This is the June 2002 Middle Kingdom Letter of Acceptances and Returns for Escutcheon’s April 2002 letter and Keythong’s February and April Letters. Unless otherwise noted, all clients will accept changes. {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 AElfreda aet AEthelwealda, Mikhail of Lubelska, Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Pendar the Bard, Knut, Ettiene le Couteau des Roches, Kevin Ambrozijwski, Phebe Bonadeci, Dunstan Bramblette, Jaelle of Armida, and John ap Wynne for their commentary this month.}
Please note that my email address is goldschp@mailbag.com. While I can still check goldschp@yahoo.com, I don’t do so very often.
{*)Áine ingen Máel Pátraic. Device Resubmission. Azure, a decrescent and a chief argent.
(Name reg’d 1/02)
The client’s previous submission was returned for knotwork on a device by Rouge Scarpe in September 2001. The client omitted the knotwork and replaced it with a chief in this submission. Unfortunately, this has introduced a conflict and this is being returned for conflict with Rhiannon ui Neill (Azure, a decrescent and a gore sinister argent) [reg’d 9/92]. There is one CD for changing the gore to a chief.}
Device Commentary
A+M: Conflict with Rhiannon ui Neill (reg 9/92) "Azure, a decrescent and a gore sinister argent." There is one CD for changing the type of the peripheral charge.
Pendar: Conflicts with Rhiannon ui Neill (9/92 Atlantia): Azure, a decrescent and a gore sinister argent. Only 1 CD for changing the type of peripheral charge. It also needs a serious redraw to orient the decrescent properly and make it rounder.
Ettiene, et al.: OK.
Knut: Rhiannon ui Neill: The following badge associated with this name was registered in September of 1992 (via Atlantia): Azure, a decrescent and a gore sinister argent. [A gurges... overall on a sinister gore a [charge]] "This is four layers (field, gurges, gore [charge]). There is serious doubt as to whether peripheral charges (e.g., bordures, chiefs, gores, etc.) may be used as an overall charge in this manner. Certainly we would much prefer to see some evidence of its acceptability in Period before registering it in the SCA." (LoAR 2/92 p.18). Precedents - Da'ud 1.2 under Gore and Gusset The Da'ud precedent implies that a gore should be considered to be a peripheral chage and not a co-primary charge. CD for type change of secondary group. Conflict Should gores and gussets be added to the list in RfS X.4.a.ii? If a gore can be a primary charge, there are CDs for number in primary group and removal of secondary group.
Ary: 1) A/ine ingen Ma/el Pa/traic - Her name was registered, in this form, by Laurel in 01/02.
1) Aldred of Warwick. New Name. {and Device. Quarterly pean and vert ermined Or, a Celtic cross argent throughout.} Aldred is found in Withycombe (8) and dated to 1086. Warwick is found as a header spelling in Ekwall (499). The closest dated spelling we could find to the modern one is Warwic, which is found in the Domesdaye Book. The client cares most about sound and language and would like his name to be authentic for Saxony or England.
{The device is being returned for conflict with Gormflait Suiban ni Cuallachta (Gyronny Or and azure, a Celtic cross argent, fimbriated sable) [reg 1/73]. There is one CD for the change to the field, but none for making the cross throughout or for the fimbriation.}
Name Commentary
Ary: Withycombe s.n. Aldred say that this is from the Old English [Ealdred], “a fairly common pre-Conquest name which survived the Conquest.” Forms that she gives are [Ealdred] 1066-9, [{AE}ldred(us)], [{AE}ldret], [Eldred], [Aldret], [Aldred] 1086, [Aldred(us)] 1189, 1273. So the client’s desired spelling is found right in his period. Mills s.n. Warwick has only one dated citation - [Warthwic] 1131. However, Reaney & Wilson s.n. Warwick has an earlier citation - [Turchil de Waruuic] 1086. Given the client’s desire for a name authentic for Saxon England, this should be changed to [Aldred de Waruuic].
Device Commentary
A+M: The primary should be blazoned as "throughout", not "overall".
Pendar: Blazon-fu: Quarterly pean and vert ermined Or, a Celtic cross throughout argent. No conflicts found. The closest was Gormflait Suiban ni Cuallachta (1/73): Gyronny Or and azure, a Celtic cross argent, fimbriated sable. 1 CD for changes to the field. Nothing for the fimbriation, but 1 CD for making the cross throughout. [a pall inverted vs. a shakefork inverted] By long standing precedent there is a CD for ordinaries throughout vs. ordinaries couped; therefore, there is a CD for the change in the primary charge. [Elizabeth Fitzwilliam of Carlisle, 05/01, A-An Tir]
Ettiene, et al.: OK
Knut: Quarterly pean and vert ermined Or, a Celtic cross THROUGHOUT argent. Since the Celtic cross isn't usually considered to be an ordinary, throughout has to be specified. Since it's the only charge, it can't
be overall.
[A Celtic cross vs. a Celtic cross equal-armed, quarterly pierced and throughout] There is no heraldic difference for the charge being throughout, or not. However, there's a CD ...for the quarter-piercing, which is visually equivalent to adding a tertiary delf. (Toirrdelbach Ua Máel Doraid, October, 1992, pg. 16) Precedents - Bruce under Cross
Gormflait Suiban ni Cuallachta Either the name or the following device associated it (or both) were registered in January of 1973: Gyronny Or and azure, a Celtic cross argent, fimbriated sable.
CD field, no CD for throughout or fimbriation. Conflict
Ary: Device: The cross is not _overall_ it is _throughout_.
2) Andreas von Rheineck. New Name.
The given name is listed in Scott, “Medieval German Given Names from Silesia” (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/bahlow_v.htm) and dated to 1368. The surname is found on the The Zurich Roll of Arms, strip II, back page 1, dated c1340 (http://ladyivanor.knownworldweb.com/ zroaen0.htm). The client cares most about having a German name and would like the name to be authentic.
Name Commentary
Ettiene, et al.: "Talen said so."
Ary: Meaning? It sure would be nice if the client’s told us what they thought their names meant… The place name is not found in Bahlow, but the cite from the Zurich roll should be sufficient.
3) Bastian Eychener. Device Resubmission. Per bend sinister bevilled sable and gules, in bend two oak leaves argent.
(Name reg’d 11/01)
{We do not know if Laurel will register the device or not, but have decided to send it up nonetheless.}
Device Commentary
Pendar: According to figure D of the article on bevilled lines from the 9/18/92 cover letter, the line should intersect with the corner of the field, not half an inch down from it like this. I'm not sure if that will cause it to be returned for a redraw. The bevilling itself is done correctly. No conflicts found.
Ettiene, et al.: Note to Escutcheon, next time please mention what it conflicted with. Otherwise,OK.
Knut: ...I might even accept them used with charges (in a balanced way), despite the indications that charges weren't used with these fields in period...
Precedents - Bruce under Lines of Division – Bevilled: A single weirdness for non period practice but definately what the client wanted.
Clear
Ary: His device was originally returned on the 07/01_I_LoAR, not the _L_oAR. I didn’t find any conflicts with this submission.
{*) Bearaich O’Harald-o. Name and Device Resubmission. Barry azure and agent, three gouttes d’Or.
The client’s identical previous submission was returned by Laurel on 11/00 for various problems, and included the note: “we would have registered it if the submitter had allowed us to make major changes. Since he did not, we are unwilling to change the name so radically from the submitted form.” Laurel at the time suggested that Berach mac Arailt Oicc might be an acceptable name and in this letter, this has been concurred with. However, the difference in the name is too great and the client’s decision not to adopt Laurel’s suggestion changes from the return suggests that the name change is unacceptable. Rather than speculate, we are pending this and contacting the client for clarification and instruction.}
Name Commentary
Ary: This is undocumented as stands. The client’s original submission, identical to this, was returned by Laurel in 11/00 for the following reasons: “The submitter requested an authentic 11th-12th century Manx name. However, the name has several problems. The given name appears to be in the genitive case. Furthermore, even the nominative form [Berach] is likely to be a Modern Irish spelling of the name, and we were not able to find a form dated to the desired time period.
“The byname is even more problematical. Contrary to what the LoI claims, the form given in Woulfe's Irish Names and Surnames is
The Laurel return is not quite right as it stands; [Bearac.] (can also be spelled [Bearach]) is found in Woulfe s.n. Bearac., which notes that it was “the name of a celebrate Connacht saint of the 6th century.” Therefore, it should be a fine Irish Gaelic given name. Indeed, OCM concurs: s.n. Berach,
they mention a number of saints by this name, and note that “The O Hanlys continued to use Berach as a family personal name but in the nineteenth century they anglicized it [Barry].” [Berach] would be the appropriate early period form, with [Bearach] being later-period.
Given the documentation found in the Laurel return, [Berach mac Arailt Oicc] “Berach, son of Harald the young,” should be a fine name.
Device Commentary
Pendar: Blazon-fu: Barry azure and argent, three gouttes d'Or one and two. The default for "three" of anything is "two and one". "One and two", also known as "in chevron" is considered a weirdness. "[...in chief three roundels one and two counterchanged...] The arrangement of the roundels is a "weirdness", being poor style and awkward of blazon;" (LoAR 3/93 p.4 Zillah de Barcelona) "[...in chief three cups inverted in chevron Or and in base three plates in chevron.] The arrangement of the charges does not match any period pattern. However, this is only one weirdness and is thus registerable." (LoAR 8/01 Ælfgar Greggor of Vulpine Reach.) As this is the only weirdness on this device, it is registerable, just poor heraldic style. No conflicts found.
Ary: The original device, “Barry azure and argent,” was originally returned by Rouge Scarpe in 07/00, for numerous conflicts. His second submission, “Barry azure and argent, a goutte d’Or,” was returned by Rouge Scarpe in 02/01 for conflict with Iulstan Sigewealding. A bit of blazon-fu: The gouttes are one and two in this device, rather than the default two and one. I found no conflicts on the on-line OandA.
4) Conchobar mac Gabhan. Change of Registered Device. Argent, on a chief vert three martlets argent.
(Name reg’d 10/98)
If this device is registered, the client wishes to have his current device (Vert, a bend sinister between six acorns argent) [reg’d 6/99] CHANGED TO A BADGE.
{This device was pended on last month’s ILoAR because it had been submitted along with a new name (Giles M’Cormick) without instructions on how to dispose of the old name and device. The client was contacted and chose to withdraw the name and ask that the old device be changed to a badge if the new one was registered.}
5) Dyfwn Wen Ysginydd. Device Resubmission. Purpure, a sea-unicorn argent between three oak leaves fesswise Or
(Name reg’d 6/98)
Her original submission was returned by Laurel on 9/01 for redrawing (the sea-unicorn was actually a unicornate seahorse). The client has added the goat’s beard and (while it is not entirely clear from the mini) the cloven hooves. The lion’s tail, of course, is substituted by the fish’s tail instead.
Device Commentary
Pendar: No conflicts found. Very close to Jennifer Mac Conacher (12/93 Ansteorra): Purpure, semy of escallops Or, a seahorse argent, finned, maned and unguled Or. Nothing for changing the tincture of the mane, hooves, and fins. 1 CD for type of secondaries, 1 CD for number of secondaries.
Ettiene, et al.: OK
Knut: Clear
Ary: Her original submission was returned by Laurel 09/01 with the following note: “This is drawn as a unicornate seahorse, not as a sea-unicorn. Unicornate seahorses were ruled unregisterable in the LoAR of August 1998 (Osandrea Elspeth Gabrielle de le Bete, Artemisia returns).” In order for this to be an appropriately drawn unicorn (sea or otherwise), it needs to have a goat’s beard, a lion’s tail, and clearly cloven hooves. While this one has the goat’s beard, it does not have the tail (as a result of it having the fish’s tail instead), and it is impossible to tell if the hooves are cloven or not. This should be returned for redrawing. If this submission is to be registered, something needs to be done with her currently registered device, “Purpure, a chevron Or semy of acorns vert between three oak leaves fesswise Or” (reg. 06/98). Without explicit information from the submitter, the default is to release the previously registered device.
6) Fehér Stefánne de la Afumati. New Name.
The byname Fehér is documented in Speer, “Hungarian Names 101” (http://geocities.com/Athens/1336/magyarnames101.html ) but undated, and means “white-haired.” Following the instruction in ibid that “a woman’s official name is constructed from her husband’s name by adding the suffix –ne to his given name,” the client has created the name Stefánne, which is formed from Stefán, itself dated to 1394 in Friedemann, “Names from the Royal Lines of Moldavia and Wallachia”
(http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~sfriedemann/names/romanian.htm). The family name “de la Afumati” is dated to 1522-1524 in ibid. Thus, the entire name means “the white-haired wife of Stefan of the Afumati family.” The client wants a name authentic to 15th century Romania/Hungary and cares most about having a name from that language/culture.
Name Commentary
Ettiene, et al.: OK
7) Gorm Bola. New Name {and Device. Argent, in pale a raven displayed and an axe fesswise head to sinister sable, within a bordure purpure.}
Gormr is found in Sveriges Medeltida Personnamn, Hafte 7 (http://www.dal.lu.se/sofi/smp/smp.htm) and dated to 1100. Bola is found in Wickenden (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/paul/bl.html) and dated to 1115. As there was contact between Sweden and Russia in period (albeit not always friendly), the language combination is plausible. The client will not accept major changes, cares most about language/culture, and wishes his name to be authentic for early Norse/Russian.
{The device is being returned for redrawing. The bird, as drawn, is difficult to identify and looks more like an eagle or a generic bird.}
Device Commentary
Pendar: No conflicts found. There is really nothing that indicates this is anything but a generic bird displayed.
Ettiene, et al.: Raven looks more like an eagle.Please have client redraw.
Knut: Argent, in pale an avian artistic motif displayed and an axe fesswise head to sinister sable, within a bordure purpure. Is this a documentable heraldic depiction of a raven?
RfS VII b. Reconstruction Requirement - Elements must be reconstructible in a recognizable form from a competent blazon.
Any element used in Society armory must be describable in standard heraldic terms so that a competent heraldic artist can reproduce the armory solely from the blazon. Elements that cannot be described in such a way that the depiction of the armory will remain consistent may not be used, even if they are identifiable design motifs that were used before 1600. For example, the Tree of Life occurs as a decorative element in period and is readily identifiable as such, but it may not be used in armory since it cannot be defined in a manner that guarantees its consistent depiction.
Is this motif reproducible?
This is not an unshaded b & w drawing.
[a raven displayed vs. an eagle displayed] Even though ravens and eagles were different birds in period, only eagles were ever displayed. Therefore there is not a CD for type. [Robert le Raven MacLeod, 11/99, R-Artemisia]
Should a displayed non-eagle avian be considered a non-period weirdness?
A properly drawn raven displayed looks clear. Return for redraw.
{*) Griette Crynes. New Device. Argent, between two bendlets sinister azure a waterlily pad gules.
(Name reg’d ??/??)
This is being returned because the client does not have a registered name.}
8) Helmut von Rheineck. New Name. { and Device. Per pale gules and bendy gules and Or cotised sable, to dexter a cross crosslet fitchy Or engraved sable}.
Helmut is found in Brechenmacher I: 694 (s.n. “Helmuth”) and dated to 1478. The surname is found on the The Zurich Roll of Arms, strip II back page 1, dated c1340 (http://ladyivanor.knownworldweb.com/zroaen0.htm ). The client cares most about a name from German language/culture from the Rhine River region, Rheineck translates as “bend or corner in the river Rhine”.
{The device is being returned for bearing the appearance of marshalled arms. RfS XI.3 says “Marshalling. - Armory that appears to marshal independent arms is considered presumptuous. Period marshalling combined two or more separate designs to indicate descent from noble parents and claim to inheritance. Since members of the Society are all required to earn their status on their own merits, apparent claims to inherited status are presumptuous. Divisions commonly used for marshalling, such as quarterly or per pale, may only be used in contexts that ensure marshalling is not suggested.” Thank you, Ary, for getting me the quote.}
Device Commentary
A+M: Device: Did not find any referrence to "engraving" as a treatment of a cross in the online version of Parker. We are inclined to consider it "artistic license". The sable portions of the field are not cotises, but fimbriations. We have not found any evidence of this style of a field. The device is approaching marshalled armory; we are unsure if it has reached that point.
Pendar: What we have on the sinister side of the field is essentially "gules, three bendlets Or fimbriated sable", or at least they would be if they weren't interrupted by the gules dexter half of the field. Judging by how wide the per pale line itself is, I wouldn't say that the bendlets are fimbriated at all, he just happened to use a thick marker. Either way, fimbriation doesn't count for difference so we have "On a field, a cross crosslet fitchy". It is forced to dexter because of the gold bendlets, so you don't get a CD for placement on the field. Conflicts with Launcelot de Westwood (9/73): Azure, a cross botonny fitchy Or. 1 CD for changes to the field. "Botonny" is a misspelling of "bottony", which is an artistic variant of a cross crosslet. This can be most easily solved by making the sinister half of the field "barry argent and gules" because then he'd get the CD for placement of the cross on the field.
Ettiene, et al.: Blazon does not match emblazon. There was much discussion about what exactly is "cotised." Is it cotised or is it a bendlet?
Knut: Per pale gules and bendy gules and Or, to dexter a cross crosslet fitchy Or engraved sable. There are no cotisses shown. Sable fimbriation is a tincture violation. Although the black lines are thick, they probably still could be considered artistic delineation. The bendy should be evenly divided. The treatment engraving hasn't been registered before and should be documented or just treated as artistic license. Per pale gules and bendy gules and Or, to dexter a cross crosslet fitchy Or sable looks clear.
Ary: This needs to be returned for presumption. This is marshaled arms. RfS XI.3 says “Marshalling. - Armory that appears to marshal independent arms is considered presumptuous. Period marshalling combined two or more separate designs to indicate descent from noble parents and claim to inheritance. Since members of the Society are all required to earn their status on their own merits, apparent claims to inherited status are presumptuous. Divisions commonly used for marshalling, such as quarterly or per pale, may only be used in contexts that ensure marshalling is not suggested.” Further on, XI.3.b says “Such fields may only be used when no single portion of the field may appear to be an independent piece of armory. “No section of the field may contain an ordinary that terminates at the edge of that section, or more than one charge unless those charges are part of a group over the whole field. Charged sections must all contain charges of the same type to avoid the appearance of being different from each other.” Additionally, you cannot cotise a bendy field; cotising is used around charges, and such a field has no charge.
9) Ilse von Rheineck. New Name.
Ilse is listed in Scott, “Medieval German Given Names from Silesia” (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/bahlow_v.htm) and dated to 1368. The surname is found on the The Zurich Roll of Arms, strip II, back page 1, dated c1340 (http://ladyivanor.knownworldweb.com/ zroaen0.htm). The client cares most about having a German name with the proper sound and would like the name to be authentic.
Name Commentary
Ettiene, et al.: OK
10) Ivar Kazak. New Name {and Device. Gules, between two ravens respectant sable, sustaining a sword proper.}
Both names found in Wickenden. Ivar’ is found on (125) and dated to the 15th century. The soft sign does not have to be transliterated in English. Kazak is dated to 1498 in ibid (134). Client is most interested in having a name that is authentic for Russian language/culture. {The device is being returned for violating tincture. The sable bird does not bear sufficient contrast against the gules field. In addition, the design needs redrawing as the ravens are difficult to identify and they are touching the edges of the shield.}
Device Commentary
Pendar: Birds cannot be rampant, therefore they cannot be "combattant" either. These are "respectant. There is nothing to indicate they are anything but generic birds. Blazon-fu: Gules, two birds respectant sable sustaining between them a sword proper. (Blazon based on several Outlands awards along the lines of "Two stags combatant sable sustaining between them a column argent.") The handle of the sword should also be gold. This violates the rule of tincture putting black birds on a red field. There is evidence for black birds on red fields in period armory: Foster's Dictionary of Heraldry, page 72, Dyve – a suffolk knight - bore Gules, a chevron between three dyvers sable, the breasts argent; Arundel Roll. On page 185 we find Stoddaw - an Essex Knight - bore Gules, a chevron argent between three Cornish choughs proper, a bordure engrailed of the last (sable); Arundel Roll. This is probably not enough evidence to support his device, but it is a start. The important thing about both of these citations is that dyvers and Cornish choughs are found black in nature. If he wants to try to use it as documentation he's going to have to redraw the birds to the form that the SCA CoA expects to see ravens drawn- big and hairy. http://www.substandard.org/al-barran/rampart/raven.gif Picture from Fox Davies page 248.
Ettiene, et al.: As ravens are not predetory, we feel they should not be combatant. They should be respectant.
Knut: Gules, two ravens issuant from the sides of the shield respectant sable sustaining a sword proper. RfS VIII2b. Contrast Requirements - i. The field must have good contrast with every charge placed directly on it and with charges placed overall. There isn't good contrast between sable and gules. [Gules, a bear passant sable between three mullets of six points Or] The submitter asked that this be registered under RfS VIII.6, Documented Exceptions. She included numerous examples of sable charges on gules from different areas of Europe. While there was enough evidence given to support Gules, a bear passant sable (which conflicts with Berlin, Argent, a bear passant sable), the only examples the submitter presented of a low contrast charge between high contrast secondaries the central charge was an ordinary. As ordinaries have a different level of complexity from an animate charge, we cannot consider their examples as sufficient. None of the examples present showed the case Gules, \an animate charge sable between charges Or (or argent). The Documented Exceptions rule is by nature very conservative; one needs multiple examples of very similar patterns to allow extrapolations. Therefore, we must return the device. [Ursula Georges, 03/00, R-An Tir] [Berlin's bear is actually rampant.] Precedents - Elsbeth under Documentation The sustained charge between two complex low contrast charges is too complex for the for RfS VIII.6 to be attempted in this case. The hilt of a sword proper is gold, not brown. [BoE, 28 Sept 84, p.5] Precedents - Baldwin under proper. Brown is not a heraldic tincture and is not part of a "proper" depiction of a sword. The ravens shoulden't be touching the sides of the shield. Return for reworking.
Ary: This needs to be returned for redrawing. The birds and the sword are highly unrecognizable as is.
{*) John Chandler. Device Resubmission. Purpure, a chevron argent.
(Name reg’d 12/01)
{This is being returned for multiple conflicts, which include: Ile du Dragon Dormant, Shire de l' (Purpure, a chevron argent between in chief a laurel wreath between two fleurs-de-lys in fess and in base a dragon dormant, wings elevated and addorsed, Or) [reg’d 4/85]. There is only one CD for the addition of the secondaries. Marie of Clan Neil (Purpure, a chevron between two roses and a harp argent) [reg’d 11/97]. There is only one CD for the addition of the secondaries. Katerina da Brescia (Purpure, three chevronels braced argent) [reg’d 6/96]. There is a single CD for changing the number of primary group charges. Wijade the Wondrous (Purpure, a pale argent and a chevron counterchanged) [reg’d 9/73]. There is a CD for the pale, but the counterchanging changes less than half the tincture and thus there is a conflict. Several commentators also noted that the chevron should be drawn wider.}
Device Commentary
A+M: Name registered 12/01 per Online O&A. Conflict with Marie of Clan Neil (reg 11/97) "Purpure, a chevron between two roses and a harp argent." There is one CD for adding the peripheral charge group. Probable conflict with Ile du Dragon Dormant, Shire de l' (reg 4/85) "Purpure, a chevron argent between in chief a laurel wreath between two fleurs-de-lys in fess and in base a dragon dormant, wings elevated and addorsed, Or." If the peripheral charges all fall into the same charge group, there is only one CD, as above. Possible conflict with Katerina da Brescia (reg 6/96) "Purpure, three chevronels braced argent." There is one CD for changing the number of the primary charge. We are unsure if bracing counts as a second CD. Possible conflict with John de Caversham (reg 7/96) "Azure, a chevron couched from dexter argent." There is one CD for changing the field. We are unsure if couching counts as a second CD.
Pendar: Agree that the chevron is too skinny. Conflicts with Marie of Clan Neil (11/97 Atenveldt): Purpure, a chevron between two roses and a harp argent. 1 CD for removing the secondary charge group.
Ettiene, et al.: Feed the chevron
Knut: The chevron is slightly thin and abased but still passable. "Please imform the submitter to draw the chevron wider." Ile du Dragon Dormant, Shire de l' The following device associated with this name was registered in April of 1985 (via the East): Purpure, a chevron argent between in chief a laurel wreath between two fleurs-de-lys in fess and in base a dragon dormant, wings elevated and addorsed, Or. Marie of Clan Neil The following device associated with this name was registered in November of 1997 (via Atenveldt): Purpure, a chevron between two roses and a harp argent. CD for addition of secondary group - Conflict Katerina da Brescia The following device associated with this name was registered in June of 1996 (via the West): Purpure, three chevronels braced argent. CD for number of primary group - Conflict Wijade the Wondrous Either the name or the following device associated it (or both) were registered in September of 1973: Purpure, a pale argent and a chevron counterchanged. CD for the Pale, The counterchanging changes less than half the tincture - No CD - Conflict Simplicity is very good, but this person should probably work with someone who understands conflict checking to find passable differencing.
Ary: Someone should tell the poor fellow to conflict check his submissions before he submits them (he is a herald, after all). This conflicts with Marie of Clan Neil (reg. 11/97 via Atenveldt), “Purpure, a chevron between two roses and a harp argent,” with one CD for the secondary charges.
11) Lachlan Macdougal. New Name and Device Azure, a chevron between a roundel and a wolf’s head erased argent.
Lochlainn is found in Ó Corráin & Maguire (123) with Lachlan given as a Scottish variant. Black (410) notes that the Gaelic is Lachlann and provides a number of anglicized forms of the name: Lohlan (c1158-64), Lochlan (c1166), Loghlan (1296), Louchelan (1304-5), Lachlane (1417), Laccan (1470), Lachillan, Lachtillan (1516), Lachlann (1436), and Lachlin (c1431). The client’s desired spelling of Lachlan is probably a reasonable form. Ibid (487-8) gives the Gaelic as mac Dhughaill. Anglicized forms are MacKowle (c1230), M’Kowele (c1370-80), Macdowylle (1374), M’Cowyll (1517), MacCoull (1557), M’Awell (1510), VcCoule (1530), McCoull (1556), McCouyll (1519), McCowell (1520), McCowil (1516), and McCuile (1548). It looks like the closest spelling (anglicized) to the submitted form is the 1374 cite of Macdowylle. The client has requested an authentic name “for the British Isles” and either Lachlan Macdowylle (anglicized) or Lachlann mac Dhughaill (Scottish Gaelic) is a fine name, however, we are loath to make such significant changes regardless of the client’s stated wishes. The client cares most about sound.
Name Commentary
Ary: The header for the given name in OCM is Lochlainn. They note that “This name came into use in the early middle ages among the Ui/ Ne/ill of the north and other families…In Scotland, it is much used by the families of McIntosh and McLean in the form Lachlan.” Black s.n. Lachlan note that the Gaelic is Lachlann. They list a number of anglicized forms of the name: Lohlan c1158-64, [Lochlan] a1166, [Loghlan] 1296, [Louchelan] 1304-5, [Lachlane] 1417, [Laccan] 1470, [Lachillan], [Lachtillan] 1516, [Lachlann] 1436, [Lachlin] c.1431. The client’s desired spelling of [Lachlan] is probably a reasonable form. S.n. MacDougal, Black gives the Gaelic as [mac Dhughaill]. Anglicized forms are [MacKowle] c1230, [M’Kowele] c1370-80, [Macdowylle] 1374, [M’Cowyll] 1517, [MacCoull] 1557, 1610, [M’Awell] 1510, [VcCoule] 1530, [McCoull] 1556, [McCouyll] 1519, [McCowell] 1520, [McCowil] 1516, [McCuile] 1548. It looks like the closest spelling (anglicized) to the submitted form is the 1374 cite of [Macdowylle]. Either [Lachlan Macdowylle] (anglicized) or [Lachlann mac Dhughaill] (Scottish Gaelic) is a fine name.
Device Commentary
Pendar: No conflicts found. The closest was Stuart of Lindley (7/87 West): Azure, a chevron disjoint, and in chief a roundel argent. 1 CD for the complex line, 1 CD for the charge in base.
Ary: The chevron is much to shallow. This needs to be redrawn.
12) Leuther Eckhardt. New Name and Device. Per chevron vert and purpure, a chevron between three fleur-de-lys argent.
Submitted as Leuther von Eckhardt, we have dropped the “von” in order to make the second element into an unmarked patronymic. Leuther is dated to c1350 in Bahlow (335, English ed) and Eckhardt is dated to c1300 in ibid (103). The client cares most about having a German name and would like the name to be authentic.
Name Commentary
Ary: This name is grammatically incorrect; both Device Commentary
Pendar: No conflicts found. The closest was Isabella Agnes van Lichtervelde (2/94 Caid): Per chevron vert and purpure, a chevron ermine between two fleurs-de-lys and a fleece argent. 1 CD for tincture of the chevron, 1 CD for changing half the type of secondary charge group. "After much thought and discussion, it has been decided, for purposes of X.4.d, e and h of the Rules for Submission, that the bottommost of three charges, either on the field alone or around an ordinary, is defined as one-half of the group...multiple changes to the basemost of three charges under this definition will be granted a maximum of one CVD." (CL 9/6/90 p.2). So technically there is a second CD, but this could be returned for RfS X.5: Visual Test. - If the tinctures, shapes, or arrangement of the charges in a submission create an overwhelming visual resemblance to a piece of protected armory, the submission may be held to conflict even if sufficient
theoretical difference can be counted between them. That's a Laurel call.
Ettiene, et al.: Client was phoned. "Per chevron.."should read "Per chevronelle..."
Knut: The chevron is a little thin.
Kiera of Cummerlandia The following device associated with this name was registered in June
of 1998 (via Atenveldt): Per chevron azure and gules, a chevron cotised between three fleurs-de-lys argent. CD field, CD cottices
Gabrielle Flornoy The following device associated with this name was registered in July
of 1998 (via Meridies): Per chevron vert and purpure, a chevron Or between in chief three fleurs-de-lys and in base an owl volant contourny guardant wings elevated and addorsed argent. CD tincture of primary, CD number of secondary
Clear
13) Maryam bint Wahib ibn Ahmad. New Name and Device.
Sable a crescent within a bordure embattled Or.
The elements and the construction are found in Appleton, “Arabic Naming Practices and Period Names List” (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/arabic-naming.html). The client cares most about having an Arabic name and would like the name to be authentic.
{To Ary: Thankfully, the forms say Wahib as well. Wahab was a typo on the LoI.}
Name Commentary
Ary: Contrary to what the LoI says, [Wahab] is _not_ found in Da’ud’s article; [Wahib] is. The construction of ’ism + nasab + nasab is documented in that article.
Device Commentary
Pendar: No conflicts found.
Ettiene, et al.: OK
Knut: Silvie de Rohan The following device associated with this name was registered in March
of 2000 (via Lochac): Sable, in pale a cat passant reguardant to sinister and three crescents
interlaced in pall inverted, a bordure embattled Or. CD Number of primary group, CD orientation?- I don't think that any of the interlaced in pall inverted crescents are upright. If this is considered a single primary group of a cat and three crescents there is no CD for type.
Clear?
Ary: This does not conflict with Kendric de Morlaix (reg 12/85 via Caid), “Vert, a crescent within a bordure Or,” with one CD for the field, and one for the embattling.
14) Morgan Greenleaf. Change of Registered Name.
(Name reg’d 3/02)
The client’s current name (Kenric of Rohan) was registered via Meridies in March 2002. The client would like to release this name.
Jones lists Morgan as a Welsh name suitable for the 16th century in her article, “A Simple Guide to Constructing 16th Century Welsh Names (in English Contexts)” (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/welsh16.html). In that article, the relevant statement is also made: “Non-Welsh surnames: in general one can expect that these belong to people whose families moved into Wales from England or elsewhere. In theory, almost any English surname of this period might have ended up in Wales, and you can find this type of surname being used with unmistakably Welsh given names.” Jones also authored an article concerning Morgan as a name which is linked to “The Problem Names Project” (http://www.medievalscotland.org/problem/names/morgan.shtml): “This name was in ordinary use prior to 1600, but only as a man’s name.” Because the client is male, the gender of the name is appropriate.
Reaney and Wilson (205) give Greanleaf as a header and date the spelling “Grenelefe” to 1577. The client wishes his name registered in standard Modern English hence the spelling “Greenleaf.” He will NOT accept MAJOR changes.
Name Commentary
Ettiene, et al.: OK
John: Client’s sources are okay – I don’t have anything to add. Besides, I believe I’ve commented on this name before.
15) Nathanael von Rheineck. New Name.
Nathan is found in Bahlow (378, English ed) and dated to 1309. We could find no support for Nathanael as a medieval German name. The surname is found on the The Zurich Roll of Arms, strip II, back page 1, dated c1340 (http://ladyivanor.knownworldweb.com/ zroaen0.htm). The client cares most about having a German name with the proper sound and meaning (Rheineck translates as “bend or corner in the river Rhine”) and would like the name to be authentic.
Ettiene, et al.: OK
Ary: 16) Rhonwen Lili‘r dyffrynnoedd ferch Tewdwr. New Name. {and Device.
Azure, three chevronels interlaced argent, overall a wyvern displayed Or.}
Submitted as Rhonwen Lili‘r dyffrynnoedd ferch Tewdwr, we were unable to document the middle element (which is a translation of “Lily of the Valley”) and dropped it. The client cited Withycombe (253, s.n. “Rhona”) for Rhonwen. Rhonwen was ruled SCA-compatible in 1995. Gruffudd (82) notes that Rhonwen is the Welsh equivalent of “Rowena” the daughter of Hengist. Tewdwr is found in Davies, A History of Wales (82-83) and dated c1100. Gruffudd (89) also has Tewdwr. 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 wyvern is not completely overall and the chevronels and the wyvern need to be bolder. The chevronels should extend to fill the center part of the shield, with the wyvern laying distinctly on top of them.}
Name Commentary
Ary: Oh dear. Well, without any evidence that this is the right medieval form of “lily of the valley” or that medieval Welsh women used such bynames, this element needs to be dropped. [Rhonwen] is not in Withycombe second edition. The evidence presented on the LoI for the given name is not sufficient, we need, at the very least, a header word and a date. [Rhonwen] is not found in Tangwystyl’s CA #66, though [Tudur] is. The spelling [Tuder] is also found in her “A Simple Guide to 13th Century Welsh Names” (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/tangwystyl/welsh13.html).
[Rhonwen] was ruled SCA-compatible in 11/95.
John: Client’s sources are okay, but name is a bit affected; it certainly wasn’t common practice to drag the pedigree out like this. But, if client insists, the name will pass technicalities.
Ettiene, et al.: Client needs to buy a vowel. Is "Teach yourself Welsh" a good source?
Device Commentary
Pendar: The "in base" isn't really required here. This likely conflicts with Sarkanyi Gero (1/73): Azure, a three-headed wivern Or, armed and langued, wings doubled gules. 1 CD for adding the chevronelles, but nothing for the extra heads or artistic details. I have no idea what "wings doubled" means.
Ettiene, et al.: Beastie needs to be fed.
Knut: Azure, a wyvern displayed Or surmounting the centermost of three chevronnelles braced in base argent. The wyvern should be bolder.
[On an estoile, a phoenix] This was blazoned on the LOI as An estoile ...and overall a phoenix. However, an examination of the full-sized emblazon showed this to be incorrect: the "overlap" of the phoenix over the estoile's edge was so small as to be negligible. This in itself is reason for return: the Laurel office has long insisted that overall charges be truly overall, not barely overlapping the edge of their
underlying charge. (LoAR of 17 June 83) [Returned for this reason and for conflict] (Eirikr Sigurdharson, September, 1992, pg. 38) Precedents - Bruce under Charge - Overall
[The overall charge] is not truly "overall" since it does not evenly overlie the charges on the field. (LoAR 26 Feb 89, p. 16) Precedents - Alisoun under Overall Charge
The wyvern partially overlies one chevronelle, barely overlies (or doesn't touch) a second, and doesn't touch the third. The real stylistic problem with this device is the chevronelles in base, which create balance problems.
I think that the chevronells should extend past the wyvern, filling the shield.
The drawing of braced in Parker shows "three chevronels braced (or interlaced) in the base of the escutcheon" which makes it a poor example of what braced chevronels look like since most people only look at the header and emblazon, not the blazon. Because Parker is a basic SCA reference, it is possible that there are articles which make this mistake.
Terra Pomaria, Barony of The following badge associated with this name was registered in
September of 1986 (via An Tir): Azure, three chevronels braced argent and in base a broad arrow Or. CD addition of overall, CD deletion of secondary; or CD type and location of secondary.
Azure, three chevronnelles braced argent overall a wyvern displayed Or is clear.
Return for redraw.
Ary: To Escutcheon: When listing the blazons of the device, please don’t list the blazon that the client has given, because they will often get it wrong. Rather, if the blazon submitted is not sufficient, please supply a suitable one. This wyvern is only barely overall; this has been cause for return in the past, and should be so now.
17) Rivenvale, Shire of. New Group Name and Device.
Vert, a pile azure fimbriated argent, overall a seraph contourny maintaining a sword argent, in dexter chief a laurel wreath Or.
For the name, the clients cite Hinde, The Domesday Book, England’s Heritage, Then and Now (104) for Rivenhall. Ibid (80) gives Culm Vale, on (174) Stainton le Vale, on (37) Stanford-in the-Vale. The Rivenhall entry reads: “ Land of Count Eustace in Essex The Count holds RIVENHALL in lordship, which Queen Edith held before 1066 as one manor, for 2 ½ hides….” They also find the “Domesday’s Vales” : Merevale, Vale of Catmose, Vale of Mowbray, Vale of Nadder, and Vale of White Horse listed at http://www.infokey.com/hon/domesday.htm. It would seem a reasonable construction, given the above examples, to place Riven together with Vale to form a period-plausible English place-name. They will NOT accept MAJOR or MINOR changes. A petition of support is included.
If more support is needed, Smith, English Place-Names Elements has River (under “Rivere”) and Vale (under “Vale”).
Name Commentary
Ary: Kudos to the submitters for finding documentation! It looks good to me.
Device Commentary
A+M: The laurel wreath is very small. It needs to be a more significant part of the design.
Pendar: The fimbriation is very narrow and is mostly obscured by the angel and Laurel wreath. Not only that, but when one charge surmounts another, one most be long and skinny. These are equally long and skinny and both palewise. There is too much overlap. Overall charges are considered to be sitting on the field, but the angel is mostly on the pile. It just has too many style problems to live. :)
Ettiene, et al.: OK
Knut: The laurel wreath in this device is barely overall. The conplexity count of eight; Or, argent, azure, vert, seraph, sword, pile and laurel wreath, pushes the limits of allowable complexity. The fimbriation only adds to the visual complexity.
The marginal contrast and the overall seraph, which obscures a signifigant portion of the fimbriation, make the pile unidentifiable, violating RfS VIII.3.
Return for multiple style problems.
Ary: The laurel wreath is also overall. I still have some problems with the general design and style of this device, but they have corrected the problem of the posture of the angel that they had in their first submission, and I can’t find anything wrong with it. Send it up.
18) Sebastian Elgar. New Name {and Device.
Gyronny argent and gules, four arrows in saltire points to center sable.}
Sebastian is found Withycombe (122) who notes that it was used in Spain and that Bastian would be the more common English form. Sebastian is also a period saint’s name. Elgar is found in Reaney & Wilson (6, under “Algar”) and dated to 1234 and 1317. The client cares most about sound.
{The device is being returned for redrawing. The arrows need to be drawn with narrower shafts and wider fletches and heads. However, we are also concerned about the identifiability of the shafts on the line of division. Laurel has previously returned swords for laying on the line of division and arrows are significantly narrower than swords. We are recommending a reconsideration of the design with moving the arrows a top priority.}
Name Commentary
Ary: This submission should be considered undocumented on the LoI. Simply stating the name of the book and the page number where something is found is insufficient, as it leaves out the very most important
part: the dates when the name is found. Withycombe in fact is fairly unforthcoming about this name in England. She only says "As a Christian name, Device Commentary
Pendar: No conflicts found, but it has a good chance of being returned for lack of contrast.
Ettiene, et al.: OK
Knut: Gyronny argent and gules, four suicidal skyrockets in saltire sable
[A sheaf of arrows argent, fletched and barbed gules] "Versus... Gules, three bird-bolts in a parcel argent, banded azure, one in pale and two in saltire, there is a CD... for changing half the tincture of the
charges. It should be noted that period arrows were drawn with grossly exaggerated heads and fletching for greater identifiability. This fact should be considered in tincture changes." (LoAR 1/92 p.6). Precedents Da'ud 1.2 under arrow
These arrows have identifiability problems. In this depiction the shaft, not the head and fletching, is exaggerated. Also, arrows and crossbow bolts normally have their shafts extending beyond their
fletches. The location on the lines of division dosen't help.
Propperly drawn, this should clear. Return for redraw.
19) Simon the Dark Hand. New Name and Device.
Sable, a horse rampant within an orle of mullets of four points argent.
Simon found in “Jewish Naming Convention in Angevin England” by Eleazar ha-Levi (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/jewish.html). It can also be dated to 1134-40 in Reaney & Wilson (410). Reaney & Wilson (215) have several bynames with “hand” in them and note: “Ekwall postulates an OE *Hand, originally a nickname from hand cf. foot. Honde may well be a survival of this. The surname may also refer to some peculiarity of the hand or to skill in its use. cf. Goodhand.” Under that entry for Goodhand (198), they have Henry Goudenhand, dated 1332, noting that this is probably "golden hand," and not "good hand." Ibid (126) has a header for Dark and several dated references to names but no compound bynames using this element as the prototheme. The client cares most about meaning and would like an authentic Angevin English name, suitable for the 12th century.
Name Commentary
Ary: Saxon family, and yet he documents his name from a Jewish source? Curious… Thankfully Reaney & Wilson s.n Simon can do better - they list a Device Commentary
A+M: Device: The first "argent" in the blazon is redundant, and can be removed.
Pendar: Blazon-fu: Sable, a horse rampant within 14 mullets of four points in orle argent. "an orle" implies that the peripheral ordinary is there and is surmounted at odd points by mullets, like an orle of roses would be. There is a strong visual resemblence to Aonghais Dubh MacTarbh (10/76): Sable, semy of flames proper, a horse salient argent incensed, crined of flames, unguled and fetlocked gules, gorged of a ducal crown. This individual was the first person to be banished from the SCA. His name is regurlarly
banished at the beginning of each new reign in Caid. No true conflicts found, but the client should be made aware of the association people may make with his device.
Ettiene, et al.: Should read:"Sable, a horse rampant within an orle of mullets of four points argent."
Knut: Sable, a horse rampant within an orle of mullets of four points argent.
[Azure, in canton a mullet of four points, a bordure argent] Conflict with Ariel of Alon, Azure, two compass stars argent and a sword argent, hilted gules, winged Or, a bordure argent. As neither a compass star nor a mullet of four points are period charges, and they differ only by the addition of the lesser points, there is not a CD between a mullet of four points and a compass star. There is also not a CD for arrangement on the field, because William's mullet occupies the same space as one of Ariel's compass stars. Therefore there is only a single CD for changing the number of primary charges. [William Killian, 01/01, R-Ansteorra] Precedents - Elsbeth under mullet
Weirdness for one step from period practice. Clear.
Ary: No conflicts found.
{*) Skerrstrand, Shire of. Group Name Resubmission.
This is being returned for administrative reasons. The clients’ previous submission was returned for lacking a designator and documentation that the name was plausible. Even before that return happened, this resubmission was made. Apparently, the only change was to add the designator to the name. The clients have not provided any new documentation and the petition of support does not indicate any support for this change (it looks like the original petition, in fact). The clients are urged to prepare a new submission that addresses the reasons for the original return.}
Name Commentary
A+M: This name was returned on the May 2002 MK LoAR for lack of a designator.
Ary: I can’t help with this, but Talan probably could.
{*) Stonecroft. New Name and Device.
Argent masoned sable, per saltire a feather and mallet gules, within a laurel wreath vert.
The name is being returned for lacking a designator. While the designator was added to the name forms as an afterthought, it is obvious from the petition (which does not list any) that the group was never polled on their choice of a designator. If the group wishes to be known as the “Shire of Skerrstrand,” the petition must indicate this fact.
The device is being returned along with the name and for violating RfS VIII.1.a (commonly known as “slot machine heraldry”). At issue is the way that the mallet, feather, and laurel are all roughly drawn with the same size and weight. As such, they appear as three separate but equal primary charges. One easy solution would be to redraw the laurel wreath so it is larger than the mullet and feather.}
Name Commentary
Ary: I’m not sure I can help much in supplying documentation for this; what’s in the LoI is, unfortunately, not sufficient for registration. Mills has a number of place names with [Ston-] or [Stone-] as their initial element, including: Staundune 1062, s.n. Stondon Standon de Marcy 1238, s.n. Stondon Standone 1086, s.n. Stondon Stanenges c1130, s.n. Stonehenge Stanhus 1086, s.n. Stonehouse Stanlei 1086, s.n. Stoneleigh Stanlegh 1260, s.n. Stonely Stonham c1040, s.n. Stonham Stanham 1086, s.n. Stonham
S.n. Croft, Mills says “usually from OE [croft] ‘ a small enclosed field,’ examples include [Croft] 1086.” There is also [Cropton] 8th C s.n. Crofton, and [Croftona] 12th C s.n. Crofton (the second one).
So I guess as Device Commentary
Pendar: Blazon-fu: Argent masoned sable, a mallet and a feather in saltire gules within a Laurel wreath vert. "per saltire" is a line of division. No conflicts found, but surprisingly, I found something pretty close: Emma de Fetherstan (10/00 Ansteorra): Argent masoned sable, a feather bendwise sinister gules.
Ettiene, et al.: Esct. is correct,chage the blazon. Has complexity of eight, but is OK. very nice.
Knut: [registering Per chevron Or and vert, two chalices vert and a flaming brazier within a laurel wreath Or] The question arose in commentary about when an arrangement such as this is "slot machine" heraldry in violation of the strictures of RfS VIII.1.a., and when it is not. There really is not a hard a fast rule one can give as an answer. In general, however, if all of the charges in a group (here, a primary group) are of equal visual "weight", then the arrangement will usually be considered to be that of three or more different types of charge in a single group. If, however, as here, the charges do not have the same visual "weight" (here, for example, the laurel wreath does not have the same visual weight as the other charges), then it usually will be considered to not violate VIII.1.a. I realize that this is not an entirely happy ruling. The
alternatives, however, are to either rule that all such arrangements of charges violate VIII.1.a., even when the visual weight of the various charges is quite different, or to rule that none of such arrangements
violate VIII.1.a., even when all the charges are of clearly similar or identical visual weight. Either of these choices would "straightjacket" the College more than I believe the we would be comfortable. (Bryniaid, Shire of, 10/95 p. 13) Precedents Da'ud 2.2 under Style-Complexity
In this depiction, the feather, mallet and wreath are all boldly drawn and appear to me to be co-primary, violating RfS VIII.1.a.
Clear if drawn with either the wreath drawn larger and thicker with the mallet and feather shrunk, or the mallet and feather drawn larger and the wreath drawn as a thin peripheral charge.
Return for redraw.
Ary: Device: This is “Argent masoned sable, in saltire a mallet and a feather gules within a laurel wreath vert.” This has three types of charges (mallet, feather, laurel wreath) in the same charge group (primary) and thus is slot machine.
20) Ulrich von Brandenburg. New Name. {and Device.
Sable, a bull’s head caboshed argent within an orle, between three suns Or, eclipsed sable.}
Ulrich is found in Scott, “Medieval German Given Names from Silesia” (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/bahlow_v.htm) and dated to c1250. Brandenburg existed in the 10th Century when it was made a bishopric. The client will NOT accept MAJOR changes and is most concerned about language/culture and then the sound. He wants a 13th Century German name.
{The device is being returned for presumption. The combination of the orle and the suns creates the appearance of a charged escutcheon. If the suns were removed and the orle expanded outwards or the bull’s head, there might be conflicts, but the apperance of presumption would be eliminated.}
{*) Vilk{u,} Urvas, Shire of. New Device.
Azure, an armored wolf statant tail cowered ulient contourney argent, a chief embattled or and in dexter chief a bezant charged with a laurel wreath azure.
Evidence is provided for armored animals in period (including dogs), but not necessarily in heraldry. Kingdom commentators agreed that the chief needed to be fed, but felt that the device could be registered with an instruction to the clients to do so
Unfortunately, this submission is missing a petition of support, so I am pending it.}
Device Commentary
Pendar: Blazon-fu: Azure, an armored wolf statant ululant contourny coward argent, in dexter chief a bezant charged with a laurel wreath azure, a chief embattled Or. When blazoning the traits of a critter, you start with the posture, "statant ululant", then the orientation, "contourny", then the artistic details, "coward", "orbed", "langued", etc. There is no such term as "ulient", a howling wolf is "ululant". There is no "e" in "contourny". The defining trait of "coward" is the tail, so there is no need to specify the tail in the blazon. The term is "coward", not "cowered". Peripheral charges, such as the chief, are always blazoned last. "Or" is always capitalized. The armored part is difficult to see, but it is not at all unusual to have the armor and the person/thing wearing it be the same tincture even when it becomes and amorphous blob: Sebastian von Baden (1/81 West): Argent, upon a horse statant an armored man bearing a shield and pennanted lance palewise and in sisinter chief an oak tree eradicated, all sable. Adding the armor is not worth difference, nor is the posture of the head and tail. "We give no difference between a hand and a gauntlet... (Brian Brock, 5/99 p. 14)" "[... a fox sejant argent...] Conflict with Katya Zhdana Volkova Kievskaya, Azure, a wolf sejant ululant and in chief three crossbows argent, with a CD for removing the crossbows but nothing for the change in head position." (LoAR 10/00 Catelin O'Meighan). I agree that the chief is narrow. That could very well cause it to be returned by Wreath for a redraw, though she has been very good about asking people to redraw things rather than returning them for redraws. I agree this is pictorial, but not returnably so. Armory that is returned for being too pictorial as per RfS VIII.4.a., has three or more elements such as a tent on a green mount surrounded by stars, or a ship on a ford with a bird volant and/or sun in chief. The only thing that could get this returned is the chief being too narrow. I found no conflicts.
A+M: Referring back to the return on the November 2000 MK LoAR, was any evidence ever presented for "armored beasties" being used in period heraldry?
Ary: Keythong is right that the chief is too shallow; this needs to be redrawn. However, I disagree with her comment that “This makes for a hard device to reproduce,” as the emblazon is pretty easily reproducible from the blazon. Without the problem of the chief, this is probably registerable, even if it is very poor style. Do we have any evidence for armored animals in period armory? If not, it might be nice to have some before we send it on to the CoA.
21) William Gunn. New Name and Device.
Sable, a falcon and on a chief Or, three pheons sable.
William is found in Reaney & Wilson (493) and dated to 1279. Gunn is in ibid (208) and also dated to 1297.
Done by my hand this 16th day of June,
Paul W Goldschmidt
Paul Wickenden of Thanet, Rouge Scarpe
3071 Cimarron Trail
Madison WI 53719
goldschp@mailbag.com
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