Concerns were raised in commentary that the given name Yifang was unique to the Chinese Empress Dou Yifang. It is not. Wang Yifang was a 7th century non-royal figure mentioned in The Precious Raft of History: The Past, the West, and the Woman Question in China by Joan Judge (Stanford University Press, 2010). Therefore, Yifang is not a unique name used by a protected figure.
The submitter's previous name, Tamura thugater Sarakou, is retained as an alternate name.
Nice 16th century Italian name from Venice!
Melissa is the submitter's legal given name. However, the submitter need not rely on the Legal Name Allowance because Melissa was documented in commentary as a gray period English given name.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Occitania circa 1220." 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 the byname de Tolosa appears in various Occitan documents circa 1220, we were unable to confirm Pascal or Pascalis that early. However, by circa 1300, that name was definitely within the Occitan naming pool. Therefore, this name is authentic for circa 1300 and possibly earlier as well.
Artist's note: Please color the ocular and nasal cavities with the same tincture as the rest of the skull.
After the close of commentary, Lillia Crampette found Wilhelmina in a 16th century English marriage record in the FamilySearch Historical Records.
(to Ćthelmearc acceptances) (to Ćthelmearc returns)
The submitter's previous name, Guđrun Odmarsdottir, is retained as an alternate name.
Andrew is the submitter's legal given name. However, the submitter need not rely on the Legal Name Allowance because Andrew is a period given name in England and Scotland.
The submitter requested authenticity for "9th-10th c. Danelaw." Although this name can be registered, it is not authentic for that time period because the spelling Ţorvaldzson is not found until the 13th century at the earliest.
The submitter may be interested to know that, in the form Hallgrímr Ţorvaldarson, the name would be authentic for 9th-10th century Iceland. If the submitter prefers this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Questions were raised in commentary about the use of the Turkish bint in the same name phrase as the Arabic Mihail. "The markers bint and ibn were used in both Arabic and Turkish names. Therefore, the byname [bint Mihail] does not violate PN1B1 of SENA by using different languages in the same name phrase." [{.I}slah bint Abbas ibn Habib ibn Hasan, 2/2018 LoAR, A-East].
The submitter's previous name, Mora Macnamara, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century Spanish. This name meets that request.
The submitter's previous name, Siggeirr Fjallgeirsson, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter requested authenticity for "15th Century English." 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 does not meet the submitter's authenticity request. The byname the Sinister is a constructed descriptive byname based on the Middle English terms senestere and sinistre. Because it is constructed, not attested, the name is not authentic. It is, however, consistent with 15th century English practices.
Submitted as Ţangbrandr Slřngvandbaugi, the byname properly should be spelled Sl{o,}ngvandbaugi. We have made this change for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for Norse language or culture, "800 AD time period." This name does not meet that request. Ţangbrandr is attested only as the name of a Christian missionary active circa 960 - 1000 C.E.; it does not appear before that time frame. Thus, the name can be registered but it is not authentic for the requested time period.
Submitted as Ţ{o-}rhr{o-}lfr Egilson, the name as submitted used the wrong diacritical markings in the given name; the name is correctly rendered as Ţórhrólfr. In addition, to form a patronymic in Old Norse, the father's name must be in the genitive form, i.e., Egils. Accordingly, we have changed the name to Ţórhrólfr Egilsson for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for "880-930 Scandinavian. Swedish or Norwegian." This name does not meet his request because we cannot document the elements of this name to his requested time period.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
The submitter's heraldic heir grants permission to conflict for any armory that is at least one countable step (DC) from Áed's device.
Nice name for 11th century England!
The Kingdom of Ansteorra has already registered the order names Order of the Iris of Merit and Order of the Star of Merit. Under the Existing Registration Allowance, the Kingdom therefore can continue to use the pattern Order of + heraldic charge + of Merit, allowing registration of this name.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a mullet of five greater and five lesser points.
Nice 16th century English name!
Submitted as Maubee Knott, during commentary Kean Seawolf documented Maybe as a 16th century English surname, which can be used as an English given name. At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to Maybe Knott for registration.
Although Maybe Knott is a joke name, it is a registerable one. 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] This joke is not modern; therefore, the name can be registered.
The Korean diplomat known as Yi Jun or Yi Tjoune is not important enough to protect from presumption under PN4D1. He was not a ruler of a sovereign state and his name is not "recognized by a significant number of people in the Society without having to look [him] up in a reference."
Yi Jun is known solely for being part of the failed attempt by Korea to participate in the Second Hague Peace Conference in 1907 (Korea's participation in the conference was successfully blocked by Japan). Although there is a Yi Jun Peace Museum located in The Hague, it is a privately-run museum sponsored by one family, not a public museum. The references to Yi Jun in on-line encyclopedias are all very brief, noting no other significant contributions beyond being turned away from the 1907 conference. For these reasons, we conclude that Yi Jun should not be protected from presumption.
Although May Bee is a joke name, it is a registerable one. 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] This joke is not modern; therefore, the name can be registered.
Submitted as Izza al-Khayyatiyyah, the byname was incorrectly formed. The correct feminine form of the male byname al-Khayyat is Khayyata(h). As the submitter requested the form al-Kayyata if it could be documented, we are registering the name in the closest form to her request, Izza al-Khayyata.
Nice 16th century French name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a tierce with other charges.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether the element Gan is actually a name element. Although Gan appears in "On the Documentation and Construction of Period Mongol Names" by Baras-Aghur Naran (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/mongol.html), that article has since proven to be in error. Later research by Ursula Palimpsest and others has determined that Gan is a modern Mongol word but was not a name element in period.
However, Gan is the name of a 13th-14th century Russian martyr, found in Wickenden. Appendix C permits the combination of Mongol and Russian name elements. Koke is an adjective, which can come before a given name in Mongol naming patterns. Therefore, Koke Gan can be registered as a Mongol-Russian combination.
The submitter's previous device, Per pale sable and azure, a Bowen cross and on a chief argent three Bowen crosses sable, is released.
Although it was not documented on the Letter of Intent, the submitted spelling of the byname is found in the title of Le Manifeste de Monsieur de Vitry, gouverneur de Meaux, ŕ la Noblesse de France published in 1594 (https://books.google.com/books?id=b74nkngdROcC).
Nice 16th century French name!
This household name is documented from the pattern of naming inns or houses after a person's full name. Shadow Fire was documented in the Letter of Intent as the full name of a person in English.
Nice 16th century Scots name!
Nice 16th century Spanish name!
Nice Dutch name for circa 1600!
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
This name combines a Russian given name and a Scandinavian byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice English name for circa 1600!
The submitter's previous name, Carol of Stargate, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous name, Apollonia Künster, is retained as an alternate name.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a Chinese dragon.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns) (to Artemisia pends)
Blazoned when registered in May 1985 as Per chevron inverted wavy sable and erminois, a swan statant to sinister, wings addorsed argent, gorged and chained Or, the swan is in a posture we now simply call rising or rousant.
This device is not in conflict with the badge of Thylacinus Aquila of Dair Eidand, (Fieldless) An eagle rising sable bellied, headed, and detailed argent fimbriated of flames proper. On reviewing the registered badge, the eagle is at least 50% argent, if not more. There is therefore a DC for the field, and a second for change in tincture of the primary charge.
The only documentation provided for Orrin was from a user-submitted record found through the FamilySearch Historical Records. We remind heralds and submitters that user-submitted genealogies are not valid documentation. The only FamilySearch records that are usable are those found in the batches identified in the January 2014 Cover Letter. Other records that have attached images of primary sources may be usable on a case-by-case basis.
Fortunately, Orrin is a gray-period English surname, found in an acceptable batch of the FamilySearch Historical Records. As such surnames can be used as given names, this name can be registered as submitted.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a natural tiger.
Submitted under the name Kim Samguk.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
The byname Half Pint is the lingua Anglica form of the Middle English byname Chopin or Choppin.
The submitter's previous name, Adelaide of Roxbury Mill, is retained as an alternate name.
Artist's note: Please draw the line of division centered across the per pale line.
No documentation was provided for the spelling von der Dahme in German. Fortunately, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found von der Dahme in Brechenmacher dated to 1529.
This name combines a French given name with a German byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C. Alternatively, Annette is also a 16th century English given name that can be borrowed into German under the February 2015 Cover Letter.
The submitter's previous name, Mercia Marchand, is retained as an alternate name.
The use of Rose as one of two heraldic charges in a household name does not presume on the Order of the Rose. On the February 2015 Letter of Acceptances and Returns we accepted the household name Rose and Wheel Inn, explaining:
Section NPN4B2 states, "Order and award names may not include the names of the peerage orders or overt references to famous knightly orders such as the Garter. Other types of non-personal names may only use such elements in contexts where no reference to the order is likely to be perceived by members of the order and the general populace." As this is a household name that is most easily understood as the name of two heraldic charges rather than a reference to the peerage order combined with some other element, we consider it unlikely that confusion would occur among the populace as the result of using the name of the peerage order in this context. Therefore, we can register this name. [Henry Hosteler. Household name Rose and Wheel Inn, 2/2015 LoAR, A-An Tir]
Here, the reference to rose likewise will be understood as a reference to two heraldic charges rather than a reference to the peerage order. The intended use of this household name for a fighting company led by the Queen of Atlantia is unlikely to cause additional confusion. Therefore, this name falls under the February 2015 precedent and can be registered.
Nice 16th century German name!
Nice 14th century English name!
Nice 16th century Spanish name!
Nice badge!
Nice 14th century English name!
The submitter's previous name, Jón inn stórh{o,}ggvi, is retained as an alternate name.
Originally submitted as Silver Sphinx Tavern, the name was changed at Kingdom to Silver Sphinx Inn. This change was not necessary because Tavern and Inn are effectively interchangeable in period usage. Accordingly, we have restored the name to the original form.
This name combines a Persian given name with an Arabic byname. Although not currently listed in Appendix C, Ursula Palimpsest provided evidence showing that Arabic and Persian name elements overlapped prior to 1100 C.E. Based on this evidence, this name is registerable. In addition, we ask Palimpsest to update Appendix C accordingly.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
Vinjar is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Submitted as Hlíf Angarsdóttir, -dóttir is an Old Norse element that cannot be combined in the same name phrase with the Swedish Angars-. Fortunately, the name can easily be made completely Swedish by changing the suffix to -dottir. As the submitter allows all changes, we have made this change for registration.
The submitter's previous name, Hlíf Áskelsdóttir, is released.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
Nice 15th century Italian name from Florence!
Artist's note: Please draw the points of the mullet of equal length.
None of the several Talmudic scholars named Aaron haLevi are important enough to protect from presumption under PN4D1 of SENA because none of them enjoy the wide degree of fame necessary. In addition, forms of Aaron or Aharon and halevi are so common in medieval Jewish names that even medieval Jews had to distinguish between multiple scholars with this name by adding locative bynames. Thus, this name does not make an unmistakable claim to be the daughter of any particular Aharon Halevi and is not presumptuous.
There is a step from period practice for the use of paw prints.
The submitter's previous badge, Per pale gules and sable, a lion passant to sinister, on a chief argent three roundels sable, is now her device. Her previous device, Azure, a crescent inverted and overall an arrow fracted in chevron inverted Or, is now her badge.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, a patriarchal cross sable and in chief two mullets of eight points gules, is retained as a badge.
Submitted as Hadassah Sarai Bas Yossi, we have changed the name to Hadassah Sarai bas Yossi to use the standard capitalization for Hebrew names.
Although Appendix A states that double given names are not permitted in Hebrew, Juetta Copin provided evidence that Ashkenazic Jews sometimes used double given names, allowing this name to be registered as submitted.
Artist's note: Please draw the head of the mash rake larger to aid in identification.
Submitted as Cynwrig ap Donald, the only documentation for Cynwrig was as a modern Welsh name. Fortunately, we were able to construct the similar name Kynwrig from period examples. The spelling Kynwric appears in the Welsh Prose 1300-1425 Database. Heralds at the Pelican decision meeting identified several examples where -ric and -rig were used interchangeably in Welsh from the same era. Therefore, Kynwrig is a plausible period variant. Unfortunately, we could not find any instances in which K- and C- were used interchangeably in front of a y in Welsh. Accordingly, we have changed the name to Kynwrig ap Donald for registration.
Artist's note: Please draw the wolf centered on the field.
There is a step from period practice for identifying a breed of dog that wasn't used in period blazonry.
The submitter's previous name, Terah Caernarvon, is retained as an alternate name.
Nice late 15th century German name!
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
Submitted under the name Deirdre MacAodha.
The submitter's previous device, Sable, a frauenadler within a bordure embattled Or, is retained as a badge.
Nice 16th century German name!
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
The submitter requested authenticity for "1525, northern Germany." Unfortunately, this name does not meet that request because the earliest attested date we could find for the spelling Papenburg was 1620, in Newe volstendige Braunschweigische und Lüneburgische Chronica (https://books.google.com/books?id=_BxhAAAAcAAJ). The place name may have been used earlier but we cannot say with certainty.
However, the submitter may be interested to know that Ćlfwynn Leoflaede dohtor found the spelling Pappenburg dated to 1570 in Ortelius's maps of Germany. Therefore, Benjamin von Pappenberg is authentic for late 16th century German. If the submitter prefers this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice 15-16th century Italian name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a schnecke with other charges on the field.
Submitted as Lina Arinbjornardottir, the patronymic was not correctly formed. The correct genitive (possessive) form of Arinbj{o,}rn is Arinbjarnar-. Accordingly, we have changed the name to Lina Arinbjarnardottir for registration.
The submitter grants permission to conflict for all armory that is not identical to her registered device.
The submitter asked that her previous name, Wylla MacMillan, be retained as an alternate name. Unfortunately, we cannot do so. Wylla MacMillan and Wylla Makmyllan are effectively identical in sound. By precedent, the same person cannot have two identical registered names:
Admin Handbook section III.C.3 states, "The owner of any item may allow the registration of a specific submission that would otherwise conflict, as long as the new item is not identical to the registered one." Furthermore, PN3C of SENA states, "For identity conflict, any change to appearance and sound is sufficient to allow the registration of a personal name with a letter of permission to conflict. A submission identical to the registered item will not be registered even with permission to conflict."
A person is considered to give permission to conflict to herself automatically. Thus, the question is whether the two names are "identical" and cannot be registered despite the assumed permission to conflict. Although Eleonora and Eleanora are different in appearance, they are not meaningfully different in sound. Without a difference in both sound and appearance, the two names cannot be registered, even with permission to conflict. No exception for names registered by the same person could be found within the existing language of SENA, quoted above.
For this alternate name to be registerable, we would have to change SENA itself to carve out an exception to PN3C. While we have the power to change precedents, changing SENA requires approval from the Board of Directors. Rather than pend the name longer while we explore the lengthy process for changing SENA, we are returning this alternate name at this time. [Eleonora Rose. Alternate name Eleanora Rose, 12/2017 LoAR, R-Lochac]
We ask Palimpsest to propose language for discussion that creates an exception to PN3C for the same submitter. However, as SENA currently stands, we must release the submitter's previous name.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
Nice 13th century English name!
Artist's note: Please draw the charges larger to fill the available space.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Aoife Honeybourne, the submitter has since made clear that she desires the period spelling Honiburne. We have made that change for registration.
This name combines a Gaelic given name and an English byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice 16th century Russian name!
Horseheath is the lingua Anglica form of an attested English place name found in Eckwall as Horesathe or Horsheth in Middle English.
The byname d'Allaines-le-Comte is the registered byname of the submitter's parents.
Dirkin was documented as a 16th century English surname which, based on period practices, can be used as an English given name.
Heralds and submitters are reminded that 16th century English surnames used as given names are treated just like any other 16th century English name element. The entire name does not need to be in 16th century English. Thus, Dirkin is compatible with any elements that could be used with 16th century English under Appendix C, including the Manx surname MacWard.
This badge was submitted with the designation "Badge for the Tir Mara Populace." However, branches cannot register badges for other other branches. If the submitter wishes for this badge to be for the populace of Tir Mara, they should transfer the badge to that branch and let Tir Mara request the designation.
There is a step from period practice for use of a compass star.
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century "Lowland Scots-English." This name does not meet that request. The spelling Moryss is found in English; in Scots, it can be interpolated as a plausible variant spelling from period examples. However, we have no examples of Gibbs as a Scottish given name. In the Letter of Intent, it was documented as a gray-period English surname used as a given name. Thus, while this name can be registered, it is not authentic for the requested time and place.
The submitter may be interested to know that Gib_ Moryss appears to be authentic for circa 1500 in Scotland. If the submitter prefers this form, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Several commenters asked whether this device should be returned for obtrusive modernity, as it uses similar design features to the uniform of Captain Marvel, the Marvel Comics character. While the image is evocative of the Captain Marvel design, there are enough differences to allow its registration, the most noticeable being the shift of the compass star to chief rather than overlaying the chevrons.
There is a step from period practice for use of a compass star.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird in a displayed posture other than an eagle.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Nice late 13th/early 14th century Norwegian name!
Nice 12th century English name!
The submitter's previous name, Eydís Ţorgrímsdóttir, is retained as an alternate name.
Nice Italian name for 15th-16th century Tuscany!
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
Submitted as Asim al-Samad, the submitter requested the given name Asil if it could be documented. In the Pelican decision meeting, Ursula Palimpsest found Asil as period Mamluk name, allowing us to meet the submitter's request.
However, al-Samad is a presumptuous byname because it appears in period solely as one of the epithets of Allah. The use of this byname is an improper claim to powers under PN4C. At the submitter's request, we have changed the byname to al-Sami, an Arabic clan name.
Nice 16th century French name!
The submitter requested authenticity for "15th century Andalusia." 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 15th century Spanish in the region of Andalusia.
Nice 13th century English name!
Axemoor is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Submitters and heralds are reminded that the entire name does not have to be documented to 16th century England in order for a submitter to use a 16th century English surname as a given name. As long as the surname is dated to 16th century England, it can be used as a given name and is treated just like any other 16th century English name element. Thus, it can be combined with any other elements that we allow to be combined with a 16th century English element, including branch names and elements from compatible languages listed in Appendix C.
Submitted as Inn of _ Badger and Owl, this household name follows the English inn-sign pattern of names based on two heraldic charges. Period examples of such names include Hand and plowgh, Cat and parrots, Eagle and Childe and Halfe Eagle and the Key. All such examples included a definite article before the name of one or both of the charges. Accordingly, we have changed this name to Inn of the Badger and Owl for registration.
Submitted as Fellowship of St. Columba, St. is a scribal abbreviation that must be expanded to Saint for registration. [Castlemere, Barony of. Order name Order of Saint John's Castle, 12/2015 LoAR, A-Trimaris] We have made this change for registration.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether the Gaelic saint Columba could be used to name an English household. Saint Columba was known in England and appears in John Selden's Titles of Honor published in English in 1614. Therefore, this name can be used to form an English household name.
Artist's note: Please draw the lions larger and the lotus blossoms smaller.
Submitted as Lopthaena Kolgrimrsdottir, with the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Lopthćna Kollgrímarsdóttir to match the documentation.
The submitter's previous device, Per chevron azure and argent, in base a falcon striking proper, on a chief argent an arrow reversed sable, is retained as a badge.
This name is clear of the registered Olivia Graeme under PN3C2 because there is a substantial difference in the sound and appearance of Grey vs. Graeme. Graeme has an m sound that is entirely absent from Grey and, as required by PN3C2, the differences in these names affect at least two letters.
Nice 16th century English name!
The Letter of Intent documented Baldemund as a constructed Dutch or Germanic name. However, we do not need to construct this name because the Latinized Baldemundus is attested in the Low Lands in the 13th century. As Dutch allows unmarked patronymics, this name can be registered as submitted.
Submitted as Róki Ormrsson, the patronymic was not correctly constructed. The genitive (possessive) form of Ormarr is Ormars-. Accordingly, we have changed the name to Róki Ormarsson.
Submitted as Sindri Ivarrsson, the patronymic as submitted was misspelled. We have changed it to the correct Ivarsson for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for Norse language/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 are Old Norse, but it is unclear whether they are from the same time period or geographic area. Thus, this name may be authentic but we cannot say so with certainty.
Nice early 15th century Italian name from Florence!
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
This name combines an Old English given name with an Old Norse byname, an acceptable lingual mix as long as both elements are attested prior to 1100 C.E., as is the case here.
This name includes the Old English letter wynn, rendered in Da'ud notation as {w}. See the Cover Letter for more information.
Bordescros is the registered name of an SCA branch.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
Nice German name for circa 1500!
This name is clear of the registered Aasa Sřrensdotter under PN3C1 because two syllables of the patronymic are changed: Sřr- vs. Snor- and -ens vs. -ra.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
This name combines a Scandinavian given name with a German byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Although the submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified language, culture or time period, she withdrew this request during commentary. However, she may be interested to know that Astryd von Volkmanshagen is an authentic German name for circa 1400. If the submitter prefers this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Contrary to popular belief, Catriona is not a Gaelic name. Although there is a Gaelic name rendered in some documents as Caitríona or Caiterfhina, the spelling Catriona is found solely in gray-period England, in the FamilySearch Historical Records or Something Rich and Strange: "Undocumentable" Names From The IGI Parish Records by Alys Mackyntoich (http://heraldry.sca.org/names/SomethingRichandStrange.html).
MacLeod is found as an English rendering of a Scots or Gaelic name in 'Henry VIII: July 1545, 26-31', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 20 Part 1, January-July 1545, ed. James Gairdner and R H Brodie (London, 1905), pp. 632-685. British History Online (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol20/no1/pp632-685).
Nice English name from the late 13th century onwards!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a paw print.
The submitter's previous device, Lozengy argent semy of martlets and gules, is released.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether Dís was used exclusively to refer to a goddess or supernatural figure. It was not. We have evidence of ordinary human women being known as Dis in late period Scandinavia. Therefore, this name can be registered.
Nice English name from the early 15th century onwards!
This device is not in conflict with the device of Margarita Vasquez de Santa Cruz, Per chevron vert and sable, a chevron embattled between two coneys sejant respectant and two sewing needles in saltire argent. There is a DC each for the change in type and number of the secondary charges.
Submitted as Gunther Wagenschwanz, we were unable to find any evidence of Wagenschwanz as a period surname. The Letter of Intent documented it solely as an undated header form in Bahlow; these headers are not registerable without evidence that they appeared in period.
Heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found Wagen and Schwanz as separate German surnames in FamilySearch Historical Records. As German allows double surnames, we have changed this name to Gunther Wagen _ Schwanz for registration.
Nice late 16th century Spanish name!
The submitter's previous device, Azure, a peacock in its pride argent hurty, is released.
Musikant is a German occupational term for a professional instrumental musician. It is a reasonable occupational byname.
Artist's note: Please draw fewer musical notes and make the tressures thicker.
Nice badge!
Although the submitter desired the surname MacMurrough, the documentation provided in the Letter of Intent was for MacMorrough. Fortunately, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found several instances of M'Murrough in Henry VII's State Papers for Ireland, allowing registration of the name as submitted.
There is a step from period practice for the use of charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
Submitted as Ruxandra cel Mare, cel is the masculine singular article, which cannot be combined with the feminine given name Ruxandra. We have changed the name to Ruxandra cea Mare to use the correct feminine singular article. Mare remains the same for both masculine and feminine names.
The submitter requested authenticity for Norse language or culture. As both elements of this name are found in Landnámabók, this name is authentic for 9th-10th century Iceland.
Although documented in the Letter of Intent as Spanish, Stefania is an Italian female given name, found in "Names from 15th and 16th Century Pisa" by Juliana de Luna (https://heraldry.sca.org/kwhss/2014/Juliana_de_Luna/Names_from_15th_and_16th_Century_Pisa.pdf). Accordingly, this name is wholly Italian.
Nice late 16th century Italian name!
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Nice English name for the late 12th through early 13th centuries!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a guinea pig.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a guinea pig.
Submitted as Tsaatannu Temuge, the name as submitted incorrectly rendered the genitive suffix; it is usually written with a hyphen, which makes the byname Tsaatan-nu. As the submitter desires an authentic name and allows all changes, we have made this change for registration.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Mongolian" language or culture. While both name elements are Mongolian, we do not have sufficient information to say whether this name is authentic (that is, whether it can be dated to the same place and time period). However, it can be registered.
Submitted as William Faris of Clyde, Clyde is the name of a river. We could not find any evidence of Scots bynames based on the names of rivers. With the submitter's permission, we have changed the byname to of Clydisdaile, the 16th century name of the county in Scotland now known as Lanarkshire.
The use of an Oriental dragon is a step from period practice.
Submitted under the name Yuan Meizi.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns) (to Meridies pends)
The element Vy{a-}sayati was attested as the name of a historical figure who lived from 1447-1548 C.E. Maurya was an Indian clan or family name that was still in use in some form as late as the 11th century, when a chieftan named Govindaraja was referred to in an inscription as Mauryakula-pradípa or "the light of the Maurya family." Given our limited resources in Sanskrit naming practices, this data is sufficient to give the submitter the benefit of the doubt and register the name.
It is unclear whether the use of the name element Maurya could be considered a presumptuous claim to be a part of or descended from the ruling family of the Maurya Empire, a major political power on the Indian subcontinent between 322 B.C.E. and 180 B.C.E. However, since Ursula Palimpsest found evidence of people not affiliated with the dynasty using the name (prior to the founding of the dynasty), we again give the submitter the benefit of the doubt that this byname is not presumptuous.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
Artist's note: Please provide internal detailing for the butterflies.
This name combines a French given name with a Scots byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice 15th century Gaelic name!
The submitter's previous badge, (Fieldless) A sun sable transfixed by an arrow inverted argent, is released.
Artist's note: Please draw the arrow centered on the sun, with larger head and fletchings.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
The submitter requested authenticity for 13th century English. This name meets that request.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Roman" language or culture. At the Pelican decision meeting, Ursula Palimpsest found evidence in the LGPN of Alexandria as a Roman cognomen in the third and sixth centuries C.E. Alisoun Metron Ariston also found instances of Alexandria as a feminine cognomen in the Heidelberg inscription database in the latter part of the first century C.E. and throughout the second century C.E. Accordingly, this name is an authentic Roman name for the first through third centuries C.E. and possibly the sixth century as well.
Although the Letter of Intent documented Klaus as late 15th century German, Gunnvor Orle also documented this given name in Lind dated to 1363-1495, with examples in Iceland and Norway. Accordingly, there is no question that Klaus can be combined with the constructed byname Jarnskeggr, which uses elements found in 12th and 13th century Old Norse.
Unser Hafen is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Artist's note: Please draw the bend sinister wider, and give more prominent ears to the griffin.
The submitter's previous device, Purpure, a pawprint and on a chief Or a decrescent and an increscent gules, is released.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a paw print.
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.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a paw print.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
Nice early 16th century Spanish name!
The cognomen Dulcitia was not documented in the Letter of Intent. After the close of commentary, Alisoun Metron Ariston found three instances of Dulcitia in the Heidelberg inscription database, as well as several examples in Kajanto, The Latin Cognomen.
The submitter requested authenticity for "Imperial Rome c. 0-450 CE." 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 meets the submitter's request. The Heidelberg inscription database includes an instance of Dulcitia in the fourth century C.E.
Nice 16th century Italian name from Venice!
The submitter requested authenticity for "Anglo/Saxon 14th-15th century." Unfortunately, we cannot meet this request as there was no longer a distinct Anglo-Saxon or Saxon identity within England in the 14th-15th centuries. This name can be registered and may even be authentic for England in the late 11th century as both Miles and Wulf appear in documents from that era. However, Miles appears as a witness in a post-Conquest Latin charter and is more likely the name of a Norman man rather than a Saxon.
If the submitter is more interested in the 14th-15th century time period, he may be interested to know that Myles is appropriate for that time period. However, the byname appropriate for that time period would be one of the following forms, all of which would be used unmarked: Wlfe, Wolf, Wolfe, Wulf or Wulfe. If the submitter prefers Myles Wulf or one of the other 14th-15th century forms, he may make a request for reconsideration.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
There is a step from period practice for the use of a Japanese well-frame.
Dory is an attested English given name, dated to 1560 in the FamilySearch Historical Records.
Allyshia is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter's previous name, Theodore de Hales, is released.
Nice late 14th century Gaelic name!
The submitter's previous name, Caillech inghean Bhrain, is released.
Originally submitted as Eithne ingen Fhiachrach, Kingdom incorrectly removed the lenition from the byname. Even in Middle Irish, the standard rule is that F- lenites following ingen. We have restored the name to its originally submitted form.
The submitter may be interested to know that Fhiachrach does not have to be lenited. In commentary, Brian dorcha ua Conaill documented a number of instances from period documents in which F- names did not lenite after ingen. If the submitter prefers Eithne ingen Fiachrach, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Artist's note: Please draw the wings larger to fill the available space.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a New World trillium flower.
Submitted as Guillelm de Gévaudan, no documentation was provided in the Letter of Intent for Gévaudan as a period spelling. However, Gevaudan is found in Déclaration et confession faicte par Mgr. de Candale dans le Synode des Egl. Réformées des Cévennes et Gevaudan (https://books.google.com/books?id=K9w8AAAAcAAJ), published in 1616. We have removed the accent for registration.
Artist's note: Please draw the bezant larger.
Submitted as Jocelyn de Orleans, in French the preposition de elides to d' before a vowel (and only before a vowel). We have changed the name to Jocelyn d'Orleans for registration.
This name combines an English given name and a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Artist's note: Please draw the lotus blossom more centered in its portion of the field.
The submitter's previous device, Ermine, on a chevron vert three frogs Or, a chief embattled sable, is retained as a badge.
Tarnmist is the registered name of an SCA branch.
There is a step from period practice for use of charges in annulo not in their default posture.
The Letter of Intent did not date Hinnesdael to period, but instead relied on a book published in the 18th century. Fortunately, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found this spelling dated to 1634 in Dictionnaire des noms de famille en Wallonie et ŕ Bruxelles (https://books.google.com/books?id=4bYErd60g3YC).
The submitter's previous name, Elisheva bint Sitt al-Sirr, is released.
Submitted as Sólveig Brúnsdottir, diacritical markings must be used consistently throughout Old Norse names. Therefore, we have changed the name to Sólveig Brúnsdóttir for registration.
The submitter's previous name, Eilionair Nic Griogair, is retained as an alternate name.
Nice 15th century Italian name from Florence!
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This item was pended on the March 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns. Although Russian firebirds are no longer permitted charges in SCA heraldry, the submitter registered her device, Per saltire purpure and sable, a Russian firebird volant bendwise argent, in 1995, twenty years before the ban on Russian firebirds was enacted. We sought commentary on whether the Existing Registration Allowance should allow this submitter to use a banned charged as the basis for her heraldic title.
The consensus of heralds in commentary and at the Pelican decision meeting was that the Existing Registration Allowance should not be applied here. No one was able to articulate a compelling argument for "crossing the streams" in this manner.
The term fire-bird is found in English in 1601. However, this fact does not make the word appropriate for use in a heraldic title. Heraldic titles in period were formed based on certain specific and fairly narrow patterns. Although some heraldic titles were based on heraldic charges, we do not consider period artifacts to be heraldic charges unless they have a standard and fairly consistent depiction. [Caid, Kingdom of. Heraldic title Compendium Herald, 8/2005 LoAR, R-Caid] The term fire-bird was used for a number of fabled or mythological birds associated with fire ("any bird whatsoever, which hath been seene carying fire either from altar or chappell of the gods"), including the phoenix and the simurgh. The term is not sufficiently specific to refer to a distinct, identifiable heraldic charge. As such, the term fire-bird cannot be used as a substantive element in a heraldic charge.
(to Ćthelmearc acceptances) (to Ćthelmearc returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Dafyd ap Tomas, Quarterly gules and vert, a sheaf of arrows argent. There's one DC for fielded vs fieldless armory. The arrangements of charges are identical: a sheaf of arrows is equivalent to two arrows in saltire and overall an arrow. The submitted design has therefore changed the type of only one of a group of three charges, which is not enough for the second DC.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Gavin Mac Giolla Ruaidh, Per pall inverted azure, argent, and vert, in sinister chief a sheaf of arrows sable. There's one DC for fielded vs fieldless armory, but nothing for placement on the field against a fieldless badge. The arrangements of charges are identical: a sheaf of arrows is equivalent to two arrows in saltire and overall an arrow. The submitted design has therefore changed the type of only one of a group of three charges, which is not enough for the second DC.
This device is returned for redraw and lack of identifiability. The indentations on the bordure are too small, and disappear into much of the central charge, rendering it effectively unrecognizable.
This device is returned for poor contrast. The Or basket sits almost entirely on an argent portion of the field.
This badge is returned for conflict with the device of Akbar Khayamm, Pean, on a sun Or a wolf's head erased sable. There is one DC for fieldlessness.
This badge is also returned for redraw. The erased dags of the wolf's head are not deep enough to be effective for identification. The dags should be between 1/6 and 1/3 of the charge's overall height.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
This badge is returned for conflict with the device of Vargh{o,}ss Stál, Sable, on a pale Or a wolf rampant sable. There is one DC for change of type of tertiary charge.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Conri Mac Feargusa, Per bend sinister sable and azure, a stag's skull argent. There is one DC for changes to the field, but no DC between a stag's head erased affronty - functionally equivalent to cabossed - and a stag's skull.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns)
This badge has been withdrawn by the submitter.
The Letter of Intent documented Djedi as a demotic Egyptian given name and Academe as a classical Greek term for a school. However, we were unable to find any documentation for the pattern of given name + Academy in either Egyptian or classical Greek. Without any documentation for the pattern of the submitted household name, it cannot be registered.
We do not address at this time whether Djedi Academe presumes on Jedi Academy from the Star Wars universe.
This badge is returned for further work. There are examples of lions bicorporate in period armory. Dennys, The Heraldic Imagination, pp.136-137, cites the arms of John of Northampton, Mayor of London 1381-3, Azure, a lion bicorporate sejant guardant crowned Or, tails cowed and erect. He notes that some depictions have the lions' bodies rampant. This is corroborated in DBA1 p.197, which gives the Northampton arms as both sejant and combatant (i.e., rampant) - as well as citing another family, Comberton, with similar arms dating from around the same time.
We can see an example of the lion bicorporate, blazoned as "a Lyon with two bodies", in Legh's Accedence of Armorie, 1576, at https://books.google.com/books?id=ppM8AAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb&hl=en#v=onepage&q=two%20bodies&f=false
We find no examples of beasts bicorporate other than lions in period armory or tracts. While we allow other beasts and monsters to be bicorporate in Society armory, based on the example of the lion bicorporate, we would expect them to follow the same pattern as the lion bicorporate - which has the two bodies erect, either rampant or sejant, with their shared head in chief. To have the joined bodies in postures that don't match the period exemplars - and to use Chinese dragons, already a step from period practice - would seem to go beyond the bounds of what we might expect in period. Therefore, absent documentation either of bicorporate animals in this posture in period European armory, or an IAP demonstrating the use of bicorporate Chinese dragons in this posture, this submission must be returned.
A timely resubmission of this design addressing the reason for return with no further issues will be exempt from the restriction on Chinese dragons now in effect.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns) (to Artemisia pends)
Although Kim is well-attested as a Korean family name, we found no evidence to support the construction of the given name Samguk. The term Samguk in Korean means "three kingdoms" and is a poetical term used to refer to Korea in 13th century Korean writings. We were unable to find evidence of Koreans using such terms as name elements. We were also unable to construct Samguk from period Korean elements. Accordingly, this name must be returned.
The submitter's device is registered under the holding name William of Atenveldt.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2a, which prohibits more than two types of charge in the same charge group. The spear is large enough to be co-primary with the badger, which is already co-primary with the sun. With three different types of charge in the same primary charge group (spear, badger, and sun) this meets SENA's description of "slot machine" heraldry, and must be returned.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This device is returned for lack of identifiability of the maintained arrow. Commenters were unanimous that the arrow was unrecognizable at the size it was depicted. Upon resubmission, please depict the arrow longer, thicker, and with more pronounced head and fletchings.
There is a step from period practice for the use of paw prints.
This device is returned for lack of documentation for "embowed counter-embowed." In the June 2018 Cover Letter, it was noted that "[The available period evidence] is not sufficient to consider the entire motif [of a t'ai chi] 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."
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Fiona Julienne nic Lowry, Purpure, a bend sinister between two garden rosebuds slipped and leaved bendwise sinister argent. There is one DC for the change in type of secondary charge, but the angle of slips is generally ignored when determining the orientation of flowers.
This household name must be returned because it presumes on the real world Blue Mountains, a region of southeastern Australia. The Blue Mountains are designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO as well as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by the international conservation group BirdLife International. The seven national parks within the Blue Mountains are the subject of heavy tourist advertising, both domestically and internationally, identifying the parks as being part of the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are home to well-known natural monuments, such as the Three Sisters rock formation, as well as forms of flora found nowhere else in the world, such as the Wollemi pine. Accordingly, this region has sufficient cultural and scientific significance to meet the standards for protection from presumption under NPN4D1.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D1, which states, in part: "Having identical types of charges in multiple charge groups on the field blurs the distinction between charge groups. Thus, it is not allowed, except for cotises and endorses around an ordinary. Charge types with identical blazons are allowed to be both on the field and in a tertiary charge group or in two separate tertiary charge groups."
In this instance, the three vert acorns and the single gules acorn are in two separate secondary charge groups which is disallowed. The fact that all the acorns are the same size compounds the problem.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Serafina de la Mar, Argent, a tree blasted and eradicated and on a chief azure three mullets of six points Or. There is one DC for the tincture of the tree.
This submission was withdrawn by the kingdom, since this was a duplicate submission: the device was already registered on the LoAR of June 2018.
This device is returned for conflict with the badge of Saher Faux, Or, a lantern within a bordure indented sable. There is one DC for change of the type of secondary charge. The panes of a lantern, while blazonable, are an artistic detail that is not sufficient for granting a DC, especially considering the wide variety of lantern depictions and precedents disallowing the registration of lanterns where the framework is too thin. As an example of the variety in depictions, the registered badge has small Or panes which comprise less than a quarter of the visual weight, while the submitted device has nearly half of the charge in argent.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
This name cannot be registered because it does not follow an attested naming pattern. MacAodha is a Gaelic byname meaning "son of Aodha." Such names are literal -- a woman cannot use a Gaelic Mac- byname because she is not someone's son. The submitter cannot use the female Gaelic name Deirdre with the male Gaelic byname MacAodha. As the submitter is not a legal relative of anyone with the registered byname MacAodha, she also cannot rely on the Existing Registration Allowance.
The only change that the submitter permitted to her name was a change to Deirdre Nellie if it could be documented. Nellie is an English surname dated to 1548 in the FamilySearch Historical Records. Unfortunately, Deirdre is a standardized 12th century Gaelic name, [Deirdre inghean ui Mhathghamhna, 4/2014 LoAR, A-Caid], that could not be dated later in time. Because there are more than 300 years between these two elements, we are unable to register the only change permitted by the submitter, and the name must be returned.
The submitter's device is registered under the holding name Heather of Calontir.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Rhiannon of Lostwithiel, Per chevron azure and vert, a chevron between two crescents and a cross of ermine spots argent. There is a DC for change of type of the bottommost of three charges 2 & 1 (that being considered half the secondary group for conflict purposes), but nothing for having the chevron throughout.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Uhtred ćt Pyttanburh, Per bend sinister Or and vert, a poplar tree and a stag rampant to sinister counterchanged. There is one DC for change of type of half the primary charge.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
This name was withdrawn by the submitter during commentary.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This device must be returned for lack of documentation of the depiction of the charge. The torc depicted in the device has Celtic-style knotwork forming the band. While known extant torcs are either solid metal or wire twisted into a tight cable, there are no examples of this kind of openwork weaving for period torcs.
This device is also returned for violation of the long-standing ban on the use of Celtic knotwork.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
This transfer cannot be completed as Sárán mac Ímair no longer owns the household name Clann Fhinn Mhóir. That household name was released on the February 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns. If the submitter wishes to register this household name, she should submit it as a new name.
This transfer cannot be completed as Sárán mac Ímair released the badge (Fieldless) A five-headed four-legged wingless hydra rampant argent on the February 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns. If the submitter wishes to register this badge, she should submit it as a new badge.
This device is returned for lack of documentation of the mustache. The last registration of a mustache was in 1995. Per SENA Appendix F, "Charges which have not been registered in over a decade should be redocumented." No evidence has yet been found that a mustache is a period heraldic charge, and no evidence was provided for mustaches in period being worn in this manner.
Upon resubmission, the submitter might consider the beard, an attested heraldic charge from Italy, as a substitute for the mustache.
The Letter of Intent argued that this Latin household name means "House Three" or "House of Three." However, no documentation could be found to support this pattern for naming a household. Although some English household names were recorded in Latin, they still followed English patterns for constructing such names. House of Three [Heraldic Charges], whether in English or Latin, would follow an attested pattern. "House Three" does not, regardless of whether it is in English or Latin.
We also remind heralds and submitters that, when submitting a name in a foreign language, it is not sufficient merely to assert that "Domus" means "house" in Latin. Translations must be documented just like any other name element.
This badge is returned for lack of documentation of the secondary charge. Coptic crosses as defined in the SCA are the equivalent of a cross couped nowy pierced; that is to say the central circle of the cross is small, between 1/4 and 1/3 of the total width and height of the cross. This, instead, is mostly an annulet, with relatively small arms extending from the chief, base, dexter, and sinister sides. It functions less as a cross and more as a window. Barring documentation for this depiction, it is thus returned.
If this is to be considered an annulet as described above, the badge is also in conflict with the badge of Patricio de Cordoba, (Fieldless) An eagle within and conjoined to an annulet argent. There is one DC for fieldlessness, but none for the type or posture of the birds, which are functionally identical.
This device is returned for redraw. The legs of the wyvern overlie the wings; depictions of winged quadrupeds where the forelimbs overlie the wings have been consistently returned due to lack of recognizability, and the issue is the same here.
This badge 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." While the size of the bezants and crescents indicate that they are co-primary, and their arrangement is unremarkable for six iterations of the same charge in the same charge group, the arrangements of all the bezants in chief with the crescents taking up two thirds of the available space in base would lead the viewer to judge the crescents as primary and the bezants as secondary. Absent attestation of this kind of arrangement in period armory, it is grounds for return.
This transfer cannot be completed as Sárán mac Ímair no longer owns the household name Clann Fhinn Mhóir. That household name was released on the February 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns.
This transfer cannot be completed as Sárán mac Ímair released the badge (Fieldless) A five-headed four-legged wingless hydra rampant argent on the February 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns.
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." The point pointed is too large and too high on the field to be a base, but too low to be the field division Per chevron ployé . It blurs the distinction between the two and is grounds for return.
(to Gleann Abhann acceptances) (to Gleann Abhann returns)
This alternate name is returned for presumption. PN4B1 states: "Names may not contain an element or group of elements that create the appearance of a claim to have a specific protected rank or title that the submitter does not possess within the Society, even if that name element or elements are attested." This name has the appearance of being a personal heraldic title or heraldic office title. Herold and harold are both period variant spellings of the term herald. In addition, the appearance of being a heraldic office title is compounded by the fact that the submitter is in Lochac, where the Kingdom heraldic office titles include Rocket Herald, Bombarde Herald, Canon Herald and Mortar Herald.
This submitter has not provided evidence of her right to bear a personal heraldic title. Heraldic office titles are registered to SCA branches, not to individuals. Therefore, this name cannot be registered to this submitter.
Additionally, this alternate name is returned for being obstruvely 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.
The oft-quoted test for obtrusive modernity is whether the name "grab[s] the listener by the scruff of the neck and haul[s] him, will he or nill he, back into the [21st] Century." [Porsche Audi, 08/1992 LoAR, Caid-R]
The term "bombshell" or "bomb-shell" is post-period; the first instance of the word in the OED is from 1708. As a result, even applying the fairly liberal standard for obtrusive modernity, this name grabbed too many listeners by the scruff of the neck and dragged them into the 21st century. Commenters in OSCAR and at the Pelican decision meeting almost uniformly found this name to be a disruptive modern reference. Therefore, this name cannot be registered.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
This device is returned for violating SENA A3E1, Arrangement of Charge Groups. This arrangement, a primary non-ordinary within a secondary charge group, all between another secondary non-ordinary charge group, is not listed in SENA Appendix J, and so may not be registered without documentation that this is a period arrangement of charge groups.
This device is returned for conflict with the badge of Balthazar Thornguard, Sable, a sword inverted argent, the blade enflamed proper. As the flames are not worth difference, they are not considered as secondary charges, and so DCs cannot be given for change to the type and tincture of the secondary charge group. Instead, there is only one DC for the addition of the vine as a secondary charge.
This badge is returned for conflict with the device of William Wood of Kirkcaldy, Or, a fir tree sable surmounted by a carpenter's square, point to base gules, a bordure sable. There is one DC for removal of the overall charge.
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Toki inn eldri bassi, Vert, on a pale dovetailed argent a bear rampant sable. Bretessed and dovetailed both belong to the square complex line group in Appendix M so that there is no DC for the type of pale. As a result, the only potential DC would be a change in type of the tertiary charge and by bears and wolverines are too similar to produce a DC (Conn MacKay, LoAR of December 2015).
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 cow is on the fess than on the field.
In addition, this device is returned for redraw due to difficulty identifying the overall charge. The identifying features of the cow suffer from low contrast with the fess, zero contrast where the muzzle overlaps the raised foreleg, or proximity to the frying pan.
Finally, this device is returned for having multiple charge groups overall. Appendix I states that "There can be only one overall charge group in any design." As the frying pan is maintained, it is in a separate charge group from the cow.
This device is returned for using the restricted charge of a four-toed Oriental dragon, which is the symbol of the ruler of Korea. The submitter should be advised that a five-toed Oriental dragon is similarly restricted; two or three toes is acceptable.
A timely resubmission of this design addressing the reason for return with no further issues will be exempt from the restriction on Oriental dragons now in effect.
The use of an Oriental dragon is a step from period practice.
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 are ambiguous as to what sort of charge group they belong to will not be allowed." In this case, while the two charges in the device are of roughly equal visual weight, suggesting co-primary charges, the staff is centrally located and takes up most of the height of the field while the eagle is shoved to chief, suggesting a primary and a secondary charge. The ambiguity of design here is sufficient to return this for redesign and/or redrawing.
Additionally, the device 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." Here, the combination of spread wings with serpent-entwined staff gives a strong impression of a caduceus, a period charge. Such visual confusion is contrary to the intent of heraldry, which is instant identification.
Should a resubmission include an eagle, please advise the client of the correct depiction of an eagle displayed: with the tail prominently extending between the legs.
This badge is returned for use of two steps from period practice. The first is using charges in annulo not in their default orientation, and the second is the use of an Oriental dragon.
This badge is also returned for using the restricted charge of a four-toed Oriental dragon, which is the symbol of the ruler of Korea. The submitter should be advised that a five-toed Oriental dragon is similarly restricted; two or three toes is acceptable.
A timely resubmission of this design addressing the reasons for return with no further issues will be exempt from the restriction on Oriental dragons now in effect.
This badge is returned for using the restricted charge of a four-toed Oriental dragon, which is the symbol of the ruler of Korea. The submitter should be advised that a five-toed Oriental dragon is similarly restricted; two or three toes is acceptable.
A timely resubmission of this design addressing the reason for return with no further issues will be exempt from the restriction on Oriental dragons now in effect.
The use of an Oriental dragon is a step from period practice.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns) (to Meridies pends)
None.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
This device is being returned for the use of a chief surmounted by a bordure. Per precedent:
This device is returned for running afoul of SENA A1, which states "The armorial elements, charge groups, and overall design must be demonstrated to be compatible with period style." The September 2014 return of Gilbert de Châtillon's device, Sable, a castle of two towers and on a chief invected argent surmounted by a bordure counterchanged three reremice sable, it was reaffirmed:
This device is being returned for non period style, having two problems which necessitate returns. The first is the charged chief and bordure combination. I can do no better than to quote Master Bruce as Laurel:
When a bordure and chief are used together, the chief almost invariably overlies the bordure (Parker 73). The rare exceptions generally don't have tertiaries on the chief; they would be crowded by the bordure, rendering them harder to identify. The handful of SCA registrations with bordures surmounting charged chiefs have subsequently been disallowed as precedent (LoAR of Oct 91, p.17); far more often, such designs have been returned as non-period practice. LoAR of December, 1992, pg. 20)
Therefore, this is being returned for non period style of combining a charged chief with a bordure overlying the chief. This is also being returned for the counterchanging of the bordure over the chief. There have been several previous rulings that state we do not counterchange bordures over ordinaries. [Lídain NíBhrollachán, October 1996, Atlantia-R]
Here we are in the exact same situation and this device must be returned for redesign.
Absent documentation, this motif will continue to be disallowed.
This name must be returned because it presumes upon Saint James the Greater, who was also known in period as Saint James the Elder, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Under PN4D1 of SENA, people who meet the following criteria will be protected from presumption:
Individuals whose names are recognized by a significant number of people in the Society without having to look them up in a reference are generally important enough to protect. Individuals recognized only by specialists in a subject are unlikely to be important enough to protect. Individuals who are only recognized with the assistance of reference books are unlikely to be important enough to protect.
Individuals whose work and/or life are still influential today are generally important enough to protect. Those whose work significantly shaped the course of world history, science, or the arts are generally important enough to protect. This is generally measured by examining measures like the length of encyclopedia articles about the person and his/her work, numbers of search engine hits for the individual, and the like.
Applying these criteria, there is no doubt that James the Greater is significant enough to protect. He is one of the major figures of Christianity, both in period and now. James the Greater is the patron saint of Spain and Portugal; his shrine at Compostela was the destination for one of the most significant medieval pilgrimage routes. The knightly Order of Santiago was named after James the Greater and the symbol of that order is known as the Cross of Santiago or the Cross of Saint James. Innumerable churches and cathedrals are named after this saint.
Changing the name to James Elder does not solve the presumption problem. James Elder conflicts with James the Elder under PN3C2 because dropping the does not create a substantial change to one syllable. Thus, James Elder is effectively identical to James the Elder and presumes on Saint James the Greater.
This name must be returned because it is an obtrusively modern reference to the song "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt," which originated in 19th or early 20th century vaudeville. 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.
Precedent further defines obtrusively modern names as those that "grab the listener by the scruff of the neck and haul him, will he or nill he, back into the [21st] Century." [LoAR 08/1992, Porsche Audi, Caid-R]
The vast majority of heralds who read or heard this name, either in commentary or at the Pelican decision meeting, immediately perceived the modern reference to the song. Even applying the fairly liberal standard for obtrusive modernity, this name grabbed too many listeners by the scruff of the neck and dragged them into the 21st century. Therefore, we are returning it.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns)
None.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
None.
(to Trimaris acceptances) (to Trimaris returns)
This device is being returned because the "Pacfic Blue Tang" fish was not documented by the submitter or commenters. The LoI was correct in stating "Any fish known to Europe in period may be used, but unless it is found in period heraldry it is considered an SFPP." However, while the LoI gave documentation for the blue tang in Atlantic waters, neither the LoI nor commenters provided evidence for the fish being known to Europeans before 1600. Moreover, there was a mismatch between the fish documented and the fish actually depicted in the emblazon which shows a different form of tang which is associated with the Pacific and Indian oceans..
This device is also being returned because the combination of the name and device is obtrusively modern. As the fish depicted on the submitter's device is called Dory in the recent Disney/Pixar films Finding Nemo and the eponymous Finding Dory, the combination of the name and device grabs people by the scruff of the neck and drags them into the modern era.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This augmentation is pended for discussion on the nature of this armorial display.
Two days before the close of commentary, Bruce Batonvert raised the following issue:
Though this has been submitted as an augmentation of arms, it is in fact an inescutcheon of pretense. It is exactly an inescutcheon of pretense, by the very definition of the phrase: the husband's arms charged with a shield of the wife's arms. And while Golden Wing has carefully cited the SENA provisions for registering augmentations, he has not also taken into account the SENA provisions forbidding presumption:
Presumption is a false claim. This includes claims of restricted rank or powers that the submitter does not possess within the Society or that we do not allow anyone to claim. It also includes claims of identity or close relationship with a person or entity outside the SCA who is considered quite important by many people within and outside the Society. Presumption is not dependent on intent; even if such a claim was not intended, the appearance of such a claim is not allowed. Items which presume will not be registered, even if a letter of permission could be obtained. [SENA A6A; emphasis added]
Here the presumption is not merely that the submitter is the heir to his wife; that alone would be unremarkable. The presumption is that this form of marshalling, the husband's use of an inescutcheon of the wife's arms, was only used in period when the wife herself was an heiress. When the wife had no brothers, and the husband becomes the representative of her family -- including the lord of the holdings she inherited. [Cf. Woodcock & Robinson, Oxford Guide to Heraldry, p.123, 201; Friar, Dictionary of Heraldry, p.139; Innes of Learney, Scots Heraldry, p.98; Fox-Davies, Complete Guide to Heraldry, pp.408-409]
In short, this form of display is not only a claim by the bearer, but a claim of pretense on his wife's behalf.
Even as an augmentation of his arms, he is not permitted to claim that his wife was an heraldic heiress, and that is exactly what this display claims. I'm sorry, and I sympathize, but this claim may not be made. Per SENA's prohibition of Armorial Presumption [SENA A6], this must be returned.
Batonvert's point is valid, but given its timing there was no time for a response before the close of commentary. We have therefore pended this submission and request commenters to address the following:
1) There are examples in period of escutcheons used as augmentations of arms, and we have examples of inescutcheons of pretense. Do we have any examples of the escutcheon being central to the design without being an inescutcheon of pretense?
2) For the purposes of heraldry in the SCA, where all are assumed to be gently born and (unlike in even the most heraldically liberal jurisdictions in period) everyone is entitled to their own unique armory, thus being the first holder of that device, discuss what it means to be a "heraldic heiress." Under what circumstances would this claim about a member of the SCA be accurate?
3) Where in the scale between accuracy and fairness do we as a College wish to be, in regards to this claim?
This was item 8 on the Artemisia letter of May 31, 2018.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns) (to Artemisia pends)
Originally submitted as Yang Meizi, questions were raised in commentary whether the proposed name was presumptuous of the 13th century Chinese Empress of the same name. The submitter then requested a change to Yuan Mei.
Unfortunately, this change created another presumption question. Yuan Mei was an 18th century Chinese poet, artist and scholar. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuan_Mei) His most famous work was the 1792 gastronomic manual and cookbook entitled Suiyuan Shidan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suiyuan_shidan), which is well known beyond just China.
We are pending this name for discussion of whether either of these figures are important enough to protect from presumption under the standards set out in PN4D1.
The submitter's device is registered under the holding name Yolanda of Owl's Nest.
This was item 28 on the Meridies letter of May 31, 2018.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns) (to Meridies pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2018-10-23T20:16:15