eyes of the helm in the same tincture as the rest of the helm.
Sofia was documented on the Letter of Intent as the submitter's legal given name. However, in commentary, ffride wlffsdotter provided evidence of Sofia as an early 15th century given name from Iceland.
Nice 15th century Old Icelandic name!
Artist's note: Please draw the compony bordure with the lines of division perpendicular to the edge of the shield.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
On the October 2017 LoAR, we registered this household name but changed the submitter's original spelling Huys Uylenburgh to Huys Uylenburch based on the only documentation that could be found at the time. Along with the request for reconsideration, the submitter supplied an image from a marriage certificate from 1634 documenting the spelling Uylenburgh. Based on this new information, we are happy to restore this household name to Huys Uylenburgh.
This name combines a German given name with a Swedish byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter grants permission for any future person to register a name that is not identical to Lia de Thornegge.
The submitter grants permission to conflict for any armory that is not identical to her device.
The submitter grants permission to conflict for any armory that is not identical to her badge.
The submitter grants permission to conflict for any armory that is not identical to her badge.
The submitter's previous name, Margareta Blacke of York, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Azure semy-de-lys, a decrescent argent, is retained as a badge.
Nice English household name!
Gemstone is the lingua Anglica form of the attested Middle English word ymstone. A gemstone is a period heraldic charge, found in the Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry (http://mistholme.com/dictionary/jewelry/).
Gemstone is the lingua Anglica form of the attested Middle English word ymstone. A gemstone is a period heraldic charge, found in the Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry (http://mistholme.com/dictionary/jewelry/).
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
There is a step from period practice for the use of New World trilliums.
Submitted as Mægwyn_ skrautibróka, two minor changes to this name were necessary for registration. First, the attested form of the given name, found at p. 91 of Bo Seltén, The Anglo-Saxon Heritage in Middle English Personal Names (Lund, Sweden: Royal Society of Letters at Lund, 1979), is Mægwynn. This spelling is consistent with other attested Anglo-Saxon female names. We therefore have changed the given name to Mægwynn.
Second, the byname skrautibróka is a constructed byname intended to mean "fancy pants" or "fancy trousers." In commentary, ffride wlffsdotter demonstrated a pattern in Old Norse of bynames in the form adjective + trousers: hábrók ("high trousers"), langbrók ("long trousers"), loðbrók ("shaggy trousers") and snúinbrók ("twisted trousers"). This byname does not need to be modified when it follows a female name. Therefore, we have changed the byname to skrautibrók_ to use the correct Old Norse grammar.
Old Norse and Old English/Anglo-Saxon name elements can be combined under Appendix C of SENA as long as both elements are attested before 1100. As the dating on the elements in this name is unclear, we are giving the submitter the benefit of the doubt and assuming that both elements pre-date 1100, permitting the name to be registered.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
There is a step from period practice for use of a paw print.
MacCahan is the registered byname of the submitter's brother and thus can be used by this submitter under the Existing Registration Allowance, PN1B2g, without requiring new documentation.
Submitted as Bjorn Hrafnsson inn Irski, the name as submitted was not grammatically correct. When a descriptive byname, such as inn Irski, follows the father's name rather than the personal name, it refers to the father and must take the genitive (possessive) form. Therefore, we have changed the name to Bjorn Hrafnsson ins Irska to use the genitive form of the descriptive byname.
If the submitter intended the epithet "the Irish" to apply to him and not to his father, the name would be rendered as Bjorn inn Irski Hrafnsson. If the submitter prefers this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Icelandic Hiberno-Norse, 10th-11th century." All of the name elements are from Landnámabók, which chronicles the history of the 9th-10th centuries in Iceland. Therefore, this name is likely authentic for 10th century Iceland.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a paw print.
Nice late 16th century Spanish name!
Nice Irish Gaelic name for the 15th and 16th centuries!
Commenters questioned whether a compound place name such as Villiers de Saint Oryen would be used in its entirety in a recorded name. Heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found a number of examples of compound place names in recorded French bynames: de Ville-Neuve- Flaonniau (1292 Paris); de Bac-le-Duc (1292 Paris); du Bourc-l'Abbe (1292 Paris); de Boc Evrart (1438 Paris); de Bry sur Marne (1421 Paris). Based on these examples, this name can be registered as submitted.
The submitter's previous name, Kamejima Saburou Takauji, is released.
The submitter's previous device, Vert, three lathes fretted in triangle within an annulet argent, is retained as a badge.
Submitted as Leyl{i} Shirazi, the use of the undotted {i} character is not correct; it should be transliterated as Leylii, Leyl{i-} or Leyli. We have changed the name to Leyli Shirazi for registration. If the submitter prefers one of the other transliterations, she may make a request for reconsideration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a lightning bolt outside a thunderbolt.
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice 16th century Scots name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of paw prints.
Nice Italian name for the 15th or early 16th century!
Nice device!
Submitted as Thorvald Olafsson Kveld-hrutr_, the element Kveld-hrutr was proposed on the Letter of Intent as a constructed descriptive byname meaning "evening sheep" or "were-sheep." There is only a single attested example of an Old Norse name using the element Kveld-: Kveldúlfr, which means "evening wolf or werewolf." We have long stated that "a single example does not a pattern make." [Sigríðr hvíta refr, 1/2013 LoAR, A-Caid]. We also have found no evidence of Old Norse bynames constructed by combining the name of an animal with another adjective, such as a color. [Sorcha rauðrefr, 5/2012 LoAR, R-East]. Finally, werewolves and were-bears are actually found in Norse folklore. Were-sheep are not. Therefore, the constructed descriptive byname Kveld-hrutr is not registerable because it does not follow a documented naming pattern.
However, Hrútr is an Old Norse given name and Kveld-Hrútr follows the attested pattern of a given name with a prepended byname. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Thorvald Olafsson Kveld-Hrútssonar, meaning Thorvald, son of Olaf, grandson of Kveld-Hrútr, a documented Old Norse naming pattern.
The submitter requested authenticity for Old Norse. Even as changed, this name does not meet this request because Thorvald is a 15th century Norwegian form, not an Old Norse one. The Old Norse form of the given name is Þórvaldr or Thorvaldr (using a simplified transliteration). If the submitter prefers this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Artist's note: Please draw the plate larger to fill the available space.
Submitted as Úlfr logmaþor, the byname was misspelled. We have corrected the name to Úlfr l{o,}gmaðr (using an o-ogonek) to use the attested form of the byname.
The submitter requested authenticity for "1050 CE Ireland". This is an authentic Gaelic name for that general time period.
The submitter's previous device, Per fess sable and vert, an increscent and a pawprint argent, is retained as a badge.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
Nice badge!
Nice 16th century German name from Wuerttemberg!
There is a step from period practice for use of a charge with a gore.
Artist's note: Please draw the ermine spots right-side up.
This name combines a vernacular Italian given name with a Latinized Italian byname. The submitter may be interested to know that this name can also be registered as Francesco Arcario, an entirely vernacular form authentic to 16th century Italy, or as Francescus Arcarius, a fully Latinized form authentic for early 13th century Pisa. If the submitter prefers either of these forms, he may make a request for reconsideration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of birds in a migrant posture.
Nice late 16th century Scots name!
Submitted as House _ Falkenburg, there is no evidence supporting the pattern of the name as submitted. When dealing with a place name such as Falkenburg, the proper construction in German is Haus zum Falkenburg. [Dorothea Weberin. Household name Haus zum Herzwald, 11/2017 LoAR, A-Drachenwald] Therefore, when the designator is put into the lingua Anglica form, it must be rendered as House of Falkenburg. With the submitter's permission we have made this change for registration.
Nice badge!
Submitted under the name Undewyn Maccuswell.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
Submitted as Cellagh ingen Óengusa, the submitted spelling of the given name was documented only from a post-period English translation of an 8th century Gaelic reference. The standard period Gaelic spelling of the name is Cellach, with the variation Ceallach appearing in later-written documents. As the submitter requested authenticity for "Gaelic 800-1000," we have changed the given name to the standard form for that era, Cellach. As changed, the name meets the submitter's request.
The submitter requested authenticity for "1500-1525 Venice." This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Seraphina Ragged Staff identified the authenticity request during commentary, allowing sufficient time for research. Based on additional research done at the Pelican decision meeting, this name meets the submitter's request.
Memré is the submitter's legal given name.
The submitter requested authenticity for "1300 France." The byname is found in the 1292 Census of Paris. However, the use of her modern legal given name means that this name is not authentic for the requested time and place.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
Eastwatch is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice device!
Auenwald is a constructed German place name. It is also the modern name of a city in Germany. This city is not important enough to protect from presumption. In addition, the German city does not lie within the territory of this branch.
Originally submitted as Caesidius Aurelius Scaevola, it was changed at Kingdom to Caesidius Aurelianus Scaevola because it was believed that change was necessary to fit an attested pattern for Roman names, nomen + cognomen + cognomen.
However, while originally a nomen, Aurelius also came to be used as a cognomen by the men of the Roman legions in the third century, according to A Study of the Cognomina of Soldiers in the Roman Legions by Lindley Richard Dean. Therefore, we can restore the name to the originally-submitted Caesidius Aurelius Scaevola and still fit the name into an attested pattern.
There is a step from period practice for the use of lightning bolts that are not part of a thunderbolt.
Artist's note: Please draw the lightning bolts thicker and bolder, with larger heads, for easier identification beneath the tower.
Nice badge!
Originally submitted as Godfrey _ Mortemer, the submitter requested authenticity for 12th century Anglo-Norman language or culture. The name was changed at Kingdom to Godefrid de Mortemer because it was believed these changes were necessary to meet the authenticity request.
However, in commentary, Lillia Crampette documented Godfrey to 1204 and Godfrei or Godefrei in the late 12th century. Further, there was no need to add the preposition de because unmarked locative bynames appear in English as early as 1066. Reaney & Wilson note at least 100 examples of unmarked locative bynames in 12th century English and French documents. Therefore, we have restored the name to the originally-submitted Godfrey _ Mortemer, which meets the submitter's request for an authentic 12th century Anglo-Norman name.
Nice Middle English branch name!
Guard of Illiton is a generic identifier.
Champion of Illiton is a generic identifier.
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified time and place. All of the elements of this name are Chinese, however they come from different time periods. Therefore, although it is registerable, this name is not authentic for any particular place or time period.
There is a step from period practice for the use of an Oriental dragon.
This is not a visual conflict with Reynard the Brown's badge for Refsheim, registered July 1987, because the blazon needs to be corrected; it omits the tincture of the fox. Reynard's badge is registered as Argent, a fox courant to sinister within a serpent in annulo, head to chief, sable, but the emblazon clearly shows the fox gules, marked argent. We have reblazoned the badge elsewhere in this letter.
Blazoned when registered in July 1987 as Argent, a fox courant to sinister within a serpent in annulo, head to chief, sable, the tincture of the fox was unfortunately omitted.
The submitter requested authenticity for "14th century Norman" culture. This name is authentic for 14th century Middle English. Based on the documentation, we believe this is what the submitter intended. However, if the submitter wants an authentic name for 14th century Normandy, France, the name would be rendered in French as Robert fils de Richard. If the submitter prefers the French form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
There is a step from period practice for use of a bird other than an eagle in a displayed posture.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
Nice late 16th century English name!
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
Questions were raised in commentary about whether order names can be formed using the plurals of heraldic charges. "Medieval Secular Order Names" by Juliana de Luna (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/order/new/) contains examples of names formed using plural forms, including Gesellen von den Fühssen (Companions of the Foxes), Die Geselschafft der Furspangen (The Society of the Buckles), and Fraternitas Draconum (Brotherhood of the Dragons). By precedent, "patterns of order names tend to be pan-European (i.e., similar patterns are used throughout Europe)." [Carillion, Barony of. Order name Order of Irons Bell, 11/2014 LoAR, A-East] Therefore, this order name does follow a period pattern and can be registered.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether order names can be formed using the plurals of heraldic charges. "Medieval Secular Order Names" by Juliana de Luna (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/order/new/) of names formed using plural forms, including Gesellen von den Fühssen (Companions of the Foxes), Die Geselschafft der Furspangen (The Society of the Buckles), and Fraternitas Draconum (Brotherhood of the Dragons). By precedent, "patterns of order names tend to be pan-European (i.e., similar patterns are used throughout Europe)." [Carillion, Barony of. Order name Order of Irons Bell, 11/2014 LoAR, A-East] Therefore, this order name does follow a period pattern and can be registered.
Submitted as Order of the Eagle's Plume, the name as submitted does not follow the pattern of naming orders after a heraldic charge because an "eagle's plume" is not a period heraldic charge. In period heraldry, a "plume" was specifically a single ostrich tail feather. Therefore, an eagle could not have a "plume."
However, with only slight changes, this name can be redocumented using the pattern of naming orders after saints plus objects of veneration or heraldic charges. Eagle was documented in commentary by ffride wlffsdotter as a late 16th century English given name, which can be used as a saint's name. As already noted, a plume is a period heraldic charge. Therefore, we have changed this name to Order of _ Eagles Plume for registration.
This order name uses the lingua Anglica form of the name of a 13th century religious order, known in period documents as Ensiferi fratres or the Order of the Sword-Bearers. This real world order is not historically significant enough to protect from presumption. If it were, under the August 2015 Cover Letter, adding of Aarquelle would not be enough to remove the appearance of presumption.
The spelling Cuncliffe was documented on the Letter of Intent only as an undated header form in Reaney & Wilson. Fortunately, the spelling Cunclyff is found in Reaney & Wilson s.n. Cuncliffe dated to 1411. Middle English documents show the endings -cliff, cliffe, -clyff and -clyffe being used effectively interchangeably. Therefore, the submitted Cuncliffe is a reasonable interpolated Middle English spelling that falls within 500 years of the given name.
Artist's note: Please draw the bordure and coneys larger for greater ease in identification.
The spelling Cuncliffe was documented on the Letter of Intent only as an undated header form in Reaney & Wilson. Fortunately, the spelling Cunclyff is found in Reaney & Wilson s.n. Cuncliffe dated to 1411. Middle English documents show the endings -cliff, cliffe, -clyff and -clyffe being used effectively interchangeably. Therefore, the submitted Cuncliffe is a reasonable interpolated Middle English spelling that falls within 500 years of the given name.
Submitted as RaDawn Parsa, the submitter requested the Persian byname P{a-}rs{a-} if it could be documented. P{a-}rs{a-} is found as a byname in "Persian Masculine Names in the Nafah.ât al-uns" by Ursula Georges (https://www.s-gabriel.org/names/ursula/nafahat/bynames.html). Persian does not distinguish grammatical genders, so the evidence of P{a-}rs{a-} as a male byname supports its use as a female byname.
RaDawn was documented in the Letter of Intent as the submitter's legal given name. Brunissende Wreath Emerita noted in commentary that the submitter's legal name is in all capital letters on the supporting documents. PN1B2e of SENA states that, "[t]he name phrase must be used in precisely the way that it is spelled on the legal document. As some legal documents obscure capitalization (by using all capitals) or omit punctuation (and markings like accents), such changes may be allowed on a case by case basis." In this instance, we give the submitter the benefit of the doubt as to the spelling of her own name.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether RaDawn is obtrusively modern even though it was properly documented under the Legal Name Allowance. The Legal Name Allowance, PN1B2e of SENA, is specifically intended to permit the use of modern name elements that cannot be documented to the SCA's period. The rule against obtrusively modern name elements does not apply to elements that are submitted and properly documented under the Legal Name Allowance.
As an element of the submitter's legal name, RaDawn is treated as neutral in language and time under PN2C2d of SENA. Therefore the neutral (and not obtrusively modern) RaDawn can be combined with the Persian P{a-}rs{a-}. We have made this change as requested by the submitter.
Artist's note: Please center the peacock on the field.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This badge was released on the July 2016 LoAR.
This badge was released on the July 2016 LoAR.
This name change was withdrawn by the submitter during commentary.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
This device must be returned for having the raven depicted in trian aspect. The position, size, and angle of the dexter wing give the unmistakable impression of a raven in trian aspect. Per SENA A2C1:
Elements must be drawn in their period forms and in a period armorial style. In general, this means that charges should be drawn as a flat depiction with no perspective.
The use of trian aspect is limited to those charges which require it for identifiability, or which have been shown to have been depicted in trian aspect in period heraldry. Birds have no such requirement.
This device is returned for having a "barely overall" charge. SENA Appendix I, Charge Group Theory, in defining overall charges states "An overall charge must have a significant portion on the field; a design with a charge that has only a little bit sticking over the edges of an underlying charge is known as "barely overall" and is not registerable." Here, more of the eagle's head is on the cross than on the field.
We are not sure that the combination of these two charges can be drawn successfully so that the eagle's head is truly overall and still has the cross identifiable. The submitter should be aware of this challenge upon resubmission.
This alternate name is returned for conflict with the registered Snorri Randulfsson. The only difference is in the byname, and that difference affects only adjacent letters and sounds: rath-ulf-son vs. rand-ulf-son or ran-dulf-son. Under PN3C1, "[i]f the changes only affect adjacent letters or sounds, they must affect more than two letters or sounds to be considered under this allowance." As only two letters are affected by the changes in sound and appearance, these two names conflict.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
This device was pended from the October 2017 LoAR to discuss the interaction between SENA A2B3 (Existing Registration Allowance) and SENA A2B4 (Steps from Period Practice).
The registration depends on the Existing Registration Allowance to register this field division (which would otherwise be returned for being either inadmissibly high as a per chevron inverted line or a low contrast chief triangular). This motif was registered by the submitter's grandmother, Leah de Spencer, in November 1980. This submission also has a step from period practice for the use of a natural tiger's head; natural tigers were not attested in period heraldry, though the tyger, a monster, was found.
SENA A2B3 states that "The use of the existing registration allowance does not allow the submitter to evade new style problems (as discussed in A.1 through A.3). It only allows the submitter to evade style problems that already exist with their registered armory." By their nature, each design element which carries a step from period practice introduces at least a minor "style problem" to a piece of armory; this is why inclusion of more than one will cause the design to be returned.
Because the inclusion of a tiger's head in the new design adds a step from period practice to a piece of armory that already relies on the existing registration allowance, it is returned for violation of SENA A2B3.
This item was pended on the October 2017 Letter for additional commentary on whether Egyptian Hieratic names from some portion of the Pharaonic period are or should be registered.
SENA and past precedent are against the registration of names from Pharaonic Egypt. GP3A of SENA states:
The center of the Society is medieval and Renaissance Europe. As in the Governing Documents, period is defined as "pre-17th Century". Elements and patterns of names and heraldry found in the Middle Ages and Renaissance (in those places defined below) are allowed. We allow elements and patterns from before the Middle Ages, but require them to be from cultures that were known to medieval and Renaissance Europeans. Therefore, classical Greek and Roman names are registerable, but names from Pharaonic Egypt are not.
The notion that Pharaonic Egypt was completely unknown to medieval and Renaissance Europeans ignores the importance of Egypt in the Christian and Jewish Bibles. In addition to the tale of Exodus, Pharaonic Egypt features prominently in the tales of Abraham (Genesis 12:10-20) and Joseph (Genesis 37-50). In 1 Kings, the Pharaoh of Egypt gave one of his daughters to Solomon as a wife. All in all, Egypt is mentioned more than 600 times in the Bible. However, as several commenters noted, the image of Pharaonic Egypt in the minds of medieval Europeans was, in all likelihood, not remotely similar to the actuality of Egypt. Fortunately, we do not have to rely only on the Biblical depictions of Egypt.
Recent archeological work (in particular, work by the British Museum) establishes that Egypt and Greece were in direct contact from approximately the 2nd millennium B.C.E. onwards. Active sea-based trade between Greece and Egypt seems to have been established by at least 600 B.C.E., and Greek authors of the 5th-4th centuries were writing extensively about Egyptian culture. Herodotus talks about Greek traders visiting Egyptian towns. Egyptian armies sometimes used Greek mercenaries -- in or about 593 B.C.E., Greek mercenaries left Greek-language graffiti on the legs of the statutes of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel.
Archeological evidence also shows a substantial number of Greeks living permanently in, and intermingling with, Pharaonic Egypt. A Greek settlement called Naukratis was established in Egypt in or about the 7th century B.C.E. and was occupied continuously through at least the 7th century C.E. The British Museum has evidence of 6th century B.C.E. grave stelae that employ Egyptian motifs alongside Greek language and motifs. As another example, in the late 7th century B.C.E., a man named Wah-ib-Re-em-akhet (an Egyptian name), the son of Alexikles and Zonodote (clearly Greeks), was buried in an Egyptian sarcophagus.
Herodotus is the most prominent of the classical Greek writers who discussed the culture, life and religion of the Egyptians. Although Herodotus was not translated into Latin until 1450, monastic authors were nevertheless familiar with his work. In addition, after 1450, multiple editions of Herodotus in Latin and vernacular languages were circulated among Humanist authors and philosophers.
Unfortunately, the specific name at issue does not fall within the time period when we find direct, significant cultural contact between Pharaonic Egypt and Greece. The best current research shows such contact from the 7th century B.C.E. onwards. However, the single attestation of Aa-ef-en-moet is from 879 B.C.E., from a papyrus written in Hieratic script. As there is no evidence of direct, significant cultural contact between Egypt and Greece this early, this name cannot be registered. Because the name is not registerable, we do not decide at this time whether names rendered only in Hieratic script can be registered.
We look forward to ongoing research and discussion concerning the contacts between Egypt and medieval Europe and the registerability of names from Pharaonic Egypt.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
This device is returned for the use of charges surmounting only secondary charges. In the January 2018 return of Marcus de Grae, it was ruled that "No evidence was presented, and none could be found, showing that the practice of surmounting charges covering only secondary charges when a primary charge is present was done in period. Absent such evidence, armory with surmounting charges that do not overlie the primary charge will be returned."
There is a step from period practice for the use of an Oriental dragon.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This name was withdrawn by the submitter during commentary.
By precedent, withdrawal of his name means that no holding name can be created. [Ivar Smetta, Oct 2016, R-Calontir] Any accompanying armory submission must be administratively returned for lack of a name to which it can be linked.
This device is returned for redraw. The size and number of ermine spots on the fox, as well as the "cut from cloth" layout that has them terminating in parts across the silhouette of the charge, so obscure the identity of the charge that it is impossible to identify.
This device is also returned for fimbriating a line of division. Submitted as a pile inverted ployé vert, fimbriated Or, the vert portion of the design is too wide to be considered a pile inverted, and the fimbriation is cut off in chief by the chief edge of the shield. Commenters considered whether this could be Per chevron ployé or Chape ployé, but neither of these field divisions can be fimbriated.
This badge is returned for presumption on Erskine, Earl of Mar and Kelly, Argent, a pale sable. There's a single DC, for addition of the tertiary charge.
This device is returned for conflict with the badge of Adelicia Marie di Rienzi, Gules, a snail passant to sinister Or. There is one DC for changing half of the charge from the body of a snail to the body of a lobster, while leaving the more substantial portion of the charge, namely the shell, intact.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
None.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
None.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
None.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Þórmundr inn landverski, Per chevron argent and vert, two ravens respectant sable and a valknut argent. There is one CD for collective changes to the charge in base. Per SENA A5C2d, the bottommost of three charges 2&1 is deemed to be "half the group" for conflict purposes. However, SENA A5C2d also puts a cap on the amount of difference we can get for changes to that special case "half". The cumulative difference for all changes to the bottommost charge here is one DC.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
This name is returned because it conflicts with the registered Undewyn de Maccuswell. The removal of the preposition de is not a substantial change that clears conflict under PN3C1. However, if Undewyn de Maccuswell could be located for permission to conflict, the names are different enough to allow this one to be registered with that permission.
His device is registered under the holding name Undewyn of Bordescros.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3B4, which requires that charges have good contrast with their fields. In the January 2006 return of Mary Dedwydd verch Gwallter's device, Vert estencelly, on a pile throughout argent a brunette mermaid proper maintaining in each hand an escallop inverted vert, it was upheld:
This is being returned for lack of contrast of the mermaid proper with the argent pile. As prior precedent notes:
A caucasian mermaid cannot be placed on an argent field, as human (caucasian) flesh proper was somtimes [sic] depicted as argent in period sources. [Lachlann Wick of Brindle Myre, 11/99, R-Caid][Per bend sinister azure and argent, a mermaid in her vanity proper] Long precedent and period heraldic practice make Caucasian skin equivalent to argent. If drawn properly, the effectively argent skin of the mermaid would be largely against the argent part of the field. Even as carefully drawn, there is too much of the mermaid's skin against the argent part of the field. Therefore, this must be returned for violating RfS VIII.2, Armorial Contrast. [Ophelia Mulryan, 11/00, R-Drachenwald]
Caucasian centaur flesh has the same issue with contrast against an argent field, and compounds it with the placement of the lyre, functioning as a tertiary charge, entirely over the torso. As caucasian flesh proper is effectively argent, having it charged with a lyre Or is not sufficient contrast for the purposes of SENA A3B4.
For a further note on the proper coloration of a centaur, please see the Cover Letter.
There is a step from period practice for the use of compass stars.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
This device is returned for redraw, for violating SENA A2C2 which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable." Commenters could not reliably identify the primary charges as foxes.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
This device must be returned for conflict with the device of Alienor Hathaway, Gules, three ducks naiant argent. There's a single DC for the field.
This badge is returned for redraw, for violating SENA A2C2 which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable." In this emblazon, the foot of the griffin obscures the defining features, and thus the identifiability, of the furison.
Upon resubmission, we recommend that the furison either be reoriented so that the foot does not obscure the charge, or otherwise resize it so that the identifying features are visible even beneath the foot.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
This device is returned for not being reliably blazonable, which is a violation of SENA A1C which requires an emblazon to be describable in heraldic terms. The placement of the mullets is neither "in chief" nor "in canton," and is thus unreliably blazonable.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a charge overall with a fimbriated ordinary.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3B, which requires that charges have good contrast with their backgrounds, and SENA A2C2, which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable."
Per the Cover Letter of August 2015, where maintained charges were ruled to count for difference, they were also ruled to require good contrast with the field:
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...
Between the maintained charges' small size and lack of contrast, they fail the current requirements for maintained charges.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
Although Russian firebirds are no longer permitted charges in SCA heraldry, the submitter registered her device, Per saltire purpure and sable, a Russian firebird volant bendwise argent, in 1995, twenty years before the ban on Russian firebirds was enacted. The Letter of Intent asked whether the Existing Registration Allowance should allow this submitter to use a banned charged as the basis for her heraldic title.
Unfortunately, we received no commentary on this issue. As this is an overarching question of policy that may have wide-ranging implications, we are pending this item in the hope of receiving commentary before rendering a decision.
This was item 9 on the AEthelmearc letter of December 11, 2017.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
This name was documented as an Indian name recorded in Sanskrit. We received absolutely no commentary on this name. Lacking accessible expertise in Indian or Sanskrit naming, we are pending this name for additional research.
This was item 25 on the Middle letter of December 15, 2017.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2018-05-29T20:37:28