Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Artist's note: Please center the crenellations of the field division vertically on the fess line.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a paw print.
The submitter requested authenticity for Italian. This name is authentic for 16th century Tuscany.
Nice English name for circa 1250!
The submitter's previous name, Caterina da Venezia, is released.
The submitter's previous device, Azure, an owl displayed maintaining an arrow fesswise between three lilies argent, is retained as a badge.
Submitted as Graçia Benitez, the submitter requested a masculine name. Although Graçia Dey is found in the list of men's full names in Juliana de Luna's "Spanish Names from the Late 15th Century," the author confirmed that its inclusion is an error -- in period, Graçia was a feminine name. At the submitter's request, we have changed the given name to the masculine Spanish name Garcia, also found in Juliana's article.
Nice Spanish name from the 15th century onwards!
Neither the Scottish Earls of Winton nor the House of Winton from David Weber's Honor Harrington series are important enough to protect from presumption.
The submitter requested authenticity for "8th century Iberian Moor." Both Harun and Hassan are attested to the 8th century in al-Andalus. However, we do not have evidence of the byname al-Gharbi specifically in the 8th century. Therefore, this name may meet the submitter's request but we cannot say for sure.
Kings Crossing is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitted requested authenticity for Scottish language or culture. The elements Katryne and Whyt are both found in Scotland from the late 15th century onwards. However, the name as a whole is not authentic because it uses an SCA branch name, rather than an attested Scottish place name.
Artist's note: Please draw the jags on the wolves' erased necks deeper.
The submitter's previous name, Sigrid Wilhelm, is released.
The submitter requested authenticity for Persian language or culture. The given name is definitely Persian and the byname appears to refer to the Persian city of S{u-}s. Therefore, this name probably meets the submitter's request but we cannot say with certainty.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
Submitted as Alexandre de Sant Romà de Sau, the element de Sant Romà de Sau is a compound locative byname. By precedent, such bynames are not registerable in Spanish:
Submitted as Yñigo Diaz de Santiago de Compostela, precedent states that bynames using compound placenames are unregisterable in Spanish:
No documentation was presented, nor could the College of Arms find any, that de Santiago de Compostela was used in a locative byname. Previous precedent states:
This name is returned because no documentation can be found for the name de Compostela. People from Santiago de Compostela were known as de Santiago. [Livia Teresa de Compostela, 09/99, R-Atlantia]
Lacking documentation that compound forms of placenames like Santiago de Compostela were used in locative bynames, this cannot be registered. [Beatriz de Santiago de Compostela, Caid-R, 01/2002]
With the submitter's permission, we have dropped de Compostela in order to register this name. [Yñigo Diaz de Santiago, June 2014, A-West]
The location Cabo de las Tormentas has the same problem. As the submitter does not allow major changes, we cannot drop de las Tormentas and are forced to return this name. [Bernadette de Cabo de las Tormentas, July 2016, R-Caid]
Therefore, the byname as submitted is not registerable. However, the byname de Sant Roman is well-documented in late-period Spanish. With the submitter's permission, we have made this change to the byname.
In addition, the submitter indicated having the byname Roma was most important to him. In commentary, Adelaide de Beaumont documented Roma as a surname in 16th century Spain. At the submitter's request, we are registering this name as Alexandre Roma de Sant Roman, relying on Spanish name patterns found in Appendix A.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Spanish 14th - 16th Century." This request was not summarized in the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Ragged Staff identified the authenticity request during commentary, allowing sufficient time for research. In the registered form, this name is authentic for Spain from the late 15th century onwards.
Nice badge!
The submitter requested authenticity for French language or culture. Although both elements are French, the given name is dated to the 16th century while the byname is from the late 13th century. Thus, this name is registerable but not authentic.
The submitter may be interested to know that Caterine la Crosetiere is an authentic late 13th century French name from Paris. If she prefers this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Questions were raised in commentary whether this name is an obtrusively modern reference to Coca-Cola or to soda generally. PN2E of SENA sets a high standard for obtrusive modernity:
Something is said to be obtrusively modern when it makes a modern joke or reference that destroys medieval ambience and drags the average person mentally back to the present day. Obtrusiveness can be either in the written form or when spoken. A period name that has a modern referent will not generally be considered obtrusively modern. Only extreme examples will be returned. (emphasis added)
This name does not rise to the level of obtrusive modernity. While the submitted name may remind some listeners of Coca-Cola, it is not in fact Cocco Cola. Instead, the submitter has taken some pains to differentiate his name from the soft drink brand by using Cola as his given name, using a marked patronymic and including the family name Carboni. Further, this is not a name that uses "stunt" documentation to achieve a humorous reference. All of the elements and the pattern of the name are found in the same set of records from the same year (1427) and the same place (Florence, Italy). For these reasons, while this name may make a modern allusion, it is not so extreme as to require a return.
Nice early 15th century Italian name for Florence!
The submitter requested authenticity for "9th-10th Century Irish" and this name meets that request.
The submitter's previous device, Per chevron ployé azure and argent, in dexter chief a cross patonce Or, is retained as a badge.
This name combines a Scots given name with a Gaelic byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
There is a step from period practice for the use of triskelions of spirals.
This device was originally returned by Laurel in February 2017 for conflict with Katerina de Glen, Per fess argent and sable, two roses gules and a rose argent all barbed and seeded proper, and with Odillia Marguerite du Parc, Per fess argent and gules, three cinquefoils counterchanged. One DC was granted for changes to the field, but "SENA A5C2d defines that 'When a group of three charges on the field is arranged two and one, the bottom charge is considered half the charge group' and so we have here and in the registered device half roses white and half of the roses red since only one of them changes tincture, their change of tincture is then effectively forced."
In the appeal, the submitter noted SENA A5G3a, which states that "If the tincture of at least half the charge group is changed, the charge group will be considered different. There is a distinct change (DC) for swapping or rotating the tinctures of a charge group evenly divided into two, three, or four parts." The submitter also noted that when considering a single item counterchanged, precedent routinely finds two DCs for changing the tincture of both the field and the charge.
This precedent and the appeal depends on the definition of forced move, which appears to have been interpreted differently by different readers. The term "forced move" appears in SENA Sections A5E4 and A5G6, which both deal with differences gleaned from arrangement of charges. These rules are separate and distinct from those in Section A5G3, which deals with differences gleaned from tincture of charges. The previous return relied on an interpretation of A5G3 which unnecessarily invoked A5G6, claiming in a rather convoluted way that, due to the change of the field, the placement of the charges was swapped, with two flowers gules in base and one flower argent above; from there, only one of the flowers changed color (gules to argent), which forced another move to chief.
Instead of having to rely on knowing the intense choreography of this dance of blossoms, SENA A5G3 simplifies matters by assuring us that "there is a distinct change (DC) for swapping...the tinctures of a charge group evenly divided into two...parts." As these roses are evenly divided into chief and base sections, and as their tinctures are swapped from both registered items, there is a DC for changes to tincture. This, combined with the DC originally granted for changes to the field, renders this device clear of both registered items. The appeal is granted.
The submitter requested authenticity for "15th century Bourgogne, France." This request was not summarized in the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Ragged Staff identified the authenticity request during commentary, allowing sufficient time for research. This name meets the submitter's request.
The submitter requested authenticity for "14th to 16th century Ottoman." This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Ragged Staff identified the authenticity request during commentary, allowing sufficient time for research.
Although the name is entirely Arabic, the Arabic language was spoken in the lands of the Ottoman Empire during the 14th-16th centuries. However, we do not have precise dates for either of the name elements. Thus, the name may be authentic, but we cannot say for sure.
Submitted under the name Doclor of Dragon Haven.
The submitter's previous name, Raher Fitz Rannulf, is retained as an alternate name.
This the defining instance of the nail puller, a Japanese charge attested to the 15th and 16th century by S{o,}lveig Þrándardóttir from Daibukan, a collection of military registries. Nail pullers are often found in sets of four arranged two and two, as is found here. Those nail pullers may be connected by thin strips as in this submission, or not; that difference will not be blazoned and does not contribute to difference.
As a charge from outside period Europe, the Japanese nail puller carries a step from period practice.
Under the Existing Registration Allowance, a submitter may use part of the substantive element of an already-registered non-personal name. Thus, because the Barony of Lions Gate has already registered Sable Loat Pursuivant using the color + heraldic charge pattern, it may continue to use loat as a heraldic charge in other non-personal names without the need for new documentation.
Nice Arabic name from al-Andalus!
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
The submitter's previous device, Argent, a unicorn courant between three chevronels inverted braced and three chevronels braced azure, is released.
The submitter's previous badge, Argent, three chevronels inverted braced and three chevronels braced azure, is released.
Blazoned when registered as Per fess wavy azure and argent, in base a bar wavy azure and overall in saltire two scythes Or, the device has the unmistakable effect of Per fess wavy azure and barry wavy argent and azure, two scythes in saltire Or. As we have consistently been returning submissions for conflict under this interpretation, we are reblazoning the badge to make this clearer.
Artemis is the submitter's legal given name. Moondragon is the registered byname of the submitter's mother.
Originally submitted as Judith de Saint_ Clare, the name was changed at Kingdom to Judith de Sainte Clare without a note in the Letter of Intent indicating that the submitter consented to this change. As this name is registerable in the form originally submitted, we have restored the name to Judith de Saint_ Clare for registration.
There are 715 years between the attested instances of the given name and the byname in Wickenden's Dictionary of Russian Names. The July 2017 Cover Letter states:
[T]he Dictionary gives only the earliest dated instance of a particular name under the heading for that name. . . . Because only the earliest date is given for most names, we generally give submitters the benefit of the doubt that name elements found in the Dictionary are temporally compatible.
Therefore, this name is registerable despite the temporal gap.
Submitted as Nicaize Maupetite, the submitter requested that the byname be spelled without the terminal -e if that spelling could be documented. Maupetit is found as an inherited surname in the 16th century and thus does not need to be feminized when paired with a female given name. Accordingly, we have changed the byname to Maupetit_ as requested.
There are two different depictions of labyrinths in Society heraldry. The defining instance from March 2001 depicts the labyrinth with the floor as the same tincture as the field, and the walls in a contrasting, blazoned tincture. This device depicts the labyrinth as a solid roundel in the blazoned tincture, with the walls functioning as diapering in an unblazoned tincture. Both depictions are reasonable interpretations of the available documentation, and should be considered equivalent for purposes of conflict checking.
There are two different depictions of labyrinths in Society heraldry. The defining instance from March 2001 depicts the labyrinth with the floor as the same tincture as the field, and the walls in a contrasting, blazoned tincture. This device depicts the labyrinth as a solid roundel in the blazoned tincture, with the walls functioning as diapering in an unblazoned tincture. Both depictions are reasonable interpretations of the available documentation, and should be considered equivalent for purposes of conflict checking.
There is a step from period practice for the use of compass stars.
The submitter's previous device, Argent estencely, a cat couchant sable, is retained as a badge.
Nice device!
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
Submitted as Æylwin de Spencer, no documentation could be found for the submitted spelling of the given name. At the submitter's request we have changed the given name to Ælwynn, an Old English header form in PASE.
The byname de Spencer is the registered surname of the submitter's spouse. It is also found in England in 1379, in Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II, Vol. 1, 1377-1381, pp. 236-9 (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-close-rolls/ric2/vol1/pp236-239). Therefore, the submitter does not need to rely on the Existing Registration Allowance.
The submitter's previous name, Aylwin Thoraldson, is released.
This name follows the documented practice in 16th century England of using given names based on figures from classical history and mythology. The submitter and his consulting herald did an excellent job of providing examples of this practice.
Please see this month's cover letter for more information about the dormant posture.
Nice late period Italian name!
Nice 16th century English name!
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
There is a step from period practice for use of Oriental dragons.
The question was raised whether the precedent set in the August 2017 LoAR barring use of Chinese dragons under SENA applied to all Oriental dragons, or just those depicted in the Chinese style. We were also asked about the timing of the ban, given that the publication dates of LoARs are subject to variability. So, to clarify: Given SENA's rules about steps from period practice, we must also cease consideration of Oriental dragons for all armory on external Letters of Intent dated after the publication date of the May 2018 LoAR or June 30, 2018, whichever is sooner, unless evidence can be provided of their use in an armorial context.
The submitter's previous device, Per fess vert and argent, three demi-swords inverted issuant from the line of division and a dragon dormant wings elevated and addorsed counterchanged, is retained as a badge.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
The submitter's previous device, Per saltire argent and gules, in chief two chevronels couped and in base a pair of scissors sable, is retained as a badge.
The submitter's previous device, Per pale sable and gules, a dragon's head cabossed and in base a Thor's hammer Or, is released.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
Artist's note: Please draw the ermine spots a bit larger for ease in identification.
Submitted as Halldís Skogadóttir, accents and diacritical markings in Old Norse names must be used consistently throughout. Therefore, we have changed this name to Halldís Skógadóttir for registration.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, a vol purpure within an orle of raspberry vine vert fructed gules and flowered argent, is released.
Nice English name for circa 1600!
Submitted as Christophoros Artemios the Heretic, the submitter requested authenticity for "Byzantine" and requested a Greek form of the descriptive "the Heretic" if it could be documented. Based on the advice of Alisoun Metron Ariston in commentary, we have changed the name to Christophoros Artemiou Hairetikos to use the attested pattern of given name + father's name in the genitive form, as well as the Greek form of the descriptive byname.
Although this name as changed is entirely Greek, we cannot say for sure if it is authentic for Byzantium as opposed to any other part of the Greek-speaking world.
Questions were raised in commentary about the given name Dagný. Precedent states that this name is registerable:
The name Dagný was documented in the Letter of Intent as a legendary name, where it appears to be the name of a human character. This name is found in the 14th century saga Þórsteins þáttr bæjarmagns. By 1602, it is an attested name, Dagne(e), found in Lind supplement col. 196. Therefore, we have registered the given name as submitted. [Dagný Roðbertsdottir, 9/2015 LoAR, A-Trimaris]
There is a step from period practice for use of a New World dogwood blossom.
Danielle was documented in the Letter of Intent as the submitter's legal given name. However, she does not need to rely on the Legal Name Allowance because, in commentary, Lillia Crampette documented the name to period in English and French.
Nice badge!
Nice 15th century French name!
There is a step from period practice for use of a bird other than an eagle in the displayed posture.
Artist's note: Please draw the suns larger to aid in identification.
Nice English name from the 13th century onwards!
Originally submitted as Elenor de la Rochelle alias Ela, the name was changed at Kingdom to Elenor de la Rochelle alias Ele on the belief that dictus or alias style bynames could only refer to a byname, not a given name. However, that is not the case. There are examples in English records of dictus followed by both given names and full names. In this instance, Ela can be either an English given name or an English byname. Therefore, we have restored the name to its originally submitted form.
This name combines an English given name and an English dictus byname with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice 16th century English name!
The rose was drawn as a garden rose. We do not blazon this variant; but its use is a step from period practice.
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century England. This name meets that request.
The submitter's previous name, Moire Nic Pharthaláin, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Or, in chief a bottlenosed dolphin naiant to sinister sable, on two gores gules two pairs of arrows inverted in saltire Or, is retained as a badge.
Nice cant!
This name was pended on the July 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for additional research on whether Fálka could be a plausible feminine form of the Old Norse masculine given name Fálki. The fairly extensive research done by commenters, and particularly by Gunnvor Orle, showed that it is not. However, Gunnvor Orle provided documentation for the very similar Old Norse female given name Folka. We have changed the given name to this attested form for registration.
Stierbach is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Roman/Latin." This is an authentic Roman name for the 1st and 2nd centuries C.E.
The surname de la Scala is a Latinized form of the Italian vernacular della Scala, such as might be recorded in a formal document.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
The submitter's name was registered as Lorette de Chateauneuf on the May 2017 LoAR. At that time, we stated, "[t]he submitter may be interested to know that, based on additional research done at the Pelican decision meeting, the spelling Lorette de Chasteauneuf is authentic for the 16th century. If the submitter would prefer that form, she may make a request for reconsideration." The submitter requested the change and we are pleased to make it.
The submitter's previous name, Lorette de Chateauneuf, is released.
Nice device!
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
Nice Italian name for early 15th century Florence!
Blazoned when registered in May 1983 as Azure, in cross a decrescent between four scorpions, heads to center, argent, the scorpions are decidedly the primary charge group.
Nice late 16th century English name!
Furison is the lingua Anglica form of the term furisine, dated to 1536 in the OED.
The phrase of Caid is necessary in this order name because the name would otherwise conflict with the personal heraldic title Furison Herald registered to James of the Lake. Although James provided permission to conflict, under NPN3E of SENA changing the designator is not sufficient to clear conflicts between heraldic titles and order names even with permission to conflict.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Caitlin inghean Sheamuis, the spelling of the given name was a typo; the submitted given name is Caitilin, which is supported by the documentation.
The submitter requested authenticity for 12th-14th century Irish. The first recorded instance of the given name is in 1411. However, the Caitilin referenced in 1411 was a married woman whose name was recorded at the time of her death, so it is very likely she was born in the late 14th century. As the male name Séamus also begins appearing in the late 14th century, we can reasonably call this name authentic for Irish Gaelic from the late 14th century onwards.
This name combines a French given name with an Italian byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The Principality of the Mists is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Artist's note: Please draw more points and rays on the sun.
Nice German name from the mid-14th century onwards!
Blazoned when registered in October 1979 as Azure, three chevronelles interlaced and in chief a pegasus counter-forcenée, wings addorsed, Or, the pegasus is decidedly the primary charge here, not the chevronels.
Nice 16th century name in both French and English!
The submitter is a court baroness and entitled to display a coronet.
Nice 13th-15th C English name!
Nice 14th-15th century Norwegian name!
The submitter's previous device, Or, a calamarie and a chief wavy sable, is retained as a badge.
Originally submitted as Jacob Rudolfsson, the name was changed at Kingdom to Jacob Rudolfson to match the documentation that could be found. However, in commentary, Lillia Crampette documented both an early English form of Rudolf and English patronymics formed with -sson. Accordingly, we have restored the name to its original form for registration.
There was some question on the nature of bends engouled. The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry states that "The 'bend engouled' (from a term meaning "devoured") has beasts' heads on either end, issuant from the edges of the shield and overlying the bend: this is an Iberian usage, as seen in the arms of Freire de Andrade or Dandrade, c.1540 [Nobreza xi]. The type of head should be specified: dragons' heads (also called serpents' heads) were most commonly used in period." To clarify, it is a single, complex charge, rather than a motif of three discrete charges.
Blazoned when originally registered in March 1975 and again in February 1982 when changed to a badge as Vert, two dolphins counternaiant argent, blazoning of the time did not consistently distinguish between natural dolphins, which these are, and heraldic dolphins. Similarly, we find the posture counternaiant ambiguous, and have chosen to clarify that these are in fact bottlenosed dolphins naiant counter-naiant.
Blazoned when registered in February 1982 as Vert, in pale a dolphin naiant to sinister and a dolphin naiant inverted argent, blazoning of the time did not consistently distinguish between natural dolphins, which these are, and heraldic dolphins. Since we must clarify that these are in fact bottlenosed dolphins, we are reblazoning their posture to the more common current usage of in annulo.
The submitter's previous badge, (Fieldless) The astrological symbol for Venus within and conjoined to an annulet argent, is released.
Nice badge!
The Barony of the Angels is the registered name of an SCA branch.
This design was well documented as an Individually Attested Pattern in German heraldry. The submitter provided more than sufficient evidence of the use of per pale fields using gules and sable with counterchanged charges as well as the use of roses as charges in the same heraldic jurisdiction.
Nice device!
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice 16th century English name!
Submitted as Arye_ ben David ben Lev, the submitted requested that the given name be spelled Aryeh if it could be documented. As the requested Aryeh is a reasonable transliteration of the original Hebrew, we have made this change.
There is a blazonable difference, though no CDs, between this badge and his registered badge, Per bend sinister purpure and argent, a cat couchant to sinister and a cat couchant counterchanged.
Submitted as Samthann inghean uí Dochartaigh, the rules of Gaelic grammar require a name that starts with a consonant and follows inghean uí to be lenited. Therefore, we have changed the name to Samthann inghean uí Dhochartaigh for registration.
Nice 15th-16th century Scots name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a New World pineapple.
Teleri is already registered to the submitter and thus can continue to be used by her without additional documentation. This element is considered neutral in language and time under PN1B2g.
The submitter's previous name, Teleri of Gwynedd, is retained as an alternate name.
Blazoned when registered in September 1989 as Vert, a griffin sejant to sinister, sinister foreleg raised, wings inverted and addorsed, issuant from a basket, all between three trees eradicated argent, the trees here are not particularly eradicated.
Nice 9th-12th century Arabic name for al-Andalus!
Artist's note: Please draw fewer, deeper crenellations on the chief.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
Nice 9th-10th century Irish Gaelic name!
Submitted as al-Ma'iz Da'ud ibn al-Kabsh al-Garnati, the order of the name elements did not follow an attested naming pattern for Arabic. Based on the name pattern data in Names From the Diary of Ibn al-Bann{a-}' by Basil Dragonstrike (https://s-gabriel.org/names/basil/ibnalbanna/), and with the submitter's permission, we are registering this name as Da'ud ibn al-Kabsh al-Garnati al-Ma'iz.
The submitter's previous device, Per saltire azure and vert, a senmurv contourny Or, is retained as a badge.
These are two gouttes, a tertiary charge on a primary charge, and not the equivalent of a goutte fimbriated. Therefore, this badge does not conflict with the badge of David ben Avraham Brisk, (Fieldless) A goutte de vin, with a DC each for fieldlessness, tincture of the primary charge, and the addition of a tertiary charge.
Dorcas grants permission to conflict for all armory not identical to her badge.
Nice 14th century Dutch name!
There is a step from period practice for use of triskelions of spirals.
The submitter requested the spelling Lüder for the surname if it could be documented. Unfortunately, we were unable to document Lüder with the umlaut within 500 years of the early 9th century Germanic given name Gisa. However, in commentary, Lillia Crampette documented Gise Lüder as an entirely grey period German name. If the submitter would prefer this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Submitted as Gwyddelan FitzWilliam, the submitted spelling of the given name could not be documented to period; it appears to be an entirely modern spelling. However, Gwythelan is found in the 15th century as part of the name of a church in Calendar of Papal Registers Relating To Great Britain and Ireland: Volume 8, 1427-1447, ed. J A Twemlow (London, 1909), pp. 321-334. (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-papal-registers/brit-ie/vol8/pp321-334). We have made this change for registration.
The Letter of Intent documented Yoichi based on the attested yobina Yoichirou. S{o,}lveig Þrándardóttir confirmed that dropping the element -rou from Yoichirou is a valid construction in Japanese.
The submitter should be aware that the second and third element of the name are pronounced as Yo'ichi and Yori'ie respectively, with the apostrophe representing a glottal stop as in the name Hawai'i.
This name is clear of the registered Lucius Plotius Primus under both PN3C1 (Bom- vs Plo-, -bi vs -ti) and PN3C2 (Bomb- vs. Plot-).
Nice Roman name for the 2nd century C.E.!
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
The submitter has permission to conflict with the registered name of Svana Úlfsdóttir.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns) (to Calontir pends)
Nice English heraldic title!
Please advise the submitter that use of this badge must be restricted to those entitled to bear a crown or coronet on their personal armory.
This name was previously returned on the March 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for lack of documentation and failure to provide photocopies of cited sources that we were unable to find electronically or through a local library. On resubmission, these omissions have been corrected. In addition, we were able to confirm that Talven is the genitive form of Talvi. Therefore, this name can now be registered.
The submitter's previous name, Kareina Talvi Tytär, is released.
Myfanwy was documented in the Letter of Intent from Women's Names in the First Half of 16th Century Wales by Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn (https://www.s-gabriel.org/names/tangwystyl/welshWomen16/given.html). However, Myfanwy is an italicized header form in Tangwystl's article, not an attested period form. Fortunately for the submitter, precedent states that, "[w]hile the spelling Myfanwy is not clearly dated to before 1600, it is consistent with late period Welsh spellings and can thus be registered." [Myfanwy verch Ieuan, 2/2011 LoAR, A-West]
The submitter's previous name, Mevanwy Methig, is released.
The byname árabrjótr is a constructed Old Norse byname meaning "breaker of oars."
This group name was pended on the August 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns to allow the Kingdom of Ealdormere to provide a promised letter of permission to conflict with the Order of the Trillium and Trillium Herald. As that letter has now been received, this name can be registered.
This group name uses the period Latin name of the modern city of Trèves, located in the south of France. The city of Trèves is not part of the branch's territory and is not important enough to protect from presumption under NPN4D1.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
Ealdred grants permission to conflict for any future submitter to register a name that is at least a syllable different from his registered name.
Ealdred grants permission to conflict for all armory that is at least one countable step (DC) from his device.
The historic Gannicus, one of the leaders of rebel slaves during the Third Servile War (73-71 B.C.E.), is not significant enough to protect from presumption. In addition, there is no evidence that the historic Gannicus was ever known as "the Hibernian" or "the Irish."
There is a step from period practice for the use of birds other than eagles in the displayed posture.
Nice 16th century German name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of modern trapezoidal depictions of apples.
Artist's note: Please make sure that the wings are issuant from the hedgehog's shoulder and give space between the wing and the body to aid in identification.
There is a step from period practice for the use of the modern trapezoidal depiction of an apple.
The submitter has received permission to conflict with Raphael de Merida's device, Per fess rayonny azure and gules, a standing seraph argent, and Erik the Relentless has blanket permission to conflict with his device, Purpure chapé ployé, a standing seraph argent.
The emblazon provided in this transfer depicted the bordure as sable, which was not an accurate representation of the registered badge. However, as the emblazon is not required for transfer, this is not a reason for return. The submitter is advised to submit a new badge if a sable bordure is desired.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
Nice device!
Submitted as Budang Altajin, the name was not correctly constructed. In Mongol names, the adjective comes before the noun. In addition, the suffix -jin does not need to be added to Altan to achieve the desired meaning "of gold" -- the correct construction is to use the descriptive adjective Altan standing alone. With the submitter's consent, we have changed the name to Altan Budang.
Artist's note: Please draw the flame with fewer, bolder tongues.
Nova Lipa is the modern name of two towns in Slovenia and Croatia. As the submitter demonstrated that at least one of these towns existed in period, she can use the lingua Anglica allowance to register the byname of Nova Lipa.
This name combines an Italian given name with a Slovene or Croatian (South Slavic) byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Angharad verch Moriddig, the Letter of Intent documented the name elements from Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn's A Simple Guide to Constructing 13th Century Welsh Names (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/welsh13.html). However, both Angharad and Moriddig are modernized header forms in that article, not attested period forms. Fortunately, Angharad is found as an attested form in Tangwystl's Women's Names in the First Half of 16th Century Wales (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/welshfem16/given.html). Unfortunately, Moriddig could not be found in period. The attested period spelling of this name element found in Tangwystl's article and elsewhere is Moridic. We have made this change for registration.
The submitter may be interested to know that an entirely 13th-14th century Welsh form of this name is Angharat verch Moridic. If the submitter prefers this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Angharad verch Moridic does not conflict with the registered Angharad ferch Maredudd under PN3C1 because there are multiple changes in sound and appearance between verch Moridic and ferch Maredudd: verch vs. ferch, Mor- vs. Mar-, -dic vs. -dith.
Nice 15th-16th century Italian name!
Submitted as Conri MacFeargus, the byname was not correctly formed for Gaelic. In Gaelic, the father's name must be in the genitive (possessive) form to create a patronymic. The genitive form of Feargus is Feargusa. Further, Gaelic orthography consistently shows a space between Mac and the father's name. Therefore, we have changed the name to the grammatically correct Conri Mac_Feargusa for registration.
The Letter of Intent questioned whether MacFeargus could be registerable as an Anglicized Irish form. In this name, it cannot. Anglicized Irish and Gaelic can be combined only if there is less than 300 years between the name elements. However, Conri is dated to 718 C.E., more than 300 years before the first English invasion of Ireland or the first recorded Anglicized Irish documents. Therefore, Conri cannot be combined with Anglicized Irish elements. Additionally, we do not currently have evidence supporting MacFeargus as an Anglicized Irish form.
As changed for registration, this is a nice 8th century Irish Gaelic name!
Submitted as Cúán an Saigteóir Irruis mac Fintain, we were not able to find any evidence supporting double descriptive bynames in this pattern in Gaelic. However, we do have evidence of two descriptive bynames in a name where one applies to the father and the other applies to the son. Therefore, we have moved the descriptive byname Irruis to the end of the name, where it applies to Fintan. In this construction, Irruis must be in the genitive (possessive) form, but the genitive and the nominative forms of this byname are spelled the same way.
The submitter requested authenticity for "11th Century Irish." He withdrew this request after the close of commentary. This name is not authentic for 11th century Gaelic.
The submitter requested authenticity for 10th century Norse language or culture. This name does not meet that request because Edgar is an Anglo-Saxon name, not an Old Norse name. The combination of Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse is registerable as long as the elements are dated prior to 1100 C.E., which is the case here.
Sala di Paruta is found as the name of a place in Sicily at p. 23 of Teatro Genologico Delle Famiglie Nobili di Sicilia, published in 1647 (https://books.google.com/books?id=PuhlAAAAcAAJ). As unmarked locative bynames are permitted in Italian per Appendix A, this name can be registered precisely as submitted.
Upon his death, the submitter transfers to Violet Hughes the household name House of Three Skulls and the household badge Per pale vert and gules, on a pale sable fimbriated three death's heads argent.
Nice 16th century Scots name!
Artist's note: Please draw the orle thicker and bolder.
Nice 16th century English name!
This name combines a Spanish given name with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Artist's note: Please draw the cotises much thicker.
This name does not conflict with the registered Marie de Lyon under PN31C2 because there is a significant change in sound and appearance in the second syllable of the given name: -ie and -ta share no sounds or letters in common.
Nice English name for circa 1600!
Nice device!
Blazoned when registered in June 1975 as (Fieldless) A natural sea-horse proper, the exact tincture of the seahorse has long been a mystery, as the original form was not submitted in color. Fortunately the current Viceroy and Vicereine, in conjunction with their herald, after some research have declared that the original intent and current usage is of a brown seahorse. We thank them for their help in settling this long-standing conundrum.
Submitted as Reinhart Basarab, the submitted spelling of the surname could not be documented to period. Instead, the attested period form is Bazarab. We have changed the surname to the period form for registration.
This name combines a German given name with a Romanian/Wallachian byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Sala di Paruta is found as the name of a place in Sicily at p. 23 of Teatro Genologico Delle Famiglie Nobili di Sicilia, published in 1647 (https://books.google.com/books?id=PuhlAAAAcAAJ). As unmarked locative bynames are permitted in Italian per Appendix A, this name can be registered precisely as submitted.
The submitter's previous name, Sara of Salaparuta, is released.
This name was pended on the August 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for discussion of whether we should continue to allow registration of Japanese names that do not include a yobina element. As there was no strong or consistent demand in commentary for departing from our current practice, we will continue to register names without a yobina, consistent with existing precedents. [Akiyama Kintsune, 8/2016 LoAR, A-East; Godai Katsunaga, 3/2008 LoAR, A-Atlantia] Accordingly, this name can be registered as submitted.
The submitter requested authenticity for "9th to 11th century Viking" culture. This name meets that request.
Barnsdale is the lingua Anglica form of an English place name recorded in the 13th century as Bernardeshull.
The submitter requested authenticity for 13th century English language/culture. However, he withdrew this authenticity request during commentary.
This device would normally have been returned for blurring the distinction between rampant and displayed postures. In the return of Irene MacKenny's device on the July 2017 LoAR, it was ruled that "Absent documentation, we will cease to register any depictions of animate charges displayed with the torso twisted to dexter or sinister as of the January 2018 decision meeting. Note that even an acceptably drawn dragon displayed remains a step from period practice." As this depiction of a dragon "displayed" has the torso turned to dexter, it would be returned under this precedent.
However, the device was submitted at Pennsic, before the decision was published. Through no fault of the submitter, the paperwork was not placed on an external letter of intent until October. As the submitter addressed the previous reasons for return, we give her the benefit of the doubt.
There is a step from period practice for use of a dragon displayed.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
Nice 14th century English name!
Nice device!
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice 16th century Polish name!
Nice 16th century Spanish name!
The submitter's previous name, Domenego Ferrante di Aldobrando da Trento, is released.
The submitter's previous alternate name, Svartr Ormsson djákn, is released.
The submitter has permission to conflict with the device of Conrad Breakring, Argent, an annulet fracted on the dexter side sable.
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice late 15th century German name from Nuremberg!
This device was pended on the July 2017 LoAR for discussion about how to properly blazon the label as a primary charge. Labels are in chief and throughout by default; like the chief, its placement is an intrinsic part of the charge, and it functions as a peripheral non-ordinary.
However, there is substantial period evidence for the use of a label as a primary charge, including a number of examples of devices with multiple labels.
We have decided that for clarity's sake, we will treat a label as any other charge, with placement in chief either explicitly blazoned or assumed only if not blazoned as a primary charge. As part of this letter, we have reviewed the five pieces of registered armory with a label as a primary charge where placement of the label is not explicit, and have reblazoned them as necessary.
Innilgard is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Þorin is a valid alternate transliteration of Thorin, a Latinized Old Norse name found in 1066-69.
Nice device!
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Submitted as Ozbeg Urugud, the submitter wanted a Mongol name using the clan name Urugud. Based on the naming patterns set out in "Middle Mongol Grammar for SCA Names" by Ursula Georges (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/mongolgrammar.html), the correct construction for this name is Urugud-un Ozbeg. With the submitter's permission, we have made this change for registration.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns) (to Lochac pends)
The submitter requested authenticity for 14th century Denmark. This name is authentic for early 15th century (1408-10) Denmark. It may be authentic for earlier as well, but we cannot say for sure.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
At the Pelican decision meeting, Ursula Palimpsest found evidence of the given name Alainne in the 14th century, allowing us to register the name exactly as submitted.
Submitted as Ay{s,}e al-Rumi_, this name was not properly constructed because it used the male form of the byname with a female given name. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the byname to the correct feminine form, al-R{u-}m{i-}yya.
This name combines a Turkish given name with an Arabic byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice 16th century Italian name!
Artist's note: Please draw the sheaf of arrows larger.
Caryn is the submitter's legal given name. Cynnabar is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice badge!
This name combines a Gaelic given name with a Scots byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
There is a step from period practice for the use of triskelions of spirals.
Submitted as Nelophona Lapier, the submitter requested the given name Elophina if it could be documented. During the Pelican decision meeting, Ursula Palimpsest found Elofina as a 16th century Spanish feminine name.
However, a Spanish given name cannot be combined with the German byname Lapier. We found the similar-sounding Spanish byname La Peyra in the FamilySearch Historical Records dated to the 16th century and the gray period. At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to Elofina La Peyra.
Nice 16th century Spanish name!
Submitted as Eyvinda Gerðardóttir, the Letter of Intent argued that Eyvinda was the feminine form of the attested Old Norse masculine name Eyvindr, claiming that "[t]he feminization pattern is based on Icelandic Grammar found in Cleasby-Vigfusson." However, we found no evidence in Cleasby-Vigfusson or elsewhere that Old Norse male names ending in -ndr were feminized by changing the terminal letter to -a. Further, we cannot construct this name because there is no evidence that -vinda was an independent element in Old Norse.
At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to the masculine Eyvindr Gerðarson for registration.
Nice English name for circa 1450!
Nice device!
Nice 13th century Welsh name!
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
This name does not conflict with the registered Hrothgar Hrolfsson under PN3C3 of SENA, the so-called "Harry/Mary rule." Although the given names are identical, the differences in sound and appearance between the initial consonants of Hrolfsson and Bjolfsson are substantial enough to bring the names clear.
This name combines an Anglo-Saxon given name with an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C as long as both elements are dated prior to 1100 C.E., as is the case here.
Submitted as Award of the Turtle of Illiton, the Barony of Illiton intended the order name to refer to the reptile with the shell modernly called a "turtle." However, in period, the term turtle referred to a bird, the turtledove, while the reptile was called a tortoise. At the submitter's request we have changed the name to Award of the Tortoise of Illiton, using the lingua Anglica spelling of the attested Middle English forms tortouse, tortuce or tortus.
Artist's note: Please draw fewer, larger tongues of flame.
Submitted as Katrín Grimsdóttir, diacritical markings and accents must be used or omitted consistently throughout Old Norse names. Therefore, we have changed this name to Katrín Grímsdóttir for registration.
The submitter's previous name, Elisaveta Izmaragd Ivanova, is released.
There is a step from period practice for use of triskelion of spirals
Artist's note: Please draw the fleur-de-lys somewhat larger.
There is a step from period practice for the use of an overall charge surmounting a fimbriated ordinary.
Marissa is the submitter's legal given name.
The submitter has permission to conflict from Mikael Houston for his device, Argent, two chevronels azure between three martlets sable.
This name combines an Italian given name with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The Letter of Intent argued that Ravenglass is a lingua Anglica form of an English place name. In addition, at the Pelican decision meeting, Lillia Crampette found this precise spelling attested to 1572 in 'Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 21: April 1572', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda, 1566-79, ed. Mary Anne Everett Green (London, 1871), pp. 390-394. British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/edw-eliz/addenda/1566-79/pp390-394).
Nice Italian name for early 15th century Florence!
The submitter requested authenticity for "1500s German." This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Ragged Staff identified the authenticity request during commentary, allowing sufficient time for research.
The given name Salomon is found throughout 16th century Germany. Heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found the phrase von Lübeck in the Vertragshandlung zwischen (ihm) und gemeiner Statt Lübeck den 15 Februarii (1536) zu Hamburg beschlossen (https://books.google.com/books?id=J6JRAAAAcAAJ&pg=PP13), published in 1536. Therefore, this name is authentic for 16th century Germany as requested.
Foxhunter is the lingua Anglica form of the attested Middle English bynames le Foxhunte, Foxhunte or Todhunter.
The Greek mythological figure Perseus was known to the Elizabethan English. For example, John Harrington's Apologie for Poetrie (1591) refers to Perseus's feat of slaying the Gorgon. There is also well-documented pattern in 16th century England of naming people after figures from classical mythology. See, e.g., Alys Mackyntoich, "16th Century Names From Classical History and Mythology" (KWHSS 2014). In fact, the FamilySearch Historical Records contain a 1543 burial record for Percius Busshell, whose name appears to be a variant of Perseus. Therefore, this is an entirely reasonable order name based either on the classical figure or on a person named for the classical figure who sponsored or inspired the order.
The submitter's previous device, Sable, a fess gules fimbriated between a feather fesswise and a gladius fesswise argent, is retained as a badge.
The submitter has permission to conflict with the badge of Gwendolyn the Rat Keeper, (Fieldless) A rat sejant erect to sinister sable, tailed Or.
Artist's note: Please draw the primary charge larger to fill the available space.
Þóra is already registered to the submitter, and thus is treated as neutral in language and time under the Existing Registration Allowance, PN1B2g. Therefore it can be combined with two late-period English bynames.
Nice badge!
Questions were raised in commentary whether this name presumes on the historical Tirumala Devi, princess of Srirangapattana. As there is no evidence that the historical Tirumala Devi was ever known as Tirumala Devi of Tirupati, the name is not presumptuous.
Tirupati is the modern name of a city that existed in 16th century India. Therefore, the byname of Tirupati is registerable under PN1B2c.
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century southern India. The given name Tirumaladevi was found in a 16th century inscription from the city modernly known as Tirupati. Thus, this name may be authentic for that time and place but we do not have sufficient data about Indian names to say with certainty.
The submitter's previous name, Gwenllian verch Rhydderch Annwyl, is retained as an alternate name.
Artist's note: Please draw the lotus and annulet larger to fill the available space.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, three cinquefoils vert, on a chief azure a rabbit couchant argent, is retained as a badge.
The submitter's previous name, Takeda Fuyuuji, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous name, Zilia degli Giudici, is released.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
Rokeclif is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Rokeclif is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Artist's note: Please be sure to fill in all portions of the charge when coloring. This includes the handle centered on the main body of the punner; this is part of the primary charge, not a separate tertiary charge, and so should be the same tincture as the column.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
Ember is both the submitter's legal given name and a gray-period English given name found in the FamilySearch Historical Records by ffride wlffsdotter.
Fontaine dans Sable is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Submitted as Shadrick Romani Natalia, this name was pended on the August 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for additional research. Specifically, we inquired whether the pattern of given name + Latinized name in genitive form + unmarked matronym is plausible for any of the languages in which we were able to document the individual name elements (specifically, German, English or Hungarian).
While Lillia Crampette was able to find evidence supporting either Shadrick Romani or Shadrick Natalia, no evidence could be found for the submitted pattern of bynames. Either of these names would be a major change, however, which the submitter does not allow.
We were able to construct Shadrick Romanus Natalia as a late-period German name using a double given name and an unmarked matronymic. As the change from Romani to Romanus is minor, we are registering the name in this form.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This device was pended July 2017 for further research on whether the motif of piercing or transfixing secondary charges was found in period heraldry, and for discussion on whether this motif is allowable under our current rules. SENA Appendix I requires that overall charges surmount the primary charge and nothing in SENA allows for charges surmounting secondary charges.
No evidence was presented, and none could be found, showing that the practice of transfixing charges was done in period to anything but a primary charge. Absent such evidence, armory with transfixing charges that do not pierce the primary charge will be returned.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
This name must be returned for lack of documentation. The sole evidence of Doclor as a given name was from a single citation in the FamilySearch Historical Records. Because questions were raised about whether Doclor was a mistranscription of the title Doctor, Kolosvari Arpadne Julia obtained a copy of the original document from which the record was extracted. The original document clearly shows that the word is the title Doctor, not Doclor. We were unable to find any other evidence supporting Doclor as a period name. Therefore, we are forced to return this name.
His device is registered under the holding name Ken of Cranehaven.
This device has been withdrawn by the submitter.
This Order name must be returned for lack of documentation of the pattern. The June 2017 Cover Letter states:
[T]he category Other Adjective + Charge does not allow all types of adjective to be added to a heraldic charge to create an order name. The Other Adjective must be a clear visual description of the charge itself, like Double or Crowned or Winged. Until evidence supporting such constructions is found, adjectives that describe heraldic postures or arrangements of charges are not acceptable. (emphasis added)
As no such evidence was presented in connection with this submission, and none could be found by commenters, it must be returned.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
This is an inadvertent duplicate submission. This name was already accepted on the September 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
None.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
This device was pended on the July 2017 LoAR for further research on whether the motif of charges surmounting secondary but not primary charges was found in period heraldry, and for discussion on whether this motif is allowable under our current rules. SENA Appendix I requires that overall charges surmount the primary charge and nothing in SENA allows for charges surmounting secondary charges.
No evidence was presented, and none could be found, showing that the practice of surmounting charges covering only secondary charges when a primary charge is present was done in period. Absent such evidence, armory with surmounting charges that do not overlie the primary charge will be returned.
While blazoned on the Letter of Intent as a primary head with its horns crossing the per fess line and a secondary axe, commenters felt that the small difference in size between the charges gave the impression of a single co-primary charge group. As a result, this device must be returned for violating SENA A3D1, Clarity of Charge Groups
Upon resubmission, we encourage the artist to draw the bull's head larger, and the axe either smaller or oriented fesswise to better fill the available space.
This device is returned for use of the restricted motif of the Red Crescent, which is a single gules decrescent on any argent background or in any way that could be displayed on an argent background.
The roses were drawn as garden roses. We do not blazon this variant; but their use is a step from period practice.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
The submitter withdrew this name after the close of commentary.
This device is returned for lack of identifiability of the horse's skull. The examples of non-human skulls in period armory are limited, and have distinguishing features (such as the horns of the bull found in the arms of Capo di Vacca in the Insignia nobilium Patavinorum, BSB Cod.icon. 275:23v) that aid in identifiability. They are also affronty. With two exceptions, both registered prior to 1990, non-human skulls in SCA armory are likewise distinguished by either horns/antlers or, in the sole example of an elephant's skull, tusks. This last example had tusks that were as tall as the skull itself and spanned the width of the device, to make up for the lack of identifying trunk of the elephant.
Without these distinctive identifying features, it becomes difficult to identify the animal whose skull is being displayed, and indeed there is little to differentiate the skull of a horse from one from another ungulate, such as a pig.
Absent documentation of animal skulls being depicted in profile in period armory, and absent documentation of animal skulls lacking distinctive characteristics that aid in immediate identification, either practice will be grounds for return.
This device is returned for lack of identifiability of the horse's skull. The examples of non-human skulls in period armory are limited, and have distinguishing features (such as the horns of the bull found in the arms of Capo di Vacca in the Insignia nobilium Patavinorum, BSB Cod.icon. 275:23v) that aid in identifiability. They are also affronty. With two exceptions, both registered prior to 1990, skulls in SCA armory are likewise distinguished by either horns/antlers or, in the sole example of an elephant's skull, tusks. This last example had tusks that were as tall as the skull itself and spanned the width of the device, to make up for the lack of identifying trunk of the elephant.
Without these distinctive identifying features, it becomes difficult to identify the animal whose skull is being displayed, and indeed there is little to differentiate the skull of a horse from one from another ungulate, such as a pig.
Absent documentation of animal skulls being depicted in profile in period armory, and absent documentation of animal skulls lacking distinctive characteristics that aid in immediate identification, either practice will be grounds for return.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This device was withdrawn by the submitter.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
None.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns) (to Calontir pends)
This device is returned for redraw. Though the previous reasons for return have been addressed, the change in skin and hair tincture has rendered the head and torso of the monster effectively invisible against its wings, which is a new issue caused by the redesign. There have been numerous previous returns due to an overlap of wings and limbs, most recently in this letter, and this device has the same issue of identifiability.
Upon resubmission, we encourage the submitter to separate the wings of the monster to allow the upper body to appear entirely on the field.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
The client's previous submission, A tree blasted issuant from a stag's skull in base argent attired Or was returned on the February 2017 LoAR:
This badge is returned for redraw, for violating SENA A2C2 which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable." This badge is also returned for not being reliably blazonable, which is a violation of SENA A1C which requires an emblazon to be describable in heraldic terms. In this depiction, commenters had trouble identifying the "trees" as such. They were more generally perceived as a complex form of attire. In the best case, they were parsed as one tree. Additionally, they is no good way to blazon the relationship of the "trees" to one another. It is not sufficiently described as "intertwined" as that would not indicate that the crown of the central one was to chief while the other two crowns were fesswise and addorsed.
This submission falls afoul of the same issues as the previous one. The depiction of the trees is not a heraldic style (like a crequier) but more like knotwork. With the exception of specific knots and some geometric shapes entwined to resemble knots, we do not register knotwork art as heraldry, even for a badge. Additionally, we would require that evidence be presented for knotwork in trees (and with multiple intertwined trees) to allow this motif.
This is therefore returned for redraw/redesign, for violating SENA A2C2 which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable."
This badge is also returned for not being reliably blazonable, which is a violation of SENA A1C which requires an emblazon to be describable in heraldic terms. "...their trunks entwining the trunk of the first" is the closest we could get, and this phrasing doesn't fit the "describable in heraldic terms" requirement; indeed, many thought there was no way to blazon the trees that would consistently yield this depiction.
If the client wants a blazonable badge with this overall design, we suggest something like "Sable, in fess two blasted trees in saltire argent surmounted by a third palewise Or, in base a stag's skull argent attired Or." Please draw the tree branches less like the antler's tips, and if this suggestion is taken, the tops of the trees in saltire should not be in the same orientation as the center tree, but bendwise and bendwise sinister.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This device is returned for redraw. When a design has a peripheral ordinary, the field and any charges on it shift to give space to the ordinary. In this device, the presence of the chief shifts the rest of the charges down, and the per bend field division should issue from the corner of the field, or the dexter base corner of the chief, so that the field is evenly divided purpure and vert. Additionally, the position of the sheep should be adjusted vertically on the redrawn field so it lies more equally in both the purpure and the vert compartments.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A2C2, which requires that charges must be depicted in a way that is identifiable. The posture of this wolf, blazoned in the submission as "courant," is in reality a form of statant that is not documented, reminiscent of a wolf trotting with forelegs and hind legs splaying in opposite directions from one another, forming two chevrons. Courant is a posture where all four limbs are splayed out as the creature is running at full extension. While this might be a naturalistic depiction of a wolf running, it is not a heraldic depiction and must therefore be returned.
Upon resubmission, we advise the artist to depict both charges larger to fill the available space, and to make the engrailments of the field division wider and deeper.
This device is returned for a redraw, for violating the guidelines set forth on the May 2011 Cover Letter for a properly drawn per chevron field division; the field division here is too low. Please see that Cover Letter for further discussion and details of how to properly draw a per chevron lines of division.
This device is returned for lack of documentation. In the September 2016 registration of Fiora Valori's badge, it was ruled that "Although the ancestor of the breed can be documented to period, the modern 'poodle cut' is not and will not be registerable after the March 2017 decision meeting barring documentation." No evidence was presented and none could be found of the modern poofy haircut and style of the modern poodle. The closest that commenters were able to find were late-period depictions of dogs with hair cut to resemble a lion's mane, with long, shaggy fur about the head and shoulders.
There is a step from period practice for blazoning a specific breed of dog not found in period blazons.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
This device must be returned for conflict with Aidan Aileran O'Comhraidhe's badge for House Silver Scythe, Per fess wavy azure and argent, in base a bar wavy azure and overall in saltire two scythes Or. When Aidan's badge was registered, Laurel ruled that it was equivalent to [field], two scythes in saltire Or. Visually, Aidan's device has the unmistakable effect of Per fess wavy azure and barry wavy argent and azure, two scythes in saltire Or. As such, there is only one DC, for changes to the field.
We have reblazoned Aidan's armory elsewhere in this letter to better assist in conflict-checking in the future.
This device is returned for conflict with the badge of Teceangl Bach, (Fieldless) A mascle argent. There is one DC for the field. The layout of the hammers, with the handles conjoined to the longer, pointed end of the hammers, obscures the charges in such a way that it makes it difficult to discern them from a regular mascle, leading to visual conflict.
The submitter has permission to conflict with the device of Amabilia Thexton, Azure, a masculyn argent, which appears on this letter.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns) (to Lochac pends)
None.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
This badge is returned because the variety of flames on and around the book create visual confusion. The combination of enflaming - the little spurts of flame issuing from the book's edges, which are worth no difference - and the flame as tertiary charge, which is worth difference, creates the impression of a single group of flames on and aroung the book. Barring period evidence for charges being both enflamed and charged with a flame, such a charge cannot be registered.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2c, which requires that charges be in a unified posture and orientation. In the December 2017 return of Branán Mac Branáin's device, it was ruled:
In annulo is a term used to describe charges arranged in such a ways that they form an annulet, or circle. It is possible for a number (usually 6 or more) of any type of charge to be in annulo by following the path of the annulet, and certain long, skinny charges like serpents or stag's attires can be in annulo with only one charge. However, when there are five or fewer charges in the charge group, the ability of charges to represent an annular formation becomes more difficult and dependent upon the shape and orientation of the charges. Three wolves rampant, heads to center, cannot be in annulo, because their arrangement and orientation do not suggest an annulet. However, three wolves courant can be in annulo, provided their bodies curve and conform to the shape of an annulet.
While these birds are in a more curved shape than the submission from which this ruling comes, the principle remains the same. The birds are not oriented in such a way that the curves of their respective forms even hint at an annulet.
This device is also returned for violation of SENA A2C1, which requires that "Elements must be drawn in their period forms and in a period armorial style," and specifically prohibits charges being depicted in trian aspect. The foreshortened wing on both birds gives the impression of being drawn in perspective.
This device must be returned for redraw. Depictions of winged quadrupeds where the forelimbs overlie the wings has been grounds for return due to lack of recognizability, most recently in the return of Umm Butrus A'isha al-Anida's device on the March 2017 LoAR.
This device is also returned for blurring the distinction between rampant and displayed postures. In the return of Irene MacKenny's device on the July 2017 LoAR, it was ruled that "Absent documentation, we will cease to register any depictions of animate charges displayed with the torso twisted to dexter or sinister as of the January 2018 decision meeting. Note that even an acceptably drawn dragon displayed remains a step from period practice." As this depiction of a dragon "displayed" has the torso turned to dexter, it is returned under this precedent.
There is a step from period practice for use of dragons displayed.
The Letter of Intent argued that a vessel is a heraldic charge. However, the word vessel can mean either a container or a ship. Precedent requires that, "to use an object as a heraldic charge, a standard depiction [of the object] must be documented." [Caid, Kingdom of. Heraldic title Compendium Herald, 8/2005 LoAR, R-Caid] For example, in returning the heraldic title Compendium Herald, we ruled:
The submitters argued that a compendium was a period object compatible for use as a heraldic charge. To use an object as a heraldic charge, a standard depiction must be documented. However, a compendium does not appear to have a standard form. [The LoAR cites the Oxford Museum of Scientific Instruments to show multiple forms of the artifact, and concludes] Because a compendium is not suitable for use as a heraldic charge, the name cannot be justified in a heraldic title. [Caid, Kingdom of. Heraldic title Compendium Herald, 8/2005 LoAR, R-Caid]
As the word vessel has two mutually exclusive meanings, there can be no standard depiction of a vessel. Therefore, this name must be returned.
The Barony of Illiton indicated in the Letter of Intent that, if the name must be changed, it preferred reference to a drinking vessel. The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry lists numerous specific types of drinking vessels and similar containers used as heraldic charges (http://mistholme.com/dictionary/vessels/). On resubmission, the Barony should consider using one of these specifically identifiable charges as the basis for the order name.
This device is returned for blurring the line between secondary, tertiary, and overall charge groups. In this depiction, the cat is neither wholly within the outline of the wolf, which is required for a tertiary charge, nor out of the outline, which is required for a secondary charge. And, as the spine of the wolf is entirely obscured by the cat, there is no way to tell what percentage of the latter is surmounting the former.
This device is also returned for lack of identifiability. Between the dormant posture, the insufficient contrast, and the placement of the charge, commenters had difficulty discerning the identity of the cat.
If the cat is considered a tertiary charge, this device is also returned for lack of contrast. If the cat is considered an overall charge, this device is also returned for being barely overall.
This badge is returned for blurring the line between secondary, tertiary, and overall charge groups. In this depiction, the cat is neither wholly within the outline of the wolf, which is required for a tertiary charge, nor out of the outline, which is required for a secondary charge. And, as the spine of the wolf is entirely obscured by the cat, there is no way to tell what percentage of the latter is surmounting the former.
This badge is also returned for lack of identifiability. Between the dormant posture, the insufficient contrast, and the placement of the charge, commenters had difficulty discerning the identity of the cat.
If the cat is considered a tertiary charge, this badge is also returned for lack of contrast. If the cat is considered an overall charge, this badge is also returned for being barely overall.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Alphonse d'Ayr, Vert, a polypus argent orbed azure wearing a skull-cap gules, a chief invected argent. There is one DC for changing the type of the secondary charge, but the skull-cap is too small to count for difference.
This device is also returned for redraw. This depiction is modern and rather like a cartoon, with short tentacles and eyes floating separately from the body. Upon resubmission, we encourage the submitter to reference period depictions of a polypus, or use the artwork from his registered device, which depicts a more appropriate polypus.
This badge is returned for conflict with the device of Alphonse d'Ayr, Vert, a polypus argent orbed azure wearing a skull-cap gules, a chief invected argent. There is one DC for changing the type of the secondary charge, but the skull-cap is too small to count for difference.
This badge is also returned for redraw. This depiction is modern and rather like a cartoon, with short tentacles and eyes floating separately from the body. Upon resubmission, we encourage the submitter to reference period depictions of a polypus, or use the artwork from his registered device, which depicts a more appropriate polypus.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A2C2, which prohibits blurring the distinction between two orientations. In this submission, the axe is oriented so that it is neither palewise nor bendwise, but midway between the two. This is reinforced visually by the axe handle's proximity to the bend.
Commenters asked if this submission should be returned for Unity of Orientation. SENA A5G7b states that "Inanimate charges...may be divided into two categories: compact charges and long charges. Inanimate charges which fall into separate categories do not have comparable postures." Crescents are later provided as an example of compact charges, and an axe is decidedly in the category of long charge. Therefore, the orientation of these two charges are incomparable.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
None.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
This device is returned for redraw. When a design has a peripheral ordinary, the field and any charges on it shift to give space to the ordinary. In this device, the presence of the chief shifts the rest of the charges down, and the bend sinister should issue from the corner of the field, or the sinister base corner of the chief. Instead, the bend sinister and the sword are depicted as issuing from sinister chief corner of the escutcheon, with a portion of the primary charge obscured by the chief; this is grounds for return.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This device is pended for one month to allow for commentary on hands of Fatima, currently under consideration in the November Laurel LoPaD, to complete. The decision for this device will appear in the same letter that the final ruling on that discussion will appear.
This was item 10 on the Calontir letter of October 31, 2017.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns) (to Calontir pends)
The motifs protected by registration for France are Azure, semy-de-lys Or and Azure, three fleurs-de-lys Or. By longstanding precedent, the use of three or more Or fleurs-de-lys on an azure background has been considered presumptuous:
There is no pretense problem with the use of two Or fleurs-de-lys on an azure field or charge. The strictures against the use of three or more Or fleurs-de-lys on an azure design element is due to the period practice of French augmentations that used the arms of France on an armorial element such as a charge or field. These augmentations were found using the ancient form of the French arms, Azure semy-de-lys Or, or the modern form, Azure, three fleurs-de-lys Or. An azure design element with only one or two Or fleurs de lys does not presume on these period augmentations. Per the LoAR of June 1995 p.13: "...It is thus the use of three or more fleurs-de-lys Or on azure which is restricted; not a single gold fleur on a blue field." [David d'Orleans, A-Caid, March 2007 LoAR]
The submitter argued that under the current standards the change in number of fleurs-de-lys from the two forms of the French royal arms shown as protected in the Armorial whose blazons were specified in the precedent above meant that the submitted badge was clear of presumption with France and so was eligible for registration. And it's true that under SENA A5E3, the submitted badge is clear of presumption from both France Ancient and France Modern by change of number of the primary charges.
However, presumption arises from other causes besides differencing and conflict. The very use of certain motifs can be presumptuous, regardless of differencing, and this is discussed in the remainder of SENA A6. One can get sufficient difference from the Tudor rose by number, or adding a field, or other charges, thus clearing presumption under SENA A5E3's metric. But the use of the Tudor Rose is still considered presumptuous; no matter how much difference is added to (Fieldless) A rose argent charged with a rose gules, the submitted armory will be returned if it uses a red rose on a white rose. Differencing is irrelevant: the motif itself is presumptuous.
That said, the policy of the College of Arms for Tudor roses changed substantially after a thorough review of actual uses of the badge in period, with much stricter definitions of what constitutes a Tudor rose for purposes of presumption.
In the interest of resolving the dispute between the registered armory for France, the listing of restricted armory in the Glossary of Terms, and decades of precedent, this badge is pended for discussion on the following questions:
Are there examples in period of Azure, [four/five] fleurs-de-lys Or being used to presume a relationship with France?
What forms of display in armory do existing claims of presumption with France take?
Based on the available evidence, what forms of display of French armory should be protected in SCA registrations?
Presumptions include, but are not limited to, territorial claims (as with the arms of England), augmentations (as with the arms of Medici), and bastardy (as with the arms of Saint Remi de Valois).
This was item 5 on the East letter of October 31, 2017.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
The question of whether Hamlet is a valid household designator is currently being discussed on the November 2017 Laurel LoPaD. The decision on that submission will directly affect this submission. Therefore, we are pending this submission until the issue is decided.
This was item 16 on the Lochac letter of October 24, 2017.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns) (to Lochac pends)
Submitted as Caer_Gwynt, this construction is not grammatically correct in Welsh. Following the word Caer, the word Gwynt must mutate to Wynt. In fact, Caerwynt and/or Kaerwynt is an attested period place name -- it is the Welsh name for the city of Winchester in England. If this branch name is registerable, it will be in the period spelling Caerwynt.
Because this branch name uses the name of an actual place, we must consider presumption and whether the English city of Winchester is important enough to protect. Winchester was the capital of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex under Alfred the Great. The fact that it was capital of Wessex does not, by itself, require its protection. The December 2016 Cover Letter states:
[T]he only capital cities that will be automatically protected from presumption are the capitals of modern independent sovereign entities and historically significant states. All other cities will be assessed on a case-by-case basis for significance. Thus, the capital of a U.S. state (such as New Jersey) or a Canadian province (such as Alberta) will not automatically be protected. Likewise, Dinefwr, the capital city of the kingdom of Deheubarth (a kingdom within Wales that ceased to be independent by that late 12th century), is not automatically important enough to protect. While the fact that a city such as Trenton or Edmonton is a capital should be taken into account when considering the significance of the place, a city that has little historical significance apart from being the capital of a political subdivision will not be protected from presumption.
In addition to being capital of Wessex, Winchester was also an extremely significant city in its own right; it is considered by historians to have been the most important city in England prior to the Norman Conquest. Even after the Norman Conquest, some period authors, including Thomas Mallory, identified Winchester as home of Camelot and King Arthur. Accordingly, we are pending this name to seek additional commentary concerning the historical significance of Winchester, both as Alfred the Great's capital city and otherwise.
As we cannot create holding names for branches, the armory must be pended as well.
This was item 11 on the Middle letter of October 31, 2017.
This device is pended for one month to allow for commentary on hands of Fatima, currently under consideration in the November Laurel LoPaD, to complete. The decision for this device will appear in the same letter that the final ruling on that discussion will appear.
This was item 44 on the Middle letter of October 31, 2017.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns) (to Middle pends)
This device is pended for discussion and research on period European armorial uses of what we have, to this date, blazoned a t'ai-chi.
The t'ai-chi was last registered in 2011, prior to implementation of SENA, where it was ruled a step from period practice as a non-European artistic motif. However, SENA does not provide for such a step from period practice. In the August 2017 return of Tyok Liftfot's badge, (Fieldless) A Chinese dragon's head cabossed azure, the following breakdown was given for criteria in considering that motif:
Allowed steps from period practice fall under a handful of categories, including non-European armorial elements, non-European plants and animals, other European artifacts, and certain post-period elements. This is neither a European artifact, nor an allowable post-period element, nor a non-European plant or animal, which leaves us with non-European armorial elements.
The ruling further noted that
We have yet to find any examples of Chinese dragons in any period artwork that may be construed as armorial in nature. They are an artistic motif. We don't have a pattern in SENA or precedents that allow for European artistic motifs, let alone non-European motifs (in fact, SENA A2B5 specifically includes artistic elements that are not found in heraldry i.e. Celtic knotwork and Greek "key" patterns). It would appear that Chinese dragon's heads should likewise fall under this category.
Likewise, no evidence was presented and none could be found that a t'ai-chi was used in period Asian armory. As a non-European artistic motif, a t'ai-chi is unregisterable under SENA, which means that we must consider it under European armorial standards.
Commenters are asked for feedback on the viability of the t'ai-chi motif under core rules, including any examples of the full motif in period European armorial contexts, evidence of embowed counter-embowed as a period complex field division, and discussion on roundels as armorial display.
This was item 1 on the Northshield letter of October 31, 2017.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2018-03-27T23:02:06