This is the Middle Kingdom Letter of Acceptances and Returns for Escutcheon's July 2001 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.
Many thanks to Richard Morgan of Cumberland, Moraig Anne Drummond, Friedrich Eric Helmut von Rheinhausen, Etienne de Claremont, Leolin Gofar, Wilhelm Schatzgeyer, Julie Stampnitzky, Mikhail of Lubelska, Ælfreda æt Æthelwealda, Gabriel Ximenez de Malaga, and Rory mac Feidhlimidh for their commentary this month. Welcome back to Hinach ben Josef, herald-at-large and returning commenter.
1) Áine ingen Máel Pátraic - New name
{This was pended on the 08/01 ILoAR.}
Both <Áine> and <Máel Pátraic> are found in Ó Corráin & Maguire, s.nn. Áine and Pátraic. <Áine> was a popular feminine name from an early period on, and <Máel Pátraic> is the preferred early Irish way to use the name and means "devotee of S. Patrick." The client cares most about having a Scots Gaelic name and would like her name to be authentic for the 10th century. She will NOT allow MAJOR changes.
As no evidence could be found that either <Áine> or <Máel Pátraic> was used in Scotland, the name was pended by Rouge Scarpe 08/01 and the client contacted. In correspondence, she decided the name as submitted is more important than authenticity for Scottish Gaelic culture. Therefore, we are forwarding it on without change to Laurel.
2) Alan Higate - New name {& device
Sable, a tower argent, a bordure embattled gules.}
The client cares most about having an English name and would like the name to be an authentic English name for an unspecified period. He will NOT accept MAJOR changes.
<Alan> is found in "Late 166th Century English Given Names" by Talan Gwynek (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/talan/ eng16/). <Higate> is dated to 1466 in Ekwall, s.n. Highgate. We are not sure if using just the name of the town is appropriate for a surname, but are loath to add preposition <de>. According to the name submission forms, a major change (with the client does not allow) is defined, among other things, as "dropping an element or phrase," and therefore adding an element would also be considered a major change.
{The device is color on color, and is being returned. Additionally, the bordure should be much wider with larger embattlements. In redesigning, the client should keep in mind Anne of the White Tower (reg 12/73), "Sable, a tower argent."}
Name commentary
Hinach: Reany & Wilson, p. 7 under Allain, indicates that Alan was a Welsh and British saint and was popular in Linconshire in 12th century. Also popular in Scotland from 1139.
Julie: The spelling <Alan> is listed in the article "Late Sixteenth Century English Given Names" by Talan Gwynek. http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/talan/ eng16/
Gabriel: My copy of Withycombe, 3rd Edition, pg 7-8, header <Al(l)an>, agrees with Escutcheon. Withycombe dates <Aleyne> to 15th C. and <Aleyn> to 1440. I cannot find Higate. In Reaney and Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames 3rd Edition, pg. 231 has <Highet> and <Highatt> as a header, but these forms are undated.
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: While the device must be returned for color-on-color, the submitter should be informed that we found: "Sable, a tower argent." Anne of the White Tower, 12/73, so just changing the tincture of the bordure is not going to cut it.
Gabriel: This needs to be returned for color contrast between the field and the bordure.
Rory: Gules bordure on a sable field -- bouncy bouncy bouncy.
3) Ali Al-Ahmed Abdallah - New device change
Gules, on a fess between in chief the phrase "there is no strength and power but that of the Almighty and the All powerful" in Arabic Kufic script and in base three fleams Or, a domed mosque of one minaret between trousers of nobility gules.
Name reg'd 2/87
If this device is registered, the client would like his previous device, "Argent, on a bend sinister between two boars' heads erased gules, three quills argent, all within a bordure gules," (reg'd 2/87) RELEASED. Originally blazoned as "a pair of drinking horns gules," the charge is actually a since charge known as "trousers of nobility," and we have reblazoned it as such.
{While the device looks rather busy, it has a complexity count of 7 only (two tinctures, five types of charges), and I don't feel it is complex enough to return.
To Polaris & crew: Quoting from CA# 51 "The Islamic World" by Da'ud ibn Auda, "Some Islamic heraldry consisted of the divided field, with an inscription of some sort on the "fess." These sometimes consisted simply of the emir's title and name, or were a "prayer" in that they might call for the blessing of Allah upon the emir." Islamic heraldry is often considered in a different light than regular Anglo-Norman heraldry in the SCA, and as it is indeed appropriate for Islamic heraldry to have full phrases written on it, I don't feel this should be a problem.
Also, the charge originally blazoned as "a pair of drinking horns" is known as sarawil al-futuwwa, which is usually translated as "trousers of nobility." No modern scholar knows what these charges are meant to represent, and they are often called drinking horns in the SCA simply because that's what they look like; it is no reflection upon the prohibition of alcohol. After all, it is quite possible to drink water from a drinking horn. :)
To Gabriel: The fess is indeed identifiable in the colored forms, and even on the black & white mini. I don't know why the copy on the web page came across so poorly.}
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: The Pic Dic says (under letters): "Full words are permissible only in simple armory." We couldn't find any precedent that supercedes this. We don't think this is simple armory. Also, we question the placing together of a mosque and drinking horns, given the prohibition on alcohol in the Koran. This could be considered offensive to some.
Gabriel: Is the fess identifiable on the color version?
Rory: This is a VERY complex design. What adds to the visual confusion is that the fess does not show up on the mini-emblazon. from the picture it looks like all the charges are sitting on the field itself. I hope it is drawn better on the full-color emblazons.
4) Brangwayn Snowden - New name & device
Per fess rayonny and per pale Or and gules, in bend two ravens displayed sable.
<Brangwayn> is found in Talan Gwynek's "Feminine Given Names in a Dictionary of English Surnames" and dated to 1300. <Snowden> is dated to 1362 in Reaney & Wilson, p. 417. The client cares most about language and would like an authentic name for an unspecified language/culture.
{To Polaris & crew: Your suggest reblazon makes both the per pale and the per fess line rayonny. As this is not the case, the submitted blazon is correct: "Per fess rayonny and per pale Or and gules, in bend two ravens displayed sable."}
Name commentary
Hinach: Reaney & Wilson ref. for Snowden checked out.
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: "Per pale and per fess rayonny, Or and gules two ravens displayed sable." Great armory.
5) Gareth Kenwrick - New device.
Gyronny of six sable and argent, an oak leaf gules.
Name reg'd 8/90
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: The leaf would be much more identifiable if it had veining.
6) Háls Styrkársson - New device.
Argent, a fess wavy between two tankards and a longship inverted azure.
Name reg'd 11/00
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: Bend?
Æ&M: This is a fess wavy, not a bend wavy.
Rory: CORRECTION - his registered name is Hals Styrkarsson (one word, not two).
7) Jaida bint Salim - New name change & badge.
[Fieldless] A mullet per pale azure and vert.
The client's current name (Agnes Gaillard) was registered 9/00.
<Jaida> is dated to the 10th century in Appleton, "A List of Arabic Women's Names" (http://www.s-gabriel.org/docs/ arabicwomen.html). <Salim> is dated to the early 11th century in Mustapaha al-Muhuddith ibn al-Saqaat, "Arabic Personal Names from the Futuwwah" (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/ mustapha/futuwwah.html). The client cares most about sound and would like an authentic 11th century Arabic name.
Name commentary
Gabriel: Nice name.
8) Jibra'il al-Nasrani - New device change.
Azure, an orle of crescents argent.
Name reg'd 4/99
If this device is registered, the client would like his current device (Quarterly azure and argent, a cross flory between four crescents counterchanged) [reg'd 10/98] CHANGED TO A BADGE.
{To Polaris & crew: This does not conflict with Maddelena's device. There is one CD for the field, and one for arrangement of the charges. An annulet is a fixed arrangement that does not change no matter what type of shield the arms are displayed on. Orle follows the outline of the shield, regardless of shape. So while an orle of crescents and an annulet of crescents may be indistinguishable when both are depicted on round shields, there is still a CD for arrangement.}
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: We find: "Purpure, six crescents in annulo argent." Maddelena dei Ridolfi, 2/95. See Rfs X.4.f Number changes (six & higher numbers of charges are not significantly different). The submitter's proposed device, if drawn on a badge form, turns the orle into an arraignment in annulo. Only one CD for the field.
9) Johann von Magdeburg - Device resubmission.
Argent, issuant from a maunch reversed sable charged with a gauntlet argent, a hand proper maintaining a heart gules.
Name reg 05/01
The client's previous submission, "Argent chausse embattled sable, a heart gules maintained by a pair of gauntlets inverted sable," was returned by Rouge Scarpe on 1/01 for conflict with Randall Baldwin, "Sable, on a pile dovetailed argent a double-bitted axe gules." The client has opted for a new design.
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: See Rfs VIII (the first paragraph).
10) Kristiana of Arden - New name & device.
Per chevron throughout azure and Or, two Bowen knots Or and a tree eradicated gules.
Submitted as <Kristiana of Arden>, no documentation was provided this spelling of <Christiana>, and no dates were provided for <Arden>. The client cares most about sound and having a Scottish/English name and wants the name to be authentic for an unspecified language and time period. She will NOT permit MAJOR changes.
<Christiana> is dated to 1199, 1285, 1303, and 1424 in Withycombe s.n. Christian(a); the spelling <Cristiane> is dated to 1379. The form <Kyrstyn> or <Kirstyan> is found in 1450. Based on these spellings <Kristiana> should be a reasonable spelling. While one of the explicitly found forms would be a better choice for authenticity, a number of commenters felt changing the name from <Kristiana> to <Christiana> was not a minor change.
<de Arden> is dated to 1268 in Reaney & Wilson s.n. Arden; <of Arden> is a reasonable vernacular form of the documentary <de Arden>. The dated form <de Arden> would be more authentic, but commenters felt that changing the <of> to <de> was not a minor change.
Name commentary
Hinach: Kristiana does not appear to be an acceptable Scottish/English name, although Christiana might be. The difference is often whether the name came from a Latin or Greek source. The Swedish form, Kristina, seems to have come into use in English speaking countries since about the 1950s according to Dunkling and Gosling, p.237. On the same page a masculine form, Kristian, is shown for Denmark, with use in English speaking countries since about 1960. These are way after period. Withycombe, p. 65 cites a use of Christiana with a date of 1199. Arden is in Reaney & Wilson, p. 13, with a date of 1268.
Julie: I couldn't find documentation for a K- spelling. <Cristiana> is dated to 1284 in "A List of Feminine Personal Names Found in Scottish Records" by Talan Gwynek. http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/talan/scottishfem/scottishfemearly.html
Gabriel: Withycombe, 3rd Edition, pg 65, header <Christian(a)> dates the name <Christiana> to 1199, 1285, 1303, and 1424. No evidence is given for the client's spelling. Reaney and Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames 3rd Edition, pg. 13, header <Arden> dates <de Arden> to 1268. I do not believe that the change of spelling and the change of <of> to <de> constitutes a major change.
Rory: Reaney & Wilson "Dictionary of English Surnames" (p. 13) under Arden - Adam de Arden, 1268. Withycombe dates Christiana to 1199, but not the submitted "k" spelling.
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: Re-blazon: "Azure, on a pile inverted throughout between two bowen knots Or a tree eradicated gules."
Julie: The chape portion of a shield shouldn't be charged. This can be reblazoned as "Per chevron throughout azure and Or, two bowen knots Or and a tree eradicated gules."
Æ&M: In the mini, the submitted device does not have lines of division meeting the sides of the shield above the fess line, therefore this is not a chape division. This is fortunate for the client, as the chape portions cannot be charged:
From the 5/98 Laurel LoAR (Jaelle's tenure as Laurel):
"Elizabella Marchant. Device. Per chevron ployé azure and argent, two roses argent and a Lacy knot purpure. While blazoned in the above manner on the LoI, with the outer edges of the line of division meeting the sides of the shield above the fess line, this is "Argent, chapé ployé azure..." However, that means that the chapé is charged, which is not allowed."
We suggest the following blazon, "Azure, on a pile inverted between two bowen knots Or, a tree eradicated gules."
11) Kudrun þe Pilgrim - Device resubmission.
Vert, a pile Or, overall an open book argent clasped Or.
Name reg'd 5/98
The client's identical previous submission was returned by Laurel on 1/01 for redrawing. The client has followed the instructions provided on the return.
12) Quene of Mercia - New name {& device.
Azure, an estoile of eight points and on a chief argent, three roses gules barbed and seeded argent.}
<Quene> is found in 1176 and 1301 as metronyms, with the forename spelling <Quena> dated to 1276, according to Talan Gwynek's "Feminine Given Names in A Dictionary of English Surnames" (http://www.s-gabriel.org/ names/talan/reaney/reaney.cgi?Quena). Though the spelling <Quene> is only attested in the genitive and metronymic forms, Talan notes that "The vern. is prob. <Quene>."
<Mercia> was one of the kingdoms in Anglo-Saxon England, from approximately the mid-7th century to the 9th century, according to the on-line Britannica. (http://www.britannica.com/ search?query=mercia&ct=). The client cares most about sound and wants an authentic 9th-11th century name. She will NOT accept MAJOR changes.
Submitted as <Quinn of Mercia>, no documentation was provided and none could be found for the given name. We have substituted the closest documentable spelling that we could find.
{To Polaris & crew: The labeling of <Quintinus> in Withycombe as feminine is WRONG. <Quintinus> was originally a Roman masculine name, which survived in use as a masculine name in the English speaking world. There is no evidence that <Quintinus> was used as a feminine name at any time, including the modern period. Barring such evidence, Withycombe's identification of this name as feminine should not be trusted.
The device conflicts with Branwen Ottersby (reg 12/94), "Azure, an estoile of eight rays and on a chief argent three gouttes azure." There is only one CD for changing the type and tincture of the tertiaries. In the future, please advise the client to draw the chief wider.}
Name commentary
Polaris & crew: O'Quin(n) is from the surname O'Cuinn or O'Coinne from the personal name Conn (Maclysaght). Conn is a masculine name per O'Corrain & Maguire. Quintinus is a feminine name dated in England in 1086 (DB) and dates back to St. Quentin (c.287) per Withycombe.
Hinach: Quinn is only used in the U.S. as a given name according to Dunkling and Gosling, p. 346. Possibly could be a variant of Quintinus, which Withycombe, p. 248, dates to 1086.
Mercia was the name of a Kingdom in Anglo-Saxon England and has been used as a first name in the 20th century according to Dunkling and Gosling, p.293. Nothing other than the Kingdom and its kings seems to be listed in several online encyclopedias.
The Britannia Internet Magazine lists the kings of Mercia. This is either in the form of a list (http://www.britannia.com/ history/monarchs/mercia.html) or individual references in time lines, such as ³642 - King Penda of Mercia (http://britannia.com/history/ saxontime.html.)
Æ&M: From the OED, Online 2nd edition under benim, v. has: 1494 FABYAN III. lx. 39 Offa King of Mercia..by name & toke from them that dignyte.
Gabriel: I have not been able to find the name Quinn. I did find an old Academy of St. Gabriel Letter, number 713 which states: <Quinn> is not a medieval given name. It was an Irish surname, an anglicized spelling of <mac Coinn> or <mac Cuinn> "son of Conn". <Quinn> was not used as a given name until the 19th or 20th century in America [1]. On the other hand, <Conn> was a very common name in the latter part of your period [2]. It was pronounced \KUN\ or \KONE\. The footnotes being:
[1] Dunkling, Leslie and William Gosling, _The New American Dictionary of First Names_ (Signet Books, 1983).
[2] O/ Corráin, Donnchadh and Fidelma Maguire, _Irish Names_ (Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1990).
Given that I have not been able to find it, that the Academy states that it is not a medieval given name, and that the client's documentation is non-existent, I recommend returning this name for a lack of documentation.
Device commentary
Æ&M: Conflict with Branwen Ottersby (reg. 12/94) "Azure, an estoile of eight rays and on a chief argent three gouttes azure." There is one CD for changing type and tincture of the tertiaries.
Gabriel: I believe the device conflicts with: Branwen Ottersby: The following device associated with this name was registered in December of 1994 (via the Outlands): Azure, an estoile of eight rays and on a chief argent three gouttes azure. There is one CD for the change of roses to gouttes.
13) Quene of Mercia - New badge.
Quarterly azure and argent, an estoile of eight points counterchanged.
{To Polaris & crew: This does not conflict with Anne's device. Sexfoils and estoiles are significantly different charges. Since both pieces of armory are simple, they qualify for X.2 Difference of Primary Charges: "Simple armory does not conflict with other simple armory if the type of every primary charge is substantially changed." }
Badge commentary
Polaris & crew: "Quarterly azure and argent, a sexfoil pierced counterchanged." Anne d'Avignon, 12/90.
{*) Rivenvale, Shire of - New branch name & device.
Vert, on a pile azure fimbriated argent, a seraph contourny maintaining a sword argent, overall in dexter chief a laurel wreath Or.
No documentation for the name was provided, and none could be found. While both <Riven> and <vale> are period Middle English words, no evidence was shown that they were used in medieval place names. If the clients would like help finding supporting documentation (which I believe should be possible), I recommend they get in contact with Baron Talan Gwynek.
To Polaris & crew: The device does not conflict with Aodhagan. There is one CD for the addition of the laurel wreath, and one for changing the type and tincture of the tertiary charge. I'm not sure what you mean by your question, as there are no secondaries in Aodhagan's device…I hope this makes sense.
The device is being returned because the name is being returned. Additionally, the posture of the angel is not blazonable. It is neither bendwise sinister, nor erect, nor rampant, nor anything. This needs to be redrawn.}
Polaris & crew: We find: "Vert, on a pile azure fimbriated argent an African leopard's face Or." Aodhagan o Caoimh, 8/84. How many CD's can you get from secondaries?
Julie: An overall charge that only overlaps one edge of the pile seems problematic to me. I would also remind the submitters that "design elements should not be combined to create a picture of a scene or landscape." (RfS VIII.4.a) There is no 'e' in "contourny."
Æ&M: In the mini, the laurel wreath does not seem to be a particularly significant part of the design.
Name commentary
Polaris & crew: Are vale and dell equivalent? If so, see J.R.R. Tolkien
Æ&M: OED, Online 2nd edition has: riven, ppl. a.
1. Split, cloven, rent, torn asunder. 1590 SPENSER F.Q. I. viii. 9 Through riven cloudes and molten firmament. Ibid. 10 Like fresh water streame from riven rocke.
and vale, n.1
1. a. A more or less extensive tract of land lying between two ranges of hills, or stretches of high ground, and usually traversed by a river or stream; a dale or valley, esp. one which is comparatively wide and flat. 1588 SHAKES. Tit. A. II. iii. 93 These two haue tic'd me hither to this place, A barren, detested vale you see it is.
Gabriel: Although both <riven> and <vale> are middle English words, without some documentation that the phrase <"Riven"place> was used in period, I am loath to accept it on faith. I believe that this should be returned for further documentation.
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: We find: "Vert, on a pile azure fimbriated argent an African leopard's face Or." Aodhagan o Caoimh, 8/84. How many CD's can you get from secondaries?
Julie: An overall charge that only overlaps one edge of the pile seems problematic to me. I would also remind the submitters that "design elements should not be combined to create a picture of a scene or landscape." (RfS VIII.4.a) There is no 'e' in "contourny."
Æ&M: In the mini, the laurel wreath does not seem to be a particularly significant part of the design.
14) Scott Mac Alister - Name & device resubmission.
Argent, two bars gules between six martlets sable.
<Scott> is the client's modern given name; a driver's license copy is provided. <Mac Alister> is a header spelling MacLysaght, who date the family who bore this name to at least the 14th century. Submitted as <Scott Mac Alastair>, <Mac Alastair> is the Gaelic form of <Mac Alister>, according to MacLysaght. The client requested an authentic 14th C Irish name; as <Scott> was a surname in period and not a given name, we cannot give him the authentic name requested, but we have changed the surname to make the entire name anglicized.
{To Polaris & crew: This does not conflict with George Washington. There is one CD for the number of secondaries (three vs. six) and one for tincture (gules vs. sable). It is quite possible to get more than one CD for secondaries (NB: secondaries by definition are placed directly on the field; if they were on a charge, they would be tertiaries, in which case only one CD could be gotten for any cumulative changes.).}
Name commentary
Hinach: While Scott is the client's modern legal name, it might be obtrusively modern. I believe that this is a judgement call for Laurel. While I am not expert in Scottish names, I do not believe the proper form is MacAlastair, without the space.
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: We find: "Argent, two bars and in chief three mullets gules." George Washington. Per Rfs X.2.c this is considered simple armory. It is our opinion that the bars are the primary charge and the martlets are secondary. Rfs X.4.d,e,&f seem to indicate that all of these should count as CD's. With secondaries placed directly on the field, can we get more than one CD for them?
15) Ulfr Hakonarson - Device resubmission.
Gyrrony arrondí sable and argent, a bezant between two wolves counter-salient Or.
Name reg'd 11/00
The client's previous submission, "Sable, between a pall gules, a wolf sejant affronty and two wolves addorsed Or," was returned by Rouge Scarpe on 7/00 for contrast problems and non-period style.
{To Polaris & crew: A field evenly divided between a metal and a color is considered neutral. Significant portions of the wolves are on the sable portion of the field.}
Device commentary
Polaris & crew: Some of us feel that there is poor contrast between the wolves and the field.
16) Ulrich Richker - Device resubmission.
Argent semy of plumes bendwise sinister, a merman azure.
Name reg'd 3/01
The client's previous submission, "Argent semy of feathers bendwise sinister azure, a caucasian triton proper, tailed and crined azure," was returned by Rouge Scarpe on 11/00 for contrast problems. The client has changed the tincture of the man to create better contrast.
Done by my hand this 7th day of September,
Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Rouge Scarpe
Sara L. Friedemann
150 Langdon #B2
Madison, WI 53703
sfriedemann@students.wisc.edu