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Neither France Ancient (Azure semy-de-lys Or) nor France Modern (Azure, three fleurs-de-lys Or) may be used in SCA heraldry, either as the field (or part thereof) or on a charge. To do so constitutes a claim to connection to French royalty, prohibited under Rule XI.1. [For full discussion, see under FLOWER -- Fleur-de-lys] (Raoul de Chenonceaux, July, 1992, pg. 23)
One of Master Da'ud's final rulings (LoAR of June 92) reversed a long-standing prohibition on the use of the field of Bavaria (Lozengy bendwise azure and argent): "[This precedent] appears to have been based on the use of the field by corporations in Bavaria `as a sign of the fact that they were in Bavaria'. It does not seem to me that this is sufficient grounds for a restriction on the use of this field." [DiA, June 92, p.4]
After reading all the documentation, I believe Master Da'ud's ruling was made in error. The original prohibition of the use of the Bavarian field (LoAR of 17 Jan 84, p.9) was not based on its use by Bavarian corporations. Rather, it was based on its use in corporate arms --- in other words, civic arms, the arms of city-states in Bavaria. Master Wilhelm, the Laurel at the time, made his ruling on the basis of research by Allyn O'Dubhda, then Nereid Herald:
"This field is used extensively in German civic heraldry, especially in those parts of Germany that are now or were under Bavarian influence. ...Furthermore, although it usually appears in modern civic arms as a plain chief or base, or as a quarter or half of a shield, it can also be charged, as in the arms of the `Landkreis' of Riedenburg: Bavaria charged with a harp Or and on a chief gules three roses argent, seeded Or. (Unter rotem Schildhaupt, darin nebeneinander drei silbern heraldishe Rosen mit goldenen Butzen, die mit einer goldenen Harfe belegten bayerischen Rauten.) ( Deutsche Wappen: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Band I, Die Landkrieswappen. Klemens Stadler, Angelsachsen-Verlag, Bremen, 1964)." [Nereid LOC, 5 Jan 84, p.2] This is confirmed by numerous examples in Siebmacher'sWappenbuch, 1605, which gives (among other things) the important civic arms in the Holy Roman Empire. The arms of Schrobenhausen, Schärding, Dillingen, Teckendorf (Deggendorf), Weiden, Schwandorf, and Burglengenfeld, all incorporate Bavaria as part of the field; in some cases the Bavarian portion is charged. (Two other civic arms, those of Nevenstat and Schongau, use Bavaria as an inescutcheon of pretense.)
Further examples are found in Neubecker & Rentzmann's 10 000 Wappen von Staaten und Städten, pp. 53-54. I must conclude that, in Germany, the field of Bavaria is used in very much the same way as the arms of France were used in France. I therefore restore the prohibition of Lozengy bendwise azure and argent in Society heraldry, as well as artistic variants such as Paly bendy azure and argent. I hope that, by doing this promptly, I have minimized any inconvenience to our submitters; to them, my apologies. (18 September, 1992 Cover Letter (August, 1992 LoAR), pp. 2-3)
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The use of azure semy-de-lys Or has been prohibited in Society armory for many years; it is too strongly suggestive of a claim to a French royal connection. The prohibition was reaffirmed on the LoAR of July 92, p.23. The bordure azure semy-de-lys Or has been specifically disallowed: "A bordure of France (ancient or modern) may not be used in SCA heraldry." [LoAR of 20 Oct 85] (Rhiannon Saint Chamberlayne, November, 1992, pg. 16)
The use of paly bendy azure and argent has been prohibited in Society armory since 1984; it is too strongly suggestive of a claim to a connection to the rulers of Bavaria. The prohibition was reaffirmed on the LoAR cover letter of 18 Sept 92, p.3. In this case, the problem is particularly acute: the bordure is drawn so wide that this might be blazoned more accurately as Bavaria with an inescutcheon per pale Or and gules, thereon a castle counterchanged. This makes the problem of presumption more obvious, but either way, the use of the Bavarian field is unacceptable. (Siegfried Rupert Stanislaus, November, 1992, pg. 17)
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[A whip nowed] The nowing of the whip renders it unidentifiable. This must be returned, per Rule VIII.3. (Eriu Morgana Nic Dhubhghlaise Crawford, October, 1992, pg. 29)
The Arabic ceremonial saddle (qubbah) is a highly stylized charge from Moslem heraldry, according to the article by Lord Clarion in The Islamic World (Complete Anachronist #51, p.63). (Salim ibn abd al-Rahman al-Rashid, March, 1993, pg. 17)
[Or semy of whips sable, a feather bendwise and on a chief gules, a pair of manacles Or] The majority of the commenters found the design offensive, with its overwhelming connotations of bondage and degradation (B&D). While each of the charges may, by itself, be acceptable -- scourges, for instance, were used as martyrs' symbols in period -- the overall effect is excessive. This must be returned, per Rule I.2.
Additionally, many found the semy of whips unidentifiable. Period armory used scourges, with several lashes, to increase recognition; as drawn here, the charges look more like the ends of shepherd's crooks. (Hans the Gentle, July, 1993, pg. 11)
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