This device does not conflict with the badge of David of Moffat, (Fieldless) A cross-crosslet argent quarter-pierced gules. There is one DC for fieldlessness. The quarter-piercing of David's badge is the equivalent of a tertiary delf, which provides the necessary second DC.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
The Letter of Intent documented the given name Adele in 16th Switzerland. However, Adele is the likely vernacular form of the Latinized English given name Adela, which was documented in commentary. Therefore, the name is entirely English.
Submitted as Bran Dubh Ua Mac Raith, the byname was not correctly formed. Gaelic grammar requires the ancestor's name to be in the genitive form following Ua. Consistent with this rule, and with the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Bran Dubh Ua Mic Raith for registration.
Questions were raised in commentary about the documentation for the byname. The Gaelic masculine name Cairbre was documented in commentary by Lillia Crampette and Brían dorcha ua Conaill as appearing in the Annals of the Four Masters, dated to the 6th century and earlier. The spelling Cairbre is used for both the nominative and the genitive form of the name. As the Gaelic given name Brandubh is also found in the 6th century, this name can be registered.
The submitter's previous name, Fernan Gaspar Santini, is retained as an alternate name.
Nice late 16th century Gaelic name!
The submitter's previous name, Duncan Doyne, is released.
The submitter's previous device, Vert, on a bend sinister sable fimbriated Or an anchor palewise argent, is retained as a badge.
Nice device!
This name does not conflict with the registered Daniel Davidson under PN3C1 (as modified by the May 2018 Cover Letter) because there are at least two changes in sound and appearance: Dan-iel vs. Donn-ell, David vs. Davin.
Submitted as Erika _ Sitt al-Sada, Erika is the submitter's legal given name. As such, it is treated as linguistically neutral under PN2C2d and can be combined with an Arabic byname.
Sitt al-Sada is an Arabic feminine given name. Arabic matronymics are registerable under the September 2012 Cover Letter. However, we have no evidence of unmarked matronymics (or patronymics) in Arabic. With the submitter's permission, we have changed this name to Erika bint Sitt al-Sada to be consistent with attested Arabic naming patterns.
Artist's note: Please center the line of division on the field as modified by the presence of the chief.
Nice late 15th century Spanish name!
The Letter of Intent documented Peregrina as a German name. Although Appendix C permits Italian and German to be combined, Seraphina Ragged Staff found evidence of Peregrina as a 16th century Italian name in "Names from an Early 16th C Census of Rome" by Aryhanhwy merch Catmael (http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/italian/leofemfreq.html), making the entire name Italian.
Artist's note: Please draw the wyvern following a more clearly period style, which will leave more space for a larger fleur-de-lys.
The given name Taran is already registered to the submitter and thus is treated as neutral in time and language under the Existing Registration Allowance, PN1B2g, and can be combined with the 13th-14th century Norwegian byname dæstingr.
The submission form requested a feminine name. Unfortunately, this name could only be documented as a masculine form.
The submitter's previous name, Taran mac Tarl'a, is retained as an alternate name.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a paw print.
There is a step from period practice for the use of lightning bolts outside of a thunderbolt.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
The submitter's previous device, Per pale purpure and Or, an eagle displayed within a bordure counterchanged, is released.
The submitter is a court baroness and is thus entitled to display a coronet.
This name combines a Gaelic given name with an English byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Órlaith ny Hwolighan, the name ran afoul of PN2C2b, which permits mixed language names only when the language combinations are listed in Appendix C and the elements are dated within 300 years of each other. There are more than 300 years between the last attestation of the Gaelic feminine given name Órlaith and the Anglicized Irish byname ny Hwolighan. Therefore, the name as submitted cannot be registered. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to the entirely Gaelic form Órlaith inghean Uí hUallacháin for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for mid-13th century English. 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.
Most records written in England in the mid-13th century were in Latin, rather than vernacular English. This name is authentic for a Latinized English name from that time period, such as would be recorded in documents. Richard or Ricard Oldecroft are the most likely vernacular English forms.
The submitter requested authenticity for mid-15th century Welsh. 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.
This name does not meet the submitter's request because all of the elements were documented in English. In addition, we were unable to find any evidence of Sam (as opposed to Samuel) as an independent given name in 15th century Wales. However, the name is authentic for English circa 1600.
Submitted as Thyræ Gyldenstjerne, the submitted spelling of the byname is not a period form; it is an undated and normalized header form. The attested spelling is Gyldennstiernn. Therefore, we have changed the name to Thyræ Gyldennstiernn to match the documentation.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
Some commenters expressed concern about the pronunciation of this name. The name is properly pronounced as DRAHG-ee DITCHkoff. By precedent, the fact that one could deliberately mispronounce this name to come up with a potentially offensive phrase is not a bar to registration. [Basilius Fuchs, Dec. 2010, A-An Tir]
The submitter's previous name, Nicolai Urseler, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter has received permission to conflict with the device of Dáirine of Oak Hill, Per pale sable and argent, on a goutte three gouttes one and two counterchanged.
Artist's note: Please draw the label thicker and more prominent.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
There is a step from period practice for the use of the same charge in three different tinctures.
Artist's note: Please draw larger arrows and more internal detailing on the dragon to aid in identifiability.
Nice late 16th century German name!
The submitter requested authenticity for 9th-10th century Old Norse language. It is unclear whether this name meets that request. Both elements are in Old Norse, the language spoken in most of Scandinavia during that time period. However, the byname is attested in Iceland, while the given name appears to have been found only in Denmark. Thus, it may be authentic but we cannot say for sure.
Submitted as Hrafnkel_ Sveinsson, the given name was not spelled correctly. All of the attested nominative (direct) instances of this name spell it as Hrafnkell. As given names can only be registered in their nominative forms, we have changed the name to Hrafnkell Sveinsson for registration.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Artist's note: Please draw the calamarie larger as befits a primary charge.
Submitted as Katrina von Neumann, the preposition von was used in period German names only as part of locative bynames. As Neumann is not a place, von is not appropriate in this name. The practice of adding von to any kind of German name to denote nobility arose significantly after the Society's period of study. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Katrina _ Neumann for registration.
As changed, nice 16th century German name!
Commenters questioned whether this design was too similar to various flags from US history to be registerable as either obtrusively modern or (in some circumstances) offensive. While several commenters noted that the armory was evocative of patriotic motifs that one might find in the United States, the design itself is sufficiently different from any known flag to avoid our limitations on overly modern or offensive designs.
The Letter of Intent argued that Logan can be used as a given name because it appears as a surname in Scotland. However, precedent currently limits the use of surnames as given names to English only. There is no evidence that the Scots also used surnames as given names in period, and thus presently no grounds for expanding that precedent. Without such evidence, it was necessary to redocument Logan as either a given name or an English surname. In commentary, Alisoun Metron Ariston found multiple instances of Logan as an English surname, allowing the name to be registered as submitted.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
The submitter is a court baroness and is entitled to display a coronet.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, a unicorn sable between two flaunches vert each charged with a tower argent, is retained as a badge.
This name combines an English given name and a Gaelic byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a New World raccoon.
Lochmere is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter requested authenticity for English or French language or culture. This is an authentic mid- to late 16th century English name.
The submitter asked for authenticity for an unspecified meaning and culture. As documented in the Letter of Intent, this name is an authentic mid- to late 16th century English name. In addition, Brigit Donn is an Irish Gaelic name, meaning "brown Brigit." However, the Gaelic form of the name is not authentic because it relies on the Saint's Name Allowance.
Originally registered as Cassandra Arabella Giordani, on reconsideration the submitter provided evidence for Giordano as a 15th century Italian given name, as well as for unmarked patronymics in Italian. Therefore, we have changed the name to the submitter's requested Cassandra Arabella Giordano.
Submitted as Cassio Appolonio Giordano, the spelling of the middle element does not match the documentation. This error appears to have been a typo on the forms prepared at Pennsic. We have changed the name to Cassio Apollonio Giordano to match the documentation.
Nice late 13th century English name!
The submitter's previous name, Cecilia of Dun Carraig, is retained as an alternate name.
Submitted as Corvo Falengname, the byname was misspelled. The documentation shows the byname as Falegname. We have made this change for registration.
No documentation could be found for Corvo as a period given name. The related Italian given name Corvus is dated to the 11th century. In addition, the related Italian given name Corbinus is found in "Masculine Names from Thirteenth Century Pisa" by Juliana de Luna (https://www.s-gabriel.org/names/juliana/pisa/pisa-given-alpha.html).
The earliest instance of Falegname provided in commentary was dated to 1584. PN2C2 permits up to 500 years between name elements in the same language group. Corvus may be within 500 years of 1584, but Corbinus definitely falls within that time frame. As Corvus involves the least change from the submitted form, and we generally give submitters the benefit of the doubt when the temporal gap between elements is inexact, we have changed the name to Corvus Falegname for registration.
If the submitter prefers Corbinus Falegname, he may make a request for reconsideration.
The byname Hoga is already registered to the submitter and thus is treated as neutral in time and language under the Existing Registration Allowance, PN1B2g, and can be combined with the late period Italian given name Danielle.
The submitter's previous name, Ástríðr Hoga, is released.
Nice badge!
Questions were raised in commentary about the element Skaði, which was documented on the Letter of Intent as a header form in Fellows Jensen, Scandinavian Personal Names in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. According to Fellows Jensen, Skaði was the original Old Icelandic form of a descriptive byname that became the Middle English Scatha, attested c.1170-85. In the past, we have given submitters the benefit of the doubt about descriptive bynames attested in this fashion. For example, in the November 2015 Letter of Acceptances and Returns, we registered the byname bj{o,}rnkarl with the following explanation:
Fellows Jensen documents bj{o,}rnkarl as a probable byname meaning "bear-hunter," though it may be a worn-down form of a given name. This is sufficient to give the submitter the benefit of the doubt and register it as a byname. [Magnus bj{o,}rnkarl, A-Caid]
We see no reason not to extend the same benefit of the doubt in this instance.
Van Pelt is the submitter's legal surname. It appears on the submitter's driver's license as VANPELT. 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." Consistent with precedent, we give the submitter the benefit of the doubt as to the spelling of her own name. [RaDawn P{a-}rs{a-}, 3/2018 LoAR, A-Outlands]
The submitter requested authenticity for Scandinavian language or culture. This name is not authentic because it uses elements from the submitter's legal name.
This item was pended on the July 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for discussion of whether the byname Cabellera presumes on the title Caballero, presently reserved by the Society for knights. For two reasons, we conclude that it does not.
First, PN4B1 of SENA states:
Bynames which are identical to titles used in the Society are generally not allowed for individuals who do not have that rank. Relatively minor changes to the form of the byname can remove the appearance of a claim to rank.
For example, only a knight can register the byname Knight or Chevalier, as both are titles used in the Society for a knight. However, while the family name Visconti is derived from the word for viscount (visconte) it is not actually the restricted title. Thus the byname Visconti is not a claim to be a viscount, and can be registered.
Bynames using titles not used within the SCA cannot be considered a claim to a rank. Nonetheless, such names will only be registered if they were used as bynames by normal people who did not have that rank.
Precedent holds that bynames are not presumptuous if there are differences -- even small ones -- between the byname and the protected title. For example, in September 2010, we registered the name Bella Cavalleri with the following explanation:
While this byname is derived from a form of the restricted title "knight," it is not identical to that title in any language. Such a byname is not presumptuous. Precedent says:
While both surnames Marchesi and Visconti are derived, in a more or less roundabout fashion, from the Italian equivalents of Marquess and Viscount, they were also clearly documented as surnames used by non-nobles. As a consequence, the applicable part of RfS VI.1. would be "Names documented to have been used in period may be used, even if they were derived from titles, provided there is no suggestion of territorial claim or explicit assertion of rank."
Similarly, Cavalerii is derived from Cavalerius, a Latinized word equivalent to the standard Italian Cavaliere, but is not identical to it. Such bynames were used by non-knights, creating no "explicit assertion of rank." Therefore this name can be registered. [9/2012, A-Æthelmearc]
Similarly, on the February 2012 Cover Letter, we stated:
[A] byname that is potentially a claim to rank is likewise allowed when it meets the following criteria. First, it must be attested as a period byname or constructed from an attested given name element.... Second, it must have been used by people who had no particular claim to rank. Bynames that were only used by people holding a rank we protect will generally be considered to make that claim. So, Fitzroy became a surname and did not imply any close relationship with a king. Likewise, Visconti became a regular family name and does not imply that you are close kin to a viscount. Finally, the byname itself must not a direct claim to a rank that we protect. So Visconte would not be allowed, but Visconti would, and Master would not be allowed, but Masters would.
Following that ruling, the family name Chavaleri does not presume on the Venetian term for knight, Chavalerio. [Dragano Chavaleri, 4/2012 LoAR, A-Ansteorra]
Only the title Caballero is protected by the Society; the feminine form, Caballera, is not. Some commenters felt that the feminine form should be presumed to be protected even though it is not listed on the published Alternate Titles List. However, such a presumption is not fair to submitters or consulting, who rely on the published Alternate Titles List when deciding to submit a name that might be similar to a protected title. Such a presumption also does not reflect the way the Alternate Titles list is structured. For many titles, a feminine form is explicitly listed as protected. For example, the Spanish portion of the Alternate Titles list provides specific feminine forms for every other listed title; for Caballero, the feminine form is blank. Anyone reading this list would reasonably assume there is no protected feminine equivalent of Caballero.
Therefore, the necessary comparison here must be between Caballero and the byname Cabellera, which clearly differs from the protected title. Although these differences are relatively small, both SENA and longstanding precedents on the issue make clear that small differences are enough to eliminate presumption. The difference here is as least as great as between Master and Masters, the example given in the February 2012 Cover Letter.
Second, Cabellera is not etymologically related to the term Caballero. Cabellera means "head of hair" or "hair piece." On the January 2012 Letter of Intent, we accepted the name Marion Quyn of Cheschire, explaining:
[P]recedent says that bynames that are etymologically unrelated to titles are not presumptuous, even if they somewhat sound like titles (like Conyng,M'Queyn, and MacKnight (see the March 2009 registration of Roger Conyng for more details). As such, this name does not create the appearance of a presumptuous claim, although it sounds somewhat like the protected title queen [Marion Quyn of Cheschire, 1/2012 LoAR, A-East]
The lack of an etymological relationship between the title Caballero and the byname Cabellera, combined with the differences between the sound and appearance of the two words, clears this name of presumption.
In addition, in light of some of the commentary concerning Caballera, we ask Palimpsest to research whether this term is a plausible period feminine title for a knight and, if so, to amend the Alternate Titles List accordingly.
The submitter's previous name, Ruqaiya Andijani, is retained as an alternate name.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
The submitter has permission to use Avacal's populace badge, Quarterly argent and Or, a gryphon's head erased gules, as an augmentation.
There is a step from period practice for the use of lightning bolts outside of a thunderbolt.
Submitted as Ívarr Røriksson the Black, the name uses the lingua Societatis form of the Old Norse byname inn svarti. However, the submitter desired the epithet "the Black" to apply to him rather than to his father. In an Old Norse name, that means the epithet must follow the given name. Therefore, we have changed the name to Ívarr the Black Røríksson.
The submitter is a knight and a viscount, and thus entitled to display an unadorned chain and a coronet.
Artist's note: Please draw the reremice larger to fill the available space.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Lucrezia Iseppa Constantia di Aborea, the form actually has Lucrezia Iseppa Constantina di Aborea. Constantina is a plausible feminine form of the attested 16th century Venetian Italian masculine name Constantin. Appendix A permits three given names in late-period Italian.
In addition, the spelling Aborea is not supported by the documentation. The correct spelling of the location in medieval Sicily is Arborea. Accordingly, we have changed the name to Lucrezia Iseppa Constantina di Arborea for registration.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This name combines a Dutch given name with the Latinized form of an English (Welsh) byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Originally submitted as Castor Gemini, it was changed at Kingdom to Castor Joshua Gemini on the belief that the second given name was necessary to avoid presumption with the character of Castor found in Greek mythology. Our research did not find any examples of the mythological Castor being referred to as Castor Gemini in classical or period works. This lack of evidence is not surprising because Castor Gemini makes no sense in Latin. Gemini is not the Latin nominative form; in Latin, he would be Castor Geminus. While the name Castor Gemini certainly alludes to the mythological Greek twin, we have long permitted names that allude to (but were not actually used by) literary figures. Therefore, we have restored the name to its originally-submitted form.
Some commenters questioned whether Gemini was a plausible surname. Gemini was documented as a 16th century English given name. Unmarked patronymics and matronymics are patterns found in English per Appendix A. In addition, in commentary Lillia Crampette found several examples of 16th century English surnames identical to the names of constellations, including Cancer, Virgo, Aries and Sagittarius. Taken together, this evidence is enough to give the submitter the benefit of the doubt that Gemini is a 16th century English surname.
The submitter's previous name, Lykos of Ambracia, is retained as an alternate name.
Nice device!
Nice 15th-16th century Italian name from Venice!
Artist's note: Please draw the sea-horse larger.
Submitted as Fadl ibn `Abd al-Aziz al-Q{a-}hir{i-}, the name was inconsistent in its use of `ayns, macrons, and diacritical marks. In Arabic names, such markings must be used or omitted consistently. At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to Fa{d.}l ibn `Abd al-`Az{i-}z al-Q{a-}hir{i-} for registration.
Artist's note: Please draw a more consistent nebuly line of division, with fewer, larger nebules.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird in a displayed posture other than an eagle.
Submitted as Iseldis Dýridóttir, the patronymic byname was not correctly formed. The correct genitive (possessive) form of the Old Norse masculine name Dýri is Dýra. We have corrected the patronymic byname to Iseldis Dýradóttir for registration.
This name combines an English given name with an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C as long as both elements are dated before 1100 C.E., as is the case here.
Artist's note: Please draw the lozenges larger, and set the tail of the cat so that it doesn't overlap the wings.
Nice 16th century English name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a tierce with other charges.
Artist's note: Please color the ocular and nasal cavities with the same tincture as the rest of the skull.
Lynn is the submitter's legal middle name. A copy of the submitter's driver's license was provided after the close of commentary.
Artist's note: Please draw the mullets larger.
Submitted as Milena Nowak_, the byname was not correctly formed for a feminine name. In Polish, a surname needs to match the gender of the given name. The correct feminine form in this case is Nowakowa. Because the submitter specifically requested a feminine name, we have changed the name to Milena Nowakowa for registration. Correcting the grammar of a byname to match the submitter's request for a particular gender is not a major change. [Brígíða in kyrra, Mar 2009, A-Caid]
Nice 16th century English name!
Originally submitted as Pollux Gemini, it was changed at Kingdom to Pollux Jacob Gemini on the belief that the second given name was necessary to avoid presumption with the character of Pollux found in Greek mythology. Our research did not find any examples of the mythological Pollux being referred to as Pollux Gemini in classical or period works. This lack of evidence is not surprising because Pollux Gemini makes no sense in Latin. Gemini is not the Latin nominative form; in Latin, he would be Pollux Geminus. While the name Pollux Gemini certainly alludes to the mythological Greek twin, we have long permitted names that allude to (but were not actually used by) literary figures. Therefore, we have restored the name to its originally-submitted form.
Some commenters questioned whether Gemini was a plausible surname. Gemini was documented as a 16th century English given name. Unmarked patronymics and matronymics are patterns found in English per Appendix A. In addition, in commentary Lillia Crampette found several examples of 16th century English surnames identical to the names of constellations, including Cancer, Virgo, Aries and Sagittarius. Taken together, this evidence is enough to give the submitter the benefit of the doubt that Gemini is a 16th century English surname.
The submitter's previous name, Titus Furius Victorinus, is retained as an alternate name.
Nice 13th century Irish Gaelic name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a paw print.
This name combines a Gaelic given name with an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Artist's note: Please draw the wolf and raven larger to fill the available space.
The posture and orientation of the bees is already registered to the submitter.
The submitter's previous device, Vert, on a pale Or between two bees statant palewise respectant Or marked sable a natural seahorse contourny vert, is released.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
Nice 16th century English name!
In this context, Celensoen is an inherited surname rather than a literal patronymic. We have evidence of late period Dutch women using bynames ending in -sen or -soen as inherited surnames.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a New World hummingbird.
Permission for the augmentation to conflict with the ensign of Calontir was provided.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a Persian double-bow, a charge not used in Western European heraldry.
Submitted as Cassair Bjarnardottir, by precedent, the given name Cassair is not registerable:
Ó Corraín & Maguire (p. 46 s.n. Cassair) gives this as the name of a holy virgin included in the legend of Saint Kevin. No evidence has been found that this name was used by humans in period. Names of saints are registerable, regardless of whether they are apocryphal or not. This policy is due to the practice in many cultures (though not in Gaelic) of naming children for saints. (For more details, see the Cover Letter for the September 2001 LoAR.) As Cassair was not herself a saint and the name has not been documented as having been otherwise used in period, it falls into the category of a legendary name and is not registerable. [Cassair Warwick, 02/02, R-Atlantia]
No new evidence has been introduced to support Cassair as the name of ordinary humans; therefore, this precedent stands.
At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to Kasiniia Bjarnardottir. This request was made within enough time to do research and run conflicts checks. Kasiniia is the name of a Russian female saint, found in Wickenden's Dictionary of Russian Names (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/paul/ka.html). Russian and Old Norse can be combined under Appendix C.
Submitted as Award of Bull's Eye of Mag Mor, this order name was intended to follow the pattern of naming orders for a Saint plus an object of veneration (usually a heraldic charge). Bull is a 16th century English surname which can be used as a given name by longstanding precedent. An eye is a heraldic charge and may also be an object associated with a saint or inspirational figure.
However, the use of an apostrophe to form an English possessive is post-period. [Ravens Hold, Shire of, 4/2014 LoAR, A-Gleann Abhann] The lingua Societatis rule does not apply here because Bull as used in this order name is a given name, not a byname or other descriptive. Therefore, we have changed the name to Award of Bulls Eye of Mag Mor to match period usage.
This order name follows the pattern of naming orders after heraldic charges. The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry, s.v. Bull, documents a calf as a distinct heraldic charge found in period heraldry, depicted as a young bovine, drawn without horns. (http://mistholme.com/dictionary/bull/)
Submitted as Order of Cattle's Ring, this order name was intended to follow the pattern of naming orders for a Saint plus an object of veneration (usually a heraldic charge). Cattle is a 16th century English surname which can be used as a given name by longstanding precedent. A ring is a heraldic charge and may also be an object associated with a saint or inspirational figure.
However, the use of an apostrophe to form an English possessive is post-period. [Ravens Hold, Shire of, 4/2014 LoAR, A-Gleann Abhann] The lingua Societatis rule does not apply here because Cattle as used in this order name is a given name, not a byname or other descriptive. Therefore, we have changed the name to Order of Cattles Ring to match period usage.
This order name follows the pattern of naming orders for virtues or positive qualities. The term spirit is not a necessarily religious term. The Middle English Dictionary defines "spirit" as, among other things, "the mind, intellect, reason; also, something in the mind, a thought." Other etymological dictionaries give the meaning of spirit from the 14th century as "character, disposition; way of thinking and feeling, state of mind; source of a human desire." Therefore, this name follows a period pattern and can be registered.
Submitted as Tsuta Aki Nakamura, we could find no evidence for Tsuta as a name element prior to 1650. In addition, the name as submitted does not follow an attested pattern for Japanese names. Nakamura, the family name, should appear first in the name order. As the submitter allows all changes, we have changed the name to Nakamura Aki, to eliminate the undocumented element and follow the pattern for Japanese naming.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Njáll laufskegg, the byname was misspelled. We have corrected the spelling to the attested lafskegg for registration.
This name does not presume on German statesman and Nobel prize-winner Willy Brandt, as there is no evidence that Mr. Brandt ever used the byname von Brandt.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
Nice device!
Nice 16th century French name!
The submitter's previous name, Arngrim Björnsson, is retained as an alternate name.
Submitted under the name Hasegawa no Asahi.
This submission was pended on the July 2018 LoAR for the decision on the badge of Sneferu sa Djedi mewetif Merit, specifically regarding the application of Unity of Orientation for maintained charge groups. In that decision, published October 2018, it was ruled "that Unity of Orientation does not apply to held charges."
Commenters asked about whether the arms in this device violate SENA A3D2c, Unity of Orientation. The primary charges are a pair of armored arms oriented inward from the sides of the shield in a form of mirrored symmetry common both to animate charges (e.g., quadrupeds combattant or passant-counterpassant) and their parts (heads respectant, a pair of hands). The use of arms in similar circumstances is therefore in keeping with the rule, and the badge was pended only for the maintained charges. Given the October 2018 ruling, this design is registerable.
Nice late 16th century German name!
Submitted as Grite Von Esslingen, we have changed the byname to von Esslingen to use standard German capitalization.
This name combines a Scandinavian (Swedish) given name with a Baltic (Estonian) byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Shirin Duxt Feroz, the construction of the name was not correct for the Sassanid name requested by the submitter. Christopher Brunner, "Sasanian Seals in the Moore Collection" (https://www.metmuseum.org/pubs/journals/1/pdf/1512736.pdf.bannered.pdf) indicates that Sassanid women's patronymics were formed by appending -duxt to the father's name. In addition, the Sassanid form of her requested father's name is Peroz, which is found in Philippe Gignoux, Iranisches Personennamenbuch. Based on this information, found by Ursula Palimpsest, we have changed the name to Shirin Peroz-duxt.
The submitter may be interested to know that Ursula Palimpsest also found evidence for the construction Shirin i Peroz. If she prefers this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Greylock is a constructed Middle English byname based on the attested examples Silverloc, Blakelok and Whytlock, as well as Greyberd (grey beard) and Grayhare (grey hair).
Nice device!
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns) (to Drachenwald pends)
The submitter is a court baron and is thus entitled to display a coronet.
Nice badge!
The submitter asked to retain her previous name, Eydis drifa, which is the same as her new name except for the lack of diacritical markings and the capitalization of the byname. Because Old Norse names can be registered with or without diacritical marks and with or without capitalized descriptive bynames, the two names are effectively identical. Precedent states that the same person cannot have two identical registered names. [Eleonora Rose. Alternate name Eleanora Rose, 12/2017 LoAR, R-Lochac] Therefore, the submitter's previous name, Eydis drifa, is released.
Submitted as Gavin Mac Aodháin of Caldrithig, this name combined an English given name, a Gaelic byname and a Society branch name. However, PN2C2d states:
A name which includes name phrases documented under the legal name allowance, the existing registration allowance, or the branch name allowance follows special rules. These name phrases are treated as neutral in language and time. Such name phrases may be combined with name phrases from a single regional naming group dated to within 500 years of one another. They may not be combined with name phrases from two or more regional naming groups. (emphasis added)
With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Gavin MacAden of Caldrithig, using the Anglicized Irish byname M'Aden, found in Woulfe s.n. Mac Áidín. English and Anglicized Irish are part of the same regional naming group under Appendix C and thus can be combined with a branch name.
Caldrithig is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter's previous name, Clara Pond, is released.
Submitted as Roselyne de l'Abbaye de Sainte-Genevieve, after the close of commentary the submitter expressed a preference for the form Roselyne de _ Sainte-Genevieve if it could be documented. Fortunately, this was not difficult to document. The byname de Sainte-Genevieve appears in the 1292 Census of Paris. We have changed the name to Roselyne de _ Sainte-Genevieve to meet the submitter's request.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
Nice 16th century Italian name from Pisa!
Artist's note: Please provide better contrast in the internal detailing of the lotus blossoms, to aid in identifiability. Please depict the cat's tail away from the wings, rather than obscured by them.
Nice 16th century English name from London!
Submitted as Brienne _ Buckland, the submitter requested the form Brienne of Buckland if it could be documented. Buckland is a place name, with the desired spelling dated to 1610 in Watts. Accordingly, we have made the change requested by the submitter.
In standard Gaelic grammar, C- lenites after inghean. However, Brían dorcha ua Conaill provided multiple examples in commentary in which late-period Gaelic names beginning in C- did not lenite after inghean. Therefore, per the July 2017 Cover Letter, the name can be registered as submitted.
Artist's note: Please depict the cat's tail away from the wings, rather than obscured by them.
The submitter's previous name, Kataryn Mercer, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Per pale Or and argent, in chief in fess three pine trees couped sable, is retained as a badge.
Originally registered as Per saltire sable and azure, a sun in his splendour argent, the submitter requested the gender-neutral pronoun. As this does not change the interpretation of the emblazon, we see no reason to deny this request.
Nice Roman name for the Imperial era! In fact, this precise name appears in the Heidelberg Epigraphic database as the name of a woman who died between 101-200 C.E.
With the release of House of Lucky Stars and the registration of the alternate name Iulia Crispina (both occurring elsewhere on this letter), this is the fifth name item registered to this person. The Administrative Handbook I.B., an individual may register up to six names; she remains within the limit.
The submitter's previous device, Bendy argent and gules, on a chief Or a capital letter V sable, is retained as a badge.
Nice device!
The submitter grants permission to conflict for all armory that is at least one countable step (DC) away from her badge.
Nice English name from the 14th century onwards!
Artist's note: Please draw the arrowheads larger and more prominently.
Since male and female goats show a pronounced sexual dimorphism, blazoning this as a nanny goat is an exception to our general rule of not specifying the genders of heraldic beasts.
Planchet is the registered surname of the submitter's parent.
Artist's note: Please draw the tower larger with relatively smaller wings.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Mayble Baldewyne, the spelling of the given name appears to have been a typo; the form and the documentation spell the given name as Mabyle. We have corrected the spelling for registration.
Gameday is an attested English surname found in the MED s.v. g{a-}me (n.) dated to 1327. Neither the surname nor the concept of a day dedicated to gaming are inherently modern. While this may be to some degree a joke name, it is not a modern joke and thus it can be registered.
Nice Anglicized Irish name for circa 1600!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a tierce with other charges.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Merrya Dock Gam, the name originally was submitted as Meriadoc Gam but was changed at Kingdom due to the lack of documentation at that level for the given name. In commentary, Alisoun Metron Ariston documented Meriadoc as the name of a Cornish saint venerated in period. Therefore, we are able to restore the name to the originally-submitted Meriadoc Gam.
Submitted as Fellowship of the _ Quill, this household name conflicted with the registered Order of the Quill (Meridies, March 1997). Designators such as Fellowship and Order are transparent for the purposes of conflicts.
At the submitter's request, we have changed this household name to Fellowship of the Flame and Quill to use the pattern of inn-sign and tournament company names based on two heraldic charges. A flame is a heraldic charge according to the Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry (https://mistholme.com/dictionary/flame/).
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
This name does not conflict with the registered Allesandro di Firenze under PN3C1 (as modified by the May 2018 Cover Letter) because there are multiple changes in sound and appearance of the names: Alessandra vs. Allessandro, de vs. di, and Fiorenza vs. Firenze.
Nice late 16th century German name!
Nice 16th century English name!
The surname Duvant was documented in the Letter of Intent from a record found in the England, Kent, Canterbury Parish Registers, 1538-1986, via FamilySearch Historical Records. This record did not have one of the batch numbers ruled presumptively acceptable, but did have an attached image of the source document. Unfortunately, review of the source document showed that the name was Durant, not Duvant.
However, Duvant appears as a French surname dated to 1499 in Comptes rendus des échevins de Rouen avec des documents relatifs à leur élection (1409-1701): 1409-1620 (https://books.google.com/books?id=L-YAAAAAMAAJ). The names and surnames in this list appear to have been left in their original spellings. Therefore, the name can be registered as submitted.
This name combines two English given names with a French surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice 16th century English name!
The only documentation in the Letter of Intent for the given name Ethan was a record from an I batch in the FamilySearch Historical Records. I batches are acceptable only on a case-by-case basis. In this case, the record was not acceptable because the accompanying images showed that the source document was from the 19th century.
Fortunately, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting were able to find alternative documentation. Ethan appears as the given name of several figures (all humans) in the 1599 Geneva Bible and the Wycliffe Bible, both published in English. There is a well-established pattern of giving children Biblical names in late-period England, particularly among more militant Protestants and Puritans. In fact, we previously registered the given name Ethan on precisely this basis. [Ethan Stewart, 5/2003 LoAR, A-Æthelmearc] As the logic of this precedent remains sound, this name can be registered.
Nice device!
Questions were raised in commentary about whether die was used with occupational bynames in German. Ælfwynn Leoflæde dohtor found numerous examples in Socin of die used with feminine occupational bynames. This practice was more common earlier in period (such as the 12th-13th centuries) but was not unheard of in later records. Therefore this name can be registered as submitted.
Nice 16th century English name! In fact, Seraphina Ragged Staff found this precise name dated to 1583 in York, England.
There is a step from period practice for the use of paw prints.
The submitter's previous device, Per pale ermine and gules, a winged lion rampant reguardant, wings displayed, within a bordure all counterchanged, is retained as a badge.
Submitted as Casa del Libri, this household name was not correctly constructed. The examples of Italian household names based on family names found in "Names from an Early 16th C Census of Rome" by Aryanhwy merch Catmael (http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/italian/leohousehold.html) take the form casa de li + Family Name. The phrase de li does not become del in this instance; rather, it becomes degli or dei. Therefore, we have changed the name to Casa degli Libri for registration. If the submitter prefers the form Casa dei Libri, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Þorbj{o,}rn Sviðinhorni was registered on the April 2017 Letter of Acceptances and returns. At that time, we stated: "If the submitter prefers the simplified transliteration Thorbjorn Svithinhorni, he may make a request for reconsideration." At the submitter's request, we are happy to register the name in the simplified transliteration.
The submitter's previous name, Ydeneya de Baillencourt, is retained as an alternate name.
This name combines a German given name with a Baltic (Latvian) byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The motif of a bend doubly cotised the interiors of the cotises potent counter-potent, long associated with the Counts of Champagne but not exclusive to them, is registerable as long as the name does not imply cadet branch status to Champagne.
Nice device!
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
The submitter requested authenticity for "Italian for Gypsy about 15th century." Although this name can be registered, it does not meet that request. The byname dei Romani does not refer to the Romany people. It is an Italian family name referring to an ancestor who came from Rome. Unfortunately, there is very little information available on how the Romany people were named during the medieval and Renaissance periods.
Submitted as Eilína Roðbjartsdottir, diacritical markings must be used consistently throughout Old Norse names. Therefore, we have changed the name to Eilína Roðbjartsdóttir for registration.
Nice English household name based on an inn-sign!
Phoenix Rising is a plausible compound English place name based on the pattern of Family Name + Generic Toponym found in "Compound Placenames in English" by Juliana de Luna (http://medievalscotland.org/jes/EnglishCompoundPlacenames/). Phoenix is an English surname, found in this spelling circa 1600. Rising is a toponymic term meaning "brushwood" or "the source of a river or well" found in English place names such as Rysingbridge and Wood Risinge.
This name does not conflict with the registered Thurwulf Ragnarsson under PN3C1 (as modified by the May 2018 CL). Although the bynames are identical, there are two changes in sound and appearance to the given name: Thor- vs. Thur-, and -olfr vs. -wulf.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
This name combines a French given name with a German byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Aibhilìn Ruadh, the diacritical marking in the given name was improperly formatted. We have corrected the name to Aibhilín Ruadh for registration.
Nice English household name based on an inn-sign!
The submitter's previous device, Per chevron inverted azure and sable, a chevron inverted between a dove volant and three harps argent, is released.
Submitted as Eadred Æthellystan, we could find no evidence to support the requested spelling of the byname. We have changed the byname to the attested Æthelstan for registration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird displayed other than an eagle.
This name does not conflict with Emmeline Faure registered elsewhere on this letter because there are multiple changes in sound and appearance: Emelye vs. Emmeline, the addition of the, and the different vowel sound in Faire vs. Faure.
The submitter's previous name, Arigh Ulagan-Checheg, is released.
This name does not conflict with Emelye the Faire registered elsewhere on this letter because there are multiple changes in sound and appearance: Emelye vs. Emmeline, the addition of the, and the different vowel sound in Faire vs. Faure.
This name combines an English given name with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird displayed other than an eagle.
The submitter's previous device, Per pale Or and gules, a chevron between three maple leaves counterchanged, a bordure sable, is retained as a badge.
Submitted as Gavlik Kolasa, the submitted spelling of the byname does not match the documentation. We have changed the name to Gavlik Kolassa to match the documentation.
Questions were raised in commentary about the given name Gavlik, which is an undated header form in Wickenden's Dictionary of Period Russian Names. Gavlik is a reasonable interpolated spelling based on the dated period examples Havlik, Gaulech, and Haulik.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether the byname Storm Bringer is an impermissible claim to supernatural powers. Pre-SENA precedent stated, "if the name meant "storm bringer", it would be a claim to superhuman powers, forbidden under Rule VI.2." [Knutr Stormrkartr, 8/1992 LoAR, pg. 24]. However, Storm Bringer as documented is not a literal descriptive byname. It is a combination of two independent 16th century English bynames, Storm and Bringer. By the 16th century, English surnames were inherited rather than literal. Therefore, because the combination of these two names does not actually mean "storm bringer," the August 1992 precedent does not apply. Just as we do not penalize submitters for deliberate mispronunciations of their names that may sound offensive, we should not penalize submitters for misunderstanding the meaning of their name.
There is a step from period practice for the use of lightning bolts not part of a thunderbolt.
Artist's note: Please draw the fimbriation thicker.
This device does not conflict with the device of Arwen Meriel ferch Meirich, Sable, on a pale gules fimbriated, a triquetra argent. There are DCs for the type and number of tertiary charges from two wings to one triquetra.
Nice late 13th century French name from Paris!
Submitted as Kanza al-Khalil_, Arabic grammar requires the gender of a descriptive byname to match the gender of the given name. The submitted al-Khalil is the masculine form, but the given name Kanza is feminine. We have changed the name to Kanza al-Khalilah to use the correct feminine form of the byname.
The feminine byname is generally rendered as al-Kal{i-}lah with a macron over the i. However, Appendix D permits diacritical markings to be omitted from transcriptions of Arabic names. We have opted for the simplified transliteration Kanza al-Khalilah, without the macron, to more closely match the original submission. If the submitter prefers the macron over the i ({i-}), she may make a request for reconsideration.
This name combines a Berber given name with an Arabic byname. The combination of Arabic and any of the West or North African languages (e.g., Manding, Songhay, Berber/Tuareg) is not included in Appendix C of SENA. However, Lillia Crampette recently provided evidence of Arabic name elements in combination with "Berber and other local-language personal names, as well as local-language forms of classical Islamic personal names." [Idris Fofana, 7/2018 LoAR, A-Atlantia]. Based on that evidence, we ruled that the combination of Arabic and West or North African elements is registerable and now apply that precedent here.
Ottilia is used in this name as an unmarked matronymic byname. We have several examples of unmarked matronyms in German, including Dietrich Elisabet (dated to 1289 in Bahlow s.n. Elisabeth), Hansgen Agathe (dated to 1530 in Brechenmacher s.n. Agathe), and Heinrich Adelhait (dated to 1539 in Brechenmacher s.n. Adelheigh). This evidence demonstrates a pattern and allows the registration of unmarked matronymic bynames in German.
Artist's note: Please draw the primary charges thicker and bolder, and all charges larger to fill the available space.
The submitter's previous name, Gwalchmai ap Bledig, to be retained as an alternate name.
Nice French name for circa 1400!
There is a step from period practice for the use of triskelions of spirals.
The submitter supplied an IAP that demonstrated the pattern of high-contrast complex charges atop vert trimounts on gules fields, low-contrast trimounts with high-contrast complex primary charges and high-contrast complex secondary charges in chief, and the use of goats, trimounts, and acorns in late-period Italian armory.
The submitter's previous name, Þóra Grímudóttir, is retained as an alternate name.
Submitted as Þórvald_ Vintrarson, the documentation did not support the spelling of the given name. As the submitter indicated that the Old Norse form of the name was most important to him, we have changed the given name to Þórvaldr to match the documentation in that language.
The byname inghean Mhaoil Dúin was documented on the Letter of Intent from Woulfe. However, the bynames in Woulfe come from the late 16th and early 17th centuries (generally from the Fiants of Elizabeth I and James I). As documented, there were more than 300 years between the Scots given name Ysenda and the byname. Fortunately, Maol Duin is found in the "Index of Names in Irish Annals" by Mari ingen Brian meic Donnchada (http://medievalscotland.org/kmo/AnnalsIndex/Masculine/MaelDuin.shtml), with relevant Annals dates of 1024, 1030, 1050, 1055, 1090, 1176, and 1486. Therefore this name can be constructed as a Scots given name plus a literal Gaelic patronymic, with each element falling within 300 years of the other. The submitted spelling correctly uses the genitive (possessive) form of Maol Duin with the required lenition.
The submitter's previous device, Per bend sinister vert and sable, a decrescent argent and a double rose Or and gules, a bordure argent, is released.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
Nice device!
Nice badge!
The submitter provided an IAP which successfully documented the pattern of low-contrast metal-on-metal inanimate charges on either side of a simple line of division, as well as the use of roses in low-contrast shields divided per fess, in late-period Italian armory.
The submitter's previous device, Per pall inverted argent, azure and sable, is retained as a badge.
Nice device!
In the February 2008 Cover Letter, Laurel noted: "No one disputes the right of Baronies to register badges, or to reserve them for specific purposes or groups. Registering a badge for former territorial Barons and Baronesses is legal. However, we find we cannot encourage it, and would hope that other Kingdoms do not follow Caid's lead in this." We reaffirm the right of the submitter to register this badge, but continue to discourage registrations on behalf of former territorial barons and baronesses.
Nice badge!
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
The submitter's previous name, Lynx Reyn, is released.
There is a step from period practice for charging a schnecke.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
This name combines a Gaelic given name and a Scots byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Cirina Dakhur, the name was not correctly formed. Dakhur is a clan/tribal name. In a Mongol name, clan or tribe names in the genitive (possessive) form come before the person's given name. Therefore, we have changed the name to Dakhur-un Cirina.
The submitter requested authenticity for 13th century Mongolian language or culture. 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. Even as changed to put the clan name into the proper form, we cannot say whether this name is authentic for the 13th century because we do not have a clear date for the clan name. In addition, the given name Cirina appears to be a Latinized form of a Mongol name recorded by Franciscan missionary William of Rubrick in the 13th century. It is not clear whether a Mongol woman among her own people would have used the name Cirina.
Artist's note: Please draw fewer, larger dovetails.
This name combines a Gaelic given name and an English byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird in a displayed posture other than an eagle.
Originally submitted as Guinevere inghean Uí Áinle, the name was changed at Kingdom to Guinevere inghean uí Áinle on mistaken belief that this change was required by Gaelic grammar. However, this change was not necessary as inghean Uí is the standard Gaelic form of the phrase. We have restored the name to its originally-submitted capitalization.
The submitter requested authenticity for 14th to 16th century Irish. 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.
This name is not authentic because it combines a Welsh or English given name with a Gaelic byname. Although this is an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C, we have no evidence of mixed language names actually having been used in period. A woman recorded with an English or Welsh given name would use the Anglicized Irish form of her byname, O Hanley. If the submitter prefers Guinevere O Hanley, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Submitted as James Muirhead _, this name was composed solely of the submitter's legal middle name and surname. The combination of middle name and surname is considered ordinary use names and cannot be registered per the Section III.A.10 of the Administrative Handbook, which states: "No name will be registered to a submitter if it is identical to a name used by the submitter for purposes of identification outside of a Society context. This includes legal names, common use names, trademarks, and other items registered with mundane authorities that serve to identify an individual or group."
Although the question of whether this policy should continue is currently being discussed in a pending matter, the submitter opted not to wait for the outcome of that discussion to register his name. He agreed to add the phrase of the Outlands to distinguish this name from his legal name. Outlands is the registered name of an SCA branch.
We have changed the name to James Muirhead of the Outlands for registration.
Lorraine is the submitter's legal given name.
The submitter requested authenticity for 13th century German. Although it can be registered, this name is not authentic because we were unable to find evidence of Lorraine as a given name in that era or in Germany at all. The submitter may be interested to know that Lora Weberin is an authentic 13th century German name. Lora is a German female given name found in Seibecke. If the submitter prefers Lora Weberin, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Submitted as Lucretia da Vale, the submitter requested that we use her legal first name, which is spelled LuCretia. The documentation for her legal name is in all capital letters. However, her signature on the documentation and her name on the submission form use the desired capitalization.
PN1B2e 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, given that the submitter's signature shows LuCretia, we will allow this spelling under the Legal Name Allowance. We have changed the name to LuCretia da Vale to meet her request.
The submitter requested authenticity for the Kingdom of Naples in the 15th century. Although the name can be registered, we were unable to find evidence of the given name Ubertino specifically within the Kingdom of Naples in this time period. The name may be authentic for the requested time and place but we cannot say with certainty.
Submitted as Yosef ben Judah, the name as submitted did not use a consistent transliteration system. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Yosef ben Yehudah, which uses a consistent system for transliterating both elements from Hebrew.
With this modification, this is an excellent Hebrew name for anywhere Jewish communities were found in period!
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This device is returned for lack of documentation of the primary charge. This depiction of an F-clef does not resemble the defining instance of an F-clef, registered in March 2010 by Jadwiga Krzyzanowska. The registered version is based on a 15th century in-staff clef, while this is modeled loosely after the 12th century letter F that stands outside of the staff. Unfortunately, the F has been so stylized that it no longer resembles a calligraphed letter at all.
Upon resubmission, the submitter should either submit a calligraphed letter F or depict the registered F-clef.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a tierce with other charges.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
This device is returned for lack of documentation. Appendix J states that "All designs with three or more charge groups on the field must be documented to be registerable. A list of groupings that have been documented is listed below." Every pattern so described includes at least one of the following: a central ordinary, a peripheral ordinary, or an overall charge. As this submission has three charge groups (primary keys, secondary annulet, strewn secondary lozenges) and none of these are a central ordinary, a peripheral ordinary, or an overall charge, the pattern would need to be documented. Absent such documentation, this pattern will not be registered.
Serpents, normally seen in profile, are here depicted as tergiant (that is, from above) which is at least a step from period practice, if not grounds for return in its own right. Charges in annulo or orle not in their default orientation are a step from period practice. The combination of these two practices is most certainly grounds for return.
As in the previous month's return of the device of Finnian MacBride, we decline at this time to rule whether serpents tergiant are allowable on their own as a step from period practice.
This device is returned administratively. The color artwork does not match the line art; specifically, the pearls on the coronet appear as voids in the line art with no outline, and one of the pearls disappears entirely in the color artwork.
This device is also returned for violation of SENA A5E3, which limits complexity of devices. This device has a complexity count of nine, with four charges (wolf, coronet, bordure, chain) and five tinctures (Or, pean, gules, argent, sable), which gives a complexity count of nine, above the eight allowed without further documentation.
The submitter is both a knight and a court baron, and is thus entitled to display an unadorned chain and a coronet.
This badge association cannot be made, as the order's name was released in June 2016.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
None.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
None.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
This device is returned for redraw. There are few situations in heraldry where a bird might be depicted without any evidence of legs, namely volant and (for waterfowl) naiant. The martlet, the quasi-fantastical footless bird common in heraldry, is always depicted with tufts of feathers where the missing feet might be, and no evidence has yet been presented that a martlet would be depicted as a completely legless titmouse.
Upon resubmission, please depict the bird either with legs and feet as a titmouse, or as a martlet with tufts of feathers for legs. Please also draw it centered in its allotted space.
This badge is returned for violation of SENA A2C3, which requires that "Elements must be drawn at an appropriate size for their role in an armorial submission...Charges that are too big or too small may blur the difference between charge groups." In this design, each dragon has at least the same visual weight as the central sun. However, they can't be co-primary because they are neither in a unified arrangement nor a unified orientation. Upon resubmission, please draw the sun larger and the dragons smaller.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This badge is returned for conflict with the badge of Christopher Calhoune, (Fieldless) A spoon sable, and with the device of Musa-Æstriþ Þorvalðzdottir, Per bend sinister argent and azure, a frying pan palewise sable. In both cases, there is one DC for fieldlessness. The spiral iron is both visually and functionally similar to a frying pan, both being flat, round, long-handled tools set upon open flame to cook food set in/atop them. A spoon, likewise, is a culinary tool with a circular functional piece attached to a handle. As spiral irons are not a known heraldic charge, they do not enjoy the benefits of assumed difference from other attested heraldic charges in period.
This would have been the defining instance of a spiral iron, or spiral gridiron. It is a period tool from Scandinavia used to grill meats, similar to the more commonly known gridiron. Given their notably different shapes, there is likely a DC between a spiral iron and a gridiron.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This device is returned for lack of documentation. Appendix J states that "All designs with three or more charge groups on the field must be documented to be registerable. A list of groupings that have been documented is listed below." Every pattern so described includes at least one of the following: a central ordinary, a peripheral ordinary, or an overall charge. As this submission has three charge groups (primary owl, secondary serpent, within secondary roses) and none of these are a central ordinary, a peripheral ordinary, or an overall charge, the pattern would need to be documented. Absent such documentation, this pattern will not be registered.
This device is also returned for redraw. Commenters struggled to recognize the roses due to both size and the stylization as garden roses, which combine to make an unidentifiable set of charges.
There is a step from period practice for the use of garden roses.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
Submitted as Argent, on a pile azure a winged sword inverted, pommelled of a pomegranate, Or winged argent, commenters were unanimous in their inability to recognize the pommel as a pomegranate. Commenters also noted that the sword's crossguard lines up with the top edge of the wings, which makes both the identity of the charge and its orientation difficult to recognize. Given all of these issues, this submission is returned for redraw.
This augmentation is returned for violation of SENA A3B, which requires that charges have good contrast with their fields. SENA A3A3 states that while augmentations may violate certain style rules, they "must maintain good contrast with the field or charge that it is on." In this submission, the escutcheon bears a bordure Or which directly overlaps several Or vair bells on the field, providing no contrast.
This device is returned for redraw, for violating SENA A2C2 which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable." Commenters unanimously noted their struggle to identify both the bear, which some confused for a badger or a wolverine, and the sage blossom, which they could not identify at all.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Jessica Llyrindi of Northmarch: Gyronny sable and gules, a phoenix Or, issuant from flames proper. There is one DC for changing the field, but changing the flames from proper to Or is, in essence, changing only one-quarter of the tincture of the charge, which isn't enough for the second DC.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
To document the family name Hasegawa and the naming pattern, the Letter of Intent cited only Edward of Effingham's "An Online Japanese Miscellany." We remind heralds and submitters yet again that this source is not acceptable as the sole source of documentation for a name element:
This article is not a reliable source for information about medieval Japanese names; it does not distinguish between medieval and modern names, mixes protothemes and deuterothemes in the same list, and does not provide any references to its sources. The article should be used with caution and information in it should be backed up with citations from more reliable sources, such as Solveig Throndardottir, Name Construction in Medieval Japan, whenever possible. [Hayashi Yo'ichirou Norikata, October 2008, A-Outlands]
Fortunately, reliable documentation is available for the use of the element no in Japanese feminine names. In Meigaku: Designing and Documenting Japanese Names by Solveig Throndardottir (KWHSS 2017), we find the pattern of uji (Clan Name) + no + Given Name for aristocratic Japanese women.
However, we have no evidence showing Hasegawa as an uji clan name. Hasegawa is a period Japanese surname, but not one of the uji type. It is found as the surname of the artist Hasegawa T{o-}haku (1539-1610), a significant figure in Japanese landscape painting. We would change the name to Hasegawa _ Asahi, but the submitter allows no changes. Therefore, this name must be returned.
The submitter's device is registered under the holding name Aveline of Knight's Crossing.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Thomas Buttesthorn of Ayle, Argent, in bend three apothecary roses proper [Rosa gallica officinalis rubra]. There is no DC for slipping, leaving the only difference to be gleaned from the type of flower. The type of flower, while worth a DC in some cases, is never worth an SC, which is what would be needed to clear this conflict. We decline to rule at this time whether there is a DC between a rose and a gillyflower.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns) (to Drachenwald pends)
This name change must be returned for two reasons. First, by precedent, the Gaelic feminine given name Aíbell (later spelled Aoíbheall) cannot be registered because there is no evidence that it was used by real humans; its only attested uses are for a goddess, a supernatural lady from a fairy-mound, and the daughter of a mythical king. [Aoíbheall an Gearr, 7/2009 LoAR, R-Caid]
Second, the Latinized English patronymic was not correctly formed. Following filia, the father's name takes the genitive (possessive) form. The correct Latin genitive form of Baldricus is Baldrici, making the correct form of the byname filia Baldrici.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Mungo Mor, Argent, an elk's head couped close contourny sable, with a DC for changing the tincture of the field. The change of tincture of the attires is insufficient for the necessary second DC, as they are less than half of the primary charge.
This badge must be returned for lack of documentation of the hair comb. A hair comb, being the decorative long-toothed comb placed in a woman's hair to hold it in place, has only been registered three times, the last being in 2003. Bruce Batonvert posits that it is a charge unique to Society heraldry.
SENA A2A states that "Elements which have been registered without comment in the last decade or are listed in one of the Appendices as acceptable elements do not usually need to be documented in a new submission. Items which have not been registered in over a decade, have only been registered a few times, or have recent registrations only via the Grandfather Clause may need to be documented." Absent such documentation, the badge must be returned.
Please note that a single-sided comb, a wide tool used to style hair, was last registered in 2012. The two charges are not the same, as one is decorative while the other is utilitarian, and one is taller than it is long, while the other is much, much wider than it is tall.
This badge is returned for conflict with the badge of Harold von Auerbach, (Fieldless) A unicornate boar's head erased Or, and with the device of Wolfram von Taus, Per bend sinister sable and gules, a boar's head erased close Or. There is one DC for fieldlessness, but none for the removal of the horn (for Harold's badge) or for couped vs erased (close). Per the December 2002 Cover Letter, "Without period evidence to the contrary, and because of the contrast problems inherent in the design of a crown on an animal's head, it does not seem appropriate to give difference for adding a crown to a charge consisting only of an animal's head."
The submitter is a duchess and thus entitled to display a coronet.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Leonard Carage de Berry, Azure chapé, three roses, one and two argent barbed vert. There is only one DC for modifying the chapé from straight to wavy.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
The petitioner wished to change the blazon of her badge from a sun-cross to a cross within and conjoined to an annulet. The petitioner cited concerns about the use of the sun-cross by white supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups. While we share the concerns of the submitter, the proposed new blazon will not work; because the cross is central and has much greater visual weight, the registered badge would have two tertiary charge groups on the same charge, a practice which was not allowed when the badge was registered, and is not allowed currently.
Beyond style issues, changing the blazon has no effect on the emblazon at all: it is still a sun-cross, a symbol which is used by white supremacist groups. Moreover, the motif of a roundel charged with a sun-cross is used by those same groups (albeit usually with a plate and a sable sun-cross, rather than the gules-on-Or motif registered to the petitioner, though they share a gules field). Just as a swastika is a swastika even if blazoned as a fylfot or a cross gammadion, so too is a sun-cross a sun-cross, and will appear as such to observers regardless of the official blazon.
In the July 2018 Cover Letter, we published the decision not to ban this symbol outright, due in large part to its historical and current usage by several cultures that have nothing to do with white supremacy or the Neo-Nazi movement. Unlike the swastika, which will likely never shake the stigma of the Third Reich, there is hope for the sun-cross and other symbols newly appropriated by hate groups. And that hope is through positive, visible use.
We encourage the petitioner to continue using the registered armory in a way that is beyond reproach, and protect the symbol that means so much to her.
This device must be returned for redraw. While a charge that has internal voiding such as a cogwheel can be charged, care must be taken to maintain contrast. In this submission, the cogwheel is depicted with very thin spokes which are almost entirely obscured by the dragon, with the resulting effect of a sable dragon on a field azure and gules. Upon resubmission, the component parts of the cogwheel should be much bigger and bolder. The wings of the dragon should also be reduced in size so that they do not overwhelm the remainder of the monster.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
This device is returned for violating SENA A3D2c, Unity of Posture and Orientation, which states, "The charges within a charge group should be in either identical postures/orientations or an arrangement that includes posture/orientation" The charges here are not in a unified arrangement, as the snakes must be blazoned in a separate arrangement "in chevron" from the fleur-de-lys.
This badge is returned for use of the restricted motif of the Red Crescent, which is a single gules decrescent on any argent background or in any way that could be displayed on an argent background.
This device is returned for the appearance of marshalling. SENA A6F2d states that, "When any section of such a field contains multiple charges of the same type in a way that cannot be described as a standard single pattern covering the entire field, multiple charges of different types, or multiple charge groups, it creates the appearance of marshalling." In this submission, the two pairs of stick shuttles appear entirely in the azure portions of the field, arranged within their respective quarters rather than across the entire field.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2c, which requires that charges be in a unified posture and orientation. In the December 2017 return of Branán Mac Branáin's device, it was ruled:
In annulo is a term used to describe charges arranged in such a way that they form an annulet, or circle. It is possible for a number (usually 6 or more) of any type of charge to be in annulo by following the path of the annulet, and certain long, skinny charges like serpents or stag's attires can be in annulo with only one charge. However, when there are five or fewer charges in the charge group, the ability of charges to represent an annular formation becomes more difficult and dependent upon the shape and orientation of the charges. Three wolves rampant, heads to center, cannot be in annulo, because their arrangement and orientation do not suggest an annulet. However, three wolves courant can be in annulo, provided their bodies curve and conform to the shape of an annulet.
In this submission, the bears are passant, with straight backs that flex inwards, and with lowered paws that rest on a straight plane. No circle is formed or even implied by their placement, so they cannot be considered "in annulo" per the above ruling.
Were the bears in annulo, there would be a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
This badge is returned for lack of documentation of a ghillie shoe. This form of shoe has not been previously documented as a period artifact; absent such documentation, it must be returned.
This name must be returned because it does not follow an attested pattern for Romanian naming. Both Nicolae and Dragomir are Romanian names, but we have no evidence that Romanian used unmarked patronymics. Although Dragomir is also a Russian given name, and unmarked patronymics are permitted in Russian, Appendix C does not permit Russian and Romanian elements to be combined.
In addition, the submitter requested authenticity for Romanian language and/or culture. In commentary, ffride wlffsdotter documented two authentic Romanian forms: Nicolaus filius Dragomer (earlier period) and Nicolae sin{au} Dragomirov (circa 1600). However, both of these forms involve major changes, which the submitter does not allow.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2c, which requires that charges be in a unified posture and orientation. In the December 2017 return of Branán Mac Branáin's device, it was ruled:
In annulo is a term used to describe charges arranged in such a way that they form an annulet, or circle. It is possible for a number (usually 6 or more) of any type of charge to be in annulo by following the path of the annulet, and certain long, skinny charges like serpents or stag's attires can be in annulo with only one charge. However, when there are five or fewer charges in the charge group, the ability of charges to represent an annular formation becomes more difficult and dependent upon the shape and orientation of the charges. Three wolves rampant, heads to center, cannot be in annulo, because their arrangement and orientation do not suggest an annulet. However, three wolves courant can be in annulo, provided their bodies curve and conform to the shape of an annulet. [Emphasis added]
In this submission, the wolves are courant, but with horizontal spines and tails, and do not curve and conform to an annulet shape. Thus, they they cannot be considered "in annulo" per the above ruling.
Were the wolves in annulo, there would be a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
This device is returned for lack of documentation of a cairn. The Society's only instance of a cairn was registered in November 1986 to Jocelyn Douglas of Fairfax, Argent, a cairn of stones sable between three thistles, slipped and leaved, proper. In that registration, the cairn is a pyramidal pile of dozens of rocks, resembling the Scottish burial cairns. This submission is a stack of four wide, short rocks, more like modern artistic cairns than anything seen in period.
SENA A2A states that "Elements which have been registered without comment in the last decade or are listed in one of the Appendices as acceptable elements do not usually need to be documented in a new submission. Items which have not been registered in over a decade, have only been registered a few times, or have recent registrations only via the Grandfather Clause may need to be documented." Absent such documentation, the badge must be returned.
If the cairn was depicted similarly to the known cairns in Scotland, it would likely conflict with the badge of Ruthven of Rockridge, Gules, a two-peaked mountain couped argent, with one DC for changing the field, but none for a mountain vs. a mountain-shaped pile of rocks.
This badge is returned for lack of documentation of the backside of an animate charge inverted. A prohibition on inverted animate charges has been in place for decades, with a particular prohibition on the lower half of an inverted animate charge issuant from the line of division dating back to the August 1978 return of the device of Tagan the Talesmythe. As there is so rarely a chance to cite a precedent written by Karina of the Far West, I provide a quote from Tagan's 1978 return here: "The south end of a dragon going north is not a suitable subject for heraldry. You could have a dragon's tail emerging from a cave or from behind a rock; or even from behind an anvil or other piece of smith's equipment. Or a dragon's tail couped and served on a platter for Twelfth Night. But not a dragon's fundament escaping over a wall."
Absent documentation allowing for the hindquarters of an inverted creature, this practice continues to be disallowed.
This device is returned for redraw, for violating SENA A2C2 which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable." Commenters struggled to identify the charges in base, with guesses including shovels, spear tips, or oars.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
This badge is returned for conflict with the badge of Sciath ingen Chaennaig, (Fieldless) A quatrefoil azure within and conjoined to an annulet Or. There is one DC for fieldlessness, but none for a quatrefoil vs. a cinquefoil.
This badge is returned for conflict with the flag of Libya, Vert. As per the Admin handbook A.III.B.2 Armory of Significant Geographical Locations Outside the Society - All national arms and national flags are considered sufficiently significant to protect. This is a historical flag for the Nation of Libya and thus still important enough to protect. In October 2015, we declined to release this historical flag when Libya's new flag was protected, stating that, "Because we have no objective criteria to determine which post-period flags are "historically important" enough to protect, we will not release this flag."
In the April 2002 registration of the badge of Solveig Throndardottir, (Fieldless) A lozenge Or, it was ruled: "We do not register fieldless badges which appear to be independent forms of armorial display. Charges such as lozenges, billets, and roundels are all both standard heraldic charges and "shield shapes" for armorial display. The SCA has never protected armory consisting of plain tinctures, except for two examples that are particularly famous: the (important non-SCA) arms of Brittany, Ermine, and the (important non-SCA) flag of Libya, Vert [Emphasis added].
This badge was submitted to challenge the long-standing precedent of disallowing difference for animate charges being gorged of coronets, based on the recent precedent of granting a DC for maintained charges. However, there are plenty of period examples of individuals bearing duplicate armorial bearings of gorged and ungorged animate charges. We therefore choose not to overturn this long-standing precedent.
This badge is therefore returned for conflict with the device of Flóki hvítskeggr Lambason, Argent, a lion rampant sable armed, orbed and langued gules, the arms of Buchanan of that Ilk (important non-SCA arms), Or, a lion rampant sable, the arms of Flanders (important non-SCA arms), Or, a lion rampant sable, and the device of Ann Elizabeth of Westmarch, Vert, a lion rampant sable, fimbriated argent. In all four instances, there is only one DC for fieldlessness.
The submitter is a court baroness and thus entitled to display a coronet.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
This submission was pended on the July 2018 LoAR to allow a discussion on the use in Society armory of drolleries and other marginalia from illuminated manuscripts. The client provided an example of such marginalia as support for this submission; the question was whether that support was sufficient.
The College of Arms has a long history of allowing, on a case-by-case basis, elements from period art or documents (e.g., the compass rose). But the operative phrase here is "case-by-case": a great many artistic motifs, while delightful, are unsuitable for use in heraldry. SENA A2B5 notes some examples of these, including the Greek "key" pattern and Celtic knotwork.
Our touchstone is whether the artistic motif is compatible with period heraldry, or to put it another way, whether it fits established patterns we see in period heraldry. We have examples in marginalia of animals playing musical instruments: period heraldry has multiple examples of animals maintaining charges, and even of animals playing instruments (e.g., the bagpiping coneys in the arms of Fitz-Ercald). We have examples in marginalia of grotesque monsters, such as animals with human heads: period heraldry has multiple examples of such chimerical monsters. Armory based on those marginalia are likely acceptable.
But we have yet to see any period heraldic examples of animals astride other animals, riding them. To date, all the heraldic examples of riding are by humans: humans riding horses, a human riding a bear, a human riding a stag. These might support a submission with a human riding a greyhound, we suppose. But without the heraldic pattern of animals riding other animals, the marginalia example alone isn't enough to support this submission.
Pending documentation of this heraldic pattern, this submission must be returned.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the badge of Cuán MacDaige, Checky azure and Or, three mastiffs courant in annulo argent each gorged of a coronet gules. There is a DC for changing the field but none for the type of dog and none for the removal of the gorging coronets, which are a blazonable detail not worth a DC.
This device is also returned for violation of SENA Appendix H, which states:
In many cases, a charge overlying a low-contrast complex line of division will render the line of division unidentifiable. Thus, divided fields with low-contrast tinctures with complex lines of division will be registered with a charge overlying the line division only if the line of division remains readily identifiable.
In some cases, even if there is no overlying charge, a low-contrast complex line of division may be unidentifiable and thus unregisterable. Similarly, in some cases, the specific shades used in a submission may render a low-contrast complex line of division unidentifiable and thus unregisterable, even if the combination has previously been registered.
Appendix H specifically cites the combination of azure and sable in a complex line of division as unregisterable even without an overlying charge. The overlying primary charges in this submission only reinforce this principle.
This badge is returned for conflict with the badge of Isobel Grace Hadleigh, (Fieldless) A salamander tergiant inverted and another tergiant conjoined in annulo sable enflamed proper. There is a DC for fieldlessness, but nothing for the enflaming or the direction of rotation.
There is a step from period practice for having charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This name combines a Finnish locative byname with a German given name, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The pattern of Locative Byname + Given Name is found in Finnish but not in German. This name is pended for further discussion of how patterns found in one language, but not the other language, of a mixed language name should be handled.
This was item 7 on the Drachenwald letter of September 30, 2018.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns) (to Drachenwald pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2019-03-06T22:51:28