GARGOYLE

[Horned demon's head.] It's the famous grotesque from Notre-Dame, sometimes incorrectly called a gargoyle. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 4)

GEM

Gems should be shown top-view. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 9)

GENUS AND SPECIES

The chough is heraldically defined and genus and species can be omitted. It resembles a crow but has red beak and feet. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 7)

The order and family are of little use to me. Please give the genus. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 9)

I have assigned the genus and species names on the basis of the drawing; please inform if it's some other species. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 6)

It's not necessary to give genus and species of lion, as they are not "proper." (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 9)

Please specify the genus and species of lizard: though they are not "proper", the artists will need to know what kind of lizard to draw. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 14)

We will have to have the genus and species of the pine cones proper. They could be roundish and purple (Pinus albicaulis); narrow oval and light brown (P. attenuate); oval-to-oblong and reddish to yellow-brown (P. halapensis) -� to name only a few possibilities. (KFW, 20 Nov 78 [23], p. 1)

Genus and species is necessary for living things blazoned "proper." (KFW, 20 Nov 78 [23], p. 3)

GLADIUS

A gladius is a Roman shortsword. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 7)

GOAT

Goats (wild) range from dirty white to black so we have to specify a "brown goat proper." (KFW, 30 Jan 76 [2], p. 4)

GORE

Codex says in classical heraldry a gore is never charged; very well, in SCA heraldry it may be charged and this is a point in which SCA differs from mundane heraldry. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 3)

GOUTTE

Drops almost invariably follow the rule of tincture in English heraldry, and in Society heraldry we have (I believe) no exceptions (KFW, 20 Aug 76 [7], p. 6)

In order to make our blazons intelligible to the Lyon Office, we will adopt the standard names for roundels and drops of the various colors. (KFW, 10 Jan 78 [17], p. 1)

There is not, so far as I know, a name for purple drops. (KFW, 10 Jan 78 [17], P. 3)

Codex says that goutee need not follow the rules of tincture and this fimbriation isn't necessary. If you want to drop it, let us know. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 6)

GRANDFATHER CLAUSE

The Barony already has the same object on its arms, registered 'way back in 1973, but this was done in ignorance and I don't want to compound the error. I would like the Barony to try to bring the arms into line with proper heraldic usage too if possible. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 15)

GRIFFEE-DE-LOUP

[Cross griffee-de-loup.] Griffee-de-loup means "wolf-clawed " (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 9)

GRIFFIN

Opinicus was first attested in 1780; probably a corruption of Ophiuchus, "serpent." (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 10) [Karina's source appears to have been the OED. Rodney Dennys, in The Heraldic Imagination, cites examples in 1556 and 1561. This would still have been considered out-of-period, since 1485 was the cutoff date for charges as well as practices.]

[Hawk's head.] Note that a hawk doesn't have external ears. If you want what you have in the emblazon, with external ears, then it's a griffin. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 35)

GRIPPING-BEAST

Gripping-beast is a general term for a wide variety of creatures which grip themselves or each other. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 2)

GURGES

A comet can't be a gurges. (KFW, 09 Jun 77 [13], p. 2)

GYRONNY

Gyronny is of eight by default, but Codex would prefer we said "of eight" anyway. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 4)

HAMMER

[Mjollnir-pendant.] Even on stones, the hammer is placed haft-up as a decorative element, and head-up only when held in Thor's hand. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 3)

HAND

"Dea" means Goddess. The hand of Fatima with an eye symbolizes All-seeing God. Taken together they are inadmissible. Change one or the other. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 10)

Lord Breakstone informs me that the hand charged with the eye is an occult or magical symbol, not suitable for heraldry. (KFW, 18 Aug 77 [15], p. 2)

The hand, incidentally, is fisted, palewise, knuckles in chief, its back to the viewer. All this seems to be default. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 6)

The Hand of Ulster is the mark of a British baronet. While in the Society we to not have baronets, let alone marks of them, outsiders would be mightily confused. Lord Virgule points out that the Hand of Ulster is one of the few heraldic charges that a mundane layman might recognize. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 73)

HART

A hart is a male red deer over five years old. Appropriately branched antlers should be shown to identify it. The animal shown here has no antlers, and would have to be blazoned a hind (female red deer). (KFW, 20 Nov 78 [23], p. 2)

HAWK

[Hawk's head.] Note that a hawk doesn't have external ears. If you want what you have in the emblazon, with external ears, then it's a griffin. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 35)

HEAD

It has been pointed out that one cannot determine, heraldically, an animal's sexual status by its head alone. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 2)

The head is not identifiable as a giant's, since different charges are not necessarily to the same scale. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 6)

You can't have a collar if the head is cabossed; there's no neck to hang it from. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 63)

HEATER

Males and females are not required to register their arms on heater and lozenge shape respectively, but may use either shape. Cartouches, on the other hand, are not suited to either ladies or gentlemen in the Society, having been used chiefly by Princes of the Church. (KFW, 21 Apr 76 14], p. 3)

HEPTACLE

see STAR POLYGON

HERALDS

Since the delay has been so long, I am granting this, but only to be used as is the badge of the College in the Middle Kingdom to wit, as a seal. Most titled pursuivants and heralds in the West have individual seals. The sole emblem of his particular office worn by a herald in the West is a disc-shaped pendant with crossed trumpets and the name of his office (e. g. Vesper, Green Cloak.) (KFW, 12 Dec 75 [1], p. 5)

May be used as a seal, but not on garments. A herald wears the crossed trumpets, and may wear the arms of the King, Prince or Baron whose voice he is, but no arms or badge of his own. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 8)

This badge is not to be worn on clothing; wear the arms of the Barony and the crossed trumpets of the College. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 5)

When the College of Arms was first established, it was assumed that it would be no more than a central registry office; that the essential checking, correcting and rejecting would all be done at the Kingdom level and everything submitted to this office would be ready to be accepted. How I wish it could have worked out that way. (KFW, 18 Aug 77 [15], p. 2)

The laurel wreath is not suitable for the seal of a branch herald. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 8)

You can't put the Heralds' crossed trumpets on a badge � though you can have the crossed trumpets, plus the given Herald's title, made up on a medallion to be worn by the herald � and there should not be badges for the lower offices. Don't resubmit this. Your fee will be refunded. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 66)

HIDE

This was submitted as "... four flaunches ..." Flaunches, however, represent the sides (flanks) of an undergarment showing beneath a sideless surcoat. Since the shape as drawn suggests a stylized hide, I am using that as the name of the main charge. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 6)

A hide (cf. Laurel's letter of 22 October 1976) is an ordinary and has no "proper." Resubmit with a natural bearskin proper. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 66)

HIEROGLYPHIC

[Nefr.] This isn't a stringed instrument, but an Egyptian hieroglyphic meaning "heart and windpipe." (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 9)

HIND

A hart is a male red deer over five years old. Appropriately branched antlers should be shown to identify it. The animal shown here has no antlers, and would have to be blazoned a hind (female red deer). (KFW, 20 Nov 78 [23], p. 2)

HOLLY

Remember that holly berries [proper] are scarlet. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 19)

HORN

[Spiral horn.] This is a musical instrument. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 50)

HORSE

The Clydesdale horse is in period. (KFW, 21 Apr 76 [4], p. 2)

The Clydesdale is a recent version of the rough-legged draft horse. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 5)

HOUSEHOLD

Households with a royal charter ... may have arms; others are restricted to badges. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 9)

We cannot register [this] until we have the name of an individual, by default that of the head of household, to register it to. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 74)

HYGEIA

The cup and serpent are a symbol of pharmacy. (KFW, 09 Jun 77 [13], p. 2) [The combination, known as a Bowl of Hygeia, is therefore reserved.]

IMPALING

It looks like an impaled coat; there are a few registered in the Society but we don't want any more. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 10)

We do not allow impaled arms (though some have slipped past us). Make this indivisible by adding a bordure or the like, or changing the line of partition, e.g. indented or dovetailed. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 9)

INESCUTCHEON

see SHIELDS ON SHIELDS

KATANA

"The etiquette of position is minute. For a Japanese sword, a katana is by default edge up, but a tachi (a sword worn at court and with armor) is by default edge down." [HB] (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 6)

KEN

A Ken is an ancient Chinese sword used in mon rather than a katana. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 5)

KNIFE

A cinquedea is a large tagger "five fingers broad," sixteenth century Italian. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 6)

[Calligrapher's knife.] I can't find anything about the knife in my sources. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 6) [The submission was approved. This presumably defines the SCA calligrapher's knife.]

KNOT

The bordure was submitted "of Celtic knotwork", which isn't heraldry. But she may diaper the bordure in any way that pleases her ... (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 7)

This is macrame, not heraldry. (KFW, 20 Nov 78 123], p. 2)

Knotwork is not, by and large, heraldic. A few simple knots have made it into mundane heraldry (e.g., Bowen knot) or into Society heraldry by definition and the circulation of drawings (e.g., Donnelly knot), but your elaborate interlace cannot be described or defined. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 70)

Heraldry cannot describe or define any but the very simplest of knots. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 71)

For one thing the emblazon shows the kraken with eight tentacles instead of the appropriate ten, and an oval human eye instead of a round molluscan eye. For another, there is no such thing as a kraken proper; they change color according to their mood of the moment, and Mithras only knows what emotions a kraken would experience while vulning itself in the head. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 9)

LABEL

Why the label? N. has a label on his arms because he hoped to recruit his father into the Society (never happened); M. used his father's already registered arms with a label. A label means "eldest son of ..."; it isn't just a pretty charge. Give me a logical reason for the label and I'll reconsider. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], Pa 9)

LANDSCAPE

It's some kind of landscape; we try to avoid landscapes unless there's a very good reason for them. (KFW, 30 Jan 76 12], p. 7)

This is highly stylized and not a "landscape." (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 6)

The device as it was submitted is a little too much like a 19th-century landscape painting with wild life. (KFW, 18 Aug 77 [15], p. 3)

LANGUAGE

"Moorish," by the way, is not a language but a culture; Moors speak Arabic. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 8)

One language per noun, and preferably per name. (KFW, 17 Dec 76 [12], p. 1)

As to the name, if you don't know what language it's in, how to you know the meaning? (KFW, 09 Jun 77 [13], p. 2)

This "Latin" does not correspond to the language I studied for four years. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 7)

The name Cleindori is Casta (High Darkovan) for "Golden Bell," and as a future language is not acceptable. Try a Spanish or Italian translation. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 6)

Clean up the language -� don't use a German preposition with a French noun. (KFW, 20 Nov 78 [23], p. 3)

We have no objection to the device, but you must make the name grammatical. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 74)

LANGUAGE - FRENCH

[N. file be M.] Fiz, filz, fitz are the Medieval forms; in any case the "de" was not used. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 19], p. 7)

LANGUAGE - GAELIC

"Mak" is not a variant of "mac", but a name coined by Robert E. Howard. There is no K in Gaelic. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 1)

Turns out it's good Gaelic not to capitalize dubh, "the black." (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 5)

LANGUAGE - SPANISH

Spanish does not contract de to d' before vowels. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 8)

Even with the plural article the Spanish surname is not pluralized. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 49)

LANGUAGE - WELSH

"Ap N." means son of N. (applicant is female). (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 11)

LAUREL WREATH

You need arms, not a badge; this would to if the wreath were laurel, rather than greenbrier. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 9) [The submission was for an SCA branch.]

The laurel wreath is not suitable for the seal of a branch herald. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 8)

Your wreath of ivy looks too much like the laurel wreath used for branches of the Society. If you make it extremely large ... so that it is plainly not a laurel wreath, even when seen halfway across the field, it will probably be all right. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 63)

The way you have the laurel wreath on a roundel, it looks like someone's personal device with an augmentation of the Society (not accepted in current usage) (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 65)

Put the wreath on properly; it should be larger and of a contrasting tincture so that it will be visible. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 65)

You must have a laurel wreath; two sprigs of laurel are not sufficient. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 65)

LEAF

Heraldic convention has leaves outsized. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 62)

LEG

A-la-quise (i.e. a la cuisse, "with the thigh"), means that the entire leg is shown. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 8)

LETTER

Badges may have letters and numbers. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 5)

LIGHT

"Light" is an obsolete term for "window"; I like it better than the heraldically used "porthole." (KFW, 29 Oct 76 19], p. 3)

LION

"African lion" will henceforth be used, like "Bengal tiger," to distinguish the natural animal from the stylized one. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 5)

It is hard to get any kind of lion, doing anything, that doesn't conflict with somebody. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 60)

A lion proper is tawny, and will not show up on a field or. There is no brown lion such as appears on the emblazon. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 79)

LIZARD

Please specify the genus and species of lizard though: they are not "proper", the artists will need to know what kind of lizard to draw. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 14)

LOZENGE

Males and females are not required to register their arms on heater and lozenge shape respectively, but may use either shape. Cartouches, on the other hand, are not suited to either ladies or gentlemen in the Society, having been used chiefly by Princes of the Church. (KFW, 21 Apr 76 [4], p. 3)

see also SHIELDS ON SHIELDS

LUTE

Face the lute to front; substitute an in-period plucking quill for the plastic plectrum. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 7)

Draw the lute with strings facing outward, so it can be recognized for what it is. (Lutes in side view look like spoons.) (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 7)

The lute must be shown either full-face or in profile, not in three-quarter view. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 4)

MAGIC

The whole thing reeks of magic (and besides, it's a landscape). (KFW, 19 Apr 76 [3], p. 6)

Caer Priddydd means "fortress of the poet." Welsh poets were considered magicians. This, combined with owl and black stars, suggests a stronghold of black magic. No. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 11)

The pentagram is forbidden ... Between the name and the design the intent is clear we don't register magic. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 12)

The badge is too much of a power trip. "Anyone even slightly into Western high magic will recoil at this. Including colors, I count at least five symbols, and I'm not an adept!" [HB] (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 12)

Lord Breakstone informs me that the hand charged with the eye is an occult or magical symbol, not suitable for heraldry. (KFW, 18 Aug 77 [15], p. 2)

The name Morgana, taken with the mullet voided, implies magic. (KFW, 18 Aug 77 [15], p. 3)

We cannot register a Wizard's Guild any more than we can an order of friars (Cf. Corpora 2:3.) We thought of registering it as a personal badge, but even Lord Codex finds it "too occultic," to say nothing of what Lord Clarion and I think. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 9)

The Abbey of Leng is a typically ghastly purlieu of the universe of H. P. Lovecraft, at the same time fictional, nonhuman, magical, AND offensive. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 12) [The icy desert plateau of Leng, with its horrible stone villages and unmentionable prehistoric monastery, figures in The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath.]

Everything in this device is a druidic symbol. We could register an owl or an oak sprig or a crescent, but the combination is just too much. Pick one and combine it with another charge to make it less magical. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 64)

see also STAR POLYGON

MAMMOTH

This is a borderline case, in that the mammoth was extinct in the Middle Ages. however, there were pictures in French caves which could have been seen, and a trade in Siberian mammoth ivory. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 5)

MANTICORE

Manticores have no wings. If you want a manticore, you may have one. If you want a winged manticore, we can enter a new category of monster. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 74)

MARSHALLING

It looks like an impaled coat; there are a few registered in the Society but we don't want any more. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 10)

I know of no historic example of quarterly dimidiation, and this submission shows how undesirable it is. In any case dimidiation is a combination of two separate coats. In the SCA this would be permitted to husband and wife, or to their children (with marks of cadency), after both have registered separate devices. Individuals may not use marshalling otherwise. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 7)

We do not allow impaled arms (though some have slipped past us). Make this indivisible by adding a bordure or the like, or changing the line of partition, e.g. indented or dovetailed. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 9)

This is clearly two coats dimidiated. Start over. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 9)

MARTLET

Martlets have legs, though the feet aren't shown. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 2)

MAUNCH

Blazon the charge "an arm vested of a maunch"; the sleeve is more commonly empty. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 16], p. 10)

MELANISTIC

[Melanistic gerfalcon proper.] "Melanistic" means that this particular gerfalcon is nearly black � as the "black" panther is only a very dark spotted panther. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 8)

MELUSINE

A melusine is a two-tailed mermaid. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 15)

MEMBER

"Member" means its foot. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [181, p. 4)

MERMAID

A melusine is a two-tailed mermaid. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 15)

MIGRANT

"Migrant" is seen from above; the head should not be twisted, but seen from above. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 1)

MIRROR

The artist must show that this is a glass, not voided. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 5)

MJOLLNIR-PENDANT

Even on stones, the hammer is placed haft-up as a decorative element, and head-up only when held in Thor's hand. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 3)

MOGEN DAVID

"Four triangles braced" does not accurately describe two Stars of David. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 12)

"Two triangles voided and interlaced" is referred to in SCA heraldry as a "Mogen David" or "Star of David." (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 3)

We will consider the exact name of the Jewish emblem when we get to the Reblazoning Project. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 2)

MONSTER

The Tarask is an amphibious monster connected with Tarascon, France. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 4) [The spelling appears to be an anglicization of the French Tarasque.]

This is a Dungeons and Dragons monster, the Six-Armed Horror, and has no place in heraldry. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 7)

Manticores have no wings. If you want a manticore, you may have one. If you want a winged manticore, we can enter a new category of monster. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 74)

MOON

Victorian whimsy strikes again. We do not use crescent moons with faces. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 7)

The full moon is always shown with a face, and is sometimes called "the moon in her plenitude." A crescent moon must be blazoned as an increscent or a decrescent repeating on its phase, and does not show a face. A silvery roundel without a face is simply a plate. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], pp. 69-70)

MOSSU

Parker states that the term "mossu" is not attested by any recorded blazon. What is the shape intended to represent? If it's intended for a milestone, why not call it that? (KFW, 30 Jan 76 [2], p. 7)

MOTTO

We don't register mottoes except as part of badges; I don't like them a whole lot even then. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 5)

You can use mottoes, but we don't register them. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 16)

MOUNT

There is no mount proper. If it is a mount vert, then it becomes color on color. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 68)

MULLET

A shuriken resembles a mullet. It is a Japanese throwing weapon. (KFW, 20 Aug 76 [7], p. 2) [The charge, blazoned "a shuriken of eight points," appears to be a mullet of eight points pierced. This is a modern Chinese shuriken, of a type more correctly called a shaken. The period Japanese shuriken was a long, thin throwing knife.]

Lord Codex feels rather strongly that mullets are of five points. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 3) [The charges were therefore blazoned as "stars of N. points."]

We have already passed several "compass-stars," a term invented for the very common Society charge of "a mullet of four greater and four lesser points " (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 59)

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

The musical instruments should be placed in their most recognizable aspect - in this case, strings front. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 12)

NAME

[N. Bonatea.] I would not have accepted the name Bona Dea (Good Goddess), considering it a sacrilegious use of a title belonging to a Divinity worshipped by many SCA members. However, the damage was already done when M. Bonatea was accepted (KFW, 12 Dec 75 [1], p. 3)

The name is being checked; if it means what it says ("Dagger of the Dancing Death") it's awful. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 12)

A pity to hold up a good device for lack of acceptable name. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 8)

The name Morgana, taken with the mullet voided, implies magic. (KFW, 18 Aug 77 [15], p. 3)

Please may we have N.'s SCA name?! We hate to register things to mundane names (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 6)

PLEASE give us a SCA name to register this badge to! (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 8)

You must have a surname or place name. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [15], p. 65) [Only a given name was submitted.]

The name is rejected as being modern slang. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 67)

Do you REALLY want to have the College of Arms process you into its mechanical record-keeper with your mundane name spelled backwards? Please resubmit. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 125], p. 68)

NAME - CONFLICT

[N. Graylorn.] The name is too similar to Keith Laumer's novel Greylorn -- the regional spelling variation between and is insufficient " and must be changed. (KFW, 21 Apr 76 [4], p. 1)

[Britomart the Adamant.] The name will not do; it is used by the Embodiment of Chastity in Spenser's Faerie Queene and the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 12)

[Kalvan vow Anderenheim.] Name conflicts with Kalvan of Otherwhen, a fictional character. (KFW, 09 Jun 77 [13], p. 2)

The name conflicts with a copyrighted role-playing game. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 8)

[N. Shadowhawke of M.] The name conflicts with Shadow Hawk, the title of a novel by Andre Norton. The Egyptian manner of drawing the hawk [in the device] confirms the intended reference. "Shadow Hawk" as used in the novel refers to a Pharaoh's son who must overcome a usurper. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 9)

You may not combine the White Rose and the surname "of York." We understand where your sympathies lie, but you are claiming too much for yourself. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 8)

We will, of course, retain our chief peculiarity: that we do not allow conflict with names or arms of fictional persons, especially in the science fiction and fantasy field. One of the functions of the Kingdom (and now Principality) heralds is to point out such names when they are applied for; I don't have time to keep up with everything published, nor can I remember all I to read. (KFW, 10 Jan 78 [17], p. 2)

If the name Corwin is used, do not use a unicorn. (KFW, 20 Nov 78 [23], p. 1)

[Vlad the Impala.] The name is a clumsy takeoff on that of Vlad Tepes, the Hammer of the Turks. As Manuel Garcia O'Kelly would put it, it's a funny-once. (KFW, 20 Nov 78 123 ], p. 1)

There already was one Cain son of Adam, and that was quite enough. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 56)

You can't have the Eddystone Light in your name AND your arms! (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 59)

Setanta, who became Cuchulain, was a Celtic god. This is the only known use of the name Setanta. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 65)

Skallagrim, Bald-Grim, was a real person and what sons he had are known. Take another surname or patronymic and resubmit. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 68)

Eldarion was the son and heir of the King Elessar. You cannot bear that excessively famous name, even with modifiers, even if it is your mundane name. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 76)

There was only one Macsen, ne' Maxim[u]s, Roman general in Britain, briefly Roman emperor, killed by the Byzantines and transmogrified into a Welsh folk hero. There were plenty of people named Maximius, and you could be Maximius N. without infringing. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 78)

Richard? Of Gloucester? With a white boar? and a whole field full of roses? There already was one ... (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 79)

NAME - DESCRIPTIVE

What, if anything, is this name supposed to mean? My resident Norse expert says it's nonsense. (KFW, 30 Jan 76 [2], p. 4) [The submission was approved.]

Do not use the soubriquet Halfling unless you are one. 4'5" is generally considered the maximum height. (KFW, 20 Aug 76 [7], p. 3)

Your surname means "dragon's traveling companion." This is a little too much to accept from a human being. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 67)

[N. Starfarer.] A seafarer travels seas; a starfarer travels stars. This implies abilities beyond those of mortals, at least in our period. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 77)

NAME - DOCUMENTATION

"Melusine" is apparently a corruption of Melisante, but it also means a two-tailed mermaid. Please document it as a proper name (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 3)

Take a surname, or provide documentation that your persona is from a culture not using them. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 77)

NAME - FANTASY

Surname "Halfelven" REJECTED without proof of parentage (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 9)

[Giliniel Silmeline.] Change the name with its multiple meaning of "starlight" it sounds too Elvish; unless she can prove that a mortal could have used the name. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 11)

Do not use the soubriquet Halfling unless you are one 4' 5" is generally considered the maximum height (KFW, 20 Aug 76 [7], p. 3)

For your information, the name Ivivis is not English but Nehwonese; as used here it is acceptable. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 9)

"Ruatha" is a Pernese name - out of period. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 2)

The name Cleindori is Casta (High Darkovan) for "Golden Bell," and as a future language is not acceptable. Try a Spanish or Italian translation. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 6)

If the name Corwin is used, do not use a unicorn. (KFW, 20 Nov 78 [23], p. 1)

[Celeborn of N.] Surprisingly, the name is acceptable; our Elvish experts tell us that Sindarin names were used by mortals, and the place name distinguishes him from Celeborn of Lorien. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 20)

Eldarion was the son and heir of the King Elessar. You cannot bear that excessively famous name, even with modifiers, even if it is your mundane name. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 76)

NAMES - GIVEN

[Zaragoza N.] This is a very interesting travelogue but there is no personal name in it. "Zaragoza" is a city and province in Spain, formerly Caesarea Augusta. He might as well call himself Pittsburgh. (KFW, 12 Dec 75 [1], p. 5)

[Gray of N.] The name "Gray" conflicts with a famous English noble family "Lady Gray" (as she would sooner or later be called) would correctly be the title of Earl Grey's wife. There are six pages on the Grey family in the 11th Britannica. One of them, Lady Jane Grey, was proclaimed Queen of England after Edward VI's death. (Not to mention a variety of tea!) (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 10)

N. is, to the best of my knowledge, a masculine name only. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 11)

I understand N. is the lady's mundane given name but it doesn't make it acceptable for the Society, any more than one can use his mundane arms. (KFW, 09 Jun 77 [13], p. 2)

"N." is a place name, and would be good as a surname; take a given name. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 6)

Lord Virgule objected to the plant name athelas as a personal name; "Basil" (royal) is also the name of a herb; "Oliver" and "Perry" mean olive- and pear-tree. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 1) [The name was allowed.]

N. is a surname. It is used as a given name in the twentieth century, but was not so used in our period. Please find a given name. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 7)

You need a given name, such as your mother might have given you in your cradle. So far you have an epithet, a surname, and a place name. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 75)

Eldarion was the son and heir of the King Elessar. You cannot bear that excessively famous name, even with modifiers, even if it is your mundane name. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 76)

There was only one Macsen, ne' Maxim[u]s, Roman general in Britain, briefly Roman emperor, killed by the Byzantines and transmogrified into a Welsh folk hero. There were plenty of people named Maximius, and you could be Maximius N without infringing. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 78)

You can't be Mordred. There was only one of him, and that was quite enough. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 78)

NAME - HOUSEHOLD

You may not call your household "Elvenhome." (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 6)

He cannot use the name House Burgundy. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 51)

There have been too many confederations for the name to stand by itself. Please contrive to call it "The Confederation of Something" or "The Something Confederation." (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 60)

NAME - NON-HUMAN

Surname "Halfelven" REJECTED without proof of parentage. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 9)

[Giliniel Silmeline.] Change the name with its multiple meaning of "starlight" it sounds too Elvish; unless she can prove that a mortal could have used the name. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 11)

A Lailat is a succubus, and thus non-human. Do not use as a surname. (KFW, 18 Aug 77 [15], p. 2)

"De Danann" implies immediate descent from the Goddess we are all human beings in the Society. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 9)

Llyr is a Celtic god; you cannot claim to be his son. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 7)

Of course he can't be "Odinsson" without proof of his parentage. (A few ash leaves in midwinter?) (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 9)

"Melusine" is apparently a corruption of Melisande, but it also means a two-tailed mermaid. Please document it as a proper name. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 3)

[Celeborn of N.] Surprisingly, the name is acceptable; our Elvish experts tell us that Sindarin names were used by mortals, and the place name distinguishes him from Celeborn of Lorien. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 20)

[N. Thorsson.] Between the patronymic and the charge [a hammer], no way. We are all mortals here and none of us can claim to have a god for a father unless he can prove it, and we take a lot of convincing (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 66)

Your surname means "dragon's traveling companion " This is a little too much to accept from a human being. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 67)

[N. Starfarer.] A seafarer travels seas; a starfarer travels stars. This implies abilities beyond those of mortals, at least in our period. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 77)

NAME - OFFENSIVENESS

[Trixie la Tush.] The name is offensive. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 11)

The Abbey of Leng is a typically ghastly purlieu of the universe of H.P. Lovecraft, at the same time fictional, nonhuman, magical, AND offensive. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 12) [The icy desert plateau of Leng, with its horrible stone villages and unmentionable prehistoric monastery, figures in The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath.]

NAMES - PATRONYMIC

[N. Thorsen.] In medieval Scandinavian usage, this means that his father's given name was Thor, which was not the practice. Compounds such as Thorgeir, Thorkild, etc., were used. Modern Thorson is a contraction of Thorgeirsson, Thorkildsson, etc. Note that the s is doubled. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 11)

We'd rather ignore the forty-generation patronymic he included with the name. (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 7)

Of course he can't be "Odinsson" without proof of his parentage. (A few ash leaves in midwinter?) (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 9)

A father's human-type name, not epithet, goes in the patronymic. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 73)

NAME - PLACE

The name of a branch should not be used as a surname, as it could not be used with the title of (Court) Baron or Baroness. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 4)

Nifelheim is not a land inhabited by mortals. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 5)

I regard Lyon[n]esse as quasi-historical, as real as Narnia or Cornwall; it may be used in personal names but not branch names. (KFW, 18 Aug 77 [15], p. 2)

[N. de Gormenghast.] "De" with the name of a castle implies ownership or at least a familial relation to the owner, who in this case is the Earl of Groan. (KFW, 18 Aug 77 [15], p. 3)

She cannot use "of Epsilon" as this is a letter of the Greek alphabet and NOT a place name. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 33)

NAME - SCA BRANCH

[Nytha d'Hui.] Explain the name. If the Lord Aten is not being facetious when he tells me that it comes from an exchange, "My lord, we have no record of a name for your SCA branch" -- "Well, Nytha to we!" ... it is unacceptable. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 19], p. 8)

I regard Lyon[n]esse as quasi-historical, as real as Narnia or Cornwall; it may be used in personal names but not branch names. (RIFE, 18 Aug 77 115], p. 2)

Both name and device are lifted from Zelazny's NINE PRINCES IN AMBER and however many sequels there are by now, both fictional and magical. This is not suitable for a branch of the Society. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 59)

NAME - SPELLING

[N. of Pretense.] It [his name] sounds like pretense to a throne. Let him find another way of saying he has theatrical interests. Spelling it -ce or -se is regional variation, not influencing meaning. (KFW, 19 Apr 76 13], p. 6)

[N. Graylorn.] The name is too similar to Keith Laumer's novel Greylorn Id the regional spelling variation between and is insufficient -- and must be changed. (KFW, 21 Apt 76 [4], p. 1)

I would like some attestation for the spelling of the name. (KFW, 20 Nov 78 [23], p. 2)

We would much rather see the correct spelling of [name]. Society members are not devoid of brains and can learn to pronounce a word or two of French. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 15)

NAME - SURNAME

We'd like a surname in addition to the name of her local branch of the Society. (KFW, 30 Jan 76 [2], p. 5)

We will use the mundane surname until an SCA one is chosen. (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 5)

Take a surname, or provide documentation that your persona is from a culture not using them. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 77)

NAME - TITLE

Take another surname. Chagan is a variant of Old Turkish khagan "king, sovereign." Khagan or Kha Khan, the Mongol variant, was rejected as a title by Temujin (Genghis-Khan), though his heirs used it. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 6)

Pendragon is not a surname but a title, Chief of the Dragon (i.e., Wales). Even without the Red Dragon it would be unacceptable. (KFW, 11 Aug 77 [14], p. 7)

You may not use the nickname Dracul, as it is the name of an ancient award. (KFW, 11 Nov 77 [16], p. 9)

"Khan" is a royal title and you may not use it. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 12)

[N. Basiliskus.] You cannot be "the Basilisk." (The term is a Greek adjective meaning "resembling a king", which was later applied to a nonhuman monster.) (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 58)

Please document the use of "Koenig," meaning "king," as a surname for non-royalty during our period. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 69)

Bahadur is a hereditary title. Please take another surname. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 80)

NEFR

This isn't a stringed instrument, but an Egyptian hieroglyphic meaning "heart and windpipe." (KFW, 10 Mar 78 [18], p. 9)

NESSELBLATT

The nesselblatt (nettle-leaf) is a charge, not a bordure, and in any case it's German heraldry, not English. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 7)

NUMBER

Badges may have letters and numbers. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 5)

OFFENSIVENESS

If I were seriously going to consider this I would have to change the blazon from "Or, two flaunches sable, a mantele diminished fimbriated sable, in chief two torteaus, in nombril point doubly pierced sable and or" to something heraldically intelligible. But it's a representation of a naked torso and I am not going to consider it. HE IS HEREWITH REJECTED. START OVER. (KFW, 26 May 76 [5], p. 3)

It is blatantly offensive: the bibliophiles among us cringe at this as at an unedited print of The Chainsaw Murders. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 61)

This is rejected as being offensive to the sensibilities of many. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 62)

The Convocation of Heralds agreed unanimously to reject this device on the grounds of offensiveness. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 71)

OFFICE

Why to you need a badge? Baronial officers are entitled to wear the arms as heralds do, aren't they? (KFW, 09 Jun 77 [13], p. 1)

There should not be badges for the lower offices. (KFW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 66)

OPINICUS

Opinicus was first attested in 1780; probably a corruption of Ophiuchus, "serpent." (KFW, 16 Jun 76 [6], p. 10) [Karina's source appears to have been the OED. Rodney Dennys, in The Heraldic Imagination, cites examples in 1556 and 1561. This would still have been considered out-of-period, since 1485 was the cutoff date for charges as well as practices.]

ORDER

We can't pass this until they tell us more about the order. (KFW, 29 Oct 76 [9], p. 7)

ORGAN-REST

Clarion being not a trumpet but a claricord, sufflue, or organ-rest. (KFW, 17 Aug 78 [21], p. 2)

OUROBOROS

The serpent is not an Ouroboros; it is not swallowing the tail but biting near the tip. (KFW, 22 Oct 76 [8], p. 12)

OWL

An owl is statant gardant by default. (BLOW, 30 Jun 79 [25], p. 71)



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