This is the Middle Kingdom Letter of Acceptances and Returns for Escutcheon's March 2000 letter. Comments in braces {} were removed from the Letter of Intent sent to Laurel and the College of Arms. Names, devices, or badges in braces have been returned or pended; general comments or replies to commentary are also placed in braces.
Thanks to Master John ap Wynne, Lady Adeliza de Saviniaco, Mistress Elena de Vexin, Lady Ælfreda aet Æthelwealda, Lord Mikhail of Lubelska, THL Paul Wickenden of Thanet, Lord Godwig Eadfrithing, Baron Talan Gwynek, THL Aleksandr Vasilyevich Lev, and Lady Teceangl Bach for their comments this month.
1) Aaron mac Áedáin-Name resubmission {and device resubmission
Per bend sinister argent and sable, a martlet displayed and a hog statant counterchanged}
The client's first name submission (Aeron of Martlett's Lair) was returned by Rouge Scarpe on 2/98 and 1/99 for lack of documentation. The client's second name submission (Aidan of Aran) was returned by Rouge Scarpe on 1/00 for use of an implausible byname "of Aran." {The device was returned with the name.}
Submitted as "Aaron Mac Aidan," the client asked for an authentic 7th-9th century Irish name. Aaron is in O'Corrain & Maguire, s.n. Aaron, who say that it was used sparingly by early Irish churchmen. Aidan, according to Mittleman, "Problem Names: Aidan" (http://www.medievalscotland.org /problem/names/aidan.shtml), is a modern English spelling of the name. Áedán is found in O'Corrain & Maguire as the early spelling of the name, appropriate for the client's desired period. Áedáin is the correct genitive form of the name.
{All the commenters agreed that the martlet is not a martlet without the distinctive forked tail. While it would be possible to reblazon the martlet as simply a 'bird,' it seems that the fact that it is a martlet is important to the client. We are therefore returning this with explicit instructions on how to redraw it correctly.}
2) Andelcrag, Barony of for Order of the Salient Hart-Group badge resubmission
[Fieldless] A hart courant azure
Name reg'd 6/84
The group's previous submission for this order ([Fieldless] On a hart salient Or, two lightning bolts in cross sable) was returned by Laurel on 2/99 for conflict with Montvale ([Fieldless] A stag springing Or charged with an ermine spot sable) and redrawing. The redesign solves the conflict.
Blazoned as a hart salient, this is not salient, but courant, so we have reblazoned it.
3) Antoinette la Rouge d'Avignon-New badge
Azure semy of sparks Or, a lion's head cabossed argent jessant-de-lys within a bordure embattled Or.
Name reg'd 4/96
4) Arianwen Blaidd-New name {and device
Argent, a bend sinister gules between a sprig of leaves vert and a wolf's head erased contourny sable}
Both Arianwen and Blaidd, meaning "wolf," are found in Jones, "A Welsh Miscellany," pp. 31, 33. The client cares most about having a Welsh name and would like the name to be authentic.
{The device is being returned for redrawing: the bendlet is much too narrow, the sprig of leaves need to be connected into one branch, and not three separate leaves, and the head should be drawn larger. Overall, the style is generally unheraldic, and we advise that the client contact her local herald to perhaps consider alternative designs.}
{*) Berwyn Æthelbryght of Ackley-New badge
Purple, an acorn Or
Name reg'd 10/92
This conflicts with the Barony of Drei Eichen, "Azure, an acorn Or," reg'd. 10-96.}
5) Bogdan de la Brasov-Name resubmission
The client's previous submission (Bogdan din Bras,ov) was returned by Laurel on 1/99 for lack of documentation of the article "din" (of). The client has attempted to address the problem with the following commentary: "In the 14th and 15th centuries throughout the region now called Romania, surnames were not in use… As the SCA requires the registration of a surname, we have originally submitted 'din Brasov' as a place-name… Obviously, there is no documentation for a naming convention that did not exist. In talking with a few Romanians, we have been informed that while "din" might be used, a more common form, at least now, is the use of de la Brasov. For this reason, we are resubmitting our names as de la Brasov. Again, as surnames were not in use during this period of 'Romanian' history, this is an artificial naming practice for that time period and there is no documentation for it."
The other elements are documented with the same materials as before (and which Laurel specifically noted in her return were acceptable). Bogdan is dated to 1360 in Iorga, History of Roumania (266) and in Constantinescu (24). Bras,ov is dated to 1390 in Giurescu (134) and Ceau_escu (plate 311).
The client's device is currently registered under the holding name of "Bogdan of Würm Wald".
6) Cassandra Felicia-New name and device
Azure two sheep passant respectant regardant, on a chief argent, a shepherd's staff fesswise reversed proper
Cassandra is in Withycombe (60) and dated to 1207. Felicia is in ibid (116) and dated to 1199.
While two given names without a surname are extremely unlikely for any period of England before 1600, this name could conceivably be a <given> + <matronym>; this is rare, but attested.
The sheep were blazoned as "respectant regardant" and the staff as "fesswise proper." We have corrected the blazon to match the emblazon. While the heads are in somewhat trian aspect, no one felt that this was a big enough problem to bar registration. According to the PicDic, the proper for a shepherd's staff is wood brown.
7) Despina de la Brasov-Name resubmission and new device
Quarterly sable and azure, a dexter gauntlet fesswise sustaining two lightning bolts in saltire argent
The client's previous submission (Despina din Bras,ov) was returned by Laurel on 1/99 for lack of documentation of the article "din" (of). The client has attempted to address the problem with the following commentary: "In the 14th and 15th centuries throughout the region now called Romania, surnames were not in use… As the SCA requires the registration of a surname, we have originally submitted 'din Brasov' as a place-name… Obviously, there is no documentation for a naming convention that did not exist. In talking with a few Romanians, we have been informed that while "din" might be used, a more common form, at least now, is the use of de la Brasov. For this reason, we are resubmitting our names as de la Brasov. Again, as surnames were not in use during this period of 'Romanian' history, this is an artificial naming practice for that time period and there is no documentation for it."
The other elements are documented with the same materials as before (and which Laurel specifically noted in her return were acceptable). Despina is dated to 1521or before in a portrait of her and her husband, Neagor Basarab (ruler of Wallachia, 1512-1521), found in Girescu (153). Bras,ov is dated to 1390 in Giurescu (134) and Ceau_escu (plate 311).
Originally blazoned as 'maintaining,' the lightning bolts have enough visual weight compared to the gauntlet to be blazoned as 'sustaining.'
{*) Ellspeth von die Nadel-New name and device
Azure, a needle argent, enflamed gules fimbriated Or
No documentation was given nor could any be found for either the spelling <Ellspeth> or the surname <von die Nadel>, which the client wanted to use to mean "of the needle," and indicate that she was a seamstress.
There are alternatives that the submitter can consider: <Elsbeth> c. 1600 and <Elspeter> 1310, 1382 are found in Bahlow s.n. Elizabeth. Bahlow's Mittelhochdeutsches Namenbuch also has surnames of the construction <mit den object> "with the object," e.g., <Nitsche mit der tonnen> 1365, p. 76, and surnames relating to needles: <nôldener> 1372, <Noldenvesser> 1372. Any of these choices would be reasonable.
The device has a number of problems, most specifically the use of banned flames. Current precedent states that flames are proper are no longer gules fimbriated Or or Or fimbriated gules, but alternating tongues of Or and gules. Flames are also too complex too be fimbriated. We suggest that the client either redraw the flames in accordance with current practice, or perhaps consider an alternate design.}
8) Fásach Mor, Canton of-Device resubmission
Per chevron vert and Or, a chevron between two laurel wreaths and an oak sprig counterchanged
Name submitted to Laurel on the 03/00 LoI.
A petition of support is enclosed.
9) Fearann na Criche, Canton of-Device resbumission
Azure, an oak tree eradicated argent between three laurel wreaths Or.
Name reg'd 3/91
The clients' previous submission (Per chevron inverted azure and vert, three oak branches conjoined in pall, in chief a laurel wreath argent) was returned by Laurel on 1/99 for redrawing. A previous submission was returned by Rouge Scarpe on 7/96 for "no registered name [sic] and multiple problems." The clients have opted for a completely new design. A petition of support is enclosed.
10) Katheryn MacThomas of Ireland-New device
Azure, on a cross quadrate argent, a trefoil vert
Name reg'd 1/97
This is possibly in conflict with Klement St. Christoph, "Azure, on a cross nowy cotised argent, a trefoil slipped vert) reg. 11/85. There is one CD for the cotises, but commentary was mixed on whether there would be a CD between a cross quadrate and a cross nowy, and as I don't have a copy of the PicDic, I could not compare the two visually. We are sending this up to Laurel in hopes that someone else with better sources can determine whether these two conflict or not.
Additionally, we have contacted Master Klement, who lives in An Tir, in pursuit of a letter of permission to conflict, should it be necessary.
11) Lyon Havekin-New name and device
Vert, a chevron fracted, in base a paw print Or
Lyon is found in Withycombe 1st edition under Leo, where it says "Leon or Lyon is found in England in the Middle Ages, usually as Jewish name." Reaney & Wilson s.n. Lyon also have Lyon son of Lyon 1293. Reaney & Wilson s.n. Hawkin have Havekyn, 1275, and Hauekin, 1248. The client's spelling of Havekin is quite reasonable when based on these forms. The client cares most about sound.
12) Meliora Blythe-New name and device
Argent, a unicorn salient regardant, on a chief two oak leaves argent
Meliora is in Withycombe (217) and dated to 1218. Blythe is in Reaney and Wilson (50) under "Bly" and dated to 1296. She cares most about sound.
13) Norborough, March of-Device resubmission
Or, a pavilion within a laurel wreath and on a chief vert, three compass stars Or.
Name reg'd 9/98
The client's previous identical submission was returned by Laurel on 9/99 for not indicating the blazon on the petition of support. A petition of support (that indicates the blazon) is enclosed.
14) Sabyn de Lisieux-New name and device
Vert, a lioness rampant and in chief two crescents argent
Sabyn is dated to 1273 in Withycombe (260) under "Sabina." Lisieux is a city in Normandy dated to the 11th century or before, according to Lindsay, The Normans and Their World (145). She cares most about sound and would like to have a 13th-14th century Norman-English name. She will NOT accept MAJOR changes.
The animal was originally blazoned as a 'leopard.' The remove any confusion about whether this is an heraldic leopard or natural leopard, we have reblazoned it as a lioness.
{Versus Stephen of Locksley, reg. 06/89, "Vert, a panther rampant between two pallets engrailed argent," there is one CD for changing the type of secondary, and one CD for position of secondary; because Sabyn's crescents don't have to be in chief, this is not a forced move.}
15) Thomas MacPaul the Younger-New device
Gules, a pall argent between two mullets, in chief a marlet Or
Name reg'd 1/97
{*) Yasamin al-Hadiyya-New name
Yasmin is documented in Schimmel (44). However, no documentation could be found that the client's spelling was used in period. Enclosed with the submission is a letter from Da'ud and one from Talan, both recommending that the central <a> be dropped as, according to Da'ud, "I have not been able to find that form anywhere." The byname al-Hadi is found in Dodge, Fihrist (II: 990) and dated to 785 and 910. al-Hadiyya, according to Da'ud, is the standardized feminization. No copies are enclosed but the sources are fairly standard. The client cares most about sound and would like to have an authentic Arabic name.
We are pending this name to contact the client; removing the <a> from the name significantly changes the pronunciation of it, and this is more than a minor change.}
Done by my hand this 27th day of May, being the feast of Bishop Augustine of Canterbury,
Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Rouge Scarpe
Sara L. Friedemann
213 N. Paterson
Madison, WI 53703
sfriedemann@students.wisc.edu