Middle Kingdom - Internal Letter of Acceptances & Returns – January 2003 

This is the January 2003 Middle Kingdom Letter of Acceptances and Returns for Escutcheon and Keythong’s November 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 Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Knut, Berwyn, Emma Randall, John Kane of Kent, Konrad Mailander, Roberd mac Cormaic, Thorvald Redhair, Ælfreda æt Æthelwealda, Mikhail of Lubelska, John ap Wynne, Richenda de Jardin, Gevehard von Baden, Percival ap Gwylim Trefanwy, and Jaelle of Armida for their commentary this month.}

{A reminder that we are changing the due date for comments to the 25^th of the month (Jan ILoI commentary will be due on 2/25/03). I can make exceptions to the deadline, but you must contact me prior to the 25^th. Because of modern job constraints, commentary received after the deadline will likely be ignored.} 

 

1) Aidan Mac Dowell. New Name and Device. Or, a sinister hand apalmy sable, in chief three latin crosses azure.

The client submitted Aidan MacDhughaill and asked us to correct it to make it either anglicized Irish or Gaelic. Since the name is neither, but rather something in between, we went for the less painful change and modernized the whole thing, but one could argue for the older variant I would imagine.

Aidan is an anglicization of Áedán, which, in turn, was a “relatively common name in early Ireland,” according to Ó Corráin and Maguire (13-14). Mac Dowell is in MacLysaght (89) as a modern version of Mac Dubhghaill. The client cares most about meaning and having an anglicized Irish or Gaelic name. 

Name Commentary

Ary: This name combines both Gaelic and anglicized elements.  Since the client desires either one or the other, appropriate changes should be made.  <Aidan> is an anglicized form of Gaelic <Áedán>; this early name was the name of two 6th and 7^th century saints, according to OCM s.n. Áedán.  The post c1200 form of the name would be <Aodhán>, but there is no evidence that the name remained in use after the 10th C or so.  Thus, if he would like a Gaelic form of the name, an earlier spelling of the byname would be more appropriate: <mac Dubgaill>.  OCM s.n. Dubgall say that "this name occurs only in the north of Ireland and is especially common among the MacSweeneys and O Boyles in the later middle ages."  A fully anglicized form using <Aidan> as the given name would have <MacDowell> as the byname; MacLysaght s.n. Mac Dowell gives this as the anglicized form of <mac Dubhghaill>, and says "this is the Irish form of the name of the Scottish family of MacDugall."  Since <Aidan> is only found in Ireland, not Scotland, the anglicized Irish form is more appropriate. 

Richenda: Hanks and Hodges is on the Laurel “Do not use” list. Arval’s Problem Names Article states:

Aidan is a modern English spelling of the early medieval Gaelic name Áedán. It was relatively common in early medieval Ireland, and was the name of at least two 6th and 7th century saints. In the late Middle Ages, the saint's name was spelled Aodhán, but the name appears to have dropped out of common use after the 10th century or so. Its modern popularity dates to a revival in the 19th or 20th century. [Withycombe; OCM; Woulfe; CE; Annals]

However, Mari Elspeth nic Bryan dates Áedgen to 865 (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/ocm/OCM-MasGivAlpha2s.html). Escutcheon has provided sufficient documentation on the surname.

If the submitter permits changing the name, I recommend changing it to one of the documented forms; otherwise I recommend returning the name. 

John: many period Irish & Scottish sources for this name; see Norman (114, 120, 129), listing it as one of the most common names in Scotland between 893-1542; also Norman (220, 228), listing the name as one of the most common in Ireland between 3 BC-1175 AD & 1175-1536. See also Conway (26); Zaczek (60); Todd (77); O’Corrain/Maguire (13-14). Note that there are many spelling variations, all perfectly acceptable, from which to choose. To mention just a few: Aodhan, Aodhaigh, Aodhfin, Aodhfionn (all Irish); also Aodhagan, Aedan.

MacDhughaill: see Whyte (166-167); Dorward (209-210); Grimble (152-153), Black (487-488); Todd (107, 178); Conway (175) 

Emma: In addition to the documentation provided by the submitter, Black, Surnames of Scotland, pg. 487, lists under the hading MacDoual, "MacDhughaill (backleaning accent over the u), 'son of Dougal. The claim of the Macdowells of Galloway to be descended from the ancient native lords of Galloway can hneither be disproved nor can it be satisfactorily established. ..."  As usual, Black continues at length, but it would appear from this source that this Gaelic spelling can be traced to as early as 1306, in a charter by William, lord of Douglas.

Aidan MacDonald registered in January of 1997 (via the West) was the closest Aidan found in the Armorial.  Ulfarr MacDhughaill registered in October of 1992 (via Atenveldt) was the only MacDhughaill. 

Konrad: My Irish/Scottish materials are loaned out right now. I have researched Aidan before though and know I found better sources. With a quick search I found:

St. Aidan of Lindisfarne -- An Irish monk who had studied under St. Senan, at Iniscathay (Scattery Island). He is placed as Bishop of Clogher by Ware and Lynch, but he resigned that see and became a monk at Iona about 630. His virtues, however, shone so resplendantly that he was selected (635) as first Bishop of Lindisfarne, and in time became apostle of Northumbria. St. Bede is lavish in praise of the episcopal rule of St. Aidan, and of his Irish co-workers in the ministry. Oswald, king of Northumbria, who had studied in Ireland, was a firm friend of St. Aidan, and did all he could for the Irish missioners until his sad death at Maserfield near Oswestry, 5 August, 642. St. Aidan died at Bamborough on the last day of August, 651, and his remains were borne to Lindisfarne. Bede tells us that "he was a pontiff inspired with a passionate love of virtue, but at the same time full of a surpassing mildness and gentleness." His feast is celebrated 31 August. From: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01233d.htm and a number of other similar sources come up with a search. 

Device Commentary

Knut: Or, a sinister hand apalmy sable, in chief three latin crosses azure

Clear 

Richenda: This appears to be clear. 

Thorvald: The crosses are Latin crosses. 

Emma: Or, a sinister hand apalmy sable and in chief three crosses azure. Reblazon:  Or, a sinister hand apalmy sable and in chief three Latin crosses azure.  Crosses should always be specified as to type. It could be argued that Latin crosses are the default, but a more precise blazon removes any doubt if the emblazon is not available and the curious are not aware of the default.

Although it is not fatal to the device, the thumb in apalmy should generally be drawn away from the hand. The position of the thumb in the submitter's version is more consistent with a Hand of Benediction. 

Consider:  Jawhar ibn Akmal registered in February of 2002 (via Calontir): Or, a sinister hand and on a chief sable three decrescents Or.  X.2 simple does not apply.

It is clear by X.4.b.: removal of the charged chief and addition of a secondary charge group. 2 CDs. 

Konrad: No conflict found. 

 

2) Alfred Brekewall. New Name and Device. Per fess argent and azure, a hammer inverted to chief gules, a two towered gate Or.

The client originally submitted Alfred Gatebreaker and we were unable to document the byname as Jonsjo (35) noted that Noun+Verb combinations are quite rare in English nicknames. So, we pended the submission and contacted the client and were able to convince him to adopt this much improved name.

Alfred is found in Withycombe (14) as a header spelling, and she notes the 9^th century Alfred the Great. Brekewall is found in Jonsjo (64) and dated to 1332. It is a compound of the OE brecan (“to break”) and wall and Jonsjo notes that “the name may refer to a strong, violent man.”

Earlier on, we had thought that Jonsjo also had documented Gatebane, which the client liked much more than Brekewall, but this unfortunately turned out to actually be Gaytbayn (“goat’s leg”) and did not carry a meaning desirable to the client. He remains strongly interested in a byname that suggests that he is a threat to gates (I’m told that there is an amusing Pennsic story here!). 

 

3) Anne Geoffreys of Warwick. New Badge. (Fieldless) Three tiger’s jambs conjoined in triskillion argent marked sable, maintaining a harp reversed azure stringed sable.

{Name reg’d 2/00}

{To Keythong: please provide the date in which a client’s name was registered on your IloIs}

{To Ary: after some thought, I’m leaning more towards “maintained” here, although I won’t care too strongly if Laurel goes with “sustained.” Truth to tell, there are several different blazons for this.} 

Badge Commentary

Knut: (Fieldless) a triskelion of natural tiger jambs argent, each maintaining a harp azure

Clear 

Gevehard: No conflicts with this badge found. 

Ary: Her name was registered 02/00 via the Middle.  Given the visual weight of the harps vs. the limbs, I would blazon these as "sustained" and not "maintained." 

Roberd: The closest I could find was : (Fieldless) Three lion's forelegs embowed conjoined in triskelion sable, each maintaining a sword proper, registered to one Thorin Njalsson (5/1984 AnTi). Clear on tinctures alone.

A question: Lady Aryanhwy mentioned that she would blazon this "sustained" instead of "maintained". What makes the difference between the two? 

Ælfreda: Client's name was registered in February of 2000 (via the Middle). 

 

4) Bárekr inn silfri. New Name and Device. Sable, a bear paw print, on a chief argent, three torteaux.

Submitted as Bárekr Silfri, we have added an article since the byname is a nickname and corrected the byname to not be capitalized as we believe that both practices were the norm for nicknames used as bynames in Norse practice. Haraldsson (8) has “Bárekr” and ibid (27) has “silfri” meaning “silver.” The client cares most about having a Norse name. 

Name Commentary

Ary: Excellent resub. 

Richenda: I believe the descriptive byname would not be capitalized.  

Emma: Barekr is found in Geirr Bassi on page 8, col. 1 as specified. Silfri is a legitimate Norse nickname and is on page 27 as indicated. However, Old Norse naming traditions would always have "inn" meaning "the" when using a nickname in place of a patronymic or locative. Therefore, the name would correctly be given as Barekr inn silfri.  It should also be noted that in Old Norse nicknames were not capitalized.

A search of the Armorial found no conflicting names. 

Device Commentary

Knut: Clear 

Ary: This new submission looks clear. 

Richenda: This appears to be clear.  

Emma: Sable, a bear paw print and on a chief argent three torteaux.

Consider: Harald Ulfson registered in February of 1986 (via the East): Sable, a bear's paw print and on a chief wavy argent, a pellet between a decrescent and an increscent sable.  1 CD for change of chief from simple to

complex line and 1 CD for change in type and tincture of charges on the chief.

Consider: Rowan Greyfeather registered in December of 1993 (via the East): Sable, a plate and on a chief argent three trees proper.  This is cleary by X.4.j.ii. (b).  "Armory that has a group if identical charges on an ordinary

or other suitable charge that is accompanied by only a single unchargted group of identical cahrges lying entirely on the field is a simple case." Per ii. of this section, "...substantially changing the type of all of a group of identical charges placed entirely on other charges in one clear difference."  Therefore:  1 CD for change of primary charge (plate to bear paw print) and 1 CD for change of type of charge on chief (trees to torteaux). 

Konrad: No conflict found. 

{*) Dawid Hrouda. New Name and Device. Azure, on a bend sinister embattled argent a bonacon passant to sinister gules, a bordure wavy Or

The name is being returned for essentially being identical to the client’s modern name. The Admin Handbook III.A.9 states: “No name will be registered to a submitter if it is identical to a name used by the submitter for purposes of identification outside of a Society context...A small change in the name is sufficient for registration, such as the addition of a syllable or a spelling change that changes the pronunciation. However, a change to spelling without a change in pronunciation is not sufficient. For example, Alan Miller could not register the name Alan Miller or Allan Miller.” The Polish W is essentially pronounced the same as an English V, so the names Dawid and David are identical.

While the charge used here is basically just a regular bull, a commentator noted that the Bonacon’s flaming excrement could be considered an artistic detail. Based on the client’s stated wish for a Bonacon, we feel compelled to point out (since we have to return the armory anyways for lacking a registerable name) that Bonacons cannot be registered in the Society, citing a precedent established by Master Wilhelm in AS XV: “The bonacon was considered too offensive by a significant fraction of the College and is therefore not allowed for use in the SCA. WVS [21] [LoAR 21 Jul 80], p. 12.” If the client wishes to resubmit this armory, we recommend that he go with a simple bull.

The embattling of the bend needs to be straightened out as well, since it is neither embattled nor embattled counter embattled.} 

Name Commentary

Gevehard: No comments on name seems fine to me 

Ary: Admin Handbook III.A.9 says "No name will be registered to a submitter if it is identical to a name used by the submitter for purposes of identification outside of a Society context...A small change in the name is sufficient for registration, such as the addition of a syllable or a spelling change that changes the pronunciation. However, a change to spelling without a change in pronunciation is not sufficient. For example, Alan Miller could not register the name Alan Miller or Allan Miller."  I do not believe that the change from <David> to <Dawid> changes the pronunciation enough to make this sufficiently different from his modern name. 

Roberd: As has been pointed out, the Admin Handbook lists the injunction against the registration of a name where the sound is the same as the one used by the registrant for identification purposes outside the Society. (III.A.9) The passage indicates that the purpose of this is to "help preserve a distinction" between the person's identity and their persona, a position I agree with personally as well as my support as a herald. I have to recommend this be returned. 

Device Commentary

Knut: Azure, on a bend sinister bretessed argent a bull passant to sinister gules, a bordure wavy Or

Clear 

Gevehard: device found no conflict without 3 SD's. 

Ary: The waves on the bordure are far too shallow; this needs to be redrawn.  The bend is also "bretressed" since the embattlements appear on both sides of the charge. 

Berwyn: Wilhelm's Precidents state : "The bonacon was considered too offensive by a significant fraction of the College and is therefore not allowed for use in the SCA. WVS [21] [LoAR 21 Jul 80], p. 12"

Although this emblazon doesn't show the flaming excrement, it could be included as an artistic detail if drawing from the blazon.  The horse tail and mane identify this as a bonacon rather than a bull, although the horns on a true bonacon would  curve more inward. (There's a wonderfully disgusting illustration at:

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/bestiary/comment/12rbonnacon.hti ) 

Roberd: The device is clear (Good Gods! but there are a *lot* of devices with bends sinister!) The bonacon, if I remember correctly, was a charge that might have been used to indicate a successful rear-guard action. 

Ælfreda: As drawn, we cannot tell if the bend is betressed or embattled counter embattled.  It is not simply embattled. 

 

{*) David Mastlic hearmlaes. New Name.

We most return the name for lack of documentation. We are loath to do so as we try to fill gaps when we can. However, none of us were able to supply documentation for the two bynames “Mastlic” and “Hearmlæs” and none was supplied by the client. The client would be well advised to supply his own documentation when he resubmits to prevent this from occurring again.}

{My thanks to all of you that tried to figure out how to document this, but I fear that we don’t have enough to go on here.}  

Name Commentary

Gevehard: with no documentation or references this I feel has to be returned. 

Ary: Withycombe s.n. David dates the name to as early as 1086, thus it would be appropriate Anglo-Saxon name.  There is nothing like either of the surnames in Reaney & Wilson or in Jonsjo's _Middle English Personal Bynames_. 

Roberd: I'm a little puzzled by the lack of documentation. Was the submitter not made aware that documentation was a requirement? Or was he told that someone else would provide it?

I found <David> in Withycombe, second edition, on pp. 75-76, showing the earliest date as 1086. (Aryanhwy, a question: in your commentary, you wrote, "Withycombe s.n. David". What does the "s.n." signify?) I have no resources address the <Mastlic hearmlaes>. 

Ælfreda: From: Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition, online version

Mostly, adv. 1. For the most part; in the main.  1594 CAREW Huarte's Exam. Wits 42 Mostly he made complements of verses very well composed. 1627 W. SCLATER Exp. 2 Thess. (1629) 42 Our Religion is mostly talke and discourse.

Harmless, a. ...  3. Free from guilt; innocent. arch.  1297 R. GLOUC. (1724) 509 Harmles me him nom, & mid hors to drou, & sue anhunge him. 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 675 e ryt-wys man schal se hys face, e harmlez hael schal com hym tylle. 1529 MORE Dyaloge IV. Wks. 279/1 To the helpe and defence of his good and harmelesse neyghbour, against ye malice and crueltie of ye wrong doer. 1594 1st Pt. Contention vi. 24 In Pomphret Castle harmelesse Richard was shamefully murthered. 1627-77 FELTHAM Resolves I. xxix. 50 How happy..those things live, that follow harmless Nature? 1863 MRS. C. CLARKE Shaks. Char. v. 134 Up to the very last scene, she bears him harmless of all suspicion. 

 

5) Donald Deyell. New Name.

Donald is found in Withycombe (86) as a header spelling. She has a Donaldus dated to 1346, although in period it seems to be more common as Domnall and found more commonly in Ireland. Deyell is in Reaney and Wilson (124, under “Dalyell”) but is not actually dated in this spelling. In addition to the dated variants found in Reaney and Wilson, there are additional dated variants found in Black (199, under “Dalyell”) but no mention or date for Deyell. Still, given that Reaney and Wilson (op cit) have Dalyhel dated to 1288 and Dyell to 1689, and Black (op cit) has Daliel to 1649 and that Black also notes that inhabitants of the Shetland Islands use the spelling Deyell, it seems acceptable.

{To All: Escutcheon’s duty is to summarize the submitted documentation. You all may have been a bit spoiled by my habit when I was Escutcheon of supplementing what was provided by the client, but that is not her job. If the client only provided page numbers and no details (as, in fact, was what was given here), Escutcheon is not responsible for tracking the book down and filling in the gaps. That, my friends, is our job – to fix the LoI so it is acceptable before it leaves the Kingdom. Remember, this is an internal letter. For the record, Escutcheon to date has always provided a full summary of the contents of the submission. Let’s all focus on what you can do to help a submission pass.}

{To Ary: it is helpful to provide headers as well as page numbers. And editions numbers are helpful if using an unusual edition, since not only pagination but also data may differ from edition to edition. } 

Name Commentary

Ary: This name is insufficiently documented on the LoI.  It is not enough to cite books and page numbers; dates and spellings *must* also be included.  Escutcheon, *please*, if such things are listed on the submission forms, put them in the LoI!  It's also really helpful to list the header words instead of the page numbers, since Deyell is found under Dalyell, which may not be expected.  R&W s.n. Dalywell give <de Dalyhel> 1288, and also say "also spelled <Deyell>," but they give no date for this spelling.  Black s.n. Dalyell gives more dated forms:  Daliel  1259; de Dalyhel  1288; de Dalielle  1296; Dalzelle  1390; Dalyhell  1392; Daleyhell, Daleyhelle  1397; Dalyelle  1415; Dalzel  1504; Dalliell  1511; Dan3haell  1518; Day3ill  1590

He also says that "in Shetland Dalziel has been substituted for the native Yell (derived from the name of the island of that name).  Some of the bearers of the name there write it Deyell or De Yell."  It's hard to tell from this, but it looks like <Deyell> might be modern.  There is nothing useful s.n. Yell.  Withycombe s.n. Donald mention a <Doneuuald> in the DB and <Donaldus> 1346.  <Donald Dalyelle> is the closest I can get to his submitted name. 

Richenda: No comment 

Emma: We would like to see dates accompanying the documentation, even if the references are "no copy required".  No conflicts were found in the Armorial for this name. 

 

6) Elena inghean Ronáin. New Device. Per fess engrailed argent and sable, a sprig of cherries in chief proper.

{Name submitted on 8/02 MK LoI} 

Device Commentary

Knut: Per fess engrailed argent and sable, in chief a sprig of three cherries proper

Angus le Todde Mac Donnell - November of 1999 (via Caid): Per bend sinister engrailed argent and azure, a sprig of three cherries proper. CD field, CD unforced move to chief.

Rowany, Barony of - January of 1985 (via the West): (Fieldless) Two rowan leaves conjoined vert, pendant therefrom three berries gules. Single CD fieldless, no CD for minor differences between the sprigs or for location vs fieldless armoury. Return for conflict. 

Ary: The cherry sprig is in chief.  The closest registered device I can find is Rachel Ravenlock, (reg. 10/95 via Atenveldt), "Per fess sable and argent, in pale a plate and a sprig of cherries gules slipped and leaved vert all within a bordure counterchanged."  CD for swapping the field tinctures, CD for engrailing, CD for bordure, CD for plate...this is clear. 

Richenda: This appears to be clear. 

Thorvald: We would suggest that the words in chief be added to the blazon, since the charge could lie across the line of division. 

Ælfreda:  We are unsure if this is a forced move to chief or not.  If it is, possible conflict with Angus le Todde Mac Donnell (reg 11/99) "Per bend sinister engrailed argent and azure, a sprig of three cherries proper", with one CD for changing the field. 

Emma: Per fess engrailed argent and sable, a sprig of cherries proper.  Reblazon: Per fess engrailed argent and sable, in chief a sprig of cherries proper.

Consider:  Julie of the Blackwater registered in October of 1973: Per fess rayonny argent and sable, in chief a heart gules.  And Symonne de Monte Acuto registered in April of 1999 (via the Middle): Per fess rayonny argent and sable, in chief a vol gules.  Clear of both of these per X.2 simple.  1 CD for change of type single primary charge. 

Konrad: No conflict found. 

 

7) Henry Best. New Badge. (Fieldless) Two jester’s baubles in saltire Or, vested azure and gules.

{Name reg’d 7/91} 

Badge Commentary

Knut: (Fieldless) Two jester’s baubles in saltire Or, vested azure marked gules

The vesting is mainly azure with a little bit of gules, not 50-50. Clear 

Ary: I'm not sure if the fact that one is a comedy jester and the other a tragedy jester should be blazoned.  No conflicts found. 

Richenda: This appears to be clear. 

Konrad: I was not sure what to conflict check this charge against. I guessed staff and found the following possible conflict. It had one difference for the fieldless, the questions is do jester’s baubles conflict with palmer's staves.

Addison the Wanderer Either the name or the following device associated it (or both) were registered in March of 1973: Potent, two palmer's staves in saltire Or. 

 

{*) James le Hauke of Sterling. Change of Registered Device. Per saltire azure and sable, within a bordure counterchanged a hawk striking contourny argent.

{Name reg’d 10/96}

This device is being returned for violation of RfS VIII.2.b. (low contrast) beccause it is color on color. Both of the field tinctures and both of the bordure tinctures are colors.} 

Device Commentary

Knut: The color bordure is on a color field.  Clear against any legal bordure except plain argent or lozengy argent and vert. Return for violation of RfS VIII.2.b 

Ary: Blazon-fu: "Per saltire azure and sable, a hawk striking contourny argent within a bordure counterchanged."

The bordure is color on color; this must be returned. 

Richenda: Some style comments: The hawk needs some detailing. Right now this hawk is just a silhouette. In addition, the shape of the head is more falcon-like than hawk-like. This appears to be clear of conflict. 

Thorvald: The blazon is a little backwards here.  It should read Per saltire azure and sable, a hawk striking contourny argent within a border conterchanged.  However, the border is color on color. 

Ælfreda:  The bordure in this device is color on color, and thus must be returned.

Please note, a bordure per saltire of two low-contrast tinctures is allowed, as a "weirdness"

"From: Dame Elsbeth's Armory Precedents

CONTRAST

[Argent, a wyvern erect sable winged and bellied azure within a bordure per saltire counter-ermine and azure] This acceptance overturns the precedent dated April, 1992, which banned bordures per saltire of low contrast. While this is unattested in period heraldry, it is consistent with the types of extrapolation which SCA heraldry routinely makes. As such, it is a "weirdness", not a returnable offense. [Melyssande Dunn, 07/99, A-An Tir] "

For the client's reference when redesigning, please make note of the device of Vladimir Neupokoev (reg 9/97) "Per bend sinister sable and azure, a hawk stooping to sinister argent." 

Konrad: The bordure is color on color. 

 

8) Kimotsuki Yorimoto Takeo. New Name

Kimotsuki is found in Throudardottir (301) as a surname and dated to 1392. Yorimoto is in ibid (215) and dated to 1392 and is masculine nanori. Takeo is in ibid (256) and also dated to 1392 and is also a masculine nanori. Ibid (66) suggests that a proper masculine name should consist of a surname, a zokumyou, and a nanori. As the client has chosen two nanoris, there may be a problem. However, our command of Japanese naming practices is quite low and we request assistance from a more knowledgeable member of the College. The client is most interested in having a period Japanese name. 

Name Commentary

Gevehard: No comments this culture is not very well known to me. 

Roberd: No comment; I have no Japanese naming resources available. 

 

8) Nonna the Midwife. New Device. Per bend sinister vert and azure, in bend sinister throughout a trident argent between two carp embowed in annulo Or.

{Name submitted on 8/02 MK LoI} 

Device Commentary

Knut: Once again, single weirdness for tergiant fishies. Clear. 

Ary: I still really don't like the posture of these fish; I know nothing like it in period armory.  However,I'm not sure there's much we can do other than send it forward and let Wreath decide. 

Richenda: This appears to be clear of conflict. Please ensure that lines of division are visible on minis. 

Konrad: No conflict found 

 

9) Nonna the Midwife for House Njalsson. New Badge. Or, a pitcher reversed vert, a bordure gules.

{Name submitted on 8/02 MK LoI}

The badge is to be co-owned by Hroar Njalsson (name submitted on 8/02 MK LoI). Submitted as a “baluster reversed vert,” we reblazoned it as a basic pitcher. 

Badge Commentary

Knut: Or, an ewer reversed vert, a bordure gules. Although the line drawing shows an orle instead of a bordure, the color version has a properly done bordure.

Has documentation for the term baluster been provided? Baluster does not appear anywhere in the current SCA ordinary and it's use in pottery is not supported in either the OED or EBrit. Lacking applicable documentation, this must be reblazoned as an ewer.

Clear 

Ary: This is a generic pitcher and should be reblazoned as such. 

Richenda: This appears to be clear of conflict. 

Thorvald: Our dictionary tells us that a baluster is a post for holding up a hand rail.  Is there another definition appropriate to the charge we are not familiar with? 

Ælfreda:  Our concern is with how this submission compares with the submitted device of Hroar Njalsson, co-owner of this badge, "Or a pitcher vert, a bordure gules"  (see August 2002 MK LoAR).

"From:  The Precedents of Jaelle of Armida

[registering A ram's head erased argent armed Or collared gules.] She has a letter of permission to conflict with... A ram's head erased argent armed Or collared sable.... The administrative handbook simply requires non-identity. Given the blazon for Catherine's badge, one would never draw John's badge and vice-versa (Catherine Lacy de la Roche, 12/97 p. 4)"

Looking at the two pieces of armory simultaneously, it is difficult to tell which direction the pitcher is facing, as opposed to, say, a lion and a lion reversed.  The admin handbook requires non-identity.  Has this been achieved? 

Konrad: No conflict found. Looked in EWER AND PITCHER 

 

10) Onóra Refsdóttir. New Name. {and Device. Sable, on a fess argent, a fox passant proper}

Onóra was documented by the client from Woulfe, Irish Names for Children (43) which states that this name is from the Anglo-Saxon name Honora which is from the latin name Honoria. Ó Corr áin and Maguire (150) support this information. Though the root of Honoria is pre-7^th C., Onóra was not introduced into Ireland until the 12th century. The spelling Onara is found in 1383, in the Annals of Four Masters http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/G100005D/).  Refr is found in Haraldsson (14). The client cares most about sound.

{The device is being returned for at least two conflicts:

Tahira of Carolingia (reg’d 6/00) -- Sable, on a fess argent an Arabic pen-box azure. There is only one difference for the change in the tertiary charges.

Eirik Svartulf (reg’d 10/92) -- Sable, on a fess argent a wolf courant sable, in base a compass star argent. There is one CD for the addition of the secondary compass star.  There is no CD for only a tincture change to a tertiary group.} 

Name Commentary

Gevehard: No problems with name, for name Onora is already registered twice and Refskegg and Refsheim are also registered so the resulting combination seems logical. 

Ary: Though the root of <Honoria> is pre-7^th C., <Onóra> was not introduced into Ireland until the 12th century. The spelling <Onara> is found in 1383, in the Annals of Four Masters (http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/G100005D/).  The client should be aware that while there is evidence of Norse/Gaelic cultural mixing, this was *never* reflected linguistically in the names.  A name would be either all Gaelic or all Norse, never a combination.  Geirr Bassi have <Arnóra>, which is a reasonable equivalent for <Onóra>, making <Arnóra Refsdóttir> a fine Norse name.  I'm not sure how <Ref> would have been adopted into Gaelic; OCM has nothing similar enough for me to want to recommend it.  Though if she's worried about sound, going with an all-Gaelic name might not be the best choice, as it would probably sound significantly different from what she's submitted. 

Device Commentary

Knut: Sable, on a fess argent, a fox passant gules marked sable and argent.

Roswitha of Suanesfeld - September of 2000 (via Atlantia): Sable, on a fess argent three swans rousant sable. Tahira of Carolingia - June of 2000 (via the East): Sable, on a fess argent an Arabic pen-box azure. Single CDs for changes to tertiaries.

Eirik Svartulf - in October of 1992 (via the East): Sable, on a fess argent a wolf courant sable, in base a compass star argent. Single CD for secondary compass star.  No CD for only a tincture change to a tertiary group.

Return for multiple conflicts. 

Gevehard: No problems with device 

Ary: This conflicts with Tahira of Carolingia, (reg. 06/00 via the East), "Sable, on a fess argent an Arabic pen-box azure," with one CD for changing the type and tincture of the tertiary charge. 

Roberd: Conflict with Tahira of Carolingia (6/2000 East) Sable, on a fess argent an Arabic pen-box azure. According to RfS X.4.j.i, changes to charges on charges yield at most only one CD, in this case the only one. 

Ælfreda: From the precedents during the tenure of Master François la Flamme as Laurel Principal King of Arms  "There is no CD for the difference between passant and courant, per the August 2001 LoAR. [Elspeth Colquhoun, 09/01, R-Caid]"

From the precedents of Dame Elsbeth Anne Roth, Laurel Queen of Arms Cover letter dated July 20, 2001 "However, responses substantially opposed the change, and therefore the precedent that all canines conflict will remain in place."

As such, we find conflict with Eirik Svartulf (reg 10/92) "Sable, on a fess argent a wolf courant sable, in base a compass star argent."  There is one CD for adding the compass 

 

11) Sarra Bossard. Change of Registered Device. Per pale Or and vert fretty counterchanged, a rabbit sejant erect contourny sable.

{Name reg’d 9/95}

If this device is registered she wishes to have her old device (Argent, a coney couchant sable, on a chief vert three goblets Or) [reg’d 6/96] RELEASED. 

Device Commentary

Knut: Clear 

Ary: Cute rabbit.  Device looks clear. 

Richenda: This is not fretty. The pieces of fretty should be 90 degrees off one another. The fretty is enough of a problem that I think this should be returned for redraw. Otherwise, this appears to be free of conflict. 

Konrad: No conflict found 

 

12) Stonecroft, Shire of. New Branch Name. { and Device. Argent, masoned sable, a mallet and feather in saltire gules, on a chief argent three laurel wreathes vert.}

There are several toponyms with Stone- as their initial element, according to Ekwall (446-447), although some of these apparently spell the element as Stan- or Stane- or Ston-. Notable exceptions include: Stone (dated to 1324 in this spelling) and Stoneberi (a 1220 spelling of Stonebury), both found in ibid (446). Croft, according to Webster’s Dictionary is an Egnglish word for “small enclosed field.” Mills (96) and Ekwall (131) both confirm this. Croft is dated to 1212 in Ekwall (131).

A petition of support is supplied.

{The device is being returned for violating the rules of tincture, namely trying to place an argent chief on an argent field (albeit masoned sable, it is still predominantly argent). One commentator suggested that you flip the chief and make it argent wreathes on a vert chief, but we cannot guarantee that this would not conflict with something and would urge you to thoroughly conflict check whatever alternative that you devise.} 

Name Commentary

Ary: For completeness's sake, I'm copying the documentation I provided last time here: "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 <Stancrof> would actually be a pretty reasonable DB-era place name, meaning "small enclosed stony field."  <Stoncroft> is also possible, but a little less likely given the spelling distributions. I can't support the spelling [Stone-]." 

Richenda: No comment 

Device Commentary

Knut: Draw the primary charges larger.

Argent masoned sable, a mallet and feather in saltire gules and in chief three laurel wreathes vert looks clear. Return for violating RfS VIII.2.b 

Ary: As noted by Escutcheon, the chief is color and color and must be returned 

Richenda: I agree with Escutcheon that the device must be returned for color on color. This appears to be free of conflict no matter what color chief they decide to use. 

Thorvald: We have to agree with Escutcheon on this one.  Argent chief on argent masoned sable field is still metal on metal, even though it is still the same metal. 

 

13) Yamina bint Habib. New Name and Device. Or, six crescents two, two, and two gules.

Yamina is found in Smith, “Andalusian Names: Arabs in Spain” http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/juliana/andalusia/ and al-Habib is found in ibid (with bint Habib being a feminine equivalent). Habib is also 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 the sound of the name. 

Name Commentary

Ary: Lovely name! 

Richenda: While the article documenting the surname claims that the names in the lists are period, there is no date data given for them. However, Juliana de Luna dates al-Habib to from around 700 AD until around 1200 AD. 

Device Commentary

Knut: Clear 

Ary: Lovely device, too.  Looks clear. 

Richenda: Nice Spanish armory!! This appears to be free of conflict. 

Konrad: Happy to say; No conflict found 

 

 

Done by my hand this 12^th day of January, 

Paul Wickenden of Thanet, Rouge Scarpe 

Paul W Goldschmidt

3071 Cimarron Trail

Madison WI 53719

goldschp@mailbag.com