Society for Creative Anachronism
College of Arms
For the October 2018 meetings, printed December 28, 2018
To all the College of Arms and all others who may read this missive, from Juliana Laurel, Alys Pelican, and Cormac Wreath, greetings.
Unfortunately, Milesenda de Bourges has had to step down for mundane reasons. I've asked her deputy, Sciath ingen Chaennaig, to step into her place. We thank both for their willingness to serve.
I want to first thank my predecessors for their work as Clarion and wish them great success in the future. My initial goal will be to assess the current content and structure of the Laurel website. I'm testing a survey that I will be sending to principal heralds for distribution to all heralds. Once we have the data from the survey, the report will enable myself to work with Codex Herald to update the content and structure to better support the training and educational needs of novice heralds to experienced heralds. I expect that there will be a need to identify and develop new training materials, and I will look for volunteers to support this work. Aside from the survey, I also want to encourage kingdom Education Heralds to network and connect online, either through the Education Heralds List (http://lists.sca.org/listinfo/herald-education) or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1640540746191693/), or in person at the next Known World Heralds and Scribes Symposium in Iowa, in July, 2019. I am planning on hosting a roundtable discussion at the event. Bring your ideas and your comments! If you want to connect with me in the meantime, please contact Clarion Herald at [email protected].
We propose the adoption of the following new sections of SENA, replacing the existing PN1B2c (Lingua Anglica Allowance) and PN1B2f (Branch Name Allowance):
1.B.2.c. Lingua Societatis Allowance: We allow the registration of translations of attested and constructed descriptive and locative bynames into standard modern language forms. We call this the lingua Societatis rule. We allow this translation because the meanings of these bynames would have been clear to the speakers of these languages, but may be unclear to modern speakers.
The lingua Societatis rule allows a submitter to use either the modern language of the submitter's country of residence or modern English. The language of the submitter's country of residence is not limited to language(s) designated by that country as an "official" language. Multiple factors may be considered to determine whether a particular language is the "language of the submitter's country of residence," including but not limited to the language(s) used by the local SCA groups to hold business meetings, the language(s) spoken by the local SCA groups in court or at events, the language(s) in which reports, newspapers and media are published within the local area, and the percentage of the population that speaks the particular language.
The submitter's country of residence will be determined by the address listed on the submission form.
The translation of descriptive bynames must be a plausible and literal translation. Under lingua Societatis, locative bynames use standard modern forms rather than period spellings of the placenames. Under no circumstances will translations of the meanings of given names or placenames be registerable under this rule.
For example, the Norse byname inn rauð may be translated into English as the Red. It may not be translated as the bloody, the scarlet, or the like, as these are not literal translations.
For example, the Middle English descriptive byname le nymell may be translated into modern English as the nimble, as the original term may be unclear to modern speakers, even though it is in an earlier form of English. The lingua Societatis rule also permits the byname le nymell to be translated into any other modern language spoken in the submitter's country of residence. Therefore, a person living in Germany could register the modern German descriptive byname die flinke ("the nimble") based on the attested le nymell.
For example, the Spanish byname de Castilla may be translated into modern English as of Castile. The Arabic byname al-Dimashqi may be translated as of Damascus or the Damascene. However, while Cairo is derived from a word which means "the victorious", its lingua Societatis form (in English) is of Cairo, not of the Victorious, as "the Victorious" is a translation of the meaning.
Each name phrase registered under the lingua Societatis rule must use a consistent modern language.
For example, a submitter residing in Canada, where both French and English are national languages, could register either the modern French phrase le beau or the modern English phrase the handsome as the lingua Societatis form of the Old Norse byname inn fagri. However, the beau is not registerable under the lingua Societatis rule, as this name phrase combines modern English and modern French.
PN1.B.2.f. Branch Name Allowance: Name phrases may be created from the registered forms of SCA branches. The name phrase must use a lingua Societatis form meaning 'of Branchname' or 'person from Branchname'. The language used for lingua Societatis may be the language of the submitter's country of residence or English. In English, the usual lingua Societatis form incorporating an SCA branch name is 'of Branchname'.
The language of the submitter's country of residence is not limited to language(s) designated by that country as an "official" language. Multiple factors may be considered to determine whether a particular language is the "language of the submitter's country of residence," including but not limited to the language (s) used by the local SCA groups to hold business meetings, the language(s) spoken by the local SCA groups in court or at events, the language(s) in which reports, newspapers and media are published within the local area, and the percentage of the population that speaks the particular language.
The submitter's country of residence will be determined by the address listed on the submission form.
Name phrases should stay as close to the exact registered name of the branch as possible, while obeying the grammatical requirements of the language used for lingua Societatis. Translated forms based on the meaning of branch names will not be registered under this allowance, even if the translated form matches the intended origin of the submission or of the branch.
For example, this rule would allow the bynames of Carolingia or of Fontaine dans Sable, as these are the expected lingua Societatis forms using standard modern English. A submitter residing in Canada, where both French and English are national languages, could also register de Carolingia or de Fontaine dans Sable as French lingua Societatis forms. This rule does not allow the byname of the East Ridge based on the registered Shire of East Ridge because the registered substantive element of the branch name is East Ridge not the East Ridge. If Fontaine dans Sable can also be documented as an attested or constructed French name, de Fontaine dans Sable could be used in forming a fully French name, no matter the submitter's country of residence; however, that would not be through the use of the Branch Name Allowance.
For example, some modern languages (such as Finnish and German) create bynames meaning 'of Placename' by adding a suffix to the place name. Thus, a person named Helka living in Finland who wanted a byname saying she was from the branch Aarnimetsä could register the name Aarnimetsän Helka, following the rules of modern Finnish grammar. A person named Conrad living in Germany who wanted a byname saying he was from the branch Bronzehelm could register the names Conrad Bronzehelmer or Conrad von Bronzehelm. Note that this construction follows the rules of modern German grammar, rather than medieval German or Latin grammar. Modern Irish forms phrases meaning 'from Placename' using a preposition together with certain spelling changes required by Irish grammar. Thus, a person named Brigit living in Ireland who wanted a byname saying she was from the branch of Dun in Mara could register the name Brigit ó Dhun in Mhara. However, a person named Johan living in Germany who wanted a byname saying that he was from the branch of the East could not register Johan von Osten ("East" in German) using the Branch Name Allowance. The byname von Osten would have to be documented another way.
This month, three submissions from Northshield raised the question of whether Latin words or phrases used in an impresa (plural: imprese) can be used to create heraldic titles, based on the attested pattern of naming heralds based on mottoes. Past precedent stated:
Latin mottoes are now known to be vanishing rare in period; their use in heraldic titles is a step from period practice under the Rules for Submissions. We decline to rule on their registerability under the Standards for Evaluation. Any future submission based on a Latin motto should include a discussion of the suitability of such a motto for a heraldic title. [Tanczos Istvan. Heraldic title Non Scripta Herald, 10/2012 LoAR, A-East]
We now overrule that precedent in part.
An impresa was a combination of words and pictures - something that we would consider a badge combined with a sort of pithy phrase or positive word. Period authors referred to the written portion of the impresa as a "motte" or "motto." The words and phrases used in an impresa could be in either Latin or in the vernacular.
In her article "Symbols and Mottoes: The Renaissance Impresa" (http://yarntheory.net/ursulageorges/imprese/imprese.html), Ursula Palimpsest explains the origins of imprese:
Imprese first appeared in the French and Burgundian courts in the late fourteenth century. They rapidly became popular among European nobility: for a time, displays of imprese seemed to outnumber displays of heraldry. Imprese were embroidered on clothing, displayed at tournaments, painted in portraits, described in literature, and even carved into wooden ceilings.
Imprese were incorporated into portraits, such as Elizabeth I's famous Rainbow Portrait, which includes the Latin motto "Non sine sole iris," inscribed above the rainbow. In addition, imprese played important parts in late period tourney culture. Turning again to the research by Ursula Palimpsest:
Imprese were an important part of the lavish pageantry of late medieval and Renaissance tournaments. Special shields were carved and painted with the imprese pictures, and knights often dressed themselves and their entourages to match an impresa's theme. From the time of Queen Elizabeth's reign onwards, a participant in an English tournament was required to compose an impresa. Before the tournament, the knight's page presented the impresa to the Queen (or later to King James). The impresa was usually accompanied by an explanatory song or poem.
Comparing examples of period imprese with the mottoes used to create period heraldic titles, it nearly impossible for a non-specialist to determine what is a "motto" as opposed to the words from an impresa without knowing the precise context in which the words or phrases originally were used. Both mottoes and imprese generally are composed from short phrases or single positive adjectives or nouns. For example, period phrases found in imprese include:
Sans remedy (French, 1522, "without remedy")
Tremet et ardet (Latin, 1595, "he trembles and burns")
Nisi dominus (Latin, 1610, "unless the Lord")
Vous ou la mort (French, 15th century, "You or death")
Attested heraldic titles based on mottoes include:
Joyeux Aller (Catalan, 1428, "go merrily")
Lob den Frumen (German, 14th century, "praise the worthy")
Mains que le Pas (French, 1451, "slowly but surely")
Paine por joie (Catalan, 1464, "pain for joy")
Both mottoes and impresas were used in connection with tournaments and in visual, heraldically-inspired decorations of one's person and property. Distinguishing a "motto" from the words or phrases used in an impresa for the purposes of creating heraldic titles in the Society is nearly impossible for a non-specialist and unnecessarily splits hairs. Imprese were directly connected with the pageantry of late-period tournaments. It is plausible that the phrase used in an impresa could also be used to name the herald of the person bearing the impresa, at least for the length of the particular tourney if not permanently.
Accordingly, effective as of the date of publication of this letter, in languages and cultures that used imprese in period - at a minimum England, France, Italy, and Flanders - the words and phrases used in imprese can be used to create heraldic titles, even if those words and phrases are in Latin.
On November 3rd, at Grand Day of Tournaments in the Kingdom of the Middle, Their Majesties A'Kos and Bella created Ursula Georges, Palimpsest herald and a long-term commenter, a Herald Extraordinary. We look forward to seeing her title in submission soon.
On November 10th, Milesenda de Bourges, former Triskele Herald and until recently Clarion Herald, was created a Herald Extraordinary in Trimaris at Martinmas Moot/Crown Tournament.
On November 10th, at Dun Carraig Silver Jubilee in the Kingdom of Atlantia, Their Majesties Ragnarr and Lynette did induct Thea de Nes into the Order of the Golden Dolphin for her work as a scribe. The Order of the Golden Dolphin is Atlantia's grant level award for service.
On December 1st, at the Tribaronial Yule in An Tir, Their Majesties Christian and Helene did elevate Marya Kargashina, Black Lion Principal Herald, to the rank and estate of the Order of the Laurel.
Please send information about happenings to major heralds and major happenings to all heralds to Laurel, so that it can be published here.
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.
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 October Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, October 7, 2018 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, October 14, 2018. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Gleann Abhann (02 Jul, 2018), Calontir (06 Jul, 2018), East (07 Jul, 2018), Laurel LoPaD (15 Jul, 2018), Æthelmearc (19 Jul, 2018), Atlantia (19 Jul, 2018), Middle (22 Jul, 2018), Palimpsest Rules Letter (22 Jul, 2018), West (23 Jul, 2018), An Tir (24 Jul, 2018), Ealdormere (24 Jul, 2018), Northshield (24 Jul, 2018), East (28 Jul, 2018), Lochac (28 Jul, 2018), Artemisia (30 Jul, 2018), Atenveldt (30 Jul, 2018), Artemisia (31 Jul, 2018), Avacal (31 Jul, 2018), Caid (31 Jul, 2018), Drachenwald (31 Jul, 2018), Meridies (31 Jul, 2018), and Outlands (31 Jul, 2018). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Sunday, September 30, 2018.
The November Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, November 11, 2018 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, November 18, 2018. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Trimaris (02 Jul, 2018) (pushed due to missing packet), Gleann Abhann (03 Aug, 2018), Calontir (08 Aug, 2018), An Tir (16 Aug, 2018), Æthelmearc (19 Aug, 2018), Avacal (21 Aug, 2018), Middle (24 Aug, 2018), Atenveldt (25 Aug, 2018), Ealdormere (26 Aug, 2018), Outlands (28 Aug, 2018), Laurel LoPaD (29 Aug, 2018), Atlantia (30 Aug, 2018), Caid (30 Aug, 2018), Drachenwald (30 Aug, 2018), Lochac (30 Aug, 2018), Ansteorra (31 Aug, 2018), Artemisia (31 Aug, 2018), Meridies (31 Aug, 2018), and Northshield (31 Aug, 2018). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
The December Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, December 2, 2018 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, December 9, 2018. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: East (05 Sep, 2018), Calontir (08 Sep, 2018), Æthelmearc (09 Sep, 2018), Caid (14 Sep, 2018), Artemisia (17 Sep, 2018), An Tir (19 Sep, 2018), Atenveldt (20 Sep, 2018), Ealdormere (24 Sep, 2018), Avacal (27 Sep, 2018), Lochac (28 Sep, 2018), Outlands (29 Sep, 2018), Ansteorra (30 Sep, 2018), Artemisia (30 Sep, 2018), Atlantia (30 Sep, 2018), Caid (30 Sep, 2018), Drachenwald (30 Sep, 2018), Laurel LoPaD (30 Sep, 2018), Meridies (30 Sep, 2018), Middle (30 Sep, 2018), Northshield (30 Sep, 2018), and Trimaris (30 Sep, 2018). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Friday, November 30, 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
Created at 2018-12-28T17:25:44