This badge was pended on the February 2021 LoAR to await the decision of whether to remove protection for the flag of Libya, Vert, and for plain-tinctured flags generally. Based on the protection of Libya, the question was raised of protecting Gules, which was used as flags for several post-period states: the Maldives (1796-1903), the Sultanate of Aussa (1734-1936), and the Sultanates of Muscat (18th century, until 1820) and later of Muscat and Oman (1856-1970).
With the removal of protection for Libya and other plain-tinctured flags, the question of protecting the flag, Gules, is removed from consideration.
This badge is not in conflict with the armory of the Counts of Auvergne, Or, a gonfanon gules. There is a DC for fieldlessness and, given a lack of evidence for gonfanons and pennons being used interchangeably in period, we grant a DC for the difference between the two.
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice device!
The submitter's previous device, Azure, a vol, on a bordure argent in chief a mullet of six points sable, is released.
Nice device!
This is the defining instance of the fundou (fund{o-} with Hepburn Romanization), a doubly-notched circular bronze weight whose outline may resemble an axe head. Found in the 17th century Japanese manuscript, O-umajirushi, translated by Xavid Pretzer, the fundou is quite ancient in origin with a 2400 year-old set found in Japan in 2013 but likely of Korean manufacture. They are only shown from the top and never from the side or in trian aspect.
Fundou can be rotated, with the default orientation having the two circular notches aligned in fess: These notches were used with alignment rods on scales to enable stacking, and thus people using the artifact would customarily see fundou with this orientation.
As fundou were made from bronze, they have a distinctive patina and consequently we are able to define a proper tincture: brown. We direct Palimpsest to add this definition of proper to Table 4 of the Glossary of Terms.
Contemporary Japanese heraldry allows the voiding of fundou, which must be blazoned. However, for use in Society armory, this treatment will need to be demonstrated from period sources. Similarly, any decoration of the basic outline will also need to be documented.
The singular and plural forms of the word fundou appear to be identical, and our blazon will reflect that understanding of Japanese plural markers. Should that be found to be incorrect, we will update our practice as appropriate.
We thank S{o,}lveig Þrándardótir for this summary of the fundou.
Nice device!
The submitter's previous device, Per pale argent and gules, two tulips slipped and leaved counterchanged, is retained as a badge.
Nice cant!
Nice badge!
Nice device!
This submission challenges the long-term disallowance of the given name Rhiannon.
The May 2008 Cover Letter ruled that the given name Rhiannon, once deemed SCA-compatible, was no longer registerable:
Therefore, as of the May 2009 decisions meetings, we declare that no new name elements or name patterns will be ruled SCA-compatible, that all names previously ruled SCA-compatible are no longer SCA-compatible and that in order for them to be registered, documentation meeting the same standards as for non-SCA-compatible names will be required.
The submitter provided evidence of the given name Riannon in a literary context. It appears in Branches 1 and 3 of the 11th century work Y Mabinogi, and an instance is also found in the 14th century works The White Book of Rhydderch and The Red Book of Hergest. Lillia Crampette demonstrated a pattern in Welsh of literary names of non-human characters being borne in period by ordinary people. Examples include ordinary people named after Riannon's son Gwri and the deity Mabon.
Further, there is a pattern in Welsh where 13th-15th century names beginning with R- followed by a vowel begin with an Rh- by the 16th century or grey period. The Dyffryn Clwyd Court Roll Database 1294-1422 User Guide has the following names, coupled with their 16th/17th century counterparts from Morgan & Morgan Welsh Surnames [M&M], FamilySearch historical records [FS] and the National Library of Wales [NLW]: Ririth/Rhirid [M&M], Ridchergh/Rhydderch [FS] and Riez/Rhys [NLW]. Therefore, a plausible 16th century spelling of a 14th century Riannon would be Rhiannon.
We hereby explicitly overturn previous precedent ruling this given name unregisterable given this evidence and register this name as submitted. See the Cover Letter for more information. We would like to thank Lillia Crampette for her extensive work and research on this item.
The submitter requested authenticity for late period Welsh. This name partially meets that request. The two elements of the patronymic byname can be found circa 1600 in Wales. The given name, however, is only found in literature.
Though this name combines a Roman nomen with a Latinized Greek cognomen, this practice was common in the Roman Republic and Empire. This is a nice name for a freedwoman of Greek origin!
The submitter might be interested to know that an equally plausible transliteration of the Greek rendering of the nomen would be Sestia. If she is interested in this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
The submitter's former primary name, Ansvar the Red, is now an alternate.
Submitted as The Order of the Azure Arrow, we do not register the article The before the word Order in order names. We have therefore dropped it for registration.
Upon Margaret Palmer's death, the submitter transfers control of all their registered items to the An Tir principal herald.
Nice badge!
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice 16th century English name!
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Jaques de Morlanne, a timely correction was issued by Kingdom reflecting the spelling Jacques as it appeared on the submissions form. We are happy to make this change for registration.
Nice 16th century French name!
Submitted under the name Nefertari sat Bastet.
Nice device!
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
This design presents no issue with SENA A3D2c, which requires all charges within a charge group to be in either identical postures/orientations or an arrangement that includes posture/orientation. Quoting and reaffirming the January 2014 Cover Letter, "From Wreath: SENA A3D2c and Arrangements, One More Time", which discusses the requirement of comparability when considering unity (emphasis added):
An arrangement of charges within a group that is blazonable is registerable, as long as it does not otherwise violate the unity of posture and orientation rule by having different postures/orientations amongst the group. In short, when you have comparable postures/orientations amongst the charges in a group, they should be in the same posture/orientation. For example, three swords in pall and an arrow fesswise has comparable charges in different orientations and would therefore be a violation of A3D2c, but four mullets in chevron and a rose would not. The latter may be poor style, but at this point we are not inclined to further restrict charge group arrangement upon the field.
The principle of comparability was also discussed in "From Wreath: Unity of Orientation and Posture", on the July 2019 Cover Letter, which includes "As another example, a stag's attire is usually found straight (and thus a long, orientable charge) but is also found in annulo in period. However, a sword (a long, orientable charge) cannot be in annulo. If a stag's attire and a sword are in the same charge group, they must either be in comparable orientations, or the attire must be in annulo (effectively rendering it a compact, non-orientable charge and thus in a different category)."
Since the tree and breasts are not comparable, there are no issues with either unity of posture or orientation, and so the question of a unified arrangement does not arise.
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
Nice 14th century Florentine name!
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
Submitted as Isibéal Victoria, there were two problems with this name. First, the given name was only documented as a modern form. Second, the byname was documented as a given name at a time when literal unmarked matronymic bynames were no longer created in English. When presented with options, the submitter chose to change the given name to Isobel, dated to 1548 in Feminine Given Names in A Dictionary of English Surnames by Talan Gwynek (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/reaneyintro.html). Alys Ogress was able to document the masculine Latin given name Victorius to 1475 in the Middle English Dictionary s.v. rethoricien; it stands to reason that Victoria would have been a plausible feminine given name at the same time. As this evidence puts Victoria in Middle English, an unmarked matronymic may be formed from it. We have changed this name to Isobel Victoria to register it. The submitter might be interested to know that this name is also suitable for 16th century Iberia, as the given name can be found in Portugual and the byname in Spain.
The submitter might be interested to know that a similar cognomen, Lemonia, is an equally valid femininzation of the nomen Lemonius. If the submitter is interested in this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice Anglicized Irish name for circa 1600!
Submitted as Nils a Lomelandi, the documentation supported the spelling a Lomelande for the byname. We have changed the byname to this form for registration.
Nice badge!
Commenters raised questions about this name being obtrusively modern, as Ro Laren is a supporting character in three seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This is not a question of obtrusive modernity via SENA PN2E, but rather of presumption against the character via SENA PN4D. The bar for protecting important fictional characters is high. A survey of SCA members and non-SCA members alike were asked about name recognition for this character, with most of them not immediately knowing who she was. While there is significant cross-over between fans of Star Trek and members of the SCA, this is insufficient to meet the criterion that "a significant number of people in the Society recognize the character's name without prompting". Therefore, we hereby rule that the character of Ro Laren is not important enough to protect, and this name may be registered as submitted.
Submitted as Víga-Ásbj{o,}rn Járnskj{o,}ldr, no documentation was provided that the descriptive byname Járnskj{o,}ldr was used by humans. The single character that bears this byname in the sagas was not a human being. We have therefore dropped this byname for registration.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, on a heart purpure a keyhole argent, a chief embattled purpure, is retained as a badge.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns) (to Atenveldt pends)
This name combines a Spanish given name with an Italian byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Submitted as Alys Mariette d'_Avigon, there were two typos in the byname. First, there should not be a space after d', and second, the byname is missing the first n in Avignon. We have restored the spelling of the byname for registration.
The submitter's previous device, Azure, a sea-coney sustaining a trident, a bordure argent, is released elsewhere on this letter.
Nice late 13th century Latinized English name!
Nice device!
The submitter might be interested to know that a 12th-15th century spelling of the locative byname would be Ledes. If he is interested in this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice badge!
Nice device!
The submitter's previous device, Per saltire argent and purpure, a hawk rising and an orle sable, is released.
Nice late 16th century English name!
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
The submitter requested authenticity for "Norse (Orkney), 9th century". This name might meet this request. While both elements of this Old Norse name can be dated in Iceland to the 9th-11th centuries as they are found in the Landnamabok, we cannot say for certain whether they were in use in Orkney at this time.
This badge does not conflict with the device of Morberie of Tor Denly, Argent, a Crequier plant azure. There is an SC between a linden branch twined upon itself and a crequier.
Both the linden branch twined upon itself and the crequier are found in period German armory: the arms of von Betschwitz (https://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/heraldry/siebmacher/162-vonbetschwitz.jpg), Per pale argent and gules, a crequier Or, and the arms of von Seckendorf (https://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/heraldry/siebmacher/101-vonseckendorf.jpg), Argent, a linden branch twined upon itself gules, both found in Siebmacher's Wappenbuch. As such, we have a basis for considering whether these two charges were used for cadency: We find no evidence of their use in cadency. Had we found them to be so used, that would argue that they should be considered no more than a DC apart. In addition, being found as distinct charges in the same culture argues that they were not simply regional variants of the same charge, such as the more feline English and the draconic Continental panthers favored by the Count Palantine Rapoto III of Austria and Bavaria and emblazoned in the July 2020 registration of the device of Cuthbert of Brom.
That leaves the potential for visual conflict. Morberie's crequier is a standard crequier, having the central trunk with leaves on stems radiating therefrom. Its trunk is substantial, reaching approximately one third of the width of the total charge. By contrast, the linden branch in this submission is slender, the twining producing a wide loop to base surrounding a substantial empty space itself nearly half the width of the charge. We do not consider the bar for visual conflict to be reached.
Lacking visual conflict, and lacking a reason to consider limiting the difference to the level of cadency, there is an SC between a linden branch twined upon itself and a crequier.
Nice badge!
Nice Chinese name for most of our period!
As noted in December 2016 (with added correction): "The gorging coronet [of a whole beast] [...] does [not] bring a DC when conflict checking. Thus it is not required to have good contrast as long as it remains identifiable." [Catalina de Valencia. December 2016 via the East] Likewise in this submission, the gorging coronet need not have good contrast with the three-headed dog because we do not grant a DC for gorging the neck of an entire beast. This argument does not apply if the charge in question were reduced to a beast's head gorged, for which we do, in most cases, grant a DC.
Submitted as Or, a three-headed dog passant sable gorged of a crown gules within a chaplet of roses proper in orle, the surrounding secondary charge most resembles a rose vine. A chaplet of roses consists of an annulet or a wreath, overlain by roses. This submission, however, presents a number of roses slipped and leaved conjoined in orle -- a rose vine. Were this a chaplet or wreath of roses, we note that current precedent prohibits the registration of such wreaths in bordure, and this submission would have been returned on those grounds.
The submitter's previous device, Or, a three-headed dog passant, a bordure dovetailed sable, is retained as a badge.
The submitter holds comital rank, and is therefore entitled to display an embattled coronet.
As noted in December 2016 (with added correction): "The gorging coronet [of a whole beast] [...] does [not] bring a DC when conflict checking. Thus it is not required to have good contrast as long as it remains identifiable." [Catalina de Valencia. December 2016 via the East] Likewise in this submission, the gorging coronet need not have good contrast with the swan because we do not grant a DC for gorging the neck of an entire beast. This argument does not apply if the charge in question were reduced to a beast's head gorged, for which we do, in most cases, grant a DC.
The submitter is a countess and member of the Order of the Rose, and thus entitled to display both a crown and a chaplet of roses.
The submitter's previous device, Per chevron argent and purpure, a swan naiant argent gorged of a county coronet Or, on a chief purpure a plate, is retained as a badge.
Nice cant!
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This submission has permission to conflict with the badge of Kathleen MacChluarain the Pure, Quarterly vert and argent, in bend sinister two roses slipped and leaved bendwise sinister sable. However, that permission is not necessary: The positions of the roses in both Alatiel's and Kathleen's armory are not forced, since the roses in each do not share a tincture with their respective fields and could as well be arranged in pale or in fess. Therefore there is a DC for the change from in bend sinister to in bend, as well as a DC for the difference in field tincture.
The submitter's previous device, Vert, on a chevron purpure fimbriated argent, a rose sable fimbriated argent barbed and seeded proper, is retained as a badge.
Nice device!
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice device!
Nice cant! Siren is an alternative term for mermaid, and the two terms are interchangeable and synonymous, as may be seen in de Bara's Blason des Armoiries, 1581, p.183, where the charge is drawn as a standard mermaid and blazoned une seraine; or in The Deidis of Armorie, a 15th C Scots treatise, f.30, where the charge is again drawn as a standard mermaid and blazoned as serainne. Even blazoned as a mermaid, the cant would of course remain valid. We thank Bruce Batonvert for providing these citations demonstrating period blazon.
Nice Latinized English name for the late 14th through early 15th centuries!
Commenters questioned whether this name was obtrusively modern. It is not. The French byname Minet is pronounced roughly /min-AY/ and not like the English word minute.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
The canton grants blanket permission to conflict for all armory that is at least one countable step different from their registered badge.
The canton grants blanket permission to conflict for all armory that is at least one countable step different from their registered badge.
Nice 16th century English name!
The submitter has permission to conflict with the device of Hywel Gain, Counter-ermine, a bend ermine, which is no longer necessary: Per the recent changes to SENA A5F1a there is now an SC for the difference between an undivided field and a divided field.
This badge does not conflict with the device of Genevieve Duran, Gyronny vert and argent, a sealion statant purpure: There is a DC for fieldlessness, and another for the difference between Genevieve's sealion and the monster in this badge.
This monster is considered purpure for purposes of conflict.
Miranda grants permission to any future submitter to register armory that is not identical to her armory.
Nice badge!
Saito grants permission for any future submitter to register a name that is not identical to their name Matthew Blackacre.
Saito grants permission to any future submitter to register armory that is not identical to their armory.
Upon Saito Takauji's death, the submitter leaves all their registered items to Lelia Corsini.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
Submitted as Ælfyn æt þæm geate, the Old English article þæm does not appear in toponymic bynames. We have therefore removed it for registration.
The submitter's former name, Ælfwynn Leoflæde dohtor, is released.
The division used here, quarterly per fess with a single embattlement, can be found in a tapestry from c. 1420 Regensberg and in the arms of Tracht (likely the same family as in the first example) from Coats of arms of Nuremberg families, 16th C German (Library of Congress, Rosenwald 17) p. 63.
Additionally, the division per fess with a single embattlement can be found in:
Wappenbuch der Alberg-Bruderschaft by Virgil Raber, 1548 German (Weimar, Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek, Fol. 220), p. 65
Siebmacher's Wappenbuch, plate 84 (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Siebmacher084.jpg)
Nürnberger Turnier-und Wappenbuch, 1601 German (Badische Landesbibliothek, Cod. Karlsruhe 2820), f. 21v
The submitter's previous device, Purpure, a lioness rampant between three cinquefoils argent, is released.
Nice device!
Nice 13th century German name!
This is the defining instance of lettuce in SCA heraldry. Lettuce is found in the canting arms of Lechuga (lettuce in Spanish) in Nobleza del Andaluzia, 1588 Spanish (Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional de España MSS R10805, R26842), http://bdh-rd.bne.es/viewer.vm?id=0000134360&page=1 on folio 274v. The original Spanish blazon, as provided on folio 274r is cinco Lechugas verdes en campo de oro/five green lettuces on a field of gold.
Nice badge!
The defining instance of lettuce appears in the submitter's other badge registered with this letter.
Nice badge!
Nice 13th century German name!
This particular turnip is drawn from an example in the Zurich Roll, c 1340.
Nice device!
Nice 15th century Swedish name!
The ball-peen hammer seems never to have been documented as a period heraldic charge. Bruce Batonvert notes that a hammer with rounded striking surfaces -- what we might call a ball-peen hammer, but blazoned a spoon-hammer -- is found in Randall Holme's 1688 Academy of Armory, but further notes a lack of examples of anything earlier.
Therefore, while we are accepting this submission, the use of this hammer by a future submitter will require documentation.
Nice badge!
Nice 15th century Dutch/Flemish name!
Nice cant!
Nice device!
Frostheim is the registered name of an SCA branch. av Frostheim is lingua Societatis for 'of Frostheim', which the submitter is permitted to use as they reside in a country where Swedish is spoken.
Frostheim can also be redocumented as a medieval Swedish place name. If the submitter is interested in one of the fully period Swedish forms, Magne a Frostheimi or Magne af Frostheim, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Per the August 2020 Cover Letter, there is a step from core practice for the use of a cross nowed at its center. As discussed on that letter, known forms of crosses nowy are nowed in the middle of their arms.
The submitter requested authenticity for 11th and 12th century Normandy. This name might meet this request. Some form of this name is authentic, but we do not have evidence of French vernacular forms being used in writing during this early. This spelling of the locative is dated to the late 13th century.
The submitter might be interested to know that one authentic version of this name would be the fully Latinized Mathilda de Rothomago and another would be Mathilda de Ruëm. If she is interested in either of these forms, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Submitted as Rogned Steingrimovicha, this byname is composed of a Norse given name with a Russian construction. Barring evidence of this pattern in period, such a lingual mix is a violation of SENA PN1B1. When presented with options, the submitter chose to change the byname to Stengrimova, making this element fully Russian. We have made this change for registration.
The distinctive Ukrainian trident head had many different, sometimes abstracted forms throughout history. This depiction matches that attributed to Yaroslav of the Rurik dynasty, with the addition of a baton sinister crosspiece at its base, similar to the occasional bar crosspieces seen in various depictions of the trident generally. We consider this addition blazonable but not worth difference.
Nice device!
This is the defining instance of the Russian household designator Dvor, meaning 'court', 'courtyard', 'homestead' or 'estate'. The submitter provided ample evidence in Russian of the pattern Dvor + [personal name in the genitive (possessive) case]. Therefore, this household name may be registered as submitted.
Nice badge!
Nice 12th century English name!
On the March 2019 Cover Letter, Wreath wrote:
From Wreath: Appendix J, Part 2 - Maintenance and Sustenance
The August 2015 ruling, "Eliminating the Unsustainable `maintained/sustained' definitions" that caused maintained charges to be worth a DC also effectively brought them into the discussion on charge group theory as covered by Appendix J. However, maintained charges functioning as their own secondary charge group have been an issue never truly addressed within the context of Appendix J, Section E.
[...]
Armory appearing on an external LoI published on or after January 1, 2020 that has three or more charge groups, including maintained secondary charges, will need to either have the pattern attested in SENA Appendix J or provide documentation.
Iago Boar cites, from the Dictionary of British Arms, the 1503 arms of Scrymgeour, Lion holding sword in sin forepaw in sin chf mullet. We direct Palimpsest to add the pattern of a primary charge group, with sustained or maintained secondary charges, with a separate secondary group on the field, to Appendix J.
Submitted as William le Navitier de Saint-Gabriel, the spelling 'navitier' could not be documented to period. The submitter intended this word to mean 'shipbuilder'. Dictionnaire du Moyen Français (1330-1500) shows the word 'navigier' meaning 'pilot of a vessel' dated to the 15th century (http://www.atilf.fr/dmf/definition/navigier) and 'navatier/navetier' meaning 'marinier' dated to the 14th and 15th centuries (http://www.atilf.fr/dmf/definition/navetier). Presented with these options, the submitter opted to change the byname to Navetier. We are happy to make this change for registration.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
Nice 15th century Finnish name!
The submitter requested authenticity for "English 16th Century". This name meets that request.
This device presents no SENA Appendix H issues: "Ployé is not considered a complex line of division for the purposes of Appendix H." [Valdimárr kaupmaðr Hranason, 02/2020, A-Trimaris]
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This badge was pended for redraw on the April 2021 LoAR to abut the argent traits of the lozengy quarters against the quarterly field divisions, removing the question of identifiability. Giovanni Vert Hawk provided new artwork, which the submitter has accepted.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
This name combines French and Italian given names with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
The submitter requested authenticity for 15th century Irish. This name meets that request.
There is a step from core practice for the use of a lightning bolt not as part of a thunderbolt.
Nice badge!
This name combines either a Latinized English or Latinized German given name with a French byname, either of which is an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Nice device!
Nice cant!
The submitter indicated an interest in a Greek or Iranian-Sarmatian name sounding like Talan. Alisoun Metron Ariston was able to find a Greek given name Talon in the Lexicon of Greek Personal Names. This given name would be used in a dictus-style to create the form Karsas ho kai Talon the Sarmatian (Karsas who is also Talon the Sarmatian). It could also be used alone as Talon the Sarmatian. If the submitter is interested in either of these options, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice device!
Submitted as Leif Wilhelmssohn, the submitter indicated a preference for the byname Wilhelmsson if it could be documented. ffride Morelle found an instance of Wilhelmßonn in Estonia dated to the mid-16th century. The character ß represents a double-s. Patronymic bynames in this document vary between a single or double terminal n. This evidence supports a plausible spelling of Wilhelmsson. Whether we consider this name German or Baltic in origin, it is still compatible with a 16th century Norwegian given name. We have therefore changed the byname to the submitter's preferred spelling. We thank ffride Morelle for her work on this name.
This name combines a Norwegian given name with a German or Baltic byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Nice 15th century Dutch name!
The submitter requested authenticity for 10th century Irish Gaelic. This name meets that request.
Nice device!
The submitter's previous device, Purpure, on a bend argent two domestic cats sejant addorsed palewise sable, is retained as a badge.
Since the September 2002 Cover Letter, the field treatment mailly has been disallowed: "As a 20th C field treatment, mailly is not compatible with period heraldic style per the general discussion of field treatments above. Mailly has been registered infrequently since its introduction, for a total of 13 registrations, the most recent in 1998. This registration history is not large enough to require that we continue to register it due to the design's popularity."
The submitter provided documentation demonstrating the use of mailly in period French armory, where Sur azur maille d'argent is found in:
Le second volume de la premiere partye du blason d'armoiries, Ms-5255, dated to 16th century France (https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b55008900v), f.165r
Traité de l'art du blason, BnF ms. 2776, dated to 16th century France (https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8470180c), f.135r
While the citations are of an undivided, uncharged field, we accept its use in the same context as other field treatments. The precedent set by the September 2002 Cover Letter is overturned with our compliments.
We note that a vol with its wingtips pointed downward, as depicted here, is known as a pair of wings conjoined in lure.
With the acceptance of the submitter's device, Per chevron argent and gules mailly argent, a pair of wings conjoined in lure gules maintaining to base three annulets sable, appearing elsewhere on this letter, the field treatment mailly is accepted in the same contexts as other field treatments.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
Nice badge!
The submitter requested authenticity for Norse. This name might meet that request. Both elements are Old Norse found in Iceland, but the dating of each element is unclear. We cannot say for sure whether they were in use at the same time.
Nice device!
The submitter requested authenticity for 14th-15th century Gaelic. This name meets that request.
We reaffirm existing precedent set in 2005, supporting this device's depiction of rampant, having both hind legs at the same ("ground") level:
The cat has both hind legs planted on the ground, though they are separated, and the front legs are separated. This is a valid depiction of a creature rampant or statant erect. As the submitter has chosen to blazon the posture as statant erect, and that is a valid blazon, we are acceding to the submitter's wishes. [Erich der Suchenwirth zum Schwarzenkatze, 07/2005, A-Caid]
The alphyn's front legs are separated; the back legs are separated but both are planted. This is an acceptable variant of rampant. In fact, Siebmacher's 1605 Wappenbuch shows pretty much all its rampant animals with both feet on the same level or with the "away" foot only very slightly raised. [Kaios Alexandrou, 08/2005, A-Calontir]
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
This augmentation was pended on the February 2021 LoAR to obtain permission to conflict with the standard augmentation of the Kingdom of Lochac, Quarterly azure and argent, on a cross gules four mullets of six points argent, from which the augmentation in this submission differs by 1 DC, through the addition of the bordure Or. Permission was received from the Crown of Lochac, thus allowing this augmentation to be registered.
This name combines either a German, Iberian or Italian given name with a French locative byname, any of which is an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Nice device!
The submitter requested authenticity for 10th century Norse. This name is authentic for the 9th-11th century in Iceland. We cannot say for sure whether or not both name elements overlapped in time.
Nice device!
This augmentation has permission to conflict with the standard augmentation of the Kingdom of Lochac, Quarterly azure and argent, on a cross gules four mullets of six points argent.
The submitter requested authenticity for 14th-15th century Gaelic. This name meets that request.
Nice device!
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
The submitter has permission to conflict with the armory of Vígdís Svínahildardóttir, Or, a winged pig courant gules.
The submitter's previous device, Or a winged lion statant gules, in chief two Catherine wheels sable, is retained as a badge.
Nice canting device! The French phrase leon ailé translates to winged lion.
This device was pended for redraw on the March 2021 LoAR to adjust the alignment of the field division. When a chief appears on armory, the corners of the field are lowered to match the base edge of the chief. In the device as submitted, the field was not adjusted in this manner. Quarterstaff provided new artwork which was approved by the submitter.
Though this name was originally documented as an English given name with a French byname, Alys Ogress and Alisoun Metron Ariston were able to find the name Danielle in a French context. Therefore, this may be registered as a wholly French name.
Nice 16th century French name!
Nice cant on the given name!
Nice badge!
This name was pended in March 2021 to discuss whether it was obtrusively modern. The byname Owell should be pronounced like the English word owl and not as /oh-well/. This name is only obtrusively modern if the byname is mispronunced. Therefore, this name can be registered as submitted.
This badge was pended for redraw on the March 2021 LoAR to improve the contrast of the spindle which was nearly entirely hidden by the feet maintaining it. Quarterstaff provided new artwork which was approved by the submitter.
Nice 13th-14th century English name!
The question was raised if this is in visual conflict with the badge of Gwenllian ferch Maredudd, (Fieldless) A handbell azure. It is not.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
The submitter's former name, Arnóra Kolladóttir, is released.
Nice cant!
Nice badge!
Though the byname Schreiber is already registered to the submitter, he need not rely on the Existing Registration allowance to register it with the given name Calamus. Calamus fidelis is the scribe of record of the Giant Bible of Mainz, dated to 1452-1453, which places it within 44 years of the byname Schreiber.
Nice 15th century German name!
The submitter's former name, Friedrich Schreiber, is retained as an alternate.
This name combines a Gaelic given name and a Scandinavian byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Submitted under the name Rúna Úlfriðardóttir, that name was changed to Furia Maxima in June 2021.
The submitter's previous device, Per chevron sable and azure, two pairs of swords in saltire and a swan close argent, is retained as a badge.
Nice device!
The submitter's previous device, Per bend argent and azure, two butterflies counterchanged and a bordure vert, is retained as a badge.
Nice 13th century English name!
Submitted as Joya bat Arwa al-Jinniyya, the byname construction mixes Hebrew bat with Arabic Arwa al-Jinniyya. This combination is a violation of SENA PN1B1, barring evidence that this lingual mix in a single name phrase was done in period. We have therefore changed the byname to bint Arwa al-Jinniyya for registration.
The submitter's previous name, Arwa al-Jinniyya, is released.
This device conflicts with the device of Andrewe Bawldwyn, Per pale indented argent and azure, with only one DC for changing the type of line. However, Andrewe grants permission to conflict with one DC.
The submitter's previous device, Per chevron azure and vert, a chevron argent and in base a lion dormant Or, is retained as a badge.
Nice device!
Nice 16th century German name!
This badge follows closely the example of the arms of Gradenigi, from Insignia Venetorum nobilium (BSB Cod.icon 272), substituting a golden bear for Gradenigi's black boar.
Nice badge!
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
Nice 16th century Spanish name!
Though Christine is the submitter's legal given name, she need not rely on the legal name allowance as it is a period Scots name found dated to 1575 in "Names of women mentioned in the Perth Guildry Book 1464-1598" by Aryanhwy merch Catmael (http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/scots/perthdata.html).
The submitter's previous name, Cristiane Woayde, is retained as an alternate.
Nice device!
Submitted as Erin Avi Cunnetas, the byname was not correctly formed. The masculine Ogham name Cunnetas is in the nominative case. A patronymic byname based on this given name would need to be in the genitive (possessive) case. In addition, the word avi, meaning 'grandson' or 'nephew' should not be capitalized. The submitter indicated a preference for the feminine byname inigena avi Cunneti, meaning roughly 'daughter of the grandson of Cunnetas'. We have made this change for registration.
Erin is the submitter's legal given name.
Submitted as Euphrasia Raptissa Moreas, the locative byname was not constructed correctly. The submitter intended Moreas to mean 'from Morea'. The masculine form of this locative would be Morianos. Following the same transliteration of the Greek elements as the remainder of the name, the feminine form would be Moriane. We have made this change for registration.
Iago Boar provided evidence of sheaves of swords and a sheaf of nails where the palewise charge is inverted relative to the other two, demonstrating this arrangement to be within period.
Draca Mor is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice late 16th century English name!
There is a step from core practice for the use of a chief doubly-enarched.
This design presents no issue with SENA A3D2c, which requires all charges within a charge group to be in either identical postures/orientations or an arrangement that includes posture/orientation. Quoting and reaffirming the January 2014 Cover Letter, "From Wreath: SENA A3D2c and Arrangements, One More Time", which discusses the requirement of comparability when considering unity (emphasis added):
An arrangement of charges within a group that is blazonable is registerable, as long as it does not otherwise violate the unity of posture and orientation rule by having different postures/orientations amongst the group. In short, when you have comparable postures/orientations amongst the charges in a group, they should be in the same posture/orientation. For example, three swords in pall and an arrow fesswise has comparable charges in different orientations and would therefore be a violation of A3D2c, but four mullets in chevron and a rose would not. The latter may be poor style, but at this point we are not inclined to further restrict charge group arrangement upon the field.
The principle of comparability was also discussed in "From Wreath: Unity of Orientation and Posture", on the July 2019 Cover Letter, which includes "As another example, a stag's attire is usually found straight (and thus a long, orientable charge) but is also found in annulo in period. However, a sword (a long, orientable charge) cannot be in annulo. If a stag's attire and a sword are in the same charge group, they must either be in comparable orientations, or the attire must be in annulo (effectively rendering it a compact, non-orientable charge and thus in a different category)."
Since the raven and annulets are not comparable, there are no issues with either unity of posture or orientation, and so the question of a unified arrangement does not arise.
Submitted as Sean _ mac Dubhghaill, this name conflicts with the registered Siôn MacDougall. Despite the visual difference between the given names, they are pronounced identically. When presented with options, the submitter indicated a preference for an additional byname related to wolves. There is an established pattern in Irish Gaelic of animal names used as descriptive bynames; these include Cu (wolf/hound), Damán (little stag/ox), Sinnach/Sionnach (fox), Báethán (little calf) and Gerrán (working horse/gelding). The Dictionary of the Irish Language lists faol as a noun meaning 'wolf' (http://www.dil.ie/21008). This noun must be put into the genitive (possessive) case to use it as a descriptive byname, resulting in the form faoil. We have added this descriptive byname after the given name to clear the conflict for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for Gaelic. This name meets that request, as all of the elements can be dated to Early Modern Irish Gaelic.
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
There is a step from core practice for using a dragonfly inverted.
Upon death, the submitter leaves the badge, Argent, a roundel purpure semy of snails contourny Or, to the individual named in the will.
Upon death, the submitter leaves the name Finnguala inghean Alusdair, the device Purpure, a snail contourny Or, a chief wavy argent, and the badge (Fieldless) A snail contourny purpure to Caitríona inghean Fhionnghuala.
Upon death, the submitter leaves the device Vert, an elk's head erased Or and a bordure argent to Ambra Micheli.
The submitter's previous name, Drake Marshall, is retained as an alternate.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
Nice French name circa 1300!
The submitter requested authenticity for the 10th-15th centuries. This name might meet that request. While the given name is plausible for the 15th century, we have no evidence of this exact spelling being used during that time.
Nice badge!
Though Jessica is the submitter's legal name, she need not rely on the legal name allowance as Jessica is found in Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice", which was published in 1600.
Nice cant!
Nice cant!
Eskalya is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice 16th century Japanese name!
This badge does not conflict with the device of Desideria del Penna, Argent, a mullet sable and a base azure. While we don't grant difference for dismembering mullets ["There is no difference for the small artistic change between a mullet dismembered and a mullet." (Margyt Withycombe, LoAR of Nov 2002)], research into that decision determined that the dismembered mullet under consideration at the time was the December 1986 badge of Rafael Diego de Burgos, Purpure, a mullet dismembered argent. Rafael's badge is clearly a dismembered mullet, having even separation between its various parts. However, the lozenges in this submission are drawn clearly elongated and unable to mate with their neighbors. As such, the change is no longer "small" and thus these five lozenges cannot be considered a dismembered mullet. Therefore there is an SC considering either type or number of the primary charge group.
Eskalya is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Eskalya is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice device!
This variant of a cross of Jerusalem matches that seen in a minature from Li rommans de Godefroy de Buillon et de Salehadin, 14th century France, BnF Fr. 22495 (https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b10024631m), on f.78r.
Submitted as Die Gesellschaft zum weisen Edelwiss, we do not register the article Die in front of the word Gesellschaft in German household names. We have therefore dropped it for registration.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns) (to West pends)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
None.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
None.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
This name is returned for two reasons. First, the given name Nefertari references a Queen of Egypt who ruled in the 13th century BC. In October 2020, Laurel ruled:
Until the Board of Directors completes their revisions to the Organizational Handbook and offers guidance on their intent, we are unable to extend the temporal range for registrations within the Society as far as this submission requires. Thus, this name and similar ancient Egyptian names cannot be registered. [Hemaka of Artemisia, 10/2020, R-Artemisia]
Lacking further guidance from the Board of Directors, we have no grounds on which to overturn this precedent at this time.
Second, no documentation was provided, and none could be found, for the use of the deity Bastet by itself in a patronymic byname; it only appears in compound given names and bynames.
The submitter may be interested in one of the following similar names for resubmission: Neferet sat Nesbastet or Neferet Ta-sheret-ne-ta-sheret-Bastet. Either of those options requires more change than we are comfortable making at this time.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
This device is returned for having multiple tertiary groups: the hummingbirds and, between them, the ivy vine. Barring evidence of tertiary charges maintaining other tertiary charges not closely associated with them (such as a squirrel maintaining a nut), this cannot be registered.
On resubmission, please provide documentation in support of this particular depiction of crusilly counter-crusilly treatment of the chief. This depiction differs materially from the example we have from period as seen in the Wernigeroder Wappenbuch, late 15th century southern Germany, BSB Cod.icon. 308n on f.261v (http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/bsb00043104/image_516).
This badge is returned for lack of identifiability of the terrestrial sphere. As submitted, it was indistinguishable from a plain green roundel on the abdomen of the spider. Consultation with Quarterstaff led to the determination that no simple redraw would provide a sufficiently-identifiable terrestrial sphere.
Submitters are cautioned against the use of charges whose identities depend on fine details, in situations where the charge itself is necessarily small: Frequently those details become lost, sometimes (as seen here) irretrievably so.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns) (to Atenveldt pends)
This augmentation is returned for lack of documentation supporting the use of a charge pendant from the point of a gore. While we frequently see charges issuant from ordinaries, we have not found evidence for charges pendant from the points of ordinaries.
The submitter requested a change of blazon identifying the feathers charging each flaunch be called pens, on the basis that they terminated in nibs. However, referencing the image from the archives, we see that the ends show a diagonal cut which is all but invisible at the scale in question and, further, the entire vane of each feather is intact rather than cut back to make room for the hand, as seen with a pen. As such they are indistinguishable from feathers and we decline to reblazon them as pens.
As noted in a similar request similarly declined, that of Daniela Schwartzhaupt in January 2019:
The submitter requested that the feather in the augmentation be blazoned as a quill. A quill is a cover for a spindle around which yarn is wound. Embroiderer's quills are period charges, found both empty and wrapped with wool. Contextually, we infer that the submitter wants it blazoned as a quill pen, otherwise blazoned as a pen. A quill pen, made of a feather that has been largely stripped of fletchings and with the end carved into a functional nib, is frequently confused with a feather. However, we register the image and not the blazon, and the artwork provided by the submitter shows a fully fletched feather, with fletchings covering 80% or more of the length of the charge. Moreover, if the feather were stripped appropriately in order to turn it into a pen, the thickness of the pen against the scroll which has the same tincture would be difficult to recognize. As the requested blazon does not reflect the artwork provided, this request is denied.
If the submitter wants a quill pen rather than a feather, we recommend that they submit new artwork with a stripped quill pen (please see the Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry for an appropriate depiction of the charge), taking care to address identifiability issues caused by the diminutive size and lack of contrast of the two charges, one of which requires minute details to clearly and unambiguously be identified.
Similarly to Daniela's case, should the submitter wish to have pens on their flaunches they may submit a device change using revised artwork.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
None.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
Commenters questioned whether this name is a generic identifier. It is. While adding a branch name to an Order name or a guild name can remove the appearance of the generic identifier, a militia is neither guild or Order. Therefore, there is no need to grant blanket permission to conflict.
This name is a generic identifier, meaning it could be registered as-is by other branches. Therefore, there is no need to grant blanket permission to conflict.
This name is returned for a lack of documentation. The name pattern X no Y is not applicable to all Japanese names. Only names that the Emperor granted can be considered uji names, and a complete list of them is available in Name Construction in Medieval Japan. Uji names may not be invented without further evidence that such was done in period.
In addition, each of the constructed name phrases combines types of elements that were not combined in period. The uji name Hanashi combines the kun-yomi (Japanese reading) Hana with the on-yomi (Chinese reading) shi while the given name Wani combines the kun-yomi (Japanese reading) Wa with the on-yomi (Chinese reading) ni. Kun-yomi (Japanese reading) and on-yomi (Chinese reading) are different readings of quite literally the same characters and may not be combined in a single name phrase without evidence that this practice was done in period.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
None.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
None.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
None.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
This heraldic title is returned for conflict with the registered Wolfhound Pursuivant. The change in designator does not count for difference per SENA NPN3C. This title may not be registered even with permission to conflict per the table in SENA NPN3E.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
None.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
None.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the badge of the College of Scribes of the Kingdom of the West, Sable, an ink flask Or. There is a DC for the addition of the tertiary charge group, but no DC for the difference between an ink flask and a bottle.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
The badge is returned for conflict with the badge of Rhys ap Rhodri, (Fieldless) An oak tree eradicated proper within an annulet of flame azure. There is a DC for fieldlessness, but no DCs for the "annulet of flame" in Rhys's badge (which more strongly resembles an annulet enflamed, which has no DC versus an annulet). Nor is there a DC for the difference between this pine tree and an oak tree, both of which may be drawn similarly. As noted in SENA Appendix M trees are either regular (round) shaped or fir (pine) tree shaped, meaning triangular. As drawn, this pine tree is not "pine tree shaped" and thus conflicts with a regular shape tree such as Rhys's oak tree.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
This device is returned administratively. The emblazon was changed at kingdom but no final approval of the artwork by the submitter was provided by kingdom.
Kingdoms are reminded that positive acceptance of the final emblazon as forwarded to Laurel is required to avoid an administrative return. It is not sufficient to have pre-approval for changes that have not yet been rendered: The submitter must review the final submission and approve it.
The submitter is the heraldic heir of Forgal Kerstetter, whose heraldic will is accepted elsewhere on this letter. As such, they have implicit permission to conflict with Forgal's device, Vert, an elk's head erased Or and a bordure argent, differenced in this submission.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
This device is returned per SENA Appendix H, for use of a low-contrast complex line of division. For example, in the December 2018 return of the armory of Lucius Domitius Anatolius, Per bend sinister potenty azure and sable, three wolves courant in annulo argent, we said in part:
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. [...]
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Erik de Tyr, Per chevron argent and gules, two ravens rising addorsed sable and a wolf rampant argent, with a DC for changing the type of half the primary charge group, but no other DCs.
Forwarded by kingdom as an argent field with a pile inverted gules, as drawn it was more clearly a per chevron field division, and is blazoned as such. Regardless of blazon, the overlap in valid depictions of the pile inverted and the per chevron field division means we must consider alternative interpretations of a submission for conflict. As such, considering Rune's device submission as Per chevron argent and gules, two ravens rising addorsed sable and an eye argent irised azure, the conflict with the device of Erik de Tyr is seen.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns) (to West pends)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This badge is pended for redraw to replace the tree with one suitable for the space provided. As submitted, the tree was drawn in the shape of an inverted triangle and lost identifiability thereby.
This was item 5 on the An Tir letter of April 12, 2021.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
This device is pended for redraw to replace the stag's skull with one whose horns match those found on depictions of stag's attires from period heraldry. As submitted, the stylization was a downward-looping shape not known to have been used in period emblazons.
This was item 4 on the Atenveldt letter of April 25, 2021.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns) (to Atenveldt pends)
This device was submitted as an appeal of a previous return. The submitter asserted in this appeal that there was not a form letter that could be used for attestation of a decedent's next of kin. Such a form letter was provided on the June 2021 Cover Letter. This item has been pended to allow time for this letter to be collected, along with the necessary submission forms.
This was item 7 on the Northshield letter of April 30, 2021.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
This device is pended to allow consideration of the June 1, 2021 Rules Letter to complete, which discusses potential changes to SENA I.E allowing secondary charges to maintain other charges, as seen here.
This was item 2 on the Outlands letter of April 28, 2021.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
This device is pended to redraw the per fess engrailed trefly at the points line division to match period evidence.
This device would have been returned for lack of documentation of the proposed field division, "per fess trefly". While we have one existing registration using that term for its line division (the March 2002 device of Rudolphus Heydenreich, Per bend trefly Or and sable, a reremouse sable and a castle argent), it was registered nearly twenty years ago and thus begs new documentation per SENA A2A, which reads in part, "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 existing registration allowance may need to be documented. Occasionally new research will require new documentation of a more recently registered element." It is worth noting that the division used by Rudolphus doesn't resemble the division used in this submission, and was argued as an extension of flory-counterflory, rather than an attested line division.
However, after the close of commentary, in a last-minute message just before publication of this letter, evidence of a per fess engrailed trefly at the points division was identified by Iago Boar, being found in Stephan Brechtel's Wappenbuch des Heiligen Römischen Reiches, 1554-1568 German (München, BSB Cod.icon. 390), p. 562 https://www.digitale-sammlungen.de/en/view/bsb00020447?page=562. The difference between this submission and the example in Brechtel is minor, with the traits between the trefoils being points of engrailing rather than waves. (It is also worth noting that the division used by Rudolphus doesn't match this evidence, either.)
With this evidence, we are able to justify a pend for redraw and avoid a return for use of an undocumented element. Kingdoms are reminded that evidence should be provided with the submission before forwarding to Laurel. While individual commenters and Laurel staff are often happy and able to assist when asked, the Laurel office reaffirms that the burden for providing evidence lies with the submitter, and the Kingdoms are the appropriate places to ensure that requirement is met.
We accept the fruit in this device as a quince. In future submissions, if the client wishes to reinforce that their fruit is seen as a quince and not a pear, they might employ our default orientation for quinces, with the stem to base.
We thank Iago Boar for his generous effort in uncovering evidence for this line division.
This was item 21 on the West letter of April 30, 2021.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns) (to West pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2021-09-12T20:25:50