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

This is the March 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, John ap Wynne, Danr Bjornsson, Moraig Anne Drummond, Pendar the Bard, Thorvald Redhair, Gwenhwyvar Nocturnal, Percival ap Gwylim Trefynwy, Rory mac Feidhlimidh, Dugan MacLeod, Angelique Michele du Herrisson, Ælfreda æt Æthelwealda, Mikhail of Lubelska, and Jaelle of Armida for their commentary this month.} 

I want you to make my name authentic! At the Middle Kingdom’s heraldic symposium this month, we got on a discussion of clients who submit TSCA (or obviously non-period) names but request assistance in making their name authentic (there are a few examples in this LoI) and one of the attendees, Lord Dahrien Cordell, drafted up the proper reply letter to the client which I felt I would share with you in the spirit of the upcoming observation of April 1^st:

“Our crack team of time-travelling heraldic onomastic agents will be promptly dispatched to twelfth century Ireland to find and bribe a desperate peasant woman (near a parish which is known today to keep complete and accurate birth records) to name her soon-to-be-child “Bùffy the Vampire Slayer Ó Claire,” with a healthy cow and two gold coins. An extra fee (one sheep or three egg-laying hens) will be assessed if the name is to be given to a boy-child. Modern documentation will now support your choice of name.” 

1) Æsa the Fierce. New Name and Device. Vert, a wagon within an annulet argent.

Æsa is found in Haraldsson (17). The Random House Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language (2^nd ed) under “Fierce” gives “1250, ME fiers < AF fers, OF fiers.” Alternately, Haraldsson (22) has “greypr” as a Norse byname meaning “gripper, fierce, and cruel” and we can claim Lingua Anglica allowance per Bruce’s precedent on 1/93: “Eric the Red, Philip the Good, Charles the fat, all are translations of the period names, not the period names themselves. SCA names are permitted a similar translation: a simple epithet, documented as a period form, may be translated into English. (We prefer to register the untranslated form, but I concede that such rigor doesn’t always serve our clients’ best interests.)”

She cares most about sound, and will NOT allow MAJOR changes. She will NOT allow the creation of a holding name for the associated device.

While the client indicated on her forms that she wishes a name authentic for 9^th century Norway, she was asked directly if her byname should be translated into Old Norse. She replied: “Let’s stick with Aesa the Fierce, English version. Simple and to the point. If that’s ok.” As her consulting pursuivant explains: “Apparently she didn’t understand what she was asking for, when she checked the ‘make my name authentic’ block.  That’s my fault.  Hopefully, this will clear that up.” We thus ask the College to disregard the instruction to make her name authentic.

{To all: The forms actually indicate that the name was submitted as “AESA The Fierce.” Since we only started registering names with an Æ as a single letter about six or seven years ago – you will find the Ae, AE, and ae spellings being used interchangeably throughout the Armorial and the original documents.} 

Name Commentary

Aryanhwy: <{AE}sa> is in Geirr Bassi, where {AE} is the capital A-E ligature.  Geirr Bassi gives <greypr> as a byname meaning 'gripper, fierce, cruel.'  <{AE}sa greypr> is a fine 9th C Norse name.   

Moraig: We feel that since the client states she wants a authentic name for 9^th Century Norway and since the last part of this name is in english which does not match what she states she wants this name would have to be returned. Also, Geirr Bassi does not have Aesa but he does have Asa. There is no listing for a byname in norse names of the fierce. The client needs some advice. 

Danr: There was a question about the submission <AEsa the Fierce>, as to what the submitter intended and whether would would prefer an Old Norse translation of the byname.

I asked the submitter and she replied:

>Let's stick with Aesa the Fierce, English version. Simple and to the point.

>If that's ok.

Apparently she didn't understand what she was asking for, when she checked the "make my name authentic" block.  That's my fault.  Hopefully, this will clear that up. 

Rory:  With no documentation at all and limited changes allowed, it is tempting to send it back to the client for the required documentation.  However: 

Fierce - 1250, ME fiers < AF fers, OF fiers (Random House Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, 2^nd Ed.) 

        Aesa - not in Geirr Bassi, although Æsa is there, p. 17.  Does this constitute a major or minor change to the name? 

Device Commentary

Thorvald: We suggest reblazoning to Vert, a wagon within an annulet argent.  The wagon, being the primary charge should come before the secondary annulet. 

Knut: Vert, a wagon within and issuant by the yolk from the dexter of an annulet argent.

The yolk is touching the annulet.  The term conjoined implies touching in at least two places.  Simply saying within implies no connection.

Eleanor d'Autun - September of 1988 (via Calontir): Vert, a fret couped within an annulet argent. Æthelwulf Cynricson of Stonegrave - January of 1998 (via Atlantia): Vert, a stag rampant within an annulet argent. If the annulets are co-primary, X2 doesn't apply.  Single CDs for changing the type of the central charges.

Vert, a wagon argent looks clear. 

Aryanhwy: This could be blazoned either as on the LoI, or "Vert, a wagon within an annulet argent."  Because the two are of similar visual weight, this has more the feel of a device with two groups primaries, rather than a primary

annulet and a secondary wagon or a primary wagon and a secondary annulet, so I'm not sure which blazon is more correct.  I found no conflicts. 

Moraig: We found Eleanor d'Autu -Vert, a fret couped within an annulet argent registered 9/88 and feel this is a conflict since we only see one point of difference. We note that the hitch of the wagon appears to be overlapping the annulet and we know of a return in the past for that reason. 

Rory:  Device  Reblazon to "Vert, a wagon within an annulet argent". 

Pendar: The wagon is the primary charge here. It is not co-primary with the annulet, which is considered the secondary charge group. (as in Jehanne le feu du Christ. Name and device. Gules, a fireball within an annulet Or. The device conflicts with Christian du Glaive, Gules, a grenade Or, enflamed proper, within a bordure rayonny Or. There is one CD for changing the type of _secondary charge_ from a bordure rayonny to an annulet..." (LoAR 6/02) emphasis mine.) So Blazon-fu: Vert, a wagon within an annulet argent. No conflicts found through 11/02. 

 

2) Andrew Bend. New Name. {and Device. Sable, a bend argent.}

Andrew is found in O’Brien, “Masculine Given Names in Chesham, 1538-1600/1” (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/chesham/chesham-masculine.html). Bend is found in Laning, “Faire Names for English Folk: Late Sixteenth Century English Names” (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/christian/fairnames/surnames.html). The client cares most about language/culture and specifically states that he will accept any changes.

{The device is being returned for multiple conflicts. These include the following: Jay d' Argent (Sable, a bend argent between a wyvern erect Or and a salamander counter-statant gules, enflamed Or) [reg’d 8/80]; Egill köttr Einarsson (Sable, a bend between a roundel and a domestic cat sejant contourny argent) [reg’d 12/96]; and Olwen Kyffin (Sable, a bend between a unicorn and three fleurs-de-lys argent) [reg’d 11/00]. In each case, there is only one difference for removing the secondary charges.

One of our commentators did, however, suggest that you might consider looking at a bendy field as a potentially registerable variant, as in “Bendy argent and sable.”} 

Name Commentary

Aryanhwy: I'm assuming he's interested in English culture.  The given name is explicitly dated to 1579 in the cited article.  This is a lovely Elizabethan name.   

Moraig: No comment about the name. 

Device Commentary

Thorvald: Beautiful armory and nice cant.  However, the bend is not drawn correctly.  The bottom edge goes to the dexter chief corner.  Hopefully, this will not be enough to return it, but the client should be educated. 

Knut: Adler des Berges - January of 1973: Sable, a bendlet between an eagle displayed, wings inverted and voided,

and three mountain peaks chased and snow-capped, argent. Egill köttr Einarsson - December of 1996 (via Ansteorra): Sable, a bend between a roundel and a domestic cat sejant contourny argent. Estienne des Estoiles - January of 1973: Sable, a bendlet enhanced argent between in chief three estoiles with four greater rays and center Or and four lesser rays argent, and in base an astrolabe Or. Jay d' Argent - August of 1980 (via the West): Sable, a bend argent between a wyvern erect Or and a salamander counter-statant gules, enflamed Or. Kraus des Berges - November of 1980 (via Atenveldt): Sable, a bendlet between a ram's head affronté couped at the shoulders

and three mountain peaks chased and snow-capped argent. Löwe des Berges - November of 1980 (via Atenveldt):

Sable, a bendlet between a lion rampant and three mountain peaks conjoined chased and snow-capped argent. Olwen Kyffin - November of 2000 (via An Tir): Sable, a bend between a unicorn and three fleurs-de-lys argent. Single CDs for adding secondary groups.

Siegfried von Hoflichskeit - January of 1973: Sable, on a bend argent a mullet of four points elongated to base gyronny Or and sable. Single CD for tertiary group.

Return for multiple conflicts 

Aryanhwy: Unfortunately, the device has a number of conflicts:

* Jay d' Argent, (reg. 08/80 via the West), "Sable, a bend argent between a wyvern erect Or and a salamander counter-statant gules, enflamed Or."

* Egill köttr Einarsson (reg. 12/96 via Ansteorra), "Sable, a bend between a roundel and a domestic cat sejant contourny argent."

* Olwen Kyffin, (reg. 11/00 via An Tir), "Sable, a bend between a unicorn and three fleurs-de-lys argent."

There is only one CD against each of these, for removing the secondary charges.  However, if he's interested in keeping this motif and the lovely cant, then may I recommend "Bendy argent and sable" or "Bendy sable and argent"?  These are clear of the three other registered devices that are field only with bendy fields:

* Walraven van Nijmegen, (reg. 11/98 via the West), "Bendy Or and gules."

* Alain of Litteldale, 9reg. 06/00 via Atlantia), "Bendy and per bend sinister sable and Or."

* Sofonisba Alberti, (reg. 12/97 via the West), "Bendy and per pale sable and argent."

The first is clear by RfS X.4.ii.b and the second two by RfS X.4.ii.a. 

Moraig: No conflicts found for the device 

Rory:  Wow - very clever cant, very simple device!  However…… 

        Consider: "Sable, a bend between a roundel & a domestic cat sejant contourny argent" [D-Egill kottr Einarsson, Dec 96].  (among several other conflicts).  Only 1CD for the removal of the secondary charges. 

Pendar: Conflicts with Jay d' Argent (8/80 West): Sable, a bend argent between a wyvern erect Or and a salamander counter-statant gules, enflamed Or. And Olwen Kyffin (11/00 An Tir): Sable, a bend between a unicorn and three fleurs-de-lys argent. In both cases there is only 1 CD for removing the secondary charge group.

Please note that there does not appear to be a registration of simply (field), a bend argent. So all he has to do is change at least half the tincture of his field and have it conflict checked against various tinctures of single bends and bend argents that have either a secondary or tertiary charge group. 

Ælfreda: Conflict with Jay d' Argent (reg 8/80) "Sable, a bend argent between a wyvern erect Or and a salamander counter-statant gules, enflamed Or", with Egill köttr Einarsson (reg 12/96) "Sable, a bend between a roundel and a domestic cat sejant contourny argent" and with Olwen Kyffin (reg 11/00) "Sable, a bend between a unicorn and three fleurs-de-lys argent."  In each case there is one CD for addition of the secondary charge group.

Conflict with Siegfried von Hoflichskeit (reg 1/73) "Sable, on a bend argent a mullet of four points elongated to base gyronny Or and sable." with one CD for the addition of the tertiary.

If there is no heraldic difference between an ordinary and its diminutive, conflict with Löwe des Berges (reg 11/80) "Sable, a bendlet between a lion rampant and three mountain peaks conjoined chased and snow-capped argent", with Kraus des Berges (reg 11/80) "Sable, a bendlet between a ram's head affronté couped at the shoulders and three mountain peaks chased and snow-capped argent" and with Adler des Berges (reg 1/73) "Sable, a bendlet between an eagle displayed, wings inverted and voided, and three mountain peaks chased and snow-capped, argent."  Again, only one CD for the addition of the secondary charge group. 

 

3) Balian de Brionne. Change of Registered Device. Azure, three clarions argent.

{Name reg’d 6/85}

If the device is registered, the client would like to have his current device (Per pale argent and azure, three clarions counterchanged) [reg’d 7/93] RELEASED.

In an attached missive from the client: “I desire to change my arms from Per pale argent and azure, three clarions counterchanged (7/93) to Azure, three clarions argent, for obvious reasons. When I registered the current device, I assumed that there was conflict with Per chevron azure and argent, three clarions counterchanged (Robin Clarian, 6/84) because of X.4.d. As I was investigating the question of finding the registrant to seek permission to conflict, Brigantia was kind enough to let me know that he was not sure there was a conflict. He appears to be correct and I cite the following two precedents:

“After much thought and discussion, it has been decided, for purposes of X.4.d, e and h of the Rules of Submission, that the bottommost of three charges, either on the field alone or arroundan 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).

(Daud 1)

“The subtext of Rfs X.4.d is revised in part to update the example given therein (“Or, three bulls’ heads gules” differs from “Or, two bulls’ heads sable and another gules”, but not from “Or, two bulls’ heads gules and another sable”) to reflect precedent set in the September 6, 1990 Cover Letter to the effect that tincture, type, and posture changes to the basemost of three charges arranged two and one are worth a CD, though at most one CD can be obtained even for multiple changes to this charge. As a consequence, and following Palimpsests’ wording, such an example is revised to read:

“Or, in pale three bulls’ heads gules differs from Or, in pale a bull’s head gules between two more sable, but not from Or, in pale a bull’s head sable between two more gules. [12b/93c] (Daud 2.1)

“I therefore urge the College to consider that there are two clear differences between the proposed arms and those of Robin Clarian: one for the field and one for the change in tincture to at least half (in this instance the bottommost of three charges) of the charges.” Client wishes to release his current device if this passes and also, to release his badge, (Fieldless) On a rose azure a bee Or.”

The Middle Kingdom supports his interpretation of precedent and believes this device is clear of Robin’s. 

Device Commentary

Thorvald: We support that the proposed device is clear of the one cited in the IloI, with one point for the field, and another for change of tincture to two of the charges. 

Knut: Rhiannon Christian - April of 1987 (via Atlantia): Azure, a lute palewise affronty between in chief two clarions argent. Clear by X.2 if these clarions are secondary. 

Aryanhwy: This is clear of the cited arms of Robin, for the reasons stated.  When there are three charges in the primary charge group, one counts as "half" for the purposes of X.4.d. 

Moraig: No conflicts found 

Pendar: The reasoning is sound. No conflicts found through 11/02. 

 

4) Balian de Brionne. Release of Registered Badge. (Fieldless) On a rose azure a bee Or.

{Name reg’d 6/85}

The badge in question was registered on 7/93.

{Escutcheon: this item did not appear on the LoI but should have.} 

 

5) Brise Sanguin. New Name and Device. Gules, a fleur-de-lys argent within a bordure argent goutty de sang.

Brise is a female given name listed (under “Brise la bèle”) in Catledge, “An Index to the Given Names in the 1292 Census of Paris” (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/paris.html). Sanguin appears in Friedemann, “French Names from Paris, 1423” (http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~sfriedemann/names/paris1423surnames.htm) and also in Friedemann, “French Names from Paris, 1438” (http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~sfriedemann/names/paris1438surnames.htm).

Client cares most about sound and “does not require the name to be authentic. As to culture, she desires to maintain at least some vague cultural connection to France in general and Normandy in particular.” The client will NOT allow MAJOR changes. 

Name Commentary

Aryanhwy: This is a fine name. 

Moraig: No comment on name.  

Device Commentary

Knut: Clear 

Aryanhwy: I found no conflicts with the arms.  

Moraig: No conflicts found for the device 

Pendar: Close, but clear of Meraud Wallace (8/98 Atlantia): Purpure, a fleur-de-lys, a bordure argent. 1 CD for changes to the field. 1 CD for the tertiaries. 

 

6) Cecilia Fiametta Delcanto. New Name and Device. Gules, a squirrel argent between three bezants.

Cecilia is found in Withycombe (60) as a header spelling and was the name of a saint, martyred c177. It is found in England by the time of the Norman Conquest. De Felice, Nomi (103) has the name as well (“Cecilia martire a Roma nel III secolo, patrona, per tradizione popolare, della musica e dei musicisti.”). Fiametta is found in Drake, “Italian Renaissance Names” (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/italian.html) and dated c14th-15th century. Delcanto is found in “Florentine Renaissance Resources:Online Catasto of 1427” at http://www.stg.brown.edu/projects/catasto/overview.html.

{To all: the device was blazoned incorrectly, the squirrel is argent, but appears to be OK.} 

Name Commentary

Aryanhwy: <Cecilia> is a header in Withycombe 3^rd ed.  She does not discuss Italian usage.  <Cicilia> is in Rhian Lyth's "Italian Renaissance Women's Names" (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/rhian/italian.html).  <Cecilia> is found in the introduction of Talan and Arval's "Fourteenth Century Venetian Personal Names" (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/arval/venice14/), but this is taken from aLatin record, and may not represent the underlying Italian form. Arval says of the Latinization in the source for these names: "The Latinization in these documents varies: light for names without obvious standard Latin equivalents, more complete for common names like <Johannes>.  I'm not sure where <Cecilia> falls in that spectum."

Given that the short forms <Celia> and <Cilia> are found in "Feminine Given Names from the Online Catasto of Florence of 1427" (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/arval/catasto/), <Cecilia> is probably a fine Italian form; the documented <Cicilia> is a better choice.

An easier source to cite for the byname is Ferrante LaVolpe's "Italian Names from Florance, 1427" (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/ferrante/catasto/). <Delcanto> is found in the Tratte once. 

Moraig: No comment on the name 

Device Commentary

Knut: Gules, a squirrel sejant erect between three bezants. The squirrel isn't maintaining the default acorn. Clear 

Aryanhwy: Using the short form "bezant" makes it so that the squirrel has no tincture.  Better, "Gules, a squirrel between three roundels Or." This redesign looks clear. 

Moraig: We are assuming that the squirrel is Or but the returned device suggests it may have been argent. Either way we could not find any conflicts 

Pendar: Although bezants are gold by default, squirrels are not. Blazon-fu: Gules, a squirrel Or between three bezants. or Gules, a squirrel between three roundels Or. No conflicts found through 11/02. 

Ælfreda: A tincture may be missing from this blazon.  As it reads, the implication is that the squirrel is Or, the same tincture as the bezants.  Escutcheon's comments state that only the field and roundels changed tincture from the previous submission, in which the squirrel was argent.

If the squirrel is argent, there may be conflict with Síthmaith ingen Uidir (reg 6/97) "Gules, a squirrel statant erect argent sustaining an arrow inverted and a bordure rayonny Or."  There is one CD for changing the roundels to a bordure, but are unsure if a second could be achieved via a number change (3 roundels vs 1 bordure).

We echo Knut's comments from the September 2002 Internal LoAR, that since the default position of a squirrel includes a maintained acorn, this charge must be explicitly blazoned as "sejant erect".

"GLOSSARY OF TERMS As Used By The College of Arms of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.

Table 4 Conventional S.C.A. Default Postures Squirrel: Sejant erect maintaining an acorn in its forepaws" 

 

7) Cúil Choluim, Shire of. New Group Device. Purpure, on a chevron between three columbines Or, three laurel wreathes vert.

{Name reg’d 8/02}

The columbines may look a bit unusual to commentators used to the depiction in the Pic Dic, but these appear to be more likely to be period, according to Parker (129). 

Device Commentary

Thorvald: We thought the secondary charges were some type of bean plants.  They look nothing like the columbines shown in the PicDic. 

Aryanhwy: Their name was registered 08/02. 

Moraig: No conflicts found 

Pendar: No conflicts found through 11/02 

 

8) Douglas of Ravenslake. New Name. {and Device. Quarterly gules and vert, a bull statant Or.}

Douglas is the client’s modern name. Withycombe (88) notes that the name does not become common until the late 16^th century, which should still be good enough for us. The Riding of Ravenslake is an SCA branch, whose name was registered 3/91.

{The device is being returned for conflict with Michael of Shattered Crystal (Gules, a bull passant guardant Or) [reg’d 9/99]. There is no difference between statant and guardant postures and only one CD for the change of field.} 

Name Commentary

Aryanhwy: This is not a holding name.  Only Laurel can create holding names, and though the pattern <modern given name> + <SCA branch> is fairly common among some Laurel Sovereigns for forming holding names, this pattern is not restricted to that.  The term 'holding name' is an administrative label which is used when a submitter's name is returned but his armory is registered.  Holding names can be upgraded for free (within a year of return of the orignal name submission), but this is just a new name submission; if he ever wishes to submit a different name, it will be a name change, and he'll have to pay the appropriate fees.  Did the client provide proof (photocopy of driver's license, etc.) that this is his modern name? The Riding of Ravenslake was registered 03/91 via the Middle. 

Moraig: No comment on the name 

Rory:  The client is NOT creating a holding name, and he knows this (he is my lady wife's man-at-arms, and we have discussed this registration with him).  He is legitimately submitting Douglas of Ravenslake as his name, along with this device.  If at a future time he wishes to register (the currently undocumented) name that he is using regularly, he knows he will have to submit and pay for a name change. 

Device Commentary

Aryanhwy: I found no conflicts with the device. 

Thorvald: Since we cannot send up holding names, we will have to send this as the name registration.  The difference is that when the client finally decides what name he wants, he will have to submit a name change, not a resubmission. 

 

Knut: The per fess line is slightly abased.

Michael of Shattered Crystal - September of 1999 (via the Middle): Gules, a bull passant guardant Or. Single CD for field

Return for conflict 

Moraig: We found “Gules, a bull passant guardant Or” that was registered in 9/99 to Michael of Shattered Crystal. There is only one difference for the change. 

Pendar: Conflict with Michael of Shattered Crystal (9/99 Middle): Gules, a bull passant guardant Or. No CD's are given between the postures of statant and passant. There is nothing for making the bull guardant. So that leaves only 1 CD for changes to the field. 

Ælfreda: We find conflict with Michael of Shattered Crystal (reg 9/99) "Gules, a bull passant guardant Or" with one CD for the field.  There is no CD between passant and statant.

There may also be a conflict with Fenwick of Gloster (reg 6/76) "Vert, a water buffalo [Bubalus bubalis] passant proper."  Although it is on a vert field, photos we have seen of water buffalo show a dark gray or brown creature.  For example: http://members.aol.com/zoonet/pictures/waterbuffalo.jpg 

 

{*) Elynor Grey. New Name and Device. Quarterly purpure and vert, a lion dormant erminois.

{The name is being returned for conflict with the already registered name of Eleanor of Gray [reg’d 3/01 via Trimaris].

{The device is being returned because the name is being returned, but otherwise appears to be free of any problems.} 

Name Commentary

Aryanhwy: Unfortunately, this conflicts with <Eleanor of Gray>, reg. 03/01 via Trimaris.  RfS V.1.ii says "In general the addition or deletion of prepositions and articles is not significant." 

Moraig: No comment on the name 

Rory:  Consider Eleanor of Grey (reg. March, 2001, Trimarias).  By RfS V.1, these names are not significantly different in sound.  The addition of “of” is not enough to clear the current submission. 

Device Commentary

Thorvald: The emblazon is missing the ermine spots on the lion. 

 

Knut: Clear 

Aryanhwy: The device looks clear of conflict. 

Moraig: No conflicts found. 

Pendar: I see no ermine spots on that lion. Return for a redraw. No conflicts found through 11/02. 

 

9) Gavin the Healer. New Name and Device. Quarterly argent and Or, a feather per bend azure, a bordure embattled gules.

Withycombe (127) states that Gavin is one of the French versions of Gawain and was used in the Middle Ages. She notes that Gavinus, Gavienus, Gavin and Goin can be found in E Forstmann’s Altdeutsches Namenbuch, the earliest being in the 7^th Century. She also notes Gavin being found dated to 1604 in the County of Yorks in the Yorks Recusants (a list of Roman Catholics). The word “healer” is dated to 1175 in the Random House Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language (2^nd Ed). The OED says:

healer 1

   1. One who heals (wounds, diseases, the sick, etc.); a leach, doctor; also, one who heals spiritual

infirmities; in early use, Saviour = prec.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 83 ef he hefde on his moder ibroken hire meidenhad, ne mihte nawiht brekere bon icloped helere. c1275 Passion Lord 115 in Old Eng. Misc. 40 He com to e Gywes..And chepte heom to sullen, vre helare. c1440 HYLTON Scala Perf. (W. de W. 1494) I. xliv, This name Jhesu is nout elles for to saye upon englisshe but heler. 1611 BIBLE Isa. iii. 7, I will not be a healer.  ..."

We could not directly document “the Healer” as a period byname, but note period equivalents like “Fisicien” (Physick) and “Leche” (Leach) in Reaney and Wilson. We therefore believe that this name meets the standards of a TSCA name.

The client will NOT accept MAJOR changes and is interested in having an authentic Celtic name of an undesignated period. We are not certain how this wish can be granted without making major changes and so have chosen to ignore the request.

The bordure is definitely in need of feeding but we believe it can be registered with proper instructions send back to the client to draw a bolder bordure.

{The device was pended last month for lack of a registered name. Since that name has been provided, we have unpended the armory and are ruling on it this month.} 

Name Commentary

Aryanhwy: Withycombe (3rd ed) s.n. Gawain dates <Gavin> in England to 1604; this spelling is also noted as being French.  Virtually all earlier forms of the given name in England used <w> rather than <v>. The following are from "Concerning the Names Gavin, Gawaine, Gavan, and Gabhainn," by Arval Benicoeur (http://www.medievalscotland.org/problem/names/gavin.shtml): Walwein  (1169); Wawanus  (1208); Wawayn  (1255); Gawyne  (1273, 1279); Wawwayne  (1315); Gawynus  (1332); Gawyn  (1379); Gawin  (1530); Gaven  (1631).

I couldn't find any evidence that <the Healer> would be an appropriate byname, but there are a lot of other authentic alternatives: R&W s.n. Leach from the OE <l{{ae}-}ce>, 'leech, physician,' has <Leche> c1250 and <le Leche> 1279.  Julian Goodwyn's index of surnames from pre-1600 brass inscriptions (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/arval/brasses/) has <Leeche> dated to 1530.  <Leech> is also found in Christian de Holacombe's "Faire Names for English Folk: Late Sixteenth Century English Names" (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/christian/fairnames/) and dated to 1605 in "Surnames in Durham and Northumberland, 1521-1615" (http://www.yucs.org/~jules/names/parish/surnames.html) by Julie Stampnitzky.

R&W s.n. Physick has <John le Fisicien> 1269.

R&W s.n. Pothecary has <Richard Ipotecar'> 1297.

Fransson's _Middle English Surnames of Occupation 1100-1350_ (these citations courtesy of Mistress Tangwystyl - if photocopies are needed, let me know and I'll see if she can make them) has Leche (leech); Lecher (leecher); Fisicien; Surgen; Barber; (various terms for blood-letter) Blodleter, Bledere, Ventoser, Soukere; (those who treat animals) Mareschal; Smerer, Shepsmerer, Greser

Thuresson's "Middle English Occupational Terms" (also courtesty of Tangwystyl) has Surgener, Surgeour, Bloder (blood-letter), Tuthdragher (tooth-drawer). Spitelman

The OED online s.n. Healer(1) has <helere> c1175, <helare> c1275, <heler> c1440, and <healer> 1611, all referring to "One who heals (wounds, diseases, the sick, etc.); a leach, doctor; also, one who heals spiritual infirmities; in early use, Saviour = prec."

Probably the most similar in connotation to <Healer> is either <Leech> or <Fisicien>.  However, by the time that the spelling <Gavin> is in use in England, bynames had long since become inherited surnames, and were no longer descriptive.  <Gavin Leech> is a fine 16th C name, but it wouldn't have the connotation that he probably wants. <Gawyne le Leche> or <Gawyne le Fisicien> would be a lovely earlier period name with the desired meaning. 

Rory:  Healer - dated to 1175, Random House Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, 2^nd Ed. We assume the device (submitted last month) was returned by Rouge Scarpe for lack of a name. 

Ælfreda: From the Online OED:

"healer 1

   1. One who heals (wounds, diseases, the sick, etc.); a leach, doctor; also, one who heals spiritual infirmities; in early use, Saviour = prec.

 c1175 Lamb. Hom. 83 ef he hefde on his moder ibroken hire meidenhad, ne mihte nawiht brekere bon icloped helere. c1275 Passion Lord 115 in Old Eng. Misc. 40 He com to e Gywes..And chepte heom to sullen, vre helare. c1440 HYLTON Scala Perf. (W. de W. 1494) I. xliv, This name Jhesu is nout elles for to saye upon englisshe but heler. 1611 BIBLE Isa. iii. 7, I will not be a healer.  ..." 

Device Commentary

Ary: The bordure is too narrow and needs to be drawn larger with more pronounced embattlements.  No conflicts found. 

Knut: The bordure needs to be thicker.

Clear. Return for redraw. 

Rory: Bordure could be drawn bolder, with more depth to the embattlements 

 

{*) Irial Féasruadh ó hIarnáin. Change of Registered Device. Lozengy Or and argent, a bear salient gules.

{Name reg’d 11/00}

{This is being returned for two separate but equally fatal problems:

First of all, it violates the rules of contrast. The Rules for Submission VIII.2.b.iv says “Elements evenly divided into multiple parts of two different tinctures must have good contrast between their parts.  For example, checky argent and gules is acceptable, but checky azure and gules is not.” Similarly, lozengy argent and gules is acceptable, but lozengy argent and Or is not. 

The other problem is that this design conflicts with Brichnicht of Briarwood (Per bend ermine and counter-ermine, a bear rampant gules) [reg’d 10/92]. There is only one difference – for the change of field.}

{Rory: yes, the fact that this is actually a change of registered device was omitted from the IloI} 

Device Commentary

Thorvald: The bear looks more like a wolf, except for the tail.  We thought it was a wolf with a poorly drawn tail before we read the blazon. 

Knut: RfS VIII.2.b.iv - Elements evenly divided into multiple parts of two different tinctures must have good contrast between their parts. For example, checky argent and gules is acceptable, but checky azure and gules is not.

Or and argent do not have good contrast.

Brichnicht of Briarwood - October of 1992 (via An Tir): Per bend ermine and counter-ermine, a bear rampant gules. Single CD for field.

Return for violating RfS VIII.2.b.iv and conflict. 

Aryanhwy: This must be returned for breaking the rule of contrast.  RfS VIII.2.b.iv says "Elements evenly divided into multiple parts of two different tinctures must have good contrast between their parts.  For example, checky argent and gules is acceptable, but checky azure and gules is not."  By parity, lozengy argent and gules is acceptable, but lozengy argent and Or is not.  In any case, it also conflicts with Brichnicht of Briarwood, (reg. 10/92 via An Tir), "Per bend ermine and counter-ermine, a bear rampant gules," with one CD for the field. 

Moraig: We state that since this is two metals lozengy that this must be returned because it violates Rfs VIII.2.b.iv because this field is divided into more than four parts. 

Rory:  The client's current device, "Ermine, three bendlets sinister enhanced azure and in base a sun in splendor gules eclipsed Or", was registered 11/00 via the West.  Since there is no mention of it on the Letter of Intent, it is assumed that this device will be released upon registration of the new submission. 

  However, RfS VIII.2.b.iv: Contrast Requirements:  "Elements evenly divided into multiple tinctures must have good contrast between the parts."  There is not good contrast between the Or and argent in the field.  This submission should be returned. 

Pendar: Conflicts with Brichnicht of Briarwood (10/92 An Tir): Per bend ermine and counter-ermine, a bear rampant gules. Nothing for salient vs. rampant, leaving only 1 CD for changs to the field. 

Ælfreda: The client's previous device "Ermine, three bendlets sinister enhanced azure and in base a sun in splendor gules eclipsed Or." was registered 11/00, via the West.

This device must be returned for violation of RfS 2.b.iv. "Elements evenly divided into multiple parts of two different tinctures must have good contrast between their parts." 

 

10) Isabella Beatrice de la Rosa. New Device. Per chevron vert and gules a chevron between two roses and a swan naiant argent

{Name submitted on 2/03 MK LoI} 

Device Commentary

Knut: Clear. 

Aryanhwy: Her name was on the 12/02 Northshield LoI.  It will be ruled on by Rouge Scarpe in 02/03.  This is clear of Rhiannon Llygad Flaidd, (reg 02/00 via Atenveldt), "Per chevron gules and vert, a chevron throughout argent between two roses slipped and leaved and a wolf's head erased Or," with one CD for changing the tincture of the secondaries and one for changing half their type. 

Rory:  The name was submitted on the 12/02 Northshield ILoI. (Keythong - this information would be useful to put on the ILoI). 

 

{*) Mailse of Glencoe. New Name.

{The name is being returned for two minor problems (either of which would not be sufficient in themselves to prompt the return. The first issue is that the entry in Woulfe is undated and the second that Mailse is a pet form of Maire – itself a rare name in period. This raises suspicions about its registerability. Given the College’s current sensitiveness towards the registration of names, we would prefer to have more iron-clad documentation before sending it forward.} 

Name Commentary

John: Mailse: See Coghlan (48); lists “Mailsi; means “Margery” or “Molly.” Todd (pp.56-57) has “Mailli” and “Melli”, which the client may consider suitable variants. Todd also lists “Maoliosa”, or “Melissa”. I suggest the client looks at these.

Glencoe: a famous glen in Scottish history, notably where dwelt the MacDonald clan and their allies. See any Scottish history book. 

Aryanhwy: The client's previous submission, <Malise of Glencoe>, was returned by Rouge Scarpe in _January_, not June, 2002. <Máilse> is under the heading <Máille> in Woulfe, who says that this is "a pet form of <Máire>."  Woulfe is like Gruffudd; when there are no dates, one can pretty well assume that the name is modern.  Mari's index of feminine names in the Annals (http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/AnnalsIndex/Feminine/) lists eleven people named <Máire> between 1396 and 1601.  <Glencoe> is not in Black.

Stop the presses!!!  Black s.n. Murray dates a <Malise>, earl of Strathern, to c. 1258-71, and Black s.n. Malise confirms that this is a given name, and not a byname.  If the lady doesn't care about the gender of her name, perhaps this can be pended to let her know that her original submission, <Malise of Glencoe>, is probably registerable as a masculine name (I say probably because better docs for <Glencoe> would be appreciated). 

Moraig: No comment 

Rory:  If there is no evidence of a previous submission by the client, this should be treated as a new submission, including the appropriate fees.  Can Escutcheon and/or Rouge Scarpe go through the files around 6/02 comparing mundane names for the original submission? 

 

11) Michael McCay. New Device. Per chevron throughout vert and argent,a rapier sable and in chief two falcons addorsed regardant argent.

{Name reg’d 12/01} 

Device Commentary

Thorvald: The blazoning of the body orientation should come before the head orientation.  Therefore, we recommend reblazoning to Per chevron throughout vert and argent, two falcons addorsed regardant argent and a rapier sable. 

Knut: Per chevron throughout vert and argent, a rapier sable and in chief two falcons regardant addorsed argent. Since it is about twice the height of the falcons, the sword appears to be a sole primary charge. Clear, including piles. 

Aryanhwy: No conflicts found. 

Moraig: We think that this is a pile inverted throughout. The birds should be blazoned adorsed reguardant since the position of the bird should be mentioned before stating where they are looking. 

Pendar: If the sword was in base and about the same size as the birds, like it would be with a regular per chevron line of divsion, I could see this blazon making sense, but as it is drawn the sword is definitely the primary charge and the birds are secondaries in chief.

Blazon-fu: Per chevron throughout vert and argent, a rapier sable and in chief two falcons addorsed regardant argent. Since the birds share a tincture with the argent part of the field, they have no choice but to be in chief, so that part of the blazon could probably be dropped. I'd leave it in for the sake of clarification. No conflicts found through 11/02. 

 

12) Nikolai of Trakai. New Badge. (Fieldless) a doubled cross vert

{Name reg’d 9/93}

This badge is to be co-owned with Tatiana of Varena (reg’d 9/93). Documentation for the double cross is enclosed from the Encyclopedia Lituanica II: 99 which dates to symbol to 1388 in the seal of King Jogaila.

{This badge was pended last month because a badge can only be co-owned by two individuals.} 

Badge Commentary

Ary: His name was registered 09/93 via the Middle.  This is a badge resubmission.  His previous submission, "[Fieldless] A doubled cross sable fimbriated argent" was returned by Rouge Scarpe on the 01/01 LoAR, for conflict. 

Knut: Clear 

Rory: Name was registered September 1993. 

 

13) Sol Tizona. New Device. Sable, on a fess cotissed argent a sun sable.

{Name submitted on 10/02 MK LoI} 

Device Commentary

Knut: Clear. 

Aryanhwy: Her name was forwarded to Laurel on the 10/02 Midrealm ELoI.  I found no conflicts with the device. 

Rory:  This name was submitted on the 8/02 Northshield ILoI (Keythong - again, this information would be very useful to put on the ILoI so we know that there is either a registered name or name in progress for the device). 

 

14) Zacarias el Silento. New Device. Purpure, a bend sinister argent, overall three mullets of six points voided and interlaced bendwise sinister Or.

{Name submitted on 11/02 MK LoI}

We are unhappy with the width of the bend sinister and feel that it is really a single scarpe (which we would not register). We originally returned it under the suspicion that the bend could not be drawn sufficiently wide enough given the overlapping mullets on it, but the client appealed our return and in discussion with a number of other heralds, it became clear that the CoA’s position on the registerability of a device like this was less than clear. We are therefore sending it up with a request that Laurel explicitly rule on the registerability of thin ordinaries in instances where the artistic design “forces” them to be thinner than we might normally register.

{This was actually returned on the 2/03 MK ILoAR, but the client appealed our decision and given the uncertaintly of the registerability of the device, we decided to kick this up to Laurel. We honestly expect it to be returned but the client insisted that he wanted the precedent to be clarified.} 

 

 

Done by my hand this 24^th day of March, 

Paul Wickenden of Thanet, Rouge Scarpe 

Paul W Goldschmidt

3071 Cimarron Trail

Madison WI 53719

[email protected]