Society for Creative Anachronism
College of Arms
For the January 2025 meetings, printed March 1, 2025
To all the College of Arms and all others who may read this missive, from Birgitta Laurel, Sara Pelican, and Iago Wreath, greetings.
The alternate titles proposed on Palimpsest's October 31st Rules Letter for various languages of the Indian sub-continent are accepted. There are a few changes from the proposal for alternate titles for Persian - Delhi Sultanate (1206 CE - 1526 CE):
The use of Khan (masculine) and Khatum (feminine) is appropriate for Royal peers (Viscounty and Duchy) as well as members of the peerage orders.
Malik (masculine) and Malikka (feminine) are appropriate titles and forms of address for coronets (territorial and heirs) and baronage (territorial and court).
Naib-i-mulk (masculine) and Naiba-i-mulk (feminine) are alternate titles appropriate for both coronets and baronage. The forms Naib-i-mulk <barony/territory name> and Naiba-i-mulk <barony/territory name> are appropriate for territorial baronage and territorial coronets.
We wish to thank Sara al-Garnatiyya for the research leading to the addition of these titles. Her article "Titles of Nobility in the pre-1650 CE Indian Sub-Continent", with much more information, is available at https://sarasartsandsciences.wordpress.com/2024/06/16/titles-of-nobility-in-the-pre-1650-ce-indian-subcontinent/.
There have been some cases in recent months where Letters of Intent were dated significantly earlier than when they were finalised. In pre-OSCAR days, a letter could indeed be postmarked up to a week after its nominal date, but those days are long past.
We remind everyone that according to section V.B.2.g of the Administrative Handbook, a Letter of Intent should be dated for the day when it is finalised in OSCAR. At the same time, we acknowledge that a kingdom may have a legitimate need to submit more than one letter at the same time, and in such cases it is possible to date one of them for the previous day. However, the Administrative Handbook is explicit in that a letter will only be treated as having been submitted on a particular month if it is finalised no later than the first day of the next month, and it is worth noting that when an exception to this restriction was made for the February 2, 2015 Laurel LoI, Andrewe Laurel did not act by himself but had direction and permission from the Board of Directors.
In June 2013, Gabriel Laurel ruled that heralds' titles registered by Society branches could not be transferred to individuals. The reason for this was related to the non-profit status of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. that made it impossible to use SCA funds for gifts.
Having discussed this with the Corporate Treasurer of the SCA, Inc., it appears that the legalities are not quite this strict, and in any case would not apply to branches operating under one of the affiliate organisations. Heraldic titles are an aspect of heraldic offices in the Society and personal ones are only allowed for Heralds Extraordinary, a rank in the College of Arms that is given to a person who has already shown a high competence as a herald. Furthermore, keeping in line with old traditions an existing title should only be attached to this rank if it has been consistently used by the person receiving it, which would mean they had started using it while being duly rostered and in office. In such cases, an existing title may be permanently transferred without any extra fee to the person who has attained the rank of Herald Extraordinary.
In recent months there have been several submissions listed as requests for reconsideration where commenters questioned if they were actually name changes instead. We are taking this opportunity to clarify what qualifies as a request for consideration.
The Administrative Handbook IV.F states that "A submitter may request reconsideration of changes made as a result of a request for authenticity or for registerability in a name submission." If a name was not changed by either kingdom or Laurel, it is not a request for reconsideration (except as noted below). If the name was changed, a request for consideration must either be for the name as originally submitted, with new evidence showing that it met the request for authenticity or was registerable as submitted, or a request the original name be considered without considering the original request for authenticity. The request for reconsideration may also be a request to change the name based on information provided in either the kingdom or Pelican decision. For example, if the decision stated that either Smith or Smyth would be registerable and the name was changed to (and registered) as Anna Smith, the submitter could submit a request to reconsideration to Anna Smyth but not to Anna Smithson.
Additionally, if Pelican offers the submitter options and says that they may make a request for reconsideration if they prefer one of those options, a timely submission to one of those options is considered a request for reconsideration, even if the name hadn't been changed from the originally submitted name.
Finally, if the submitter wishes to retain the already-registered version of the name, this is a new submission, not a request for reconsideration.
There may be other situations where a request for reconsideration is warranted. Submission Heralds are advised to reach out to Pelican for clarifications when needed.
This month, we had a submission where the submitter included non-ASCII characters on the "Name Being Registered" line of the submission form. We do not register non-ASCII characters, and including such on the "Name Being Registered" line is an impediment to registration. The "Name being submitted" or "Society Name" fields should show what the submitter wishes to be registered. Glosses and clarifications should be included in the name documentation section.
In accepting the proposed Japanese alternate titles last month we noted that the form of address for an AoA or GoA was [Kakka]. That was incorrect. The correct forms of address are either [-sama] or [-dono]. The List of Alternate Titles (https://heraldry.sca.org/titles.html#Japanese) has already been corrected to show these forms of address. We apologize for any confusion this caused.
The March 2020 Cover Letter established the current state of flower conflicts by establishing different categories of flowers that all have SCs between them. Within the category of "few-petaled flowers", this decision noted that there is no difference for type between flowers in this category. It also noted that current precedent on foils was unchanged by this decision, noting that there is difference between a trefoil and a cinquefoil.
In March of 2023, we explicitly granted difference between a trillium and a rose, despite both being "few-petaled". This decision aligns with the difference granted between trefoils and cinquefoils, but not with the declaration that there is no difference between few-petaled flowers.
Making a distinction between how we treat roses and how we treat cinquefoils is not supported by precedent, nor even by the March 2020 Cover Letter, which notes, "We have too many examples of arms variously recorded with roses, cinquefoils, or sexfoils to not consider them as pretty much interchangeable in period British heraldry." Other precedent also notes that heraldic roses could have four, five, or six petals [03/2012 CL], and that "Quatrefoils did not seem to have a separate existence in period armory [...] There is some scant evidence they may have been considered interchangeable with cinquefoils." [Leoba of Lecelad, 12/2013, R-Lochac]
Based on all of this precedent and evidence, we rule as follows:
Foils are treated the same as flowers with the same number of petals.
Though there is no SC for type between few-petaled flowers affronty, in some cases there may be a DC for type.
There is generally a DC for type between few-petaled flowers affronty with three petals and those with four or more, though there may be exceptions to this for flowers with outlines that blur the distinction (for example, depending on how they are arranged, a flower with three heart-shaped petals may more closely resemble a six-petaled flower).
Flowers with four, five, or six petals all conflict with each other.
We direct Palimpsest to update SENA Appendix M1i with this information.
When pennons are independent charges, by default they are attached to a pole and stream to dexter. The pole need not be blazoned unless it is a different tincture than the pennon. When attached to other charges such as ships and pageant wagons they are considered blazonable artistic details that do not contribute to difference and the direction that they stream need not be blazoned. Palimpsest is directed to update the Glossary of Terms Table 5 with this information.
Dolphins, both heraldic and natural, are naiant to dexter by default. Heraldic dolphins are usually embowed counter-embowed, though they are sometimes depicted simply as embowed. Natural dolphins are usually depicted as embowed, but likewise may be shown as embowed counter-embowed. No difference is granted between naiant, naiant embowed, and naiant embowed counter-embowed. The fact that the dolphin is embowed or embowed counter-embowed is generally not blazoned. Some older blazons use embowed or embowed to sinister; this is equivalent to naiant (or naiant to sinister).
We are defining proper for a tambourine as "argent skin, brown wooden frame; the tincture of the jingles/zills is an optionally blazoned artistic detail. It takes its tincture from the skin." The default orientation is fesswise, as if lying flat on a table. It is shown with a slight trian aspect so you see the front portion of the frame as well as the skin. Palimpsest is directed to update the Glossary of Terms Table 4 and Table 5 with this information.
There are several types of dragons in the SCA which the O&A currently classifies as DRAGON:t1. These are:
Dragon - the default dragon; it has four legs and wings. It is segreant (or rampant) to dexter by default.
Dun dragon - an invented charge resembling a two-horned dinosaur. For conflict purposes it is considered a wingless dragon and has a DC from the default (winged) dragon. A Dun dragon is no longer registerable.
East Asian dragon - this dragon has four legs but lacks wings. It is passant to dexter by default. An East Asian dragon has a DC from the default dragon for the removal of the wings. It is granted no difference from a wingless dragon.
Chinese Dragon - for conflict purposes this is an East Asian dragon. No difference is granted between types of East Asian dragons.
Japanese Dragon - for conflict purposes this is an East Asian dragon. No difference is granted between types of East Asian dragons.
Lion-Dragon - a period heraldic charge; it is a chimerical monster with the forequarters of a lion and the body and tail of a wyvern. It lacks wings and has two legs. It is sejant to dexter by default. However, as with a wyvern, this posture is granted no difference from statant as the two emblazons are interchangeable. There is a DC between the default dragon and a lion-dragon. We decline to rule at this time on the difference (if any) between a lion-dragon and an East Asian dragon.
Palimpsest is directed to updated SENA Appendix M and the Glossary of Terms with this information.
Palimpsest's October 30th Rules Letter looked at charges beginning with the letters D, E, and F. A number of these charges have been blazoned as if there were a default posture or orientation even if that orientation wasn't specified in the Glossary of Terms. Other defaults were specified but no precedent actually ruled that those were the defaults. Finally, we are modifying the defaults for some charges. All of these charges will cite this Cover Letter as the reference for the default. The affected charges are:
Dice - In trian aspect, showing three of the sides with one square face forward. Dice may be shown as delfs with spots. This is an unblazoned, artistic variation and no difference is granted between the depictions.
Drum - Palewise, head to chief
Eel - Fesswise wavy
Escallop - Hinge to chief
Fan - Open or spread with the handle to base and the wide part to chief
Fasces - Palewise, axe head to chief. The direction the blade faces is an optionally blazonable detail that does not contribute to difference. A fasces blazoned as reversed has its blade to sinister.
Feather - Palewise, quill point to base (when fesswise, quill point is to dexter)
Fetterlock - Bolt to base, closed. No difference is granted between an open and closed fetterlock.
Fish - Most fish are naiant (fesswise and straight), seen in profile by default. Flat fish such as chabots, skates and rays are tergiant palewise by default.
Flesh-hook - Palewise, tines to chief
Fork - Palewise, tines to chief
Fruit - Generally, those that hang from a stem (e.g., apples) have the stem to chief; those that grow from the ground (e.g., artichokes) have the stem to base. See specific fruits for exceptions.
Furison - Fesswise, flat edge (steel) to base
Hazelnut - Palewise, stem to base
Winnowing Fan - Handles to chief, the wide part to base.
Based on existing precedent, a few charges are added to the table (with the relevant reference). In addition to these changes, a number of cross-references are added. For other charges, references to existing precedents are added as proposed by Palimpsest. The updated table will be available at https://heraldry.sca.org/coagloss.html#default within a few days. Armory will be reblazoned as necessary over the next few months.
As part of the updates to the Glossary of Terms Table 5, Conventional SCA Default Postures and Orientations, we looked at registered demi-creatures. A default had not previously been listed in the table. We are declaring the following defaults:
Demi-Beast - couped, erect to dexter; if the full beast defaults to affronty (e.g., bats and eagles), the demi-beast also defaults to affronty.
Demi-Human - couped, erect affronty.
Demi-Monster - couped, erect to dexter; if the full monster (e.g. humanoid monsters) defaults to affronty, the demi-monster also defaults to affronty.
Older blazons may use the term rampant (or combattant when there are two of them) or salient, which are equivalent to erect for demi-beasts and demi-monsters. Similarly, the term passant can be found in older blazons, which is equivalent to fesswise. We will not be reblazoning these items at this time. Most registered demi-creatures follow these defaults. The ones that don't have been reblazoned on this LoAR.
The updated table will be available at https://heraldry.sca.org/coagloss.html#default within a few days.
On February 8th 2025 at Candlemas, Queen Balisencia of Gleann Abhann presented Neave inghean ui Fhathaigh, Thunder Pursuviant, with an Order of the Garnet Chalice. This is Gleann Abhann's premier award for heralds.
Please send information about happenings to major heralds and major happenings to all heralds to Laurel, so that it can be published here.
Letters of Intent, Comment, Response, Correction, et cetera are to be posted to the OSCAR online system. No paper copies need be sent. All submission forms plus documentation, including petitions, must be uploaded to the OSCAR packet for that letter. For armory, only colored forms are required.
Cheques or money orders for submissions, payable to "SCA Inc.-College of Arms" are to be sent to Trent Le Clair, 928 Frazier Dr, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Send roster changes and corrections to Laurel. College of Arms members may also request a copy of the current roster from Laurel.
To subscribe to the mailings of the LoAR, please see the bottom of https://heraldry.sca.org/heraldry/lists.html#lists for more instructions.
For all administrative matters, please contact Laurel.
Items listed below in square brackets have not been scheduled yet. For information about future scheduling, please review the status table located on the Web at https://oscar.sca.org/index.php?action=137.
The January Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, January 12, 2025. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Ealdormere (01 Oct, 2024), Calontir (03 Oct, 2024), Laurel LoPaD (03 Oct, 2024), Meridies (10 Oct, 2024), An Tir (11 Oct, 2024), Gleann Abhann (13 Oct, 2024), Artemisia (17 Oct, 2024), Ansteorra (28 Oct, 2024), Ealdormere (28 Oct, 2024), Lochac (29 Oct, 2024), Atenveldt (30 Oct, 2024), Drachenwald (30 Oct, 2024), Outlands (30 Oct, 2024), Palimpsest Rules Letter (30 Oct, 2024), Ęthelmearc (31 Oct, 2024), East (31 Oct, 2024), Middle (31 Oct, 2024), Palimpsest Rules Letter (31 Oct, 2024), Trimaris (31 Oct, 2024), Laurel LoPfR (26 Nov, 2024). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
The February Laurel decisions were made at the Pelican meeting held on Sunday, February 9, 2025 and the Wreath meeting held on Sunday, February 16, 2025. These meetings considered the following letters of intent: Calontir (03 Nov, 2024), An Tir (04 Nov, 2024), Atlantia (04 Nov, 2024), Gleann Abhann (10 Nov, 2024), Caid (11 Nov, 2024), West (11 Nov, 2024), Meridies (14 Nov, 2024), An Tir (18 Nov, 2024), An Tir (19 Nov, 2024), Ęthelmearc (25 Nov, 2024), Outlands (26 Nov, 2024), Avacal (27 Nov, 2024), Middle (27 Nov, 2024), Atenveldt (29 Nov, 2024), Ealdormere (29 Nov, 2024), Laurel LoPaD (29 Nov, 2024), Ansteorra (30 Nov, 2024), Caid (30 Nov, 2024), Drachenwald (30 Nov, 2024), East (30 Nov, 2024), Laurel (30 Nov, 2024), Lochac (30 Nov, 2024), Middle (30 Nov, 2024), Palimpsest Rules Letter (30 Nov, 2024), Laurel LoPfR (13 Jan, 2025). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should have been entered into OSCAR by Friday, January 31, 2025.
The March Laurel decisions will be made at the Pelican meeting held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 and the Wreath meeting held on Saturday, March 8, 2025. These meetings will consider the following letters of intent: Atlantia (30 Nov, 2024) (pushed due to too many items), Palimpsest Rules Letter (02 Dec, 2024), Calontir (06 Dec, 2024), Northshield (09 Dec, 2024), Laurel (10 Dec, 2024), Meridies (10 Dec, 2024), Artemisia (14 Dec, 2024), Northshield (16 Dec, 2024), Ęthelmearc (21 Dec, 2024), Avacal (21 Dec, 2024), East (27 Dec, 2024), Palimpsest Rules Letter (29 Dec, 2024), Ansteorra (31 Dec, 2024), Atenveldt (31 Dec, 2024), Drachenwald (31 Dec, 2024), Ealdormere (31 Dec, 2024), Gleann Abhann (31 Dec, 2024), Lochac (31 Dec, 2024), Middle (31 Dec, 2024), Laurel LoPfR (09 Feb, 2025). All commentary, responses, and rebuttals should be entered into OSCAR by Friday, February 28, 2025.
Not all letters of intent may be considered when they are originally scheduled on this cover letter. The date of posting of the LoI, date of receipt of the Laurel packet, or other factors may delay consideration of certain letters of intent. Additionally, some letters of intent received may not have been scheduled because the administrative requirements (receipt of the forms packet, receipt of the necessary fees, et cetera) have not yet been met.
REMINDER: Until all administrative requirements are met, the letter may not be scheduled.
Be assured that I remain
In service
Birgitta Lulli
Laurel Queen of Arms
Created at 2025-03-01T07:37:14