Questions were raised in commentary about whether the records from the FamilySearch Historical Records relied upon for the byname Kletz were mistaken transcriptions of the original records. Consistent with our new policy on transcription issues, which is discussed in more detail in the Cover Letter, we have looked to other instances in FamilySearch and other corroborating documents to support the spelling Kletz. While we could not find the necessary three FamilySearch records supporting Kletz, Lillia Crampette found the spelling Kletze in Historia Rervm Prvssicarvm, published in 1599 (https://books.google.com/books?id=jWlcAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA116). Crampette also provided examples in German from FamilySearch of the endings -tz and -tze being used interchangeably. Accordingly, the name can be registered as submitted.
Artist's note: Please draw more bends with consistent thickness, and a larger griffin filling the available space without pushing into the top opening of the wreath .
Their previous device, Bendy wavy argent and azure, a laurel wreath Or within a bordure sable, semé of griffins segreant Or, is retained as ancient arms.
Artist's note: Please draw the phoenix with light-colored internal detailing to aid in identifiability.
Nice 15th-16th century Italian name from Pisa!
Nice Spanish name from the 15th century onwards!
Nice 13th century Irish Gaelic name!
This badge is not in conflict with the device of Madeleine de Rouen, Gules, a fleur-de-lys and in chief a sword fesswise reversed argent. There is a DC for the type of secondary charge, and another for its arrangement on the field. While the sword could not be arranged around the fleur-de-lys, the chaplet of thorn could be placed in chief; its arrangement around the fleur-de-lys is an unforced move and is thus worth a second DC.
Nice French name for circa 1400!
Artist's note: Please draw the birds larger to fill the available space.
There is a step from period practice for the use of the Arabian lamps.
Nice mon!
Nice 15th century English name!
There is a step from period practice for inverting a tergiant charge.
The submitter requested authenticity for the meaning "moon-daughter." Although this is a registerable Old Norse name, it does not have that meaning. Instead, Manadottir means that the person is the daughter of a man named Máni. The given name Máni is derived from the Old Norse word for "moon" but it was a name used by ordinary humans.
Permission was given by Juliana de Luna to conflict with her badge, (Fieldless) A crescent pendant sable.
Nice late 16th century English name!
Nice cant!
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
This name combines a French given name with an English byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Bozhena Crne_, the spelling Crne_ is not supported by the documentation. Wickenden's Dictionary of Period Russian Names shows Crnei as a variant spelling of the male given name Chrnei. As Russian allows unmarked patronymic bynames, the construction Bozhena Crnei is registerable. We have made this change for registration.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Affra Sternberg, the spelling of the name on the form is Afra Sternberg. It is unclear whether this spelling difference is a typo on the Letter of Intent or a change to match the documentation. Submissions heralds are reminded that any changes from the original submission need to be summarized and explained on the Letter of Intent.
In this case, Ælfwynn Leoflæde dohtor was able to document the spelling Afra in Seibicke dated to the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Based on this documentation, we have restored the name to the originally-submitted spelling.
As modified, nice German name from the late 15th century onwards!
This name combines an English given name and a Dutch byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Gem is a period spelling of the term, found in Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well.
Briana is the name of a human character in period Spanish literature, specifically the Espejo de Principes y Cavalleros. [12/2001 Cover Letter] As such, it can be combined with the 16th century Spanish surname Cassia.
Caladphort is not a Gaelic place name. Rather, caladphort is a generic Gaelic toponym meaning "harbor, port." The question, then, is whether generic toponyms can be registered as local group names. We see no reason not to permit this practice. For more details on the rationale for this ruling, see the Cover Letter.
Consideration of the several examples of actual period places named for generic toponyms showed both the use of an article and the absence of an article before the toponym. Therefore, we will allow the group the benefit of the doubt that this name can be registered as submitted.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether Chrysallis is a fair transliteration of the Greek feminine personal name. Both Ursula Palimpsest and Alisoun Metron Ariston advise that the submitted spelling is a reasonable period transliteration. Therefore, the spelling Chrysallis can be registered.
Dragon's Laire is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether the Old Norse term máni is a registerable byname. Not only do Cleasby & Vigfusson clearly identify máni as a byname, there is an ordinary person in Landnámabók (the Icelandic Book of Settlements), Þorkell máni, who actually uses it as such. Therefore, máni can continue to be registered as an Old Norse descriptive byname.
The submitter's previous name, Eoghan Dunbar, is retained as an alternate name.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether this name is presumptuous because one of of the Japanese kanji transliterated as -hito is traditionally used only by members of the imperial family. However, there is another kanji also transliterated as -hito that was used by ordinary people. Under PN4B2 of SENA, "[d]ynastic names used by both a royal family and normal people are acceptable." After consulting many people expert in Japanese and several native speakers of the language, we conclude that the transliteration -hito is not presumptuous because it is understood by native Japanese speakers as encompassing both the kanji used by the imperial family and the kanji used by ordinarily people. As concisely stated in commentary by Miura Suzume, "From a native (Japanese) perspective, if the name is not both spelled "[x][imperial kanji]" and pronounced "[x]hito", there is no presumption, period." For more details, see the Cover Letter.
Akahito uses the kanji that was used in names used by ordinary people. No other part of this name makes reference to the Japanese imperial family. Accordingly, this name is not presumptuous and can be registered.
For more details, see the Cover Letter.
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified time period or language/culture. This name is authentic for late 15th century Germany. The byname is dated to 1485 and Ælfwynn Leoflæde dohtor documented Leonardus dated to 1489 in Seibicke s.n. Leonhard.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird migrant.
Submitted as Morgan Mac an Phearsoin, the submitted spelling of the byname could not be documented to period. It appears to be entirely modern. At the submitter's request, we have changed the byname to MacInpherson, a Scots form found in Records of the Parliament of Scotland to 1707 (http://www.rps.ac.uk/mss/1594/4/48) dated to 1594. The original document has the plural byname McInphersonis; we have made it singular and expanded the scribal abbreviation Mc- to Mac- for registration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a compass star.
Artist's note: Please draw the crenellations of the bordure as deep as they are wide.
Baronial Defender is a generic identifier.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
Submitted as Societatem et Aquila_ Coronatus, the name is intended to mean "Society of the Crowned Eagle." The submitted Latin construction is not correct for this meaning, however. In commentary, Alisoun Metron Ariston helpfully provided several possible Latin constructions. The construction closest to the Barony's desired meaning is Societas Aquilae Coronatae. We have made this change for registration.
The use of the term Crowned as a descriptive adjective in an order name is supported by the period order name Geselle[schaft] von den gekrenten Steynbocken ("Society of the crowned ibexes") found in 15th century Germany. The use of the adjective Crowned in this order name is not presumptuous because it refers to what the eagle is wearing or bearing, rather than something worn by the members of the Order. Therefore, Crowned in this context is not a claim of rank of position.
The submitter requested authenticity for Japanese language and culture. This name appears to be authentic for late 14th century Japanese.
The given name Sindri was documented in the Letter of Intent from the gray-period English surname Sindry. Although the interchangeability of i and y in English is well-established, commenters questioned whether these letters were interchangeable at the end of names. Lillia Crampette found several examples of late period English surnames that used a terminal i in place of a y, including Henry/Henri, Asbury/Asburi and Digory/Digori. A pattern may be uncommon, yet still registerable. Therefore, this name can be registered as submitted.
Artist's note: Please draw the charges in chief larger, to fill the available space and aid in identifiability. Please also draw a more consistent orle, following the shape of the escutcheon.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
This name does not conflict with the registered Gunnar Bloodax under PN3C1 as there are changes in sound in appearance to two syllables: Gunn-ar vs. Gunni and Bloodax vs. Blóðøx. The character ð is pronounced like "th," not like an English d.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
Originally submitted as Alianora Macausland, questions were raised in commentary about whether Macausland is actually a period spelling. Fortunately, the submitter preferred one of the confirmed period spellings of the same surname, Makcaustelayn, which appears in the Liber Pluscardensis, a Scottish book written in Latin, dated to 1421. Accordingly, we have changed the name to Alianora Makcaustelayn.
Artist's note: While the rays of a compass rose may overlap the outer ring, they should not extend beyond it, with the exception of the northmark.
The submitter requested authenticity for 1300s Norse culture. Although this name can be registered, it is not authentic because the name elements are from different places and time periods. Alika is an early 14th century Swedish element, Korp is a late 14th century Swedish element, and Vigh is a 14th-15th century Norwegian place name.
Submitted as Laurell Hannon, the submitter requested the spelling Laurel_ for the given name if it could be documented. In commentary, Lilie Pantheon found the spelling Laurel in an I batch on the FamilySearch Historical Records. I batch records are acceptable on a case-by-case basis. In this case, a primary source document was attached to the record and clearly showed Laurel as an English given name dated to 1619. Therefore, we have changed the name to Laurel_ Hannon to meet the submitter's request.
The submitter requested authenticity for Irish language or culture. This name does not meet her request because both elements are English. We were unable to find Hannon as an Irish surname. The name is authentic, however, for 16th century English.
The submitter may be interested in the surnames O Hannaine or O Hanain, which are 16th century Anglicized Irish forms of the Gaelic Ó hAnnáin. If she prefers either of these spellings, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Submitted as Mardoll Kettlinger, the documentation in the Letter of Intent did not support Kettlinger as a period surname. The record in question was a death record from 1708. Although the person who died was born before 1650, the record itself is from 1708 and cannot be considered because it shows only how the name was spelled in 1708, not how it was spelled in period. Unfortunately, we were unable to find Kettlinger as a period surname in any other source.
The submitter requested that the byname be changed to of Catness if that element could be documented. As this request was made within sufficient time for us to conduct research and conflicts checks, we have granted it. Catness is a period Scots spelling of the place name Caithness, found in the Records of Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 (http://www.rps.ac.uk/mss/1458/3/2) dated to 1458. We have changed the name to Mardoll of Catness for registration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of charges in annulo not in their default orientation.
Raven's Cove is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice 16th century German name!
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
The submitter grants blanket permission to conflict for all armory that is not identical to her registered armory, Per fess vert and argent, a cross couped and a broadarrow counterchanged.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a lightning bolt outside of a thunderbolt.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
As House of the _ Hydra, this household name was pended for discussion of an issue not raised in commentary. Hydra is the name of a villain group/terrorist organization in Marvel's comics, television and movie universes. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_(comics)] We pended for discussion of whether the literary organization Hydra is important enough to protect from presumption and whether this name presumes on that organization. In addition, because the Marvel comics organization Hydra was affiliated with the Nazis (particularly in the movies), we also asked commenters to advise whether they found the name offensive.
After the close of commentary on the Letter of Pend and Discussion, the submitter requested that we change the name to House of the Silver Hydra in order to moot the questions of presumption and offensiveness. This household name follows the pattern of inn-sign names based on colors and heraldic charges. Silver is considered an ordinary color term synonymous with white and thus can be used in inn-sign household names. Accordingly, we have made the requested change for registration.
The substantive element Silver Hydra is sufficiently different from Hydra that it cannot presume upon that organization. The addition of the term Silver also distinguishes this name from the Marvel comics Hydra for the purposes of determining offensiveness. Thus, as a result of this change, we do not need to (and therefore do not) rule at this time on whether the Marvel comics Hydra is important enough to protect from presumption or whether it is offensive.
There is a step from period practice for the use of New World hummingbirds.
There is a step from period practice for charges in annulo not in their default palewise orientation.
Nice 16th century Spanish name!
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Tóva, Kingdom issued a timely correction of the given name to Tova to match the documentation. The name is registered in this form.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
The submitter's previous badge, Argent, on a bend between two daisies azure three hawk's bells palewise Or, is released.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a Japanese chrysanthemum.
Nice badge!
Artist's note: Please draw the hawk larger to fill the available space.
Isabella was originally documented in the Letter of Intent as an English name. However, in commentary Lillia Crampette found Isabella as a Latinized French form, making the name entirely French.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether this name is presumptuous because one of of the Japanese kanji transliterated as -hito is traditionally used only by members of the imperial family. However, there is another kanji also transliterated as -hito that was used by ordinary people. Under PN4B2 of SENA, "[d]ynastic names used by both a royal family and normal people are acceptable." After consulting many people expert in Japanese and several native speakers of the language, we conclude that the transliteration -hito is not presumptuous because it is understood by native Japanese speakers as encompassing both the kanji used by the imperial family and the kanji used by ordinarily people. As concisely stated in commentary by Miura Suzume, "From a native (Japanese) perspective, if the name is not both spelled "[x][imperial kanji]" and pronounced "[x]hito", there is no presumption, period." For more details, see the Cover Letter.
Akahito uses the kanji that was used in names used by ordinary people. No other part of this name makes reference to the Japanese imperial family. Accordingly, this name is not presumptuous and can be registered.
Permission was given for this submission to conflict with the device of Reginleif Eiriksdottir, Or, in fess three oak leaves gules.
Submitted as Nadya Helming, the given name was documented as a variant spelling of an 16th century English name found in the FamilySearch Historical Records, borrowed into German and combined with a German surname. Unfortunately, the two records cited for Nadia were shown in commentary to be mistaken transcriptions of the original records. We were unable to find corroborating evidence for the spelling Nadya or Nadia in any language compatible with German.
After the close of commentary, Kolosvari Arpadne Julia found Nadiha as a 13th and 14th century Latinized Hungarian name in Fehértói Katalin: Árpád-kori személynévtár (1000-1301). Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 2004. Fehértói also shows i and y used more or less interchangeably. Therefore, the attested Nadiha also supports Nadyha.
With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Nadyha Helming. As modified, this name combines a Latinized Hungarian given name with a German surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Blazoned when registered in August 2015 as Argent, a wooden harp with the forepillar carved as a dog proper, in chief three open scissors inverted vert, a bordure sable, the dog is far too prominent a charge to be considered mere artistic detailing of a harp with a carved forepillar; it is a stand-alone charge attached to and obscuring part of another charge, and we have reblazoned it to reflect this.
Nice 9-10th century Icelandic name!
This name combines a North Slavic (Polish) given name with a Russian surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter may be interested to know that either Zophia Wolkowna (maiden name form) or Zophia Wolkowa (married name form) is a wholly 16th century Polish form of the same name. If she prefers one of these forms, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice late 16th century Polish name!
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
Nice 15th-16th century English name!
Submitted as Katrina Prebensdottir, the byname was not correctly constructed because Preben is a modern Danish form. In commentary, ffride wlffsdotter documented Prebiern as a 15th century Danish spelling of the same name. Based on this documentation, we have changed the name to Katrina Prebiernsdottir for registration.
Katrina was documented in the Letter of Intent as a German given name. However, Katrina is also found in 15th century Norwegian, making this an entirely 15th century Scandinavian name.
Commenters questioned whether this design was presumptuous of the flag of Denmark. In the April 2010 registration of the device of Gaius Annaeus Maso, it was ruled, "Note that chiefs of allegiance are not bestowed honors, like augmentations, and their use is not presumptuous. They are a period method of declaring allegiance in armory. They are very frequently seen in certain parts of Italy, and one of the most common was a chief 'of the Empire', which is to say on a chief Or an eagle sable."
This name combines an Italian given name with a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Ulfheim is a properly constructed late-period Scandinavian place name. We thank Gunnvor Orle and ffride wlffsdotter for supplying in commentary the necessary examples to support the construction.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether the place name Ulfheim presumes on Álfheim(r), one of the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology. NPN4D1 states that returns for presumption on fictional places should be rare:
In rare cases, places and entities from fiction may be considered important enough to protect, when both a significant number of people in the Society recognize the name of the entity without prompting and the use of the name of the entity would generally be considered by those people a clear reference to that entity.
Given this standard, Álfheim(r) is not significant enough to protect from presumption as it is not so generally famous that it is recognized without prompting. Unlike Asgard, which has become widely famous through Marvel comics and movies as well as Norse mythology, or Valhalla, which also has achieved a level of popular reference, Álfheim(r) is not well-known even within the Society. Elves remain far more linked to Tolkien than to the Norse in most people's minds. Moreover, the place name Ulfheim is not a clear reference to Álfheim(r) because of the changed initial consonant. Far more people are likely to recognize Ulfheim as a reference to wolves than as a possible allusion to the Norse home of the elves. Accordingly, this is not one of the rare cases in which a fictional place should be protected from presumption.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This name combines a Dutch given name with a Scots surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Bjarnbjorn Bjarnylr Bassason af Bjarneya, the given name Bjarnbjorn was proposed as a constructed name from the attested elements Bjarn- and -bjorn. Both of these elements have the meaning "bear." Although these elements were used in dithemic names such as Bjarnvarðr and Finnbjorn, we have no evidence of any Old Norse dithemic name where both elements have the same meaning. Old Norse names using any of the various elements meaning "bear" are so common that the lack of evidence is persuasive. Therefore, we have dropped the protheme Bjarn-.
In addition, Old Norse locative bynames must use the dative case. The dative case of the place name Bjarney is not Bjarneya, it is either Bjarney or Bjarneyu. During commentary, the submitter expressed a preference for the locative byname in the form ór Bjarneyu. We can retain the diacritical marking in ór even though the submitter is not using the o-ogonek ({o,}) in Bjorn because an o-ogonek is considered a character not a diacritical mark. [Jorunn V{o,}kr, 4/2018 LoAR, A-Atenvelt].
Accordingly, with the submitter's permission we have changed the name to _Bjorn Bjarnylr Bassason ór Bjarneyu for registration. As modified, this is a nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Nice device!
Submitted as Fáelán Snorrason O Coilein, the name did not use correct Gaelic grammar. When it follows a patronymic, a clan affiliation byname is formed with Uí, not Ó, and the father's name must be lenited. Therefore, to correct the grammar, we have changed the name to Fáelán Snorrason Uí Choilein.
This name combines a Gaelic given name and clan affiliation byname with a Norse patronymic, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Submitted as Hlifa of Rowany, we could find no evidence to support the given name. The documentation shows the Old Norse feminine given name as Hlíf; the spelling hlífa is found only as a verb, not a name. Therefore, as the submitter allows all changes, we have changed the given name to the attested form Hlíf_. We have added the diacritical mark on the i to match the way the name originally appeared on the submission form. Omission of the diacritical mark was not required and its removal was not explained on the Letter of Intent.
Rowany is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Nice badge!
Lochac Company of Archers is a generic identifier.
Nice Irish Gaelic name for circa 900 C.E.!
Nice device!
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
Submitted as Ankhet sat ne Heryinpu mewetis Neferet, during commentary Sneferu Golden Pillar provided new documentation supporting an alternative transliteration of the final element as Nefertiti. As the submitter prefers this alternative transliteration, we have changed the name to Ankhet sat ne Heryinpu mewetis Nefertiti for registration.
Nice Egyptian name for the 4th century B.C.E.!
Submitted as Hessa Sennehilda Schönberg, we could not find documentation for Hessa as a period name; the attested forms under the header Hessa in the Dictionary of European Names from Medieval Sources are Hescelina (1194) and Hecelina (1267). In addition, although we might have been able to construct Sennehilda from attested sources, it would have been a 10th-11th century Latinized Frankish construction.
The need to resort to 10th-13th century Latinized French for the given names created two issues. First, double given names did not begin to appear in French until much later in period than when these names were used. Second, the Latinized French elements need to be attested within 300 years of the German byname.
Fortunately, both issues were easily resolved. The submitter opted to drop the second given name and change the first given name to the attested Hescelina. Gotfrid von Schwaben found the adjectival form Schönberger in Brechenmacher v. 2, p. 553, s.n. Schönberg(er), attested to 1317, well within 300 years of the selected given name. Accordingly, as Hescelina Schönberg, the name can be registered as a combination of a Latinized French given name and a German byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter requested authenticity for 15th-16th century German/Swabian language or culture. This name does not meet this request because the given name is Latinized French, not German, and is not attested as late as the 15th-16th centuries.
The submitter's previous name, Þýri Agviðardóttir, is retained as an alternate name.
Submitted under the name Nicolae Dragomir, that name was returned on the December 2018 LoAR.
This name combines a Gaelic given name with an Anglicized Irish byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter may be interested to know that Roise O Spillane and Royse O Spillane are authentic 16th century Anglicized Irish forms of the same name. If the submitter prefers either of these forms, she may make a request for reconsideration.
This name was pended on the September 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for discussion of whether Korean names documented prior to the 16th century should be registered. Currently, based on evidence of contact between Korea and Western Europe in the 16th century, only "late period Korean names are registerable under the standards of SENA." [Jeong Cheongju Han, 2/2015 LoAR, A-Trimaris] We asked for commentary on whether that policy should change in light of more recent research and/or the change in the Society's Mission Statement to omit express references to Western Europe.
There was a great deal of interesting discussion concerning the effects of the change in the Mission Statement and whether and how that change should affect the College. Fortunately, we do not need to resolve that issue today to register this name. New research was provided showing contact between Korea and Western Europe as early as the 13th century. Based on this new evidence, we overturn prior precedent and rule that Korean names attested from the 13th century and later are registerable. For a more detailed discussion, see the Cover Letter.
The present name uses elements found in a list of names from the Koryo period, which runs from 935 to 1392 C.E. Herveus Morsulus was able to date these particular elements to the 13th-14th centuries. Accordingly, this name can be registered.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
Although the Letter of Intent documented Damien as a Middle French name, Lillia Crampette found it in Middle English as well.
Nice English name for circa 1300!
Artist's note: Please draw the chief with fewer, larger crenellations to aid in identification.
The submitter requested authenticity for 9th-13th century Icelandic/Scandinavian language or culture. Although the name can be registered, it does not meet this request because the elements are not from the same location or time period. The given name Kata is found c. 1100 in Sweden, whereas geirr is an Icelandic byname from the first half of the 9th century. In addition, we have no evidence of anyone actually using the term útama as a byname, although it follows the pattern of other descriptive bynames found in Old Norse.
The submitter's previous name, Danielle de la Rochelle, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Per fess azure and vert, a seal naiant to sinister within an orle of candles argent, enflamed proper, is released.
Artist's note: Please draw the tongues of flame separated, rather than swirled together.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
Nice badge!
The byname al-Ghan{i-} means "the wealthy" in Arabic. Questions were raised in commentary about whether this phrase was used as a byname by ordinary people or whether it was found solely as an epithet of Allah. Phrases that were used solely as epithets of Allah are considered presumptuous and may not be registered. [Asil al-Sami, 8/2018 LoAR, A-Gleann Abhann] Phrases such as al-Rashid, which were applied both to Allah and to ordinary people, can be registered.
Heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found evidence of a person named 'Uthman al-Ghani who lived in Mecca during Muhammed's lifetime. Based on this evidence, the byname al-Ghan{i-} can be registered.
The submitter's previous name, Quentin Sablestar, is retained as an alternate name.
This name combines a Gaelic given name with an English byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter may be interested to known that Angus is found as a given name in 16th century Scots language records. If he prefers Angus Wyldsmyth, he may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice English name for the 13th century onwards!
The submitter's previous name, Sveinn Grímarsson, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter originally desired the name Bran mac Morchadha, but that name conflicted with the registered Bran Mac Murchada. He added a third byname, mhic an cùbair, to clear the conflict.
The name then appeared on the Letter of Intent as Bran mac Morchadha mhic an cùbair, with notes that the submitter desired a form of the modern Irish surname Murphy and an occupational byname meaning "cooper" or "barrel-maker." Unfortunately, we could not find evidence for cùbair as a term for "cooper" in pre-17th century Gaelic. It appears to be an entirely modern construction borrowing from the English word cooper.
Several options for the desired name were documented in commentary and at the Pelican decision meeting. At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to Bran MacMurphie, an Anglicized Irish form of the desired name. Bran is a 16th century Anglicized Irish male given name found s.n. Brian in "Names Found in Anglicized Irish Documents," by Mari ingen Briain meic Donnchada (http://medievalscotland.org/kmo/AnglicizedIrish/Masculine.shtml). MacMurphie is a 16th century or early 17th century Anglicized Irish spelling found in Woulfe p. 395 s.n. Mac Murchaidh.
By changing the byname to MacMurphie, the name is now clear of the registered Bran mac Murchadha under PN3C2. Murphie has two syllables while Murchadha has three.
The submitter originally requested authenticity for 11-12th century Irish for Murphy. However, he withdrew that request after the close of commentary in favor of the registered name. Bran MacMurphie is authentic for 16th century Ireland.
Blazoned when registered in August 2001 as Or, a squirrel sejant erect to sinister and a bordure gules, the squirrel is maintaining an acorn, a charge which now counts for difference, and the default posture of a squirrel is sejant erect.
Submitted as Geneviève d'Aigues-Mortes, the grave accent in the given name is a modern editorial addition that must be removed for registration. [Genevieve de la Marre, 1/2014 LoAR, A-Caid] We have done so for registration.
The depiction and arrangement of the gouttes duplicate those found on the submitter's registered device, and are thus permitted under the Existing Registration Allowance.
Nettie is the submitter's legal given name.
Summers Hall is a constructed English place name. In commentary, Lillia Crampette gave several instances of similarly-constructed English place names, including Spicers halle (MED, 1458) and Bisshops Hall (Mills London, 1495).
Artist's note: Please center the butterfly on the field, increasing the size of all of the charges to fill the available space.
Shushan, also known as Susa, is the modern name of a Near Eastern city, mentioned in the Bible, which has existed since 4200 B.C.E. Modern sources refer to the city as both Susa and Shushan. Therefore, either spelling can be used as the lingua Societatis form of the place name.
The submitter may be interested to know that we documented Rivka m'Shushan as a period Hebrew form of the name. If she prefers this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Submitted as Rurik of Summers Hall, the name in that form was not registerable because it combined the Russian Rurik with a constructed English byname, a combination not permitted under Appendix C. Fortunately, heralds at the Pelican decision meeting found the Latinized English name Roricus dated to circa 1100 C.E. The probable vernacular form is Roric. Accordingly, at the submitter's request, we have changed the name to Roric of Summers Hall for registration.
Summers Hall is a constructed English place name. In commentary, Lillia Crampette gave several instances of similarly-constructed English place names, including Spicers halle (MED, 1458) and Bisshops Hall (Mills London, 1495).
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Karen Ingridsdotir, Sable, a pentagon within an orle argent. There is one DC for the removal of the orle, but no difference between a pentagon and a French-cut gemstone in profile, which has a pentagonal silhouette.
Depicting a gemstone in profile is a step from period practice.
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2a, the "slot machine" rule, which prohibits more than two different types of charge in any charge group. In the July 2004 return of the augmentation of arms for the Barony of Ildhafn, it was ruled, "While the addition of augmentations can be allowed to break rules in some cases, the violations we allow are grounded in period examples. Barring examples of period augmentations that result in three types of charges in the same group, this sort of augmentation cannot violate RfS VIII.1.a." This ruling was upheld in the September 2009 return of the augmentation of the Shire of Riviere Constelle.
In this submission, there are three types of charge in the secondary charge group: gouttes, amphora, and demi-escarbuncle. It must therefore be returned.
The byname was a proposed construction intended to mean "moon dog." PN1B2b of SENA permits constructed names but requires that they follow a period pattern:
Name phrases may be constructed from attested period name elements. To do this, documentation must be provided to demonstrate that the name phrase follows a period pattern. We generally require at least three examples to consider something a pattern, as sometimes a single name phrase can create the appearance of a pattern that does not actually exist. The examples should closely match the constructed name phrase.
In the case of Mánagarmr, we were unable to find three examples of the elements Mána- or máni and -garmr being used in this fashion. Moreover, Garmr appears to be a unique name in Norse mythology, applied to the dog that guards Hel's gates and is fated to kill Tyr at Ragnarok. We are not surprised, therefore, that this element is not used in the names of ordinary people.
However, double bynames are allowed in Old Norse. Hunda- is a prepended Old Norse byname meaning "dog" and máni is an attested byname meaning "moon." Hunda-Garðr máni is an Old Norse name with roughly the same desired meaning using attested elements. Although the submitter allows all changes, we are reluctant to make such a drastic change without the submitter's consent. Therefore, this name is returned.
This name must be returned because the designator and the substantive element are not internally consistent. Not all household designators can be used with all substantive elements. NPN1B3 states:
The designators for household names must be documented as a form describing a group of people in a particular culture. It must be compatible with the substantive element in terms of content and style. There is no standard designator which is considered compatible with all types of names for groups of people.
In addition, NPN2B states:
A complete non-personal name must be relatively consistent with a single time and place in structure and grammar, as defined in these rules. Unlike personal names which are made up of multiple name phrases, the designator and substantive phrase create a single name phrase for the purpose of our rules. Therefore, there are no registerable lingual mixes beyond the use of the lingua [Societatis] rule for designators following the rules that are laid out in NPN.1 above. In general terms, a non-personal name submission including elements separated by more than 300 years or that cannot be demonstrated to be typical of a single language and culture will not be registered.
This household name submission runs afoul of NPN2B. The designator Clann or Clan for a group of people is found exclusively in Gaelic or in renderings of Gaelic names in Scots, Anglicized Irish or English. Therefore, the substantive element must also be in one of these languages and follow the patterns used in these languages. Lurkr, however, is an Old Norse or Old English given name. Such a lingual mix is prohibited by NPN2B.
We next considered whether the construction Clann Lurkr or Clan Lurkr was possible using the lingua Societatis allowance. Unfortunately, we could not find a comparable Old Norse or Old English term meaning "clan" used to refer to a group of people. Therefore, there was no Old Norse or Old English root from which to construct a lingua Societatis "clan."
Lurkr is also the registered surname of one of the owners of the household. Nevertheless, the Existing Registration Allowance provides no assistance. As Lurkr is registered as a surname, the Existing Registration Allowance permits it to continue to be used by the same submitter as a surname and only as a surname. However, based on our current research, the pattern for Clan names in Gaelic, Scots, Anglicized Irish and English is limited exclusively to Clan/Clann + given name.
The submitters were offered several potential options for household name constructions using Old English or Old Norse. They have opted to have this name returned while they consider those options.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Orbei Qorchi, Or, a chevron inverted vert. There is one DC for the addition of the daisies.
Upon resubmission, please draw the chevron inverted in accordance with the May 2011 Cover Letter policy on chevrons.
This badge is returned for conflict with the badge of the Shire of Hrafnafj{o,}rðr, (Fieldless) A raven's head erased sable maintaining a bezant. There is one DC for fieldlessness, but it is literally the same badge. Please note that even with permission to conflict, there would still need to be a blazonable difference between the badge, e.g. erased vs. couped.
This device is returned for lack of documentation. No evidence was presented and none could be found for replacing the forepillar of a harp with a different charge, as was done in this armory. Barring such documentation, this practice is disallowed.
Some commenters asked whether replacing the forepillar with a scimitar was a form of artistic license, akin to the August 2015 registration of the device of Rébeca la Chienne, where the forepillar was replaced by a sejant talbot. In that registration, it was ruled, "While the shape of the forepillar is not worth any difference it is a big enough artistic detail that it can be blazoned to allow the re-creation of the emblazon." While we agree that Rébeca's specific case merits blazon, we are overturning the ruling that says that the forepillar is not worth difference; it is, in fact, a separate charge, attached to and partially obscuring the harp. We have reblazoned Rébeca's device elsewhere in this letter.
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 dice in chief are not in a unified orientation, appearing to roll across the shield in unblazonable angles that blur the distinction between palewise, fesswise, and bendwise. There are several different depictions of dice in period heraldry, but every depiction has a blazonable orientation that is mirrored for every die in the design.
This name was withdrawn during commentary.
This device is returned administratively. The escutcheon used in the submission is not the one found on the device form. Submitters are advised to use the escutcheons, lozenges, and delfs that appear on the submission forms, rather than pasting their own artwork over the blank portions of the form.
This device is returned for lack of identifiability of the primary charge. Submitted by the kingdom without a blazon, commenters deliberated about whether the charge was a manticore. While it featured a vaguely leonine body and a scorpion's tail, the face and head were not identifiable as human, a defining trait of a manticore. The horns also had poor contrast with the field, further hindering identifiability. If the submitter wishes to register a manticore, they should refer to the Pictorial Dictionary for guidance.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns)
This badge is returned for conflict with the device of Gustavos von Bergen, Per bend argent and sable, a raven displayed counterchanged. There is no difference between displayed and migrant, especially since neither bird is in their period posture.
It was suggested in commentary that adding a coronet to the badge might help clear conflict. While this is true, it would also require everyone who displays the badge to be entitled to display a coronet, something that is unlikely for a baronial Order. The submitter should be aware of this when weighing options for resubmission.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a migrant bird.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns)
This name was pended on the September 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns. Submitted as Leo Hyrulea _, the submitter's legal name is Leo Hyrulea [surname]. By precedent, the combination of legal first name plus legal middle name cannot be registered because it is considered identical to the name used by the submitter outside the Society. At the request of several commenters, we pended this name to consider whether that precedent should stand. We conclude that it should.
Section IIIA10 of the Admin Handbook states:
No name will be registered to a submitter if it is identical to a name used by the submitter for purposes of identification outside of a Society context. This includes legal names, common use names, trademarks, and other items registered with mundane authorities that serve to identify an individual or group.
By precedent, the combination of a legal given name and legal middle name, in that order, is considered identical to a name used by the submitter outside of the Society and cannot be registered:
The submitter's legal name is Mari Alexander [surname]. Therefore, this submission contains the submitter's first two names in the same order as in her legal name. A similar submission was recently returned:
The submission consists of the given names, in order, of the submitter. As this is one of the possible common use names, we have to return this submission for conflict against the submitter herself, protected under section III.A.9 of the Administrative Handbook. [Mary Amanda, 09/00, R-Artemisia]
Therefore, just as Mari [surname] would be conflict with her legal name, so the submitted Mari Alexander conflicts with her with her legal name. [Mari Alexander, 9/2001 LoAR, R-West]
This precedent was not overturned by SENA. It was upheld as recently as February 2015. [Antoinette Marie, 2/2015 LoAR, R-Atenveldt]
Commentary was strongly in favor of keeping the distinction between one's identity in the Society and one's identity in the modern world. Given the number of people who, upon marriage, turn their former surname into a middle name, the likelihood of legal given name plus legal middle name being an actual use name in the modern world is fairly high. Moreover, a submitter who truly wishes to use their legal given and middle names can do so as long as they add another element, such as of Atenveldt, to distinguish their identity in the Society from their identity outside of the Society. Having considered all of the arguments for and against, the existing precedent stands.
Accordingly, the submitted name cannot be registered under Section IIIA10 of the Administrative Handbook because it is effectively identical to the submitter's legal name. For resubmission, the submitter should consider adding an element that is not part of his legal name, such as a local branch name or period place name.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Serlo of Litchfield, Gyronny gules and Or, a vulture close sable. There is one DC, for the field, but nothing for type of bird. This is a perennial conflict:
Per pale vert and argent, a raven sable: This device is returned for conflict with the device of Serlo of Litchfield, Gyronny gules and Or, a vulture close sable. There is a DC for the change of field, but nothing for the difference between a vulture and a raven, both regular-shaped birds. [Reyni-Hrefna, LoAR of Dec 2013]
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Gemma Taylor: Sable, a sheaf of needles argent. There is no DC for changing 1/3 of the primary charges. In this design, we do not have two primary charges and an overall charge but three co-primary charges.
This name must be returned because it is not correctly constructed. Old Norse grammar does not require the article in with a gerund like Gylðir. We would change the name to Vigdis Gylðir for registration, but this is a major change that the submitter does not allow. As we were unable to obtain her consent to the change, we are forced to return the name.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
None.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
This device is returned for redraw. As depicted, the posture of the badgers blurs the line between rampant, and statant fesswise. A rampant beast has at least one hindleg extending downward; here, all of the badgers' legs extend towards the rapier. Without an unambiguous, blazonable posture for the badgers, this cannot be registered."
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Goraidh Ailean na Gordanaich, Purpure, a triskelion pommetty pallwise Or. There is one DC for fieldlessness, but none for the type or orientation of the triskelion.
There is a step from period practice for use of a triskelion of spirals.
This name must be returned for presumption because it is effectively identical to Taliesin, the famous 6th century Welsh poet and bard. Taliesin is a significant historical figure who meets our standards for protection from presumption set out in PN4D, which states (in relevant part):
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.
Taliesin was a well-known figure in medieval literature. The Book of Taliesin, containing poetry attributed to the bard, is one of the most famous Welsh manuscripts still in existence. In the medieval era, Taliesin was so well-known that he was referred to as the "Chief of Bards" or chief of poets and was listed among the five Welsh poets of renown in the Historia Brittonum. In addition to his poetry (or the poetry attributed to him), Taliesin himself became the subject of legendary tales in the form of the Historia Taliesin, a work composed in or about the 11th century and in circulation well through the 16th century.
Taliesin's fame continued well past the medieval period. As Taliessin, the bard appears as a character in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King. He also appears as a character in a great deal of modern Arthurian and pseudo-Arthurian works, including those of Bernard Cornwell, Stephen Lawhead and Charles de Lint. Taliesin has been the inspiration for classical and rock music works. Frank Lloyd Wright named his home and estate Taliesin and expected people to know the reference. Considering these and many other examples, the name Taliesin is recognized by a significant number of people within and outside the Society, satisfying the criteria for protection.
Although the present name differs slightly in appearance from Taliesin, it is effectively identical in sound. The reference to the medieval Welsh poet is unmistakable to anyone hearing the name or reading it aloud. Therefore, this name is presumptuous and cannot be registered.
When considering resubmission, the submitter should be aware that the addition of another byname not related to the Welsh poet Taliesin, such as of Calontir (for example), would likely solve the problem of presumption.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns)
None.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
This device is returned for violation of SENA A3D2c, which requires all charges in a charge group to be in a unified arrangement. The positioning of the three wolf's heads must be blazoned independently of the laurel wreath, and so they are not in a unified arrangement. The standard arrangement of multiple charges above a per chevron line of division is in fess.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
None.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
None.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
None.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns)
This name must be returned due to lack of documentation. We have no evidence for Gallagher as an unmarked surname prior to 1650 C.E. We do have evidence for marked forms of the name in Anglicized Irish, including O Galleghure, O'Gallocher, O'Gallaghor, O'Gallogher and O'Galloghor. We would change the name to use one of these forms or use the interpolated spellings O Gallagher or O'Gallagher, but the submitter does not allow any changes. Therefore this name must be returned.
(to West acceptances) (to West returns)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
Submitted as Domus ad Multas Vias, the submitter desired a household name meaning "house by/near many roads." The submitted name, however, did not follow any attested Latin constructed for the meaning of "crossroads" or "at many roads." Many potential alternatives, both in Latin and English, were proposed in commentary and at the Pelican decision meeting.
After those considering alternatives, the submitter requested that the name be changed to Crosweyhouse, a Middle English construction following the pattern of naming inns or taverns after locations or landmarks. For example, Wodegatehouse is dated to 1341 in the MED s.v. h{ov}us (n.). Croswey is a Middle English term for "A place where roads or paths meet or cross, a fork in the road; also, a side path or road," found in the MED s.v. cros(se-wei dated to 1300. The element -house is the designator in this name.
As the new name represents a significant change from the original submission, we have pended this name to allow for commentary and conflict-checking.
This was item 14 on the AEthelmearc letter of November 5, 2018.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns) (to Æthelmearc pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2019-04-29T00:00:26