Society for Creative Anachronism
College of Arms

601 S Washington #137
Stillwater OK 74074
+1 405 428 3662
[email protected]

For the June 2021 meetings, printed August 9, 2021

To all the College of Arms and all others who may read this missive, from Emma Laurel, Elisabetta Pelican, and Oddr Wreath, greetings.

* From Laurel: Summer 2021 KWHSS Thanks, and What About Next Year?

The recent Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium was a grand event as usual! Sponsored by the Kingdom of the West, we were forced to pivot from an in-person event to an entirely virtual one, and the West Kingdom event team did a spectacular job. I'd like to thank the event steward, Domamir Vlatko syn, and his staff: Rivka of Shushan, Jocelyn d'Orleans, Tellina di Giuseppe da Fiesole, Else Hünrvogt, Þórkatla Yngvarsdóttir, and all the many volunteer moderators and other helpers. As with last year's KWHSS, we were able to have more teachers from all over the Known World than a typical in-person event, which is always lovely to see.

We opened the call for bids for next year's KWHSS back on the March Cover Letter. Due to the difficulty in planning an in-person event for next summer, we've extended the deadline until December 1. With the reality of the ongoing pandemic, we would love to see an in-person event, but are requesting it be confined to the continental United States due to border uncertainty; likewise, the event bid should consider the possibility of having to do another virtual event. The Laurel office does have a Zoom account with the Large Meeting add-on (larger attendance cap and breakout rooms) available if an event team does not have access to one.

Please remember that bids posted to OSCAR are publicly readable. Because of this, any personal information, such as legal names, addresses, phone numbers, and email, should not be included in these bids without signed written permission. Such information as is necessary for the entire College of Arms to see should be posted as a comment after the bid is finalized; any identifying information that the Sovereigns might need should be included as a Sovereign Note.

Please send a copy of the full unredacted bid to Laurel at [email protected].

As a reminder, there is a KWHSS domain and web hosting space available on the SCA's servers. Please do not register a new domain. There is some information available at https://heraldry.sca.org/kwhss/, but it is woefully out of date (and being worked on). Please contact Laurel if you have any questions.

* From Laurel: Bids for vKWHSS in January

vKWHSS will be held again in Jan 2022, with the aim of turning this into an annual event. Last year's team will again be running the event, but are seeking co-stewards who are interested in running the event in 2023. The hope would be that the 2023 team would again have a co-steward team who would be interested in running the following year's event. Interested parties should have good communication skills, excellent Zoom, and/or Discord knowledge. The ability and flexibility to work with a cross-kingdom team is a must.

Please email applications to [email protected]. Applications are due October 1, 2021.

* From Laurel: Applications for Clarion Herald (Education Deputy) Sought

First of all, I must give many thanks to Mistress Sciath ingen Chaennaig for her service in, most notably, tackling the very idea of a reorganization/redesign of the heraldry website (a truly daunting task!). We are opening the office for applications at this time, and while the website is merely one part of Clarion's office, we would like to make completing the reorganization a priority project.

Clarion has the responsibility for encouraging heraldic education at all levels. This deputy is tasked with the following duties, plus other such tasks as assigned by Laurel:

Please email applications to [email protected], including your mundane contact information and membership information. Applications are due by December 1, 2021.

* From Laurel: Form Letter For Legal Heirs

Recently, a question was posed to the College of Arms regarding documentation required to prove a person was someone's legal heir. While we do accept legal documents such as the decedent's legal will or death certificate as proof, we are also willing to accept attestation of the death and of the legal heir's identity. To that end, we hereby direct Palimpsest to add the following form letter to Appendix D of the Administrative Handbook to help submitters. This letter may be used for the transfer of registered items belonging to a deceased individual to their designated legal heirs when no heraldic will is in place, as well as other administrative actions such as granting permission to conflict, or otherwise triggering the effect of a heraldic will:

I, [Legal name], known in the Society as [Society name], hereby attest that I am the designated legal heir of [Legal name of decedent]'s identity in the Society and that [Legal name of decedent] died on [date]. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

[Date] [Signature of [Legal name]]

* From Wreath: Kudos

This month, more than many others, was indeed a daunting task, bringing to fruition a long-awaited update to our Glossary of Terms. Along with that came a rather substantial number of reblazons.

I, mere Wreath, most assuredly, disclaim credit for that work.

Credit for that effort lands quite squarely on the head of Jeanne Marie Palimpsest and Bruce Batonvert, who spent long hours looking through our archives to determine what, really, we have meant by proper when it appears in our blazon. Thankfully, for most things, we appear to have had a consistent if oft-unstated idea of what proper should be. I was consulted to resolve sometimes fascinating inconsistencies.

A substantial bulk of the letter you are about to study could not have happened without these two excrutiatingly detail-oriented individuals (and perhaps it's safe to say that about most of my work, especially of late).

* From Wreath: New Proper Definitions

The Glossary of Terms Table 4, Conventional "Proper" Colorings will be updated in the next day or two based on the changes proposed on Palimpsest's March 6th Rules Letter and feedback from the College. When updating the table, it was noted that some items had been registered in the past with an assumed proper but that proper was never explicitly defined. The following definitions have been added to (or modified in) the table:

At this time we are declaring that there is no defined proper for dogs, wolves, horses, ravens, or t'ai-chi. Also, proper is not defined for a leaf, though it is defined for slipped and leaved as noted above. In general, proper is used to simplify what would otherwise be complex tincturing, or to permit the use of brown, and as such will not be defined merely to alias a simple heraldic tincture such as argent or vert.

Armory is being reblazoned as necessary based on these and the other definitions of proper on the revised table. We wish to thank Bruce Batonvert for his help with this reblazoning project.

* From Wreath: Rainbows Proper

Iago Boar has recently provided evidence of period depictions of rainbows. He found one example similar to a natural rainbow but with the bands reversed from our standard natural rainbow. The same rainbow is also emblazoned as a heraldic rainbow in the same source. These images are from L'Armorial dit d'Anthoine de Clémery, c. 1540-1600 French (Paris, BnF, ms. Français 23076), ff. 179v, 99v, https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b530382890.

Our current standard definition of a heraldic rainbow is based on English armory, as defined by Parker in A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry. Iago notes

Of the 18 coloured or tricked examples I've found of rainbows in German heraldry all but one have three bands. 13 of the 18 are gules, Or, and vert in some order (with g, O, v the most common, accounting for 7 of the 13), no matter whether they appear on a metal or colour field. 3 of the remaining are Or, azure and gules, in that order; each of these examples are on argent fields. The remaining 2 consist of one vert, Or, Or that appears to have been miscoloured; and one that is effectively a natural rainbow, just with the tinctures in reverse order...

A couple of examples:

1) Wernigeroder (Schaffhausensches) Wappenbuch, last quarter of 15th C German (München, BSB, cod. icon. 308 n), f. 197r, https://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/bsb00043104/image_389

2) Hermann Bote: Schichtbuch, 1512-1513 German (Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Bibl., Cod. Guelf. 120 Extrav.), f. 217v, http://diglib.hab.de/mss/120-extrav/start.htm?image=00438

It should also be noted that the vast majority of German rainbows issue from the edges of the field, not from clouds; though I did find one uncoloured example of the arms of Regenspurg with clouds (Gemeiner loblicher Eydgnoschafft Stetten, 1548 German, p. 127, https://books.google.ca/books?id=3WldqtQXj44C)

Based on this evidence we are changing our definitions of proper for rainbows, both heraldic and natural. While German rainbows seem to be throughout by default, we are choosing to keep the current Society standard of non-issuant as the default. This is what people expect from rainbows, and matches the majority of rainbows registered. It is simple enough to blazon a rainbow as throughout, or issuant from the sides, when that it how it is drawn.

Armory with rainbows proper has been reblazoned. If someone wishes the tinctures of their rainbow, or the particular order, blazoned, they may submit a request for reblazon.

We wish to thank Iago Boar for his research on this subject.

* From Wreath: Foxes Proper

Examples found by Iago Boar showed that a period fox proper need not have sable socks. Additionally, period foxes also sometimes had argent chests as well as tail tips. These examples include:

Given this variation in period, we are amending the definition of a fox proper. The presence, or absence, of the sable socks and argent chest are unblazonable artistic details.

* From Wreath: Owls and Falcons Proper

Among other definitions of proper, we're also addressing owls proper and falcons proper, a fair number of which have been registered (some with Linnaean descriptors). We are clarifying their definitions as follows:

Owls

A simple owl, with no other qualifier, has no defined proper coloration. Many owls in nature are brown, so a brown owl proper would be allowed. Of our current registrations with owls proper, many specify a breed to get a particular coloration. In practice, however, these are either mostly brown with very minor markings - for which brown owl proper is sufficient - or they're just as readily blazoned in heraldic tinctures. For instance, a snowy owl proper is white with minor black markings; we'd consider it simply an owl argent. Registrations that can be reblazoned in heraldic tinctures have been reblazoned on this letter, and most of the remaining proper owls have been reblazoned as brown owls proper.

The exception is the Great Horned owl proper, of which we have about a dozen registrations. These owls aren't easily blazoned in heraldic tinctures, nor simply as brown: they're in varying shades of tan or brown, with complex black markings, and a cream or tan underside. They include the characteristic large feather tufts which give this owl its name, details which would likely not be reproduced if they were reblazoned as simple owls. We will continue to allow the registration of Great Horned owls proper. They'll conflict with brown owls proper, and the "horns" don't contribute to difference.

Falcons

A simple falcon, with no other qualifier, does have a defined proper coloration: a falcon proper is brown. It's not necessary to specify brown falcon proper. For falcons, those registrations using Linnaean descriptors are almost always close enough to brown (with minor markings) that we've reblazoned them simply as falcons proper on this letter.

The exception is the peregrine falcon proper, of which we have a couple dozen registrations. In nature, peregrines have a blue-grey or brown back, a sable head, and distinctive barred brown-and-cream underparts; most Society registrations have brown backs, but there's still enough detailing that (brown) falcon proper doesn't adequately describe them, nor can they be easily blazoned in heraldic tinctures. So as with the Great Horned owl, we'll continue to allow the registration of peregrine falcons proper. They'll conflict with (brown) falcons proper.

* From Wreath: On Bengal and Natural Tigers

On the March 1997 Cover Letter it was ruled "We are also no longer going to register Bengal tigers proper. They must be in a standard, heraldic tincture (with or without markings). We have registered as proper both gules and Or Bengal tigers, leaving them with no default tincture. Plain natural tigers proper, are still Or, marked sable." However, there is no distinction between a Bengal tiger and a natural tiger.

That precedent is hereby overturned. We will register a Bengal tiger or a natural tiger proper. Proper is an orangish-Or marked sable. Like charges that are grey proper they will be considered light (and conflict with Or) on a dark field or dark (and conflict with gules) on a light field. Bengal or natural tigers proper on a neutral field or on a fieldless badge must be a shade that is clearly light or dark.

There are currently no natural tigers proper registered. As for the Bengal tigers proper registered, we ask Morsulus to note the following in the O&A:

* From Pelican: Apostrophes in Manx Bynames

This month we considered the Manx byname O'Fayle. Previous precedent has only allowed use of the apostrophe in Anglicized Irish bynames: "Anglicized Irish bynames were written both with and without an apostrophe after the O. For example, "Names Found in Anglicized Irish Documents," by Mari ingen Briain meic Donnchada (http://medievalscotland.org/kmo/AnglicizedIrish/) lists both Arte O Neale and Arte O'Neale."

Both the Anglicized Irish and the Manx records on which our data is based were written by English speakers rendering Gaelic/Manx names phonetically. These names sometimes included the apostrophe and sometimes they did not. Therefore, as of this writing, we hereby extend this precedent to explicitly rule that Manx bynames may be registered with or without an apostrophe after the O.

* From Pelican: Order Name Patterns Involving Saint's Names

This month, commenters expressed concern about the pattern for order names of "saint + object of veneration" so it's time to review the evidence for this pattern again.

Two different kinds of order names match this pattern in broad terms: some describe particular items belonging with or to a saint. Others smply combine two separate names, one a saint's name and the other the name of an object, usually a heraldic charge or item that is another name for the order.

For the first pattern, we have the attested examples:

For the second: Most period courtly orders were known by two names: (1) a saint's name and (2) the name of a heraldic charge. For example, the Order of the Garter is also the Order of Saint George. These two names were sometimes combined into a single name. Attested examples, using both or and of to combine them, include:

The same double-naming can be seen in other orders using both or and of to combine them:

Other orders that had both a saint's name and a secular name that we have not found together include: Order of the Knot/Holy Spirit of Right Desire, Order of the Dragon/Saint George, Order of the Horn/Saint Hubert, Order of the Star/Our Lady of the Noble House, Order of the Thistle/Saint Andrew, Order of the Hound/Saint Hubert. Others have associations both with saints and a badge, but are only identified using one name.

Therefore, we register order names that follow the pattern of a saint's given name plus a heraldic charge (or an item that plausibly could be a heraldic charge). Such names can be registered with or without the word "Saint." For example, the hypothetical Order of Julianas Siren uses this pattern: Juliana is an attested English given name, used as a saint's name, and the siren is a heraldic charge found in the Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry.

We thank Juliana de Luna, Siren Herald, for her work summarizing the data in her article "Medieval Secular Order Names", found at https://heraldry.sca.org/names/order/new/.

* Society Pages

Please send information about happenings to major heralds and major happenings to all heralds to Laurel, so that it can be published here.

* Send What to Whom

Letters of Intent, Comment, Response, Correction, et cetera are to be posted to the OSCAR online system. No paper copies need be sent. All submission forms plus documentation, including petitions, must be posted to the OSCAR online system. While black-and-white emblazons must be included in the Letter of Intent, only colored armory forms need to be posted in the forms area.

Cheques or money orders for submissions, payable to "SCA Inc.-College of Arms" are to be sent to Trent Le Clair, 928 Frazier Dr, Walla Walla WA 99362

Send roster changes and corrections to Laurel. College of Arms members may also request a copy of the current roster from Laurel.

For a paper copy of a LoAR, please contact Laurel, at the address above. The cost for one LoAR is $3. Please make all checks or money orders payable to "SCA Inc.-College of Arms". The electronic copy of the LoAR is available free of charge. To subscribe to the mailings of the electronic copy, please see the bottom of http://heraldry.sca.org/heraldry/lists.html#lists for more instructions.

For all administrative matters, please contact Laurel.

* Scheduling

Items listed below in square brackets have not been scheduled yet. For information about future scheduling, please review the status table located on the Web at http://oscar.sca.org/index.php?action=137.

The June Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, June 6, 2021 and the Wreath meeting held on Saturday, June 5, 2021. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Calontir (02 Mar, 2021), Meridies (02 Mar, 2021), Atlantia (05 Mar, 2021), Palimpsest Rules Letter (06 Mar, 2021), Laurel LoPaD (07 Mar, 2021), An Tir (09 Mar, 2021), Artemisia (13 Mar, 2021), Æthelmearc (20 Mar, 2021), Middle (21 Mar, 2021), West (23 Mar, 2021), Ealdormere (24 Mar, 2021), Atlantia (26 Mar, 2021), Lochac (27 Mar, 2021), Northshield (28 Mar, 2021), Caid (29 Mar, 2021), Atenveldt (30 Mar, 2021), Avacal (31 Mar, 2021), Drachenwald (31 Mar, 2021), Laurel LoPaD (20 Apr, 2021) (redraws). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Monday, May 31, 2021.

The July Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, July 18, 2021 and the Wreath meeting held on Saturday, July 3, 2021. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Trimaris (01 Apr, 2021), Meridies (02 Apr, 2021), Calontir (07 Apr, 2021), Laurel LoPaD (11 Apr, 2021), An Tir (12 Apr, 2021), Palimpsest Rules Letter (17 Apr, 2021), Æthelmearc (22 Apr, 2021), Atlantia (24 Apr, 2021), Ealdormere (24 Apr, 2021), Atenveldt (25 Apr, 2021), Gleann Abhann (25 Apr, 2021), Palimpsest Rules Letter (27 Apr, 2021), Lochac (28 Apr, 2021), Outlands (28 Apr, 2021), Palimpsest Rules Letter (28 Apr, 2021), Atlantia (29 Apr, 2021), Caid (29 Apr, 2021), Ansteorra (30 Apr, 2021), Avacal (30 Apr, 2021), Drachenwald (30 Apr, 2021), Northshield (30 Apr, 2021), West (30 Apr, 2021), Laurel LoPaD (19 May, 2021) (redraws), Laurel LoPaD (02 Jun, 2021) (redraws). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

The August Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, August 8, 2021 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, August 1, 2021. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Middle (05 May, 2021), An Tir (10 May, 2021), Calontir (11 May, 2021), Artemisia (16 May, 2021), Palimpsest Rules Letter (18 May, 2021), Atlantia (22 May, 2021), Ealdormere (24 May, 2021), Ealdormere (24 May, 2021), Gleann Abhann (24 May, 2021), Lochac (24 May, 2021), Æthelmearc (28 May, 2021), Avacal (28 May, 2021), Outlands (28 May, 2021), Caid (29 May, 2021), Atenveldt (30 May, 2021), Drachenwald (31 May, 2021), East (31 May, 2021), Northshield (31 May, 2021), West (31 May, 2021). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Saturday, July 31, 2021.

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,

Emma de Fetherstan
Laurel Queen of Arms


Created at 2021-08-10T21:08:20