Bowman is a generic identifier.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
Archer is a generic identifier.
This badge is not in conflict with the device of Aidan of Kilkenny, Argent, three sheaves of arrows sable flighted vert. There is a substantial change in arrangement from two and one to in in annulo.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
Marksman is a generic identifier.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
This badge was submitted with the requested identifier "Master Bowman archery ranking." When the East Kingdom submitted their archery ranking badges with similar identifiers, the request was denied on the July 1990 LoAR:
"We cannot, in good conscience, register a title reserved by Corpora to peers to any non-peerage group, no matter in what form they propose to use it. It may be that there are guilds which use some form of "guildmaster", "master armorer", etc. These ranks are not registered, nor can they be, unless and until the Board of Directors changes the titles of rank of the peerages."
Absent Board action, we similarly decline this request.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
This badge was submitted with the requested identifier "Grandmaster archery ranking." When the East Kingdom submitted their archery ranking badges with similar identifiers, the request was denied on the July 1990 LoAR:
"We cannot, in good conscience, register a title reserved by Corpora to peers to any non-peerage group, no matter in what form they propose to use it. It may be that there are guilds which use some form of "guildmaster", "master armorer", etc. These ranks are not registered, nor can they be, unless and until the Board of Directors changes the titles of rank of the peerages."
Absent Board action, we similarly decline this request.
This device was pended on the November 2017 LoAR to discuss whether the motif of a serpent glissant palewise vorant of a demi-human was sufficiently peculiar to the Visconti family and their supporters that use of the motif should be considered presumptuous under SENA A6B1. While the charge combination, blazoned by the Italians as a biscione, was used by the Visconti family almost exclusively, and chiefs of allegiance displaying the biscione were used by Visconti supporters, indicating that use in SCA armory in any form would be presumptuous, the tinctures of the serpent were exclusively vert or azure when used for this purpose. As the submitted serpent is gules, there is no claim to relationship or affiliation with the family Visconti.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
Submitted as Domhnall MacCeallaigh of Dublin, Gaelic naming practices put a space between mac and the father's name. Therefore, we have changed this name to Domhnall Mac Ceallaigh of Dublin for registration.
The phrase of Dublin uses the lingua Anglica form of the place name, which is found in period Gaelic documents as Baile Átha Cliath. The submitter may be interested to know that the period Gaelic forms of this name would be Domhnall Átha Cliath Mac Ceallaigh or Domhnall Baile Átha Cliath Mac Ceallaigh. If the submitter prefers either of these forms, he may make a request for reconsideration.
No documentation was provided in the Letter of Intent for the byname Hightower. Fortunately, in commentary, Lillia Crampette was able to construct Hightower from attested Middle English elements.
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified language, culture or time period. This name is registerable but it is not authentic because Hightower is a constructed element rather than one actually found in period documents.
Nice German name from the early 14th century onwards!
Dragon's Mist is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice device!
Nice early 15th century French name!
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
Nice mid-16th century English name!
Artist's note: Please color the ocular and nasal cavities with the same tincture as the rest of the skull.
Administrative note: When artwork is changed after it appears on an internal LoI, it should be acknowledged in the external LoI with a note that the submitter has approved the changes. In this instance, we were able to verify after the close of commentary that the submitter had approved the changes.
The posture of trussing frequently featured eagles attacking other birds. As this is an attested pattern, this badge does not run afoul of prohibitions on animate charges inverted, nor does it violate the sword-and-dagger rule.
Blazoned as Azure, two lions combattant and on a plate a cross moline gules, all within an orle Or when registered in November, 1989, the lions are actually Or.
Ansteorra is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter's previous name, Liam Gordon, is retained as an alternate name.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
Nice Japanese name for circa 1600!
When the badge was registered in May 1993 as (Fieldless) A maple leaf gules and another vert, stems crossed in saltire, the blazon had the tinctures of the leaves reversed.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a paw print.
Submitted as Order of the Rivet of Bronzehelm, this order name was pended on the November 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for further discussion of whether a rivet, having been shown to be a period artifact, has a "standard depiction" that would allow it to be used in SCA heraldry and thus as the basis for an order name.
On the August 2014 Letter of Acceptances and Returns, we ruled:
[S]ince research provided no examples of rivets in heraldry, any submitter wishing to register this charge after the March 2015 Laurel meeting must provide documentation that it is, in fact, a period charge or a period artefact [sic] suitable for a constructed charge. [Unser Hafen, Barony of, A-Outlands]
Although we still have found no evidence of rivets having been used in heraldry, Master Derian le Breton provided archeological evidence of rivets as late medieval artifacts. (https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/496177 and https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/objecttype/RIVET/broadperiod/MEDIEVAL/thumbnail/1). In addition, both the OED and the MED date to word "rivet" or "ryget" to period, with descriptions that match the items shown in Master Derian's images.
However, Bruce Batonvert pointed out that Master Derian's examples of period rivets show multiple forms of fasteners identified as "rivets." 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]
Some commenters argued that, despite this precedent, we allow artifacts such as buttons and crampets, which took several variant forms in period, to be used as heraldic charges. Other period charges, most notably ermine spots, had numerous period variations. A rivet also is comparable to other types of commonly used tools and fasteners found as charges in period heraldry, such as nails and staples. Other commenters argued that both the crampette and the ermine spot are documented period heraldic charges, which should get more leeway than items merely documented as artifacts, when comparing variant forms of the item.
Ultimately, the problem with the notion of a rivet as a heraldic charge is that all of the proposed standard forms of a rivet offered in commentary and at the Pelican decision meeting are functionally identical to the depictions of heraldic nails, in particular the closing nail and the tiler's nail. A medieval herald looking at the object proposed as a rivet would be just as likely to blazon it as a form of nail. For this reason, we conclude that a rivet is not a plausible period heraldic charge and cannot be used as the basis for an order name based on the pattern of naming orders for heraldic charges.
However, at the Pelican decision meeting, Lillia Crampette documented Rivet in the FamilySearch Historical Records as a late 16th and early 17th century English surname. Such surnames can be used as given names. [Alton of Grimfells, 4/2010 LoAR, A-East]. Therefore, the name Order of Rivet can be registered based on the pattern of naming orders using the given name of a founder or inspiration for the order. [Order of Taillefer, 5/2011 LoAR, A-Lochac] With the Barony's permission, we have changed this name to the Order of _ Rivet of Bronzehelm for registration.
Nice early 16th century Scots name!
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century Japan. This name meets that request.
Submitted as Otiliah Vuhs, the submitted spelling of the given name was not supported by the documentation. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the given name to the attested spelling Otilia_ for registration.
Although Vuhs was documented as the registered surname of the submitter's parent, she need not rely on the Existing Registration Allowance because this surname appears as a registerable header form in "Some Early Middle High German Bynames with Emphasis on Names from the Bavarian Dialect Area" by Talan Gwynek (http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/names/Early_German_Bynames.html).
The submitter requested authenticity for German language or culture. This name is authentic for 16th century German.
Artist's note: Please make the charges larger to fill the available space.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
The submitter's previous device, Per chevron vert and azure, two estoiles and a winged scarab displayed, maintaining between its wingtips a roundel argent, is released.
The submitter's previous device, Gules, two winged lions statant respectant Or, is released.
Submitted as Jorunn Vakr, the byname did not follow the rules of Old Norse grammar. The Old Norse word vakr is an adjective meaning "wakeful, watchful". When used as a descriptive byname, adjectives must agree with the gender of the given name. Because Jorunn is a female given name, the byname must be in the feminine form. Cleasby-Vigfusson p.674 s.v. vakr gives the feminine as v{o,}kr. Because it is a strong feminine adjective, this byname does not need to be marked with inn or hinn. Accordingly, we have changed the name to Jorunn V{o,}kr for registration.
The o-ogonek ({o,}) character can be retained or omitted as the submitter wishes, regardless of whether diacritical markings are included in the name. If she prefers the simplified form Jorunn Vokr, she may make a request for reconsideration.
The submitter requested authenticity for 15th-16th Poland. This name meets that request.
Submitted as Olrun rauðfeldr, the given name Olrun cannot be registered because it is found in period documents solely as the name of a Valkyrie, not as the name of a normal person. We also cannot construct this name from attested elements.
The submitter requested that, if Olrun could not be registered, the given name be changed to the attested Old Norse name Rúna, found in Nordiskt runnamnslexikon, p. 185 sn. Rúna (http://www.sprakochfolkminnen.se/om-oss/arkiv-och-samlingar/nordiskt-runnamnslexikon.html). As Pelican's staff had sufficient time to research and check for conflicts, we are able to make this change without requiring additional commentary. We are registering this name as Runa rauðfeldr, omitting the diacritical mark as the submitter requested.
Specifying the type of breed of a dog beyond that which is normally found in heraldry (e.g. talbot or greyhound) is a step from period practice.
Artist's note: Please draw the dagger larger to aid in identification.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
The submitter's previous name, Giuseppe di Luciano, is released.
There is a step from period practice for the use of paw prints.
The submitter's previous device, Vert, a cubit arm fesswise sustaining a torch palewise argent enflamed Or, is released.
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified time period, language or culture. This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Seraphina Ragged Staff identified the authenticity request during commentary, allowing sufficient time for research.
Both elements of the name are Irish Gaelic but they are not found in the same century. The male given name Fergus or Fearghus dropped out of use in the 11th century before being revived in the 15th century. The female given name Aife or Aoife, however, is found only in the 12th and 13th centuries. Thus, although it is registerable, this name is not authentic.
Submitted as Birger of _ Sacred Stone, Sacred Stone was documented using the Branch Name Allowance. However, PN1B2f states that "[o]nly the exact registered form of the branch name may be used." The registered name of the branch in question is Barony of the Sacred Stone. Therefore, we have changed this name to Birger of the Sacred Stone for registration.
Submitted as Maison de Poulet Sable, this household name was intended to follow the pattern of naming French inns based on a heraldic charge and a color. Two changes to this name were necessary to make it registerable. First, French grammar requires the preposition du rather than de before the word Poulet.
Second, and more importantly, we presently have no evidence that heraldic tinctures such as sable were used in French inn-sign names such as Maison du Poulet X. French inn-sign names such as la maison du Chappeau rouge, l'enseigne de la Rose blanche use ordinary vernacular color terms to describe the heraldic charges. Thus, until evidence is found supporting the use of heraldic tinctures in French inn-sign names, French household names relying on the pattern heraldic charge + color must use vernacular color terms such as rouge and blanche as opposed to heraldic tincture terms. See the Cover Letter for a more detailed discussion.
Although the submitter allowed no major changes, he specifically permitted the name to be changed to Maison du Poulet Noir, using the ordinary vernacular French color term for "black," for registration. The other option requested by the submitter, Maison de Poulet Flambé, could not be documented as a period household name.
Nice early 14th century name!
Submitted as Faye Lynn Marlow, the submitter requested that the given name be spelled as one word (Fayelynn) if possible. Although we were not able to document the requested spelling, Alisoun Metron Ariston found Faylinn as a gray-period English surname which can be used as a given name. In addition, as i and y were used effectively interchangeably in Early Modern English, the attested Faylinn also supports Faylynn. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Faylynn Marlow for registration.
This name combines an Old Norse given name with an Old English 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.
The submitter may be interested to know that a fully Old Norse form of this name would be Flóki Aðalúlfsson. If he prefers this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Upon his death, the submitter leaves his registered name Gavin Reynes to the Barony of Nottinghill Coill and gives permission to that Barony to use his name elements in award or order names.
Nice 16th century Anglo-Welsh name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of wolves ululant.
Submitter has obtained permission from Achbar ibn Ali to conflict with his badge, (Fieldless) A skull argent, within the dexter eye socket a rose gules.
There is a step from period practice for the use of crosses of Saint Brigid.
There is a step from period practice for the use of the New World dogwood.
Seareach is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice German name for late 13th century onwards! In fact, this precise name appears in a marriage record from Hesse, Germany, in 1514.
This name combines a Latinized Italian given name with a Greek byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Robert Chaluim, we were unable to find any evidence supporting the submitted byname. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the byname to the attested Scots form Callum.
Nice 16th century Scots name!
Submitted as Runa _ Ravenstrom, Ravenstrom is a constructed Danish place name based on the attested elements Raven- and -strom. Appendix A does not list unmarked locatives as a pattern in Scandinavian names. Based on data from the Diplomatarium Danicum provided in commentary by ffride wlffsdotter, and with the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Runa aff Ravenstrom to use a marked locative.
Submitted as Giglsworth Academy of Scribes of Wigglesworth, the household name did not match any pattern for naming households in English. Heralds at the Pelican decision meeting were able to document the pattern [surname] + College + [placename] in English. However, College is a designator reserved for a certain kind of SCA branch. Fortunately, precedent allows the word Academy as an appropriate substitute for College that is registerable in household names. [Janusch der Wasserman. Household name Black Isle Academy, 7/2004 LoAR, A-Northshield] Even so, we were unable to find any evidence supporting the phrase Academy of Scribes as a period concept or terminology. Accordingly, with the submitter's permission, we have dropped the element of Scribes for registration.
The submitter documented an individually attested pattern by providing several examples of low-contrast fesses (including three gules fesses on azure), low-contrast fesses charged with high-contrast tertiaries, and fleurs-de-lys, all from the Insignia nobilium Patavinorum, impresa Ferrariensium, Pesariensium - BSB Cod.icon. 275, [S.l.] Italien, 1550-1555.
Nice 16th century Paduan armory!
Submitted as Yvonne Mont _ Clair, the submitter requested the spelling Montclair if it could be documented. In commentary, Brunissende Wreath Emerita documented the French byname de Montclair as a 15th century French byname. As Appendix A permits unmarked locative bynames in French, we are able to change this name to the requested Yvonne Montclair and have done so for registration.
Nice French name from the late 15th century onwards!
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
The submitter's previous name, Cassie Charlesworth, is retained as an alternate name
Nice badge!
The submitter is a court baroness, and is therefore entitled to display a coronet.
There is a step from period practice for use of a crocodile.
The Letter of Intent argued that Borte Chinua was a single compound name element in Mongol. This is not the case. Borte Chinua is a two-element Mongol name using the pattern adjective + animal word. Fortunately, by precedent, three-element Mongol names are registerable. [Batu Luu Gajin, 3/2016 LoAR, A-Æthelmearc]
Nice 13-14th century Icelandic name!
The submitter's previous name, Kale al-Raqqasa, is retained as an alternate name.
The historical Ordo Fidelitatis is not important enough to protect. Not only was that order founded well after period, it is no longer given out by the Crown of Denmark.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird displayed that is not an eagle.
The byname the Weaver is the lingua Anglica form of the Old English byname seo webbestre.
This name combines an Old Norse given name and an Old English byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C as long as both name elements are attested prior to 1100 C.E. as is the case here.
The submitter's previous name, A'isha al-Raqqasa, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous name, Joshua of Calafia, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Per chevron gules and argent, a bear passant contourny gules, is retained as a badge.
This device does not conflict with the badge of Hugh de Calais, Gules, a manatee naiant argent. There is one DC for the addition of the chief and another for posture.
Permission to conflict has been procured from Catarine Quhiting to conflict with her badge, Vert vêtu, a needle fesswise argent.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns) (to Caid pends)
The submitter requested authenticity for "1066 Normandy/French language/culture." Unfortunately, this name does not meet that request because we were unable to document both elements of the name in the submitted spellings that early. As submitted, the name may be authentic for late 13th century French, but we cannot say for sure.
The submitter may be interested to know that, in the form Avelina d'Arcey, the name is authentic for the mid-12th century. Heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found the place name Arcey dated to 1150 in Ernest Negre, Toponymie générale de la France, Vol 1. s.n. Arcey. The Latinized French spelling Avelina is dated to 1147 s.n. Ava in The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, Edition 2017 (http://dmnes.org/2017/1/name/Ava). If the submitter prefers Avelina d'Arcey, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice English name from circa 1200 onwards!
This badge is not in conflict with the Herald's Seal of Triton Herald, (Tinctureless) A triton-shell trumpet bell in chief, nor with the badge of the Order of the Whelk of the Barony of Tir-y-Don, Gyronny argent and azure, a whelk, bell in chief, Or. In both, there is a DC for changes to the field, and a second DC for inverting the primary charge, which per SENA A5G7c explicitly carries a DC for escallops. Whelks and escallops are considered interchangeable in period armory.
Nice late 16th century English name!
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
The submitter's previous badge, Argent, five dogs, statant coward to sinister in annulo, legs to center, sable, is released.
In the Letter of Intent, Avondale was documented as a constructed place name. In commentary, Lillia Crampette found Avondale as an attested place name from 1485 in the Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 (http://www.rps.ac.uk/mss/1485/5/3).
Nice 15th century Scots name!
There is a step from period practice for use of non-European flora.
There is a step from period practice for use of non-European flora.
Nice badge!
This badge is not in conflict with the badge of Brian of Leichesterm, (Fieldless) A dodo close vert armed Or. The form and silhouette of a dodo is round and poultry-like.
Nice badge!
Submitted as Mathilde Frühbeck_, the Letter of Intent argued that Frühbeck could be constructed as a German surname. Unfortunately, the proposed construction is not supported by the etymologies and other period usages of the elements Fruh- and -beck. However, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found the very similar attested surname Frubicke in the FamilySearch Historical Records. As the submitter allows all changes, we have changed the name to Mathilde Frubicke for registration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of penguins.
Artist's note: Please draw internal details on the penguins to aid in their identifiability.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
Artist's note: Please draw the sword slightly smaller, to fit on the pages of the book.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Nice 16th century English name!
Submitted as Christop Hudd, the evidence for Christop showed this element to be an abbreviation for Christopher rather than an independent name. We were unable to find any corroborating evidence for Christop. However, both Christoph and Christoff are attested 16th century German male given names, which may be borrowed into English per the February 2015 Cover Letter. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Christoff Hudd for registration.
Nice 16th century English name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a mascle knot.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This name combines a Gaelic given name with an Anglicized Irish byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
This name is clear of the registered Asta Eriksdottir under PN3C2 because there is a substantial difference in the second syllable of the given names: -ríðr vs. -a. These syllables have no sounds or letters in common.
Submitted as Condal ingen Odar, Gaelic grammar requires the father's name to be in the genitive form when used in a patronymic. Odar is not the genitive form. According to Annals of Ulster, the proper genitive form is Uidir. Therefore, we have changed the name to Condal ingen Uidir for registration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a migrant bird.
The submitter's previous device, Barry wavy argent and gules, a roundel checky Or and sable, is retained as a badge.
Submitted as House of _ Mantis, the submitter preferred House of the Mantis if a mantis could be documented as a heraldic charge. A mantis is a heraldic charge used in the Society; it was registered under the term mantis as recently as November 2016. Therefore, the household name House of the Mantis follows the pattern of naming inns based on heraldic charges and can be registered. We have made this change.
Nice 16th century English name!
Nice late 15th century Gaelic name!
The submitter's previous name, Finán mac Bressail, is retained as an alternate name.
Nice English name from the 13th century onwards!
Submitted as Julien Toutemps Le Blanc, the submitter requested the byname Toutant instead of Toutemps, if it could be documented. In commentary, ffride wlffsdotter found the byname Toutant in French archival records dated to 1593. Based on this documentation, we are registering the name as Julien Toutant Le Blanc as requested.
Per the blazoning guidelines laid out in the Cover Letter of May 2009, the head and the scimitar are co-primary charges here.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Nice 16th century English or Anglo-Welsh name!
The submitter requested the spelling Charriez if it could be documented. Unfortunately, we were not able to find evidence of this spelling within the SCA's period.
This name combines a Spanish given name with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Mark of the Red Hand, commenters noted that the Red Hand is a paramilitary terrorist group listed as a Prescribed Organization in the United Kingdom. The badge of a red hand has also been adopted by several other proscribed terrorist and paramilitary groups associated with Ireland. Commenters living in Drachenwald now and who have lived in Drachenwald in the past were unanimous that the byname of the Red Hand is offensive because of these associations.
When the submitter was made aware of these associations (he was not aware of them when he picked the name), he immediately apologized for any offense he had caused and agreed to change his byname. Commentary and discussion in the Pelican decision meeting indicated that changing the name to Mark _ Red Hand, using a double English byname, removed the offensive association. In the words of a commenter from Dublin, "Once you take out the definite article, it stops raising my hackles. There are plenty of red hands, but only one The Red Hand (of Ulster)." Accordingly, with the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Mark _ Red Hand for registration.
This names combines a German given name and the lingua Anglica form of an Italian place name, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter's previous badge, Purpure, on a bezant a drakkar purpure, a bordure Or, is released.
Submitted as Ragna Grimólfsdóttir, accents and diacritical markings must be used consistently throughout Old Norse names. Therefore, we have changed this name to Ragna Grímólfsdóttir for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for late 9th century Norse. This is a registerable Old West Norse name; however, it is not authentic because the given name is found only in Norway and the Orkney Isles, while the byname is attested in Iceland.
The submitter's previous name, Steffan ap Cenydd of Silverwing, is released.
Registered as in May 1981 as Azure, chapé ployé invected, an owl close affronté argent, the original arms were not ployé. We have reblazoned them for accuracy, and modified the posture of the owl to match current usage, which trends away from French terms when a viable English blazon term is available.
Submitted as Thorvaldr Halvorsen, the submitter requested that the given name be spelled Thorvald_ if possible. Thorvald is a plausible vernacular form of the attested Latinized Norwegian name Thorualdus. Accordingly, we have changed the name to the submitter's requested Thorvald_ Halvorsen for registration.
Submitted as Torrin O Cuin_, the documentation did not support the submitted spelling of the byname. The attested forms are Ó Cuinn in Gaelic or O Quyn, O Quine, and O Coyne in Anglicized Irish. As the Gaelic form is the closest to what was submitted, we have changed the name to Torrin O Cuinn for registration.
The submitter's previous name, Torrin the Wanderer, is retained as an alternate name.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
The submitter's previous device, Vert, a lion between three chalices and a bordure embattled Or, is retained as a badge.
Nice English name for the 14th century onwards!
The submitter is a court baron, and is entitled to the use of a coronet.
Nice badge!
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
This name originally appeared on the June 26, 2017, Lochac Letter of Intent, at which time it was pended and appeared on the November 2017 Letter of Pends and Discussion. It was pended again on the February 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns in order to allow for input from the Board of Directors. Having received that input, we can now decide this specific name. See the Cover Letter for more information on how Hamlets will be treated.
Originally submitted by the Barony of Southern Gaard as a household name, we have determined that Hamlets should be treated as branches rather than households. Although we require an item to be resubmitted when its type changes (i.e., from household to branch name), we are making an exception to that rule for the special case of the two Hamlet names submitted by Southern Gaard before the rules for dealing with Hamlets were established.
In this name, Hamlet is the designator and Gildenwick is the substantive element. As with any branch name, the names of Hamlets should be based on place names. In this instance, Gildenwick was documented on the original Letter of Intent as a constructed Middle English or Early Modern English place name based on attested elements.
Nice badge!
The submitter indicated that he wanted a name for a Norse - Varangian persona. He may be interested to know that both Ingvarr and Karli are listed in Names of Scandinavians in the Byzantine Varangian Guard and in Russia by Gunnvor silfrahárr (https://www.s-gabriel.org/names/gunnvor/varangian/) as the names of men who "went to Greek land" (Byzantium) or who were killed while "campaigning in the east." As such, this is a nice name for a Norse man living in the Byzantine Empire!
Submitted as Guðfinna _ járnh{o,}nd Kattarskeggr, the constructed byname Kattarskeggr, which was intended to mean "cat's beard," does not fit any of the patterns for constructing Old Norse bynames. As Gunnvor Orle explained in commentary, there is only a single Old Norse byname that uses the pattern [animal] + [beard]. Geitskeggr refers to a person whose beard looks like that of a billygoat. The byname refskeggr is more accurately [color] + [beard] it because refers to a beard that is fox-colored; unlike goats, foxes do not have beards. The byname lúsarskegg refers to beard that is infested with lice, not to lice sporting beards. As cats do not have beards (unlike goats) and are not associated with a particular color (unlike foxes), a byname meaning "cat's beard" cannot be constructed in Old Norse.
At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to Guðfinna k{o,}ttr Járnh{o,}nd for registration. The byname k{o,}ttr is an Old Norse descriptive meaning "cat." Names incorporating two descriptive bynames are permitted in Old Norse. [Lars Gulli Bjorn, 11/2016 LoAR, A-Calontir] In addition, capitalization in period Old Norse documents was sufficiently inconsistent that it is plausible for one byname to be capitalized while the other is not.
Submitted as Rúna Hundadottir, accents and diacritical markings must be used consistently throughout Old Norse names. Therefore, we have changed this name to Rúna Hundadóttir for registration.
Sigbrandr is a constructed Old Norse given name based on the attested elements Sig- (as in Sigurðr, Sigmundr, and Sigfúss) and -brandr (as in Þorbrandr, Ásbrandr, and Vébrandr).
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
The submitter's previous device, Or, on a fess between three wolf's heads erased sable three plates, is retained as a badge.
Permission to conflict with the device of Praxilla Taurina, Or, a winged boar courant bendy azure and argent, was provided.
This name originally appeared on the October 24, 2017, Lochac Letter of Intent; it was pended to allow for input from the Board of Directors. Having received that input, we can now decide this specific name. See the Cover Letter for more information on how Hamlets will be treated.
Originally submitted by the Barony of Southern Gaard as a household name, we have determined that Hamlets should be treated as branches rather than households. Although we require an item to be resubmitted when its type changes (i.e., from household to branch name), we are making an exception to that rule for the special case of the two Hamlet names submitted by Southern Gaard before the rules for dealing with Hamlets were established.
In this name, Hamlet is the designator and Wildmoor is the substantive element. As with any branch name, the names of Hamlets should be based on place names. In this instance, Wildmoor was documented as a variant spelling of an attested English place name.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
Upon his death, Charric releases his name Charric van den Vliet and device, Per chevron azure and argent, a boar rampant counterchanged.
Nice late 16th century English or Anglo-Welsh name!
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Artist's note: Please provide internal detailing on the dragon to aid in identifiability.
There is a step from period practice for the use of an Arabian lamp.
The submitter, as executor of the estate of his deceased wife, Margarette Cathrine Helen de Burgh of Silvermoor, grants blanket permission for any future submitter to register a name that is similar, but not identical to, his wife's registered name.
He also grants blanket permission for any future submitter to register armory that is similar, but not identical to, his wife's registered device, Sable, a natural leopard's face Or between two flaunches ermine and on a chief Or three fleurs-de-lys gules.
This is the defining instance of a coin die set. Up until the 1660s, coins were struck using a two-piece die set. The pile, or lower die, had a spiked end to enable it to be driven firmly into a block of wood; a blank was placed on top of the pile and above it was held the trussel or upper die (previously registered in the SCA as a "punch"). The trussel then received blows from a hammer, causing the blank to be impressed with the obverse and reverse designs.
Like a penner and inkhorn or a mortar and pestle, the coin die set is a pair of charges that function as a single unit. As such, they are part of the same tertiary charge group on the pale.
Although the order name was originally registered as the Order of the Boars Heart, in the Letter of Intent, the Barony requested that the designator in this name be changed from Order to Award. As this change requires no work on the part of Pelican or her staff, it is a purely administrative item that does not require a separate submission. We have made the requested change to Award of the Boars Heart.
Although there may not have been an actual Saint Brutus in period, precedent has long permitted the use of fictional saints in both SCA branch names and order names:
Several commenters noted that the College cannot canonize new saints. However, we feel that registering a name that uses the descriptive Saint does not do this, but rather follows a well documented medieval tradition of local shrines and saints who may or may not be recognized by the hierarchy in Rome. In addition, this would not be the first such registration; the College of St. Bunstable, a group name formed from a fictional saint's name, was registered in August 1981, and in August 1990, the College of Saint Joan was registered although Joan of Arc was not canonized until 1920. While philosophically, it is certainly better recreation to use a real-life saint's name when using this model to create an order name, there is no reason why these sorts of construction should not be allowed the same latitude allowed by our rules for other constructed names. The name William the Cooper is a well-formed English name whose elements can all be documented to period, therefore Saint William the Cooper is an expected construction. [Caer Galen, Barony of. Order name Order of Saint William the Cooper, 7/2006 LoAR, A-Outlands]
As Brutus was documented in the Letter of Intent as a period English given name, this branch can be named after Saint Brutus.
Submitted as Severin Rheinländer, we found no evidence for the umlaut over the a in any period spelling of the byname. Therefore, we have changed the name to Severin Rheinlander for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for "14th century German, Rhein River area." Unfortunately, while the name can be registered, we were unable to document either of these name elements to that place and time.
Both name elements were documented on the Letter of Intent from Paul Wickenden of Thanet's A Dictionary of Period Russian Names. Therefore, under the July 2017 Cover Letter, these elements are considered Russian unless the submitter has an authenticity request (which this submitter does not). However, the submitter may be interested to know that, based on Wickenden's use of Moroshkin's Codex diplomaticus et epistolaris Moraviae as the source for these name elements, the name may be Czech in origin, rather than Russian.
The submitter requested authenticity for Old Norse. Although these name elements are in the Old Norse language, we do not have evidence of both elements in the same time period. The given name Vilhjálmr did not appear until the end of the Viking Age (early 12th century), while the byname skytja dates from the Icelandic Settlement Period (9-10th century). Nevertheless, this name can be registered.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
Nice French name from the mid-15th century onwards!
Questions were raised in commentary about the byname Von Stichem which was documented to 1622 from a single instance in a valid batch from the FamilySearch Historical Records. When a submitter relies on a valid source, such as C batches from FamilySearch, we give the submitter the benefit of the doubt that the information in that source is reliable unless there is extrinsic evidence to the contrary. Therefore, this name can be registered as submitted.
Nice 16th century English name!
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
This order name follows the pattern of naming orders for colors and heraldic charges. The Pictorial Dictionary s.n. arrow indicates that arrow fletching is a period heraldic charge, found in the Mon of Hatori Masanari, d.1596 [Hawley 54]. Fletching is the lingua Anglica name for this period charge.
Submitted as Cassandra Mouzalon_, Byzantine Greek naming practices require bynames to match the gender of the given name. The feminine form of the Byzantine family name Mouzalon is Mouzalonissa, attested in an 11th century seal. With the submitter's permission, we have made this change for registration.
This name combines an Italian given name with a Greek byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter requested authenticity for "12th-14th century Byzantine." Unfortunately, this name does not meet the submitter's request because the given name could not be documented in Greek during this time period. Kassandra was a classical Greek given name but we do not have evidence of its use after the 5th or 6th century C.E. Although it was also a Greek literary name, we were unable to find evidence of a pattern of Byzantine Greeks naming their children after classical literary figures. Thus, the name is registerable but it is not authentic.
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified language, culture and time period. This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Seraphina Ragged Staff identified this request during commentary, allowing time for research.
Although it can be registered, this name is not authentic for any time, place or language. The given name is the hypothetical and normalized Early Modern Gaelic form of a Gaelic saint's name, while the byname is 15th century (or later) Scots. Gaelic and Scots is an acceptable, but not authentic, lingual mix under Appendix C.
There is a step from period practice for having charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
Nice 16th century Anglo-Scots name!
The submitter requested authenticity for "English Elizabethan." Not only does this name meet this request generally, in commentary, Drauma-Ellisif found this precise name in Warwick, England in 1592.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
None.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
This device is returned for redraw. The reremouse in this submission is volant affronty, an unregisterable posture with an inherently three-dimensional feel. Upon resubmission, the reremouse should be drawn in its default displayed posture, with the head entirely above the fully visible torso.
This device is also returned for lack of contrast between the field and the chief. The size of the lozenges and the relative angle of the chief caused a majority of the edge of the purpure charge to be in contact with the purpure lozenges. Upon resubmission, please ensure that more of the chief touches the argent lozenges. A change in tincture of either the field or the chief would also aid in identifiability.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Klaus Isenfaust, Per pale vert and argent, a tower between three butterflies counterchanged, and the badge of Denis of the Titans, Per pale vert and argent, a tower counterchanged atop a mount sable, with only a single DC for the removal of the secondary charge groups, and for conflict with the device of Wade Greenwall, Per pale vert masoned Or and argent masoned sable, a tower counterchanged argent and vert, with one DC for changes to the field. In none of these cases are the type of tower or the flames at its top worth difference.
This device was pended on the November 2017 LoAR to discuss whether the number of secondary charges in chief had corroborating period examples, both for number and for placement. Commenters supplied numerous examples of six or more charges being explicitly enumerated and blazoned. However, the examples provided all had the common feature of filling the available space on the field. No examples were provided of more than five charges being shifted into a linear arrangement in one portion of a field, as the crosses are arranged in the submission. Absent such documentation, the device is returned.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
This badge is returned for violation of SENA A2C2, which requires that "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable. While some allowance will be made for lack of artistic skill, the identity of elements must not be ambiguous. Ambiguity can be created when a depiction falls between two states that contribute to difference, such as tincture, posture, or type of charge." In this submission, the ram's head is halfway between bendwise and fesswise.
This device is returned for having a "barely overall" charge. SENA Appendix I, Charge Group Theory, in defining overall charges states "An overall charge must overlie a primary charge (...) An overall charge must have a significant portion on the field; a design with a charge that has only a little bit sticking over the edges of an underlying charge is known as "barely overall" and is not registerable." To be really overall, the badger should project more past the edges of the pile so that identifying features lie on the field.
However, there is no more space for the badger to grow; it is right up against the edge of the shield. The badger is so large that it ends up obscuring the pile, hindering identifiability, which is also grounds for return.
There is a step from period practice for having an overall charge surmount a fimbriated ordinary.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
This device is returned for style issues. In the registration of the device of the Canton of Sevenhills in April 2008, it was ruled:
The laurel wreath in this case is well drawn, is circular in shape (not V-shaped), and is clearly identifiable as a wreath. In fact, it is closed more than the laurel wreath that appears on the SCA website. We are hereby overturning the previous precedents: laurel wreaths need to be circular but need not be nearly closed in order to be registerable. However, they still may not be drawn with anything other than a skinny charge between the tips of the wreath.
The arrows in this submission are arranged in fess and are clearly within the tips of the laurel wreath. They are not arranged this way in the existing registration, which despite having a wide opening in the wreath nonetheless has the arrows arranged entirely within it.
This device is also returned administratively, as the submitter provided an incomplete petition of support; the submitter did not include the date the petition was signed on the petition itself.
No argument was made for why these arms should be protected under SENA, apart from their inclusion as part of the Maryland state flag (unprotected elsewhere in this letter).
No argument was made for why these arms should be protected under SENA, apart from their inclusion as part of the Maryland state flag (unprotected elsewhere in this letter).
No argument was made for why these arms should be protected under SENA, apart from their inclusion as part of the Maryland state flag (unprotected elsewhere in this letter).
This device is returned for violation of SENA A2C3, which requires that "Elements must be drawn at an appropriate size for their role in an armorial submission... Charges that are too big or too small may blur the difference between charge groups." Per the June 2016 return of Margarette Nutt's device, Per fess azure and argent, between in pale a fish naiant embowed and a fish naiant embowed inverted contourny counterchanged a mullet of four points, a bordure purpure: "This device is also returned for blurring the difference between charge groups as the central charge, that should be the primary one, is much smaller than the ones surrounding it." This submission has a similar issue; the warhammer is the central charge, and as such should be primary, yet has far less visual weight than either of the zydrachs.
Upon resubmission, please draw some internal details on the zydrachs so as to improve identifiability.
There is a step from period practice for the use of charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
This badge was withdrawn by the submitter.
This device is returned for conflict with the badge of Arias the Innkeeper's Daughter, Sable, a hart rampant to sinister within a bordure argent. As the llama is not an attested heraldic charge, an SC cannot automatically be derived for change in type of primary charge. When compared visually, the llama and Arias' hart are remarkably similar. Both are split-hooved quadrupeds with short, bushy tails and long necks with pointed ears. The only visual difference between the two charges is the antlers of the hart, which can derive a maximum of one DC from the llama.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a llama.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
This name must be returned due to lack of documentation for the naming pattern. Although Italian women did refer to themselves as widows of their husbands using the phrase vedova di X, in all cases X was the husband's given name. Malipiero, however, is found only as a surname. As there is no evidence that vedova di was ever used with a husband's surname, this name cannot be registered.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This badge is returned for violation of SENA A2C2, which requires that "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable. While some allowance will be made for lack of artistic skill, the identity of elements must not be ambiguous. Ambiguity can be created when a depiction falls between two states that contribute to difference, such as tincture, posture, or type of charge." In this submission, the sickle is halfway between bendwise and palewise, which is grounds for return.
If the sickle were successfully depicted as bendwise, this device would still be returned for violating SENA A3D2c, Unity of Posture and Orientation, which states "The charges within a charge group should be in either identical postures/orientations or an arrangement that includes posture/orientation" The maintained charges are part of the same charge group, and as the goblet is palewise, they are not in the same orientation.
Upon resubmission, please depict the sickle with the handle at an angle to the curve of the blade, rather than running parallel to the edge where the blade attaches to the handle. The charge should resemble a question mark.
This device is returned for redraw. The mermaid is in a posture that has not been documented. Commenters noted that she looked like she was kneeling, but alas, sea-monsters generally don't have knees. Upon resubmission, the mermaid should be drawn erect, with the tail curving below her rather than crimped to one side.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This is a resubmission of the name Duck Ala Orange, which was returned on the October 2017 Letter of Acceptances and Returns on two grounds: (1) presumption, because Duck is an alternative spelling of the reserved title Duke; and (2) obtrusive modernity because of the similarity between the name and the modern dish duck a l'orange. Although changing the given name to Canard addresses the first point, it does not eliminate the obtrusive modernity problem.
PN2E states:
No name will be registered that either in whole or in part is obtrusively modern. 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.
In its spoken form, this name sounds exactly like canard à l'orange, the modern French form of the dish known in English as duck a l'orange. The College's Francophone commenters found this just as jarring as the English form.
By longstanding precedent, there is nothing inherently wrong with joke names. However, to be registerable, the jokes should be capable of being understood by medieval and Renaissance people. "The College has registered a number of names, perfectly period in formation, that embodied humor: Drew Steele, Miles Long, and John of Somme Whyre spring to mind as examples." (Porsche Audi, August, 1992, pg. 28) "Joke names have long been registered, when the reference was not modern." [Mould de Cheder, 2/2011 LoAR, A-Trimaris] That is not the case here -- the joke is the reference to the modern dish, and thus is inherently a modern one. The minimal difference between Canard Ala Orange and canard à l'orange does not remove the overwhelmingly modern effect of the name.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns) (to Caid pends)
None.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
This badge must be returned for presumption.
The household name Blackes houshold is jointly owned by Margareta Blacke and Maryan Blacke of York. SENA A6E states that "the Lancaster and York rose badges are very widely associated with those families in many forms. Therefore, we do not allow anyone to register the byname (of) Lancaster with armory including a red rose, or the byname (of) York with armory including a white rose. Again, the name will normally be registered but the armory returned." Maryan Blacke of York is considered the secondary owner, not the primary, but that still makes her an owner, and the combination of the byname of York with a white rose is not allowed.
Margareta Blacke has an alternate persona name, Margareta Blacke of York, which may or may not cause a presumption claim under this rule, as the badge is associated with a household name owned by the primary name, not her alternate name. Neither the Admin Handbook nor SENA explicitly address the possibility, and we decline to rule on the issue at this time.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
This device is returned for redraw, for violating SENA A2C2 which states "Elements must be drawn to be identifiable." Commenters struggled to recognize the mascle, most seeing the primary charge as a vol.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This device is returned for violating SENA A3D2c, Unity of Posture and Orientation, which states "The charges within a charge group should be in either identical postures/orientations or an arrangement that includes posture/orientation" The arrows in this device are not in a unified orientation, as they are pointing in opposite directions and need to be blazoned separately.
The submitted blazon used the phrase between two arrows counter-fesswise fesswise, in an attempt to extend the pattern of passant quadrupeds facing in opposite directions to inanimate objects. However, until documentation that inanimate objects were depicted in a similar fashion, the pattern cannot be extended past quadrupeds at this time.
This badge is returned for lack of documentation. No evidence was provided, and none could be found, for armorial depictions of insects in profile in any posture other than statant. As they are non-quadrupedal, insects are unable to be statant erect, which is an explicitly quadrupedal posture.
Upon resubmission, please consult the device of Takayama Hitoshi, Sable, a mantis statant between three cherry blossoms argent, registered November 2016, for a reasonable depiction of a mantis in profile.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2c, which requires that "The charges within a charge group should be in either identical postures/orientations or an arrangement that includes posture/orientation." The dexter ibex is inverted, which must be explicitly blazoned separately from the sinister ibex. Also, longstanding precedent does not allow inverted animate charges in SCA heraldry except when in a recognized arrangement such as in annulo.
The submitter provided evidence of an ibex inverted in period manuscripts; however, none were in a heraldic context. Without such evidence the longstanding precedent does not allow inverted animate charges in SCA heraldry except when in a recognized arrangement such as in annulo is upheld.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2c, which requires all charges in a charge group to be in a unified arrangement. The roundels in sinister base are arranged in saltire separately from the eye in dexter chief, which is grounds for return.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D1, the "sword and dagger" rule, which disallows the use of visually similar but blazonably different charges. The bars in chief and base terminate with annulets, while the one in the center terminates with lozenges. Though there is no difference for the types of bars depicted, they are nonetheless visually similar.
Additionally, no documentation was provided and none could be found for the use of bars terminating in annulets or lozenges. The device is therefore also returned for lack of documentation.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
This device is returned for violation of SENA A2C1, which states that "While depictions that are somewhat more naturalistic than the flat stylized depictions of heraldic charges will be registered, animals and plants may not be drawn in trian aspect (with perspective)." In this submission, the hawk is drawn in trian aspect, with the angle of its dexter wing showing an angled dive inconsistent with registerable depictions.
This device is returned for conflict with the badge of Søren atte Raven, Per pale embattled sable and argent, a wolf and a raven respectant counterchanged. There is one DC for changing half of the primary charge group from a raven to an ounce. SENA, Appendix M, states:
"Broadly, complex lines of division fall into several groups. In general, there is a DC between variants that belong to different groups. There is in general a DC between any two lines in the "jagged" group; as research has proved that these lines were common and were considered distinct by period heralds unlike the situation for the "square" group and the "wavy" group. In addition, there is in general a DC between any two lines in the "other" group, as it is a catch-all with no relationship between them. Those listed as "variants of straight line" also conflict with a straight line."
As embattled and raguly are both within the "square" group of field divisions, there is not a DC for difference between them.
This badge is returned for conflict with the device of Eveline Potter, Gules, a chameleon argent. There is one DC for fieldlessness, but no DC for the addition of flames, nor for the position of the head.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
None.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
This badge must be returned for using a charged vexillum as a fieldless badge. A vexillum is a medium for heraldic display, and as such cannot be charged while part of a fieldless badge. Similar returns have occurred in the past, most recently for the badge of Gareth Orell, (Fieldless) On a heart Or, three hurts in bend on the August 2017 LoAR.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
None.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Wendryn Townsend, Azure, a sun in glory Or, with one DC for adding a secondary charge, and with the device of Paul of Sunriver, Azure, a compass star Or, with one DC for adding a mountain but none between a compass star and a sun.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
This device is returned for violating SENA A3D2c, Unity of Posture and Orientation, which states "The charges within a charge group should be in either identical postures/orientations or an arrangement that includes posture/orientation" The charges here are not in a unified arrangement, as the squirrel is sejant erect and the lion is rampant.
Some commenters questioned whether both quadrupeds being in their default posture had an effect on SENA A3D2c. Default postures are used in SCA heraldry for two reasons. The first is to shorten blazons by omitting the posture when it is so common that simply mentioning the beast brings the posture to mind. The second is to encourage use of the postures most commonly found in period for a particular beast in order to encourage a more period armorial style. However, most quadrupeds do not have a default posture, and use of a default posture in two non-identical charges that do have an assigned posture does not give the submitter the right to bypass the Unity of Posture rule. If it is possible for two animate charges in the same charge group to have the same posture, then per SENA A3D2c, they must.
This augmentation is returned for redraw. The rose in the original armory was oriented so that the slip was palewise and arched like a closing parenthesis, with the blossom placed just to dexter and following the natural curve of the slip. In the augmentation's submission, the slip is straight and oriented halfway between palewise and bendwise, with the blossom set 45 degrees off of where the slip would naturally fall. As this is neither a reproduction of the registered armory nor a blazonable variant in the orientation, it must be returned for violation of SENA A1C which requires an emblazon to be describable in heraldic terms.
Some commenters questioned whether use of a poppy affronty Or as the augmentation created conflict with the badge of the Kingdom of Caid for the Legion of Courtesy, (Fieldless) A rose Or. SENA A3A3 states that "An augmentation that appears to be a display of independent armory, such as a charged canton or a single charged escutcheon, must also be evaluated as if the augmentation itself were a submission of independent armory for purposes of style, conflict, offense, and presumption." As the poppy does not appear on a shape that is considered an independent display of armory, this does not conflict with Caid's badge.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This was an appeal of a kingdom return for conflict with Eric de Dragonslaire's device, (Fieldless) A dragon salient sable breathing flames gules. Precedent grants no difference between a dragon, a wyvern, or a sea-dragon. The submitter argued that conflict is not transitive, that is if A conflicts with B and B conflicts with C, it is not required that A must conflict with C. The submitter also argued that "To rule that a sea-lion differs from a lion, and a sea-griffin differs from a griffin, and a sea-horse differs from a horse, and every other form of sea-X differs from X -- but a sea-dragon gets no difference from a dragon -- is inconsistent and contradictory. The 1996 ruling should be overturned, and a DC be granted between a sea-dragon and a dragon, just as with every other heraldic sea-monster."
On the first point the submitter is correct, conflict is not necessarily transitive. However, we currently treat a wyvern and a dragon as comparable charges worth no DC, and conflict with a wyvern is also a conflict with a dragon. On the second point, the fact that a sea-dragon is granted no difference from a dragon is not "inconsistent and contradictory". It follows from the fact that a dragon and a wyvern are considered virtually identical charges, with the quadrupedal dragon being a Tudor variant of the two-legged variety, which was also blazoned "dragon" in period. As a charge blazoned as a dragon can (currently) be depicted as a wyvern, and there is no difference between a wyvern and a sea-wyvern (or sea-dragon), there can be no difference granted between a dragon and a sea-dragon.
However, the SCA has a long tradition of telling people to register what they use and use what they register. We consistently blazon the difference between a dragon and a wyvern, something not necessarily true of period heralds. The charge we in the SCA call a wyvern is a long-tailed, winged biped that functions like other winged bipeds (birds, reremice, frauenadlers) for things like posture. The charge we in the SCA call a dragon is a winged quadruped that functions like other quadrupeds. While it's been long-standing policy that these charges have no difference between them, the recent ruling on quadrupeds affronty draws a stark contrast between dragons (which can no longer be depicted as displayed) and wyverns (which have at least two documented examples of the displayed posture applied to wyverns from Guillim). It becomes difficult, therefore, to continue saying that there's no difference between the two charges. We are therefore pending this to discuss whether or not we should continue to treat dragons and wyverns as interchangeable charges. If they are not interchangeable, then there would be a DC between a dragon and a wyvern (or sea-dragon or sea-wyvern).
This was item 14 on the Caid letter of January 31, 2018.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns) (to Caid pends)
The submitter's previous household name submission, Black Sheep House was returned on the June 2016 Letter of Acceptances and Returns (R-East) for conflict with the registered Blak Shepe Pursuivant. These names conflicted because the substantive elements were the identical in sound. This resubmission adds the phrase of the East in an effort to avoid the conflict.
Questions were raised in commentary whether adding a locative to a household name based on an English inn-sign was a period pattern. Heralds at the Pelican decision meetings found multiple examples of inn names following this pattern, including Anker in East Smithfield, the syne of the Angell in Chepe, the Angel Taverne at Tower Hill, the Ship Taverne at Waping Wall, and the Bare Taverne in Greenwich. Based on these examples, the submitted name reasonably follows a period pattern and can be registered.
Further, the addition of of the East changes the substantive element of the household name under NPN3C of SENA, bringing it clear of the registered Blak Shepe Pursuivant.
Unfortunately, adding the phrase of the East creates another problem that may require the return of the name. As stated in NPN3D of SENA, "[n]on-personal names may not unmistakably imply ownership by or affiliation with any name we protect." NPN3D then includes the following example:
For example, Company of the Blue Shield of Caid as a household name submission from an individual unmistakably implies ownership by the Kingdom of Caid, while Company of the Blue Shield does not.
The plain language of NPN3D would seem to preclude this household name. However, unlike the phrase of Caid, which can only refer to the SCA's Kingdom of Caid, the phrase of the East could be a lingua Anglica form of the attested Middle English byname del Est, which Bardsley s.n. East glosses as referring to someone from the east side of a town or village. Equally, the argument can be made that Black Sheep House of the East does not refer to the Kingdom but to a tavern located on the east side of a town or village.
As this issue was not discussed in commentary, we are pending this name for further discussion of whether of the East constitutes an unmistakable reference to the Kingdom of the East and whether this household name can or should be registered under NPN3D.
This was item 21 on the East letter of January 31, 2018.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns) (to East pends)
This badge potentially conflicts with the device of Raven Mayne, Argent semy of ravens volant sable. There is at least a DC between close and volant per SENA Appendix L. However, volant is not listed in A5E5a as a posture for birds that can be considered for substantial change in posture. This badge is pended for discussion on whether volant should be considered within A5E5a, either within one of the existing categories or as a separate category of its own.
This was item 4 on the Northshield letter of January 31, 2018.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2018-06-05T22:30:33