Blazoned when registered in July 2000 as (Fieldless) A gauntlet fesswise reversed aversant sable sustaining a unicorn's head erased contourny argent, we are clarifying that the gauntlet and unicorn's head are co-primary charges.
(to Ćthelmearc acceptances) (to Ćthelmearc returns)
Nice late 16th century English name!
This device is not in violation of SENA Appendix J's disallowed 'design with charges in a single charge group located only "in sinister chief and in central base" and variants (like "in chief and dexter base")'. These charges are simply in bend, which is a period arrangement of charges.
An Tir is entitled to use a checky Or and argent field under the Existing Registration Allowance.
An Tir is entitled to use a checky Or and argent field under the Existing Registration Allowance.
This badge was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to redraw the lotus without the lower petals.
Blazoned when registered in August 1987 as Per pale azure and vert, a pheon inverted within a massacre argent, we are clarifying the charge groups. The massacre is the primary charge; the pheon is a secondary charge.
Blazoned when registered in April 1995 as (Fieldless) A trefoil purpure within and conjoined to a massacre sable, we are clarifying the charge groups. The massacre is the primary charge; the trefoil is a secondary charge.
This device was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to redraw the triangles in their default orientation and in a blazonable arrangement.
The submitter's prior device, Sable, a Thor's hammer and on a bordure Or five triangles purpure, is retained as a badge.
This device does not conflict with the badge for the Principality of Insulae Draconis's Order of the Silver Martlet, (Fieldless) A martlet contourny argent. There is a DC for adding a field, and a DC between martlets and owls when in the close posture.
There is a step from core practice for the use of pawprints.
Blazoned when registered in February of 1975 as Ermine, a sea-horse sejant sable, finned, scaled and unguled Or, the sea-horse is in its default erect posture, not sejant. We are also updating the blazon to align with current standards.
All of the examples presented as evidence for this motif were lions. Therefore we are ruling that the use of the rear half of non-lion demi-animals is a step from core practice, which we direct Palimpsest to add to SENA Appendix G2.
As the rear half of animals often have fewer distinguishing features than the head, this motif will only be allowed if identifiability is maintained. In this submission, the cock's tail, which is distinct enough that it can be found as a stand-alone charge in period armory, is sufficient to make the type of creature recognizable.
This device was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to redraw the stag's head to be clearly palewise.
This badge was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to redraw the stag's head to be clearly palewise.
Blazoned when registered in July 1998 as (Fieldless) A horse's head contourny conjoined within a horseshoe inverted argent, we are clarifying the charge groups. The horseshoe is the primary charge; the horse's head is a secondary charge.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
The submitter's prior device, Per bend sinister vert and sable, two domestic cats combatant conjoined at the forepaws Or and in chief in chevron inverted three mullets argent, a bordure Or, is retained as a badge.
Blazoned when registered in December 1996 as Purpure, a falcon rising wings displayed argent hooded belled and jessed Or atop a dexter gauntlet fesswise argent, all between three laurel wreaths Or, we are clarifying the charge groups. The falcon and gauntlet are co-primary charges and the laurel wreaths are secondary charges.
Blazoned when registered in September 2001 as Per pale purpure and vert, a pawprint within a horseshoe Or, we are clarifying the charge groups. The horseshoe is the primary charge; the pawprint is a secondary charge.
Submitted as Cristy of Wiesenfeuer the submitter indicated a preference for Kristy if it could be documented. Rúnfríđr Rocket was able to document Kristy as a late-period English surname in FamilySearch, which can be used as a given name. We can therefore register the name in the submitter's preferred spelling.
Wiesenfeuer is the registered name of an SCA branch.
the Steppes is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Submitted as Thorstan Hip-Breaker, the byname did not follow a documentable naming pattern. The name Hip-Breaker was constructed as a lingua Societatis translation of a constructed Norse byname following the example of bynames such as garđabrjótr (fence-breaker or yard/garden breaker), haugabrjótr (one who breaks a burial mound, i.e. a grave-robber), hornabrjótr (horn-breaker), and v{o,}lubrjótr (witch/seer-breaker or knuckle-bone breaker). In each case, the examples either refer to an object or are poetic (e.g. witch-breaker), and other than the latter interpretation of v{o,}lubrjótr, none refer to breaking body parts. The closest we get to [body-part]+breaker is hausakljúfr, meaning "skull-cleaver". Thus, we cannot establish a pattern of [body-part]+breaker as a Norse byname.
Fortunately, Scolastica la Souriete and Elisabetta Makejoye were able to document a pattern in Middle English that conveys the same sentiment. These bynames include Brekebac (1269), Brekehert (1327), Brekebek (1332) and Broketoth (1273), all from the MED. Each of these follows the pattern breke+[body part] (back, heart, and tooth) in Middle English. Additionally, R&W, s.n. Breakleg has Brekeleg (1243), and the MED, s.v. hipe has 'a human leg' as a definition; these examples further justify this name pattern. Finally, we can also document the spelling breake to 1543 in the MED, s.v. breken, and hipi is dated to 1425 in the MED, s.v. hipe.
Thus, we can combine breake and the Middle English word hip (hip), to construct the Middle English byname breakehip, which can be rendered in Modern English as Breakhip. We have therefore changed this name to Thorstan Breakhip for registration. If the submitter is interested in either of the entirely Middle English names Thorstan Breakehip or Thorstan Brekehipe they may submit a request for reconsideration.
Commenters raised the question of whether this order name, Award of the Goutte de Vin of Vindheim conflicts with the heraldic title Goutte de Vin Herald, registered to Richard Morgan of Cumberland as a personal heraldic title. Looking at the substantive elements of each, this order name has the substantive element Goutte de Vin of Vindheim, whereas the heraldic title has the substantive element Goutte de Vin. Therefore under SENA NPN3C, these do not conflict. Further questions were raised as to whether adding the locative to a heraldic title would allow registration of a conflicting title. For example, could someone use this concept to register say Beacon Herald of Starkhaven. The heraldic title pattern [substantive element] + Herald + [locative element] is not a pattern seen in period (see, for example Juliana de Luna's article "Heraldic titles in the Middle Ages and Early Rennaisance"). Thus, while a territorial locative can be used to clear conflict between two awards, or a household and an award, by appending the territorial locative to the new item to be registered, the same is not true of clearing conflict between an already registered award/order name or household name and a heraldic title.
Using the example from above, the Barony of Starkhaven could not register Beacon Herald of Starkhaven as we do not add territorial locatives to heraldic titles. The substantive element in a heraldic title goes before the designator and is therefore simply Beacon, and this is already registered to the Kingdom of Meridies. The Barony could register Award of the Beacon of Starkhaven, as the substantive element in this case is Beacon of Starkhaven.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
When this item was initially submitted as Order of the Banerheer of Artemesia, we returned it due to the fact that Banerheer was, in period, a Dutch knightly rank, corresponding to a knight who had command of his own troops, equivalent to the English knight banneret. In the return (Order of the Banheer [Artemisia, Kingdom of, 12/2025, R-Artemisia]), we stated that an order name along the lines of this item was registerable, in part because there was no evidence presented in commentary that the phrase Banner was used alone to refer to these knights. The terms banneret and Banerheer were so used. Therefore, this is not a presumptive claim to rank, and we are happy to register this award name.
This badge is not in violation of SENA A3B4b, which says, "Thus, the field and charges on it may share a tincture only if (1) the charges appear only on a section of the field with a different tincture or (2) only one of the two is multiply divided and the charge(s) is an ordinary or simple geometric shape arranged in a way that both the type of field division and charge are clearly identifiable." This design does not meet the first condition, since the sable portions of the bordure lie partially on sable sections of the field. This leaves the question of whether it meets the second condition. The phrase "multiply divided" is not defined in SENA, and could be read to mean either "divided into multiple pieces" (which this bordure is) or "having more than one division" (which it doesn't). Because of this ambiguity, we are using the reading that benefits the submitter, and considering the bordure to be divided but not multiply divided. As a bordure is "an ordinary or simple geometric shape", and the divisions and the bordure are clearly identifiable, this design is registerable.
We direct Palimpsest to open a rules letter to clarify the meaning of "multiply divided" wherever it is used in SENA.
There is no heraldic difference between this bordure and a bordure ermine. However, five spots is few enough that the number may be specified to meet the submitter's wishes.
Blazoned when registered in February 2000 as Purpure, a bend sinister argent, in bend three griffins counterchanged, we are clarifying the charge groups. The argent griffins are secondary charges; the purpure griffin is a tertiary charge.
For conflict purposes this motif should be considered as both a primary set of wings with a tertiary death's head, and as equivalent to a seraph.
There is a step from core practice for the use of compass stars.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
Blazoned when registered in August 1983 as Per bend gules and sable, a unicorn's horn palewise between in fess a bear and a bull combattant argent, we are clarifying that the unicorn's horn, bear, and bull are co-primary charges.
Blazoned when registered in March 1983 as Per chevron counter-ermine and gules, a dragon couchant, wings elevated and addorsed, tail coward and erect, in dexter chief an Irish harp Or, we are clarifying that the harp and dragon are co-primary charges. A dragon couchant has its wings elevated and addorsed by default so that need not be included in the blazon.
There is a step from core practice for the use of a lightning bolt outside of a thunderbolt.
Blazoned when registered in August 1991 as Per chevron purpure and gules, in chief a sword between two eagles rising respectant, in base a harp, all Or, we are clarifying the charge groups. The eagles and harp are co-primary charges, the sword is a secondary charge.
Blazoned when registered in January 1996 as Per fess embattled argent and azure, an orca naiant embowed proper and in base three horseshoes Or, we are clarifying that the orca and horseshoes are co-primary charges.
Blazoned when registered in June 1973 as Barry sable and Or, a falcon descending upon a falconer's gauntlet, both argent, we are clarifying the charge groups and arrangement. The gauntlet is the sole primary charge. It is a sinister, not dexter gauntlet. The falcon is positioned to land on the gauntlet, it most closely resembles what we blazon as rising: the body bendwise with head up and tail down, the wings elevated and addorsed, and the feet slightly in front of the bird.
Blazoned when registered in January 1985 as Per chevron sable and vert, a gryphon argent and a male gryphon Or combattant, in base a flame proper, we are clarifying that the flame is not a secondary charge. There are three co-primary charges.
There is no defined default posture for a male gryphon, also known as a keythong, which we direct Palimpsest to note in Table 5 of the Glossary of Terms.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This device was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to redraw the satyr and pen to improve their identifiability.
This device was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to redraw the arrow so it was entirely on the body of the duck.
The submitter's prior device, Or, a rabbit couchant purpure between three hearts gules, is retained as a badge.
This badge was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to redraw the ford with the top trait argent so it has sufficient contrast with the field.
Blazoned when registered in November 2019 as Per saltire azure and argent, a rose proper within a massacre Or, we are clarifying the charge groups. The massacre is the primary charge; the rose is a secondary charge.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
Blazoned when registered in July 1971 as Sable, a dexter gauntlet bendwise sinister grasping a hammer bendwise Or, we are clarifying that the hammer and gauntlet are co-primary charges.
Blazoned when registered in July 1983 as Argent, a sinister gauntlet fesswise grasping by the neck a legless duck palewise to sinister, wings addorsed, sable, we are clarifying the charge group and arrangement. The duck and gauntlet are co-primary charges. The duck is on the dexter side of the shield with its wings to dexter.
Reblazoned in February 2001 as Azure, in pale a falcon rising wings displayed argent perched on a harp Or, a bordure ermine, we are clarifying the charge groups and the posture of the falcon. The harp is the primary charge; the falcon is a secondary charge. The falcon is looking over its shoulder (reguardant). While not worth difference, this is a detail we typically blazon.
Blazoned when registered in January 1991 as Argent, a winged sword, wings inverted, sable, maintained by a gauntlet issuant from sinister base and in chief two juggler's clubs in chevron inverted gules, we are clarifying the charge groups. The sword is the primary charge and the gauntlet is a maintained secondary charge.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
Nice late 16th century German name!
The submitter's prior name, Yang Shaoyun, is retained as an alternate.
As the term has not been used in some time, we note that defamed is a term used in modern heraldry for a tailless beast. This does not appear to be a period armorial practice. Without evidence of defaming in period armory we will consider it to be a step from core practice, which we direct Palimpsest to note in SENA Appendix G2.
Blazoned when registered in January 1985 as Per pall vert, azure, and Or, a pair of hands holding a heart argent, a sword proper, and a natural panther sejant erect sable, we are clarifying that all of the charges are co-primary.
Commenters questioned the orientation of the wolves' bodies. Precedent says: "The submitter may wish to be aware that the more typical drawing of a tricorporate beast in period armory has the top two bodies back to back, with the bottommost body facing to dexter. The specific orientation difference here of one of the three bodies is not a blazonable detail." [Galen O'Conaill, 07/2013, A-Middle]
Tricorporate quadrupeds default to being arranged two and one with the bodies rampant and the head guardant. The body in base faces to dexter. The upper bodies are usually drawn back to back, but the exact orientation is an unblazonable detail. We direct Palimpsest to note these details in Table 5 of the Glossary of Terms.
This name combines a Latin cognomen for someone or something belonging to the sea, with a lingua Societatis rendering of the Greek byname Eleusinios, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C. The Greek byname is constructed per Ursula Serpent's article "A Simple Guide to Classical Greek Names (https://yarntheory.net/ursulageorges/names/classicalgreeknames.html).
If the submitter is interested in a wholly Ancient Greek version of this name, Marinos Eleusinios, they may submit a request for reconsideration.
We direct Palimpsest to update SENA Appendix A for Greek to include a link to this article.
Hitomi is the submitter's legal middle name. As a given name by type, it may be used as a given name.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
This name combines a German given name with a Dutch byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
Rosalin is an English literary name from the late 16th century.
The submitter's prior name, Kaarnemaan Rosalin, is retained as an alternate.
Nice cant!
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
The submitter requested authenticity for "13th century Spanish/Iberian Sephardic Jewish, Spanish version". This request was not noted on the Letter of Intent but was fortunately noted by Ollivier 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.
The name as submitted, Aster Salamónez Fayat either with or without the accent over the o in Salamónez is likely authentic for 14th-15th century Spain. However, Lillia Crampette was able to find documentation after the close of commentary to meet the submitter's authenticity request for a 13th century name.
Lillia Crampette was able to document the patronymic ending -ez in Spanish Jewish names to the mid 13th-century to early 14th century names (see Lidia Becker's "Names of Jews in Medieval Navarre (13th-14th centuries)", https://www.academia.edu/5591570/Names_of_Jews_in_Medieval_Navarre_13th_14th_centuries_, hereafter cited as [Becker]). This allows us to construct the patronymic Salamónez in the desired time period, as the spelling Salamón can be found in CORDE, dated to the mid-13th century.
As to the element Fayat, CORDE did not show any instances of Fayat. There were multiple instances of the name Alfayat (including the grammatically redundant el Alfayat) for the occupational byname between 1256-1300 and 1368. It should be noted, that as this is an occupational byname derived from Arabic, the definite article, al- is an integral part of the name. By this time period, occupational bynames were likely inherited, though there is no evidence to suggest that the definite article was dropped in such names, rather, it was elided with the descriptive or occupational term. This neatly sidesteps the issue of feminizing this byname, as would have to be done for a true Arabic occupational byname.
Thus Aster Salamónez Alfayat is probably authentic to the latter half of the 13th century as a Hispano-Jewish name. As this is the smallest change we can make to fulfil the submitter's authenticity request, we have done so for registration.
If the submitter is interested in one of the other authentic forms that were found, Aster filia (de) Salamón Alfayat, Asterfilla de Salamón Alfayat, or Aster bat Salamón (ha-)Hayat, they may submit a request for reconsideration.
We thank Lillia Crampette for her invaluable work and research on this name.
Nice device!
The submitter requested authenticity for "13th century Spanish/Iberian Sephardic Jewish, Latin version". This request was not noted on the Letter of Intent but was fortunately noted by Ollivier 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 likely meets that request.
The submitter requested authenticity for "13th century Spanish/Iberian Sephardic Jewish, Arabic version". This request was not noted on the Letter of Intent but was fortunately noted by Ollivier 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.
Submitted as Estir bint Suleiman al-Khayyat, this name combines a 16th century Ottoman given name, with an Arabic nasab and laqab. While this is an allowed lingual mix per SENA Appendix C, it is not authentic for either 16th century Ottoman, or 13th century Spanish/Iberian Sephardic Jewish.
Additionally, the transliteration of Solomon, Suleiman, is not one used in the transliteration system used by the laqab al-Khayyat. Thus, we have changed this to the standard Quranic transliteration of Sulayman for registration.
It should be noted that the name Sulayman is a Quranic name, and was commonly used by people in-period, as we have several instances of the name being used both for rulers and others. Thus, we are treating this in the same manner as we would treat a Biblical name.
If the submitter is interested in the authentic Arabic version of this name, Astir bint Sulayman al-Khayyat, they may make a request for reconsideration.
The submitter requested authenticity for "13th century Spanish/Iberian Sephardic Jewish, Hebrew version". This request was not noted on the Letter of Intent but was fortunately noted by Ollivier 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 likely meets that authenticity request, although the form Hadassah bat Shlomo ha-Hayat appears more commonly in the historical data. If the submitter is interested in that version, they may submit a request for reconsideration.
This name was pended on the December 2024 LoAR to discuss whether or not SENA PN2C2d should be modified to allow a mixed language names with the Branch Name Allowance. As Jeanne Marie Palimpsest was able to construct Rising Waters as an English locative byname, we have accepted the name as submitted, without the use of the Branch Name Allowance.
At this time, we decline to rule whether or not the Branch Name Allowance may be used with mixed language names.
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century English. This name meets that request.
The submitter has permission to conflict with the Kingdom of Drachenwald's badge, Pily Or and gules, a dragon passant coward sable gorged of a crown Or.
The submitter is a royal peer of viscounty rank and thus entitled to display a crown.
This name combines a Dutch given name with a Scots byname, an acceptable lingual mix per SENA Appendix C.
The wombat is considered sable for the purposes of conflict, which we ask Morsulus to note in the O&A.
Septentria is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice late 15th century Low German name!
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
While the guild name Guild of Cooks is too generic for registration, the addition of the locative group name removes the genericness per prior precedent [An Tir, Kingdom of, 11/2017, A-An Tir].
The orange is considered gules for the purposes of conflict, which we ask Morsulus to note in the O&A.
Blazoned when registered in July 1980 as Azure, a sword fess-wise surmounted by a harp argent, we are clarifying the charge groups. Despite surmounting the sword, the harp is the primary charge which we ask Morsulus to note in the O&A. The sword is a secondary charge.
Blazoned when registered in October 1986 as Azure, a dexter hand bendwise sinister proper, maintaining a drinking horn, all within a laurel wreath argent, we are clarifying the charge groups. The hand and drinking horn are co-primary charges. We are also taking this opportunity to update the blazon using current, standard default and terminology.
Blazoned when registered in April 1988 as Sable, a demi female affronty issuant from a stump eradicated argent, maintaining a leaved staff bendwise Or, we are clarifying the charge groups. The woman and stump are co-primary charges and the staff is an overall charge. We are also clarifying that this is a demi-woman, as demi female is ambiguous.
Submitted as Elseby Mörentytär, the patronymic is not correctly formed. The patronymic uses a Swedish given name Möre in a Finnish patronymic construction using the ending -tytär (meaning daughter). Mixing languages in the same name element without supporting evidence is explicitly disallowed under SENA PN1B1.
Fortunately, Memorantia Schwarzdrachen was able to find evidence of the use of an unmarked patronymic in Finnish, where the byname is constructed simply by rendering the father's name in the genitive case. This does not, however, solve the issue of using a Swedish byname in a Finnish patronymic construction. Fortunately, they were also able to find the name Möröi used as a byname ("Suomen Karjalan nimistö", p. 147), and thus, we have changed this name to Elseby Möröi to create a wholly Finnish name meaning "Elseby, Möröi's daughter".
This device does not conflict with the badge of Elena Wyth, (Fieldless) Four Wake knots conjoined in annulo argent. There is a DC for adding a field, and a DC between Wake knots and Stafford knots.
Though these are technically clear of conflict, commenters also questioned if there is a visual conflict between these two pieces of armory. There is not; the free ends of rope that emerge from the knots in Elena's badge are enough to remove any visual conflict.
This device is in violation of SENA A3D2e, Unity of Arrangement, as the arrangement of all the charges in the primary charge group can't be blazoned with a single arrangement phrase. However, the submitter's registered device has the same arrangement of charges, so this is registerable under the Existing Registration Allowance.
No instructions were included on the form regarding the disposition of the submitter's prior device. Submitters and consulting heralds are reminded of the importance of this imformation as, per the Administrative Handbook IV.C.7, "If no instructions are included on the forms, the old name or armory will be automatically released when the change is approved." We were able to determine the submitter's wishes in time, but this may not always be the case.
The submitter's prior device, Per fess vert and Or, in pale three crescents Or and a sprig of oak fructed proper, is retained as a badge.
The submitter request authenticity for late 16th century France. This name meets that request.
Jeanne Marie Palimpsest was also able to document the forms Julyenne le Rat and Julienne le Rat to 1558. If the submitter is interested in either of these forms, they may submit a request for reconsideration.
Nice cant!
Nice 13th century Scottish name!
Blazoned when registered in November 2009 as Gules, a lozenge within a horseshoe argent, we are clarifying the charge groups. The horseshoe is the primary charge group; the lozenge is a secondary charge.
Blazoned when registered in May 1997 as Or, an arrow gules within a massacre vert, we are clarifying the charge groups. The massacre is the primary charge; the arrow is a secondary charge. The charges are joined at the arrow's point.
Submitted as House of Wayward Quere, the submitter stated that if at all possible, they would like to use Mysterie as the designator. All the documentation showed Mysterie can only be used with English occupational or occupational with locative substantive elements. Here, neither of the substantive elements are occupationals -- Wayward and Quere are both surnames. Fortunately Elisabetta Makejoye and Shoshanah bas Nachman were to document Querers as an occupational name for bookbinders. Thus, with the submitter's permission, we have changed this to Mysterie of __ Querers.
Blazoned when registered in December 1991 as Per bend purpure and argent, a dexter gauntlet argent grasping a tongue of flame fesswise proper and a natural panther passant reguardant sable, we are clarifying that the flame, gauntlet, and panther are co-primary charges.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
Submitted as Dante Matteo Ricci, this name presumes upon Matteo Ricci, the 16th century Italian Jesuit missionary, under SENA PN4D - Claim of Identity or Close Relationship with an Important Non-SCA Person. Matteo Ricci is credited with introducing Christianity in China, and encouraging mutual comprehension and cultural exchange. Given his influence on world events and societies, he is important enough to protect under our rules.
As Italian name patterns include the use of unmarked patronymics, the name as submitted, Dante Matteo Ricci is an unmistakable claim that the submitter is the son of Matteo Ricci, and cannot be registered. We have therefore changed this name to Dante __ Ricci for registration. If the submitter would like to use a different second given name, they may make a request for reconsideration.
The given name, Kymani is a name from the Northeastern Bantu Kingdom in Kenya, in the Kikuyu language. The earliest written evidence of this as a name is from the early 18th century, where it is used as the name for a mariika or initiation group for young people (see "A History of the Kikuyu" by Godfrey Muriuki, 1974, pp 18-24 for further details). It is unknown how each mariika name was formed, but Muriuki suggests that each group was named after a famous event, or an outstanding person. Given the rich oral history of the Kikuyu people, described by Muriuki, it is likely that Kimani or Kymani was a given name in use prior to the naming of the mariika set documented to the early 18th century.
Based on this, and our lack of resources on Kikuyu and other Bantu languages, we are accepting this name on the basis of the available evidence and documented oral tradition.
Blackmoor Keep is the registered name of an SCA branch.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
Nice English name for 1577!
Nice cant!
Nice early 15th century French name!
Submitted as Ghoa Khulan, the name was not correctly formed. Ursula Serpent, in her article "Middle Mongol Grammar for SCA Names" ( https://heraldry.sca.org/names/mongolgrammar.html ) has documented that certain descriptive bynames follow the given name rather than precede it. The byname Ghoa, a variant spelling of Qo'a, is one such name. Thus we have changed this name to Khulan Ghoa for registration.
Nice device!
Submitted as Little of Saint Christina_, the name was changed at kingdom to Little of Saint Christina the Astonishing based on the Branch Name Allowance. Alys Ogress was able to construct Saint Christina as an English placename, therefore we have restored the name to the submitted form for registration.
This is a Hungarian name, with Zoltán as the given name and Kázmér as the byname. Prior precedent [08/2013 CL] states that as it is unclear in many cases whether an Hungarian name has been Latinized or not, a Hungarian name may be written either as byname first or given name first. Thus while this name is registerable as submitted, its orthography marks it clearly as a Hungarian name, so the name should have the byname first. If the submitter is interested in the authentic Hungarian form of Kázmér Zoltán, they may submit a request for reconsideration.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
There is a step from core practice for the use of lightning bolts outside the context of a thunderbolt.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
The submitter requested authenticity for "English and French within 30 years between 1100-1600." While we are able to document all name elements to within 30 years of 1313, we are not able to document them to entirely English or entirely French. The given names are documented in French, while the byname is English. Thus, while this name is registerable we cannot claim that it is authentic.
Additionally, the name Colčte was initially documented from "An Index of Given Names in the 1292 Census of Paris" by Colm Dubh. The accents listed in this work are editorial additions in the original source, which is Hercule Geraud, Paris sous Philippe-le-Bel: d'aprés des documents originaux et notamment d'aprés un manuscript contenant Le Rôle de la taille imposée sur les habitants de Paris en 1292.
Precedent states that given this, names taken from this source should not be accented [Gregoire de Lille, 5/2010, A-Lochac], and upheld in [Colete la Longise, 10/2018, A-An Tir]. Fortunately Jeanne Marie Palimpsest was able to document the accented version to 1313 using DMNES.
We direct Palimpsest to update the Standard Source Errata article with the information regarding accents in Colm Dubh's article. We additionally direct Codex and Clarion to place a warning on the source itself reminding users of this precedent.
Blazoned when registered in July 1980 as Ermine, in bend sinister a gryphon stooping Or, enflamed proper, and a laurel wreath palewise vert, we are clarifying the charge groups. The gryphon is the sole primary charge; the laurel wreath is a secondary charge. We are also taking this opportunity to update the blazon using current, standard defaults and terminology.
The submitter's prior name, Ţóra Róarsdóttir, is retained as an alternate.
the Shattered Crystal is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter had indicated that they would like a name that meant Meave, daughter of the sword. We were unable to document such a byname in Irish or Scots Gaelic as requested by the submitter. In addition, the given name Meave is Anglicized Irish, not Irish or Scots Gaelic. However, commenters and heralds at the Pelican meeting were able to find several alternatives in Early Modern English. The name Maeve Sword uses the attested English inherited byname Sword. The name Maeve Swordsdaughter uses a constructed byname meaning "daugher of a man named Sword". The name Meave of the Sword, uses an English locative derived from an inn sign with a sword on it. If they would prefer any of these names instead, they may submit a request for reconsideration.
Blazoned when registered in April 1987 as Sable, seme of roses argent, in pale a harp and a bat displayed Or, we are clarifying that the harp is a secondary, not primary, charge. We are also taking this opportunity to update the blazon using current, standard defaults and terminology.
This device was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to redraw the bow and arrow.
Blazoned when registered in April 2018 as (Fieldless) A boarspear head within and conjoined to a horseshoe Or, we are clarifying the charge groups. The horseshoe is the primary charge; the boarspear head is a secondary charge.
Blazoned when registered in April of 1981 as Vert, in fess a phoenix Or, issuant from flames proper, between two seax argent, we are clarifying that the phoenix is the sole primary charge and the orientation of the seaxes.
Blazoned when registered in January 2015 as Per chevron gules and vert, a clenched gauntlet sustaining a crescent Or, we are clarifying that the crescent and gauntlet are co-primary charges.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
Nice late 16th century English name!
Reblazoned in April 2011 as (Fieldless) In pale an eagle rising contourny wings displayed sustaining a harp Or, we are clarifying the charge groups. The harp is the primary charge, the eagle is a secondary charge.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
Blazoned when registered in September 2003 as (Fieldless) A natural sea-horse contourny vert within and conjoined to a horseshoe inverted purpure, we are clarifying the charge groups. The horseshoe is the primary charge; the sea-horse is a secondary charge.
Blazoned when registered in November 1999 as Gules, a horse's head couped between the points of a yak's horns argent, we are clarifying that the horse's head and yak's horns are co-primary charges, and that the horns are conjoined.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
Blazoned when registered in April 1980 as Azure, a brunette woman sejant erect guardant proper, winged argent, vested gules, fimbriated argent, holding an increscent moon argent, we are clarifying that the woman and the moon are co-primary charges.
Blazoned when registered in November 1982 as Per pale argent and vert, in fess enhanced an estoile Or between and maintained by the jaws of a griffin and a fox sejant respectant, a base counterchanged, we are clarifying the charge groups. The griffin and fox are primary charges; the estoile is a maintained charge. We are also taking this opportunity to update the blazon using current, standard defaults and terminology.
Blazoned when registered in January 1973 as Argent, a bendlet between in chief a dexter mailed fist from the sinister grasping a cross botonny fitchy and in base a lymphad sails furled and oars in action all gules, we are clarifying the relative sizes of the cross and fist. The cross is significantly larger than the fist holding it. We are also taking this opportunity to update the blazon using current, standard defaults and terminology.
Blazoned when registered in October 1987 as Argent, in fess a gore sable, charged with a compass star Or, and a griffin segreant to sinister sable, we are clarifying the charge groups. As a peripheral ordinary a gore cannot be part of a primary charge group, the griffin is the sole primary charge. We are also taking this opportunity to update the blazon using current, standard defaults and terminology.
Blazoned when registered in July 1974 as Argent, a Catherine wheel gules, surmounted by a pole-axe, between a pair of gauntlets sable, we are clarifying that the wheel and gauntlets are co-primary charges.
Reblazoned in March 2014 as Azure, a sea-lion between two endorses Or between in bend an escallop and a clenched gauntlet aversant argent charged on the cuff with a mullet gules, the term endorses was intended to indicate the narrow size of the pallets. However, the term endorses (like cotises) applies to secondary charges around a primary ordinary. These are simply pallets.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This device is returned for an incorrect depiction of skulls. In the submitted emblazon the field is visible through the eye sockets. This device was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to correct this issue, but as the submitter has not approved the provided redraw this must be returned.
(to Ćthelmearc acceptances) (to Ćthelmearc returns)
This badge is returned for conflict with the badge of the Barony of Bright Hills Sable, a decrescent, a base indented of three points argent. There is a single DC for changing the type of secondary charge.
This badge is returned per SENA A3D1 for blurring the distinction between charge groups. The parasol's handle issues from the ananas and has the visual weight of a secondary charge, but its canopy is obscured by the leaves, which would make the pineapple overall and the bamboo and parasol co-primary charges.
This badge is also returned per SENA A3F3 for being obtrusively modern. Commenters were in agreement that this design strongly evokes a modern "pineapple drink", such as the pińa colada, an impression that is only strengthened by appearing to have a cocktail umbrella.
This badge is returned per SENA A3F3 for being obtrusively modern. The overall design strongly resembles a modern martini garnished with an olive and cocktail sword.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
None.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
None.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
None.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
None.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
Submitted as Haraldr __ Vatnakr_, the byname is a constructed Old Norse placename meaning "water-field". However, as Old Norse does not do unmarked locative bynames, we would need to change this to Haraldr í Vatnakri for registration. Since the submitter does not allow any changes, we are, unfortunately, forced to return this name.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This device is returned for an incorrectly drawn per chevron division. A per chevron division should divide the field into two roughly equal sections; the division as submitted more closely resembles chapé, but can't be blazoned as that since chapé portions of the field can't be charged.
This device was pended on the February 2025 LoAR to redraw it with the field division balanced around the center of the field, but as the submitter has not approved the provided redraw this must be returned.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
This device is returned for lack of identifiability of the primary charge. The rays being similar in width to the bones combined with them sharing a tincture makes it difficult to recognize the hand as a hand.
The charge depicted is not the restricted hand of glory and thus would be registerable if it were identifiable.
This badge is returned for conflict with the device of Judith the Rose, Argent, a rose gules slipped and leaved proper. There is a DC for adding the bordure, but nothing for the difference between a rose and a hanakaku, and nothing for removing the slip and leaves.
This badge is also returned for conflict with the badge of Adelaide de Beaumont, Argent, a pimpernel gules, slipped and leaved, within a bordure vert. There is a single DC for changing the tincture of the bordure.
This badge is also returned for conflict with the device of Nikki Bergstadt, Argent, a rose azure bendwise, slipped and leaved vert, within a bordure gules. There is a single DC for changing the tincture of the flower.
This badge is also returned for conflict with the device of Roseline d'Anjou, Argent, a rose proper, a bordure gules semy-de-lys argent. There is a single DC for removing the tertiary charges.
If registered, this would have been the defining instance of a hanakaku in Society armory. A hanakaku is a four-petaled flower found in Japanese armory, stylized to be approximately a bendwise square in shape; as opposed to hanabashi, a similar flower that is lozenge-shaped.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
None.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
This device change has been withdrawn by the submitter.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
None.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
None.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Sifrid von Eichelborn, Azure semy of keys palewise, wards to sinister base argent, an oak slip, fructed of an acorn inverted, Or. There is a DC for adding the trimount, but nothing for the type of sprig, by precedent: "While there can be a DC between types of flowers, there is none for different types of sprigs" [Siobhán inghean Aodhagáin, 01/2019, R-Middle]. Though we grant difference for type of leaf on wreaths, this does not extend to sprigs, branches, or trees.
This badge is returned for conflict with the badge of Geraint ap Llewelyn, Azure, an oak sprig bendwise fructed Or. There are no DCs between the submitted badge and Geraint's badge. As noted on the July 2023 Cover Letter, "We will consider the orientation of an oak sprig to be optionally blazonable but not worth difference", so there is no DC for orientation of the sprig. Also by precedent, there is no DC between types of sprig: "While there can be a DC between types of flowers, there is none for different types of sprigs" [Siobhán inghean Aodhagáin, 01/2019, R-Middle]. Though we grant difference for type of leaf on wreaths, this does not extend to sprigs, branches, or trees.
This badge is also returned for conflict with the Kingdom of Atenveldt's badge for the College of Bards of Atenveldt, Azure, a leaved branch palewise argent. There is a DC for the change in tincture, but nothing for the difference between a sprig and a branch.
This badge is also returned for conflict with the badge of the Barony of Bjornsborg, (Fieldless) A sprig of alamosa palewise Or, slipped argent. There is a DC for adding a field, but nothing for the type of sprig.
This badge is also returned for conflict with the device of David the Ironlivered, Azure, a sprig of three poison oak leaves sable, veined and fimbriated argent. There is a DC for the change of tincture, but nothing for the type of sprig.
This badge is also returned for conflict with the badge of Sifrid von Eichelborn, Azure semy of keys palewise, wards to sinister base argent, an oak slip, fructed of an acorn inverted, Or. There is a DC for removing the keys, but nothing for the type of sprig.
This badge is also returned for presuming upon the arms of Della Rovere, Dukes of Urbino, Azure, an oak tree eradicated its four branches knotted in saltire Or. By precedent "[t]here is a DC between a sprig of leaves and a tree..." [Kade Tatter Skirt, 01/2020, A-Atlantia], but that is the only DC between these two pieces of armory.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
Submitted as House Tullius, this household name is not correctly formed. The name pattern House X is not a documented name pattern. We can, however, use the documented Roman name pattern Domus+ [Nomen in adjectival form].
The adjectival form of Tullius meaning "owned by or associated with Tullius" is Tullianus, and when combined with the singular feminine noun Domus, would give the name Domus Tulliana. However, as the submitter specified no changes, and this version of the household name is not contained in the short list of the submitter's preferences as provided in commentary, we are forced to return this household name.
Additionally, the question was raised in commentary as to whether this household name presumes upon the historical gens Tullia that is widely known in the modern world due to Marcus Tullius Cicero the renowned writer and politician who lived in the first century B.C. While Marcus Tullius Cicero is important enough to protect, if we were to protect the gens name Tullius due to a single bearer of that gens name, we would ultimately close off a significant part of household names in a manner that does not reflect period practice.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
None.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
None.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
This device is returned for the use of low contrast mullets on the pantheon. Precedent for yales, which similarly have blazoned markings not worth difference, allows them to have low contrast spots: "A yale may appear unspotted, but if it has spots they must have at least some contrast" [Jan Langhe ten Walde, 02/2020, R-Ćthelmearc]. However, yales are allowed to be unspotted, which means the spots are not a distinguishing feature. Mullets or estoiles are a distinguishing feature of pantheons, so must have good contrast for the charge to be identifiable.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
None.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
This name was pended on the December 2024 LoAR to discuss the name pattern and whether or not the name presumes on the Buddhist monk Sen no Riky{u-}.
This name is returned as it does not follow any documented naming patterns for Buddhist monks. The name elements as documented did not fit the attested pattern, namely that of [dougou] + [azana] + [imi'na] + [houmyou], and no method was found where we could incorporate all of the required elements.
We decline to rule on whether this name presumes upon the Buddhist monk Sen no Riky{u-} at this time
We thank Choi Min and Yamanouchi Eidou for their invaluable discussion on points of Japanese name formation.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This device is pended to redraw the charges as more clearly in cross. The emblazon on the Letter of Intent is closer to Vert, in pale a stag courant and three cups two and one Or, which would be in violation of SENA A3D2e, Unity of Arrangement.
This was item 16 on the East letter of February 26, 2025.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
This device is pended to redraw the balance to have a pointer on the beam as in the submitter's registered device.
This armory has four charge groups on the field. It doesn't match a pattern in SENA Appendix J and no documentation for the pattern was provided. However, the submitter's prior device also had four charge groups on the field. As the submitter has simply changed the type of secondary charge in chief, we are allowing this under the Existing Registration Allowance.
There is a step from core practice for the use of compass stars.
If the redraw is accepted, the submitter's prior device, Azure, a sword inverted proper surmounted by a hanging balance Or between in chief two compass stars argent, a chief embattled Or, is to be released.
This was item 2 on the Middle letter of February 28, 2025.
This device is pended to redraw the line of division so that it issues from the corner of the field.
This was item 4 on the Middle letter of February 28, 2025.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2025-06-29T17:12:57