Nice device!
The submitter's previous device, Azure, on a bend sinister cotised between two ravens contourny Or a feather azure, is retained as a badge.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
The submitter's previous device, Per pall argent, sable and azure, a raven sable and two harps reversed Or, is retained as a badge.
This badge follows the pattern exemplified in the arms of De Buschanogis, Sable, an eye argent transfixed by a staff bendwise sinister Or, found in Insignia Urbium Italiai Septentrionalis (BSB Cod.icon 270).
Nice badge!
The submitter requested authenticity for 12th century English. Neither element can be dated that early. However, this name is authentic for the 13th century in England.
If the submitter prefers the spelling Deborah Benett, she may make a request for reconsideration. In that spelling, the name is authentic for 16th century England.
The submitter may be interested to know that Hlif Guðrunardottir is an authentic form of the same name for the Viking Age. If the submitter prefers this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
This device is not considered marshalling. SENA A6F1b states: "As marshalling was only used with plain line divisions, the use of a complex line of division with a quarterly or per pale field division does not create the appearance of marshalling."
Some commenters asked whether this qualified as marshalling under A6F2d, which states "When any section of such a field contains ...multiple charges of different types...it creates the appearance of marshalling." Section A6F, like much of SENA, is designed to be used as a flowchart, analyzing the armory through each rule in turn. If the armory is ruled not to have the appearance of marshalling in section A6F1, then it cannot appear to be marshalling in A6F2, which comes afterward. For more information about this, please see the Cover Letter.
Artist's note: Please make sure that the charge group is centered both horizontally and vertically on the field.
Nice 13th century English name!
Three Mountains is the registered name of an SCA branch.
Artist's note: Please provide high-contrast internal details for the rats.
There is a step from period practice for the use of non-European characters.
The submission included a request that this badge be associated with Bar Gemels, a local event hosted by the submitter. Bar Gemels is not a generic designator, so the name would need to be registered to the submitter to use it as an association. To the best of our knowledge, we have never registered a name of an event, nor have we associated a badge with that event.
That said, there are badges registered to branches which are used exclusively for a particular event (such as the Kingdom of Atenveldt's badge, Per fess indented azure and argent, in chief four mullets of four points elongated palewise Or, used for Estrella War. The submitter is likewise free to use this badge exclusively in association with their event without recording the association in the Ordinary and Armorial.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
Commenters asked whether this device was a violation of SENA A3E2, which states that "any submission not exceed a certain "complexity count," measured by adding the number of types of charges to the number of tinctures. Items with a complexity count of eight or less receive no penalty for complexity from this rule."
In this submission, there are three types of charge (cat, gout, head) and five tinctures (argent, gules, sable, brown, vert). The savage's head is wreathed, which is part of the definition of the charge and thus does not count as a separate charge.
Some commenters asked whether the skin of the head should count as a separate tincture. However, in heraldic terms Caucasian skin is the equivalent to argent.
Other commenters asked whether this discussion was rendered moot by the May 2014 Cover Letter discussion on maintained charges, which asserted the following:
We will not count the type or tincture of maintained charges.
We will not count the tincture of purely artistic details, whether they are blazoned or not. This means a rose proper has only one tincture, gules, as the tincture of the barbing and seeding are considered artistic. However, a ford proper has two tinctures, azure and argent, as both are considered significant.
The question of counting complexity from the blazon or emblazon is moot, due to the above changes.
We will not change the complexity count limit.
This ruling was made while maintained charges did not count for difference. The August 2015 Cover Letter substantially changed the nature of maintained charges in relation to the rest of the device, and explicitly overturned the ruling of the May 2014 Cover Letter. The current policy is as follows:
We do count type and tincture of maintained charges for purposes of complexity.
Details of a charge which are purely artistic detail, such as the seeding and barbing of a rose, will not count for complexity. However, if a secondary tincture is used to improve the identity of the main charge with details that are integral to the charge, such as a savage's wreath or a tiger's stripes, that tincture will count towards complexity.
Questions were raised in commentary about the order of the elements and whether this heraldic title needed to be Blanc Regnard to match Anglo-French examples such as Rouge Croix. It does not. The order of Heraldic Charge + Tincture is found in French order names such as Emprise de l'Escu vert a la Dame Blanche and Compagnie du Cigne Noir. Heraldic titles can be based on order names. Therefore, the word order is acceptable and the title can be registered as submitted.
Nice badge!
Nice 16th century French name!
The submitter grants blanket permission to conflict for any armory that is not identical to this registered badge. A blazonable difference is required for other fieldless badges.
The submitter's previous device, Gules, a bend sinister argent, overall a talbot rampant regardant Or, is released.
Submitted as Iðunn Arnarsdottir, the patronymic was not correctly formed. The intended father's name is {O,}rn. The genitive (possessive) form of {O,}rn is Arnar. That makes the patronymic Arnardottir; there is no need for an -s. We have made this change for registration.
Questions were raised about the construction of the second element. If the intended father's name were Sueta, the proper form of the patronymic would be Suetina. However, Wickenden gives Sueto as a variant form of the same masculine given name. Suetovna is a valid gray period construction of a patronymic based on Sueto. Therefore, the name as submitted is registerable.
If the submitter prefers Kseniia Suetina Volkova, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Nice 16th century English name!
The submitter's previous name, Gwen Howell, is retained as an alternate name.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, on a cross nowy azure a trefoil knot Or, is released.
Nice device!
Submitted as Marjorie Harper _, the submitter requested assistance documenting the name Marjorie Harper of Rhosan. No documentation could be found for Rhosan as either a period place name or the lingua Societatis form of a period place name. However, Rosedale is an English place name found in Watts s.n. Rosedale with this spelling dated from 1379 onwards. At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to Marjorie Harper of Rosedale.
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century England. This name meets that request.
Artist's note: Please draw the fox larger to fill the available space, with the chief line level and the roses centered vertically.
The submitter's previous device, Gules, two dragons combatant argent and in chief a sun in his splendor Or, is retained as a badge.
Submitted as Sabd ingen Sitriuca mhic Murchada, the spelling of the given name was not supported by the documentation and may have been a typo. The documented spelling of the given name is Sadb. We have made this change for registration.
In addition, the name as submitted used the lenited mhic but did not lenite Murchada even though lenition is required in this situation. "Although the use of lenition varied greatly in Gaelic documents in period, those documents also show that lenition was applied or not applied consistently within the same name." [Dearbháil inghean Muireadhaigh mic Alasdair, 12/2019 LoAR, A-Ansteorra] Accordingly, as the submitter allows all changes, we have changed the name to the all Middle Irish (900-1200 C.E.) form Sadb ingen Sitriuca meic Murchada, which uses lenition consistently.
As modified, nice 12th century Gaelic name!
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns) (to Ansteorra pends)
Submitted as Ordre du Penache Blanc, the submitter requested authenticity for 16th century French. Le pennache blanc appears as a group symbol in Discours sur la réduction de la ville de Lyon à l'obéissance du Roy (https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k54151553/f31.image.r=pennache) published in 1594. We have changed the spelling of the name to Ordre du Pennache Blanc to meet the submitter's authenticity request by using an attested 16th century form of the substantive element.
There is a step from period practice for the use of an Oriental dragon.
Rachel is the submitter's legal given name. However, she need not rely on the Legal Name Allowance as Rachel is also a 16th century German name, making this name entirely German.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns) (to Artemisia pends)
The submitter's previous name, Beverly FitzAlan de Stirkelaunde, is retained as an alternate name.
This device was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to the hand used in the artwork not resembling period Cyrillic, and to address the orientation of the bird. Wreath staff provided new artwork with corrected orthography and a revised phrasing which has been accepted by the submitter.
Submitted as Lasairfhíona inghean _ Néill, this name conflicts with the registered Lassar Fhina ingen Neill. Lasairfhíona and Lassar Fhina are variant spellings of the same given name. There is effectively no difference in how they are pronounced.
With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Lasairfhíona inghean uí Néill. The addition of the particle uí clears the conflict under PN3C2. [Caoilfhionn inghean Uí Fhaoláin, 4/2014 LoAR, A-East]
Artist's note: Please draw the arrows thicker and bolder to aid in identification.
Artist's note: Please draw fewer and larger crenelations.
Nice French name from the late 13th century onwards!
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
Using standard Gaelic grammar, the byname would need to be spelled ingen Fhinn because F- lenites after words ending in n. However, we have evidence of a number of instances from period documents in which F- names did not actually lenite after ingen. Therefore, per the July 2017 Cover Letter, the submitted spelling is registerable. If the submitter prefers the lenited form, Derbáil ingen Fhinn, she may make a request for reconsideration.
The submitter requested authenticity for 9th-10th century Irish culture. This name meets that request.
Nice Spanish name for circa 1500!
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century England. This name meets that request and, in fact, is authentic for English from the 14th century onwards!
This device was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to lack of documentation for the depiction of a bird volant, which should not have had feet extending forward towards the head of the bird. The depiction of the flames was also too modern. Wreath staff provided new artwork approved by the submitter.
The submitter's previous name, Hrothgar Ironstone, is retained as an alternate name.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
The use of a manatee, which is New World fauna, is a step from period practice.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a hexagon.
The submitter's previous device, Argent, three bars purpure, overall an owl displayed azure, is retained as a badge.
The submitter is a countess and thus entitled to the display of a county coronet.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
Submitted as Green Griffin Castle, the designator Castle is not appropriate with a substantive element using the pattern Color + Heraldic Charge. We currently have no documentation that castles were actually named in this fashion. At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to House of the Green Griffin, using the inn-sign designator House, which matches the pattern of the substantive element.
This name combines a Polish given name with a German byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
This name combines a Dutch given name with an English byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice device!
Dushenka is the submitter's legal given name.
The submitter provided evidence showing a pattern of late-period French bynames in the form de la X, apparently based on flowers, including de la Rose, de la Fleur, and Delalis, making de la Marguerite a plausible construction.
Nice badge!
The submitter's previous device, Per pale azure and Or, in pale a demi-eagle face to sinister and a Catherine wheel counterchanged, is retained as a badge.
There is a step from period practice for the use of an octagon frame. As the frame is attested in Japanese mon, it's allowable as a secondary voided charge without running afoul of SENA A3C.
The submitter's previous name, Áine ingen Alusdair, is released.
Appearing on the Letter of Intent as Jamie Mendoza de Ozayta, this spelling of the given name was a typo. Kingdom issued a timely correction clarifying that the intended given name is Jaime, which is supported by the documentation.
Nice 16th century Spanish name!
Submitted as Leofric æt Crecca_, Old English locative bynames using æt require the dative case of the place name. We have changed the name to Leofric æt Creccan to be grammatically correct.
This household name conflicts with the registered Barony of the Bridge. Although the designator and the prepositions are different, under NPN3C states: "Designators and the prepositions or articles which link them to the substantive elements do not count for difference (though they can be sufficient to allow registration with permission to conflict). Only sound and appearance of the substantive elements are considered for difference."
Therefore, the relevant comparison is between Ridge and Bridge. The only difference is the initial Br- vs. R-. One of the examples found in NPN3C3 of SENA makes clear that this difference is not enough: "Round House is not substantially different in sound from Broun House because the r and Br groups share a sound, as do the nd and n consonant groups."
Fortunately, the Barony of the Bridge provided permission to conflict after the close of commentary, allowing this name to be registered.
This name combines a Gaelic given name with an English surname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
Nice mid-16th century Gaelic name!
There is a step from period practice for the use of a bird displayed other than an eagle.
Nice English name circa 1600!
Artist's note: Please draw the knives larger to aid in identification.
As documented on the Letter of Intent, there were more than 500 years between the attested dates of the name elements. Fortunately, after the close of commentary, Lillia Crampette re-documented Muirenn to sometime between 1300 and the 15th century, in the Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, s.v. clíar. This new documentation puts the given name within 500 years of the byname, allowing the name to be registered as submitted.
This device does not conflict with the device of Isolde da Talamone, Per bend sinister vert and argent, an estoile of eight rays argent and a mermaid proper, crined gules, brandishing a sword sable. There is a DC for changing the type of half of the primary charges, and DCs for changing the type and number of secondary charges.
Caid is the registered name of an SCA branch.
The submitter's previous device, Per saltire sable and argent, a lion's head cabossed Or and a bordure counterchanged, is released.
Submitted as Tete-amenet sat ne Psen-sechmet, this form of the name did not use an internally consistent transliteration system as required by Appendix D of SENA. Although the other elements are transliterated using the Trismegistos database system, the element sat ne is not. Trismegistos records only given names. As a result, the element sat ne, which is found only in whole names, does not appear at all in the Trismegistos database transliteration system. Therefore, we have changed the name to Tadiamenet sat ne Pashernesekhmet, an internally consistent transliteration of the identical name using the British system.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
The submitter requested authenticity for 10th century Norse. Although it can be registered, this name does not meet this request. While the given name falls squarely within the 10th century, the byname is from the early 9th century.
Artist's note: Please draw the ears raised up out of the silhouette of the main part of the heads to aid in identification.
Nice badge!
This submission is not in conflict with the device of Carson Wynne, Gyronny wavy sable and argent, an orle counter-compony vert and argent: There is an SC for adding a primary charge group. As noted in this month's Cover Letter, we do not penalize for the shape of the form.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns) (to Calontir pends)
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Nice cant!
The submitter has permission to conflict with Jehan le Batard, Per saltire sable and Or, in fess two mullets of six points fesswise azure.
Nice armory!
Nice Swedish name for circa 1500!
Nice armory!
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
Submitted as Chunegund Nidungus, Nidungus is a Latinized nominative form of an early 13th German given name. We currently have no evidence in German for unmarked patronymic bynames using the Latinized nominative form. As the submitter allows all changes, we have changed the name to Chunegund Nidungi, using the Latin genitive (possessive) form of the father's name, an attested pattern. The submitter indicated that she was willing to accept this form if necessary.
The submitter may be interested to know that the fully Latinized Chunegundis Nidungi is authentic for early 13th century German. If the submitter prefers this form, she may make a request for reconsideration.
This badge was returned on the September 2019 LoAR for lack of documentation of the use of a single andiron in period armory. However, in the commentary for the defining instance of andirons (Diterich Schwarcz, Sable, a pair of dog-headed andirons conjoined respectant and on a chief argent a rose gules, August 2013, A-Meridies) there was an example presented from an impresa from the 16th century Insignia Veneta, Mantuana, Bononiensia, Anconitana, Urbinatia, Perugiensia, 150r (BSB Cod.icon. 274, found at http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/~db/bsb00001421/image_219) of a single andiron used in an armorial context. The submitter recommended that impresa as an example of the use of a single andiron in period heraldry with the hope that it would also justify the use of a single andiron in a more heraldic form.
Imprese, while not in the same class of work as more typical armory, have nonetheless been acceptable as a reference for armory. In this case, the one provided shows a more realistic depiction than the stylized one found in the submitter's existing device but remains a depiction of a single, unpaired andiron. If this submission depicted the same, non-stylized form, citation of the imprese alone would be sufficient for registration.
The style used in this submission is ultimately derived from attributed arms of the King of Ethiopia, found in Vigil Rabers Neustifter Wappenbuch, dated mid-16th century, plate 92, which shows a pair of dog-headed andirons. As such, we cannot say the style is entirely non-period. However, showing a conjoined pair, it does not entirely support a single andiron in this style.
Therefore, the use of a depiction of a single, stylized andiron is now a step from period practice. There is no difference granted between the stylized and unstylized forms, and the difference will not be blazoned.
Please advise the submitter to use the more realistic, unstylized form instead.
The appeal is accepted and the badge registered.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a single, stylized andiron.
This device was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to the trian depiction of the paw. Wreath staff provided new artwork approved by the submitter.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This device was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to the use of a post-period depiction of a punner without documentation. Wreath staff provided new artwork approved by the submitter.
This device was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to the maintained rose being too small to identify. Wreath staff provided new artwork approved by the submitter.
We do not distinguish between garden roses and heraldic roses.
The use of a triskele, or triskelion arrondi, is a step from period practice.
Nice Icelandic name for circa 1400!
Submitted as Collette d'Avignon, the submitter requested authenticity for 14th century French. As submitted, the name did not meet that request because the spelling Collette was dated to the early 15th century. However, Jeanne Marie Noir Licorne found Colette dated to the very late 14th century, contemporaneous with the evidence of davignon found by Lillia Crampette. Accordingly, to meet the submitter's authenticity request, we have changed the name to Colette d'Avignon.
This badge was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to the unblazonable orientation of the coronet which blurred the distinction between palewise and bendwise sinister. Wreath staff provided new artwork approved by the submitter.
The submitter is a court baron, and is thus entitled to display a coronet.
The submitter requested authenticity for 12th century England. This name appears to meet this request. Cuthbert is a saint's name and a prose Life of Saint Cuthbert was published in the late 12th century, indicating that he continued to be venerated during that time period. The spelling Brom for the place modernly known as Brome was used between 1156 and 1384 according to Watts.
This device was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to visual confusion between the chaplet and a laurel wreath. Wreath staff has provided new artwork approved by the submitter.
This device is not in conflict with the device of Mathilde Meyer (January, 1985, East), Per pale azure and argent, two geese respectant enraged counterchanged. There is an SC between swan- and regular-shaped birds.
This device is not in conflict with the device of Ceri of Carmarthen (September, 1995, East), Per pale azure and argent, two martlets respectant counterchanged. There is a DC for change in posture and another DC for changing the tincture of half the primary group.
Submitted as Katheryn Bluscichof_, the byname was not grammatically correct. When considering the registration of the identical German descriptive byname for a woman, we previously ruled:
Submitted as Elzebeth Bluscichof, the descriptive byname needs to be in either the feminine form or the genitive case. We have changed the name to Elzebeth Bluscichofin, a feminine form, to correct the grammar. Other alternatives would be Bluscichofyn (another feminine spelling), or the genitive forms Bluscichofen or Bluscichofs. [Elzebeth Bluscichofin, 1/2006 LoAR, A-Outlands]
In this case, the addition of the syllable -in is a major change that the submitter does not allow. Therefore, we have changed the byname to the genitive form Bluscichofs, which both fixes the grammar and is not a major change.
If the submitter prefers Katheryn Bluscichofin or Katheryn Bluscichofyn or Katheryn Bluscichofen, she may make a request for reconsideration.
Originally submitted as "[...] a sun issuant from a cup [...]", the emblazon provided did not depict a heraldic form of issuant from, but it did present a reasonable depiction of conjoined to, and is blazoned as such. It should be noted that were it a demi-sun issuant from a cup, that would create a second tertiary group on the pale, which would require documentation to support an Individually Attested Pattern.
Artist's note: Please increase the thickness of the fimbriation to improve visibility.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a mullet of four points elongated to base.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
This device was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to a lack of identifiability of the primary charge. Wreath staff provided new artwork approved by the submitter.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
Submitted to kingdom with unbroken chains, the submission was redrawn with the submitter's permission to use broken chains instead. We note unbroken chains would have been acceptable.
Artist's note: Please increase the size of the chain links to improve identifiability.
We pended this name on the December 2019 Letter of Acceptances and Returns to allow the submitter and/or Kingdom to provide the required attestation that the submitter is the legal daughter of the registered Brion Donall Gilbert. Although the submitter had supplied a letter permitting Elizabeth to claim a relationship with Brion Donall Gilbert, proof of the legal relationship was required to allow the submitter to make use of the Existing Registration Allowance. [See December 2019 Cover Letter for examples] Despite the extra time, the required letter was not provided. Therefore, this name can only be registered if it can be entirely re-documented.
Brion, Donall and Gilbert are all 16th century English surnames. However, we have no evidence for late period English names using three surnames.
Brion was also found as a 16th century English given name. The question then is whether the traditionally masculine given name Brion could be used along with the female given name Elizabeth to refer to the same person. Fortunately, we have a great deal of evidence showing that traditionally masculine given names were also given to women in 16th century England. We found two instances of the given name Brian used by women during that time period in the FamilySearch Historical Records. We also found evidence in marriage records of women using such traditionally masculine given names as Thomas and Edward. Evidence also shows that the given names Douglas and Giles were used by both genders. Therefore, it is plausible that Brion could be the submitter's second given name, allowing the name to be registered as submitted without needing to rely on the Existing Registration Allowance.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
Columbino was originally documented in Spanish. In commentary, however, Jeanne Marie Noir Licorne documented the byname in late period Italian, making the name entirely Italian.
Artist's note: Increasing the size of the characteristic head tuft would make the doves more identifiable as such.
Nice cant!
The submitter requested authenticity for an unspecified language, culture or time period. This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Lilie Pantheon identified the authenticity request during commentary, allowing sufficient time for research. This name is not authentic for any particular time or place.
This name combines an English given name and a French byname, an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C.
The submitter may be interested to know that commenters documented the Spanish given name Tera, which is closer to her desired given name of Terra and can be combined with the French byname La Noire. However, changing the given name to Tera is a major change that the submitter did not allow. If the submitter prefers Tera La Noire she may make a request for reconsideration.
This badge has permission to conflict with the device of Skalla Geirmundr Ulfsson, Quarterly argent and gules, a mullet counterchanged azure and Or.
Submitted as Frakki Geitskegg Pétrsson, the documentation did not support the submitted spelling of the descriptive byname. The term "goat's beard" is found in both Cleasby & Vigfusson and Zoega as geitarskegg. Therefore, this is the correct form of the byname. We have made this change for registration.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
Submitted as Líadan ingen Cheallaigh, the name improperly combined the pre-1200 Gaelic ingen with the post-1200 Gaelic Cheallaigh, mixing two different languages in the same name phrase, which is not permitted under PN1B1. We have corrected the byname to the entirely post-1200 inghean Cheallaigh for registration.
This device was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to the depiction of the flame blurring the distinction between flame and sun. Wreath staff provided new artwork approved by the submitter.
The submitter is a knight and is thus entitled to display an orle of chain.
There is a step from period practice for use of a compass star.
Submitted as Robert the Stout _ , the name in this form presumes on the historical Sir Robert Stout, a Premier and later Chief Justice of New Zealand. PN4D1 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.
Sir Robert Stout had a remarkable degree of influence on the development of modern New Zealand. He the only person to serve as both Premier (twice) and Chief Justice of New Zealand. He also served as Attorney-General of New Zealand, played a major role in the development of the New Zealand university system, and was the co-author of a history of New Zealand. While only one of these roles would probably not be enough to make him important enough to protect, the combination of all of them is persuasive. Further, his fame is not limited solely to New Zealand; he has his own entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica and the first page of hits for "Robert Stout" in a U.S.-based Google search is entirely for him. Accordingly, Sir Robert Stout is significant enough to protect from presumption.
Upon being made aware of the presumption issue, the submitter requested the addition of the phrase of Jararvellir to his name to remove the appearance of presumption. Jararvellir is the registered name of an SCA branch. We therefore are registering the name as Robert the Stout of Jararvellir.
Artist's note: Please increase the length of the snout to a more period depiction of a dragon's.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
Artist's note: Increasing the size difference between the primary rose and the secondary musical notes will reinforce their identity as distinct charge groups in this design.
The submitter's previous device, Per bend rayonny gules and Or, two spears in saltire Or and a dove displayed azure, is released.
There is not a step from period practice for the use of an Arabic lamp:
Commenters discussed whether or not the Arabic lamp is in fact a period artifact, and should remain registerable. The vast majority of period lamps are hanging lamps of one kind or another. Oil lamps with a side handle are vanishingly rare. Metron Ariston did find one terra cotta Anglo-Norman lamp from the 11th century in Sicily which does have a long spout and curved handle like our stereotypical Arabic lamp. It does not appear to have a lid, but it is impossible to tell if the lamp is not meant to have a lid, or if it is merely missing. Based on this evidence, even if rare, we will continue to register Arabic lamps as a period artifact. [Isabella of Seamarch, November 2012, A-Trimaris]
The lamp referenced in the ruling may be seen at http://web.archive.org/web/20110707061923/http://www.norman-world.com/angleterre/archeo/Italie/ceramique/it53.htm.
There is a step from period practice for the use of piles that only extend less than 3/4 of the length of the armory.
This armory is not in conflict with the badge of Damales Redbeard (Jan. 1992), Sable, two lightning bolts in saltire Or surmounted by a sword palewise proper within a bordure embattled Or. There is an SC for changing the type of each corresponding primary charge.
SENA A5E2 states that "A new submission which substantially changes the type of each primary charge from a piece of protected armory does not conflict with it. When possible, each charge in the new armory is compared to the charge in the corresponding location in the protected armory." And further, SENA provides as example: "[...] Per chevron gules and argent, two crequiers and a mullet counterchanged does not conflict with Per chevron gules and argent, two mullets and a crequier counterchanged. Here, the type of each primary charge has been changed even though the two charge groups contain identical charge types."
If we consider this to be a sheaf (as we are), consisting of three co-primary charges, the corresponding charges are lightning bolt and rapier, sword and trident, and lightning bolt and rapier. Since the type of each corresponding charge has changed, we meet the standard for granting an SC.
If we were to instead consider this instead to be two co-primary charges in saltire with an overall charge, the submission would still be clear of Damales by A5E2, with an SC for the difference between a primary group of lightning bolts vs one of swords.
Artist's note: Please increase the thickness of the charges to improve visibility against the dark field.
Artist's note: Please make the saltire issuant from the bottom corners of the chief, rather than the bottom edge.
Kingdom of the Outlands is the registered name of an SCA branch
Rou is a 16th century French literary name, which can be combined with the late period du Caen found in commentary by Jeanne Marie Noir Licorne.
This device was pended for redraw on the January 2020 LoAR due to insufficient bracing of the mascles; rather than being interlaced, they were simply layered. Wreath staff provided new artwork approved by the submitter.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
- Explicit littera accipiendorum -
This badge is returned for redesign. The wolf is not "overall" as only its hindquarters cross the crescent. Wreath staff attempted to redraw the design so that there was more overlap, but at the point where the wolf was sufficiently overall, all identifying features sat upon the decrescent, obscuring identifiability.
The design suffers from the inherent problem of trying to surmount two compact charges. Upon resubmission, we recommend that the wolf be contained entirely within the crescent, rather than surmounting it. We also highly encourage the kingdom not to use the ululant head posture, which is inherently post-period and would not be blazoned in any case.
(to Æthelmearc acceptances) (to Æthelmearc returns)
This badge is returned for lack of period style. Blazoned in the LoI as A unicorn rampant argent maned and queued barry of 5 gules, Or, vert, azure, and purpure, armed Or, the mane and tail of the unicorn does not have distinct barry tinctures. Instead, both are tinctured in a rainbow gradient, documentation for which was not provided.
Had the mane and tail been depicted with five distinct bars, documentation would still need to be provided for animate charges partially tinctured in a multiply-divided low-contrast set of tinctures. As no documentation was provided, and none could be found, this must be returned.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
None.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns) (to Ansteorra pends)
None.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns) (to Artemisia pends)
None.
(to Atenveldt acceptances) (to Atenveldt returns)
None.
(to Atlantia acceptances) (to Atlantia returns)
This device is returned for conflict with the device of Rober de Saint-Venant, Argent, on a fess cotised vert a horse courant argent. There is one DC for changing the type of tertiary charge. Passant and courant do not have a DC between them.
(to Avacal acceptances) (to Avacal returns)
Following the close of commentary on the Letter of Pend and Discussion, the submitter opted to withdraw both her name and device submissions.
This name and device were pended on the December 2019 Letter of Acceptances and Returns for discussion of whether the name, in combination with the submitted armory, is offensive. During World War II, Falkenau was the site of a sub-camp of the Flossenbürg Concentration Camp. The combination of Falkenau with armory using yellow six-pointed stars raised a number of concerns.
This device is returned for lack of documentation of the horned cap. It somewhat resembles the stereotypical Viking helmet popularized in the 19th and 20th centuries in staged performances of Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelung" opera cycle. There hasn't been a helm of this type submitted in over a decade. Per SENA A2A, charges that haven't been documented in over ten years must be re-documented.
(to Caid acceptances) (to Caid returns)
This name must be returned because it presumes on the real world Order of the Black Eagle, the highest order awarded by the Kingdom of Prussia and later the German Empire. Like the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Black Eagle was awarded to members of the Royal House of Hohenzollern, foreign royalty, and prominent non-royal Germans. In addition to every King of Prussia and German Emperor between 1701 and 1918, other famous recipients include Otto von Bismarck, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Kaiserin Victoria.
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 the only difference between this household name and the name of the real-world order is the designator, the reference to the real-world order is unmistakable.
This badge is returned for conflict with the arms of Prussia (important non-SCA arms), Argent, an eagle displayed sable crowned Or, and with the arms of Manfred, King of Sicily (important non-SCA arms), Argent, an eagle displayed sable. In both cases there is one DC for the addition of the secondary charge issuant from base. The number of heads, and the crown in Prussia's case, count for no difference.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns) (to Calontir pends)
None.
(to Drachenwald acceptances) (to Drachenwald returns)
None.
(to Ealdormere acceptances) (to Ealdormere returns)
This item is returned for conflict with the badge of the Barony of the Flame, for their Order of the Flamberge (reg. Oct 1994 via the Middle), (Fieldless) A flamberge gules, hilted and the blade enflamed Or. While the barony's badge only has flames around the blade, the hilt shares the same tincture and looks little more than a continuation of the flames. As such, there is only a DC for the field, and none for the difference between a gold flame charged with a red sword, and a red sword with gold hilt and gold flames.
(to East acceptances) (to East returns)
None.
(to Lochac acceptances) (to Lochac returns)
None.
(to Meridies acceptances) (to Meridies returns)
None.
(to Middle acceptances) (to Middle returns)
None.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
None.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
- Explicit littera renuntiationum -
This device is pended for redraw due to the modern depiction of the clouds, which was disallowed in the July 2016 LoAR which stated "This device is returned for violating SENA A2C1 which states that "Elements must be drawn in their period forms". Here, the cloud is not drawn in a period heraldic form, which precedent states is grounds for return." Wreath staff has redrawn the artwork and sent it to the submitter for approval.
Commenters asked whether the natural rainbow, being a heraldic charge with a complexity count of at least seven (usually eight, if the clouds are argent or sable), in combination with another charge, runs the submission afoul of SENA A3E2. In the August 2008 registration of the device of Phillida Parker, Per fess wavy argent and Or, a natural rainbow proper clouded azure and three fir trees couped vert, it was ruled:
This submission includes indigo as one of the rainbow's tinctures. This matches the description of a natural rainbow proper provided by Laurel when one of Phillida's previous submissions was returned, in December 2002, and the description listed in the Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry. This contradicts the definition in the Glossary of Terms, which omits indigo following precedent from the tenure of Wilhelm von Schlüssel as Laurel. Given the inability of most people to see indigo, the use or omission of indigo in natural rainbows will be considered a matter of artistic license.
While the device has a complexity count of ten (argent, gules, orange, Or, azure, indigo, vert, purpure, rainbow, tree), which is greater than our guideline of eight, natural rainbows proper by themselves already have a complexity count of eight or nine, depending on the inclusion of indigo (either six or seven colors for the arch, argent clouds, and the rainbow as a type). If some additional complexity was not acceptable, natural rainbows by themselves on a field would be entirely unregisterable. Since natural rainbows always have this large complexity count, a complexity count of two greater than that of the rainbow by itself will be considered acceptable. Higher complexity counts may be registerable on a case by case basis.
The rainbow is a period charge, and the tincture of a rainbow proper varies depending on whether the rainbow appears on a color or metal background. Therefore we have no reason to overturn the 2008 policy at this time.
Furthermore, the tincture pattern of a natural rainbow was known in period, being a naturally observed phenomenon that was depicted in period art. As we have no other examples of maintaining a step from period practice for use of a tincture of a period heraldic charge, and as the natural rainbow would have been known to period artists, we explicitly overturn prior precedent. A natural rainbow no longer carries a step from period practice.
This was item 14 on the An Tir letter of February 14, 2020.
(to An Tir acceptances) (to An Tir returns) (to An Tir pends)
This device is pended for redraw due to the wolves' teeth being depicted with space between them where they issue from the edge of the field, as opposed to period depictions which invariably depict them connected. Wreath staff has redrawn the artwork and sent it to the submitter for approval.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a natural tiger.
This was item 4 on the Ansteorra letter of February 29, 2020.
This device is pended for redraw due to the wings needing to be larger to be considered half the charge. Wreath staff has redrawn the artwork and sent it to the submitter for approval.
This was item 9 on the Ansteorra letter of February 29, 2020.
This badge is pended to discuss whether the combination of a white dragon and a black othala rune is problematic enough to merit a return for offense.
The black othala rune was used to replace the swastika in the logo of the National Socialist Movement prior to the notorious 2017 Charlottesville march, where the sigil gained immense prominence. The rune has a history of Nazi use, including the divisional insignia of two Waffen SS divisions during World War II. The symbol is discussed in the Anti-Defamation League's database of symbols, along with the caveat: "However, because it is part of the runic alphabet, the symbol can also be found in non-extremist contexts as well, especially runic writing and runestones used by non-racist pagans. Consequently, care should be taken to evaluate the symbol in the context in which it appears." - https://www.adl.org/education/references/hate-symbols/othala-rune
The white dragon has likewise been used in recent rebranding of white supremacist organizations in both the United States and (more prominently) England. In addition, the second-highest rank in the Ku Klux Klan is the "Grand Dragon."
Finally, the use of black and white is evocative of the Nazi color scheme of black, white, and red.
Some commenters made these observations, which were discussed at the Wreath meeting and brought up again during proofing. Given the ever-increasing sensitivity to use of hate symbols, we feel it wise to pend this badge for further discussion.
This was item 16 on the Ansteorra letter of February 29, 2020.
(to Ansteorra acceptances) (to Ansteorra returns) (to Ansteorra pends)
The given name Hemaka is dated to the Egyptian 1st Dynasty or somewhere between the 34th and the 30th centuries B.C.E. Precedent permits the registration of Egyptian names dated to the 7th century B.C.E. or later. [Sneferu sa Djedi mewetif Merit. Alternate name Aa-ef-en-moet of Artemisia, 3/2018 LoAR, A-Artemisia] The 7th century B.C.E. was the earliest time period when close cultural contact between Egypt and Western Europe could be established. [Id.]
The submitter argues that precedent should be overturned based on the October 19, 2019 revision to the Glossary of the Society's Organizational Handbook, which removed the words "Western Europe" and redefined "Period" as follows:
The era used by the Society as the base for its re-creation activities. The Society is based on the life and culture of the landed nobility of pre-17th Century history, focusing on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Therefore, the submitter argues, a showing of close cultural contact with Western Europe is no longer necessary to register names from a time period or culture outside Western Europe.
Despite the change to the Glossary, other sections of the Organizational Handbook remain unchanged. For example, the section entitled "A Brief Introduction to the Society for Creative Anachronism" states:
The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA, Society is a 501(c)3 Educational Not-for-Profit organization devoted to the study of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Most of its activities take place in the context of a social structure adapted from the forms of the European Middle Ages, which allows participants to take a first-hand look at various aspects of the life, culture and technology of the times under study.
As a living history group, the Society provides an environment in which members can recreate various aspects of the culture and technology of the period, as well as doing more traditional historical research.
We sponsor events such as tournaments and feasts where members dress in clothing styles worn in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and participate in activities based on the civil and martial skills of the period. These activities recreate aspects of the life and culture of the landed nobility in Europe prior to 1600CE. The dress, pastimes, and above all the chivalric ideals of the period serve to unify our events and activities.
For Society members, most of the world, and all of the centuries prior to the 17th, can serve as a source for personal research. However, the further you go from the core of Medieval and Renaissance Europe, the less the environment we offer will resemble what someone of your time and country would find natural or homelike. For example, you can be an Asian or African guest at a European court, but you cannot expect others to share your special interests - like any long-term visitor in a foreign land, you are the one who will have to adapt to the customs you find around you. (emphasis added)
We cannot resolve this contradiction without input from the Board. Nor do we feel authorized to remove the requirement of cultural contact with Western Europe without a clearer statement of the Board's intent.
Therefore, we are pending this name while we seek clearer guidance from the Board of Directors.
This was item 4 on the Artemisia letter of February 27, 2020.
(to Artemisia acceptances) (to Artemisia returns) (to Artemisia pends)
This badge is pended for redraw due to the modern depiction of a drop spindle. Wreath staff has redrawn the artwork and sent it to the submitter for approval.
This was item 2 on the Calontir letter of February 7, 2020.
(to Calontir acceptances) (to Calontir returns) (to Calontir pends)
This name is pended to discuss whether there is a relationship conflict with the registered Decimus Furius Maximus. PN3D states:
To be clear of relationship conflict, the submitted name must not unmistakably imply close relationship with a protected person. This includes, but is not limited to, a claim to be the parent, child, or spouse of a protected person. An unmistakable implication generally requires the use of the entirety of a protected name.
However, in this case, as noted by Alisoun Metron Ariston, the standard feminine Roman name structure does not include the father's praenomen. A daughter of Decimus Furius Maximus would be known only as Furia Maxima, not Decima Furia Maxima. Therefore, we are pending for a discussion of how PN3D should apply to Roman feminine names as well as names from any other culture/language where a unmistakable implication of relationship exists even if the parent's full name is not used.
This was item 4 on the Northshield letter of February 25, 2020.
(to Northshield acceptances) (to Northshield returns) (to Northshield pends)
This item is pended for redraw of the urdy field division and for depiction of the fretty portion of the design. Wreath staff has redrawn the artwork and sent it to the submitter for approval.
This was item 5 on the Outlands letter of February 28, 2020.
(to Outlands acceptances) (to Outlands returns) (to Outlands pends)
- Explicit -
Created at 2020-07-24T18:05:34