A NATURELLE

[Semy of stars a naturelle.l Creative heraldry: "A NATURELLE" [sic] means simply that the stars are not mullets nor estoiles, but are drawn in varying ways, as real stars look. (IoL, 31 Jan 74 [74], p. 1) [This is a misnomer. The French idiom au naturel uses the definite article, and is masculine in gender. In French blazon, it means proper.]

ABATEMENT

The Lord Seraphim is requested to do research on abatements of honour, or rebatements; that is, additions to be made to a knight's arms to show diminution of honour, short of striking them altogether: in other words, how to put a blot on an escutcheon. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 4)

Lord Seraphim has done his research on abatements of honour, and we will file it against need. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 8)

In the fanciful system of "rebatements" evolved by decadent heralds later than our period, a gore was a rebatement for cowardice. However, in this system, the rebatements were always of the stains, particularly tenne. Neither stains nor abatements have so far been allowed to intrude upon the purity of Society heraldry, so the gore sinister in this case is simply another pretty kind of partition or the field. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 3) [The gore is a charge, not a partition of the field.]

ABBREVIATION

His Majesty has an idea: he wants people with Awards and Grants of Arms [to] be able to put initials indicating as much after their names, and commands us to devise some. We suggest either A.A. and G.A., or preferably Arm. A. and Arm. G. [Irreverent footnote: Actually, we prefer neither one and think it's a terrible idea, but we will announce these and that should satisfy him. It isn't as if anyone is going to use them.] (KFW, 15 Jul 73 [42], p. 3)

ACHIEVEMENT

By the rules of the College and the Society no one is entitled to use anything above his (or her) arms until he has earned the privilege by doing something deemed meritorious by the Society or the Crown. (JvG, Summer 1970 [6], p. 12)

We do not, at the present time, use crests, mottoes, or supporters on the scrolls or in the Great Book of Arms. (JvG, Summer 1970 [6], p. 14)

AESCULAPIUS

N. wants something which is rather too much like Aesculapi[u]s. We'll write her a letter. Perhaps she could have a sword twined with enchanter's nightshade? (KFW, 13 Aug 72 [32], p. 3) [The Rod of Aesculapius (the Latin name of Asklepios, Greek god of medicine) has a serpent entwined about it. It is a symbol of the medical profession, and as such is a reserved charge.]

ALCHEMICAL SIGN

I disapprove of introducing hieroglyphics, alchemists' signs, and talismanic figures into heraldry. I think it would be fun to develo[p] canting arms based on hieroglyphics -- provided the [charges] were arranged harmoniously and drawn heraldically ... But to lift symbolic objects straight out of Egypt, drawing style and all, is going too far. (KFW, 31 Jan 72 [23], pp. 1-2)

The "prohibition on devices magickal" is on: symbols of evil intent, letters in any alphabet (on devices), alchemical and astrological signs. Thus, a Thor's Hammer is quite proper, but an inverted pentangle is not. (IoL, 1 Sep 73 [70], p. 4)

ANNULO

Eight things in annulo are at the cardinal points of the compass. (KFW, 11 Mar 73 [39], p. 2)

APPEAL

Rejected devices may be appealed to the Laurel King of Arms by any member of the Imperial College. This must be done within 60 days of the initial rejection, however, and good, solid documentation had better be forthcoming! (IoL, 30 Apr 73 [64], p. 2)

ARMED

Remember that a bird is never "armed," even if it is a bird of prey; if its beak is of a different tincture from its body it is "beaked" of that tincture; if its legs, including the feet and claws, are of a different tincture, it is "membered" of that tincture. (HB, 26 Jun 72 [54], p. 2)

ARMS

All person[s] of Knight or Equivalent rank, or superior rank, are requested to confer with the Herald and his advisors on the matter of registering arms. These will be Society arms, and should not be the same as your real arms for the same reasons you do not fight under your real arms or your real name. (JvG, May 1968 [1], p. 4)

His lady, if she wishes, may bear his arms on her left breast in the shape of a losenge -- a diamond-shaped patch. But it would be more proper for her to bear his crest -- which is a completely different thing. (RoH, late 1968 [2], p. 12)

Lord Clarion stated that N. has labored diligently these eighteen months, and deserves reward. It has been policy not to give arms to anyone under the age of sixteen (Her present Majesty notwithstanding), and N. is not yet eleven, but we shall still recommend he be given arms, and any mother requesting the same for her child shall be advised to put it to work to earn its arms. (HB, 14 May 70 [5], p. 3) [Queen Astrid was then 15. KFW]

The original purpose of arms was to distinguish warriors on the field and in the lists. This same purpose is the main point to consider in choosing arms. For this reason, the College uses as a model Englis[h] heraldry of the period 1300 to 1450. (JvG, Summer 1970 [6], p. 8)

A baron who has organized a barony should have arms. The King may also give arms to other baronial officers, but this is not automatic. Neither is the other. Anyone feeling he has earned arms should petition for same via the local herald. (HB, 18 Oct 70 [7], p. 5)

We would do well to make a policy statement about badges: that they are displayed neither on shields nor on lozenges, but on roundels. And that a wife or daughter wears her lord's arms on a lozenge, but any other household lady wears them on a roundel, as a badge. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 3) [Oh, really?]

Someone has appeared on the field bearing another's arms. This is being dealt with. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 6)

N. wishes to alter his arms to [blazon]. Since apparently he has not been awarded any scroll of arms, we have no objection. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 7)

She wanted the Masonic symbols on her arms in memory of her father, who was an umpteenth degree Mason, but she still can't; she also couldn't use her father's own arms, assuming he had them. (KFW, 16 Jul 72 [31], p. 1)

see also DEVICE

ARRONDI

[Gyronny of three arrondi, gules, Or, and purpure.] Alternative blazons for this pinwheel-like field division are "Tierced in gyrons arrondi" and "Tierced in gyron gyronnant." We believe the first one given is the clearest and most descriptive, for someone who has acquired the basic heraldic vocabulary. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 5)

ARROW

Since long, narrow objects usually found upright are by convention emblazoned in that position unless otherwise specified in the blazon, and by convention with the business end (point of a sword, for instance) up, it is unnecessary to say "a mace erect." An exception to this rule is the arrow, which is usually shown with the head down. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 2)

By heraldic convention an arrow or arrowhead, unlike most other pointed weapons, is conventionally shown point down; i.e. as if falling to its target. (HB, 14 Dec 71 [48], p. 2)

An arrow, or an arrowhead's, default position is point down. (IoL, 1 Sep 73 [70], p. 5)

ARTISTIC LICENSE

The [charge] is couped along an arc, which the authorities appear to subsume under ordinary couping. Let the heraldic artist follow what is required on the emblazon. (KFW, 9 Apr 72 [27], p. 1)

Any artist worth his flake white will fimbriate the [gold charge where it passes] over the argent. (KFW, 13 Aug 72 [32], p. 1) [This "fimbriation" appears to have been simple artistic delineation. It was not included in either the submitted or the final blazon.]

How he draws the charge is of no concern to Us. It's not a thunderbird anyway ... at least, that's what the Heard Museum says, and they should know. (IoL, 1 Nov 73 [72], p. 1)

ASTROLOGICAL SIGN

With the exception of the cross, religious, magical and astrological symbols were never used during the period we have taken as our model. [During the Middle Ages, of course, ladies and gentlemen of the Jewish persuasion (Thank you, Moses Mendelsohn) were never given arms; for that reason the Seal of Solomon or the Star of David may be used in Society arms as a charge -- Randall of Hightower.] (JvG, Summer 1970 [6], pp. 9-10)

The "prohibition on devices magickal" is on: symbols of evil intent, letters in any alphabet (on devices), alchemical and astrological signs. Thus, a Thor's Hammer is quite proper, but an inverted pentangle is not. (IoL, 1 Sep 73 [70], p. 4)

AUGMENTATION

Resembles an ensign of Hungary with an augmentation of honour. (HB, 1 Jan 71 [10], p. 1) [The submission was rejected.]

Then came a petition from Stefan de Lorraine, Seneschal of the Kingdom of the West, saying that Headless House had done many good services to the Kingdom, and that he, the Lord Laurel, and the Crown Prince wished to give them an award, perhaps crediting the throne of the Kingdom of the West with a household badge to be awarded to deserving groups: perhaps a green crown on a gold field or the reverse. Lady Karina suggested that he give them a charter to call themselves the Royal Headless House [irreverent footnote: and not to pay fees if it does register them], but on the suggestion of the Lord Laurel, the Lord Clarion approved that an augmentation of their banner and badge be given, perhaps a canton of the arms of the Kingdom to be given in combination with a scroll of appreciation. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 8)

What N. desired was nothing more nor less than an addition to his former arms [blazon] of a double tressure axy-counteraxy, the inner sable, the outer gules ... Now, N. is highly interested in things Scottish, and it is easy to see whence he got this tressure. For a double tressure fleury-counterfleury was part of the Royal Arms of Scotland and was occasionally given to earls or higher, by the King, for an augmentation of honour. We have no augmentations as yet except the canton of the royal arms counterchanged which was given to Headless House. And in any case, how can he give himself an augmentation? We could try to convince the Baron to give him an augmentation, but imprimis he isn't ready for it and secundus it is not our business to convince the baron to do anything ... The other alternative is to reserve tressures, either altogether or as possible augmentations in the future. Therefore we referred the entire matter to the Imperial College of Arms. (KFW, 11 Jul 71 [19], p. 3) [Who reserved tressures altogether. KFW]

It is common in Europe to put suggestions of the royal arms on the arms of noblemen, especially those in service to the crown ... but unlike our counterparts in the original Middle Ages, we are interested in showing not relationships but individualities. (KFW, 11 Jul 71 [19], p. 4)

Bordures, chiefs, and augmentations are exempt from the laws of tincture. (KFW, 12 Mar 72 [26], p. 2) [Current SCA policy is that bordures and chiefs are subject to the rule of tincture.]

BADGE

The emblem of a bear statant was registered to Sir Caradoc ap Cador ... The emblem of a grape-leaf and tendril was registered to Sir Bela of Eastmarch. (HB, 1 Jan 71 [10], p. 2) [Both badges were registered without field or tincture.]

The rule as it now stands is that a person may register a badge, which may then be worn by his household; but the household itself may not register a badge lest the household disintegrate and the proper use of the badge be in doubt. (HB, 7 Feb 71 [12], p. 2)

Personal badges to appear on a ROUNDEL. (HB, 7 Feb 71 [13], p. 2)

We would do well to make a policy statement about badges: that they are displayed neither on shields nor on lozenges, but on roundels. And that a wife or daughter wears her lord's arms on a lozenge, but any other household lady wears them on a roundel, as a badge. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 3) [Oh, really?]

[Sable, a snowflake argent.] This is non-heraldic, which is what she wanted ... we approve it as a non-heraldic badge. (KFW, 13 Feb 72 [24], p. 1)

Badges don't need to conform to the rule of tincture. (KFW, 9 Apr 72 [27], p. 2) [Current SCA policy is that badges must obey the rule of tincture.]

It [the badge] consisted of the Chinese characters for [translation], and the Lady Sequoia flatly disapproved it. Hal von Ravn has a badge with the letters MX, but Lady Sequoia can read it, and she cannot read Chinese characters. A badge, it was noted, serves to mark retainers or other properties. The Lord Banner noted that he would approve it for a Chinese or Japanese house or persona. (KFW, 11 Jun 72 [30], p. 2)

BADGE registered to himself (he may not register it to the name of his household, because names of households are NOT the concern of the College of Arms and are not to be registered, at least at this time). (HB, 26 Jun 72 [54], p. 1)

He is worried about badges. We must tell him they aren't heraldic. We don't require fields on badges; we just don't forbid them. Consider the badges of Ravnsgaard (MX) and Eastmarch (a vine leaf and tendril), neither of which have tinctures specified, let alone fields. (KFW, 13 Aug 72 [32], pp. 3-4)

see also DEVICE

BARREL

The conventional position of a cask, unless otherwise specified, is fesswise, i.e. on its side. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [16], p. 2)

Barrels are hooped, not banded. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 1)

BARRULY

It is felt that the field barruly (which the S.P. [Seraphim Pursuivant] describes as "barruletty") is too complicated. Could the number of barrulets be reduced somewhat? (BdM, 3 Jan 71 [11], p. 1)

BARRY

Barry is conventionally of six, as are paly, bendy, and the like, unless otherwise specified in the blazon. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 4)

BASE

A base is the lower third or fourth of the shield with a straight division. (KFW, 14 May 72 [29], p. 2)

BASS CORNETTO

A serpent, or bass cornetto, is post-1485 but so are many charges that have been passed. (KFW, 9 Apr 72 [28], p. 1)

[A Serpent (bass cornetto) azure pierced sable.] The Serpent here referred to, and for that reason capitalized (as opposed to a simple "serpent," snake), is the musical instrument. When the blazon is recited orally the alternative "bass cornetto" may be preferred, unless some clever herald comes up with a way of indicating majuscules in his voice. "Pierced" here, of course, refers to the finger-holes running up the side of the instrument. (HB, 26 Jun 72 [54], p. 2)

BASTARDY

[A border of bastardy, compony argent and gules.] If N. wishes to call himself a bastard, we shall not dispute it. (HB, 2 Dec 70 [9], p. 1)

BAT

Bats are usually shown displayed, so one specifies which wing is closed, rather than which is open. (KFW, 13 Aug 72 [32], p. 2)

BEAKED

Remember that a bird is never "armed," even if it is a bird of prey; if its beak is of a different tincture from its body it is "beaked" of that tincture; if its legs, including the feet and claws, are of a different tincture, it is "membered" of that tincture. (HB, 26 Jun 72 [54], p. 2)

BEAR

[Brown bears proper.] We must have the Latin name of Bears that are only coloured brown. (IoL, 31 Jan 73 [60], p. 1)

We have a precedent for the usage of the "Brown Bear proper" in SCA heraldry already. (IoL, 30 Apr 73 [64], p. 2) [I.e., genus and species were not required.]

BENDY

Barry is conventionally of six, as are paly, bendy, and the like, unless otherwise specified in the blazon. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 4)

BILLET

[Vert, three billets argent winged Or.] The billets are palewise and 2+1 by default. Billets fesswise were suggested, but it transpires that fesswise they are not billets but humets, which would destroy the canting arms. (KFW, 13 Feb 72 [24], p. 1)

BIRD

Remember that a bird is never "armed," even if it is a bird of prey; if its beak is of a different tincture from its body it is "beaked" of that tincture; if its legs, including the feet and claws, are of a different tincture, it is "membered" of that tincture. (HB, 26 Jun 72 [54], p. 2)

see also MIGRANT

BLAZON

Note that a charge is put in operating position unless otherwise specified. (HB, 7 Feb 71 [12], p. 7)

The estoiles are of eight points, but we'll leave that out of the blazon because you pre-empt more if you say less. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 1)

Note that as part of the rule of showing objects in the position in which they are used, weapons are shown point in chief, unless otherwise specified, as "inverted." (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 1)

The Ensign is the naval flag, unless otherwise specified. To say "Naval ensign" is as much a tautology as to say "chain mail," and is as much to be avoided. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 2) [What about scale mail? KFW]

The Imperial College of Arms has dropped the former distinction it used to make between "counterchanged," "countercharged," and "countercolored," as being unnecessary hair-splitting. It now uses the single term "counterchanged" in all cases, relying upon the structure of the remainder of the blazon to assure clarity. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 3) [According to Franklyn and Tanner, the term countercharged is an error.]

[Per pale Or and sable, counterchanged by a chevron inverted gules.] This could be said more clumsily as: Per pale and chevron inverted Or and sable, a chevron inverted gules. We prefer the simplicity of the first blazon, from which we can extrapolate the general case of a field party counterchanged by an ordinary or subordinary running in a direction different from that of the original line of partition of a field. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], pp. 4-5)

[Gyronny of three arrondi, gules, Or, and purpure.] Alternative blazons for this pinwheel-like field division are "Tierced in gyrons arrondi" and "Tierced in gyron gyronnant." We believe the first one given is the clearest and most descriptive, for someone who has acquired the basic heraldic vocabulary. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 5)

[Three copihues pendent in pale and in chappe] Upon the advice of Master Ioseph the Rhymer, Lord Aten Herald, this blazon was substituted for the proposed "... pendent as in a fan." The Lord Laurel finds it equally clear and more in keeping with traditional heraldic phrasing. (HB, 14 Dec 71 [48], p. 1) [The usage is questionable. Chape is an adjective describing a treatment of the field, not a noun referring to a location. One can no more say in chape than in ermined.]

[An eagle perched on a rod.] We don't need to say the rod is fesswise. No eagle in his right mind would perch on anything in any other positions. (KFW, 16 Jan 72 [22], p. 4)

Society custom is to avoid phrases like "of the first," "of the second," "of the field," "of the last," which make the reader or hearer think back and figure out what came where. We prefer to repeat the name of the tincture where necessary. (KFW, 14 Feb 72 [25], p. 1)

We probably don't need to spell it out for all you intelligent heralds, but the College of Arms has always made it a policy to err on the side of redundancy, rather than insufficiency, of information. (HB, 26 Jun 72 [54], p. 3)

BOAR

A boar has two tusks and a wart hog four tusks going up and down. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 2)

BORDURE

[A border of bastardy, compony argent and gules.l If N. wishes to call himself a bastard, we shall not dispute it. (HB, 2 Dec 70 [9], p. 1)

Bordures, chiefs, and augmentations are exempt from the laws of tincture. (KFW, 12 Mar 72 [26], p. 2) [Current SCA policy is that bordures and chiefs are subject to the rule of tincture.]

BOREAS

[Boreas affronty.l This is the conventionalized rendering of the Wind, as found on maps and such. (IoL, 30 Apr 73 [64], p. 1)

BROWNIE POINTS

Rated a BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE and awarded ten Brownie points. (HB, 1 Jan 71 [10], p. 2) [The awarding of hypothetical brownie points was a common way of applauding a submission. Particularly bad examples were sometimes assigned negative numbers of brownie points.]

Two brownie points for ingenuity. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 2)

Snide comment: the device is potentially very simple and beautiful. It's putting the purple and the black right next to each other that caused us to subtract brownie points instead of adding them. (HB, 26 Jun 72 [54], p. 2)

BUSINESS END

Note that a charge is put in operating position unless otherwise specified. (HB, 7 Feb 71 [12], p. 7)

Note that as part of the rule of showing objects in the position in which they are used, weapons are shown point in chief, unless otherwise specified, as "inverted." (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 1)

[Kraken inverted.] By "inverted" does he mean tentacles in chief or in base? The tentacles, being the business end of the kraken, would in normal position be in chief, and a kraken inverted would be tentacles in base. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 7)

A "swepe" is a trebuchet. By convention, objects are drawn with their "business end" to dexter; thus, the swepe is seen from the side as if aiming a missile at a target offstage dexter. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 1)

Since long, narrow objects usually found upright are by convention emblazoned in that position unless otherwise specified in the blazon, and by convention with the business end (point of a sword, for instance) up, it is unnecessary to say "a mace erect." An exception to this rule is the arrow, which is usually shown with the head down. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 2)

BUSY

see COMPLEXITY

BUTTERFLY

The default position for a butterfly is seen with the body palewise, wings spread out flat to either side, fully extended. This is sometimes called "volant en arriere." (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 5)

CADENCY

Parents may register arms for their children, but it is understood that when the child reaches the age when he can decide for himself he may change them. No child will inherit arms or titles from his parents; he must earn them. Children, like other belongings, are easily identified if they wear their parents' arms. In the case of children, as distinguished from campstools and t[o]urney chests, marks of cadenc[y] can be used. (JvG, Summer 1970 [6], p. 10)

The Society doesn't use Scottish cadency, only English, and seldom at that. (KFW, 12 Mar 72 [26], p. 2)

The label is because he hopes to get his father into the Society. (KFW, 13 Aug 72 [32], p. 1)

The octofoil is theoretically the cadency mark for the eighth son, but there are no examples. (KFW, 12 Nov 72 [35], p. 1)

CALAMUS

According to our sources, "pen" means only a quill-pen, not a reed-pen (calamus). (HB, 14 Dec 71 [48], p. 2)

CAMELLIA

Please note the difference between a red camellia proper, which is drawn realistically, and a camellia gules, which is stylized. (IoL, 30 Jun 75 [81], p. 3)

CAMEO

[Double cameo bust.] 1) we are not sure that cameos are in period. 2) we feel that the cameo would be difficult to distinguish from a distance. Use a single head, please ... or prove that cameos are in period. (IoL, 31 Jan 73 [60], p. 2) [The submission was later approved.]

CANTING

A dondril was not known to Medieval Europe, but we have too few canting arms. (HB, 14 May 70 [5], p. 4)

[Vert, three billets argent winged Or.] The billets are palewise and 2+1 by default. Billets fesswise were suggested, but it transpires that fesswise they are not billets but humets, which would destroy the canting arms. (KFW, 13 Feb 72 [24], p. 1)

Seraphim wanted a draconopterygian leonine gargoyle, but even for the pun we can't call that a gargoyle. Gargoyle is from gurgle, they're glorified rainspouts that let the runoff out through their mouths and keep it off the eavesdrip, and the critters on Notre Dame aren't gargoyles, they're grotesques. (KFW, 16 Jul 72 [31], p. 4) [The pun was an attempted cant on the given name Garryl.]

CAP OF MAINTENANCE

It was decided to reserve the use of the cap of maintenance to the corporate arms of the Board of Directors and other Society and Kingdom bodies (the various Colleges and Offices, &c.). (HB, 1 Jan 71 [10], p. 1)

Regarding caps of maintenance, the Board has nothing to say as regards making and wearing them. Heraldically, on the other hand, they are reserved. (HB, 7 Mar 71 [14], p. 7)

It has been suggested that caps of maintenance replace helms on arms in the Great Book of Arms for great lords of state and members of the Board of Directors. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 3)

CASK

The conventional position of a cask, unless otherwise specified, is fesswise, i.e. on its side. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [16], p. 2)

Barrels are hooped, not banded. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 1)

CAT

The term s'elona[e]ant denotes a Cat in the act of stretching, while standing on its feet, as opposed to their habit of stretching while lying on their back good work! (IoL, 30 Jun 73 [67], p. 1)

We must have the specific breed of Siamese Cat, that is, is it seal point, blue point, or what? (IoL, 30 Jun 73 [68], p. 1)

CHANGE OF DEVICE

N. wishes to change her device to [blazon]. We shall approve it, and note that her old device is back in public domain. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 2) [In this case, public domain is being used to indicate that the old coat is now vacant (i.e., the design is up for grabs).]

N. wishes to alter his arms to [blazon]. Since apparently he has not been awarded any scroll of arms, we have no objection. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 7)

CHAPE

[Three copihues pendent in pale and in chappe.] Upon the advice of Master Ioseph the Rhymer, Lord Aten Herald, this blazon was substituted for the proposed "... pendent as in a fan." The Lord Laurel finds it equally clear and more in keeping with traditional heraldic phrasing. (HB, 14 Dec 71 [48], p. 1) [The usage is questionable. Chapé is an adjective describing a treatment of the field, not a noun referring to a location. One can no more say in chape than in ermined.]

CHAPLET

Queens in the Society use Wreaths of Roses. Princesses use Chaplets. (IoL, 30 Jun 73 [67], p. 4)

Chapl[e]ts are reserved for the Arms of Princesses. (IoL, 1 Sep 73 [71], p. 2)

CHECKY

Checky per saltire has right angles, whereas lozengy lozenges are like two equilateral triangles base to base. (KFW, 15 Jul 73 [42], p. 1)

CHESS KNIGHT

A chess knight, of course, by heraldic convention has two heads set back-to-back on an ornamental base. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 3)

CHEST

Though we know exactly what you mean by "treasure chest," it is not a heraldic term; "chest" or "coffer" would be better. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 6)

CHIEF

Bordures, chiefs, and augmentations are exempt from the laws of tincture. (KFW, 12 Mar 72 [26], p. 2) [Current SCA policy is that bordures and chiefs are subject to the rule of tincture.]

CHRYSANTHEMUM

N. can't have [an] Imperial Japanese chrysanthemum, not even with 15 petals instead of whatever number they usually have (16?). (HB, 18 Oct 70 [7], p. 1)

CLARICORD

see CLARION

CLARION

The clarion as defined by the Imperial College is that curious shape sometimes otherwise known as claricord, sufflue, organ-rest, &c, and having nothing to do with a "clarion-trumpet," a kind of brass wind-instrument resembling a trombone. (HB, 14 Dec 71 [48], p. 1)

CLAYBEG

see CLAYMORE

CLAYMORE

A Claymore is the two-handed greatsword with drooping quill[o]ns terminated in three or four rings. This term was used until the advent of the Claybeg (what this person terms a claymore) in the 17th Century. The claybeg is more properly called the Scots version of the Venetian Schiavona. (See Stone's Glossary.) If this person is going to go Scots, maybe a little more research is in order. We suggest that the Claybeg be replaced with a weapon more in period with the College. (IoL, 1 Sep 73 [71], p. 2)

CLYMANT

"Forcene" is rearing furiously, said of a horse, but as Brigantia points out unicorns are goats, so it should be not forcene but clymant. (KFW, 17 Dec 72 [36], p. 4) [The final blazon was forceny.]

COBRA

Cobras always have hoods spread. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 1)

COFFER

Though we know exactly what you mean by "treasure chest," it is not a heraldic term; "chest" or "coffer" would be better. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 6)

COLLAR

[Jeweled collar proper.] "Proper" means gold with assorted colored jewels on it. Jewelry is gold by default, even on or. (KFW, 12 Mar 72 [26], p. 2) [The collar was registered as gules, but this may have been an error.]

COLLECTED

[Spider extended.] It is noted that a spider may be extended, or collected, or perhaps a spider rampant, displayed, couchant and statant. (HB, 2 Dec 70 [9], p. 1) [Extended and collected appear to describe the disposition of the spider's legs.]

COLUMN

Corinthian columns are late, decadent heraldry. (KFW, 11 Jun 72 [30], p. 3)

COMMON PROPERTY

see PUBLIC DOMAIN

COMPASS ROSE

N., since he cannot call his charge a compass rose, would rather call it a sun than a roundel. (HB, 7 Feb 71 [12], p. 7)

COMPLEXITY

Keep your arms simple, in the manner of the Thirteenth or Fourteenth Centuries. That makes them easy to recognize on the field. (RoH, late 1968 [2], p. 13)

N. wishes too complex a device. (HB, 2 Dec 70 [9], p. 2)

It is felt that the field barruly (which the S.P. [Seraphim Pursuivant] describes as "barruletty") is too complicated. Could the number of barrulets be reduced somewhat? (BdM, 3 Jan 71 [11], p. 1)

N. wants all manner of confused charges on a gyronny of thirty-two. A gyronny of more than sixteen looks like nothing more than a modern dart board. (HB, 7 Mar 71 [14], p. 5)

N. wants too many charges. We suggest he limit it to [blazon], because while a lady can get away with messy arms a gentleman may find himself on the field, and must be recognizable. (HB, 7 Mar 71 [14], p. 5)

Although this device does not conflict with anything currently registered in the files, it is objectionable on aesthetic grounds, being too visually cluttered and not easy to distinguish at a distance. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [16], p. 3)

This one really approaches the limit of busyness that the College of Arms is prepared to tolerate. Because it is so complicated visually, it is (a) harder for an artist to emblazon, and (b) harder for an observer to recognize at a distance. (HB, 26 Jun 72 [54], p. 3)

We have an answer from N., who wanted ... everything in the catalog. We suggested he devise something with one or two items. He has replied that he doesn't want to simplify it at all. (Obviously one of these misguided people want their device to represent their entire life history.) (KFW, 15 Oct 72 [34], p. 1)

Too damn complex. Could you see it ... all of it ... with just one glance, while it's painted on a shield held about 100 yds. away? I doubt it. (IoL, 1 Mar 73 [62], p. 1)

It is considered gauche to place your entire life history on your coat. (IoL, 1 Aug 73 [69], p. 1)

The following are rejected as too complex. These persons are advised to redesign ... but if they won't, then We will consider the devices again. (IoL, 31 Jan 74 [75], p. 1)

COMPONY

[A border of bastardy, compony argent and gules.] If N. wishes to call himself a bastard, we shall not dispute it. (HB, 2 Dec 70 [9], p. 1)

CONFLICT

It was reaffirmed that one must not copy the arms of genuine persons or corporations, nor of fictional characters. [Irreverent footnote: of which Lord Clarion's character Lord Darcy appears to be in violation; but in truth Lord Darcy bears those arms by Lord Clarion's express permission.] (HB, 15 Feb 70 [3], p. 2) [The office of Clarion Herald was held at this time by Randall Garrett (Randall of Hightower), whose SCA arms are the same as those of his fictional detective, Lord Darcy.]

The College will not knowingly allow any one to register real arms, arms that appear in fictional works or trademarks of the past or present eras. This is plag[i]arism, and besides they are covered by copyright laws. Therefore, you may not register in the Great Book as John Carter of Barsoom or Volk[s]wagon of Mercedes-Benz, nor may you register the Red Eye of Mordor or the silver star of the Guards of the Tower as your own arms. We expect you to be a creative anachronist, so let's not steal other peoples ideas. (JvG, Summer 1970 [6], p. 11)

Arms and crest copied from the Scotch family of Welch. Plagiarism. Sent letter #2 [rejection for stated reason] suggesting he redesign from the ground up. (HB, 1 Jan 71 [10], p. 2)

N. wants Gules, a saltire argent, which is Neville. We suggest a saltire or. (HB, 7 Mar 71 [14], p. 5) [In the early days of SCA heraldry, conflict checking appears to have been dependent upon the heralds' personal knowledge -- Papworth had not yet been discovered. The current example is a case in point; present at the meeting at which this recommendation was made were Breakstone (Laurel), Sarkanyi (Seraphim), Hightower (Clarion), Far West (Banner), and numerous others.]

The blazon is reminiscent of Bilbo's river journey, but what of that; it's no more of a Tolkien reference than several we have already. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 1)

[Alianora of the Tall Grasses.] The conjunction of the name and the device of a swan is too reminiscent of Alianora the Swan May, a character in Poul Anderson's book Three Hearts and Three Lions. By the rules of the Society, no person may use arms, names or titles taken from works of fiction. At the Suggestion of the Lady Banner Herald, the Lord Clarion recommends that this person write to the author of Three Hearts and Three Lions, asking his specific permission if she desires to use this name in conjunction with the swan device. If there is some compelling reason in her mind for the association of these two -- that is, if it is not simply a whim or groundless desire -- the Lord Clarion would like to know of it. (For instance, if the person's 20th century name is Ellen Swanson, an obvious association of ideas would be involved.) (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [16], p. 3)

Both name and device are directly out of the works of Philip Jose Farmer and we wish to inquire if N. has permission from the Maker of Universes. This is not allowable. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 5)

We note that this is a totem sign of the Iroquois, but since they were not in the classical definition a civilized people we have no objections. (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 6)

This College registers Arms, Devices and Badges. In the realm of what we are responsible for registering, we will not let a person use mundane realities. In principle we to not otherwise try to regulate or pay any att[en]tion to mundane realities, with the exception of mundane Arms, that exception being that we [do not] allow one in the Society to register mundane arms as Society arms. But as for badges and tartans of the real world, they are not our business. We shall neither register them, nor ban them, nor recognize them, in any way. (KFW, 13 Jun 71 [18], p. 7)

Then was raised the question of the device of N. [blazon]. This had been found at a previous meeting to have been borne in the past by [mundane family]. Question: was this family still extant? M. having provided sufficient evidence in writing to this College that it was now extinct, the College approved the submission for N., and cleared it for transmission to the Lord Clarion. (KFW, 13 Jun 71 [18], p. 7)

This is the device of the President-General of the Assassins' Guild, Second Level Akor-Neb, in the Verkan Vall time-travel series [by H. Beam Piper]. If he wants to infringe on the arms of the President-General of the Assassins' Guild, that is his lookout, but let him do it on some other time line than ours. (KFW, 11 Jul 71 [19], p. 4)

N. of this Kingdom toes not feel threatened by the existence of another [principal charge] 3500 miles away, particularly when the [charge] is of a different colour upon a background of metal. We hope that M. does not feel threatened in any way by N.'s [charge]. It appears that these two people have, independently, borne these devices for about the same length of time. Given the situation with which we are acquainted, of poor or non-existent communication between the East and the Imperial College of Arms, the College of the West does not feel inclined either to insist that M. abandon his device, or to acknowledge that N. need abandon his. If M. and you, my lord, feel the same way, we believe that there is room enough in the Known World to accommodate both [charges] amicably. (KFW, 14 Feb 72 [25], p. 1)

Lady Karina (as Lion Queen-of-Arms for Aquilonia in the Hyborian Legion) very much wants not to have any conflict between Society and Hyborian heraldry, particularly since she has a company of Brythunian archers somewhere all ready to join. The Lord Laurel desires to have written arguments for and against this practice in two weeks. (KFW, 12 Mar 72 [26], p. 2)

This is in direct conflict with a coat from [kingdom] that, due to administrative foulups of a couple of years ago, was never registered. We are ironing out the problem now, but if his device passes the College, then this one will have to be changed. If his is rejected, then this one will have to be, on the same grounds. Redesign. (IoL, 1 Mar 73 [62], p. 1)

see also DIFFERENCE, PERMISSION

CONSTELLATION

We have turned down constellations before and are prepared to do so again. (KFW, 17 Dec 72 [36], p. 1)

CONTOURNY

Lord Seraphim said that contourne means rampant to sinister, rather than simply facing sinister, but we do not seem to do it that way and he was overruled. (HB, 7 Feb 71 [12], p. 7) [Woodward and Parker both state that contourny describes an animal turned toward the sinister side of the shield; Brooke-Little implies that the term may also be applied to inanimate charges. It should be noted that a lion contourny will in fact be rampant to the sinister, since in the absence of other information, a lion is assumed to be rampant. This may have been the source of Seraphim's error.]

CONTRAST

Objects placed on the field as charges can be "proper." "Proper" is the true color of the object. This can be used as long as it is recognizable against the field. A raven proper on a field sable would not be allowed, but a raven proper on a field gules is allowable. When something is called "proper" only one distinctive color should come to mind; a raven proper is obviously black, but what color is a horse proper? (JvG, Summer 1970 [6], p. 9)

Or on ermine is not going to be very easily visible across the field, but this is his problem; we don't even know if he fights. (KFW, 16 Jul 72 [31], p. 1)

[Quarterly or and argent.] He will be expected to emblazon it with a nice dark yellow [O]r so that it can be told from the argent. (KFW, 12 Feb 73 [38], p. 1)

COPIHUE

Copihues, otherwise Chilean bellflowers (Lapaxeria rosea), look something like clove-buds. (KFW, 25 Oct 71 [20], p. 1)

CORONET

see CROWN

CORPORATE ARMS

Crowns, laurels, and wreaths of roses are restricted, since they serve to identify the corporate arms of a kingdom, king, or queen. (HB, 7 Feb 71 [12], p. 3)

see also OFFICE

COUNTER-ERMINE

The Imperial College of Arms now uses the term "Counter-ermine" in lieu of "Ermines, " since the latter can be too easily confused with "Ermine" and "Erminois." (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 1)

COUNTERCHANGE

The rule of countercharging: no one is allowed to register the counter charge of arms that have already been registered. For example, if someone has already registered Argent, a cross sable, no one would be able to register Sable, a cross argent. (JvG, Summer 1970 [6], pp. 10-11)

This is a counterchange of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. Does the Lord N. wish to bear this, since we commonly use counterchange for differencing? (RoH, 25 Apr 71 [17], p. 4)

This is a counterchange of N. without the [charge], for which he enclosed a letter of permission. (KFW, 11 Jul 71 [19], p. 4)

One's counterchanges are one's own to dispose of. (KFW, 13 May 73 [41], p. 1)

COUNTERCHANGED

We have been using "counterchanged" to mean one charge divided and countercolored ... and "countercharged" to mean two charges on opposite sides of a division line and countercolored. We will instead henceforth use "counterchanged" for both. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 4)

The Imperial College of Arms has dropped the former distinction it used to make between "counterchanged," "countercharged," and "countercolored," as being unnecessary hair-splitting. It now uses the single term "counterchanged" in all cases, relying upon the structure of the remainder of the blazon to assure clarity. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 3) [According to Franklyn and Tanner, the term countercharged is an error.]

[Per pale Or and sable, counterchanged by a chevron inverted gules.] This could be said more clumsily as: Per pale and chevron inverted Or and sable, a chevron inverted gules. We prefer the simplicity of the first blazon, from which we can extrapolate the general case of a field party counterchanged by an ordinary or subordinary running in a direction different from that of the original line of partition of a field. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], pp. 4-5)

COUNTERCHARGED

see COUNTERCHANGED

COUNTERCOLORED

see COUNTERCHANGED

COUPED

The [charge] is couped along an arc, which the authorities appear to subsume under ordinary couping. Let the heraldic artist follow what is required on the emblazon. (KFW, 9 Apr 72 [27], p. 1)

CREATIVE HERALDRY

Migrant signifies volant as seen from above; that's creative heraldry for you. (RoH, 28 Mar 71 [15], p. 1) [Creative heraldry denotes terminology or practices coined by SCA heralds.]

[Sable, three stalks of wheat as in a garb, Or.] This is creative heraldry. The centre stalk is palewise; the two remaining follow roughly what would be the outlines of a pair of flaunches. (HB, 20 Sep 71 [47], p. 5)

"Cojoined in estoile" = like spokes of a wheel, or radii of a circle. Creative blazonry ... (KFW, 25 Oct 71 [20], p. 2)

[Sable, a sun eclipsed Or.] That is, all that can be seen is the corona. This won't conflict with any of the others, and we thought we'd used them up. Such creativity is to be encouraged. (KFW, 11 Mar 73 [39], p. 3) [This is the SCA definition. According to Parker, the mundane sun eclipsed is one that is tinctured sable.]

CREST

His lady, if she wishes, may bear his arms on her left breast in the shape of a losenge -- a diamond-shaped patch. But it would be more proper for her to bear his crest - which is a completely different thing. (RoH, late 1968 [2], p. 12)

We do not, at the present time, use crests, mottoes, or supporters on the scrolls or in the Great Book of Arms. (JvG, Summer 1970 [6], p. 14)

CROSS

Lord Clarion noted that questions have been asked about crosses; that there is no restriction of shape of a cross, but that a papal cross or an arch[i]episcopal cross should be born[e] only by a Pope or Archbishop, and there are by definition none in the Society, where all are laymen (as previously established in the case of Bp. N.). (HB, 7 Feb 71 [12], p. 2)

An unmodified cross is throughout by default. (KFW, 16 Jan 72 [22], p. 2)

[Cross potent rebated in annulo.] In plain terms, he wanted an ancient Indo-European sun disk, or fylfot, sometimes known as a swastika, a rounded version thereof. And there was great debate on all sides. It boiled down to this: nobody objected to the sun disk, and everybody objected to the word swastika, and so the blazon was carefully reworded. (KFW, 16 Jan 72 [22], p. 4) [The submission was approved.]

A starcross, also called a millrind, looks like an asterisk; it is automatically couped. (KFW, 13 Feb 72 [24], p. 2) [According to Alfgar the Sententious, who handled this submission, the SCA starcross is "a figure consisting of a pale couped conjoined with a saltire couped, like an asterisk, or a straight mill-rind." The usage appears to be unique to SCA heraldry.]

A Celtic Cross is of similar shape to the Latin Cross, and is not, unless specified, thr[ou]ghout. (IoL, 14 Jan 73 [58], p. 7)

The Lord Banner vouches for the Coptic cross, which looks like a Zuni sun disc with single instead of triple rays, the vertical rays longer than the horizontal ones. (KFW, 11 Mar 73 [39], p. 1)

[Cross quadrate by estoile.] A cross quadrate normally has a square placed across the junction; in this case a[n] estoile of four points has been placed that a point appears at each right angle of the cross. (KFW, 11 Apr 73 [40], p. 1) [This appears to be a misnomer. Quadrate means "having four sides and four angles square or rectangular." An estoile of four points cannot be quadrate.]

[Celtic cross simple.] The Celtic Cross is, by definition, similar to the Latin Cross in shape. This Celtic Cross has the arms of equal leng[th], as the simple Cross, and is thus described as a Cross simple. (IoL, 30 Jun 73 [67], p. 3)

A Cross of Cleves is a Latin Cross fleury. (IoL, 1 Sep 73 [70], p. 4)

CROWN

N. wishes a crown which he ... may not have. Let him be told that crowns and coronets are reserved for kingdoms. (HB, 2 Dec 70 [9], p. 3)

Crowns, laurels, and wreaths of roses are restricted, since they serve to identify the corporate arms of a kingdom, king, or queen. (HB, 7 Feb 71 [12], p. 3)

What's wrong with lions wearing crowns? said Lord Banner. Look at Uppsala, whose lion has a winged helm and crown yet. Yes, said Lady Vesper, but we didn't pass it. (KFW, 13 Aug 72 [32], p. 5) [The submission was registered without the crown.]

She would like to have lots of crowns, circlets, et caetera, all to be standardized to show one's exact rank. Aside from the fact that no one could afford them, they aren't medieval. Those elegant things you see the Lords wearing at coronations - which they don't own, but rent from D'Oyly Carte -- are much later. And we don't even a little bit need sumptuary laws. (KFW, 12 Feb 73 [38], p. 4)

CULLIONED

The English have a word for it too! Replace "vil[e]ne" with pizzled and cullioned. (IoL, 9 Mar 73 [63], p. 1) [Vilene ("having the virile parts of a specified tincture") is a term from French blazon. I have located a couple of references to pizzled, but cullioned appears to be a neologism; Brooke-Little gives the English term as coded.]

CUT-OFF DATE

see PERIOD



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