Barring evidence of their use in period armory or of a standard depiction in period artwork, going forward the use of a comedy mask and/or a tragedy mask will be considered a step from core practice. We ask Palimpsest to add this motif to SENA Appendix G2.
This step from core practice will not contribute to returns under SENA A1A1 for items decided at or before the July 2024 Wreath meeting. From the August 2024 meeting onward, armory using this motif and a second motif with a step from core practice will be returned under A1A1.
The submitter requested authenticity for 14th-16th century Czech/Polish. This request was not noted on the Letter of Intent but was fortunately noted by Lilie Ragged Staff with enough time for commenters to respond. Kingdoms are reminded that all requests for authenticity must be summarized on the Letter of Intent to avoid a name being pended for further research.
This name does not meet that request. While names which combine Polish and Czech are registerable, we do not consider such lingual mixes authentic unless they can be documented to our period. That is not the case here. In addition, the submitter might be interested to know that the expected form of the given name in Poland during our period is Kazimir; spellings of this given name during our period in both vernacular Polish and Czech do not use the letter C. The remainder of the elements, while plausible, are not attested to our period.
This name combines a Latinized Polish or German given name with a double Czech byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
The submitter's prior name, Cassiano da Castello, is retained as an alternate.
Based on evidence provided in commentary, the cross in this submission is a reasonable depiction of a cross fourchy.
The submitter's prior device, Per fess sable and vert, a fess of chain surmounted by a tower, in chief a compass star argent, is retained as a badge.
Nice late 16th century English name!
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
This name combines an English given name and an Irish Gaelic byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Nice cant!
Nice late 16th century English name!
Submitted as Elyn of Eyrie, no documentation was provided for Eyrie as a place name during our period. Plenty of evidence was provided for its use as an unmarked surname. Though the submitter initially allowed no changes, they specifically permitted us to remove the article of in order to register the name.
Nice late 16th century English name!
Submitted as Gaius Aurelianus Felix, Kingdom changed this name to Gaius Aurelius Felix due to a lack of documentation for Aurelianus as a nomen. The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, Volume 2 shows twelve examples of the name Aurelianus in the fifth and early sixth centuries C.E. (https://archive.org/details/plre-ii/page/n7/mode/2up, pp. 199-201). In at least some of these examples, Aurelianus may be interpreted as a nomen; other valid interpretations of these same examples would give the submitter the benefit of the doubt for a construction of praenomen + cognomen + cognomen during this time period. Therefore, we have restored the submitted form for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for "5th Century Romanized Briton". This name may meet request. While it is registerable, we do not know for sure exactly what kind of name it is to call it authentic at this time.
Blazoned when registered in January of 1990 as Azure, goutte d'eau, on a chief rayonny Or, three laurel wreaths vert, we are clarifying that the field is goutty.
Commenters questioned whether or not the given name Bjarki should continue to be registered. There is a single character in the Norse sagas with this given name, and he is a werebear/shapeshifter. Since it is not the name of an ordinary human, we will no longer register this given name in an Old Norse context going forward as it is constitutes a claim of powers per SENA PN4C. As this submitter used Geirr Bassi in good faith, we will register this name as submitted, and will allow an appropriate "sunset period" for submissions currently in progress. See the Cover Letter for more information.
Nice canting device!
Nice 16th century Scots name!
Blazoned on the LoI as a Caucasian mermaid, the term Caucasian is no longer being used in SCA blazon per the January 2024 Cover Letter. We have changed the description to light-skinned for registration.
Please note that grey backgrounds should only be used for fieldless badges when there is an argent charge directly on the background.
There is a step from core practice for the use of a compass rose.
The byname the Sailor is the lingua Societatis form of the Middle English byname le marinier or le Mariner.
Blazoned when registered in August of 1991 as Or, in pale a Thor's hammer sable and an ape passant proper, we are clarifying that the beast is specifically a gorilla, that the gorilla is the primary charge, and that the gorilla is sable.
Blazoned when registered in October of 1994 as (Fieldless) A lizard tergiant azure goutte d'eau, we are clarifying that the lizard is goutty.
Blazoned when registered in September of 1999 as Gules ermined Or, a label argent, we are clarifying the placement of the label, as primary labels are assumed to be central per precedent: "We have decided that for clarity's sake, we will treat a label as any other charge, with placement in chief either explicitly blazoned or assumed only if not blazoned as a primary charge." [Liam Alban of Oxley, 01/2018, A-Lochac] Palimpsest is directed to update Table 5 of the Glossary of Terms to reflect this.
Nice cant!
Nice early 15th century Danish name!
This badge does not conflict with the badge of Sylvanus Perrin, (Fieldless) A rhinoceros statant argent. There is a DC for fieldlessness, and, as spots are not an expected decoration on a hippopotamus, there is a second DC for adding the spots. We decline to rule at this time on whether there is any difference granted between a hippopotamus and a rhinoceros.
There is a step from core practice for the use of creatures other than the English panther spotted of diverse tinctures. We direct Palimpsest to update SENA Appendix G2 with this information.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
Blazoned when registered in September of 1994 as Gules, a talbot passant argent goutte de poix within a bordure counter-compony argent and sable, we are clarifying that the dog is goutty.
There is a step from core practice for using charges with a field per bend bevilled. We direct Palimpsest to update Appendix G2 with this information.
Blazoned when registered in March of 1981 as Argent, on a pale couped and pointed in base between five pomegranates gules a sword inverted proper, we are clarifying that the pale is only couped on the bottom edge, and clarifying the arrangement of pomegranates.
This name combines an Anglicized Irish given name with an Irish Gaelic byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
The submitter might be interested to know that there are several other linguistically consistent forms of this name: Murtagh MacAgayll, Murtagh MacAgoyle, and Murtagh MacEgeill are all Anglicized Irish forms of the same name, while Muircheartach Mac an Ghaill is fully Irish Gaelic. No forms of this name, including the submitted one, are non-binary as requested. In Gaelic, a mac X byname has the literal meaning 'son of X'. In addition, Murtagh (no matter how it is spelled) was not one of the small handful of Gaelic or Anglicized Irish names used by both men and women.
The fox in this emblazon has argent socks, which does not fit our currently defined proper for foxes. A review of period armory shows that some foxes proper are depicted with argent socks. We direct Palimpsest to update Table 4 of the Glossary of Terms with the following description for a fox proper:
Gules with argent tip on the tail, may have sable or argent socks, may have an argent chest. The presences/absence of the socks and argent chest are unblazonable artistic details.
The submitter's prior device, Sable, three drinking horns fretted in triangle Or and a ford proper, on a chief Or two swords in chevron azure, is retained as a badge.
This device was pended on the November 2023 LoAR to redraw the charge on the chief to match the examples provided in the documentation.
This is the defining instance of a circular baldaquin. A baldaquin is a type of canopy that hangs over an altar or throne, and can be found in many period illustrations.
The submitter's prior device, Vert semy of roses, a unicorn couchant contourny argent, is retained as a badge.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
Nice badge!
Submitted as Kare Sviðbalki, this name is not constructed correctly. The Letter of Intent asserted that given name was the nominative feminine form of the Old Norse masculine name Kari; however, no documentation was provided to support this claim and none could be found during the commentary process. When provided options, the submitter chose to change the given name to Kyre, an attested feminine Old English given name dated circa 900. In addition, the submitter requested that the byname be registered as Firebrand rather than the Old Norse names sviðbrandr or sviðbálki. The byname Firebrand is a reasonable lingua Societatis form for either of those Old Norse bynames.
This name combines an Old English given name and an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
Though having lozengy next to a diagonal line of division can create the appearance that the line is embattled, this is an unlikely interpretation. This combination of divisions is found in period armory, emblazoned in a very similar way to this submission, in the arms of Budte on f. 49r of Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek, Fol 223 (https://haab-digital.klassik-stiftung.de/viewer/fullscreen/3417494796/119/).
The fork, its handle terminating in a spoon is a period artifact from Imperial Rome, an example of which can be found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/257863).
Blazoned when registered in January of 1989 as Per bend sinister argent and sable, two hands, couped and fracted palewise, counterchanged, the hands are sinister hands, not the default dexter hands.
Submitted as _ Wildcat's Paw of Tir Ysgithr, this non-personal name is in violation of SENA NPN1A, which says in part, "Non-personal names consist of two parts: the designator and the substantive phrase." Wildcat's Paw of Tir Ysgithr is a substantive phrase; no designator is present. The submitter opted to add the designator Order. In addition, we do not register the possessive apostrophe in Wildcat's unless it is a lingua Societatis form, which this is not. Making these changes results in the order name Order of the Wildcats Paw of Tir Ysgithr, and we have done so for registration.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns) (to Atenveldt pends)
Blazoned when registered in August of 1980 as Azure, a hand appaumy and on a chief argent, two domestic cats sejant addorsed azure, the hand is a sinister hand, not the default dexter hand. Hands default to appaumy. We are also clarifying the posture of the cats - they are guardant.
This name combines a Gaelic given name with an English byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century Ottoman. This name may meet that request. We do not have enough data from this time period to know for sure if all of these elements are found in the 16th century.
This byname combines a Turkish patronymic marker with an Armenian given name. Lillia Crampette found ample evidence of such lingual mixes in the same name phrase to allow us to register this name as submitted. See the Cover Letter for more information.
Blazoned when registered in May of 1998 as Vert, an open book argent sustained by a hand couped at the wrist proper, on a chief Or three frogs sejant to sinister vert, the hand is a sinister hand, not the default dexter hand. We are also clarifying that the book and hand are co-primary charges, and that the hand is light-skinned.
Blazoned when registered in February of 2010 as Per fess vert and azure, three hearts Or and a hand fesswise reversed inverted argent, we are clarifying that the hand is not inverted - its thumb is to base which is expected for a dexter hand that is pointing to sinister.
This badge was pended on the November 2023 LoAR to redraw the scissors as fully closed and the handles in a period style.
Blazoned when registered in July of 1991 as Per bend sable and argent, two dexter hands each grasping a broken sword bendwise, counterchanged, we are clarifying that these are gauntlets, not hands. We are also clarifying the charge groups - the swords are the primary charges and the gauntlets are secondary charges. The default gauntlet is a dexter gauntlet; it is appaumy by default. Palimpsest is directed to update Table 5 of the Glossary of Terms with this information.
Charlesbury Crossing is the registered name on an SCA branch.
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
There is a step from core practice for the use of a pawprint.
Varsovia is the Latinized form of the period place name modernly written as Warsaw. In the Polish language, Latinized locatives sometimes omit the preposition de. The Letter of Intent indicated that the submitted wanted the Old Polish form of the byname if it could be documented. That form is Warsowa. We would have changed the name to the fully Old Polish Katarzyna Warsowa, but the submitter allowed no major changes; changing both the language and the spelling is a major change. If they are interested in the name Katarzyna Warsowa, they may make a request for reconsideration.
Blazoned when registered in August of 2022 as Quarterly gules and Or, a sword bendwise the point transfixing and maintaining a wedge of cheese, overall a helm all counterchanged, we are clarifying the orientation of the helm.
Nice cant!
Nice Scots name for the late 14th and early 15th centuries!
This badge was pended on the November 2023 LoAR to redraw the upper portion of the field as clearly gules.
This device conflicts with the badge of Ingilborg Sigmundardóttir, (Fieldless) A sheaf of a sword inverted between four arrows argent bound with a garter sable. There is a DC for adding the field but nothing for changing the type or orientation of one of five charges nor for removing the garter. However, adding the field is sufficient to allow registration as Ingilborg has granted blanket permission to conflict with her badge for any armory that is not identical to her badge.
Bright Hills is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Blazoned when registered in February of 2004 as Azure, a sinister hand sustaining a mallet and in chief three open books argent, we are clarifying the charge groups. The mallet is the primary charge; the hand is a secondary charge.
This badge does not conflict with the device of Deomotheor Zÿdmond, Azure semy of doubled crosses, a bordure Or. There is an SC between doubled crosses and crosses formy.
Nice badge!
Blazoned when registered in November of 1991 as Argent, a gloved hand holding a sword sable, on flaunches azure, two owls respectant guardant argent, we are clarifying the charge groups. The sword is the primary charge; the hand is a secondary charge.
The submitter requested authenticity for Pictish/Irish. This name does not meet that request. We do not have any direct evidence that the Irish Gaelic byname na Ceol was used by the Picts, although it is compatible with a Pictish given name under our rules. The submitter might be interested to know that the name Taran Ciuil (meaning 'Musical Taran' or 'Taran of the Music') would be temporally compatible for the time and place requested. If they are interested in this form of the name, they may make a request for reconsideration.
The submitter's previous name, Fíne ingen Brain, is released.
There is a step from core practice for the use of lightning bolts without a thunderbolt.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns) (to Atlantia pends)
Artist's note: Please draw the card pique more centered on the shoulder.
Windwyrm is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter requested that, upon registration of this new branch name, it be permitted to revive the name and armory of the previous group in this region as its Ancient Branch Name and Ancient Arms. The ownership of the branch name Shire of Rhuddglyn and its associated arms, Per chevron inverted argent and gules, on a flame azure a flame Or, all within a laurel wreath counterchanged reverted to the Kingdom of Avacal when that group was dissolved in 2015. The question of whether these items may be transferred to the new group is one that may only be answered by the Board of Directors. Per precedent, this practice is currently disallowed, "At the September 25, 1983 BoD meeting the BoD reaffirmed the policy that a new branch may not adopt the name of a defunct branch." [Sundragon, Canton of, 10/1983, A-Atenveldt]. We therefore cannot grant this request until the question is revisited by the Board of Directors at the April 2024 board meeting.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns) (to Avacal pends)
Submitted as Elia Durant, the submitter requested the given name Aelia if such could be documented. Aelia was a Roman gens. During the 16th century, there was a pattern in Western Europe of adopting Roman gentes as given names; examples can be found in England, France, and Germany. Accordingly, we have made the requested change for registration.
We have not previously defined the proper tincture for oranges. As their proper tincture falls midway between the darkest metal and the lightest color, they present a problem for categorization. However, this is a problem we've dealt with before, so we will follow the model set out on the June 2021 Cover Letter, which defined the proper tinctures for Bengal and natural tigers, and define oranges proper as orange, which will be considered light (and conflict with Or) on a dark field or dark (and conflict with gules) on a light field; on a neutral field or on a fieldless badge they must be a shade that is clearly light or dark. As such, the oranges in this submission will be considered gules for contrast and conflict purposes, which we ask Morsulus to note in the O&A.
Artist's note: Please use a darker shade of orange for the oranges for contrast against the Or field.
Blazoned when registered in November of 1986 as Per chevron sable, goutte d'Or, and Or, in base a raven passant close sable, bearing in its beak a pimpernel gules, slipped and leaved vert, we are clarifying that the field is goutty.
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice mid-16th century Scots name!
The submitter's prior name, Matheus Reyner, is released.
Blazoned when registered in August 1985 as Per pale Or and bendy gules and ermine, a label sable, we are clarifying the placement of the label, as primary labels are assumed to be central per precedent: "We have decided that for clarity's sake, we will treat a label as any other charge, with placement in chief either explicitly blazoned or assumed only if not blazoned as a primary charge." [Liam Alban of Oxley, 01/2018, A-Lochac]
The submitter has permission to conflict with the device of Jacques de Saint George, Argent, on a cross cotised gules in fess three mullets Or.
The default orientation for a compass, and a pair of calipers, is palewise, points to base and spread. We ask Palimpsest to add this information to Table 5 of the Glossary of Terms.
There is a step from core practice for the use of triskelions of spirals.
Nice Irish Gaelic name from the 8th-13th centuries!
The submitter has permission to conflict with Brandan Wanderer von Arnswold's household, House of the Swallow.
Blazoned when registered in August of 1979 as Argent, a dexter hand couped at the wrist vert within a bordure sable guttee d'or, the hand is a sinister hand, not dexter. We are also taking this opportunity to correct the spelling of goutty d'Or.
Blazoned when registered in March of 1984 as Vert, two dexter hands, couped and cuffed, clasped in fess, both maintaining a rose, slipped and leaved, argent, the rose blossom charged with another rose vert, all within a bordure argent, we are simplifying the description of the hands and clarifying that the hands and flower are co-primary charges.
The submitter might be interested to know that the submitted name is Early Modern Irish. The Old and Middle Irish form of this same name is Finnacan Ruad. If they are interested in this name, they may make a request for reconsideration.
This device was pended on the November 2023 LoAR to center the per saltire division and the saltire on the field.
There is a step from core practice for using a compass star.
Blazoned when registered in July of 1982 as Argent, chapé sable, a dragon segreant to sinister, two swords inverted in saltire Or, and an old scholar statant affronté proper, vested azure, the field is not chapé, it is per chevron. We are also taking this opportunity to clarify the tincture of the man. Humans default to statant affronty so his posture does not need to be blazoned.
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
This badge was pended on the November 2023 LoAR to center the per fess line.
Nice 16th century Swedish name!
The submitter has permission to conflict with the device of Christine de Saint George, Argent, on a cross cotised gules in fess three annulets Or.
Blazoned when registered in August of 1982 as Azure, a dexter hand couped at the wrist maintaining a sword proper, on a chief embattled argent a chain throughout sable, we are clarifying the charge groups and the tincture of the hand. The sword is the primary charge; the hand is the secondary charge.
Submitted as Jean_Jacques Renart, the submitter requested that the double given name be hyphenated if such could be documented. Jeanne Marie Palimpsest found an example of the name Jean-Jacques dated to 1625. Therefore, we may add the hyphen as requested by the submitter and have done so.
As noted on the August 2020 Cover Letter, "all ordinaries nowy carry a step from [core] practice, except for the fess nowy for which we have period evidence, and the "cross nowyed" as depicted in The accedence of armorie (but, notably, not as typically depicted in Society armory)." Palimpsest is directed to update SENA Appendix G with this information.
Nice cant!
Submitted under the name Isabella de Navarra.
Nice German name from 1497 Nürnberg!
Blazoned when registered in January of 2003 as Per pale and per chevron azure and argent, a chevron checky argent and sable between in bend two fleurs-de-lys Or and in bend sinister two single-headed chess knights sable, the checks on bend are not oriented to run parallel to the sides of the bend, as normal, but instead run palewise and fesswise.
There is a step from core practice for the use of a pawprint.
Blazoned when registered in June of 2003 as Sable, a hand ermine, the hand is a sinister hand, not the default dexter hand.
Blazoned when registered in October of 2005 as Per fess vert and sable, in pale a sinister hand issuant from a vol argent, we are clarifying the charge groups. The hand is the primary charge; the vol is a secondary charge.
Submitted as Shea Verain Quinlan, this name is in violation of SENA PN2C2d:
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.
The given name Shea was documented as the submitter's legal name, but the other elements were documented as a lingual mix of French and Anglicized Irish. Fortunately, Alys Ogress was able to find the name Shea as an English surname dated to 1637, making it useable as an English given name. This reduces the number of regional naming groups represented in this name to two. In addition, no documentation was provided for the unmarked clan name Quinlan; the closest documented form that could be found is the Anglicized Irish O Quinlan. The submitter instead opted to change this element to the attested English surname Quinlyn for registration, and we have done so.
This name combines an English given name, a French unmarked patronynmic byname and an English surname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Blazoned when registered in February of 1982 as Per chevron gules and sable, a battle-axe bendwise sinister, a warhammer bendwise Or, and a winged helmet argent, we are clarifying the orientation of the helmet, and matching the blazon to that of the Sieglinde's badge, which contains the same charge.
Nice cant!
Blazoned when registered in June of 1983 as Gules, chapé ployé Or, an anvil, a bear passant sable, and a Thor's hammer inverted Or, we are clarifying that the hammer is the primary charge.
Nice late 16th century English name!
There is a step from core practice for the use of an overall charge surmounting a fimbriated ordinary.
Artist's note: Please draw fewer and larger "potents", and increase the size of the chief so the sun and crescents can be larger.
The submitter's prior device, Per saltire vert and sable, a wolf's head erased and a bordure Or, is to be released.
The use of snowflakes is allowed under the Existing Registration Allowance.
The use of snowflakes is allowed under the Existing Registration Allowance.
The use of snowflakes is allowed under the Existing Registration Allowance.
The use of snowflakes is allowed under the Existing Registration Allowance.
The use of snowflakes is allowed under the Existing Registration Allowance.
Artist's note: Please draw the trunk thicker to allow room for a larger snowflake.
The line of division comes to a small but noticeable point where the charges issue from it, and is slightly embowed on either side of the point. This is typical of botanical charges (flowers, leaves, fleurs-de-lys) issuing from a line of division in German armory and is not a blazonable distinction or worth difference from a plain line.
Nice badge!
This order name follows the pattern [charge]+[locative]. The municipality of Valor in Granada was known as early as 1563. Therefore, this order name may be registered as submitted by using the lingua Societatis forms of the nouns Order and Shield along with the Spanish place name Valor.
The use of a snowflake is allowed under the Existing Registration Allowance.
Open doors in period armory are handled in a few different ways. The most common depiction has the field showing through the opening, but there are also examples where the opening is a different tincture than the door or field, and at least one example where the opening is the same tincture as the doors. These different depictions can even be found in the same arms from different sources, such as the arms of Ustiolo, which are found in Stemmario Trivulziano as Or, a stooped arch with doors open azure, and in Insignia V as Argent, a stooped arch with doors open azure, opened Or.
For ease of blazoning we will consider open doors where the opening is the same tincture as the doors to be the default, which will be blazoned as an arch with doors open [tincture]. If the opening shows the field, it will be blazoned as an arch with doors open [tincture1] opened of the field. If the opening is any other tincture, it will be blazoned as an arch with doors open [tincture1] opened [tincture2]. The tincture of the opening is not worth difference. Other charges completely within the opening will be considered tertiary charges, even if the opening is tinctured of the field.
The use of snowflakes is allowed under the Existing Registration Allowance.
The use of a snowflake is allowed under the Existing Registration Allowance.
Submitted as Yrsa Hrafnhildrsdottir, this name is not constructed correctly. The given name Hrafnhildr becomes Hrafnhildar- in the genitive (possessive) case required for a matronymic byname. We have corrected the grammar for registration.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns) (to Caid pends)
The submitter's prior device, Gyronny of twelve Or and azure, a peacock in his pride argent and on a base sable a moon in her plenitude Or, is released.
Nice 14th century French name from Picardy!
The submitter's previous name, Anne Renaud, is released.
This name combines an Old Norse given name with an Irish Gaelic byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
The submitter's prior name, Eleanor of Shrewsbury, is released.
Submitted as twelve icosahedral dice, twelve is too many charges to enumerate in blazon when arranged in such a way that the number can't be recognized at a glance.
Nice 15th century name from Paris, France!
The submitter's prior device, Quarterly vert and sable, in pale a wolf couchant and an eagle maintaining in each foot an olive branch argent, is retained as a badge.
Blazon when registered in March of 1989 as Purpure, a hand maintaining a torch palewise between in fess two quill pens palewise, in chief five mullets in fess, all Or, we are clarifying the charge groups. The pens are the primary charges, the torch and hand are secondary charges.
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
Nice English name from the early 14th century onward!
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
Nice device!
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
Champcorbeau is the registered name of an SCA branch.
This badge was pended on the October 2023 LoAR to redraw the flask to match period armorial examples.
This device was pended on the October 2023 LoAR to redraw the demi-bear in a period style.
Nice 16th century English name!
Ruantallan is the registered name of an SCA branch.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
Nice 9th-11th Old Norse name from Iceland!
Blazoned when registered in January of 1985 as Purpure, a cupped hand reversed Or and in chief three bezants two and one, we are clarifying that the bezants and hand are co-primary charges.
Anglespur is the registered name on an SCA branch.
Coldwood is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The default orientation for a mash rake is palewise, head to chief. Palimpsest is directed to add this default to Table 5 of the Glossary of Terms.
Nice English name from the 1330s!
Based on the majority of period examples, the default posture for a cricket is tergiant, head to chief. Palimpsest is directed to add this default to Table 5 of the Glossary of Terms.
The submitter's prior device, Per bend sable and argent, on a bend azure between two phoenixes counterchanged, three crampets bendwise sinister argent, is retained as a badge.
Blazoned when registered in February of 1982 as Azure, a lute bendwise Or beneath five bezants in fess arched and on a chief pean a sinister hand couped reversed and a dexter hand couped argent, we are clarifying the charge groups and their orientation. The bezants and the lute are co-primary charges and the lute is bendwise sinister. The hands are in profile, not appaumy.
The submitter's previous name, Vandor Vitaros, is released.
As noted on the December 2023 Cover Letter, we will no longer register the feminine given name Evja as it is a typo for the name Eyja. As this submitter used Geirr Bassi in good faith, and this name was submitted before that Cover Letter was released, we will register this name as submitted.
The name element Draconis is the submitter's legal surname.
Blazoned when registered in November of 2016 as Gules, a sheaf of three roses slipped and leaved and overall a skeletal hand fesswise reversed argent, we are clarifying the orientation of the hand. It is aversant, not the default appaumy.
Blazoned when registered in July of 1974 as Argent, a raven surgerant sable, perching upon a dexter hand in pale, couped at the wrist proper, gauntleted azure, we are clarifying the charge groups. The raven and fist are co-primary charges. The term surgerant means rising; however, the raven is displayed not rising. For conflict purposes, the hand is azure.
The submitter requested authenticity request "Japan 1550-1600". This name meets that request.
The submitter's previous name, Ulrich Reinhart, is retained as an alternate.
This device uses identical charges in two different charge groups on the field, in violation of SENA A3D1a. Documentation from period Japanese armory was provided by the submitter and commenters. This documentation included three examples of armory with identical charges in this arrangement, as well as examples of cherry blossoms, bases, and an azure charge on an argent field. Based on this evidence, this device is registerable as an Individually Attested Pattern.
The submitter's prior device, Argent, on a bend sinister between two ships azure three plates, is retained as a badge.
This name combines a Dutch given name and a Scots byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
This device was pended on the October 2023 LoAR to redraw the shotels to match the documentation provided and the lion's heads in a period style.
As noted when pended, this is the defining instance of a shotel, a sickle-shaped sword used in Eastern Africa since at least the 13th century CE.
The current secondary owner of the badge, Antonio Giancarlo Nicastri, is now the primary owner.
Submitted as Maria la Morada, this name is not constructed correctly. The submitter intended this byname to mean 'the purple'. Unfortunately, all the bynames based on color words commenters could find in the Spanish language all refer to the color of a person's face or hair. The color purple was not used in Spanish this way. Therefore, this byname cannot be registered as submitted.
However, the attested Arabic byname al-Arjaw{a-}n{i-}a 'the purple' is compatible with the Spanish given name Maria. As changing the language to Arabic is a drastic change, we have instead opted for the lingua Societatis form the Purple for registration as it most closely matches the submitter's requested second choice, la Purpura.
This name combines a Spanish given name and an Arabic byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
If the submitter is interested in the name Maria al-Arjaw{a-}n{i-}a, they may make a request for reconsideration.
This is the defining instance of a lock-plate, a charge found in Scottish armory, such as the arms of Grierson of Lag as emblazoned in the 1582 Dunvegan Armorial, f. 425, as well as in the German arms of Neuhauser in Simon Händel's Wappenbuch, f. 94r.
Nice device!
Artist's note: Period examples of this charge typically have the keyhole in a contrasting color. This is an unblazoned detail, but aids in identifiability.
Blazoned when registered in March of 1987 as Or, two falcons rising, wings addorsed, combattant gules, on a chief triangular sable, a hand couped, appaumy and fingers spread, Or, the hand is a sinister hand, not the default dexter hand. We are also taking this opportunity to update the blazon using current, standard defaults and terminology. A hand is appaumy and couped by default. Birds rising have their wings addorsed by default so this need not be blazoned. Combattant is a term used with quadrupeds, not birds; the birds are respectant.
This name combines an Italian given name and a Spanish byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Artist's note: Please make the argent section of the field somewhat larger, to avoid confusion with a chief triangular.
Nice late 16th century English name!
l'Ile du Dragon Dormant is the registered name of an SCA branch. The submitter resides in an area where French is an official language so de l'Ile du Dragon Dormant is an appropriate lingua Societatis form per SENA PN1B2f.
The head of the tortoise is in profile and pointing up. As this is within the range of head positions found in tortoises in period armory, we will consider this an unblazoned detail not worth difference.
Artist's note: Please draw the line of division so it is centered on the field.
The name element Draconis is the submitter's legal surname.
Commenters questioned whether this name conflicted with the registered Violet Fraser. The bynames are fundamentally identical in sound, so we are left comparing the given names Wylet and Violet. DMNES s.n. Violet shows that one Scots spelling of this name is Wyolet, so we are left to decide whether Violet, Wyolet and Wylet are variant spellings of the same name and could be pronounced identically. Given all of the data we have on the name Violet from Scotland, no spellings of this name omit the letter o. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Wylet and Wyolet are different names, and Wylet would not have been pronounced as Violet during our period.
Next, we must consider modern pronunciations of the name Violet; while some dialects give the name three distinct syllables (/VIE-oh-let/), this is not always the case. Some dialects condense this name into two syllables (/VIE-let/). Both Wylet and Violet are short, two-syllable names, thus they are clear in sound via PN3C3 and appearance via PN3C5.
The submitter requested authenticity for 1500s Scotland. This name meets that request; it is authentic circa 1600.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
Blazoned when registered in October of 2007 as Sable, a chevron checky gules and argent between two crosses crosslet and a dove volant bendwise, wings addorsed argent, the checks on bend are not oriented to run parallel to the sides of the bend, as normal, but instead run palewise and fesswise.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
As noted on the January 2024 LoAR, in the return of the Kingdom of the Middle's request to unprotect one of the badges of this Order, period evidence shows the dragon in the Order's badge could be depicted with wings addorsed or close, so we are expanding protection to include this variation and the one following.
(to Laurel acceptances) (to Laurel returns)
Commenters questioned whether this badge was a visual conflict with the flag of Scotland, Azure, a saltire argent. It is not. SENA A5D2 says: "Occasionally, two arrangements of charges may create a design that is nearly indistinguishable visually, even though there is sufficient technical difference between them. In general, any significant visual difference between the designs will be enough to give the submitter the benefit of the doubt." The presence of a wide vertical stripe on the lower part of the field is a significant visual difference.
This badge was pended on the November 2023 LoAR to redraw the rabbit as clearly sejant.
The submitter's prior badge, Per fess vert and argent, a thistle counterchanged, is released.
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
This badge was pended on the November 2023 LoAR to enlarge the cross so its arms extend past the edges of the chaplet.
This device was pended on the October 2023 LoAR for a redraw to lower the line of division, place the crescent entirely on the sable portion of the field, and make the triquetra more visible.
The submitter's prior device, Per bend sable and vert, a fox rampant contourny Or and in base a triquetra braced with an annulet argent, is released.
Nice device!
Blazoned when registered in January 2023 as Per chevron sable and argent, on a chevron gules between two triangles inverted argent, each charged with a triangle throughout, and a great helm sable, two swords argent, we are clarifying the orientation of the helm.
The submitter has been granted a court barony and viscounty and is thus entitled to display a coronet.
Submitted as Thibault Nesti Von Danzig, this name was not registerable per SENA PN2d which states: "If a name phrase in an existing registration was found in a registered name that combined languages from two or more regional naming groups, the new submission may combine those same regional naming groups. If this allowance is used, then no new regional naming group may be added." The name Thibault Nesti, already registered to this submitter, combines French and Italian. Therefore, any additional name elements added to this name must be either French or Italian. They may not introduce a new language as this submission does; the byname von Danzig is German. Fortunately, Alys Ogress found evidence of the locative phrase de Danzig in a French book published circa 1574-1618 (Théâtre des cités du monde, Vol. 2, by Georges Bruin, https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bd6t5700001s/f330.item.r=%22de%20Danzig%22.zoom#). As French is one of the component languages of the name Thibault Nesti, the French phrase de Danzig can be added to the existing name. Since the submitter allows all changes, we have changed the name to Thibault Nesti de Danzig for registration.
The submitter's previous name, Thibault Nesti, is retained as an alternate.
The submitter has been granted a court barony and is thus entitled to display a coronet.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns) (to Lochac pends)
Nice English name from the 1580s!
Nice 15th-16th century Venetian name!
The byname Jager von Bonn is registered to the submitter's legal parent and is used here via the Existing Registration Allowance.
The submitter is a knight and thus entitled to display an orle of chain.
This device was pended on the October 2023 LoAR to redraw the spearhead as grey.
While the spearhead is considered sable for contrast purposes, a spear takes its tincture from the haft. Therefore for contrast and conflict purposes, this spear is brown. We ask Morsulus to note this in the O&A.
Dandelion plants proper are vert with Or flowers. The tincture of the plant is taken from the stems and leaves for purposes of contrast and conflict. Palimpsest is directed to update Table 4 of the Glossary of Terms with this information.
Blazoned when registered in February of 1980 as Argent, on a pair of flaunches azure a talbot counter-passant and a pegasus volant courant argent, in base a thistle slipped and leaved proper, we are clarifying that the thistle is the primary charge. We are also clarifying that the thistle is not proper, as the entire head, rather than just the tuft, is purpure. Thistles are slipped and leaved by default, so we have removed that from the blazon.
Submitted as Ordo Lux _ Meridies, this name is not constructed correctly. First, the substantive element in Latin order names must be in the genitive (possessive) case. The Latin noun lux 'light' is in the nominative case; its genitive (possessive) form is lucis. Second, the locative Meridies uses the Branch Name Allowance (SENA NPN1C2f), which requires either the forms of Branchname or from Branchname. We have therefore changed this order name to Ordo Lucis of Meridies for registration.
Commenters asked if this was a reasonable depiction of irradiated; it is. Commenters also questioned whether tertiary charges could be irradiated. As the practice is incredibly uncommon in period armory, and as irradiation will shrink an already small tertiary charge to the point where recognizability is impaired, we will no longer register irradiated tertiary charges as of the August 2024 Wreath meeting. See the Cover Letter for more information on both of these points.
Artist's note: Please draw fewer and larger rays to align with period examples.
Blazoned when registered in October of 1995 as Per chevron gules and sable, a chevron checky Or and sable between three torches flammant Or, the checks on the bend are not oriented to run parallel to the sides of the bend, as normal, but instead run palewise and fesswise.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
Blazoned when registered in May of 2003 as Or, a hand sable and in chief three Latin crosses azure, the hand is a sinister hand, not the default dexter hand.
Blazoned when registered in July of 1988 as Azure, a lion rampant guardant, maintaining a patriarchal crosier, within a stooped arch, doors open, all Or, we are clarifying that the arch and doors are the primary charge, and the lion is secondary.
This augmentation has two tertiary charge groups: the arch, and the combination of coronet and flower. This is normally disallowed, but an exception is made for augmentations under SENA Appendix I3.
The submitter has been granted a court barony and is thus entitled to display a coronet.
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
Blazoned when registered in January of 1974 as Vert, a unicorn's head erased argent, on a chief argent a helmed death's head between two roses vert, we are clarifying the orientation of the skull. Skulls, and death's heads, default to affronty, which we direct Palimpsest to include in Table 5 of the Glossary of Terms. Death's heads are skulls that lack a lower jaw. The skull in this device is in profile and has a lower jaw.
The submitter's prior name, Bran atte Rountre, is released.
The submitter's prior device, Per fess embattled argent and sable, a sprig bendwise sinister proper and a greyhound dormant Or, is released.
Blazoned when registered in April of 1998 as Or, three thistles slipped and leaved conjoined in pall proper, we are clarifying that these thistles are not proper, as the entire heads, rather than just the tufts, are purpure. We are also clarifying that the thistles are conjoined at the base. Thistles are slipped and leaved by default, so we have removed that from the blazon.
The submitter requested authenticity for Swiss German. While this name is authentic for 16th century German, we cannot say for sure that it is authentic for Swiss German. We do not have evidence of any of these elements in records we have from Switzerland at this time.
This name combines an English given name and an Irish Gaelic byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Commenters questioned whether the flower chrysanthemum was called so in period. The OED, s.v. chrysanthemum, shows the meaning "The herbalists' name for the Corn Marigold" as early as 1578: "Some..do call..it Chrysanthemum, that is to say, yellow Camomill". In this case, where this term originated from is irrelevant; by the 16th century, it had been absorbed into English. This is not the case for all botanical terms derived from Latin. Such names will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
This name combines an English given name and a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
The submitter's prior name, Hainrich Hadamar, is retained as an alternate.
This name combines a French given name and a German byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Blazoned when registered in October of 1990 as (Fieldless) A heart issuant from a sinister hand clenched fesswise reversed argent, we are clarifying the charge groups. The hand is the primary charge, and the heart is a secondary charge.
Nice late 13th century Welsh name!
Blazoned when registered in January of 1992 as Vert goutty d'eau, a pair of hands argent, we are clarifying the orientation of the hands. They are in pile, not palewise.
Though we have not registered armory including the blazon term semy of sparks for over 20 years, it is a valid alternate blazon for estencely.
Nice late 15th century English name!
Submitted as Margala Moray of Caledonia, the submitter originally documented these name elements in English and Scots contexts. However, the examining the documentation provided for the given name Margala revealed that the record actually says Margeta. Fortunately, Lilie Ragged Staff, Alys Ogress and Juliana Siren were able to document all of the elements in this name to 16th century Spain. In this context, the locative is found as de Caledonia. Accordingly, as the submitter allowed all changes, we have made this change for registration.
This device was pended on the November 2023 LoAR to draw the tiger's head in a more period heraldic style and to use fewer and larger embattlements on the chief.
The submitter's prior device, Sable, a Bengal tiger's head cabossed proper, ruffed argent, and on a chief triangular argent a mullet of six points sable, is released.
Nice late 16th century English name!
This device does not conflict with the badge of Skalla Geirmundr Ulfsson, (Fieldless) A panther rampant guardant gules spotted argent incensed proper. Though a panther's spots and incensing do not count for difference, there is a DC for adding a field and another for the difference between our default (English) panther and a Continental panther.
This device does not presume upon the important non-SCA arms of the House of Este, Azure, an eagle displayed argent crowned Or. There is a DC for adding the bordure, and at least a DC between a peacock displayed and an eagle displayed.
Blazoned when registered in February of 1985 as Azure, a mullet of eight points Or, issuant from base a pair of hands and on a chief argent three barrulets sable, we are clarifying the charge groups. The mullet and the hands are co-primary charges.
Submitted as Quentin Macgowne, the submitter requested the spelling Macgowan if such could be documented. Alys Ogress was able to find the spelling Makgowan in 16th century Scots records; this supports the requested spelling of Macgowan. Accordingly, we have made this change for registration.
The wings in this badge have their tips pointing to base. This is an unblazoned detail and not worth difference, similar to the lack of difference between an eagle displayed versus an eagle displayed wings inverted.
Rivenstar is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Submitted as Séafraid _ Concenainn, this name is not constructed correctly. The submitter asserted that the byname Concenainn was found in The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names of Ireland by Kay Muhr and Liam Ó hAisibéil; however, what is shown in the source is Ó Concenainn. Unmarked relational bynames do not appear in the Gaelic language; therefore, we cannot just drop the relationship marker Ó. Accordingly, as the submitter allowed all changes, we have restored it for registration.
As modified, this is a nice 14th century Gaelic name!
Submitted as Thorsteinn Steinheimer, this name combines an Old Norse given name with a German byname. While these languages may be combined throughout our period, they must remain temporally compatible. The German byname cannot be dated pre-1100, which makes it incompatible with a pre-1100 Old Norse given name. The submitter indicated a preference for "as close to Thorsten as possible". Fortunately, this exact given name can be documented to 15th century Denmark, a time and place compatible with the 15th century German toponymic byname. We have therefore changed this name to Thorsten Steinheimer for registration.
There is a step from core practice for the use of a hexagon.
The given name Tristan was documented from a Academy of Saint Gabriel report. While the dates were provided on the Letter of Intent, the language in which the name was found was not. Kingdoms are reminded that both the dates and the language of the name element supported by a report must be summarized on the Letter of Intent.
Nice 13th century French name!
The submitter's previous name, Marcus Geminius Lupus, is retained as an alternate.
The submitter's prior device, Bendy argent and sable, a wolf rampant and a chief gules, is retained as a badge.
Nice device!
Nice 9th-11th century Old Norse name from Iceland!
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
Blazoned when registered in December of 1986 as Argent, goutte de sang, three mullets of six straight and six wavy points and a chief wavy sable, we are clarifying that the field is goutty.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
Though a moon in her plenitude is the same shape as a roundel, a moon is not a medium for heraldic display. As such it is allowed as a fieldless badge, and does not need to be checked for conflict as independent armory. This has no impact on the lack of difference granted between moons and roundels for the purposes of conflict.
Nice late 15th century German name!
Blazoned when registered in October of 1986 as Or, goutte de sang, a raven displayed and on a chief sable, three suns Or, we are clarifying that the field is goutty.
Nice device!
This name does not conflict with the registered Elena Fodor, per precedent upheld as recently as 2017: Examining only sound and appearance, as SENA instructs, Miklos Kovacs does not conflict with Kouac Myclos. [Miklos Kovacs, 04/2017, A-Outlands]
Blazoned when registered in December of 1997 as Per bend sinister azure and vert, a bend sinister between two hands appaumy argent, the hands are sinister hands, not the default dexter hand. Hands default to appaumy.
Submitted as Hrefna Strand, this name is in violation of SENA PN1B1. As documented, the given name is an Old Norse feminine name dated to 1003, while the byname is Early Modern English dated to 1599. Although Old Norse and English may be combined in the same name per SENA Appendix C, name elements must be dated no more than 300 years apart. That is not the case here. The submitter requested that the name be changed to Hrefna Þórsdóttir if changes must be made; as a change is necessary, we have done so for registration.
The submitter might be interested to know that another way to solve the temporal compatibility issue is to make the name fully Scandinavian. Commenters found evidence for the Old Norse locative byname í Stranda ('of/from the strand/beach') and the Norwegian locative byname name i Strandh, either of which would be registerable with the given name. Likewise, the name Hfrena of the strand/beach would be registerable based on these examples as a lingua Societatis form. If they are interested in any of these names instead, they may make a request for reconsideration.
The submitter requested authenticity for "11-13th century Norman/Arab/Byzantine culture of Sicily". The limited data we have from this time and place indicates this name is probably authentic, but we cannot say for certain at this time.
The submitter's previous name, Ibrahim ibn Da'ud al-Qal'at Fimi al-ma'r{u-}f bi-Butrus, is released.
Blazoned when registered in October of 2023 as Per fess argent and vert, a cricket purpure, we are clarifying the cricket's posture.
The default orientation for a pruning hook has the blade to chief. We direct Palimpsest to update Table 5 of the Glossary of Terms.
Nice 16th century English name!
Blazon when registered in September of 1971 as Vert, a hand of Fatima fesswise between in pale a crescent inverted and a crescent within a bordure Or, the crescents and the hand are co-primary charges.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
None.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
This device is returned per SENA A3B4a, which requires that charges have good contrast with their fields.
The submitter attempted to complete an Individually Attested Pattern via the Notitia Dignitatum, a 5th century document known from later copies, which includes insignia for various Roman military units. For practices outside of core heraldry, SENA requires that three examples that closely match the pattern be provided, or six examples that bracket the practice. In this submission, the pattern that needed to be documented was a sable field with a complex-outline azure primary charge.
The examples of azure on sable primary charges provided had simple outlines - mullets and roundels - and no bracketing examples showing complex outline primary charges on sable were provided. Absent sufficient documentation for the submitted pattern, this device must be returned.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Laszlo Oroszlanveri, Vert, a lion rampant dismembered Or, multiply vulned gules. There is no difference for dismembering nor vulning, so the only difference here is the removal of the secondary charges. By precedent, we consider charges-within-charges to be in the same charge group when they are non-central. In the March 2009 return of the device of Micahel Cory we wrote, "We are ruling that, since the pheon and annulet are not in the center of the design, they should be considered to be in the same group." This precedent was reaffirmed in the September 2014 return of the device of the Canton of Northgeatham and the September 2019 return of the device of the Canton of Isenholz. As both the crescent and mullet in the current submission are also non-central, they are considered to be in the same charge group, so the removal of this group is only a single DC.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
This badge is returned for lack of documentation for a non-central pale.
Submitted as a multi-tincture tierce, having the outer strip of the tierce the same tincture as the field creates the unmistakable appearance of a pale, in the same way that the outer strip of a bordure parted bordurewise sharing a tincture with the field creates the unmistakable appearance of an orle. As well, no evidence was provided for a charge divided into three tinctures in this way. For these reasons, we must consider this as a pale instead.
Precedent says, "The chevron abased here is too far to base to be acceptable without documentation for such a design in period. Overly enhanced ordinaries have been a reason for return for many years as non-period style: "These bendlets are enhanced so much to chief that the style becomes unacceptably modern" (LoAR January 1992). Overly abased ordinaries suffer from the same problem." [Muirgius mac Con Mara hui Ségdai, 11/2002, R-Trimaris]. In the same way, moving a pale to either side of its standard central location does not appear to be period style; no evidence was provided, and none could be found, supporting the use of a non-central pale in period armory.
This device is returned under SENA A3B4a for a charge having poor contrast with its background. On the May 2021 Cover Letter we ruled, "where grey proper against a light or dark background is concerned (as here), it is to be interpreted as either sable or argent based not on the specific shade seen in the emblazon (the existing, subjective estimate), but however is most favorable to registration. That is, however it best avoids both contrast issues and conflict." In the current submission both the sword and the shield are blazoned as grey iron proper, and are tinctured identically, so we should consider them the same tinctures. If we consider them both to be argent, the sword lacks contrast with the field. If we consider them to be sable, the shield lacks contrast with the cock.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
None.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
None.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns) (to Atenveldt pends)
This badge is returned administratively due to the form not matching the emblazon in OSCAR. Submission heralds are reminded that these two emblazons must be the same; please update the forms so they align with what is in OSCAR.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns) (to Atlantia pends)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns) (to Avacal pends)
This device is returned for presuming upon the mon of the Emperor of Japan, (Tinctureless) A sixteen-petalled chrysanthemum. There is a DC for adding a field, but no difference for the tincture of the flower, nor difference between multi-petaled flowers affronty per SENA Appendix M1i.
This device is also returned for conflict with the device of Elisabeth of Lincolnshire, Per bend purpure and azure, a marguerite slipped Or, banded upon the stalk with a ribbon argent. There is a DC for changing the tincture of half the field, but nothing for the type of flower or removing the slip and leaves. Examination of Elisabeth's device shows that the ribbon is a small detail not significant enough to be worth difference as a maintained charge.
This badge is returned for lack of documentation for the irradiation. Wings added to a typically non-winged charge are considered part of that charge. No evidence was provided, and none could be found, for irradiation which does not surround the entire charge. See the Cover Letter for more details.
If a similar motif is resubmitted, the submitter should also provide evidence for winging inanimate charges to chief in period armory. The majority of our period examples of winged inanimate charges have the wings effectively displayed, with a small number of charges having wings addorsed to dexter or sinister, but no examples of winged to chief could be found.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns) (to Caid pends)
This device is returned for having a low contrast tertiary charge, in violation of SENA A3B4a. Submitted as a moon in her plenitude irradiated Or waxing crescent argent, we have no evidence for moons in their plenitude with the faces divided this way, so we must consider the argent increscent as a tertiary charge which has poor contrast with the Or charge it lies upon.
Even if we were to allow a moon divided this way, the primary charge is effectively a roundel irradiated, which is a sun by definition. And since the primary charge is more than half Or, considered this way the device would conflict with the device of Wendryn Townsend, Azure, a sun in glory Or, and with the device of Paul of Sunriver, Azure, a compass star Or, with a single DC in both cases for adding the secondary mullets.
This device is returned for the lack of contrast between the flower blossoms and the field, in violation of SENA A3B4b. Despite lilies of the valley taking their tincture from the slip and leaves for contrast and conflict purposes, the flowers are an identifying feature which is too important for identifiability to have no contrast with the field.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
None.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Edith of Wharfedale, Potenty argent and sable, a pile inverted throughout azure. The overlap in valid depictions of the pile inverted and the per chevron field division means we must consider both blazons when checking for conflict, per SENA A5C1. When Edith's device is considered as Per chevron potenty argent and sable and azure there is a single DC for changing the tincture of half the field.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This device is returned for using an undocumented pattern of charges on the field. The pattern "A primary charge group, with sustained or maintained secondary charges, with a separate secondary group, and a peripheral ordinary" does not appear in SENA Appendix J, so must be documented to be registerable.
This device is also returned for the unblazonable placement of the glove. Based on the blazon, we would expect the glove to lie entirely on the lower azure section of the field, but as drawn it partially overlaps the sinister argent portion as well, blurring the line between a primary and secondary charge.
Commenters asked whether the overlap between the argent falcon and the argent portions of the field violates SENA A3B1 or A3B4b. As this is being returned for other reasons, we decline to rule on this question at this time.
This badge is returned for conflict with the device of Elizabeth Little, Purpure scaly argent. Due to the overlap in depictions of papellony and scaly we must consider them as variants of the same field treatment. Precedent does not allow an SC for changing the secondary tincture of a field treatment: "At this time we are ruling that, if two field primary pieces of armory share the same field treatment and an identical underlying tincture, the fields do not differ by a substantial change of tincture and, absent an additional change (e.g., for the presence of a peripheral charge) will conflict." [Ari Ánsson, 11/2015, R-Atenveldt]
Commenters questioned whether this armory was also in violation of SENA A3E3, Excessively Simple Designs. Armory consisting solely of a field treatment is not considered a single tincture for the purposes of SENA A3E3, so is not considered excessively simple.
We direct Palimpsest to open a Rules Letter to clarify the wording in SENA A3E3 and A5F2 on these two points.
This device is returned for the lack of contrast between the clouds and the field. The June 2021 Cover Letter item regarding rainbows states "Clouds require some contrast but not good contrast with the field."
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
This badge is returned for conflict with the badge of Da'ud ibn Auda, (Fieldless) An apple gules slipped and leaved proper, with a single DC for fieldlessness. We can do no better than to quote from the return of the device of Cécille Cerise of Cherybeare in October of 2005:
The cherry does appear to be a period heraldic charge: Parker, p.104, cites the example of Cheriton, Bishop of Bangor 1436-37: ... on a chevron between three martlets ... as many cherries stalked; in chief three annulets ... (The ellipses are because we don't know tinctures; presumably this is a stone carving or other tinctureless rendition.) The only reason we know they're cherries is from the cant.
On the other hand, Fox-Davies (Complete Guide to Heraldry, p.209) says that "Papworth mentions in the arms of Messarney an instance of cherries. Elsewhere, however, the charges on the shield of this family are termed apples." This is confirmed by looking in Papworth, p.428, at the arms of Messarney: Or, a chevron per pale gules and vert between three (apples) cherries of the second slipped as the third. The two different blazons, apples vs. cherries, are found in different editions of Glover's Ordinary. It would appear that even period heralds had difficulty telling the two charges apart. As the charges were not distinct in period, we grant no difference between an apple and a cherry, and this conflicts with Da'ud's badge as cited above. [Cécille Cerise of Cherybeare, 10/2005, R-Calontir]
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
None.
(to Laurel acceptances) (to Laurel returns)
None.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns) (to Lochac pends)
This device is returned for insufficient contrast between the sharks and the field. SENA A3B4a says, "Charges must have good contrast with the background on which they are placed." By precedent, upheld in December 2023, "contrast is considered for each [charge] separately, not for the group as a whole." [Auðr Véarnardóttir, 07/2020, R-Outlands]. Each shark has more than half of its body on a section of the field with low contrast, and the one in sinister canton is entirely on a low contrast section.
There is a step from core practice for the use of a central charge group on a gyronny arrondi field drawn with the corners of the field in the center of a gyron.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
This badge is returned for using a type of charge not found in period armory. The primary charge here is not an attested charge under SENA A2B1, nor does it follow any recognized patterns for constructing new armorial elements under SENA A2B2. It can't be blazoned as a generic head, nor can it be blazoned as a stone, as it is not identifiable as either of those. A unique artifact that doesn't meet these standards is by long precedent not registerable.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
None.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
This device was pended on the October 2023 LoAR to redraw the point pointed to a more reasonable size.
This device has been withdrawn by the submitter.
This augmentation of arms is returned for conflict with the badge of Robin of Gilwell, (Tinctureless) A moustache pointed. As this augmentation appears to be an independent display of armory, it must be checked for conflict as Azure, a moustache erminois, which only has one DC from Robin's badge for adding a field.
As it has been over 40 years since the last registration of a moustache, if the submitter chooses to use this charge in a resubmission they should provide documentation that such a charge is compatible with period armorial style.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This name is pended for further discussion regarding the registration of tone and/or pitch markings in certain languages which require transliteration for registration. Such marks may be found in some transliteration systems for period Japanese, Chinese, and Korean as well as a number of other languages from Asia, Africa, the Americas and elsewhere that have recently become part of Society's sphere of influence. Such languages often use tonal and/or pitch markings to differentiate between two sounds which carry different meanings in the original text, whether or not the symbols the original script are identical or differ. However, current precedent disallows this for Chinese names like this submission [Ren Jie, 06/2016, A-Calontir]. We would like commentary specifically on whether we should continue to disallow tonal and/or pitch markings for some transliteration systems when we allow them for others, should add transliteration systems for period languages which use tonal and/or pitch markings on a case by case basis as new situations arise, or whether we should simply authorize the use of any tonal and/or pitch markings used consistently as part of a standard transliteration in the same manner as those already permitted in SENA Appendix D
We note that should precedent be overturned, such markings must be used consistently as we require of all other markings. Therefore, this name would be modified to F{a-}ng Li{av}n to achieve that consistency for registration.
This was item 8 on the An Tir letter of November 22, 2023.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
This badge is pended to redraw the letter in a period hand.
The use of a pawprint is a step from core practice.
This was item 3 on the Atenveldt letter of November 30, 2023.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns) (to Atenveldt pends)
This device is pended to redraw the lotuses without the lower petals. Since 2015, we have been consistently giving artist's notes when this depiction of a lotus is used, because the lower petals blur the line between a cup-shaped flower and a multi-petaled flower. As of March 2020 we grant an SC between these two categories of flower, so this blurring is no longer acceptable.
This was item 9 on the Atlantia letter of November 28, 2023.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns) (to Atlantia pends)
This device is pended to redraw the per chevron throughout division with steeper lines. As emblazoned this is closer to chapé than per chevron throughout, with the argent section being significantly more than half the area of the field.
This was item 2 on the Avacal letter of November 30, 2023.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns) (to Avacal pends)
This device is pended to redraw the martlet. In the February 2018 return of the device of Martin Bildner, we wrote, "Submitted as martlets, the birds have long split tails like swallows that are almost half the length of the charges as a whole. While modern depictions of martlets frequently have swallow's tails, period artwork shows them with rather normal-looking tails." The bird in this submission also has a long split tail.
There is a step from core practice for the use of a compass star.
This was item 15 on the Caid letter of November 30, 2023.
This badge is pended to redraw the martlet. In the February 2018 return of the device of Martin Bildner, we wrote, "Submitted as martlets, the birds have long split tails like swallows that are almost half the length of the charges as a whole. While modern depictions of martlets frequently have swallow's tails, period artwork shows them with rather normal-looking tails." The bird in this submission also has a long split tail.
This was item 16 on the Caid letter of November 30, 2023.
Submitted as Isabella _ de Navarra, Kingdom changed this name to Isabella Luna de Navarra to avoid a potential presumption call against Isabella de Navarre, Countess of Armagnac. Kingdoms are reminded that presumption calls, and changes to avoid issues of presumption, should be made at the Laurel level. Changes of this nature should not be made at the Kingdom level, nor should Kingdoms return items for presumption. Using the criteria set forth in SENA PN4D1, the Isabella who was Countess of Armagnac during our period does not rise to the level of recognition that we would consider protecting her from presumption.
This name is pended to discuss presumption against Isabella II, queen of unified Spain in the 19th century. Isabella II of Spain used the following titles: Queen of Spain, Queen of Aragon, Queen of Castile, Queen of León, Queen of Navarre, Princess of Asturias (Pragmatic Sanction of 1830), Queen of Galicia, Queen of Granada, and Queen of Jerusalem. In the CORDE database, she is known as both Isabel and Isabella. Should the fact that Navarre is a territory owned by Spain matter for issues of presumption? We ask that commenters consider the example of King Charles III and the name Charles of Jamaica; modernly, in Jamaica His Majesty is referred to as Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of Jamaica and of His other Realms and Territories King, Head of the Commonwealth. If we would not register Charles of Jamaica because Jamaica is a member of the Commonwealth that recognizes Charles as its sovereign, should we register Isabella de Navarre since at the time of Isabella's rule, Navarre was considered a territory of Spain? We also ask commenters to consider that we protect the arms of Navarre, Gules, an escarbuncle of chain within and conjoined to an orle of chain Or. If the armory is important enough to protect, should the place automatically be considered a significant city-state whose rulers are generally important enough to protect even if they become part of another larger country later in their history?
The submitter's device is registered under the holding name Lindsay of Wintermist.
This was item 18 on the Caid letter of November 30, 2023.
This name is pended to discuss the application of SENA PN4D1 which states, "Sovereign rulers of significant states are generally important enough to protect. Some historical city-states are not considered significant states." Two questions are at play here:
Is Sparta a significant enough city-state that its rulers are generally important enough to protect for that reason only? We note that individual rulers may still be important because of their personal characteristics.
Should protection of a political entity such as a country or city-state require that we automatically protect all of its rulers, even if that ruler would not normally qualify under our general criteria?
Should the standards differ if the submitted name includes the name of the relevant country or city-state?
On his own, the 6th century BCE king Leon of Sparta does not have an entry in Encyclopedia Britannica, his work and/or life is not still influential today, and his work did not significantly shape the course of world history, science, or the arts. If we protect all the leaders of Sparta, however, he will have been the sovereign ruler of an important city-state.
We ask commenters to consider the 16th century English name Zachary Taylor; while there was a president of the United States with the same name, should we protect him from presumption? Would our rules as written require that we protect him from presumption? Similarly, consider the 16th century name Arthur Fadden, who shares the name of a brief Prime Minister of Australia.
Commenters are asked to consider all questions when offering commentary on this item.
This was item 22 on the Caid letter of November 30, 2023.
This badge is pended to redraw the swords so less of the hilts lie on top of the crescents. As drawn the swords are barely overall.
The submitter requested the used of the named motif cross of Caid.
This was item 23 on the Caid letter of November 30, 2023.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns) (to Caid pends)
As stated in SENA A3A2: "Forms of heraldic (armorial) display may not be used with other charges in fieldless designs when those other charges appear to be part of a heraldic achievement of an armorial display." Heralds at the Wreath meeting noted examples of other charges in saltire behind shields in period display, such as croziers or keys in ecclesiastical armory; and of single swords behind shields in certain Irish achievements. As this potential problem was only noted toward the end of commentary, this badge is pended for further research about whether crossed swords behind the shield were used in period armorial achievements.
This was item 11 on the East letter of November 30, 2023.
This device is pended to redraw the charge in base, which lacks horns so is unidentifiable as a goat.
This was item 14 on the East letter of November 30, 2023.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
This badge is pended to redraw the enflaming with more and smaller flames entirely surrounding the massacre. As drawn the flames are large enough to be worth difference as secondary charges, but are not in blazonable locations.
This was item 8 on the Lochac letter of November 29, 2023.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns) (to Lochac pends)
This badge is pended to redraw the humanoid with a loincloth.
In the November 2012 return of the device of Finna k{o,}ttr Goðormsdóttir, we wrote:
This device is returned for offensive vulgarity, as a violation of SENA A7B1 which states "Depictions of monsters and human beings who are partially nude or the depiction of the genitals on beasts will not generally be considered vulgar....Certain depictions may be considered pornographic...even if a standard depiction would not be. This is true even if the design or element can be attested in period armory." In this case, the woman in this device is fully nude, not partially nude. Commenters found a good number of examples of nude women in period armory, some as charges and some as supporters. In the vast majority, however, all were "figleafed" in some manner: by figleaves or other vegetation, hands, upraised legs, (head) hair, scarf, or other strategically-placed objects such as babies, shield corners, unicorns, and even a giant crown. In the two exceptions turned up, one is a lightly-sketched woman whose pubic area is not bare, and the other appears to be a rough woodcut of what we might consider a Barbie doll. While the charge itself is attested in period heraldry, this particular depiction is not. We invite the submitter to resubmit with the woman figleafed in some period manner.
Similarly, the humanoid in this device is fully nude. And though examples of nude male bodies can be found in period armory, our guidelines for offense are based on modern, not period, standards.
Either removing the genital details or "fig-leafing" the figure in some way would resolve this issue. We have chosen the latter option here, as it is explicitly allowed by the submitter.
This was item 14 on the Middle letter of November 8, 2023.
This device is pended to redraw the lotuses without the lower petals. Since 2015, we have been consistently giving artist's notes when this depiction of a lotus is used, because the lower petals blur the line between a cup-shaped flower and a multi-petaled flower. As of March 2020 we grant an SC between these two categories of flower, so this blurring is no longer acceptable.
This was item 16 on the Middle letter of November 8, 2023.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2024-04-12T17:16:24