The submitter requested authenticity for "Rus/Slavic." 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. The name appears to be authentic for 14th century Russia, but we cannot say so with certainty due to our limited Russian language resources.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
Artist's note: Please provide internal details on the reremouse.
Submitted as _ Drusa Saturnina, the name as submitted consisted of two cognomina without a nomen. There is no evidence that such a pattern was used in Roman names. However, the pattern of a nomen and one or more cognomina is discussed in Ursula Georges, "A Simple Guide to Imperial Roman Names" (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/roman.html#cognomen). At the submitter's request, we have added the nomen Hostilia, found in Ursula's cited article. As Hostilia Drusa Saturnina, the name follows an attested Roman pattern and can be registered.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Early Roman." While we are not sure what the submitter means by "Early Roman," this name appears to be authentic for the 2nd century B.C.E.
The submitter requested the byname da Coruna if it could be documented. We were unable to find any evidence to support this byname. Therefore, we are registering the name as submitted.
This device is not in conflict with the device of Skapti Herjolfsson, Vert, a triskelion of legs Or, nor the device of Kendra Sloane of Penmarch, Vert, three horse's heads conjoined in triskele Or. In the August 2014 return of William Ulfsson's device, a triskelion of wolf's heads was compared to a triskelion of horse's heads: "This leaves only the difference between the types of heads. While wolves' heads and horses' heads as freestanding charges would have more than a DC between them, triskelions of different items have only a DC between them." Per this precedent, there is only one DC for change in type of component parts of these triskelions.
However, we feel that the wording of this precedent is overly broad. Attires are so radically different from either legs or heads that granting only a DC between them seems unreasonable. We therefore partially overturn the previous ruling, noting that when the triskelions are made up of generally the same type of charge (e.g., heads) or with a similar outline, at most a DC can be granted, but when the type and profile of the component charges are sufficiently different separately, and do not substantially lose those differences when conjoined in a triskelion, they may be granted up to an SC. Such is the case with attires vs. legs, and attires vs. horse's heads.
The byname the Midwife is already registered to the submitter and thus can continue to be used by her under the Existing Registration Allowance.
The submitter's previous name, Tatiana the Midwife, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, a pall inverted sable between two hearts gules and a rose sable, is retained as a badge.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
This item was pended on the May 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns to await the outcome of an ongoing discussion regarding the registerability of equal-armed Celtic crosses. After review and discussion of available materials within the United States, and consultation with SCA members in Europe familiar with the laws regarding hate symbols, we believe that this badge does not run afoul of SENA A7B4, and is registerable at this time.
Please note that this design of Celtic cross does not match period artifacts, and is being registered in this case based on the assumption of good faith by the submitter and a liberal interpretation of SENA A2A, which states "Elements which have been registered without comment in the last decade or are listed in one of the Appendices as acceptable elements do not usually need to be documented in a new submission." See this month's Cover Letter for our new policy on the use of Celtic crosses and Norse sun crosses, which includes a more explicit definition of allowable Celtic crosses based on period examples.
Ansteorran Middle Eastern Studies Guild is a generic identifier.
The tertiary charges in this design do not violate SENA A3D2c and the Unity of Posture rules. In the January 2016 Cover Letter, it was ruled:
However, the default orientation (and thus the inverted version thereof) of an inanimate charge is an artifact of our Society-defined defaults. It does not seem fair to submitters to penalize them when considering two or more non-identical inanimate charges where one charge needs to be blazoned as inverted and the other does not solely because of our defined default orientations. In consequence, armorial designs that use such a combination will not be returned for that reason alone. Note that a difference in axis is a different issue, and will still be a violation of unity of orientation, barring period evidence to the contrary, as will a difference of orientation for identical charges.
The same ruling holds true here. To clarify the last statement: If one of these charges was palewise while the other was bendwise, they would be oriented on different axes and would violate SENA A3D2c. Likewise, if the bobbin were replaced by another needle, and this needle was oriented so that its eye was in sinister chief, then one of the charges would be inverted in orientation from the other, demonstrating a lack of unity in their orientation.
To summarize: the axial orientations of dissimilar long inanimate charges must be either identical (parallel) or complementary (e.g., in saltire). Identical long inanimate charges have the same requirement, and must also have identical directional orientation.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a mullet of five greater and five lesser points.
Ansteorran Lace Makers Guild is a generic identifier.
Ansteorran Musician's Guild is a generic identifier.
I can do no better than to quote my predecessor, who in the February 2008 Cover Letter, noted in part: "No one disputes the right of Baronies to register badges, or to reserve them for specific purposes or groups. Registering a badge for former territorial Barons and Baronesses is legal. However, we find we cannot encourage it, and would hope that other Kingdoms do not follow Caid's lead in this."
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
This device is comprised of a small central charge surrounded by a larger charge. Commenters questioned if it violates SENA A2C3, which prohibits blurring of charge groups due to size. Typically, returns for violating this standard occur when the relative size and arrangement of the charges lead to confusion about whether the charges are co-primary or primary and secondary.
In this submission, though the mountain is central to the design, it is small enough and the single surrounding charge is large enough that there can be no question about which is the primary charge.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a Chinese dragon.
Nice 16th century English or Anglo-Welsh name!
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
This is the defining instance of a Suffolk knot in Society armory. The Suffolk knot was the knot-badge of John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, d.1491. Cf. Fox-Davies, Heraldic Badges, p.147, and Siddons, Heraldic Badges in England and Wales, vol.II.2 p.232
Nice badge!
Submitted as Ardgal Ardgalson, the constructed patronymic Ardgalson improperly combined the Gaelic Ardgal in the same name phrase as the Old Norse or English -son, which is prohibited by PN1B1. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to the wholly Gaelic Ardgal mac Ardgaile, documented in commentary by Brían dorcha ua Conaill.
There is a step from period practice for placing a charge on a gurges.
Benton is the submitter's legal given name.
The submitter's primary name is now Ian'ka Ivanova zhena P'trovitsa. Her previous name, Ianuk Raventhorne, is now her alternate name.
There is a step from period practice for a bird other than an eagle in a displayed posture.
The given name Juliette is already registered to the submitter and thus is treated as neutral in time and language under the Existing Registration Allowance. It was also documented in commentary as a late-period Dutch given name. In either case, it can be combined with two late period German elements.
The submitter's previous name, Juliette Dashwood, is retained as an alternate name.
Mason is the submitter's legal given name. However, he need not rely on the Legal Name Allowance, as Seraphina Ragged Staff found Mason as a late period English given name in the FamilySearch Historical Records.
Although the Letter of Intent argued that Arison was the patronymic form of the Old Norse name Ari, that documentation was not correct. The genitive form of the Old Norse Ari is Ara, making the patronymic Arason. Fortunately, Adelaide Pympernell was able to document Arison as a late period English surname.
Merrick is the submitter's legal given name.
Submitted as Merrick Maguidhir, the spelling of the byname was not supported by the documentation in the Letter of Intent. We again remind heralds and submitters that the italicized Gaelic forms in Black's Surnames of Scotland are nearly always modernized forms and cannot be relied on as the sole documentation for a name element. [Seamus Mac Enrig, 09/2006 LoAR, A-Meridies] For guidelines on how to use Black, see the March 2018 Cover Letter.
Fortunately, Brian dorcha ua Conaill documented Mag Uidhir as an Early Modern Gaelic surname found from the 13th century onwards. This surname can be combined with the submitter's legal given name. Therefore, we have changed the name to Merrick Mag_Uidhir for registration.
Valarie is the submitter's legal given name.
This badge is being registered despite lack of documentation of the arrangement of two different types of charge within the horns of a crescent. This issue was not mentioned in the previous return of the badge, so the submitter is being given the benefit of the doubt.
In the future, submitters will need to document this pattern.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
The submitter requested authenticity for "1200-1300 Normandy." Although it can be registered, this name does not meet this request because Orloge was documented as a surname from England, not Normandy. However, this surname is derived from the Old French word orloge. It might, therefore, be plausible as an Anglo-Norman name for the requested time period.
Nice badge!
Beatrice grants permission to conflict for all armory that is not identical to her badge.
Beatrice grants permission to conflict for all armory that is not identical to her badge.
Beatrice grants permission to conflict for all armory that is one countable step (DC) different from her badge.
Beatrice grants permission to conflict for all armory that is one countable step (DC) different from her device.
The submitter requested authenticity for Spanish. This name is authentic for Spanish from the late 15th century onwards.
The byname de Sancerre is already registered to the submitter and thus is treated as neutral in time and language under the Existing Registration Allowance. Accordingly, it can be combined with the late period English given name Claramonde.
The submitter's previous name, Isabelle de Sancerre, is retained as an alternate name.
Crois Brigte is the registered name of an SCA branch.
This name combines an Arabic ism (given name) and a West African (Manding) clan name. The combination of Arabic and any of the West or North African languages (e.g., Manding, Songhay, Berber/Tuareg) is not included in Appendix C of SENA. However, Lillia Crampette provided evidence from P.F. de Moraes Farias, Arabic Medieval Inscriptions from the Republic of Mali, a survey of inscriptions from Mali that includes examples of classical Islamic names by themselves and in combination with "Berber and other local-language personal names, as well as local-language forms of classical Islamic personal names." The evidence also includes examples of the replacement of the patronymic particle ibn with the Berber equivalent. Therefore, the combination of Arabic and West or North African elements is registerable.
Idr{i-}s is a classical Islamic ism found in Juliana de Luna, "Arabic Names from al-Andalus", which includes names dated between the 8th and 11th centuries. The form `Idr{i-}s is also found in de Moraes Farias's data from Mali, dated between the 13th and 14th centuries. Simplified transliterations of Arabic that omit markings for long vowels and other markings are allowed by precedent. [Abu Ana `Abd al-`Aziz de Haro, June 2013, A-An Tir]
The submitted form of the byname, Fofana, is a Manding clan name rendered in Arabic as the possible patronym [son of?] F{u-}fan{a-} in an inscription dated sometime between the 11th and 15th centuries (also in de Moraes Farias). The submitted spelling is found in the name of a general in the Sunjata Epic, Kuma Fofana (Lynne Jessup, The Mandinka Balafon: An Introduction with Notation for Teaching, https://books.google.com/books?id=qsDOBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA103). Other clan names found as bynames in this epic include Diarra, Condé, and Bereté, found in Sunjata: A West African Epic of the Mande Peoples, edited by David C. Conrad, Djanka Tassey Condé (https://books.google.com/books?id=SlFSW3GKKZcC). Literary clan names are allowed by precedent:
Nkante was documented as a variant of Kante, the name of a smith clan in the Sunjata Epic, an oral epic tale based on early 13th C events in the life of Sunjata Keita, the founder of the West African Mali empire. The tale has characters Sumaworo Kanté (the antagonist in the story) and Diouma Kanté (var. Kumba Kante, Kankoba of the Kante clan, Kangoba Kanté, etc) according to Conrad, "Searching for History in the Sunjata Epic: The Case of Fakoli". As the byname of multiple ordinary humans in a well-known period tale, it is registerable via the literary names allowance. [Nkante n gheren, April 2010, R-East]
Although a form of the byname is attested, the submitter must rely on the literary name allowance to document the pattern of using clan names as unmarked bynames.
We thank Lillia Crampette for her extensive research and advice on this submission.
The submitter's previous name, Caoilfionn of Kintyre, is released.
The submitter's previous device, Per pall inverted gules vert and Or, three wolves rampant each maintaining an arrow counterchanged Or and sable, is released.
Submitted as Knutr Olafsson Osiðr, when an Old Norse descriptive byname follows the patronymic, it must be in the genitive (possessive) form. In this case, the genitive form of ósiðr is ósiðar. We therefore have changed the name to Knutr Olafsson Osiðar (omitting accents throughout) for registration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of an Arabian lamp.
Submitted as House of _ Lion and Cross, this household name uses an inn-sign naming pattern based on two heraldic charges. This pattern requires a definite article before one or both of the heraldic charges. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to House of the Lion and Cross for registration.
Submitted as Marguerite Honoree _ Cheneau, the submitter requested the byname de Cheneau if it could be documented. Heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found the byname du Cheneau in Le Code Louis XIII, published in 1628 (https://books.google.com/books?id=iVVFAAAAcAAJ). The preposition du is, of course, the French contraction of de + le. We have changed the name to Marguerite Honoree du Cheneau to honor the submitter's request as closely as possible.
The submitter's previous badge, Per saltire argent and sable, a bordure embattled azure, is now designated as a device.
The submitter's previous device, Quarterly argent and sable, a heron volant wings addorsed and on a chief azure a sword reversed argent, is now a badge.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Late Roman 600 A.D." Although this name is authentic for the late Republic and early Imperial period of Rome, we were not able to find documentation for these elements as late as 600 C.E. The latest inscriptions using nomina derived from the gens Octavia are from the very early 4th century C.E. The cognomen Silvanus in either masculine or feminine forms appears to have fallen out of use around 300 C.E.
The submitter's previous name, Aurellia Silvana, is released.
Although the byname would ordinarily be rendered as de Wolf, capitalization of prepositions in Dutch was sufficiently variable that we will give the submitter the benefit of the doubt that the submitted De Wolf is registerable.
This name combines an English given name and a Dutch byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Artist's note: Please depict the peacock in such a way that there is an unambiguous shape difference between it and the lotus blossom, for example by making a clear horizontal line with the bottom feathers.
Originally submitted as Vivienne la Fleur, the name was changed at Kingdom to Vivienne de Fleur to match the documentation that could be found. After the close of commentary, Brunissende Wreath Emerita found la Fleur as a French surname dated to 1557 in Sources de l'histoire d'Épernay: Archives municipales d'Épernay (XVIe siècle). 1re sér. t. I-[II], Volume 1 (https://books.google.com/books?id=RgrlAAAAMAAJ). Therefore, we have restored the name to its original form, Vivienne la Fleur.
The submitter has permission from Mathias of the Canyons to conflict with his device, Per pale sable and gules, a griffin sejant argent.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns) (to Atlantia pends)
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
Submitted as Carrie Honey Bear, during commentary the submitter requested a change to Carrie _ Bear. We are happy to register the name in that form.
The submitter's previous name, Deirdre inghean ui Mhathghamhna, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Vert, a sea-serpent ondoyant between three eyes argent irised azure, is retained as a badge.
Nice 16th century Italian name!
Blazoned when registered in November 2014 as Sable, a natural ibex's skull and a bordure argent, the default orientation of a skull is cabossed, so we are clarifying the orientation here.
There is a step from period practice for the use of paw prints.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
Nice 15th century Gaelic name!
The submitter's previous name, Victoria of Standing Stones, is released.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird other than an eagle in a displayed posture.
Nice English name from the 13th century onwards!
Nice 16th century English name!
The submitter's previous name, Constance Wilkicke, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Per pale gules and sable, on a bend argent three footprints palewise sable, is retained as a badge.
Questions were raised in commentary about this name because Nemesis is the name of a Greek goddess. However, there is a strong pattern of Greek names taken from the names of gods or goddesses. LGPN has 10 examples of real people who bore the name Nemesis.
No other parts of the name or armory imply that the submitter is claiming to be the goddess. The byname Erycina indicates that the person is from Eryx, a town in Sicily. There is no connection between that location and the goddess Nemesis. Therefore, this name can be registered.
The combination of the name Nemesis with a skull in her badge is not problematic because a skull is not one of the symbols associated with the goddess. Artist's note: Please color in the ocular and nasal cavities with the tincture of the skull.
The submitter requested the byname del Sea if it could be documented. We were not able to do so; therefore, the name is registered as submitted.
The Letter of Intent assured us that this name was not intended as a "joke name." However, by longstanding precedent, "[t]he fact that this is a 'joke name' is not, in and of itself, a problem. 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) When considering the registration of joke names, the key question is whether the joke is necessarily a modern one: "Joke names have long been registered, when the reference was not modern." [Mould de Cheder, 2/2011 LoAR, A-Trimaris] A reference to nutmeg is not a modern referent. Therefore, regardless of whether it was intended as a joke or not, this name can be registered.
Rodrigo grants permission to conflict for all armory is that is not identical to his device.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Submitted as Sechen Tatar, this name was not correctly constructed. For Mongol names using a tribal or clan name such as Tatar, the proper period construction is clan name in the genitive form + given name. This name, therefore, is correctly rendered as Tatar-un Sechen. As the submitter allows all changes, we have made this change for registration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a natural tiger.
Artist's note: Please draw the lotus flower clearly in profile without lower petals or leaves that might detract from its appearance as a cup-shaped flower.
Submitted as Thorfinn_ V{o,}ttsson, the byname was incorrectly formed for Old Norse grammar. The correct genitive (possessive) form of V{o,}ttr is Vattar, making the patronymic Vattarson.
In addition, the submitter requested that we change the given name to the 10th century Old Norse form, Þorfinnr. With these changes, we are registering the name as Þorfinnr Vattarson.
The submitter may be interested to know that, in German, Urich is pronounced like "oorich" (with the ch as in the Scottish loch) rather than like the English "Yorick." The German given names Jorick or Jorik are much closer to the submitter's request for sound. If the submitter prefers one of these forms, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Commenters asked whether this was "excessive" religious symbolism. While the use of bread and goblet is evocative of the Christian Eucharist, SENA A7B2 only prohibits the use of offensive religious symbolism, and states that "Normal armorial designs including single or multiple elements that identify the person with one religious tradition or another are not offensive. Offense requires a level of religious iconography that would raise eyebrows even for believers." We do not believe that this crosses the threshold into offense.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
Nice badge!
Nice badge!
Nice badge!
This name combines a Dutch given name with a constructed English surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter maybe interested to know that Lief Wolfsen, an entirely Dutch form of the name, can also be registered. If he prefers this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Ravenwood is a plausible constructed English place name. Compound Placenames in English by Juliana de Luna (http://medievalscotland.org/jes/EnglishCompoundPlacenames/) gives numerous examples of place names formed from the unmodified form of a family name plus a generic toponym such as wood. Ravenwood is a wood owned by or associated with people bearing the attested English family name Raven. Alternatively, Raven- is a common prototheme in English place names, derived from the ON Hrafn 'raven' or Hr{ae}fningas, 'the people called after Hr{ae}fn'. This protheme is found in place names such as Ravenfeld (1234-1431), Rauenstone (1304), and Raven(e)smor(e). (early 13th - 16th centuries). The deuterotheme -wood is a commonly found late period form in both place names and personal names based on place names. The surname Ravenwood is plausible for 16th century English on both of these grounds.
The combination of this name with armory including a raven as a charge is not presumptuous. The Anglicized Irish male given name Morighane has no relationship to the Irish goddess Mórrígan or Morrígu; it is an attempt by English speakers to render phonetically a diminutive form of the Gaelic male name Muireadhach. Moreover, precedent holds that a single allusion to a legendary figure through a combination of name and armory is permitted. [Rhiannon de Carreg Cennan, 3/2007 LoAR, A-East]. As for the use of a raven charge with the surname Ravenwood, that is precisely the sort of canting arms that are found throughout English heraldry.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns) (to Drachenwald pends)
Nice 16th century English name!
The submitter's previous name, Amelye of Trinovantia Nova, is released.
Bards of Ealdormere is a generic identifier.
This name combines an English given name with a Dutch byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Trinovatia Nova is the registered name of an SCA branch.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a compass star.
Submitted as Muirghein MacQuarrie, the name could not be registered as submitted because it used entirely modern spellings for both name elements. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Muirghen MacQuharrie for registration. Muirghen is a Gaelic saint's name found in the gray period Martyrology of Donegal, which was published in 1632. MacQuharrie is a 16th century Scots form found in Black s.n. MacQuarrie. This name combines a Gaelic given name with a Scots byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
According to precedent, "Jewel is a term that is a late period synonym for gem, among other meanings. As such, it is a term that could be used to describe the charge we normally blazon a gemstone. As such it can be registered as an order name." [Summits, Principality of the. Order name Order of the Jewel of the Summits, 3/2013 LoAR, A-An Tir]
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
Nice Spanish name from the late 15th century onwards!
This name combines a 16th century Gaelic given name with a 16th century Anglicized Irish byname, an acceptable lingua mix under Appendix C.
This name was pended on the February 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for discussion of whether it is obtrusively modern. PN2E of SENA 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.
Although this name alludes to "clockwork," neither the concept nor the term is modern. "clocke-worke" is a gray period term found in the OED dated to 1628: "In this curious clocke-worke of religion, every pin and wheele that is amisse distempers all." Because the joke in this name is not a wholly modern one, it can be registered.
Submitted as Order of the Suns Stone, the Letter of Intent argued that this name follows the pattern of orders named after saints and related objects. In this case, it would be a saint named Sun with the related object of a stone. By precedent, "we can allow order names following the pattern saint + other or saint + object of veneration to omit the word Saint before the possessive form of the given name." [Carillion, Barony of. Order name Order of Irons Bell, 11/2014 LoAR, A-East] However, order names using this pattern take the form Order of Saints X without a definite article before the saint's name. Therefore, with the Barony's consent, we have changed this name to Order of _ Suns Stone for registration.
In Middle English, a volatile is a bird, particularly a wild bird. Accordingly, the Volatile is a plausible descriptive byname based on the attested examples of other English bynames based on birds, including Wyldefoul, le Bridd and le Fowel.
This name combines a Gaelic given name with an English byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Artist's note: Please draw the eyes of the needles larger to aid in identifiability.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird other than an eagle in a displayed posture.
Upon her death, the submitter gives blanket permission to conflict for all names that are at least a syllable different from any of her registered names and for all armory that is at least one countable step different (DC) from her registered device and badges.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
Submitted as Elayne Mccallum, Mc- is a scribal abbreviation that must be expanded to Mac- for registration. [September 2013 Cover Letter] We have made this change.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Scottish." 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.
Although it can be registered, this name is not authentic for the Scots language. The instance of Elayne found in Black's Surnames of Scotland and cited in the Letter of Intent actually appears in Black's underlying source as the Latinized Elena. We found one instance of the spelling Elene in a Scots-language parliamentary record from 1494. However, we have not been able confirm any instances of Elayne in Scotland. Nevertheless, Elayne is a common late period English name and there was a great deal of overlap in naming pools between late period England and Scotland. Thus, this name may be authentic for 16th century Scottish woman, but we cannot say so with certainty.
Artist's note: Please draw the internal detailing of the tower thinner and more subdued.
Nice Occitan name for circa 1400!
Artist's note: Please make the crosses thicker, with larger fleurs.
Smythkepe is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Scandinavian." 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. Although Oddleifr is an attested Old Norse given name, the name as a whole is not authentic because it uses the name of an SCA branch rather than an actual Scandinavian place name.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a compass star.
The submitter's primary name is now Sárán mac Ímair. His previous name, Sárán mac Sáráin, is now his alternate name.
This badge was pended on the February 2018 LoAR for discussion on use of Norse sun crosses and Celtic crosses by white supremacist groups.
After review and discussion of available materials within the United States, and consultation with SCA members in Europe familiar with the laws regarding hate symbols, we believe that this badge does not run afoul of SENA A7B4, and is registered.
Please see this month's Cover Letter for our new policy on the use of Celtic crosses and Norse sun crosses.
Submitted under the names Sárán mac Sáráin and Sigveig Snæbjarnardóttir, those names have since been changed.
Sigveig is already registered to the submitter and thus can continue to be used under the Existing Registration Allowance without requiring new documentation. Solvig is the submitter's legal maiden surname.
The submitter's previous name, Sigveig Snæbjarnardóttir, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Per pale azure and gules, on a compass star per pale Or and argent, a triskele gules, is retained as a badge.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a tierce with another charge on the field.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
Submitted as Humiliation Griffin_ Tavern, Humiliation Griffin was documented as a person's full name. Griffin is a common late period Anglo-Welsh surname. As strange as it may seem to modern ears, Humiliation is an attested late period Puritan English given name. Charles Bardsley's Curiosities of Puritan Nomenclature, p. 151, lists several people named Humiliation, including two people in the same family.
Previous precedent stated that the only attested pattern for household names using a person's full name was House of + given name + last name. [Brigit inghean ui Dhomhnaill. Household name House of Hammer Fall, 11/2014 LoAR, A-East] However, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found new data in English and Scots for inn-signs using a person's full name, including Walter Chepmannis taveroun (1526). Based on this new data, we hereby expand the 2014 precedent and hereby allow English and Scots household names in the form given name + last name + Tavern. When using this pattern, the person's full name should be in the possessive form. Accordingly, when have changed this household name to Humiliation Griffins Tavern for registration. See the Cover Letter for additional details.
This submission was an appeal of a previous return for visual conflict with the arms of Bavaria. Commentary was overwhelmingly in support of the appeal.
The submitter's previous device, Or, a chevron purpure between two ducks close and a dragon segreant sable, is retained as a badge.
Submitted under the name Helga Gunnarsdóttir.
Nice early 16th century Dutch name! This precise name is dated to 1514 in a list of persons from Bruges.
Nice 13th century Latinized English name!
This device conflicts with the device of Beatrice Shirwod, Per chevron azure mullety argent and argent, a drop spindle azure. There is one DC for removal of the strewn charges. Fortunately, Beatrice has filed a blanket letter of permission to conflict, allowing this device to be registered despite the conflict.
The submitter's previous device, Per chevron embattled gules and azure, two curs' heads couped argent collared sable and a tower argent, is released.
The submitter requested authenticity for 14th-15th century English. Although it can be registered, the name is not authentic for that time period because the spellings Katheryn or Katherin do not appear in English records prior to the 16th century. The name is, however, authentic for 16th century English.
This name was pended on the February 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns to consider the submitter's request for the given name Lilavatibai, which incorporates the honorific suffix -bai. We pended the name for further research on the suffix -bai and it was used in Rajput names. However, during the pend period, the submitted withdrew her request for Lilavatibai and consented to registration of Lilavati_ of Lochac without the suffix. We are pleased to register this name in the requested form.
Rónán is a Gaelic saint's name appearing in, among other places, the gray period Martyrology of Donegal. As such, it can be combined with the 16th century English surname Herun found in English Names found in Brass Enscriptions by Julian Goodwyn (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/brasses/lastnameAH.html).
Nice device!
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
There is a step from period practice for the use of the dragon displayed.
The Letter of Intent relied on Woulfe, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, to document the byname. However, O hEaghra appears only as a header form with no italicized 16th-early 17th century Anglicized forms under it. Therefore, per the October 2010 Cover Letter, the header form cannot be registered without other corroborating evidence. Fortunately, in commentary, Brían dorcha ua Conaill and Adelaide Pympernell provided examples of various forms of this byname from the Irish annals, allowing it to be registered.
This name combines an English surname with a Gaelic byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
Brónach is a Gaelic saint's name appearing in, among other places, the gray period Martyrology of Donegal. Accordingly, it can be combined with the 16th-early 17th century Anglicized Irish O Crowly.
This name combines a Gaelic given name with an Anglicized Irish byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Artist's note: Please draw the dice larger to fill the available space.
Submitted as Conaire Ó Mongáin, with the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to the entirely Middle Irish form, Conaire Úa Mongáin.
The Letter of Intent relied upon MacLysaght's The Surnames of Ireland to document the byname. We remind heralds and submitters that this source is listed in Appendix F to the Administrative Handbook as unreliable because its focus is on modern usage. Both the English and Gaelic forms found in it are entirely modern; as such, MacLysaght is not acceptable documentation. Fortunately, Brían dorcha ua Conaill was able to document the name Mongan in period Gaelic documents, allowing registration of the byname.
The submitter requested authenticity for Spanish 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. This name is authentic for 16th century Spanish.
There is a step from period practice for the use of valknuts.
There is a step from period practice for use of a modern depiction of an apple.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default upright position.
Rivenoak is the registered name of an SCA branch.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a paw print.
This name combines a German given name with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
At the Pelican decision meeting, Lillia Crampette found the submitted spellings of both name elements dated to the gray period in the Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 (http://www.rps.ac.uk/). For more discussion of this excellent source, see the August 2017 Cover Letter.
The submitter may be interested to know that a more authentic form of this name is Servius Cassius Ahenobarbus Caledonius. Ahenobarbus was used as an inherited cognomen, while Caledonius was an ethnic descriptive. In names that used more than one cognomen, ethnic descriptives generally were placed at the end of the name. If the submitter prefers this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Rivenoak is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice Roman name for the last two or three centuries of the Republic and most of the Imperial period!
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified place and time, noting only "if necessary, change to: 'of the bae' or 'of the bay.'" This name is entirely late period English and no changes need to be made for registration.
Submitted as Katica von Schwarzwald, the preposition von is not the correct one to use with Schwarzwald; it should be vom.
Additionally, the submitter requested that the given name be changed to Katya if it could be documented. Given how commonly C/K and i/y switches are found in 16th century English, Katya is a plausible variant of the attested 16th century English given name Catia. Under the February 2015 Cover Letter, 16th century English names can be borrowed into German. We are pleased to change the given name to meet her request.
Nice badge!
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Magnos Kolskeggr, the form was unclear whether the submitter desired Magnús, which was documented on the form, or Magnos, which was not. Our best reading of the handwriting is that the submitter desires the Old Norse name Magnús Kolskeggr. Accordingly, we have registered that form, which is a nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name.
During commentary, ffride wlffsdotter documented Magnos as a 15th century Swedish given name. If the submitter desires this spelling, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Submitted as Tyrvi Magnosdottir, Tyrvi is a masculine name that cannot be combined with a patronymic indicating that he is someone's daughter. However, Þýrví or Thýrví is a feminine name appearing on a runestone dated to circa 1060-1100. As the submitter allows all changes, we have changed the given name to Thryvi, dropping the diacritical marks as the submitter did.
Additionally, this submitter is the child of Magnús Kolskeggr whose name appears elsewhere on this latter. She expressed a desire to indicate that relationship in her name. Therefore, we have changed the byname to Magnusdottir. "Although the usual form of the patronymic is Magnúsardóttir, Orle provided evidence of Magnús as the genitive form dated to 1093," allowing registration of the form Magnusdottir. [Signý Magnúsdóttir, 11/2016 LoAR, A-Outlands].
If the submitter desires Magnosdottir, that form was documented in commentary by ffride wlffsdottir. The submitter may make a request for reconsideration to change her byname.
Nice mid-15th century German name!
The submitter's previous name, Verena von Wúlfflingen, is released.
Nice device!
The submitter's previous device, Azure, on a chevron engrailed between three wolf's heads erased Or three seeblätter azure, is released.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
Bjarnarstr{o,}nd is a constructed Old Norse place name from the attested elements Bjarnar- (meaning belonging to Bj{o,}rn or Bjarni) and -str{o,}nd (meaning coast or shore). We thank Gunnvor Orle for providing multiple examples of each element in place names, without which the name could not have been registered.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This device is returned for redraw. Commenters were unable to identify the charge in chief as any sort of axe head. As noted by Bruce Batonvert, "while a standard axe-head might still be recognizable if turned fesswise reversed, I don't believe a carpenter's axe-head is immediately identifiable as such -- and identification is further reduced by piercing it."
Upon resubmission, the submitter is encouraged to consider a change of orientation for the axe head, a removal of the piercing, the addition of a portion of the haft, a change to a different axe head, or any combination thereof. Likewise, upon resubmission, we encourage the submitter to modify the bear's posture to meet the standards for dormant outlined in the January 2018 Cover Letter, or change the bear's posture altogether.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
This device is returned for violating SENA A2C1 which requires that "Elements must be drawn in their period forms and in a period armorial style." Per the November 2017 return of the device of Michele dei Medici, "The ladle is...not drawn in a period form. The ladles we see in period images had the handle parallel to the lip, not at right angles to it. No evidence was provided and none could be found for the depiction of a ladle in the submitted configuration."
There is a step from period practice for the use of non-European characters.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
This badge 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 badge, the presence of the base shifts the primary charge up, and the per bend field division should extend from the dexter chief corner of the field to the sinister chief corner of the base, so that the visible field is evenly divided azure and gules. Additionally, the position of the mullet should be adjusted vertically on the redrawn field so it lies more equally in both the azure and the gules compartments.
The requested association "Coastal Army" is not generic enough to be a generic identifier.
This device is returned for lack of documentation of the arrangement of the charge groups. SENA Appendix J requires that any design with three or more charge groups on the field must have a documentable arrangement of the charge groups. No evidence was presented and none could be found to support two ordinaries with separate sets of charges arranged within and without.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
None.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
This badge is returned administratively as the emblazon in OSCAR does not match the emblazon on the actual form.
In addition, it appears that the kingdom redrew this badge with no mention of submitter consultation or approval. This is also grounds for return.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
Precedent states that Mard{o,}ll (here simplified as Mardoll) cannot be registered because it was a unique name used only by the goddess Freyja. On the November 2008 Letter of Acceptances and Returns, we returned the name Mardöll Vilhjálmsdóttir, explaining:
This is returned for using a unique, fictional name. The given name was documented, as Mard{o,}ll, from Geirr Bassi, The Old Norse Name. Fause Losenge says of this entry:
Unfortunately, Geirr was a bit overenthusiastic when he included <Mardo,ll> in his pamphlet: E.H. Lind, Norsk-Isländska Dopnamn ock Fingerade Namn från Medeltiden (Uppsala & Leipzig: 1905-1915, sup. Oslo, Uppsala and Kobenhavn: 1931) s.n. <Mardo,ll> notes that this is a fictitious, invented name found in the Prose Edda. It's used in Chapter 35 of the section known as 'Gylfaginning' as an alternative name for the goddess Freyja. . . Besides references to Freyja Lind notes only a single reference to a <Mardo,ll Gríms dóttir>, who, he says, is probably fictional, a character invented by the composer of 'Brandkrossa þáttr'.
Lacking evidence that Mard{o,}ll was used by real people in our period or that it was used in period literature as the name of a human woman, it is not registerable. [11/2008 LoAR, R-Middle]
No new data has come to light concerning this name. Unlike some names from the eddas and sagas, such as Dagný, we do not have evidence that the name Mard{o,}ll began being used by real people in period. Accordingly, we have no grounds for overturning the November 2008 precedent and, for that reason, this name is returned.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns) (to Atlantia pends)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
None.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the badge of Ealusaid of Ardrenk, Per pale vert and azure, a pale wavy between two hares combatant argent. There is one DC for changing the type of secondary charge.
The submitted byname Eard-stapa is an Old English poetic term meaning "the earth-stepper, wanderer." The submitter's previous name submission, Donnchad Eardstapa, was returned on the March 2011 Letter of Acceptances and Returns with the following explanation:
The byname was constructed from a word that appears in use only in a poetic context. Without evidence that bynames were created from poetic terms in Anglo-Saxon or that the term eardstapa was used more generally, we cannot register it as a byname.
Although the Letter of Intent provided evidence of Middle English bynames relating to traveling, Middle English practices are not evidence for a pattern in Old English.
In addition, the registration of Eoswyth þe Siðend on the April 2013 Letter of Intent does not support the present submission. The byname þe Siðend is the noun form of the Old English verb siðian, meaning "to travel." The proposed byname þe Eard-stapa, however, is a poetic construction. While we have evidence of bynames created from verbs, there continues to be no evidence of more fanciful and poetic terms such as "earth-stepper" being used as bynames in Anglo-Saxon England. Therefore, the reason for the original return was not adequately addressed and this name is once again returned.
The submitter may be interested to know that the Anglo-Saxon byname þe Siðend can be combined with the Scots given name Duncan. In addition, the byname the Wanderer was ruled registerable on the September 2015 Letter of Acceptances and Returns as lingua Anglica form of the constructed Middle English byname le Wanderare. Finally, any of the attested Middle English bynames in the Letter of Intent can be combined with the Scots Duncan.
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 orientation, as the orientation and arrangement of the axes in base had to be blazoned separately from the horn in chief.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D1, which requires that "Charges in an armorial design must be clearly organized into charge groups. Depictions of charges that blur the distinction between charge groups will not be allowed. Depictions of charges that that are ambiguous as to what sort of charge group they belong to will not be allowed." The mask and the cap are of relatively equal visual weight, though the cap is somewhat larger than the mask. However, the mask is centered on the shield, while the cap is pushed to chief. This blurs the distinction between co-primary and primary/secondary charges.
This device is also returned for use of a ribbon as a charge. In the June 2005 return of Bronwen Selwyn's badge, (Fieldless) A fox's tail palewise, tip to base, proper, its couped end "recurved" and tied at its base with a ribbon vert, it was ruled "A ribbon is not registerable as a stand-alone charge; that is, as a primary, secondary, or tertiary charge. However, in this case the ribbon is equivalent to a hawk's jesses: a blazonable detail or ornamentation, rather than a charge in its own right." This ruling was upheld in May 2009, with the return of Eadric Anstapa's device: "The ribbon in this submission is an overall charge, which is neither ornamentation nor merely a blazonable detail. It is a charge in its own right, therefore, this submission must be returned." In the submitted artwork, the ribbon spans the width of the field, and is half the height of the mask that overlays it. Visually, it has just as much impact as the mask, and cannot be considered a simple artistic detail. Upon resubmission, the submitter should consider either omitting the ribbon entirely, or else drawing it thin and less spread.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A2C1. In the June 2016 return of the device of Guencenedl ben Madudain, it was ruled:
Per SENA A2C1:"Elements must be drawn in their period forms and in a period armorial style." Blazoned as Per pale paly sable and argent and sable, the fact that we have the same tincture on both sides of the argent stripes creates the overwhelming impression that it's not a per pale field, but a sable field charged with pallets on one half. A field with offset pallets overlapped by both the dog's head and the shamrock is not a period pattern of charges. Barring period evidence, this pattern of offset pallets is not registerable.
This device is also returned for the appearance of marshalling the arms Argent, a chief sable and Paly gules and argent, a chief sable. The chief has good contrast with both sides of the field, and therefore does not remove the appearance of marshalling.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
The device as submitted is functionally identical to the Shire's previous submission returned in July 2017, where it was ruled:
This device must be returned for redesign. SENA Appendix I, Section D, states that "There can be only one overall charge group in any design." In this design, the laurel wreath is subordinate to the key, which is not allowed. Or, to put it another way, if there had been no bend, the key would have been the primary charge and the laurel wreath the secondary charge - two separate charge groups. They remain two separate charge groups when the bend is inserted.
This resubmission modified the artwork almost imperceptably, conjoining the key and laurel wreath, with an argument that SENA Appendix I makes the key and laurel wreath in the same charge group. The Appendix, which states that held/conjoined charges are either co-equal or an artistic detail, has been superseded by several more recent precedents, and will soon be updated.
Even if the key and wreath were considered part of the same charge group, multiple overall charges remain an issue; In the the August 2017 return of the device of Alrikr Ivarsson, the prohibition on multiple overall charges was upheld:
This device is returned for having multiple overall charges. A prior return, from the May 2013 LoAR, states:
Taran mac Tarl'a. Device. Vert, a tree blasted Or within and conjoined to a decrescent, overall five lozenges ployé in bend sinister argent. This device is returned for not being reliably blazonable, a violation of SENA A1C and A3F5, both of which require an emblazon to be describable in heraldic terms. As we have no evidence of multiple overall charges in period armory, this design is difficult to describe. Three of the lozenges are entirely on the field, one partially overlaps the tree, and one partially overlaps the crescent. This is non-period style in general.
In this design, the key and laurel wreath overlie the bend, and the Letter of Intent did not present evidence of use of multiple overall charges in period armory.
This submission likewise has multiple charges overall with no documented examples of the practice.
Upon resubmission, the submitter might consider dropping the bend altogether and adopting the design of Sable, a key within a laurel wreath Or. This design bypasses the charge group theory issues and appears clear of conflict. Alternatively, Bendy sable and argent, a key within a laurel wreath Or would solve the problem of charge group theory, provided the charges remained identifiable.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns) (to Drachenwald pends)
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2c, which requires all charges in a charge group to be in a unified arrangement. The thistles are arranged in fess separately from the spool. Upon resubmission, we encourage the submitter to use the default arrangement of three charges on the dexter chief side of a per bend sinister line of division: two and one.
This device is returned for presumption through display of the flag of Libya, Vert. In past precedents, Libya's iconic single-tinctured flag has been given less protection than the other single-tinctured design we protect, the arms of Brittany, Ermine. Libya's protections are dismissed when they appear as part of a potential quartering, where Brittany is protected. And uncharged sails of a single tincture have long been held not to be a display of armory in and of themselves, with Libya specifically cited in the January 2014 registration of Morgan Grey Beard's device, Argent, a sail vert fastened to its mast and hanging from its yardarm sable.
However, banners and pennons are still considered means of heraldic display. And given that the banners hanging above the sails are rectangular and wider than they are tall, they appear to be modernly shaped flags. In other words, the galleon is literally flying the flag of Libya. If any protection for this design is to be afforded at all, it must surely be in the form in which it was actually used, as a modern national flag.
Upon resubmission, the submitter may omit the banners entirely, or else change their tincture to something other than vert or ermine, to clear the issue of presumption.
This badge is returned for conflict with the device of Orlando dei Medici, Or, a crequier vert, the device of Isadora of the Orange Wode, Ermine, chaussé-ployé sable, an orange tree eradicated proper, and the device of Elom Eikinskjaldi, Per bend sinister sable and barruly argent and sable, in dexter chief an oak tree eradicated Or, leaved vert, fructed of three acorns Or. In each case, there is one DC for fieldlessness, but none for the type or tincture of the tree. Alder trees are currently filed in the Ordinary as an elongated shape, which would carry a DC from the round-shaped trees cited above. However, the depiction of this tree is far more round than elongated, and thus not worth the second DC.
Please see the Cover Letter for a call for commentary on whether trees of different shapes should continue to receive a DC between one another.
This augmentation is returned for not matching the base coat. The registered arms have the hart facing sinister (trippant reguardant contourny) while the submitted augmentation shows the hart facing dexter.
This augmentation is also returned for conflict with the device of Madelyn Catherwood, Gules, a trillium blossom and a chief invected argent, with one DC for removal of the secondary charge, and with the badge of Marrin von Waldburg, Gules, on a trillium argent three maple leaves gules, with one DC for removal of the tertiary charge. Per SENA A5C4, "in a submission of augmented arms where the augmentation appears to be a display of independent armory, such as a charged canton or a single charged escutcheon, the augmentation must be checked for conflict as if it were a submission of independent armory." The lozenge is a medium of heraldic display, and so must be considered as such a stand-alone display.
This device is also returned for blurring the distinction between charge types. The augmentation, whether considered as the lozenge or as the lozenge conjoined to the coronet, doesn't fall within the silhouette of the stag. Their size and placement would make them only barely overall.
The submitter is a court baroness, and thus entitled to display a coronet.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a New World trillium.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This device is returned for redraw. The eagle's feet rest entirely on its tail. The displayed posture would see the legs splayed to either side of the tail, with space between the tail and the feet. Commenters also had trouble recognizing what was happening with the head. Finally, the wings as depicted seem to be leaning out towards the viewer, which in combination with the placement of the feet give the appearance of the posture striking affronty, which is disallowed.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
This device has been withdrawn by the submitter.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
Unfortunately, this name conflicts with the registered Helga Gunnarsdóttir and must be returned.
Her device is registered under the holding name Helen of Bordescros.
This badge is being returned for having two items that are step from period practice. The use of an Oriental dragon is a step from period practice because it does not appear in European heraldry. The use of a cross nowy is also a step from period practice, for the same reason.
Although new submissions using Oriental dragons will no longer be registerable without documentation, a timely resubmission will be considered under the rules in place at this time. However, the use of a Oriental dragon will remain a step from period practice.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
None.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
None.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
This device is returned for redraw. The submitter's previous submission was returned on the July 2017 LoAR with the following note: "This device is returned for redraw. The dragons in annulo are too small to be identified, especially on the checky background." The submitted artwork is effectively the same, with a slight recoloration that does not address the reason for return.
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 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." Here, more of the wolf is on the saltire than on the field.
This device is also returned for lack of contrast of the overall charge with the field. Heraldic grey is considered argent for contrast purposes, which makes this an argent wolf's head on an Or field.
This device is also returned for violating SENA A2C1 which states that "Elements must be drawn in their period forms." In the November 2017 return of Michele dei Medici's badge, it was ruled:
This badge is returned for violating SENA A2C1 which requires that "Elements must be drawn in their period forms and in a period armorial style." The hilt of this rapier appears to be a hand-bell design not unlike a modern saber. The quillons which define the rapier as a heraldic charge are absent, and the knucklebow flows directly into the cup-style hilt. No evidence was presented, and none was found in commentary, demonstrating that this guard is period either as a heraldic charge or an artifact. Absent such evidence, the design is returned for a redraw.
These rapiers have a similar issue, with the hilt more resembling a modern fencing saber guard than a period artifact.
This badge was pended on the February 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns while the discussion of the registerability of the t'ai-chi motif was ongoing. It was found that "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 were asked for "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."
Only one example of the motif was found, an entry from a 5th century Roman manuscript Notitia Dignitatum of over 400 pages, which had copies made in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the section that depicts some 120 unit insignia, one example is found of a shield divided per pale embowed counter-embowed Or (or vert) and azure, charged with two roundels in pale gules). This single pre-heraldic unit insignia is not sufficient to consider the entire motif as a charge, nor the use of embowed counter-embowed as an appropriate line of division for core heraldry purposes. Barring further documentation, the use of either will be grounds for return.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
None.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
Questions were raised in commentary whether the byname Cabellera presumes on the feminine form of the title Caballero, presently reserved by the Society for knights. Precedent holds that bynames are not presumptuous if there are differences -- even small ones -- between the byname and the protected title. Thus, although Viscount is a protected SCA title, the family name Visconti is not presumptuous and can be registered. [February 2012 Cover Letter] Likewise, we previously held that the family name Chavaleri does not presume on the Venetian term for knight, Chavalerio. [Dragano Chavaleri, 4/2012 LoAR, A-Ansteorra]
In this name, Cabellera differs in appearance from both Caballero and Caballera, just as Visconti differs from Viscount. Cabellera is not related to the term for "knight;" instead, it means "head of hair" or "hair piece." However, questions were fairly raised about whether the sound of this byname is effectively identical to the sound of Caballera. Therefore, we are pending this name for additional discussion of whether it should be considered presumptuous of the Spanish female term for a knight in the Society.
This was item 16 on the Atlantia letter of April 29, 2018.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns) (to Atlantia pends)
This device is pended for the decision regarding the application of Unity of Orientation for maintained charge groups, currently in commentary on the July 15, 2018 Laurel LoI.
Commenters asked about whether the arms in this device violate SENA A3D2c, Unity of Orientation. The primary charges are a pair of armored arms oriented inward from the sides of the shield in a form of mirrored symmetry common both to animate charges (e.g., quadrupeds combattant or passant-counterpassant) and their parts (heads respectant, a pair of hands). The use of arms in similar circumstances is therefore in keeping with the rule, and the badge is pended only for the maintained charges.
This was item 11 on the Drachenwald letter of April 30, 2018.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns) (to Drachenwald pends)
This device is pended to discuss whether the provided documentation is sufficient to register this motif.
The submitter provided examples of horned hares in period artwork, and an example of a hare mounted on a greyhound from a period drollery. There has been a problematic trend of submitters finding images in period scribal marginalia and submitting them as armory. The designs are not inherently heraldic, and several of them are unblazonable.
Known heraldic examples of mounted charges consist solely of humans mounted on animals. Most mounts are horses, with a single example of a human riding a bear. The size ratio of a rider and mount is pretty consistent, with the rider always being secondary to the mount.
The drollery submitted for documentation, however, shows a hare in place of a human, and a greyhound as a mount. The hare and hound have approximately equal visual weight in the drollery. The submission itself has relative size ratios more in keeping with the visual weight of a horse and human rider. Both the documentation and the submission place the hare in a posture typically reserved to humans.
Commenters are asked to consider whether drolleries and marginalia should be given consideration when documenting armorial design, taking care to address the potential for nonstandard postures and interactions between charges, such as a quadruped (hare) in the posture of a biped (human) interacting with another quadruped in a way that would otherwise be returnable (neither on nor atop, but "mounted," i.e., semi-surmounting) and how they would interact with our current understanding of heraldry if continued to be acceptable.
This was item 8 on the Outlands letter of April 30, 2018.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2018-09-29T15:53:04