Society for Creative Anachronism
College of Arms
For the September 2025 meetings, printed November 15, 2025
To all the College of Arms and all others who may read this missive, from Birgitta Laurel, Sara Pelican, and Iago Wreath, greetings.
Over the past few years, we have had several armory and names submissions that have had to be returned under SENA PN53B, NPN5B3, and A7B3 - Derogatory Stereotypes. In many of these cases, the name or armory in question has been submitted innocently, with the submitter unaware of the negative connotations involved, or only tangentially aware that there may be an issue in countries other than their own country of residence, or their own communities. As an international society, we must consider offense across the known world, rather than solely in an individual submitter's place of residence or community, and this should be borne in mind when submitting any sort of name or armory for registration.
Several submissions this month had incorrect Legal Name Attestations as part of their submission paperwork. The Administrative Handbook currently requires either a photocopy of the documentation confirming the legal name, where photocopies cannot easily be made, two heralds or one herald and one warranted officer (such a seneschal, for example) may attest that they have seen the identification. Such attestation must include the following: the type of identification, the complete name exactly as it appears on the identification (for example noting that the name is rendered completely in capital letters), and the names and titles of those witnesses who have seen the identification (herald/pursuivant at large is a title).
This can, obviously, lead into issues as regards safekeeping and preservation of personal identifying information (PII). Therefore, we are asking Palimpsest to open a Rules Letter to modify AH IV.C.2 with updated wording that is consistent with current practice and requires minimal PII.
There has been discussion recently about the correct depiction of the arms of the Kingdom of Atenveldt. The emblazon in the College of Arms archives shows a plain sun, while the blazon has the sun in his splendour. It has long been a tenet of the College of Arms that what we register is the emblazon, and that the blazon is simply a way to describe the registered armory. Based on this principle, emblazons found in the College archive are the official record of all registered armory. However, in the very earliest days of the College this principle was not quite so strictly adhered to, with changes made to the submitted armory noted in the margin, or, as in the case of the arms of Atenveldt, reflected in the blazon itself with no other notes or comments. The face on the Aten sun appears and disappears through many early registrations, transfers, and changes of branch status from Principality to Kingdom. Because of this confusion, we are confirming that the way Atenveldt has been depicting their arms for over 50 years, with a sun in his splendour, will be considered by the College of Arms to be the official armory of that Kingdom, despite the emblazon in the archive.
Atenveldt may submit a replacement emblazon, showing their armory as they would prefer it to be rendered, to avoid this sort of issue in the future, but it is not required. See the July 2019 Cover Letter item titled "From Wreath: Changes to Official Emblazons".
A submission this month caused us to consider affronty postures for birds. Aside from displayed and the rare examples of striking affronty, there does not appear to be strong evidence for birds in affronty postures in period armory. We will be opening a letter of Pends and Discussion to examine what evidence exists and discuss how these postures should be treated going forward.
The June 4th Rules Letter proposed adding a new section to SENA A3D1. With some modifications and the addition of examples, that proposal is accepted. This section, A3D1c, disallows the registration of a two-part field division with a roughly parallel peripheral ordinary unless there is a charge overlying the line of division, if the two lines have different styles that don't appear to be part of the same central ordinary, or as part of an Individually Attested Pattern. The revised wording will be available at https://heraldry.sca.org/sena.html#A3D1c within a few days.
In line with the changes proposed on Palimpsest's June 6th Rules Letter, SENA Appendix G, Some Specific Elements that are a Step from Core Practice, is revised. Sections G1, Charges, and G2, Motifs, are combined. The entries have been rearranged and references added. The revised appendix will be available at https://heraldry.sca.org/sena.html#AppendixG within a few days.
As proposed on the June 30th Rules Letter, various sections of SENA are revised to clarify that multiply divided means more than one division. That is, Barry argent and gules is multiply divided while Per fess argent and gules is not. The affected sections are:
SENA A3B4b, Identifiability - explains multiply divided and adds examples,
SENA A5F1a, Total Addition or Removal of Division - clarifies that all furs are considered plain tinctures for purposes of this rule, and
SENA A3B3b, Total Addition or Removal of Division - changes multiply divided to further divided
The revised wording will be available at https://heraldry.sca.org/sena.html within the next few days.
As proposed on the June 30th Rules Letter, section f - Armorial Balance is added to SENA A3D2. The wording will be available at https://heraldry.sca.org/sena.html#A3D2f within a few days.
Since the wording for this rule has changed significantly since it was introduced on the May 2025 Cover Letter, we are extending the implementation date noted on the letter; these guidelines will apply to all armory appearing on Letters of Intent dated after February 1, 2026.
On September 13, 2025, Wu Yun, on leave as Clarion Herald (Laurel staff herald for education), was crowned Queen of Northshield.
On October 11, 2025, Donovan Shinnock, previously Golden Rapier Herald (East Kingdom regional), was crowned King of the East.
Also on October 11, the Drachenwald Crown Tourney was won by Tuomas Tharo fighting for Gilbert Blakthorn, Aurochs Herald (Drachenwald emergency deputy Principal Herald).
Also on October 11, at East Kingdom Coronation, Anézka Liska z Kolína, previously Blue Tyger Herald (East Kingdom submissions) and Pantheon Herald (East Kingdom submissions deputy), and currently Eastern Crown Herald (East Kingdom royal courts), was inducted into the Order of the Maunche, the East's Grant-level Arts & Sciences award, in part for her heraldic research.
On October 18, 2025, at the Royal Retreat of Art and Valour, Isabella de Bordeaux, Crux Australis Principal Herald, with the blessing of Kings Ariston and Jochen of Lochac, created Ollivier Le Floch, Ragged Staff Herald, a Herald Extraordinary. At the same event, Their Majesties granted him membership of the Order of the Silver Pegasus, Lochac's grant-level service award.
On November 1, 2025, at Tir Righ Coronet Tournament in the Barony of Lion's Gate, Their Majesties Octamasades and Achaxe of An Tir elevated Malyss Makneile, Lions Blood Herald (An Tir submissions), to the Order of the Laurel.
On November 8, 2025, at Kingdom University, Harald and Beatrix, King and Queen of Drachenwald, elevated Mikael Rantzow, Dragons Steel Pursuivant, to the Order of Defence.
Also on November 8, 2025, at Kingdom University, the Crown of Drachenwald created Memorantia van de Linde, Schwarzdrachen Principal Herald, a Companion of Ordo Hirundinis, the Drachenwald Grant-level service order, the first one to get this distinction as a Companion of the Pelican.
Also on November 8, 2025, at Kingdom University, Harald Krake, King of Drachenwald, created Dubhghall MacÉbhearáird, Koira Herald Extraordinary, a Companion of Albion. The Order of the Companions of Albion is a major non-armigerous order bestowed by the Sovereign no more than once per reign for 'untiring service, courtesy and devotion to the needs of others'.
Still on November 8, 2025, at Kingdom University, the Crown of Drachenwald created Irene nyn Doole, child of Memorantia and Dubhghall, a Companion des Lindquistringes for heraldic work; they are one of the very few to become a member of the Drachenwald Award-level service order before attaining the age of majority.
Please send information about happenings to major heralds and major happenings to all heralds to Laurel, so that it can be published here.
Letters of Intent, Comment, Response, Correction, et cetera are to be posted to the OSCAR online system. No paper copies need be sent. All submission forms plus documentation, including petitions, must be uploaded to the OSCAR packet for that letter. For armory, only colored forms are required.
Cheques or money orders for submissions, payable to "SCA Inc.-College of Arms" are to be sent to Trent Le Clair, 928 Frazier Dr, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Send roster changes and corrections to Laurel. College of Arms members may also request a copy of the current roster from Laurel.
To subscribe to the mailings of the LoAR, please see the bottom of https://heraldry.sca.org/heraldry/lists.html#lists for more instructions.
For all administrative matters, please contact Laurel.
Items listed below in square brackets have not been scheduled yet. For information about future scheduling, please review the status table located on the Web at https://oscar.sca.org/index.php?action=137.
The September Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, September 7, 2025 and the Wreath meeting held on Saturday, September 6, 2025. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Gleann Abhann (31 May, 2025) (pushed due to packet issues), Trimaris (02 Jun, 2025), Caid (03 Jun, 2025), Calontir (04 Jun, 2025), Laurel LoPaD (04 Jun, 2025), Palimpsest Rules Letter (04 Jun, 2025), Palimpsest Rules Letter (06 Jun, 2025), An Tir (07 Jun, 2025), Meridies (10 Jun, 2025), An Tir (19 Jun, 2025), Avacal (22 Jun, 2025), Ealdormere (24 Jun, 2025), East (27 Jun, 2025), Artemisia (28 Jun, 2025), Atenveldt (29 Jun, 2025), Lochac (29 Jun, 2025), Ansteorra (30 Jun, 2025), Drachenwald (30 Jun, 2025), Middle (30 Jun, 2025), Palimpsest Rules Letter (30 Jun, 2025). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Sunday, August 31, 2025.
The October Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, October 12, 2025 and the Wreath meeting held on Saturday, October 18, 2025. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Palimpsest Rules Letter (02 Jul, 2025), Gleann Abhann (05 Jul, 2025), Caid (07 Jul, 2025), Calontir (07 Jul, 2025), Atlantia (09 Jul, 2025), Meridies (12 Jul, 2025), An Tir (14 Jul, 2025), East (24 Jul, 2025), Lochac (28 Jul, 2025), Middle (28 Jul, 2025), Drachenwald (29 Jul, 2025), Ealdormere (29 Jul, 2025), West (29 Jul, 2025), Artemisia (30 Jul, 2025), Atenveldt (30 Jul, 2025), Avacal (30 Jul, 2025), Caid (30 Jul, 2025), Ansteorra (31 Jul, 2025), Outlands (31 Jul, 2025), Meridies (01 Aug, 2025), Laurel LoPfR (18 Aug, 2025). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The November Laurel decisions will be made at the Pelican meeting held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, November 23, 2025. These meetings will consider the following letters of intent: Trimaris (04 Aug, 2025), Calontir (05 Aug, 2025), Atlantia (06 Aug, 2025), Gleann Abhann (11 Aug, 2025), Palimpsest Rules Letter (18 Aug, 2025), East (26 Aug, 2025), Drachenwald (28 Aug, 2025), An Tir (29 Aug, 2025), Outlands (30 Aug, 2025), An Tir (31 Aug, 2025), Ansteorra (31 Aug, 2025), Artemisia (31 Aug, 2025), Atenveldt (31 Aug, 2025), Avacal (31 Aug, 2025), Ealdormere (31 Aug, 2025), Lochac (31 Aug, 2025), Middle (31 Aug, 2025), Laurel LoPfR (19 Sep, 2025), Laurel LoPfR (13 Oct, 2025). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Friday, October 31, 2025.
Not all letters of intent may be considered when they are originally scheduled on this cover letter. The date of posting of the LoI, date of receipt of the Laurel packet, or other factors may delay consideration of certain letters of intent. Additionally, some letters of intent received may not have been scheduled because the administrative requirements (receipt of the forms packet, receipt of the necessary fees, et cetera) have not yet been met.
REMINDER: Until all administrative requirements are met, the letter may not be scheduled.
Be assured that I remain
In service
Birgitta Lulli
Laurel Queen of Arms
Created at 2025-11-15T10:31:57