May 2004 Middle Kingdom Letter of Acceptances and Returns

This is the May 2004 Middle Kingdom Letter of Acceptances and Returns for Escutcheon’s March 2004 Letter of Intent.

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. Commentary, rulings, etc. by Rouge Scarpe are placed IN SMALL CAP PRINT. Thanks to Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Ælfreda æt Æthelwealda & Mikhail of Lubelska, Canute, and Master Talan Gwynek.

1) Andrew Bend (M)-- Device Resubmission -- Sable, a bend nebuly argent.

(name reg'd July '03)

His device: Sable, a bend argent was returned by Rouge Scarpe March '03 for multiple conflicts.

A letter to conflict from Herbert von Kalden ( Per bend azure and sable, a bend wavy argent) is included.

Commentary

Ary - This looks clear to me.

Canute - Herbert von Kalden - October of 2001 (via Ansteorra):

Per bend azure and sable, a bend wavy argent.

Single CD field, permission to conflict.

Otherwise clear

PASSED TO LAUREL

2) Christian Blood (M) -- New Name and Device -- Azure, an axe within a bordure argent

Client wants as close to 16th century as possible. He is using his first name Chris as a form of Christian. He does not provide any proof of his mundane name.

Blood - Client cites William Blood (1563) from http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi

Name Commentary

Ary - Since Rouge Scarpe has stated: "I make no changes or decisions on names" (Mar ILoAR), thus indicating that commentary recommending changes or decisions will be ignored, I have not wasted any of my effort or time researching name submissions. At such time when Rouge Scarpe does start making decisions on names again, I will start commenting on names.

Note from Rouge Scarpe – her commentary was based on my first XLoI.

Talan - But she has also said that she will forward pertinent commentary to the CoA, so it would *not* be a waste and might help a submitter or two, which is always worthwhile. At the very least the documentation in the ILoI should be checked for accuracy.

On the name:

The URL to the Rootsweb site is only to the front end of a search engine. Entering 'Blood' as surname, 'William' as given name, and 1563 as date of birth produces links to records for the right man. One is at

<worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:239413&id=I2855>,

another at

<worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:239421&id=I11508293>.

It's not clear how good this documentation is for the specific spelling Blood, since the man's son is listed as William Blud. The son's son is listed as Gervase Blud, whose son is listed as Thomas Blood. The Blud spellings are likely to be contemporary, but the 16th century Blood spelling may be a modernization.

Reaney & Wilson s.n. Blood aren't terribly helpful, as their latest citation is for a John Blod 1328 (whose forename has probably been normalized here). Bardsley s.n. Blood is also not terribly helpful, as his earliest citation is John Blood 1741. (Note that his Welsh etymology for the name is almost certainly wrong.)

It's clear that the surname existed in the 16th century in some form. The OED s.v. blood indicates that this spelling of the common noun has been noted as early as the 14th century, so there is in principle no reason that someone with the surname couldn't have spelled it Blood in the 16th century.

Christian was more common as a feminine name, but it was in use by men. An example can be found at <http://www.ellipsis.cx/~liana/names/late16.html>, from the late-16th century marriage register from Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire. Three more late-16th century instances can be found at <http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/talan/eng16/eng16alpha.html>.

Device Commentary

Ary - This may conflict with Olaf of Forgotten Sea (reg. 10/92 via Calontir), "Azure, a double-bitted axe argent, the haft of wood proper entwined by an asp Or, a bordure Or ermined azure." There is one CD for the tincture of the bordure, but the haft of a double-bitted axe is less than half the charge, and so changing the tincture (from brown w/ an asp to argent) is likely not enough for a CD.

It may also conflict with Caid, Kingdom of, for Office of the Chancellor (reg. 06/1985 via Caid), "Azure, a fasces within a bordure embattled argent." There is one CD for the type of bordure, but precedent was silent as to whether there is a CD between an axe and a fasces. The only thing I found was: "[An arrow bound in a fascine.] A fascine (from Latin fascina, a bundle of sticks) is "a long bundle of sticks of wood, bound together, used in raising batteries, filling ditches," etc. (Webster's Second) When an axe is bound in a fascine it becomes a fasces. [BoE, 6 April 86, p.5]" In this case, fasces differ from axes in terms of handles, it appears. If this was the only difference, like above I would expect it not to count for a CD. However, the default axe is single-bitted, and there is a CD between a single-bitted and a double-bitted, so we can likely get a second CD that way here.

Talan – [Quoting Ary:] “It may also conflict with Caid, Kingdom of, for Office of the Chancellor (reg. 06/1985 via Caid), "Azure, a fasces within a bordure embattled argent." There is one CD for the type of bordure, but precedent was silent as to whether there is a CD between an axe and a fasces. The only thing I found was: "[An arrow bound in a fascine.] A fascine (from Latin fascina, a bundle of sticks) is "a long bundle of sticks of wood, bound together, used in raising batteries, filling ditches," etc. (Webster's Second) When an axe is bound in a fascine it becomes a fasces. [BoE, 6 April 86, p.5]" In this case, fasces differ from axes in terms of handles, it appears. If this was the only difference, like above I would expect it not to count for a CD.”

I would expect it to count on the grounds that an axe and a fasces are distinct in period.

Canute - Azure, a cross clechy in pale and formy in fess within a bordure argent

The axe isn't identifiable, violating RfS VII.7.a.

..”and there is a CD between a single-bitted and a double-bitted, so we can likely get a second CD that way here.“ -Aryanhwy merch Catmael

...We give no difference between double and single-bitted axes... LoAR 02/99 Eleanor of Shrewsbury R-Meridies

Eric Lee - December of 1996 (via Ansteorra):

Azure, seven double-bitted axes in annulo a bordure argent.

Single CD number of primaries. Since at least one of the seven in annulo is certainly within the range described as palewise there is no CD for orientation and there is no CD for arrangement since one axe can't be in annulo.

Olaf of Forgotten Sea - October of 1992 (via Calontir):

Azure, a double-bitted axe argent, the haft of wood proper entwined by an asp Or, a bordure Or ermined azure.

Single CD for secondary tincture.

Caid, Kingdom of - June of 1985 (via Caid):

Azure, a fasces within a bordure embattled argent.

CD bordure. There has never been an explicit ruling that there is any difference between an axe and a fasces, but there is certainly a good argument for it.

Return for multiple conflicts and violation of RfS VII.7.a

Mikhail & AElfreda - We cannot identify the primary charge from the mini or the color

copy. Also, the border needs to be fed. Return for redrawing.

NAME PASSED TO LAUREL WITH NO CHANGES

DEVICE RETURNED FOR REDRAW -- NEEDS BETTER IDENTIFIABILITY AND LARGER BORDURE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS A CONFLICT.

3) Eleanor Ravenild (F) -- New Name and Device -- Per bend, sable and gules a unicorn head couped argent

Eleanor -- Client sites Withycombe, page 96
http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/talan/reaney/reaney.cgi?Eleanor (Eleanor, 1361)

Ravenild - Client sites Reaney & Wilson, p 268 (under the heading of "Ravenhali)
http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/talan/reaney/reaney.cgi?Ravenild (Ravenild, 1276)

Name Commentary

Talan - The citation given in the ILoI for Ravenild is slightly incorrect: the name is found in Reaney & Wilson s.n. Ravenhall, not s.n. Ravenhali. It's also worth pointing out that in the 1276 citation it is used as a byname, as it is in this submission. Bardsley s.n. Chilman has Eleanor Childman 1273, which is a much better match for the Ravenild citation than the one in the ILoI.

Rouge Scarpe Note – The client did list “Ravenhall” as the heading from 1296, not Ravenhali

Device Commentary

Ary - 3) Eleanor Ravenild

This is clear of Isabella d'Hiver (reg. 07/97 via Drachenwald), "Azure, a unicorn's head couped argent collared gules." There is one CD for the field, and another for removing the collar.

It does, however, conflict with Saerlaith nic Uilliam O'Ceallaigh (reg. 06/90 via Calontir), "Per bend paly argent and azure and azure, in dexter base a unicorn's head couped argent." There is one CD for the field, but none for the placement of the head because it is forced

Canute - The line drawing and color emblazon do not match. The line drawing shows the head gorged of a coronet while the color version omits this detail. This violates AH V.B.2.e.

Saerlaith nic Uilliam O'Ceallaigh - June of 1990 (via Calontir): Per bend paly argent and azure and azure, in dexter base a unicorn's head couped argent.

Single CD for the field. No CD for placement because of the forced move.

Return for for conflict.

Mikhail & AElfreda - This conflicts with Saerlaith nic Uilliam O'Ceallaigh (reg 6/90) "Per bend

paly argent and azure and azure, in dexter base a unicorn's head couped argent." There is one CD for changing the field. As an argent charge cannot be placed on a paly argent and azure section, the move to base is a forced move, and therefore not worth a second CD.

Please mention to the submitter that the mini has an extraneous portion ("gorged of a coronet"?) that should be removed.

NAME PASSED TO LAUREL

DEVICE -- RETURNED FOR CONFLICT. SUBMITTER WILL BE ADVISED TO KEEP DRAWINGS THE SAME.

4) Fox Vale, Shire of -- New Name and Device -- Per pale vert and azure, a fox's mask within a laurel wreath Or

No documentation was submitted but they want a medieval European form of Fox Valley.

Petition is included for both name and device

Name Commentary

Talan - They say that want a 'medieval European form of Fox Valley'. Fox Vale certainly wasn't the best choice, but with minor changes it should be registerable.

Fox is not a problem: Victor Watts, The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names (Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2004), has

Foxcote (s.n. Foxcote Reservoir): Foxescote 1086, Foxcote 1197, Foscote 1486, 1526, 'fox's cottages';

Foxearth: <Focsearde> 1086, variously Fox(h)erth(e) and Fox(h)erd(e) 1198-1274, Foxearth 1594, 'fox-hole';

Foxham: Foxham from 1219 on, 'fox homestead' or 'fox enclosure';

Foxholes: Foxele, Foxohole 1086, variously Foxhol(e), Foxhola, Foxholo 1086-1353, Foxholes from ca.1130 on, 'fox-hole(s)';

Foxley (Norfolk): Foxle 1086, 1254, 'fox wood or clearing';

Foxley (Wiltshire): Foxelege 1086, variously Foxlegh, Foxle(e), Foxley(e) from 1227, 'foxes' wood or clearing';

Foxt: Foxwiss 1176, Foxwist and Foxwyst from 1293 to 1533x38, Foxt from 1578, 'fox burrow';

Foxton (Cambridgeshire): Foxetune 1086, Foxtona and Foxton(e) from 1086 on, 'foxes' farm'; and

Foxup: Foxhop(e) 1457-1587, 'fox valley', whose second element is Middle English hop 'a small, enclosed valley'.

The last is especially useful in showing that the idea is reasonable. However, Middle English vale, borrowed from Old French val(s) 'a vale, a wide valley', is fairly rare in English place-names, but it does occur. Watts s.n. Perivale cites Pyryvale 1508, Peryvale 1524, from Middle English pirie 'a pear-tree', replacing the earlier name Little Greneford 1386; this shows that vale was being used in new place-name creations in the 14th or 15th century. There does not appear to be any bar to a similar creation of Foxvale at a similar date.

Since the arms have to be returned anyway, it might be worth letting them know that a much better choice of second element would be the standard OE word for 'valley', denu; in his list of types of first elements commonly combined with it, Smith s.v. denu specifically mentions names of animals. An example (Watts s.n. Croydon) is Croydon in Cambridgeshire, from OE cra:we 'a crow' and denu, with period citations Crauedena and Crauuedene 1086, Crauden(e) 1199-1457, Craw(e)den(e) 1203-1541, Crou(e)den(e) and Crow(e)den(e) 1195-1362, Croyden 1577. (The colon in cra:we indicates a long vowel; it's a standard linguistic notation, equivalent to the a-macron in Watts.) Foxden(e) would be fine from ca.1200 down to the present, with Foxdene more likely early at the early end and Foxden progressively more likely later on.

Device Commentary

Ary - This must be returned for violating precedent:

"... the laurel wreath is not drawn correctly. "A properly drawn laurel wreath should not have sufficient room between its tips to place another charge. [Darkstone, College of, 02/00, R-Middle]" [Uma, Shire of, 10/01, R-Drachenwald]"

"It must also be returned for stylistic reasons. Laurel wreaths must, by long standing precedent, be drawn in a circular, or mostly circular, shape...[Fiodnach Eoghan, Shire of, 11/01, R- Trimaris]"

Canute – Per pale vert and azure, a fox's mask between two sprigs of laurel in saltire Or

This does not have the laurel wreath required in branch arms.

Clear

Return for redraw.

Mikhail & AElfreda - From Francoise:

"Device: ... the laurel wreath is not drawn correctly. "A properly drawn laurel wreath should not have sufficient room between its tips to place another charge. [Darkstone, College of, 02/00, R-Middle]" [Uma, Shire of, 10/01, R-Drachenwald]

It must also be returned for stylistic reasons. Laurel wreaths must, by long standing precedent, be drawn in a circular, or mostly circular, shape. V shaped laurel wreathes are not acceptable. [Fiodnach Eoghan, Shire of, 11/01, R-Trimaris] "

We suggest this device be returned for redrawing.

NAME PASSED TO LAUREL

DEVICE RETURNED FOR REDRAW

5) Katriina Turkulainen (F) -- New Name and Device -- Per bend sinister azure and gules, sun of 12 straight rays and reindeer head argent

Katriina -- http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/FinnishNamesArticle.htm

(Katriina "hustru Kadrina", dated 1542.

Turku -- http://www.utu.fi/agricola.hist/kktk/lait/kns/kun1.html (this is a seven page documentation in Finish that has nothing highlighted.)

Included in the paperwork is "Finland" by Sylvia McNair, 1997, a lovely picture of Turku Castle built 1280. From http://www.encyclopedia.com/printable.asp?url=/ssi/t/turku.html, Turku is among the oldest Finland's cities dating as far back as 1157 with the landing of the Swedish Crusaders.

(Esct. Note: The client used a device form from Calontir.)

Name Commentary

Talan - The reference for Katriina is fine. The actual citation, hustru Kadrina 1542, means 'wife Kadrina' and, like most early Finnish material, is in Swedish; Katriina is the normalized form representing the reality of Finnish pronunciation.

The link to the Finnish source of documentation for the surname is broken, and I couldn't find anything relevant elsewhere on the site, so I couldn't attempt to evaluate the reference. Suomalainen nimikirja, a dictionary-style book on Finnish names, first names treated by Kustaa Vilkuna with the assistance of Marketta Huitu and Pirjo Mikkonen, surnames by Pirjo Mikkonen and Sirkka Paikkala, cross-references Turkulainen to the entry for Turku, which cites Hendrich Turkulain 1631 and Oloff Turkulainen 1632. This is within the Grey Area, which is about the best we can hope for, given the lack of Finnish data. The suffix -lainen is seen in such words as ruotsalainen 'Swedish', from Ruotsi 'Sweden', amerikkalainen 'American', from Amerikka 'America', suomalainen 'Finnish', from suomi 'Finnish language', and kanadalainen 'Canadian', from Kanada 'Canada'; Turkulainen appears to be a similar construction, a locative surname for someone from or perhaps an inhabitant of the city of Turku.

NAME PASSED TO LAUREL

DEVICE RETURNED TO BE PUT ON TO MIDDLE KINGDOM FORMS

6) Kyrstyan Makfaill (M)-- Device Resubmission -- Argent, a hawk volant sable within a bordure azure semy of lymphads argent.

(Name reg'd Sept. '03)

Azure, an orle of lymphads and an escutcheon argent charged with a hawk volant sable was returned by Rouge Scarpe May '03 to be redrawn.

Commentary

Ary - While she has made the bordure smaller, this is not small enough. As drawn, the overwhelming visual effect is that of a charged escutcheon within an orle of charges. This therefore violates the same RfS that it did before, and thus must be returned again.

Talan – [Quoting Ary:] “While she has made the bordure smaller, this is not small enough. As drawn, the overwhelming visual effect is that of a charged escutcheon within an orle of charges.”

Piffle. In this design, and given the way the lymphads fill the space, it's obviously a single central charge with a charged border.

This border is approximately a fifth of the width of the shield. Several coats in Libro de Armeria del Reino de Navarra, ed. Faustino Menendez Pidal de Navascues, are or are close to being about a fifth the width of their respective shields: Nr. 151 (El Palacio de Leache el Viejo), Nr. 161 (El Palacio de Necuesa), Nr. 275 (Los Zapatas), first and fourth quarters of Nr. 424 (Juan de Muniáin de la Solana), and Nr. 662 (Los Monteros de Espinosa). Several others are at least a sixth the width of their respective shields, as is the fourth coat in the second row of the part of the Heralds' Roll (ca.1280) reproduced on p.8 of Bedingfeld and Gwynn-Jones' Heraldry. A slightly narrower border would be more typical of period style, but since we have comparable period examples, and since the design is not in fact ambiguous, there is no reason to return it (especially after the trouble they've taken to squeeze those lymphads down to their present size: I notice that they've been drawn individually). Just tell them that the border is at the upper limit and ideally ought to be shrunk 15% or so.

PASSED TO LAUREL -- THE BORDURE IS EXACTLY ONE (1) INCH, THE REQUIRED AMOUNT

7) Lulach Cauldwell (M) -- Device Resubmission -- Azure, three sinister hands couped apaumy in bend sinister argent
(His name has been registered by Laurel, December2003.)

Azure, a bend sinister between two hands apaumy argent was returned July '03 by Rouge Scarpe for multiple conflicts

Commentary

Ary - This is clear of Konon Pivovar (reg. 03/2003 via AEthelmearc), "Per pale gules and sable, three hands argent," with one CD for the field, and one for the arrangement.

No conflicts found.

Canute - Aisling ní Fhlaithbheartaigh - July of 1983 (via the Middle): Azure, a heart, a sinister hand couped apaumé bendwise sinister and a dexter hand couped apaumé bendwise, one and two, argent.

Single CD for arrangement. No CD for the type of one of three charges in an arrangement other than two and one.

There was also a question about whether a hand should be given a CD for posture versus a hand in benediction. Current precedent regarding gauntlets would imply that this is not so: "[a dexter gauntlet clenched apaumy vs a dexter gauntlet appaumy] The clenching is an artistic detail which does not contribute difference. (William MacGregor, May 1998 p. 22)". However, it is important to remember that gauntlets are often 'mitten gauntlets' and what is true for a gauntlet may not always be true for a hand. We encourage the College to research this issue. [Ihon Vinson MacFergus, 09/01, A-Ansteorra] Precedents - François, under HAND and GAUNTLET

Graham of the Bright Hills - April of 1998 (via Atlantia):

Per fess azure and barry argent and azure, in chief a thistle Or between a pair of clenched gauntlets argent.

Single CD for the field. No CD for the type or tincture of one of three charges in an arrangement other than two and one. No CD for arrangement because the registered device can't have an in bend sinister arrangement. No CD for posture.

Return for multiple conflicts.

DEVICE PASSED TO LAUREL -- THIS DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH GRAHAM OF BRIGHT HILLS

8) Madyn Hir ap Wilim (M) – New Name and Device Resubmission -- Per fess embattled, gules and Sable, three lion's heads erased argent.

Previous Device: Per pale vert and purpure, an opinicus passant argent was returned Oct '03 by Rouge Scarpe

Rouge Scarpe Note – The name forms are in the files and apparently were not sent on at the time of this device being returned. The name will now be treated as a new name. As I am NO GOOD at names I will attempt a summary of the client’s documentation.

Madyn is listed in “The Merioneth Lay Subsidy Roll 1291-3” and also in Tangwystl’s “A Simple Guide to Constructing 13^th Century Welsh Names” along with Hir and Wilim

The client cares most about 13^th – 14^th century Welsh language/culture

Device Commentary

Ary - The LoI says that his name was forwarded to Laurel in Aug. 2003. This is not correct. His name was on the Aug. 2003 ILoI. The October ILoAR, which has the return of his device submission, does not list his name as being accepted. Furthermore, his name is not on the November 04 2003 Middle ELoI, which contains all other accepted submissions from the October ILoAR. Nor has this name appeared on any ELoIs after.

At the time that I noticed that his name was not formally returned but that it was never sent on to Laurel, I contacted Dragon letting him know of this problem, but nothing has been done to rectify it. If Rouge Scarpe still has the forms, then perhaps this can be forwarded to Laurel at the same time as his device, since there were no problems with the name as submitted.

However, if the name is not forwarded to Laurel, then this must be returned, because he has no name submitted or in process.

NAME AND DEVICE PASSED TO LAUREL

9) Margherita Alessia (F) -- New Badge -- Fieldless, an annulet purpure

(name reg'd March 1989)

PASSED TO LAUREL

10) Pierre de Montereau (M) -- Device Resubmission -- Vert, a dolphin naiant to sinister, a chief urdy argent charged with two roses gules argent and barbed vert, and a base urdy argent charged with a rose gules seeded argent barbed vert

(Name has been sent to Laurel, Nov' '03)

Previous Device: Fess vert and argent, a dolphin naiant sinister and in base a tower vert between two roses gules was returned Nov 03 by Rouge Scarpe

Commentary

Canute - The chief is a bit narrow. It might be better if it was drawn as argent on a fess urdy vert between three roses gules seeded argent barbed vert a dolphin naiant argent.

Clear

PASSED TO LAUREL

11) Rütger Meer von Horeburg (M) -- New Badge -- Fieldless, a sealion contourney argent

(Name reg'd Oct '97)

Commentary

Mikhail & AElfreda - Possible conflict with Stephen de Huyn (10/81) "Per fess engrailed azure and sable, a sea-lion erect guardant to sinister argent." There is one CD for changing the field.

RETURNED FOR CONFLICT

12) Shadowed Stars, Shire of-- New Badge -- Or, a pall between three compass stars azure

(name registered Nov. 1986)

Commentary

Ary - This is clear of Winifred Corbet de Wynterwood (reg. 08/87 via Atlantia), "Or, a pall azure between three ravens rising to sinister, wings elevated and addorsed, sable," with a CD for the type and a CD for the tincutre of the secondaries.

Canute - The points on the compass stars should be longer. Do these match the stars on their device? Clear

PASSED TO LAUREL

13) Westmere, Canton of -- New Name and Device -- Azure, a trident, overall a laurel wreath, and on a chief argent, two paw prints sable.

From "A Dictionary of English Place Names," by A.D. Mills, on page 147, they cite "Grassemere (1245) -- as a mere called grass lake, Also, under Martin -- Meretun, Husantreo 972 and Mertoch 1086 (Old English for mere + stoc) Lastly, Winandermer -- 12th century. They repeat the same information in "English Place-Names" by Ekwall on p. 317 and on p 152 "1375: Grissemere -- " . . suggesting that 'mere', meaning "lake" . . ." and on 396: Windermere -- dates Winendermer about 1170.

Petition of support is included.

Name Commentary

Talan - The documentation in the ILoI has been butchered a bit: the information from Mills s.n. Martin is more than a bit confused. It's actually from a subentry for Martin Hussingtree, which explains the otherwise rather odd-looking Husantreo. The Mertoch 1086 citation is from another entry altogether, for Martock, and it's dishonest to say simply '(Old English for mere + stoc)' when Mills clearly says that the etymology is conjectural ('Possibly ...'). Appearances to the contrary notwithstanding, the references to p.152 and p.396 are to Mills, not to Ekwall. What's more, they appear to be to a newer, slightly larger edition than mine (the first), so the correct edition needs to be specified. So do the headwords. From Watts I deduce that Grissemere 1375 refers to the lake itself, not to the village of Grasmere, so it's not necessarily appropriate evidence for a habitation name. Finally, the ca.1170 citation for Windermere is misspelled: it should be Winandermer.

The name itself is fine. From Watts we may compare West Fen (Cambs.) (Westfen 1251), Westmarsh (Westmersh 14th c.), West Mill (Westmella, Westmelna, Westmelle, Westmuln, Westmull, Westmilne 1130-1303, Westmyll 1590), Westwell (Oxon.) (Westwelle 1086 and on), Westwood (Wilts.) (Westwode 1086-1363), all self-explanatory.

Stanmer (Stanmere 1086, 13th c.) and Pickmere (Pikemere 13th c. - 1512 with variants Pyke- and -mer, Pickmere from 1209 with similar variants), together with the submitter's own documentation, show that -mere and -mer are both medieval spellings of the second element. The more westerly of a pair of pools or lakes, and the settlement that grew up by it, could very well have been called Westmere.

Device Commentary

Ary - This must be returned for violating precedent: "... the laurel wreath is not drawn correctly. "A properly drawn laurel wreath should not have sufficient room between its tips to place another charge. [Darkstone, College of, 02/00, R-Middle]" [Uma, Shire of, 10/01, R-Drachenwald]"

"It must also be returned for stylistic reasons. Laurel wreaths must, by long standing precedent, be drawn in a circular, or mostly circular, shape...[Fiodnach Eoghan, Shire of, 11/01, R-Trimaris]"

In addition, the chief is far too narrow; it should be 1/4 to 1/3 the size of the shield.

Canute - The miniature drawing doesn't match the full size emblazon. The miniature shows two sprigs in saltire while the full size emblazon is closer to a proper wreath.

The wreath isn't truly overall because it isn't centered on the middle of the trident. The actual arrangement isn't blazonable or reproducable.

The chief should be wider. The wreath and trident are pushing thin-line unidentifiability.

Return for redraw.

Mikhail & AElfreda - the laurel wreath is not drawn correctly. "A properly drawn laurel wreath should not have sufficient room between its tips to place another charge. [Darkstone, College of, 02/00, R-Middle]" [Uma, Shire of, 10/01, R-Drachenwald]

In addition, the chief looks rather thin. We suggest this device be returned for redrawing.

NAME PASSED TO LAUREL

DEVICE RETURNED FOR REDRAW

14) Windhaven, Barony of -- Augmentation -- Azure, a sea-pithon within a laurel wreath or, augmented in chief: Or, between two six-spoke and catherine wheels, a cluster of grapes.

Augmentation was given by Her Majesty Alys Katherine on July 20th. A copy of the scroll is included.

THIS IS BEING SENT TO THE KEYTHONG HERALD OF NORTHSHIELD FOR PROCESSING. ESCUTCHEON SHOULD HAVE FORWARDED THIS TO HIM INSTEAD OF PROCESSING. ALL COMMENTS WILL BE SENT TO KEYTHONG.

In Service.

Mistress Elena de Vexin

Rouge Scarpe Herald