Greetings unto all who read these words from Lord Alan Fairfax, Rouge Scarpe Herald,
This is the Middle Kingdom Letter of Acceptances and Returns for Escutcheon's September 1998 Letter of Intent. 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.
I would like to thank Odd Oddson and Sáerbrethach mac Lugdach, who are commenting for the first time this month, as well as Master John ap Wynne, Jibra'il al-Nasrani, Lady Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Lord Eirik Banna, Lady Mhorag nighean Dhuibhghiolla, Lord Alasdair Montgomery, Lord Mikhail of Lubelska, Lady Aelfreda aet Aethelwealda, Doré van der Zee, Amilia Mary Herteshorn, and Master Dmitrii Volkovich. I would also like to thank Lady Phebe Bonadeci, Lord Kevin Ambrjzwski, and Geillis inghean Dhuibhgall for helping in the preparation of the letter.
CONFLICTS: When you call a conflict, please include the blazon in the description. I rely on an online O&A, but we don't have access to the Web during staff meetings and so we can't check conflicts.
SCOTTISH NAMES: We've gotten a lot of Scottish names that show evidence of some understandable confusion about Scottish naming. In an attempt to clarify things, I would like to provide a very rough outline of the issue.
In period, at least five languages were spoken by natives of Scotland. For our purposes, we need to consider two--Scots and Gaelic. Scots is closely related to English. Gaelic is spoken in Ireland and Scotland. These two languages are not closely related and have different spelling rules and grammar. Generally speaking, Scots and Gaelic names shouldn't be mixed together, so it is helpful to know whether a name is Scots or Gaelic. (A quick hint--mac names are Gaelic. Names which are found with de are Scots.)
Things become a little more confused because all the people who kept records in Scotland spoke Scots. Therefore, all the Gaelic names we have from Scotland are recorded using Scots spelling rules--so that (for example) the Gaelic Donnchadh mac Leoid is recorded in Scots as Duncan Macleod (and there are dozens of possible spelling variants…). In the SCA, prospective Scots can pass either a Gaelic or Scots spelling of their name, but they can't mix a Gaelic spelling of their first name with a Scots spelling of their byname (so that Donnchadh Macleod would be returned).
In practice, consulting heralds aren't expected to know all the details of Scots naming (I certainly don't…) But your clients should at least be aware that there is no such thing as a "Scottish language" proper, so that they're not shocked if their name gets modified in process.
1) Andrew Blount--New Device
Per chevron argent and sable, a raven displayed, head to sinister, within an orle of decrescents counterchanged.
The client's name was registered 10/91.
{2) Angus James MacDonald--Change of Device to Badge
Per bend sinister argent and purpure, a tower vert and an anchor Or.
The client's name was registered 5/95. This armory is already his registered device; apparently he was unaware that he didn't need to put it through the submission process again to make it a badge. However, since he has withdrawn his change of device, we are not going to forward this administrative change to Laurel.
If a client wants to change their device and retain their original device as a badge, they can check the appropriate box on the new forms.}
3) Ariadne la Noire--Name and Device Resubmission
Sable, three swans displayed, wings inverted, a bordure Or.
{The client's previous submission, Ariadne de le Corbeau Chevaux, was returned by Rouge Scarpe on 5/98. Her original device, Gules, a swan displayed, wings inverted, within a bordure Or, was returned on 5/98 for conflict. This resubmission clears all these problems.}
The client documented Ariadne from Williams, The World of Titian, p. 108. It is also documented as French and Italian name used "in earlier times" by Withycombe, 31. It would be nice if someone could find a dated French citation for the name when it is resubmitted, but it appears to be reasonable. Noir is found in Dauzat, 452.
4) Brandr þorfinnson--New Device
Per pale sable and gules, in pale a Thor's hammer inverted and a Thor's hammer argent.
The client's name was registered 5/98. {In period heraldry, both hammers would almost certainly be drawn facing up.}
{5) Caitlin of Greencastle--New Device
Or, a castle within a bordure embattled vert.
According to SCA precedent, there is no difference between a castle and a tower. Thus, this device has only 1 CD from Sheri Lynn of Emerson Keep, Or, a tower vert, and no CDs from the badge of the Shire of Emerald Keep, Or, a tower within a bordure embattled vert.}
{6) Cathal Kinhilt Macdoyl--New Name and Device-Pended
Bendy wavy argent and azure, a brunette mermaid proper maintaining a trumpet bendwise sinister Or.
Submitted as Cathal Kinhilt MacDoyl. Cathal is in Ó Corráin & Maguire, 47, where it is described as a common Irish name. Kinhilt is in Black, 401, as de Kinhilt. We didn't find the spelling MacDoyl in Black, 487, but given the other forms found there it is a reasonable form.
The client asked for the name to be authentic for an unspecified language. This combination of Scots and Gaelic is not likely. Cathal Macdoyl is a Scots spelling of a Gaelic name, and is a reasonable name.
We will pend the name while we contact the client.
The device conflicts with Alexandra Idonea, Barry-wavy argent and azure, a brunette mermaid affronty proper, dexter hand raised, and a chief wavy counter-ermine. There is 1 CD for the addition of the chief. It probably does not conflict with Morgan Alanna Morcheartaigh, Per fess azure and sable, an auburn-haired mermaid proper, tailed argent, maintaining in her dexter hand a plate and in her sinister a sword bendwise sinister proper. There is 1 CD for the field and probably 1 CD for changing the tail (which is roughly half of a mermaid).}
{7) Cecily de Kenton--Device Resubmission
Azure, on a bend sinister cotised Or, three crosses fleury azure.
The client's name was registered 4/98. Everyone liked this device, but unfortunately it conflicts with Katerina Arondel, Azure, on a bend sinister cotissed Or three swallows volant fesswise, wings elevated and addorsed, azure. There is 1 CD for the change in type of tertiary.
Note--counting conflict on tertiary charges is a bit confusing. Normally, it takes 2 changes to a set of tertiary charges to count as a CD. But, a change in type of tertiary counts as a CD if the tertiary are on a simple geometric charge. Thus, in this case, there is a CD between swallows and crosses because they are on a bend sinister. If they were on an eagle or some other complex charge, there would not be a difference.}
{8) Ceridwen du Bois du nord--New Name and Device--Pended
Argent, a popinjay affronty, head to dexter, on a chief vert three shamrocks argent.
Submitted as Ceredwynn du Bois du Nord. Ceredwynn was proposed as a variant of the mythical Welsh name Ceridwen. Ceridwen itself is not a historical name and we did not find any reference to show that it has been ruled "SCA-compatible." However, since it was registered as recently as 1/97, it is probably registerable. The combination of Welsh and French is actually documentable; a record of Welsh archers who fought in France during the Hundred Years War has Welsh-French combinations.
The client appears to be claiming du Bois du nord through the grandfather clause, since it is registered to her husband. It is not clear to us whether this formation would be registerable without the grandfather clause, although the general concept can be found in English (see Reaney & Wilson, 325, s.n. Northwood).
We are pending this device while we get permission for the change from the client.}
9) Daria of Stormhaven--Device Resubmission
Argent, a fess embowed between three lightning bolts in pile and a cloud purpure.
The client's name was registered 10/98. Her original submission, identical to this one, was returned 10/98 for administrative reasons.
10) David de Lindsay--Device Resubmission
Azure, a badger sejant erect contourny argent maintaining a thistle Or.
The client's name was submitted to Laurel on the 8/98 ELoI. {His previous submission, Per pale embattled azure and vert, a badger sejant contourney argent maintaining a thistle Or, was returned by Rouge Scarpe in 8/98 for poor contrast.}
We are not sure whether there is a conflict with Nachum Avram ben Benjamin ben Meir, Azure, a brock (Meles meles) passant proper, incensed. There is definitely 1 CD for posture, and maybe a second for tincture. We assume that there is not a CD for incensing.
{SCA practice does allow for some natural markings on an animal or object, so that the badger is argent even though it has some black markings on white.}
11) Donato Pulcinella for Commilitoni della Balestra--New Household Name
The client documents Commilitoni from Cassell's Italian-English Dictionary, 113, as meaning "comrades-in-arms." Balestra, meaning "crossbow," is in ibid., 58.
We are not sure that Commilitoni is a period term, and so we are sending it on for further comment.
12) Duccio Alighieri--Device Resubmission
Per pale vert and gules, a cubit arm Or maintaining a quill and brush in saltire argent within a bordure embattled Or.
The client's name was registered 10/98. His original submission, identical to this one, was returned 10/98 for administrative reasons.
13) Eleanor of Warenne--Name Resubmission
The client's previous submission, Eleanor de Warren, was returned for aural conflict with Eleanor de Wardon. In addition to modifying the name to reduce the conflict, she has received permission to conflict from Eleanor de Wardon.
Several commenters thought that permission to conflict applied only to armory. According to the Administrative Handbook, "General Procedures for Submissions," C.3, says that permission to conflict may be granted for "Any item which is not identical to, but would normally conflict under the current rules for submissions, with an already registered item." Thus names, like armory, may be given permission to conflict.
14) Euriant Alessandra Deri--New Device
Per chevron vert and gules, on a chevron between an eagle displayed and a fleur-de-lys vert, four roses gules, barbed vert.
The client's name was included in the 9/98 ELoI.
15) Eva MacCarthy--Device Resubmission
Gules, a goblet Or and in chief a mullet of eight points argent, a bordure indented Or.
The client's name was registered in 9/92. Her previous device, which was identical to this one, was returned by Laurel in 11/97 for redrawing.
This device is definitely reminiscent of depictions of the Eucharistic bread and cup found in some Christian churches. However, RfS IX.2 states that "Magical or religious symbolism isn't usually inherently offensive." It uses the Paschal lamb (a lamb with a halo, holding a banner with a red cross on it--a reference to the resurrected Christ) as an example of an allowable charge. Like the Paschal lamb, these charges are religious but fall within the allowable guidelines according to the rules.
{16) Felicia de Moncada--New Device
Sable, a lammergeier displayed, in chief a descrescent and a base indented argent.
The client's name was registered 5/98.
The crescent in this drawing is much too small, and we are returning this for redrawing--actually a redesign that dropped the crescent altogether would be preferable. Also, note that a bird displayed normally has its head turned to the right.
I am fairly certain that scientific names are no longer included in blazons, but I wasn't able to find a precedent for it.}
17) Galen of Ockham--New Name and Device
Per pall inverted sable, argent, and azure, in chief a compass star argent and an increscent sable.
{This is a very lost sheep which was sent directly to me by Dragon.}
Galen was a 2nd-century physician who was the foremost authority through the Middle Ages. Although there are no recorded examples of Galen in the Middle Ages, the name was sufficiently well-known that it is considered plausible in the SCA; it was most recently registered in 2/98.
{18) Gleann Iaruinn, Canton of--Group Name and Device Resubmission
Per chevron inverted gules and sable, a chevron inverted between two laurel wreaths Or.
The group's original submission, Gleann Iarainn, was returned by Rouge Scarpe in 11/97. Both their original submission and this one are intended to mean Iron Valley, but there is no evidence that Iron Valley, in any spelling, is a period Irish name. Thus we are returning the name as well.
The device is still registerable as is.}
19) Jibra'il al-Nasrani--New Name
The client documents Jibra'il from Schimmel, Islamic Names, 29. Naºrani (meaning "Christian") is documented by a letter from the Academy of S. Gabriel. (The curl under the s above should be a dot, which I cannot reproduce).
The client already has a registered name Padraig MacAndreis, which he wants to release upon the registration of this name. All items registered to Padraig MacAndreis should be transferred to this name.
20) Katarina von Danzig--New Name and Device
Azure, a unicorn rampant Or crined and tailed argent, a bordure Or.
Katarina is called a "Renaissance German name" at Gerry and Julie's Landsknecht Site (http://www.znet.com/ ~savaskan/germans/names.html). The spelling Katerina is dated to 1350 in Scott, "Medieval German Names from Silesia. Danzig (the German name for what is now the Polish city of Gdansk) is dated to the 10th century by Ring, International Dictionary of Historic Places, v. 2, pp. 289-294.
21) Kateryn of Cornwall--Device Resubmission
Per bend sinister gules and sable, a bend sinister argent between a sun in splendor and an increscent moon argent.
The client's name was registered 1/96. {Her original submission, Per pale sable and azure, a moon argent and a sun Or, on a pile inverted throughout argent a cross formy sable, was returned by Rouge Scarpe in 4/97 for complexity and slot machine heraldry.}
22) Kirsten Thorsteinsdottir--Device Resubmission
Per chevron azure and argent, two compass stars argent and a lion's head erased gules.
The client's name was registered 1/91. {Her first submission was returned by Rouge Scarpe on 8/97 for conflict with Alrikr af Stjarnaheimi, Per chevron throughout azure and argent, two compass stars and a pithon embowed counterchanged. She has received permission to conflict, even though there are apparently 2 CDs from Alrikr--one for changing the type of half the primary group, and one for changing the tincture. The same count applies against Deporodh of Rannoch, Per chevron abased azure and argent, two mullets argent and a birch leaf erect proper.
{Is this a resubmission or an appeal? While the device itself has not changed, the reason for the return wasn't challenged. The distinction is somewhat arbitrary in this case, so for simplicity's sake I'm calling it a resubmission.}
23) Middle, Kingdom of the--New Badge
(Fieldless) A chamfron argent.
The date of the client's name registration is not recorded in the online O&A, but we trust that it will not be an issue.
{24) Northshield, Principality of--New Badge
(Fieldless) A compass star clechy gyronny Or and argent.
The client's name was registered 10/94. There are two problems with this badge. First, clechy is a treatment that is applied to crosses, but not to other charges. Second, the compass star has poor contrast--according to RfS VIII.2.b.iv, "Elements evenly divided into multiple parts of two different tinctures must have good contrast between their parts."
It does not conflict with Ansteorra, A mullet of five greater and five lesser points distilling gouttes. A tinctureless charge can be displayed in any single tincture, but there is a difference between gyronny and any single tincture. Thus there is 1 CD for fieldlessness and 1 CD for change of tincture.}
{25) Northshield, Principality of--New Badge
Sable, on a napkin voided conjoined to an orle argent a cross clechy Or.
This badge has been withdrawn by the Principality.}
{26) Northshield, Principality of--New Badge
Sable, a lower-case alpha Or within an orle argent.
This badge has been withdrawn by the Principality.}
{27) Northshield, Principality of--New Badge
Per fess sable and gules masoned Or, three piles in point and a bordure Or.
This badge has been withdrawn by the Principality.}
{28) Robert of Starleaf Gate--New Device
Sable, a sun of four greater and twelve lesser points argent eclipsed gules.
This device was returned in last month's meeting, but not included on the LoAR. The four primary points of the sun extend almost to the edge of the shield, while the other twelve points are small. Without some evidence that this is a period depiction of a sun, we must return this design.}
29) Stromfels, Shire of--New Device
Argent, a pale wavy azure, overall a laurel wreath vert.
{Nice armory!}
30) Symonne de Monte Acuto--New Name and Device
Per fess rayonny argent and sable, a vol gules.
Symonne is found in the 1292 census of Paris online at http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/paris.html
The client has included a history of the Montague family which says that the original form of Montague is de Monte Acuto, and documentation for the form de Montaigu from a list of knights who participated in the Norman Conquest ( http://www.rootsweb.com/ ~ote/knight.htm). Reaney, Origins, 72, shows the form Montacute, which is a bit closer.
The client wants a female name appropriate for England, 1066-1100. She will NOT permit major changes to her name, and does not want the form Simone for her given name. She will accept de Montaigu for her byname if necessary.
31) Toke Magnusson--Device Resubmission
Purpure, a dexter hand inverted, in chief a roundel between an increscent and a decrescent argent.
The client's name was registered 10/98. His original submission, identical to this one, was returned 10/98 for administrative reasons.
32) Tomas Wallace--New Name
The spelling Tomas is found in Talan Gwynek, "Yorkshire Masculine Names from 1379," footnote 3. http;//www.panix.com/~mittle/names/talan/ yorkshire/yorkm.html#3. Wallace is dated to 1432 in Reaney & Wilson, 474.
33) Torin of Hyrcania--Augmentation of Arms
Gyronny of eight argent and sable, on a torteau in chief a dragon passant argent.
The client's name was registered 11/84. The augmentation was granted 5/95. (The grant gives the client permission to use an augmentation of his choice.) He has asked that his current device be retained as a badge upon registration of this augmentation, but (as I discovered recently) an augmentation does not replace the original device.
{34) Yehudit bat Rina--New Device
Per bend sinister gules and sable, six pairs of stalks in saltire Or.
This client's name appeared on the 12/94 ILoI, but it does not appear to have been registered. We have pended this name for some time in an attempt to find the name, but we haven't been able to do so. Therefore, we are returning this device.}
Done by my hand the 15th day of November, anno societatis xxxiii, being the feast of the blessed Albertus Magnus.
Alan Fairfax, Rouge Scarpe
Alan Terlep
5401 S. Cornell
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 324-1366 (after 11am ET)