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(11:05 am to 3:26 pm)
The September 2018 meeting was held in San Leandro, CA.
ATTENDEES:Aasa Thorvaldsdottir, Vesper; Edith of Swanesdale, Matins; Alizan dela Fontaine, Compline; Krysta of Starfall, Green Crown; Hirsch von Henford, Golem; Astrið of Swanesvale, Latimer; Kean de Lacy, Seawolf; Gwenhwyfaer ferch Gwilym, PaL/Archivist; Frederick of Holland, PaL; eilis o'boirne, PaL; Hannah Storyteller, PE; Safiya bint Zakariya al-Tayyib, PE; Faun Woods, Cornet; Domamir Vlatko Syn; Kim Sykes; Valicinia of the Mists.
In remote attendance: Finna kottr Goðormsdóttir, Rivenoak Cornet; Raev Kolfinsson, PE.
COLLEGE OF HERALDS MEETINGS
Heralds' Meetings for 2018: November 18, and January 6, 2019 (Sunday of Twelfth Night).
Heralds' Meetings for 2019: March 10, May 19, July 21, September 15, and November 17.
Meetings usually begin at 11:00 AM and will be held at Green Crown's home unless
otherwise noted.
The DEADLINES for submission forms and documentation are: November 7, and December 19. For 2019: 2019: February 27, May 8, July 10, September 4, and November 6. Submission forms must be complete, and received either via EMAIL or hardcopy by the deadline date at midnight to be considered at the next meeting (which is about 11 days later, except December due to holidays and the roadshow meeting prep time needed). If the forms are EMAILED, then payment must arrive by the meeting day. WALK-IN submissions will only be considered if there is time, but in most cases will be delayed until the next meeting so that each submission can be reviewed fully.
REPORTS
Vesper (Aasa): Compline (Alizon): Roster Letters went out! Thank you to Hirsch, the Heralds Roster is now up and running online. September letter to Laurel went out, including an announcement of an award earned by one the College's Heralds, which are noted in the Cover Letters of the LoARs.
Seawolf (Kean): There was a Coronet: he wasn't there, but Domamir and others did a wonderful job. Special thanks to Anne Fitz Richard, who ran the field heralds. Courts happened and were audible.
Sable Swan (Caoilinn): She is in the process of making new bags for the travel books and two new tabards, as the old green tabards were retired. Her current Royals are awesome at drafting new court heralds and walking them through the court process, which means all Court Reports are current and there are possible new Heralds! She plans to post at the end of October searching for deputies and successors in the hopes of having several trainees in place when she is ready to select a successor and step down. Coronet is coming, and Sable Swan loves her job!
Stellanordica (Rodrigo): He is pleased to report that Sapphira the Navigator continues her work training to be his replacement. All baronial heralds sent in reports showing that their baronies are up and running and supporting the heraldic arts. This support includes: the submission of a variety of names and armory for registration, including those for an emerging Canton, the training and support of new heralds, and the dedication of the current heraldic team to both their populace and the West. Finally, Rodrigo requests communication from the College on whom he is to work with on the Oerthan Ceremony book, as he has many items ready for update. (This is Banner, or her Deputy, Eilis, who will be back up North soon.)
Exchequer (Flieg): Flieg is stepping in as Exchequer, with warrant signed as of Mists Coronet. Many thanks to Angus for his service.
Matins (Edith): Matins is pleased to share that two separate individuals have approached her expressing interest in learning more about the process and requirements of this position. She may soon have a Deputy/Successor to announce!
Submissions continue to pour in and get processed, and she even already has submissions in for the November meeting. Results as found on LoARs are being communicated swiftly to all submitters. Please, as you work with clients, continue to express both the current requirements around name documentation and the general function of the submissions process as a whole.
Green Crown (Krysta): Communicating with Vesper and Compline about the various Senior Heraldic Deputies and if any of these will change. These discussions are on-going.
Banner (Anne): Emergency Deputy: Eilis: Court is happening. All the books have been located and the book that lives with the awards box is in Their Majesties hands. She currently has Heralds Point, as it was not picked up at Coronet. She has the Friday before Crown off and will bring it to Quincy for Crown unless it is needed for GWW.
Baldric (Lucius): <no report received>
Brachet (Cynehild): <no report received>
Greencloak (Mercy): Deputies: Elinora, Safiya: <no report received>
Latimer (Astrið): Consultation Table happened at Mists Coronet, and quite a few people came out and consulted. She plans to take Table to October Crown, but not to Cynaguan Fall Coronet. (Gwyn volunteers to take Table to Cynaguan Fall Coronet.)
Golem (Hirsch): Heralds Roster is online, as Aasa mentioned. He did find some issues with characters, so he ended up converting the database to UTF8. There may be more changes as he works with Vesper on how the names are listed and searched.
Awards List is working, reports are coming in. The court reports are coming in with fewer corrections required.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / Other Business
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTSFacebook Page: The West Kingdom Heralds' have their own page on Facebook, announcements, help with consultation, and more are often done there:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/302970543102065/
MAILING LIST: The West Kingdom College of Heralds has a mailing list for internal communication. NOTE that we are only using this for announcements and we may eventually phase it out. Any herald is welcome to join by request. To join the list, please subscribe at wkheralds-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
There are also individual mailing lists on Yahoo for the Principalities, but the traffic has gone to announcements only, and again these may be phased out in preference to the Facebook page noted above. Details can be found at the bottom of this page: I Need to Contact a Kingdom or Principality Herald
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES: Many interesting heraldic links can be found through the SCA Heraldry web page at http://www.sca.org/heraldry, including the Laurel home page, the on-line Armorial and Ordinary (with search capabilities) and The Academy of St. Gabriel (an onomastic and heraldic consultation service). The West Kingdom Heraldry site and the West Kingdom Awards List can be accessed through the West Kingdom site, http://www.westkingdom.org. Heraldic queries may also be addressed to Vesper at herald@westkingdom.org -- answers may take a few days.
BRACHET MEETINGS
Contact brachet@heralds.westkingdom.org for external commenting participation. A central Cynagua external commenting meeting may begin soon, so watch this space!
EXCERPTS FROM THE LOARS
The cover letters, acceptances and returns for the past can be found at http://heraldry.sca.org/loar/. If you are interested in responding to some of the calls for commentary put out by the Laurel Sovereign of Arms, please be sure to visit the site.June 2018 LoAR (printed August 22, 2018) (West - March 2018 LOI)
Cover Letter
From Pelican: Some Names Resources (An Ongoing Series)
A submission this month asked us to consider the registerability of the cross gurgity. A cross gurgity is a theoretical charge that has no attestion in period use. It was last discussed in the April 2011 LoAR in the device of Alfarr Utherson. Commentary was mixed, with several heralds expressing discomfort with the design as being visually similar to a fylfot. Ultimately, it was registered as a step from period practice.
SENA A7B4 states that "Armorial designs associated with political movements or events that may be offensive to a particular race, religion, or ethnic group will not be registered. Designs identical to those used by or suggestive of groups like the Nazis, the SS, the Ku-Klux Klan, or similar organizations may not be used." The submitter provided documentation of the use by the Nazi Party and modern white supremacists of curved fylfots similar to crosses gurgity. Informal polls of SCA members have shown that the concerns expressed by commenters in 2011 have not faded with time, and in fact have increased with the recent rise in white supremacist activity worldwide.
Given all of these factors, we feel confident that continued registration of this charge would be a detriment to the organization. We therefore rule a cross gurgity a variant of a fylfot, and thus unregisterable in all forms due to offense.
From Wreath: T'ai-Chi and Field Divisions Embowed Counter-Embowed
The January 2018 LoAR included a device that was pended for discussion and research on period European armorial uses of the motif of a roundel per fess embowed counter-embowed argent and sable charged in fess with two roundels counterchanged, known in SCA blazon as a t'ai-chi (also commonly known as a yin-yang symbol). It was found in that pend that "No evidence was presented and none could be found that a t'ai-chi was used in period Asian armory. As a non-European artistic motif, a t'ai-chi is unregisterable under SENA, which means that we must consider it under European armorial standards." Commenters were asked for "examples of the full motif in period European armorial contexts, evidence of embowed counter-embowed as a period complex field division, and discussion on roundels as armorial display."
Only one example of the motif was found, an entry from a 5th century Roman manuscript Notitia Dignitatum of over 400 pages, which had copies made in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the section that depicts some 120 unit insignia, one example is found of a shield divided per pale embowed counter-embowed Or (or vert) and azure, charged with two roundels in pale gules). This single pre-heraldic unit insignia is not sufficient to consider the entire motif as a charge, nor the use of embowed counter-embowed as an appropriate line of division for core heraldry purposes. Barring further documentation, the use of either will be grounds for return.
From Wreath: On Presumption with France
The January 2018 LoAR included a device that was pended for discussion and research on the depictions of France in presumptive arms. In the pend, the College of Arms was asked to find examples in period of Azure, [four/five] fleurs-de-lys Or being used to presume a relationship with France. The College, in turn, turned up depictions of some of the ancient Peers of France using Azure, semy-de-lys interchangeably with Azure, four fleurs-de-lys in their armory, most notably the Dukes of Langres, Reims, Laon, and the Count of Châlons. These Peers use the motif of the Royal Arms of France to show their ties to the Crown, in the same way that the Counts of Noyon and Toulouse, the Duke of Burgundy, and a strong majority of the French Peerage do. The interchangeability between semy and four fleurs for those ancient Peers who had a cross or saltire as their primary charge indicates that four fleurs is a recognized as a motif worthy of protection from presumption.
Also included in the discussion was an example in Sammelband Mehrer Wappenbucher of the arms for the "Roy de napels," or King of Naples/Anjou, Azure, five fleurs-de-lys two one and two Or, a label gules. This is a clear variant of the French arms, as the crest of this device and the arms of France (in this Roll of Arms Azure, three fleurs-de-lys Or), are identical. As this is a variant of the French arms that is distinctly and clearly five fleurs-de-lys, five must be included in the number of fleurs-de-lys considered when reviewing armory for presumption.
To recap, the use of three or more fleurs-de-lys on an azure background in armory is considered presumptuous against the arms of France, and will be returned. We will make sure this is updated in the Glossary of Terms.
West Acceptances - June LoAR
Áfastr Dreki Reginsson. Name and device. Per bend sinister azure and sable, on an anvil reversed argent a mallet azure, in chief four mullets of four points Or.
Axera Coscolano. Name.
Bastian Tornir. Name and device. Argent, a tower and on a point pointed gules a cross couped argent, on a chief gules three mullets argent.
The submitter requested authenticity for Swiss language/culture 1450-1550. This name appears to be authentic for the early 16th century in Switzerland.
Beatrice de Moreby. Badge. Argent, an increscent moon azure maintaining between its horns a mullet of eight points sable.
Beatrix Fuchs. Name.
Bragi Flokason. Name and device. Per bend embattled purpure and argent crusily couped azure, on a flame argent a heart gules.
Questions were raised in commentary about whether the name Bragi was used by real people in addition to being the name of the Norse god of poetry. In fact, at least three human historical figures used the given name Bragi.
Nice 9th-10th century Icelandic name!
Cassiopeia of Alexandria. Name and device. Per pale sable and purpure, two ravens addorsed Or and in chief a crescent argent.
Cassiopeia is the submitter's legal given name.
Claire Cameron. Device. Azure, a phoenix and in chief three bells Or.
This device is not in conflict with the device of Tatiana Ivanovna, Azure, a Russian firebird displayed Or, crested and its six tail-feathers each charged with a heart gules, with one DC for removal of the tertiary charges and another for addition of the secondary charges.
Domamir Vlatko syn. Name and device. Argent, in pall three conies courant conjoined at the hind foot within a bordure vert.
Elisheva bint Sitt al-Sirr. Badge. Vert, on a demi-sun issuant from base Or a tyger passant azure.
Elizabetta Morella Armati Debello. Name and device. Argent, a hummingbird hovering vert winged and tailed azure, on a chief embattled azure a hedgehog argent between two Stars of David Or.
The elements Elizabetta and Morella were documented in the Letter of Intent from Emidio de Felice's Dizionario dei nomi italiani, which provided no dates for either element. We remind heralds and submitters that de Felice is valid documentation only for dated elements in that work. Fortunately, Maridonna Benvenuti and Lillia Crampette were able to document both Morella and Elizabetta to 16th century Italy.
The submitter requested authenticity for 16th century Italian. This request was not summarized on the Letter of Intent. Fortunately, Seraphina Ragged Staff identified the authenticity request during commentary, allowing sufficient time for research.
Although all of the elements are found in the 16th century, they are not all in the same dialect of Italian. The bynames are from Florence and the given name Morella is from Pisa, all of which use the Tuscan dialect. However, the spelling Elizabetta is found in Rome, which uses a different dialect. An authentic Tuscan form of the name would be Elisabetta Morella Armati Debello or Isabetta Morella Armati Debello. If the submitter prefers either of these forms, she may make a request for reconsideration.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a New World hummingbird.
Eukrates of Athens. Name and device. Or, a chevron between two stags rampant addorsed sable and a demi-sun issuant from base vert.
Eva Hundsdotter. Badge. (Fieldless) On a quatrefoil knot argent a dragon couchant vert.
Iriniia Myshkinova. Name and device. Per bend embattled plumetty Or and purpure and argent, in base a peacock's feather bendwise azure.
Submitted as Iriniia Mishnikova, no evidence could be found to support the submitted spelling of the byname. In commentary, ffride wlffsdotter was able to document the Russian byname Myshkinova and the Polish byname Mychnikova. At the submitter's request, we have changed the name to the wholly-Russian Iriniia Myshkinova.
The submitter requested authenticity for 8th-13th century Russian. As changed, the name is authentic for 15th century Russian, but not as early as requested.
Jane Corwin. Alternate name Jane Batman Corwin.
Kharakhan Saran. Name change from Draigen MacConn.
The element Saran was documented on the Letter of Intent from An Introduction to Classical (Literary) Mongolian, 2nd Edition, by Kaare Grenbech and John R. Krueger. However, "classical" Mongolian is generally post-period. Fortunately, Ursula Palimpsest was able to find alternative documentation. The Onomasticon Turcicum s.n. Sarañ cites a Mamluk named Sarañ-{chi}an dated to 1395. In addition, Saran is a 15th century Russian given name found in Wickenden, which is compatible with Mongol name elements.
Questions were raised in commentary whether the constructed name Kharakhan is presumptuous because it uses the element -khan. Ursula Palimpsest noted that the Onomasticon Turcicum s.n. Qara gives multiple examples of non-royal Turkic people from our period named Qara-{chi}an (the way that source transliterates the black + khan name elements). As Turkic and Mongolian naming practices are closely related, we will give the submitter the benefit of the doubt that the Mongolian name Kharakhan also is not a claim of landedness.
The submitter's previous name, Draigen MacConn, is retained as an alternate name.
Lars Kaal. Name.
Submitted as Lars Kalborðar, the name as submitted used a constructed byname intended to mean "cabbage-eater." SENA PN1B2b states:
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. (emphasis added)
We were unable to find the necessary three examples to support Kalborðar. There is only one example of an Old Norse byname in the form food + eater: þorskabítr (cod-biter, cod-eater).
Instead, Scandinavian bynames associating a person with a particular kind of food were simply the names of the foods themselves. Gunnvor Orle provided evidence of Scandinavian men with the bynames kal or kaal, meaning "cabbage." With the submitter's permission, we have changed the name to Lars Kaal_ for registration.
Meash White. Device. Argent, on a chief embattled sable a martlet Or.
Artist's note: Please draw both the chief and the martlet larger.
Mercy Grym. Name change from Aine inghean Tuathail ui Ghallchobhair.
Nice 16th century English name!
The submitter's previous name, Aine inghean Tuathail ui Ghallchobhair, is retained as an alternate name.
Moira of Kent. Badge. Argent, two bars gules and overall a cross of ermine spots sable.
Riquardus zonder Ziele. Name.
Rosamonde Aurelia Ravensee. Name and device. Argent, a schnecke issuant from base sable and in chief three bees azure.
There is a step from period practice for the use of a schnecke with other charges directly on the field.
Selviergard, Shire of. Badge. Per fess wavy gules and barry wavy argent and sable, in chief a sailless drakkar Or.
Sigrun bjarnylr. Name (see RETURNS for device).
Originally submitted as Sigrun bjarnylr, the byname was changed at Kingdom to bjarnyl_, removing terminal r, on the mistaken belief that this change was required because the given name is feminine. However, this the byname is a noun, which need not be changed to match the gender of the given name. Further, as Gunnvor Orle noted in commentary, "The byname <biarnylr> is literally "bear-warmth", for someone supposed to have the body heat of a bear, which is really not a gendered concept, even though the compound is listed as masculine." Accordingly, we have restored the byname to its originally-submitted form for registration.
Treásach þjóðhagi. Device change. Azure, on a bend sinister between two drakkars argent three thistles palewise vert flowered purpure.
The submitter's previous device, Quarterly Or and barry wavy argent and azure, a drakkar purpure, is released.
Violet Fennwycke. Name.
Nice 16th century English name!
Won Cheol. Device. Argent, a wolf rampant regaurdant, on a chief gules a bezant and a plate.
Yang Hyojeon. Device. Per fess engrailed gules and azure, three mermaids in their modesty argent.
West Returns - June LoAR
Hannah Story Teller. Badge. Gules, a cross gurgity argent.
This badge is returned for violation of SENA A7B4, which states that "Armorial designs associated with political movements or events that may be offensive to a particular race, religion, or ethnic group will not be registered. Designs identical to those used by or suggestive of groups like the Nazis, the SS, the Ku-Klux Klan, or similar organizations may not be used."
A cross gurgity is a theoretical charge that has no attestation in period use. It was last discussed in the April 2011 LoAR in the device of Alfarr Utherson. Commentary was mixed, with several heralds expressing discomfort with the design as being visually similar to a fylfot. Ultimately, it was registered as a step from period practice.
The submitter, intending to create a test case whereby the charge is ruled as offensive, provided documentation of the use by the Nazi Party and modern white supremacists of curved fylfots similar to crosses gurgity. Informal polls of SCA members have shown that the concerns expressed by commenters in 2011 have not faded with time, and in fact have increased with the recent rise in white supremacist activity worldwide. Given all these factors, we feel confident that continued registration of this charge would be a detriment to the organization.
We therefore rule a cross gurgity a variant of a fylfot, and thus unregisterable in all forms due to offense.
Kharatai Chinua. Badge. Gules, a wolf rampant sable and in base a sun Or.
The submitter attempted to complete an individually attested pattern for German heraldry. For practices outside of core heraldry, SENA requires that three examples that closely match the pattern be provided, or six examples that bracket the practice. In this submission, the pattern that needed to be documented was a complex sable primary charge with an Or complex secondary charge in base, all on a gules field.
The IAP documented one use of a sable primary charge with a complex outline and an Or secondary charge in base: the arms of Kvefsteiner, Gules, a man sable crowned and maintaining a dagger atop a trimount Or. Three other examples were provided to document sable charges on gules fields, but were not close matches; one was a sable attire on a gules field that was co-primary with a high-contrast charge, another was a pair of human arms that were effectively neutral (sable and argent on a gules field) with no secondary charge, and the third was an argent demi-creature issuant from a sable trimount on a gules field. These were insufficient to document the pattern of a complex sable primary charge with an Or complex secondary charge located in base, all on a gules field.
Apart from the practices outside core heraldry, every element of the design must also be documented, including but not limited to tincture, type, posture, orientation, and arrangement of the charges. For this device, documentation was required for a wolf, a sun, rampant, the arrangement of an animate primary charge with a stand-alone secondary charge arranged in base, and the tinctures gules, sable, and Or.
The first four examples previously mentioned documented the three tinctures, but not the charges or arrangement; as the trimount is a common charge in German heraldry that is usually attached to the primary charge, its use doesn't justify the submitted arrangement. Four other examples were provided, which included a hound, a lion, a mullet of eight points, and a mullet of six points.
Commenters were able to provide examples of wolves and suns from the same German roll of arms that the submitter used, as well as examples of complex-outline sable primary charges on gules fields. However, only one other example was provided of a complex outline sable primary charge with a high-contrast charge in base (also a trimount) on a gules field. No examples were provided demonstrating the arrangement of a single stand-alone secondary charge in base below an animate (or other complex-outline) primary charge. This is not particularly surprising, as such an arrangement is vanishingly rare in period heraldry.
Absent sufficient documentation for the pattern of a sable complex-line primary charge with a stand-alone Or complex-line secondary charge in base, this device must be returned.
Upon resubmission, the submitter and consulting herald should familiarize themselves with SENA A4, and ensure that every aspect of the submission is documented, and to consider variant designs that pull the stand-alone secondary charge out from its current position in base.
Sigrun bjarnylr. Device. Purpure, a winged ounce sejant, dexter forepaw raised, Or within a bordure argent semy of pairs of needles in saltire gules.
This device is returned for redraw. Commenters struggled to identify the tertiary charges as needles, with most guessing that the charges in saltire were simply saltires couped.
Upon resubmission, the submitter should take steps to ensure that the tertiary charges have sufficient space to be identified, perhaps increasing the width of the bordure to assist in this effort.
Waleric von Bredereke and Catriona Morgan. Joint badge. Per pale gules and argent, a sword inverted sable between two lions addorsed counterchanged all between four hearts in saltire counterchanged argent and purpure, a bordure raguly sable.
This badge is returned for lack of documentation of the number and arrangement of the charge groups. SENA A3E1 requires that armory with three or more charge groups on the field must either have the arrangements appear in Appendix J, or otherwise provide documentation for that arrangement of charges. This badge has four charge groups directly on the field: The primary charge is the sword, which is flanked by one secondary charge group, the lions, which are in turn surrounded by a second secondary charge group, the roses, all of which are within the third secondary charge group, the bordure. The closest pattern in Appendix J is "A primary charge group, a secondary charge group around the primary charge group (semy, in orle, or numbered charges), and a peripheral ordinary." This only includes one secondary charge group around the primary charge, not two, and so must be individually documented.
July 2018 LoAR (printed September 29, 2018) (West - April 24 LOI)
Cover Letter
From Wreath: Symbols of Hate
The resurgence of white supremacist organizations and other hate groups has been in the news recently, and the SCA has not been immune to its effects. The use of Norse and Saxon symbols by such groups directly affects both submitters and the College of Arms.
Apart from the designs which are instantly recognizable as offensive (e.g., a swastika or a burning cross) it is nearly impossible to make a ruling on the offensiveness of an armorial motif that is objective, useful for consulting heralds, adaptive to the changing tactics of hate groups, and fair to submitters who have no malicious intent and merely seek to register armory. For this reason, the Laurel office has long been averse to making sweeping rulings on offense, preferring adjudication on a case-by-base basis.
Recently, Laurel and Wreath, with the assistance of Drachenwald's heralds, reviewed several European laws and policies to try to determine a path forward in evaluating armory for offense. Going forward, if a symbol is banned as hate speech in all of its forms in a jurisdiction in which the SCA has a substantial presence, that symbol will be unregisterable in the SCA (the swastika, long banned by Laurel precedent, falls into this category). If a symbol is banned as hate speech in some forms, but is exempted for others (especially heraldry), it will not be disallowed immediately in the SCA; however, it will be scrutinized for context.
This approach is not new. SENA A7B4 specifically states that "Some designs are offensive because of individual charges...Others are offensive only in the overall design." There have been several returns for offense over the decades, most recently in the January 2015 LoAR return of Nikolaus Grünenwaldt's device, Gules, in saltire two cubit arms and on a chief argent three crosses formy sable. In that return, Wreath noted:
In this case, both crosses formy and the red, white, and black color scheme were extensively used in German iconography, including during the Nazi era. These motifs are used today by white supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups in the United States. Additionally, the motif of two white objects (hammers or grenades) crossed in saltire is used in Neo-Nazi iconography, as is a raised white fist, often depicted with a substantial piece of arm, as found in a cubit arm). While any of these motifs is registerable, the combination of them here rises to the point of an offensive potential reference to white supremacist movements.
We continue to support this ruling. At the risk of establishing a "steps from appropriate practice" measure, we advise submitters and consultants alike that, while a single use of an a symbol or motif may be considered inoffensive, the use of more than one potentially offensive symbol in any piece of armory runs the risk of crossing the line into offense. This risk increases exponentially as a design becomes more complex.
As an example, a gules field, a roundel, and a sable charge are each individually inoffensive and innocuous. A plate on a gules field, or a sable charge on a plate might make people a little uncomfortable, depending on context. However, Gules, on a plate [two long charges] in saltire sable is evocative of the flag of the Nazi Party, despite being technically clear by change of the type and number of tertiary charges. Gules, on a plate a wagon wheel sable would likewise be returned for presumption (only one DC from the Nazi party flag) as well as offense.
This brings us to the subject of Celtic crosses and Norse sun crosses. Both symbols have deep spiritual and cultural positive meanings for people around the world, and both are popular motifs in SCA heraldry. However, both have also been used by white supremacist groups for some time now.
The version of the "Celtic" cross used commonly by white supremacists in the U.S. and Europe is a cross couped conjoined to and surmounted by an annulet. As drawn, it resembles a gunsight. This design is among the more popular designs used by white supremacist groups, similar in ubiquity to the swastika. It was previously ruled unregisterable in the SCA in the January 2010 return of Sadb ingen Chonchobair's device, Argent, on a catamount rampant vert a straight-armed Latinate Celtic cross argent on the ground that the Celtic cross as so drawn is undocumentable; we now rule that this rendering of the Celtic cross, both couped and throughout (the latter also being known as a Cross of Coldharbour) is also offensive and unregisterable in any format regardless of documentation. A more comprehensive discussion about appropriate Celtic crosses may be found in the next section of this Cover Letter.
Norse sun crosses are not offensive in their own right. They are used in several cultures throughout the world. However, the Norse sun cross is also a popular motif among white supremacists, sometimes used as a stand-in for a swastika, and so must be considered with care.
In closing, we advise consulting and submissions heralds to speak to submitters if they feel uncomfortable with a particular design. The ultimate decision of offense rests with Laurel. Kingdoms should not return any armory based on their concerns about offensiveness unless there is already a clear precedent on the issue (e.g., a device with a swastika). However, we do a disservice to submitters by not voicing our concerns about a design which may be registerable under current standards but would cause the bearer to lose face or be less trusted for their use of such symbols and motifs.
From Wreath: Celtic Crosses
Celtic crosses are allowed in SCA armory because they are artifacts found in Great Britain and Ireland. However, they have been poorly defined in the past, which has led to a number of different depictions of both equal-armed and Latin Celtic crosses. This loose definition has left submitters vulnerable to depicting non-documentable versions of the Celtic cross, including the "gunsight" version discussed earlier in this Cover Letter. In order to bring our understanding of Celtic crosses into line with period practice and SENA, the charge needs a tighter definition.
Extant examples of stone Celtic crosses have three things in common: wide arms which are straight or slightly tapered, with couped ends; semi-circular cutouts at each of the four angles at which the arms meet in the center; and an annulet that is thinner than the arms, centered on the central axes of the cross, with all four arms of the cross extending beyond the annulet. Artifacts following this pattern are found in both Latinate and equal-armed varieties. This form of Celtic cross will continue to be registerable. Crosses that do not have these three features are not Celtic crosses, and must be documented and defined separately.
The closest version of a Celtic cross yet found in period heraldry are the arms of Moresini, c. 1550: Or, a bend azure, overall a cross throughout interlaced with an annulet argent in Insignia Venetorum nobilium III (IP-Z) (BSB Cod.icon 273, 48r). A similar set of arms borne by Cardinal St. Marie found in the Chronicle of the Council of Constance, 1413, is cited by Bruce Batonvert in the Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry; it differs from Moresini only in that the cross throughout has potent terminals at the edges of the shield. It is from these designs that we get the Cross of Coldharbour (now a banned motif for offense; see earlier in this Cover Letter) and the potent-ended Celtic cross as described in the Pictorial Dictionary. However, the documentable period motif is not a single charge, but two: a cross throughout potent (functioning as an ordinary) interlaced with an annulet. Said motif is registerable, but moving forward it will be blazoned and treated as two separate charges (ordinary and annulet) in the same primary or overall charge group.
 A Celtic cross |
 A cross potent throughout interlaced with an annulet |
From Wreath: Tree Shapes
This month we were asked to consider a device including an alder tree, which was returned for conflict. In discussion it was brought up that an alder tree, per precedent from June 2003, is an elongated shape. Had the submitted tree, which was identified by the shape of its leaves, been elongated, precedent would have allowed for a second DC from trees with a rounder shape. But should there be a difference?
There are four alder trees registered in Society armory. Three are from the 1980s, and one is from 2015. The latest, the device of Sigvaldr Sviðandi, Per pale argent and azure, an alder tree eradicated counterchanged, has three small branches each with three leaves, in a vaguely rounded shape. The device of Thomas Woltaire of Alderwood, Per chevron argent and azure, two Norse one-legged serpents combattant, each nowed in a Stafford knot, and an alder tree counterchanged, has its foliage in a squat triangular shape that fills the space of the lower half of the field division. The device and badge of Ella du Vergne, Gules, fretty and interlaced of eight endorses Or, overall a European Black Alder Tree couped proper. [Alnus glutinus] and Per bend Or and gules, in sinister chief two European black alder trees couped proper. [Alnus glutinous], respectively, both have tall trees with round, amorphous clumps of foliage roughly forming a design that is three times as tall as it is wide. Thus, the description of the alder tree as elongated is only true for half of the registered examples.
There are similar issues for various other kinds of trees registered, whether they were properly depicted as round, elongated, or triangular ("pine tree shape" as it reads in the O&A).
Commenters are therefore asked to give feedback on whether we should continue to grant difference for the types of tree based on their expected shape. All commentary is welcome, but comments that use period depictions of trees in their arguments for or against continuing the policy are especially encouraged.
From Pelican: Gender-neutral titles
The April LoPaD asked for commentary on three possible gender-neutral English titles at the Award of Arms level: Armiger, Gentle, and Noble.
Armiger literally means a person who bears arms. The word was used after names in our period, as in "Garlof Ducheman, Armiger". We approve its use as a title in the form "(Given Name), Armiger" or "(Name), Armiger."
We approve Noble as a title used before a given name, as in "Noble Sampsoun" or "Noble Edwarde".
The majority of commenters opposed restricting use of the word Gentle to Society members of a particular rank. Therefore, we are not protecting that word as a title at this time.
From Pelican: Household names based on a person's full name
Previous precedent stated that the only attested pattern for English household names using a person's full name was House of + given name + last name. [Brigit inghean ui Dhomhnaill. Household name House of Hammer Fall, 11/2014 LoAR, A-East] However, new data has now been found in English and Scots for inn-sign names using a person's full name, including Walter Chepmannis taveroun (1526) and the Eden Berys [Tavern] (1483). Based on this new data, as of the date of publication of this Letter, we hereby expand the 2014 precedent and expressly allow English and Scots household names in the form given name + last name + House. Further, the designators Inn, Tavern or Brewhouse (or any period spellings thereof) can be used instead of House in English or Scots inn-sign names based on a person's full name. Where the person's full name comes before the designator, it should be in the possessive form. This ruling applies only to English and Scots household names; the use of this pattern for household names in other languages must be documented.
West Acceptances - July LoAR
Bjarnarstr{o,}nd, Canton of. Branch name and device. Sable, two bears combatant argent, in base a laurel wreath, on a chief wavy Or a spear sable.
Bjarnarstr{o,}nd is a constructed Old Norse place name from the attested elements Bjarnar- (meaning belonging to Bj{o,}rn or Bjarni) and -str{o,}nd (meaning coast or shore). We thank Gunnvor Orle for providing multiple examples of each element in place names, without which the name could not have been registered.
West Returns - July LoAR
None.
In Service,
Edith of Swanesdale, PaL,
Matins Herald
SUBMISSONS – July (2018)
ITEMS SENT TO LAUREL
The submitter will NOT accept MAJOR changes and cares about the meaning, language and/or culture (none noted) and gender (male) of the name.
Adhemar - from NCS Occitan Townspeople in the 14th Century - Masculine Given Names, by Juliana de Luna (Julia Smith), 'Adhemar' [https://heraldry.sca.org/names/occitan/occitan-given-men.html#alpha].
de Corbie - from NCS An Index to the Given Names in the 1292 Census of Paris, by Lord Colm Dubh 'Aleson de Corbie' [http://heraldry.sca.org/names/paris.html].
- from NCS Names from Lallaing 1384 â€" 1600: Bynames, by Domhnall na Moicheirghe (Donald Campbell) 'de Corbie' 2 entries dd. 1494-1527 [http://heraldry.sca.org/names/lallaing/lallaing_names_bynames.html].
The French name formation <given + locative> is found in SENA Appendix A.
Armory:
Per chevron argent and ermine, a chevron and in chief two ravens sable.
The submitter was previously known by the unregistered Ally of Selviergard.
The submitter cares about the sound, language and/or culture (I desire an Irish name - edit to the information on the form: the submitter desires the submitted given name and byname over the request for an Irish name.)
The name was submitted as 'Alana ni Patryson', but based on the English and Scottish name formation, the West College believes that 'ni' is inappropriate, as 'Patryson' is a Scottish surname ('ni' is used to form patronymic or matronymic Gaelic names from the father/mother's given name) and so removed it from the submitted name.
Alana - from the LoAR of 08/02. 'The name Alana has been found in period by Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn cited (1381) [Robertus Filius Radulf] and [Alana filia eius]. This citation is from Fenwick, Carolyn C, Poll Taxes of 1377, 1379 and 1381, Part 1: Bedfordshire- Licestershire p 112.'
"... taff. An assize, etc., if William de Stubbeley the brother of Thomas de Stubbeley was seised as of fee, etc., of twelve acres of land in Melewys (Millwich) when he died, which Alana (sic) the widow of William de Stubbeley holds. Alana stated that William did not die seised of the land as of fee, and that he held it conjointly with her."
And from: 'Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 16 Edward I', Staffordshire Historical Collections, vol. 6 part 1 (1885), pp. 173-183. [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=52437&strquery=alana] Date accessed: 30 August 2010.
And 292.Alina alias Alana Wake. C. Hen. III. File 15. (7.) from: 'Inquisitions Post Mortem, Henry III, File 15', Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, Volume 1: Henry III (1904), pp. 74-80. [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=108011&strquery=alana] Date accessed: 30 August 2010.
Patryson - from NCS [Black] pg. 649 under the header <Paterson> lists a wide variety of spellings as variants of the Scots form of 'Patrick's son': 'Moving from the Gaelic into English spellings resulted in the typical wide range of surname spellings. By example, William Patrison and John Patonson, a 'gentillmen,' were witnesses in Aberdeen in 1446, Donald Patyrson was admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1494, Robert Patersoun was 'capitane of ane were schip of Dundee' in 1544, Fyndlay Patersoun had a tack of the lands of Owar Elrik from the Abbey of Cupar in 1557, and so on.'
With this wide variety of recorded spellings, we submit that 'Patryson' is a reasonable extrapolation, and that the usage and time-period show that the name was then in use as a surname rather than a patronymic.
The English name formation <given + byname> is found SENA Appendix A and the English and lowland-Scots language combination is acceptable per SENA Appendix C.
Armory:
Per pale wavy argent and azure, a Savoy knot palewise and a unicorn rampant counterchanged.
The submitter will NOT accept MAJOR changes and cares about the meaning (Skegglauss (beardless)), sound (the sound of 'Alric'), and gender (male) of the name.
Alric - from the Domesday Book 'spellings found in Domesday Book: Alric , Alrich, Alricus, Alricvs, Alrist, Elric, Elricus, Ælric, Ælricus' as recorded in:
Feilitzen, The Pre-Conquest Personal Names of Domesday Book, p. 150, under the header <Alric>. One of several spellings listed. The source as cited in the URL: [http://domesday.pase.ac.uk/Domesday?op=5&nameinfo_id=2585].
Skegglauss - from NCS Articles found at http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/names.html (website of Countess Aryanhwy merch Catmael): Viking Bynames found in the Landnámabók by Aryanhwy merch Catmael (Sara L. Uckelman): skegglauss, meaning beardless [http://ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/norse/vikbynames.html].
from NCS Geirr Bassi, pg. 27 'skegglauss'.
The Scandinavian name formation <given + byname> is found in SENA Appendix A and Old English and the Scandinavian languages are compatible per SENA Appendix C.
Armory:
Per saltire sable and gules, in pale a wolf's head couped argent and a dragon's
head couped Or.
The submitter cares about the language and/or culture (Old Norse / Dane circa 900 - 1000 a.d.) and the gender (male) of the name.
Asger - from NCS Academy of St. Gabriel report # 1066 'Asger (A/sgeirr, Esger)' "Most of these are Scandinavian names known to have been used in England or are Anglo-Scandinavian names found in the Danelaw." The forms in parentheses are the normalized Old Norse, Old Swedish, or Old Danish forms. [http://www.panix.com/~gabriel/public-bin/showfinal.cgi?1066+0].
Úlfriksson - formed from 'Úlfrikr', NCS
Academy of St. Gabriel report # 2037 'U/lfrekr' and 'Ulfrik'
[http://www.panix.com/~gabriel/public-bin/showfinal.cgi?2037+0]
- from Nordiskt runnamnslexikon by Lena Peterson pg. 241:
Ulfríkr mn.
Fda. Ulfrik, fvn. Úlfrekr
F.l. à Ulf-, e.l. à -ríkr.
Nom. [ulfrikr] N223$B, [ulf(r)k(r)] N237♱A, wufri(k) BrE14/(se Wulfríc)
Ack. ulfrik Sö280, U241
Beläggen e N223, N237 avser troll. samma person.
Formed to the patronymic by adding '-sson' per NCS [Geirr Bassi] pg. 17 names ending in '-r' are changed to '-s' + '-son', so 'Úlfrikr' becomes 'Úlfriksson'.
The name formation <given + byname> is acceptable for all Scandinavian languages and all English variations per SENA Appendix A. Per SENA, Appendix C, Old English is compatible with Scandinavian languages.
Armory:
Azure, a tree blasted argent and on a chief Or a dragon passant gules.
The submitter will NOT accept ANY changes and does not care about the gender of the name.
The West College requests assistance documenting this name.
We were unable to document the formation of the name 'the Hun' (using the lingua Anglica rule) in such a way that it would be compatible with 'Bleda', and as the submitter listed NO changes, we therefore send it on to see if anyone else is able to provide such documentation.
Bleda - from The World of the Huns by Otto J. Maenchen-Helfen: pg. 387-388 "Bleda Attila's older brother. The Greek sources have Bληδας and Bλιδας, the Latin Bleda.96 The Arian bishop whom Marcian sent as his ambassador to Geiseric, and one of Totila's generals97 had the same name. It is generally agreed that Bleda is Germanic, the short form of a name like OHG Bladardus, Baltgildus, Blatgisus. 98 Bleda of Marcellinus Comes (s.a. 442) appears in Bede's Chronicle in the strange form Blædla.99 The English scribes "corrected" the name; they knew it was Blædla from oral tradition where the name was adapted to Ætla.100"
the Hun - from ?
The <??> name formation <given + ??> is found <??>.
Armory:
Sable, a winged serpent ondoyant contourny Or.
Commentary from the West College was that, as originally depicted, the wings of the serpent disappeared into its body to the point that they were not identifiable. The submitter then provided an alternate depiction, which is the image submitted for registration.
The previously registered Counterermine, a natural tiger's head cabossed Or marked sable, a bordure ermine, registered June 2001 via AEthemearc, is to be released upon registration of this submission.
Sable, a tiger's head cabossed Or marked sable, a bordure embattled ermine.
The previously registered 'Farleigh de Grey' is to be retained as an alternate. The submitter will NOT accept any MAJOR changes and cares about the language and/or culture with a request for AUTHENTICITY for 9th-11th Century Norse.
Originally submitted as 'Freydís Ulfsdottir' (only marking over the 'i' in Freydis), the submitter clarified that she wishes to use the correct accents and diacritical marks across the entire name, and the submission has been adjusted accordingly.
Freydís - Freydís: found in Eiríks saga rauða [p.24 of the volume published in 1926 by Benedikt Sveinsson, available at [https://archive.org/details/8SSUP19085-34-NOR/page/n11].
- from The Viking Answer Lady under Names:
Freydís, Frøydís
The first element Frey- or Frøy- derives from Primitive Scandinavian *fraujaR "lord". As with other words in the Scandinavian languages this word became a god's name (OW.Norse Freyr; Old Danish, Old Swedish Frø), the name first element Frey- or Frøy- means in part "lord", but also signifies the god. The OW.Norse form of this name is Freydís. Found in a runic inscription in the nominative form frau×tis. The name Freydís is found in Eiríks saga rauða, c. late 1100's, and in Grænlendinga saga (1382-1395) for the daughter of Eiríkr rauðr. Freydís was memorable, but not likable. She stands out historically as the first European ax-murderess in the New World. A short-form for names in -dís is Dísa.
FJ pp. 343; CV pp. xxxiv s.v. "Pet Names"; CV pp. 100 s.v. dís; NR s.v. Frøydís, Frøy-, -dís
[http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/ONWomensNames.shtml#f].
Úlfsdóttir - from NCS [Geirr Bassi]: pg. 15 'Úlfr'. Pg. 17 forming a patronymic from a name ending in '-r' changes to ending in '-s' and adds '-dóttir'. 'Úlfr' becomes 'Úlfsdóttir'.
The Old Norse name formation <given + byname> is acceptable per SENA Appendix A.
Or, a compass rose and on a mount azure a drakkar argent.
This submission came in with a different depiction of the compass rose. With the Oct. 2010 Precedent: "Please advise the submitter that while the rays of a compass rose may overlap the outer ring, they should not extend beyond it, with the exception of the northmark." an updated depiction was requested of and provided by the submitter.
The previously registered 'Hannah Story Teller' is to be retained as an alternate.
The submitter will NOT accept ANY changes and has no preference for the gender of the name.
Hannah - this is the submitter's registered given name and is neutral in place and time under the ERA: SENA PN.1.B.2.g "The Existing Registration Allowance: In a new personal name submission, an individual may use name phrases already registered to them, even if that name phrase would no longer be allowed under the current rules. Only the exact, actual name phrase from the registered form may be used, not variants, patterns, etc. The use of the existing registration allowance does not allow the submitter to evade new style problems (as discussed in PN.2 below). It only allows the submitter to keep style problems that already exist with the registered name.
A name phrase from a registered name of an individual may also be registered by a close legal relative (such as parent, spouse, child, sibling, etc.). To do this, the submitter must demonstrate the relationship through legal documents or through attestation of relationship from the individual whose name is already registered. Documentation under this allowance does not exempt a name or name phrase from conflict, presumption, or offense rules, unless that rules violation is itself part of the existing registration in question."
the Storyteller - from NCS [Cleasby and Vigfusson] An Icelandic-English Dictionary gives <t{o,}lumaðr>. The first part is the genitive (possessive) form of tala. [pgs 624 - 625]. Translating the parts separately, "story-having man," or as we say in English, "storyteller."
- from NCS [MED] The Middle English Dictionary. a1525(?1450) Cov.Leet Bk. 251: Will. Storiour. (a) A historian, chronicler; also, an author; a teller of tales;
fundamental ~, an original author; (b) as surname. "Teller of tales" i.e. "storyteller."
The Lingua Anglica rule allows for descriptive bynames to be translated into English.
Submitter will also accept "Hannah Storyteller" if for some reason that can be registered and "Hannah the Storyteller" cannot. If neither can be registered, submitter suggests we all forget this ever happened.
The submitter will NOT accept any MAJOR changes and cares about the sound (ha-wees de pevensey) and the gender (female) of the name.
Hawise - from Feminine Given Names in A Dictionary of English Surnames Part Three: The Names H-Z, by Talan Gwynek (mda Brian M. Scott), 'Hawise 1206 Stanway; 1273 (W); 1327 Wenham; 1387-88 Whitehurst' [http://heraldry.sca.org/names/reaneyHZ.html].
de - Middle English locative from SENA Appendix A.
Pevensey - from Place-Names of Sussex by R.G. Roberts, published 1914: pp. 122-123 under 'Pevensey, and Pevensey Bay', a variety of spellings including 'Pevensey' dd.1239, 1245, 1326 [https://archive.org/details/placenamesofsuss00robeiala/page/n5].
The English name formation <given + locative> is acceptable per SENA Appendix A.
Armory:
Per pale vert and Or, a unicorn argent and a griffon gules combatant, in chief
a rose purpure.
The image first submitted depicted the beasties as short and low on the fess-line if they were to be considered co-primaries, with the flower as a secondary. The image was adjusted and approved by the submitter to make the beasties larger/taller and clearly co-primaries.
The previously registered 'Aldwin Wolfling' is to be released. The submitter will NOT accept ANY changes and marked no other boxes.
Jane - from NCS Names found in Rangeworthy Bishops, Gloucestershire, Registers 1575-1600 by Aryanhwy merch Catmael (Sara L. Friedemann): Jane dd. 1579, 1598 [http://heraldry.sca.org/names/english/bishops.html].
the Reborn - from 'le Regenerat' - adj. = Reborn, from the Middle English Dictionary, see attachment. Using SENA PN1.B.2.c Lingua Anglica Allowance to translate to 'the Reborn'.
- from NCS FamilySearch M Batch: Thomas Reborn, married Oct 1587, Glatton, Huntingdon, England, Batch M16864-1 [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NVHB-PMG].
The English name formation <given + byname> is acceptable per SENA Appendix A.
The submitter will NOT accept MAJOR changes and cares about the gender (female) of the name.
Johanna - from NCS FamilySearch B batch: Johanna Kraut, died Jul 1600, Donzdorf, Württemberg, Germany, Batch B95881-1 [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWYY-HYN].
- from NCS Socin, p. 90 Johana filia Trodewini Adelige Bresgau 1094, Johanna Tochter der Cecilia von Belmont 1185, Johanna Tochter des Anshelm Puluchet Waadt 1192.
Englehardt - from NCS FamilySearch B batch: 'Clara Englehardt' married June 1617, Sankt Johann Evangelisch, Schwaebisch Hall, Jagstkreis, Wuer listed under Germany Marriages, Batch B95881-1 [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J4PT-YGD].
- from NCS Brechenmacher, volume 1, p. 406, under the header <Engelhar(d)t>, Engelhart 1363 Joh. Engelhardi aus Wizenhausen, Notar zu Kassel, Bahlow.
The German name formation <given + byname> is acceptable per SENA Appendix A.
Armory:
Azure, a unicorn passant argent armed and crined and on a chief embattled Or
three crosses fleuretty purpure.
The submitter will NOT accept MAJOR changes and cares about the language and/or culture (Scottish) of the name.
Johanne - from NCS Names from 13th Century Scottish Parliamentary Records by Alys Mackyntoich (Alissa Pyrich) 'Johanne' dd. 1255 [http://heraldry.sca.org/names/Namesfrom13thCenturyScottishParliamentaryRecords.html].
McYnun - from NCS [Black] pg. 531 under the header MacKinnon: 'McYnun' dd. 1577.
Per Precedent from the Sept 2013 LoAR Cover Letter, the West College understands that this name will most likely be adjusted to 'MacYnun':
"... both Mc and M' will be expanded to Mac for registration purposes. Individuals with names expanded to Mac should of course feel free to use abbreviated forms like Mc and M' as documentary forms of their name."
The Scottish name formation <given + byname> is found in SENA Appendix A.
Company of the Argent Fox
New Household name registration.
Company is one of the allowed designators for a household name per SENA Appendix E.
Argent Fox - <color + heraldic charge>.
According to Precedent as established and quoted in the Dec. 2013 LoAR under AnTir acceptances:
"Tristram O'Shee. Household name Company of the Red Dragon.
Submitted as Red Dragon Company, commenters could not find evidence of a company name using the pattern X Company, where X is a charge or a color + charge. However, the pattern Company of the X can be justified as the lingua Anglica form of an order name or fraternal organization. Although the submitter did not allow major changes, he permitted the change to Company of the Red Dragon. We have done so in order to register the name."
Based on this Precedent, 'Company of the Argent Fox' is an acceptable pattern and formation.
The submitter was previously known by the unregistered Teresa of Crystalmist.
The submitter cares about the gender (female) of the name.
Lavina - from NCS Feminine Given Names in A Dictionary of English Surnames, Part Three: The Names H-Z by Talan Gwynek (mka Brian M. Scott): "Lavina Perh. < Lat LAVINIA, for which see DECN.
Lavena 1346 (W)[http://heraldry.sca.org/names/reaneyHZ.html].
Lavin 1201 Lavin
Lavina 1203, 1337 Lavin?
- from NCS Withycombe: p. 192 under the header 'Lavinia': Lavina dd. 1201, 1203.
Stevenson - from NCS FamilySearch C Batch: Katheryn Stevenson christened Dec 1571, Saint Michael, New Malton, York, England, Batch C10851-3 [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKD1-R3F].
- from NCS Reaney & Wilson: p. 426 under the header 'Stephenson': Steveneson 1327, Stephenson 1395. Stevenson is a reasonable spelling variation.
The English name formation <given + byname> is found in SENA Appendix A.
The submitter cares about the gender (male) of the name.
Liam - from NCS FamilySearch M Batch: Joana Liam married 1592, Elsworth, Cambridge, England, Batch M13053-1 [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NJ1W-6MF]
- and the late period English usage of a surname as a given name is allowable as per the Precedent established in the April 2010 LoAR:
"The LoI also documented a pattern of English surnames being used as given names in the second half of the 16th C and early 17th C. Therefore, Alton is registerable as an English surname used as a given name following this late 16th C practice."
Stevenson - from NCS FamilySearch C Batch: Katheryn Stevenson christened Dec 1571, Saint Michael, New Malton, York, England, Batch C10851-3 [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKD1-R3F]
- from NCS Reaney & Wilson: p. 426 under the header 'Stephenson': Steveneson 1327, Stephenson 1395. Stevenson is a reasonable spelling variation.
The English name formation <given + byname> is found in SENA Appendix A.
The previously registered Lisette la Serena is to be Retained as an Alternate.
The submitter will NOT accept ANY changes and cares about the gender (female) of the name. Submitted as a New Alternate name, the submitter contacted Matins and requested the submission proceed as a New Primary name, with 'Lisette la Serena' retained as an Alternate.
Luxia - from NCS A Simple Guide to Imperial Roman Names by Ursula Georges: Women's names formed by changing the ending from '-us' to '-a', Nomen: 'Luxius' changed to 'Luxia' [http://heraldry.sca.org/names/roman.html].
Sabina - from NCS A Simple Guide to Imperial Roman Names by Ursula Georges: Women's names formed by changing the ending from '-us' to '-a', Cognomen: 'Sabinus' changed to 'Sabina' [http://heraldry.sca.org/names/roman.html].
The Roman name formation <Feminine Nomen + Feminine Cognomen> is found in NCS A Simple Guide to Imperial Roman Names by Ursula Georges [http://heraldry.sca.org/names/roman.html].
The submitter marked no boxes.
The West College requests assistance documenting this name.
Magnus - from NCS [Dauzat]: pg.404
Magnus Olafsson better known as Magnus the Good King of Norway 1035 and
Denmark 1042 Magnet which reference St. Magnus.
Magnus: NCS Bassi: pg. 13.
Magnus: NCS Withycombe: pg. 203, Magnus dd. 1200, 1207.
Harou - from NCS [Dauzat] pg. 321 Harou or Haro.
Unfortunately, Dauzat's names are undated. If 'Harou' can be documented early enough, Frankish names are compatible with Scandinavian names, per SENA, Appendix C.
- from The Viking Network: The Vikings in Normandy, Norman family names of Viking Origin: Norman family name: Harou, Scandinavian origin and meaning (if known): Harulf (the army's wolf, warrior) [http://www.viking.no/e/france/family-names.html].
The French name formation <given + byname> is found SENA Appendix A.
Armory:
Azure, a wolf's head erased contourny within an orle argent.
Conflict: Greyhope, Shire of, badge (April 1994 via the Middle): Azure, a greyhound's head erased contourny within a mascle argent.
There is one Difference for the change from mascle or orle, two Differences are required to clear conflict. Permission to conflict granted by the Shire of Greyhope.
Note on the depiction: this device was originally submitted with the image of a 'wolf's head erased' taken straight from the Pennsic Traceable Art project. That image does not meet the current standards for an 'erased' head, and the image was adjusted with the permission of the submitter.
The previously registered 'Özbeg of Gyldenholt' is to be Released upon registration of this name.
The submitter will NOT accept MAJOR changes and cares about the spelling ('Mang') and gender (male) of the name.
Mang - from NCS Bahlow: pg. 351, under the header 'Mang': Mang Kraft 1451 and Mang Machenschalk 1474.
- in Triumph of Maximillian I, Plate 126 (Dover ISBN 0-486-21207-6 copyright 1964): Page 18, 'Then shall come these soldiers on foot in groups of five abreast ... Martin Swartz, Mang von Schafhausen'.
von - for the formation of a locative based on a place name from SENA Appendix A.
Weisel - Weisel is a municipality in the district of Rhein-Lahn, in the Rhineland-Palatinate, in western Germany. There are castles in the area that date back to 1275.
- from von Horn, W. O, translated by C. Benson. 1872. The Rhine: History and Legends of Its Castles, Abbeys, Monasteries, and Towns. P. 245. "The following day [March 24, 1324] he [Ludwig II] gave a charter of freedom to the town of Caub and the village of Weisel."
[https://wikivividly.com/lang-de/wiki/Weisel_(Rhein-Lahn-Kreis)] Weisel was first mentioned in 1275. It belonged together with Dörscheid and Kaub to the possession of the Lords of Falkenstein, until they bought Ludwig II of the Palatinate in 1277 and 1289 this. Weisel received on 23 March 1324 together with Caub of Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian city rights. In 1372, Elector Ruprecht I. burned down the village in a feud. [Google translation]
[https://www.regionalgeschichte.net/mittelrhein/doerscheid.html] Dörscheid probably came into being in the 9th century, but "Derscheid" is only mentioned in writing in 1250. Lords of the place at that time were the Reich Ministers of Falkenstein from Bolanden. In 1277, the Rhineland Palatine Count, reign title Ludwig II, acquired the place. Until the dissolution of the Palatine County in 1803, Dörscheid remained together with Sauerthal and Weisel at the Palatine county.
- from the Weisel, Germany modern website [http://www.weisel.info/] on the button, [http://www.weiseler-geschichte.de/] and under [https://www.weiseler-geschichte.de/de/geschichte-und-dokumente/] (history and documents), the first pull down menu is Historical Overview. Under Emergence of Weisel is: (from Google Translate):
<begin translated text> Weisel is mentioned in writing for the first time in a document by Archbishop Adalbert I in Mainz in 1128. In it he gives the Mainz cathedral chapter various goods and inclines, including money from "Wizzelo" (Weisel), which came from Wezilo, who was from 1084-1088 Mainz archbishop ( 1) . Weisel must have existed during the lifetime of Wezilo by 1084 for a while, but when it was founded exactly is controversial. While Kaub is already mentioned in a Rheingau deed of 983 as a "cube" (2) , are for Weisel and also for the neighboring village Dörscheid so far no older documents known.
For the view held in earlier texts that Weisel was founded by the Lords of Wisilo, whose descendants are the lower nobility of Heppenheft, there is no historical evidence. Instead, all the documents referring to the Lords of Wisilo seem to be a 19th century invention. And even to the Niederadeligen of Heppenheft, in the Middle Ages on the border with Weisel resp. For the Palatinate had built a small castle and were initially in the service of the Mainz archbishops, there are no historically proven connections (3) .
Hellmuth Gensicke assigns Weisel to a pre-Germanic group of settlements whose names are of Celtic origin and presumably much older than the sixth century, in which the Franks finally gained control of this area (4) . Due to its altitude, which is associated with unfavorable settlement conditions, Otto Volk is of the opinion that Weisel had been founded in the 11th century only in the course of the High Middle Ages country expansion, namely from the south (direction Kaub) (5) . This seems not necessarily plausible, the clearing and settlement of the Weiseler district can just as well from the west (direction Bornich) have been done. Presumably, the starting point was a stately Fronhof, around which settled serfs and free peasants, for which finally a separate parish church was built. This Fronhof, until the 19th century in the possession of changing noble families and the city of Kaub, until it was finally sold to private individuals, is still preserved in the center of the village in the Altpforterstraße 2 and 4. If one looks more closely at this area in today's town center, one recognizes that the original foundation of the village took place at a source trough from which feeds later the Urbach, which flows with Dörscheid into the Rhine. This also supports the interpretation of Adolf Bach, who traced the place name of Weisel back to a name of the water - Weißbach - (6) .
A Roman burial mound discovered next to the village in 1991, until then unique on the right bank of the Rhine, proves that Weisel was already inhabited in this area at least in Roman times, albeit "only" with a Roman manor (7) . The excavator believed to recognize older traces of settlement, but could not say for sure due to the poor conditions of the soil. However, it must be assumed that there was probably no settlement continuity between the Roman estate and the medieval village founding.
Older earth monuments are still known from the forest district on the road to Ransel. These are burial mounds probably from the Bronze or Iron Age, which were created along the former "High Road", an old mountain trail. On other prehistoric, probably Celtic settlement or cult places interpret the district names Heiligenberg and old church as well as "Hiehnerhaus" <end translated text>
The German name formation <given + locative> is acceptable per SENA Appendix A.
(Fieldless) A stag's head cabossed argent sustaining in its antlers a demi-sun Or.
The submitter marked no boxes.
Miles - from NCS Withycombe pp.219-220 under the header 'Miles': "Miles" 15 C.
FitzRolf - from the Existing Registration Allowance, his father is "Jon FitzRolf, called the Lean" (registered Aug. 1979).
The English name formation <given + byname> is acceptable per SENA Appendix C.
Armory:
Sable, a dragon dormant to sinister and in chief between two arrowheads
inverted gules fimbriated Or, a label argent.
This is the submitter's father's device "Sable, a dragon dormant to sinister and in chief two arrowheads inverted, all gules, fimbriated Or" with the addition of the label. Jon FitzRolf has provided permission for the conflict.
Shibata Yasutake
This is a New registration for an Alternate name: Shibata Yasutake.
The submitter will NOT accept MAJOR changes and cares about the meaning (brushwood-rice paddy, peaceful warrior) and the language and/or culture (Japanese) of the name.
Shibata - from NCS [NCMJ] Solveig Throndardottir. Name Construction in Mediaeval Japan: p. 162 under Bushes 'Shibata', clan name.
Yasutake - from NCS [NCMJ]: a nanori formed by combining two kanji (p.5 'nanori are most often composed of two kanji'): pp. 206-207 'yasu' under Gentle/Safe/Secure and p.255 'take' under Strong/Brave/Military Force.
The Japanese name formation <clan name + nanori> comes from NCS [NCMJ] on p.26.
The submitter marked on the form that they will NOT accept ANY changes, but then updated this preference as relating to 'Odd'.
Odd - from NCS [R&W] "Odde atte Flete" pg. 2297.
If 'Odd' cannot be documented, the submitter was contacted and expressed that they will accept 'Oddr' as found in Geirr Bassi, pg. 13.
inn Fundni - from NCS [Cleasby & Vigfusson] pg. 154 under FINNA 'inn Fundni'. Pg. 263 under HINN, HIN, HIT "Knutr inn Fundni".
The Scandinavian name formation <given + descriptive byname> is acceptable per SENA Appendix A.
Armory:
Per bend purpure and vert, a bend between three arrows bendwise inverted
and two rabbits courant bendwise argent.
The submitter will NOT accept ANY changes and cares about the spelling (Petra) and gender (female) of the name.
Petra - from the Immigrant Ancestors Projekt by Spencer Sutton [https://script.byu.edu/Documents/German-Vornamen.pdf] 'Petra' Page 4, column 1.
- from FamilySearch 'Petra Trebbens' christened Aug 1588, Katholisch, Heinsberg, Rheinland, Prussia [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N8JM-7VF]
- from NCS (website of Countess Aryanhwy merch Catmael): Bynames in Medieval France, Sara L. Uckelman September 9, 2014, [http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/french/frenchbynames.pdf] Page 155 Column 1 "Petra de Petra 1370 Rodez."
von - for the formation of a locative based on a place name from SENA Appendix A.
Weisel - documentation is the same as above for 'Mang von Weisel'.
The German name formation <given + locative> is acceptable per SENA Appendix A.
The submitter will NOT accept MAJOR changes and cares about the sound, spelling, language and/or culture (mid 13th century Sweden) and gender (male) of the name.
Ræv - "Refr" Nordisk Runnamlexicon by L. Peterson pg. 182 (see attachment).
fsv. Ræv (av som binamn) = oldswed. Ræv (also found as a byname)
"Ræwær" SDHK #1122, pg. 653 as part of the name <Rangwaldær ræwær>.
SDHK is an abbreviation for Svenskt Diplomatariums huvudkartotek
[https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sdhk?SDHK=1122&page=1&postid=sdhk_1122&tab=post]
(see attachment).
Kolfinnsson - "Kolfinnr" from NCS [Lind], Column 705. As this name ends in two consonants, the submitter followed the pattern shown in Geirr Bassi p.17 of dropping one consonant and adding '-s' and '-son' to form 'Kolfinnsson'. According to SENA Appendix A, both Old Norse and Swedish use the '-son' format to mark patronymics.
The Scandinavian name formation <given + patronymic> is acceptable per SENA Appendix A.
Armory:
Per pale vert and sable, a winged fox segreant, a bordure Or.
Ermine, a pawprint gules charged with a square buckle palewise Or.
There is an SFPP for the use of a pawprint.
The previously registered 'Fathir von Trier' is to be retained as an Alternate.
The submitter cares about the sound and the language and/or culture (none noted) and the gender (male) of the name.
Rodrigo - from NCS Spanish Names from the Late 15th Century: Men's Names in Alphabetical Order by Juliana de Luna (Julia Smith) 'Rodrigo' occurred 59 times [http://heraldry.sca.org/names/isabella/MensGivenAlpha.html].
de - locative phrase for a byname in Castilian (Spanish) per SENA Appendix A.
Reinosa - from NCS FamilySearch M Batch: Ana De Olea De Reinosa, married Apr 1570, San Martin Y San Benito El Viejo, Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain, Batch M87109-4 [https://www.familysearch.org/search/record/results?count=20&query=%2Bsurname%3A%22de%20Reinosa%22~%20%2Bany_year%3A1066-1650~].
The Castilian name formation <given + byname> is found in SENA Appendix A.
The submitter will NOT accept MAJOR changes and cares about the language and/or culture (German) of the name.
Ruprecht - from NCS German Names from Nürnberg, 1497 by Sara L. Uckelman known in the SCA as Aryanhwy merch Catmael, listed as a masculine given name 'Ruprecht' [http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/german/nurnberg1497.html].
Keller - from NCS German Names from 1495: Surnames G - M by Aryanhwy merch Catmael (Sara L. Uckelman), listed as 'Keller' [http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/german/surnames1495h-m.html].
The German name formation <given + byname> is listed in SENA Appendix A.
Armory:
Argent, an arm embowed azure clenching a key sable.
The submitter cares about the meaning and spelling (using {Th} rune is important) and the gender (male) of the name.
This name was submitted as 'þorvaldr Fiaksson', however the West College found no pattern from which to change the nominative 'Fiak' to the genitive 'Fiaksson' with a double 's', but rather found that names ending in a single consonant simply has '-son' added when changed to the genitive. We therefore adjusted the submission to the single 's' configuration.
þorvaldr - NCS [Geirr Bassi] pg. 16 shows many variations of 'þor-' including 'þorvaldr'.
Fiakson - from Nordiskt runnamnslexikon by Lena Petersen: pg. 63
Fiak mn.[http://www.sprakochfolkminnen.se/om-oss/arkiv-och-samlingar/nordiskt-runnamnslexikon.html].
Keltiskt namn, fir. Fíacc.
Ack. fiak BrOlsen;193a$
Formed according to Geirr Bassi pg. 17, names ending in a single consonant are changed to the genitive by adding '-son' or 'dottir'. Note: this change follows an Old Norse pattern, and 'Fiak' as listed by Petersen may not be an Old Norse name.
The Scandinavian name formation <given + patronymic> is found in SENA Appendix A.
Armory:
Per pale argent and sable, on a pale gules between two birds striking
respectant counterchanged, a lightning bolt Or.
There is an SFPP for the use of the lightning bolt outside of thunderbolt.
The submitter cares about the gender (male) of the name.
Tómas - from NCS [Geirr Bassi] p.15 column 2 'Tómas'.
Rauðr - from NCS [Geirr Bassi] p.26 column 2 'Rauðr'.
Oddsson - from NCS [Geirr Bassi] p.13 column 2 'Oddr', formed to the patronymic per p.17: names ending in '-r' drop the 'r' and change to '-s' + 'son', so 'Oddr' becomes 'Oddsson'.
The Old Norse name formation <given + descriptive + patronymic> is found in SENA Appendix A.
Armory:
Argent goutty de sang, in fess a comet between two swords sable, a base indented gules.
The submitter cares about the gender (male) of the name.
Úlfrikr - from 'Úlfrik', NCS Academy of St. Gabriel Report # 2037 'U/lfrekr' and 'Ulfrik' [http://www.panix.com/~gabriel/public-bin/showfinal.cgi?2037+0].
- from Nordiskt runnamnslexikon by Lena Peterson pg. 241:
Ulfríkr mn.
Fda. Ulfrik, fvn. Úlfrekr
F.l. à Ulf-, e.l. à -ríkr.
Nom. [ulfrikr] N223$B, [ulf(r)k(r)] N237♱A, wufri(k) BrE14/(se Wulfríc)
Ack. ulfrik Sö280, U241
Beläggen e N223, N237 avser troll. samma person.
inn gamli - from NCS (website of Countess Aryanhwy merch Catmael) Viking Bynames found in the Landnámabók: 'inn gamli' meaning 'old' [http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/norse/vikbynames.html].
Ragnarsson - from the Old Norse NCS Geir Bassi: pg. 14 'Ragnarr' formed to the patronymic per Geir Bassi pg. 17: names ending in '-rr' change to '-rs'+'-son' = 'Ragnarsson'.
The Old Norse name formation <given + descriptive + patronymic> is found SENA Appendix A. Old Norse and Scandinavian are an acceptable combination per SENA Appendix C.
Armory:
Per pale sable and argent, a chevron and in chief a wolf and
a unicorn combatant counterchanged.
The originally submitted line drawing and colored drawing did not match. The submitter was contacted and sent in the image that is being submitted here.
The submitter will NOT accept MAJOR changes and cares about the sound (none noted) and the gender (female) of the name.
The West College requests assistance in documenting this name.
Valicinia - from Epigraphica Romana "Valicci f(ilius)" [http://www.epigraphica-romana.fr/notice/view?notice=1376] (no documentation is provided that 'Valicinia' is the feminine form of the documented 'Valicci').
- from Nouvelle Revue d'Onomastique by Xavier Delamarre pg. 98 under 'Valina': "...dont on trouve d'autres formes: Valicius, Valicinia, Valuco, etc." [https://www.persee.fr/doc/onoma_0755-7752_2009_num_51_1_1511] (In discussing the place name 'Valina?, the author states that it is derived from 'valo-' and lists other forms that are found, including 'Valicinia'. No dates or other information about this form are provided. Note that the article is in French and appears to be about Celtic toponyms.)
- from Alt-Celitscher Sprachschatz: U-Z by Alfred Holder pg. 93 "Valicinia. (Saint0geniz-d'Aoste) CIL XII 2402: ..... Valiciniae filiae ..." [https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gkXhbpJWfNcC&dq=Altceltischer+Sprachschatz+valicinia&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=valicinia] (A snippet image from the cited book is provided. The book is a volume of a dictionary on the Old-Celtic language. The citation appears to be referencing a mention of 'Valiciniae filiae'. We are not sure if this is a modernization of the name, and are not convinced that a snippet without any of the introductory discussion of how the author is citing things is sufficient documentation. The only volume of this 3-volume set that is available on line is the second volume, which has no introductory text.)
of the Mists - SCA place-name: Principality of the Mists, Kingdom of the West, registered May 1980.
The name formation <given + of the SCA placename> is found in SENA.
RETURNS
Per pale purpure and argent, a chevron between two butterflies (?) and a sunflower seeded all counterchanged.
Conflict: Isabella Rowe, device (registered Dec. 2009 via the Middle): Per pale purpure and argent, a chevron between three crosses of Jerusalem counterchanged.
There is one Difference for the change of type of tertiary charges, but two Differences are required to clear conflict.
In addition, as depicted in the submitted images, the butterflies' posture is not an allowed posture for butterflies and should be addressed on any resubmission.
The default posture for butterflies is tergiant. Tergiant inverted is also allowed (May 2002 LoAR, George Anne). Many insects, but NO butterflies, have been registered as statant, even when period heraldry only documents tergiant (Aug. 2002 LoAR, Robert Pine).
Because of the conflict with Isabella's device, and the additional issue of the posture of the butterflies, this device is returned for further work. The West College strongly suggests that the submitter consult with a herald prior to resubmission.
(Name registered as: Rivenoak, Shire of This branch-name was registered in January of 1983 (via the West). )
The Barony of Rivenoak is requesting a heraldic title for the use of their branch herald:
Quercus Magnus Pursuivant
And care about the meaning and the language and/or culture (Latin - Great Oak) of the name.
Documented from Heraldic Titles from the Middle Ages and Renaissance: Overview by Julia Smith [http://medievalscotland.org/jes/HeraldicTitles/].
If the Latin title cannot be registered, the Barony requests the English version of Great Oak Pursuivant.
There is no documentation for the heraldic title formation of {<descriptor> + <charge> + Pursuivant} except for {<color> + <charge> + Pursuivant}, and so this name is Returned for further work. Note that {<charge> + Pursuivant} is an acceptable form. So, 'Blue Oak Pursuivant', 'Quercus Pursuivant', and other options are potentially acceptable.
A heraldic title for a branch, per the Admin Handbook, must be approved at the Kingdom level (Principal Herald) and then registered either to the Kingdom (with the Principal Herald allowing its use for a stated purpose such as a branch herald designator) or is registered directly to that branch. Vesper will make this determination when a title suitable for registration is presented to the College.
Per pale argent and sable, on a pair of wings a cat's head cabossed all counterchanged, in base a torc Or.
The wings as drawn in this submission do not match the standard heraldic depiction of a pair of wings. The location and counterchanging of the cat?s head depends on this non-standard wing-depiction. Typically, if an image is dependent on a non-standard depiction, either documentation of the non-standard depiction must be provided or the submission is returned for further work.
Additionally, in this image the cat's head is neither over-all (it does not overlap the field anywhere) nor really 'upon the wings' because the top and bottom of the head touch the outer edge of the image of the wings, with no coloration visible around it.
This device is returned for further work.
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