Aaron Breck Gordon. Device. Sable, a gryphon segreant Or, grasping in each talon a sword proper, in chief a viscomital coronet Or, pearled argent.

REASON FOR RETURN: Conflict with WORLINGER: Sable, a griffin Or maintaining a sword palewise proper. (Rietstap) The addition of the coronet in chief is worth only a minor point. It also conflicts with CULEHECH ("Sable, a griffin segreant Or") and EDOUARD D'ATH ("Sable, a griffin segreant, on a chief Or three thistles proper").

There is no SCA­standard viscomital coronet, in actual usage or in armory. (BoE, 2 Dec 84, pp. 3­4) The design shown here is what one finds in modern heraldry books. According to Virgule (who cites the Ilth Britannica), it is a design created in England at the Restoration: "It would not have been recognized by anyone in period, and is not used in other countries. In fact, this design is sometimes used by Italian COUNTS (Gayre, Some Aspects of British and Continental Heraldry, chapter 16)."

We would suggest he substitute a coronet embattled, to which he is now presumably entitled. We would also prefer that he draw the griffin in the conventional "rampant" position, rather than in a Florentine fighting pose. (12/1985)

Aase Jonsdatter. Device. Azure, a cross paty throughout argent and in dexter chief a sun Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with GREECE: Azure, a cross throughout argent. National arms and flags require two full points of difference. (01/1986)

Adela de Warren. Device. Per pale argent and chequy azure and argent, in dexter a mullet azure.

NOTE: This was submitted as per pale embattled, but the checky half of the field blends with the argent half to produce this effect anyway. The device appears to be a marshalling (by impalement) of "Argent, a mullet azure" with "Checky azure and argent," which is not permitted in SCA heraldry. (Rules IX.8). (01/1985)

Adele de Bretagne. (badge). A lute bendwise sinister proper.

NOTE: This conflicts with YOSEF ALARIC, "Azure, in saltire a trumpet inverted Or and a lute [edge on] proper." (SCA). There is one point of difference for the removal of the trumpet. It is also identical (by rotation) with EL OF THE TWO KNIVES, BADGE FOR KAY THE MINSTREL, Azure, a cracked lute bendwise proper." (SCA). (09/1984)

Adelicia sans Coeur of Gloucester. Badge. Or, a swan naiant sable charged with a voided heart Or.

NOTE: This conflicts with badge of WEST AUSTRALIA, "Or, a swan naiant sable.". (04/1985)

Adella Desmond. Device. Pean, on a saltire Or a rose gules, barbed and seeded vert.

NOTE: This conflicts with SUSANNAH GRIFFON, "Pean, a saltire Or, overall a griffin passant gules." (SCA). (05/1985)

Adrienne Diana Rainier. Device. Sable, a cat's head caboshed argent between in cross four lozenges ermine.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with FANDRAL SILVERFOX, "Sable, a fox's mask argent." (SCA) There is a major point for the addition of the lozenges (a group of secondary charges), and a minor for the difference between a cat's face and a fox's mask. (06/1985)

Aelfric Dromundr. Device. Azure, three lobsters tergiant Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with PRIEUR DE CHANTELOU: Azure, three crayfish Or. (Rietstap) It is also visually similar to FRANCE MODERN: Azure, three fleurs­de­lys Or. We accord national arms and flags (especially well­known ones, such as France) an added degree of protection; and since there is a reasonable chance that the two might be mistaken at a moderate distance, I'm afraid I have to agree with the commenting heralds who felt they conflicted.

DISCUSSION: The lobsters were submitted as "tergiant displayed." I don't believe that displayed adds anything of value to the blazon, for the artist or for the herald. How much variation is possible in the limbs of a lobster tergiant, and at what point does it stop being displayed and start being something else? (09/1985)

Aelfric of York. Device. Per chevron sable and argent, a pile throughout counterchanged, and a chief engrailed gules.

REASON FOR RETURN: The chief violates the rule of contrast as applied to "overall" charges. See the cover letter for the discussion. (12/1985)

Aethelleon of Darkwood. Name and device. Azure, on a bend sinister concave between two lioness' heads caboshed Or, two escallops azure.

REASON FOR RETURN: The given name does not appear to be correctly formed. ­leon is not a name element. The treatment of the bend is not heraldic. Please use a standard line of division, or choose another charge.

DISCUSSION: Anglo­Saxon given names are dithematic: they are formed of a first element called the protheme, and a second element called the deuterotheme. These elements, or themes, are drawn from a pool of words used for the purpose of forming names. Although many themes possess some kind of meaning, they are not "words" per se; you will not find them by picking a noun and an adjective at random from an Anglo­Saxon dictionary. AEthel­ is a common protheme. The closest deuterothemes I can find to ­leon are ­leof and ­leofu. (Searle 326) I would suggest one of these.

Aidan Davidson of Invernahaven. Name change (from Aidan Davidson).

NOTE: This was approved as Aidan Davidson in January, with the remainder of the name being placed in PENDING, to allow the College more time to comment on the Scottish name­form "(surname) of (place)." The additional interval has not produced sufficient factual grounds for me to reverse the present policy, so I going to let it stand. Invernahaven is the principal seat of the Davidsons, so the combination Davidson of Invernahaven is reserved.

Should anyone in the College find himself with sufficient time and materials, I would like to suggest a research paper on the subject, perhaps for one of the symposia. Crescent's request for background information on the original ruling is not unreasonable. (04/1985)

Aithne Luighseach Dar'aithne. Gyronny azure and argent, eight borage flowers in annulo within a bordure, all counterchanged.

NOTE: This infringes upon EDMUND PETHLTON, "Gyronny, argent and azure, each argent gyron charged with a cross crosslet fitchy vert, and a bordure counterchanged." (SCA). (08/24/1984)

Alain de Trois Rivieres. Device. Azure, in chief three mullets, one and two, and issuant from base three spears conjoined at fess point Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with REGIN BRAN HARALDSSON: Azure, three piles inverted conjoined in point and in chief three mullets of four points argent. (SCA) There is a point of difference for the tincture of the charges, but less than a point for change in type; and the visual similarity is very strong. (07/1985)

Alain Picot de Boisfeuillu. Device. Per pale argent and azure, on a bend cottised three battle­axes palewise reversed, all counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with AELFWINE DAES SUDGEMAERES: Per pale argent and azure, a bend cotised counterchanged, overall an elm tree eradicated proper; and with RODRIGO DE CERDANA (badge): Per pale argent and azure, a bend doubly cotised counterchanged. (SCA) The center axe also breaks the rule against counterchanging a skinny object along its long axis, although I"m willing to consider making an exception in this case. (The two surrounding axes suggest the nature of the middle charge.) (12/1985)

Alanna of Ravenwood. Badge. A raven volant to sinister sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with BRAN OF CORNWALL: Vair, a raven displayed sable. (SCA) There is a single point of difference, for the position of the charge. (01/1986)

Alasdair Francis MacDhomhnuill. Device. Azure, a chevron rompu argent between two Lochaber axes, blades inward, and a winged stag rampant Or.

REASON: The device conflicts with KENNEGRAE GILCHRIST, Azure, a chevron rompu between a cross moline and a dexter gauntlet clenched, all argent. (SCA) The maximum difference obtainable from changes to a single group of secondary charges is a major and a minor point.

DISCUSSION: The pattern "a chevron between three charges" (two in chief and one in base) is so common that, unless there is something else in the blazon that would render it ambiguous, there's no need to specify "in chief" and "in base." It is also unnecessary to repeat the tincture of the charges. Tinctures factor backward through the blazon, so the "Or" following the stag is understood to apply to the axes as well. (08/1986)

Alasdair Morgan Gunn. Badge for Lucius Vergilius Catulus. Or, goutty de poix, an escarbuncle azure.

NOTE: This conflicts with LORNA OF LEEDS, "Or, an escarbuncle of six flory azure." (SCA) There is a point of difference for the addition of the gouttes; the changes in the escarbuncle are heraldically negligible. (02/1985)

Albern Bran. Device. Sable, a mullet of four points dismembered elongated to base throughout gules fimbriated argent, within a bordure counter­compony gules and argent.

REASON FOR RETURN: We no longer allow complex voiding or fimbriation. This applies to most of the "abstract throughout" charges, such as bordures and chiefs, and to flora and fauna, as well as to interior lines, such as the technique of voiding known in mundane armory as umbration and in earlier SCA blazonry as chasing. Please redesign.

Albert von Drechenveldt. Badge. Sable, a decrescent argent, overall a bend sinister all within a bordure Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: The motif of a charge debruised by a bend or bend sinister and encircled by a border is the international road sign symbol for "no," now widely used in everything from novelties to advertising. Despite its heraldic antecedents, it is a recognizably mundane combination, and as such is inappropriate for use in the SCA.

DISCUSSION: This particular combination is specifically disallowed under section 5 of Appendix II to the Rules for Submissions. The classification is incorrect (the motif is neither offensive nor political, although such applications may be made of it), but I agree that the symbolism is contrary to the spirit of the Society.

The bend is the actually the correct width for a "debruising" charge. (12/1985)

Aldred von Lechsend aus Froschheim. Badge. Quarterly Or and argent, two chains joined in saltire throughout sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with COGNACCINI DE MONTALTO, "Or, two chains in saltire sable." (Rietstap) There is a minor point for the difference in field. (06/1985)

Aleana o'r Serennoggorwydd. Name change (from Aleana o'r Gorwydd Serennog); appeal.

REASON FOR RETURN: The examples submitted to support the appeal are based on known exceptions or modern examples. To the best of our knowledge, the name as submitted is grammatically incorrect.

DISCUSSION: According to the members of the College who can claim some familiarity with the Welsh language, the adjective normally follows the noun it modifies. As is common with many (if not most) languages, there are a handful of exceptions to the rule. Hen 'old', which occurs in most of the counter­examples cited in the appeal, is one of these exceptions. The other example, marchnerth ' 'horsepower', is a modern construct. Apparently, it is not uncommon for modern terms, especially technical ones, to be translated "straight," without regard for the usual word formation rules of the language that is acquiring them. (11/1985)

Alen Elegil. Badge. Or, a holly leaf vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with BETTY, "Or, a betony leaf proper." (Papworth 960) The difference in shape between a betony leaf and a holly leaf is at best a minor point. (06/1985)

Alessandra Alegretti. Device. Per bend Or and sable, a honeybee rising proper and a honeysuckle blossom Or distilling two gouttes d'Or. (Apis mellifera)

NOTE: The honeybee, much of which is yellow, does not contrast sufficiently with the Or field. We would suggest she make the bee a single color. (Changing the field to argent won't work, since this would cause the wings to disappear.). (12/1984)

Alexander MacGregor. Name only.

NOTE: The name is in technical conflict with Alasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae, last chief of Clan MacGregor. (12/1984)

Alexandra von Rothau. Device. Per pale argent and sable, a wavy­bladed dagger palewise throughout between two natural sea­horses erect addorsed all counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: "The Laurel office has held previously that a skinny object such as a sword should not be counterchanged along its long axis because of the lack of contrast." (BoE, 14 Jul 85, p. 17) Please redesign. (03/1986)

Alexandre Christophe de Nancy. Device. Azure, a fret between in pale an estoile of five rays and a phoenix, and in fess two lions sejant erect respectant Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: We feel this is visually too complex. Four of the five charges are of different types. Please simplify.

DISCUSSION: The convention is that estoiles have rays, and mullets points. (12/1985)

Algernon Blacksword. Device. Or, three swords sable, a bordure sable bezanty.

NOTE: The device conflicts with CEDRIC THE DARK, "Or, a swan naiant sable within a bordure sable bezanty." (SCA). (01/1985)

Alinor of Marionwood. Device. Purpure, a linden tree issuant from a crescent, all within a bordure Or.

NOTE: This is too similar to the arms of BETVA A BEDIVYN, "Vert, a birch tree argent, leaved as for autumn Or, within a bordure Or." (SCA) There is one point for the tincture of the field, and a minor (demoted from a major) for the tincture of the tree. The crescent, being visually a part of the tree, adds less than a full point before demotion, and less than a minor point after. The crescent is difficult to recognize in this configuration, and is poor heraldic style. (10/1984)

Alix la Gauchère. Device. Argent, in pale a unicorn couchant to sinister reguardant sable and a rose gules, between two roses gules, slipped and leaved, the stems crossing in base, vert.

NOTE: The device is poor style, as is apparent from the somewhat confusing blazon, and the stems of the roses are indistinguishable from a laurel wreath, which in the SCA is reserved to the arms of branches. Please redesign. (10/1984)

Allanna O'Brian of the Emerald Lake. Device (reblazon). Per chevron Or and purpure, a ford argent and vert.

NOTE: A ford proper is a base (wavy) barry wavy argent and azure (on a color field) or azure and argent (on a metal field). The term is a specialized one, intended primarily for canting; its tinctures are part of the definition, as with a fountain or a plate. While one could conceivably speak of a ford of two specified tinctures (as Master Wilhelm did with the device of MORWYNNA OF THE STORMY SEAS), and be understood, I do not feel this use is consistent with the purpose of the term. (11/1984)

Alysaundra merch Llewelyn. Name and device. Per bend vert and argent, a lion dormant within an annulet counterchanged.

NOTE: According to persons far better versed in Welsh than I, merch always mutates to ferch following a given name. If I understand correctly, this means that it will always mutate when it is used in a name. The applicant has specifically requested that we make no changes in her name without consulting her. The device appears acceptable. (04/1985)

Alyson Ariana Allyn ferch Rhys. Device. Sable, on a (pile) argent an Atlantic puffin statant reguardant proper, and in base a compass star argent. (Festicula arctics).

NOTE: 1) A pile should go 'most or all the way to the base; properly drawn, there would not be enough space between the pile and the base to accommodate a compass star. I would suggest she replace the "pile" with a chief triangular. 2) The belly of the puffin (which is white) vanishes against the argent background. 3) If the wedge is treated as a pile, this is technically too close to the BARONY OF MADRONE, "Sable, on a pile argent a madrone tree proper, in base a laurel wreath Or," and NEFRATIRI ANI, "Sable, on a pile between in base a decrescent and an increscent argent, a horse's head couped at the shoulder sable." (SCA) The charge in base doesn't quite rate treatment as a significant secondary, and the change in tertiary charge is only a minor point of difference. 4) If the wedge is treated as a chief triangular, the device conflicts with RHYANCE AP LLEWELLYN, "Sable, a bat­winged lion sejant affronty, wings displayed, on a chief triangular argent a Celtic cross sable." (SCA) There is a point for difference in type of primary­charge, and a minor for the tertiary. (11/1984)

Ambre d'Avignon. Device. Argent, on a chevron between two couple­closes azure, three garden rosebuds argent, a bordure azure.

NOTE: This conflicts with RHIANNON AP LLYR: Argent, on a chevron cotised azure, a raven displayed Or between two ravens displayed argent. (SCA) There is a major point for the border, and a minor for the changes in the tertiary charges. (08/25/1985)

Amelia des Lis. Device. Sable, on a bend sinister between two calla lilies facing inward argent another affronty azure.

REASON FOR RETURN: The sideways calla lilies are difficult, if not impossible, to recognize. Stylistically, all three ought to be in the same aspect. This conflicts with KEVIN PEREGRYNNE: Sable, on a bend sinister argent a peregrine falcon descending, talons extended and wings addorsed, azure. (SCA) [Major for addition of secondary charges; minor for change in type of tertiary.] It also conflicts with PEREGRINE I.D.A. DORAN: Sable, a bend sinister between a Latin cross and a Greek Orthodox cross, all argent. (SCA) [Major for type of secondaries; minor for addition of tertiary.) (03/1986)

An Tir, Kingdom of. Seal for Lion's Blood Herald. Goutty, a lion sejant affronty queue­fourché, crowned and in base two crossed trumpets.

REASON FOR RETURN: The crown is not an appropriate charge for use in a herald's seal. There are a couple of registered examples (Star and Vesper), but these are for Principal Heralds. (03/1986)

An Tir, Kingdom of. Title for Argent Quill Pursuivant.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with the title of the SILVER QUILL PURSUIVANT in Atenveldt. (05/1986)

An Tir, Kingdom of. Title for Lion's Blood Herald.

NOTE: Duplicate submission; title approved March 1986. (05/1986)

André de Foucault. Device. Sable, two lions combattant, tails forked and nowed, Or and argent, and in chief a compass star extended to base gyronny of sixteen argent and Or.

NOTE: According to the Rules for Submissions (IX.4), only gyronny of six and gyronny of eight may be composed of two metals. The device conflicts with ERIC BEARSBANE, "Sable, a lion, tail nowed, argent and a griffin combattant and in chief a compass­star Or." (SCA) (01/1985)

Andreas of Green Village. Device. Argent, four holly leaves vert conjoined in saltire fructed gules.

NOTE: This conflicts with KHADIJAHI OF HOUSE HAKIM, "Argent, a strawberry flower (Fraglilia virginiana) slipped of four fruit in cross and four leaves in saltire proper." (SCA) Technically, there is probably a major point of difference for the shape of the leaves; visually, there may be less. The charges correspond almost exactly in position and color. (01/1985)

Andrew Gillies. Device. Quarterly argent and sable,a gilly flower within a chain in orle counterchanged.

NOTE: A loop of chain in any tincture is reserved to knights in the SCA. (12/1984)

Andrew MacAlistair. Device. Per fess argent and gules, a mullet of eight points counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with LUEG Ancient: Per fess argent and gules, an estoile of eight rays counterchanged. (Rietstap)

DISCUSSION: There is also a potential conflict with ALARIC VON ROTSTERN: Argent, on an eight­pointed mullet gules, a griffin's head, a lion's head cabossed, and a wivern's head reversed, all erased and conjoined at the nape Or. (SCA) There is a major point of difference for counterchanging by a line of division, and a minor for removal of the tertiaries. This would be clear under the one­point tertiaries ruling if the latter applied to "charges" and not just "ordinaries." Is this reasonable?. (04/1986)

Angela of Rosebury. Device change. Gules, a pale offset and endorsed between two mascles argent.

REASON FOR RETURN: The central charge is visually confusing and difficult to identify. Please remove the endorses, or choose another charge.

DISCUSSION: A similar "pale fracted" was returned in the LOAR from the September 1984 meeting (ASA LEE DURANT, p. 13). I noted at the time that "In accordance with Brachet's suggestion, I would be willing to consider a pale offset, but would require a new emblazon and (since we will be coining a new term) a certain amount of concurrence in the College of Arms." I am still willing to consider the charge (without the cotises). (12/1985)

Angharad Severn ferch Taliesin o Glamorgan. Name change (from Angharad Severn o Glamorgan).

REASON FOR RETURN: "Taliesin may only be used so long as there is no other allusion to either the mythical, immortal Bard or the semi­historical, mortal master bard." (WvS, 21 Feb 84, p. 13) According to both Virgule and Brigantia, Taliesin is associated with Glamorgan. This constitutes a second allusion, and an apparent claim to be the daughter of the Taliesin of legend.

NOTE: You might want to advise her Grace that Glamorgan is the English name of the place. The Welsh form is Morgannwg, which mutates to Forgannwg following the preposition o. (Evans 324). (07/1985)

Angharad Severn o' Glamorgan. (badge). Argent, an African panther's head erased close, crowned sable.

NOTE: This conflicts with BOOTY, "Argent, a lion's head erased sable." (Papworth 911). (09/1984)

Anne Fawnehaven. Device. Argent, semy of hearts purpure, a unicornate pegasus passant, wings elevated and addorsed, sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with KATHLEEN OF RIVERROSE: Or, a unicornate pegasus statant sable. (SCA) There is a major and a minor point of difference for the change in tincture of the field plus the addition of the semy. We do not feel the change in the position of the pegasus is sufficient to bring this up to two full points. (09/1985)

Anne of Hendon. Badge for Household of Hendon. Azure, a loris (tree sloth) argent pendant from a tree branch fesswise proper.

REASON: Wood proper is a dark color, and may not be placed on an azure (color) field. We would suggest making the tree branch a metal. (08/1986)

Antara al Abbasid. Name change (from Antara Dawntreader of Dawn Haven) and device change. Sable, a lion dormant Or between in chief two mullets and on a base argent a mullet sable.

NOTE: Her old device is released.

REASON FOR RETURN: ' Abbasidrel turns out to be a dynastic name: "Any member of the dynasty (750­1258) of caliphs claiming descent from Abbas, the uncle of Mohammed." (Webster's Second) Virgule and Brigantia have also noted that the term is an Anglicization, and so would either take the English article the or else be placed in the Arabic form (which, unfortunately, none of us knows). We would suggest the applicant use a patronymic formed on Abbas.

The device conflicts visually with HEINRICH ALTMARK: Per fess sable and argent, a lion dormant Or, a sword inverted gules, and a key fesswise sable, one and two. (SCA) All the changes appear to take place in a single group of secondary charges. (08/25/1985)

Anthony of Hags Head (submitted as Tritain of Hags Head). Badge. Per pall rayonny argent, erminois, and azure, in fess a Tau cross azure and a mullet Or, and in chief a dragon's head to sinister azure issuant from the top of a tower sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: This is much too busy, especially for a badge, and the "top of a tower" is uncomfortably reminiscent of an SCA county coronet. Please redesign. (06/1985)

Anthony Ravenscroft. Device. Azure, three fleas passant Or.

REASON: Fleas have been declared inappropriate for use in SCA heraldry. "Magnifications of tiny insects for use as charges on arms is out of period." (WvS, 30 Jul 82, p. 7) "In keeping with medieval practice, tiny insects may only be used for canting purposes in the SCA. In this particular case, the flea has such a negative association that it really is not appropriate for heraldic display." (WvS, 21 Apr 83, p. 6). (08/1986)

Archon the Seeker. (device). Sable, a lozenge fesswise enhanced vert, fimbriated and charged with a lozenge, its chief and base points throughout, all within an orle argent.

NOTE: The change from a fimbriated orle to a plain one solves the complexity problem with his previous submission; unfortunately, he also modified the lozenge, and now it is too complex. There may be an additional problem with the submission. I am told that there is a science fiction/fantasy publication in which an entity known as the "eye of Argon" figures prominently. The College of Arms has a long­standing policy of not allowing a name and device to allude strongly to a work of fiction. Given the stylized "eye" in the device and the similarity of his given name (originally submitted as Arçon) to Argon, there appears to be an infringement. (09/1984)

Arianne des Jardins. Device. Or, two arrows in saltire and another palewise all inverted gules, surmounted by a fleur­de­lys purpure, between two pallets azure charged with an unstrung recurved bow and another reversed Or, in chief a bar dancetty, the upper points fleury, counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: This is much too complex. We count a total of nine charges of five different types (and four tinctures), in an unusual and complicated arrangement. Please redesign. (12/1985)

Arianwyn ferch Comyn o Klynydd Emrys. Name only.

NOTE: Mynydd mutates to Fynydd after the preposition o. The applicant has asked that we not make any changes to her name. (03/1985)

Arlyss o Gordon. Name and device. Sable, on a pile throughout Or between two goblets argent, two maple leaves stems crossed in saltire vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: Reaney (DBS 11) gives Arliss as a surname. Kolatch (the source cited in the LoI) is notoriously unreliable; can you find a better reference? The Irish preposition o seems out of place in a primarily English name; the more usual form would be to use de or of, or to drop the particle entirely.

The device conflicts with GREY NICHE, BARONY OF: Sable, on a pile Or between in base two estoiles argent, a laurel wreath vert. (SCA). (07/1986)

Armilda Astyages of Lydia. Device (reblazon). Per pale gules and argent, a swan naiant within a tressure counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: Current Society usage is that the term tressure is used only in the sense of a "double tressure", and is so qualified in the blazon. This question is addressed at further length in the cover letter. (03/1986)

Armilda of Lydia. (name change and device). Sable, in saltire a scimitar proper and a spear argent with four ribbons pendant beneath the head Or.

NAME: According to Brigantia, Astyages appears to be a title of office, "governor of a city," which combined with the name of one of the kingdoms in Asia Minor (Lydia) would make this name a claim to landedness. I'm afraid we'll need more documentation in order to accept the name. DEVICE: The semicircular notch at the back of the blade is the distinguishing feature of a seax. The charge depicted here is an heraldic sabre or scimitar, a sword having a broad curved blade. (Parker 509­510) This is too close to BARROW, "Sable, two swords in saltire argent, hilts and pomels extending to the base points Or." (Papworth 1107) Replacing one of the swords with a spear is a single point of difference. (09/1984)

Armilda of Lydia. (two badges). Or, the letter A sable. Sable, the letter L Or.

NOTE: The consensus of the College of Arms was that a single letter of the alphabet may not be registered as a personal badge. To quote Batonvert, "We cannot protect single letters, since anyone has the right to use his or her initials without regard to conflict. Since we cannot protect them, we should not register them." (08/24/1984)

Arnulf Adler. Badge. Sable, on an eagle displayed perched upon a sword fesswise Or, three fleurs­de­lys in fess sable.

NOTE: This conflicts with GAYTON, "Sable, an eagle displayed Or." (Papworth 304). (02/1985)

Aron of Katharinenstadt. Device. Azure crusily argent, a cross crosslet fitchy throughout Or.

NOTE: This conflicts with LANCELOT DE WESTWOOD, "Azure, a cross botonny fitchy Or." (SCA) There is one point of difference for adding the semy, but a cross botonny is only an artistic variation of a cross crosslet.

"In the early days the cross crosslet was almost invariably shown with the extremities rounded ... but as time went by it became not uncomnon to square the ends ... Exactly the same charge was involved in each case, the variation being purely a matter of artistic license; but the pedants of the Renaissance in their ignorance classified them as two distinct charges, giving the old name of cross crosslet to the later form (since that was the one in vogue at the time), and renaming the older form cross bottony."

(Roger F. Pye. A return to first principles V: Heraldry eternal. Coat of Arms VII(56): 338­339, October 1963.). (01/1985)

Arthur Fitzwilliam the Scholar. Device. Per pall azure, vert and sable, a pall argent between an eagle rising, a dolphin hauriant, and three wolves' heads couped affronty conjoined at the necks Or.

NOTE: The device conflicts with BENEDICT FINNIAN O'BRYAN, "Vert, a pall argent between a shamrock and two Celtic crosses Or." (SCA) There is a minor point for partial change in the tincture of the field, and a major point for difference in type of a group of secondary charges. This is also busy, particularly given the complexity of one of the charges (the wolves' heads). Please choose a simpler design. (03/1985)

Arval Benicoeur. Device. Per saltire Or and sable, a Maltese cross counter­ changed.

NOTE: This is in technical conflict with MOORE, "Per saltire gules and Or, a Maltese cross counterchanged." (Fabulous Heraldry #386). (10/1984)

Arwen Evaine ferch Rhys of Gwynedd. Badge for the League of Freebooters.* Sable, two thigh­bones crossed in saltire argent, within a bordure argent, semy of cat's pawprints gules.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with NEWTON: Sable, two shin­bones in saltire argent. (Papworth 340) The paw prints are enough like ermine spots in appearance that I can see no alternative to treating this as equivalent to "argent, ermined gules."

* The heralds at the meeting asked, is the prerequisite for membership that one be an orphan? ("With cat­like tread, upon our prey we steal ...) (10/1985)

Asa Lee Durant. (device). Azure, a pale "tracted" between in bend sinister an anvil and a mullet of four points Or.

NOTE: The pale, as drawn, does not appear to conform to either mundane or Society usage. In accordance with Brachet's suggestion, I would be willing to consider a pale offset, but would require a new emblazon and (since we will be coining a new term) a certain amount of concurrence in the College of Arms. (09/1984)

Asahla Telerion. Name and device. Or, a dromedary camel statant, and on a chief rayonny sable, an endless knot Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: To quote Silver Trumpet, 'The Teleri were the third and largest of the Three Kindred of the Eldar, and were also called Sea­Elves. Telerion means "of the Teleri", just as Silmarillion means "of the Silmarilli". Foster s Complete Guide to Middle­Earth, Ballantine, 1978.) To claim to be of Elven race is prohibited by RFS VII.5.' According to the OED, the word tellurian ("Earth­dweller"), of which this is said to be a variant, is a 19th­Century coinage.

The "endless knot" really isn't a suitable heraldic charge; the term does not adequately describe its shape. We feel this falls into the same category as Celtic knotwork. "Heraldry cannot describe or define any but the very simplest of knots." (KFW, 30 Jun 79, p. 71; in Prec II: 22) (03/1986)

Atenveldt, Barony of. Badge for the Order of the Palm of the Barony of Atenveldt. Sable, two palm trees conjoined in pile issuant from a base and a demi­sun issuant from chief, all within a bordure Or.

NOTE: The base and, to a lesser extent, the sun, merge with the border so as to become almost invisible. The overall effect is of a landscape. Please choose a more heraldic design. (02/1985)

Atlantia, Kingdom of. Badge for Meistersinger. On an escallop Or, a harp azure.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with BAYTON: Azure, an escallop Or (Papworth 679); and with the badge of LYONDEMERE: Barry wavy vert and argent, a lion's paw escallop Or. (SCA) There is no difference for the field (BoE, 20 Oct 85, pp. 2122); and the addition of a "tertiary" charge (the harp) is only a minor point. (05/1986)

Atlantia, Kingdom of. Badge for Queen's Champion. Two tridents crossed in saltire argent, surmounted by an escallop Or charged with a rose gules.

NOTE: The Rules for Submissions (X.4) limit the number of layers in a device to three. Even though the badge is fieldless, it will be displayed on a field, raising the number of layers to four. This is excessive for a device, and badges should be simpler than devices. Please simplify. (02/1985)

Attila of the Great White Stag. (name and device). Vert, a stag springing to sinister argent between a fleur­de­lys and a bar dancetty abased Or.

NOTE: The name Attila may not be used in conjunction with a white stag, in the name or the device. The mythological connection between Attila the Hun and the Great White Stag is too strong. (09/1984)

Averil du Bois d'Avignon. Device. Per bend sinister in pile abased argent and vert, in dexter issuant from pile point a violet purpure, slipped and leaved vert.

REASON: The line of division does not appear to be compatible with the medieval armorial style the College of Arms attempts to emulate. Please redesign. DISCUSSION: Elvin's Dictionary of Heraldry is not a good source. Many of the practices described and illustrated are extremely late, and by our standards, are poor heraldry. His terminology is confused, and some of the things he shows have never actually been used. The book is sometimes useful as a source for illustrations of charges described in other, more reliable works, but it cannot be trusted for anything else. (08/1986)

Axed Root, Canton of. Device. Or, an oak tree fesswise crown to sinister proper surmounted by a double­bitted axe sable and in chief a boar's head couped and a laurel wreath vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: The device is busy. There are four unrelated charges, each in a different tincture; and the laurel wreath, which is supposed to be a prominent part of the design, is almost lost. Please redesign. (06/1985)

Axel Hardrekson. Name and device. Vert, three recurved bows forming an inverted triangle, each drawn and nocked with an axe Or, within a bordure compony Or and sable.

NOTE: To quote Batonvert, "Although there are examples where the patronymic is formed from the father's given name and his nickname, such as Egill Skalla­Grimsson 'Egil son of Bald­Grim', the Norse did not form patronymics from plain nicknames, and, as far as I know, this was not a medieval practice in any culture." The historical example noted by the applicant ("Harald Thorkeld the Tall's son") includes the name of Harald's father (Thorkeld). It is also obviously an English rendition of the Norse form of the name, which makes us wonder how much of the example is attributable to the source, and how much to the translator/storyteller.

This configuration causes the charges to blend together visually. As drawn, they are not recognizable as bows, much less bows armed with axes. Please choose a more conventional arrangement. (02/1985)

Aylwyn de Tregarth. Device. Argent, five chevronels gules interlaced by three crosses crosslet fitchy sable.

NOTE: The College of Arms felt that this design was not consistent with either SCA or mundane heraldry. (12/1984)

Aylwyn de Tregarth. Device. Argent, five chevronels gules interlaced with three crosses crosslet fitchy sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: Conflict with BAKISLEY: Argent, three crosses crosslet fitchy sable. (Papworth 670) The addition of the chevronels is a major point of difference. There is no additional difference for interlacing them with the crosses crosslet.

DISCUSSION: The submission was originally returned because "The College of Arms felt that this design was not consistent with either SCA or mundane heraldry." Pennon has appealed this decision, citing examples of charges interlaced with ordinaries and with other charges, drawn from Bossewell's Workes of Armorie, Berry's Encyclopedia Heraldica, Parker's Glossary., and Papworth's Ordinary.

Of the examples cited, only the one given in Bossewell is demonstrably period, and the publication date (1572) is almost a century after our putative 1485 cutoff date for heraldic style. This is important, since the question being considered is one of style. The examples are almost all simpler than the present coat; and the College's original objection was founded in part on the visual complexity of the design.

I should note, however, that the presentation of the mundane examples (particularly the one from Bossewell) swung most of the College in favor of the appeal. I am willing to sustain the appeal on these grounds.

Adding a bordure (as was suggested in the LoI) would remove the conflict with BAKISLEY; but the device is already on shaky grounds as far as complexity is concerned, and I feel this would push it over the edge. I would suggest reducing the number of chevronels from five to two or three, and then adding either a chief or a bordure. This would bring the interlacing more into line with the examples cited, and ought to unclutter the center of the coat enough for it to sustain an addition on the periphery. (09/1985)

Barry McFadyen. Device. Barry gules and argent, three trees vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts, alas, with BROSS: Argent, three trees vert. (Papworth 1118) There is a single point of difference, for the field, which is not sufficient between an SCA device and mundane arms.

DISCUSSION: "Barry is conventionally of six, as are paly, bendy, and the like, unless otherwise specified in the blazon"(HB, 20 Sep 71, p. 4) (10/1985)

Bartholomew of Wolfetwain. Badge for House Wolfetwain. Gules, a triskelion arrondi Or, overall a grey wolf's head erased to sinister proper. (Canis lupus).

NOTE: This conflicts with ERRYK BLACKWOLF, "Gules, a wolf's head erased reversed sable orbed and fimbriated Or." (SCA) (01/1985)

Bartholomew of Wolfetwein. Badge (appeal). Gules, a triskelion arrondi Or, overall a grey wolf's head erased to sinister proper. (Canis lupus)

NOTE: This submission was returned in January for conflict with ERRYK BLACKWOLF, "Gules, a wolf's head erased reversed sable orbed and fimbriated Or." (SCA) Solar Herald has appealed this decision, saying she counts a major point for the addition of the triskelion and a minor point for the difference in tincture of the wolves' heads.

The fur of a gray wolf "is usually gray mixed with black and brown, but may be nearly black or, in the Arctic, nearly white." (NCE 2998) This implies that the norm is a dark gray, rather than a light or silvery gray, so there is visually little difference in tincture between the two charges; and since Bartholomew's wolf could legitimately be emblazoned as sable, there is also no technical difference. (05/1985)

Beast Valley, Canton of. Name only.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with Beast Valley, a location "south of Wintertop, north of the Haunted Lands, and east of the Grazelands" in the game RuneQuest. (06/1985)

Ben Dunfirth, Canton of. Device (appeal). Per chevron Or and barry wavy azure and argent, two towers sable and a laurel wreath vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: Conflict with DRAGAN VOLKOV, "Per chevron Or and argent, two towers sable, each charged with a sword inverted argent, and an enfield passant to sinister guardant proper." (SCA) I count a major point of difference for replacing the enfield with a laurel wreath, a minor point for changing half the field, and another minor for removing the swords from the towers. Most of the changes are concentrated in the lower half of the field. The laurel wreath has poor contrast against the blue part of the base, which reduces its visual weight. And the swords on the towers might easily be taken for loopholes, which reduces their importance as well.

DISCUSSION: The potential conflict was noted on the original submission by Vesper, Laurel Emeritus, and Brigantia; and on the appeal by Brigantia, Virgule, Vesper, and Crescent. (Brigantia noted on both occasions that the call was borderline. Laurel Emeritus supported the appeal.) It boils down to a judgement call on minor points of difference. This is the same conclusion I reached when I first considered the submission. I am therefore upholding my original ruling.

Ben Dunfirth, Canton of. Device. Per chevron Or and barry wavy azure and argent, two towers sable and a laurel wreath vert.

NOTE: This conflicts with DRAGAN VOLKOV, "Per chevron Or and argent, two towers sable, each charged with a sword inverted argent, and an enfield passant to sinister guardant proper." (SCA). (01/1985)

Benjamin of Wyvernwood. (device). Gules, on a chevron throughout Or five lozenges palewise gules and in base another Or.

NOTE: The lozenge in base is much too small; as drawn, the device is unbalanced. It is too close to DURYN THE RED, "Gules, upon a chevron Or, a wheel of five spokes between two double­axes gules." (SCA) There is one minor point of difference for making the chevron throughout, a second for adding the lozenge in base, and a third for changing the type and number of the tertiary charges on the chevron. (09/1984)

Bhalter de Fairmont. Badge. Vert, a fleur­de­lys Or.

NOTE: This is identical to CLERCY. (Rietstap) (08/25/1985)

Bitter End, Shire of. (device). Azure, a mullet of eight points elon8ated to chief and to base Or environed of a laurel wreath argent, all within an orle Or.

NOTE: This infringes upon the PRINCE OF ATENVELDT, "Azure, a sun in his splendour [Or] within a laurel wreath argent." (SCA). (09/1984)

Bjorn Rhys. (device). Per bend gules and sable, a bend wreathed Or between two falcon's heads erased to sinister argent.

NOTE: This infringes upon CHRISTOPHER OF'LION'S NEST, "Per bend gules and sable, a bend between a winged lion passant guardant to sinister and a raffia­covered wine bottle Or." (SCA) There is one point for type of secondary charges, and a minor point for tincture. It is also too close to ULRICH VON MATANUSKA, "Per bend sable and gules, a bendlet Or between a wolf's head erased argent and a tower sable, fimbriated Or" (SCA), which differs by a minor point for field, a major point for type of secondaries, and a negligible point (demoted from minor) for tincture of one of a group of secondary charges. Invecting the bend should be a sufficient change. (09/1984)

Blair Moonsong. Name and device. Sable mullety Or, a plate, on a chief triangular Or, a sun gules.

NOTE: Blair is a Scottish surname of territorial origin. (Black 81) According to the Rules for Submissions, "The mundane middle name may, on a case­by­case basis, be used as a given name in the Society name so long as it is not clearly inconsistent with period practice for the countries or cultures involved. The mundane middle name thus receives a greater benefit of the doubt when used as a Society given name, but not the blanket exception to the period rule granted to the mundane given name." (VII.3) Master Wilhelm has noted that "if he had a clearly period byname, such as Blair Dickson or Blair the Tailor," then he would be inclined to approve the name. I am willing to do the same. (01/1985)

Bran Gwyn ap Arthur ap Maelgwyn. Device. Azure, chaussé, a raven close argent.

NOTE: This conflicts with ROANE FAIRGGAE OF LOCHLANN, "Argent, on a pile throughout azure a harbor seal haurient argent." (SCA) There is a minor point for the difference between a pile throughout and chaussé, and another for the type of the tertiary charge. In addition, the raven strengthens the association pointed out by Batonvert between this name and that of Bran Davies, the albino son of King Arthur in Susan Cooper's The Grey King and Silver on the Tree. This is not acceptable under our rules. (10/1984)

Brandr Thoralfsson the Skald. Device. Vert, a harp reversed Or enflamed proper, on a chief rayonny Or an ash slip vert.

NOTE: The heraldic convention appears to be to depict a charge enflamed as outlined with flames, rather than actually burning, as is shown here. The device conflicts with RHYS IAN GLENOWEN, "Vert, a harp and on a chief Or a flanged mace fesswise sable." (SCA) We count a major point for the line of partition of the chief, and a minor for differences in type and tincture of the tertiary charge; we do not feel the changes to the harp constitute a sufficiently large minor to make up a second full point. (03/1985)

Brendan Mac Arthalan. Device. Per fess gules and sable, a sinister hand fesswise couped proper holding a sun Or.

NOTE: The device conflicts with KOUROST BERNHARD OF THE EAST WOODS, "Sable, a sun eclipsed Or" (SCA), and with RAKE, "Sable, a sun Or." (Papworth 1100) The hand, which is light in color, is visually a continuation of the sun, so I am inclined to treat the hand­and­sun combination as a modified sun. Visually, I find this to be a major point different from a sun eclipsed (KOUROST), a minor point from an unmodified sun (RAKE), and a slightly stronger minor point from a demi­sun. This is also extremely close to SUNSETSHIRE, "Per fess gules and vert, a demi­sun issuant from the line of division within a laurel wreath Or." (SCA). (02/1985)

Brendan mac Artuir ap Alan (submitted as Brendan mac Artuir ap Alain). Device. Per bend gules and sable, a sinister hand fesswise couped proper, holding a sun, all within a bordure Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with ELERIC SONN HVITTANN: Sable, on a sun Or, an anvil sable, within a bordure Or. (SCA) "The hand, which is light in color, is visually a continuation of the sun, so I am inclined to treat the hand­and­sun combination as a modified sun. Visually, I find this to be ... a minor point from an unmodified sun." (BoE, 3 Feb 85, pp. 11­12) I count three minor points: one for tincture of the field, one for type of sun, and one for removing the tertiary charge on the sun. (07/1985)

Brenna Cathleen the Hwistlere. Device. Azure, on a bend sinister invected between a pair of wings conjoined in lure and a pair of slippers in cross all argent, a wooden recorder proper.

NOTE: The slippers are not recognizable in this position; like boots and shoes, they should be shown in profile. (01/1985)

Brian d'Amarcian. Device. Per fess vert and Or, a fess gules and a dexter gore, in sinister chief a crescent argent and overall a sea­unicorn rampant argent tailed vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: This is complex, and the background is confusing. We question whether it is appropriate for a gore to overlap another charge (in this case, the fess), and suggest removing it altogether. (01/1986)

Brian Karlnar. Device. Argent, a cobra erect, head to sinister, the tail nowed, between three crescents gules.

NOTE: This is in technical conflict with IPSTANS, "Argent, a chevron between three crescents gules. " (Papworth 408). (12/1984)

Brian Kunaganos. (device). Argent, a cross parted and fretted purpure within a bordure sable.

NOTE: This conflicts with MALTON, "Argent, a cross patonce voided purpure within a bordure sable." (Papworth 634). (09/1984)

Brice Armbruster. Badge. A crossbow argent.

REASON: This conflicts with HEINRICH ARMBRUSTER, Gyronny of eight Or, gules, Or and azure, a crossbow proper. (SCA) There is a single point of difference, for the color of the crossbow. It also conflicts with THOMAS DOLAN ARBALISTER OF CAERLEON, Per pall vert, gules, and sable, a crossbow argent. (SCA, 7 Jul 86) Since this is a fieldless badge, there is no difference. Mundanely, the badge infringes upon KOREYWA, Gules a crossbow argent. (Rietstap) Virgule has noted that a change from argent to Or will not suffice, on account of BALISTE, Gules a crossbow Or, and VREEM, Azure a crossbow Or. (Rietstap). (08/1986)

Brigid ni Roane. Name change (to Sariya al Mus'ad).

NOTE: The only documentation provided for the name was the phone number of an Arabic scholar whom I could call for information. While this is a valuable resource to have, it does not provide the Laurel office with anything written for the files. It also doesn't allow the College the opportunity to learn from the information presented, to ask questions, or point out apparent problems, all of which are important parts of the submission process. (01/1985)

Brigitta Olavsdatter. Name only.

REASON FOR RETURN: This is uncomfortably close to the registered name of BRIGIT OLESDOTTIR OF LOCH REE. I would suggest she add a distinguishing place­name, so one name does not appear to be a shortened form of the other. (06/1985)

Brión Robor. Device. Azure, a pall Or between two swords in saltire proper and two reindeer's heads caboshed Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with MICHAL DOLINAR O"MOURNE DE STARHAVEN: Azure, on a pall Or, a Florida panther's head couped revered sable between three hears gules. (SCA). There is a major point for adding a group of secondary charges, and a minor point for removing a group of tertiaries. A case can be made for allowing a little more difference, since both groups consist of dissimilar charges, but the heralds at the Symposium seemed to feel that the two conflicted. Note also the arms of the town of ISSOUDIN: Azure, a pall between three fleurs-de-lis OR (Woodward 150).

DISCUSSION: We have blazoned these as reindeer's heads because they have two sets of antlers. The heraldic reindeer is distinguished from the stag "by double attires, one pair erect, the other pendent." (Parker 196). (08/10/1985)

Brion Thornbird ap Rhys. (badge for House Ellenwyn). Or, a chevron argent, fimbriated vert, between a crescent gules and a phoenix displayed, head to sinister, sable, all within a bordure vert.

NOTE: With four types of charges and five tinctures, this is too busy for a badge. Please simplify. (09/1984)

Brion Thornbird ap Rhys. (device). Or, a chevron argent, fimbriated, between two lions combattant guardant vert and a phoenix displayed, head to sinister, sable, in chief a crescent gules, all within a bordure vert.

NOTE: This is too complex for a device. There are five types of charges and five tinctures. Please simplify. (09/1984)

Brom Blackhand. Device. Per fess indented gules and vert, a sword inverted issuant from a stump snagged and eradicated argent.

NOTE: This infringes upon DUBHGLAS THE SCAVENGER, "Vert, a sword inverted argent, inflamed and issuant from an oak stock proper." (SCA) (10/1984)

Bronwyn ferch Rhys. Name only.

REASON FOR RETURN: The name conflicts with that of BRANWEN FERCH RHYS, approved in August 1984. (05/1986)

Brusi of Orkney. Badge. Sable, a leopard's face holding in its mouth a chevronel couped Or.

NOTE: This conflicts with ELWANGER, "Sable, a leopard's head Or" (Rietstap) and CLEDEROW, "Sable, a leopard's head Or jessant a fleur­de­lys argent." (Papworth 911). (03/1985)

Bryn Canol, Shire of. Device change. Per fess indented of three vert and argent, upon a pale counterchanged, in chief a laurel wreath vert.

NOTE: This conflicts with MELUCINE DE RONCEVERTE, "Vert, on a pale argent, a greenbriar slip vert." (SCA) [Major for counterchanging across a line of division, minor for type and position of tertiary.] A change in number, from one to two laurel wreaths on the pale, should be sufficient to raise the difference from a minor to a major. (03/1985)

Brynja of Byrrhyll. Device. Azure, three geese naiant in pall, heads to center, argent.

NOTE: This conflicts with BRUYELLES, "Azure, three geese argent." (Rietstap). There is a major point for the position of the charges. It is also too close to SHERYL OF THESPIS, "Azure, a swan naiant argent crowned Or." (SCA) There is a major point for the number of charges, and minor for the removal of the crown. (04/1985)

Burke Kyriell MacDonald. Badge change. Azure, a sun Or, eclipsed azure, overall a compass star elongated in pale argent.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts visually with WILLIAM OF HAVOC: Azure, a sun in glory Or, overall a sword inverted argent, with a copper hilt proper; and with WENDRYN TOWNSEND: Azure, a sun in glory Or. (SCA). (07/1985)

Cahlin o Tara. Name and device. Argent, a two­headed wolf sejant erect affronty sable and on a chief gules three crosses formy Or.

NOTE: "A man may not use 'of Tara,' as that was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland." (Wvs, 19 Jun 84, p. 12) This was extended to a general ban in my letter of 5 Jan 85 (p. 16). The College has also questioned the derivation of the given name; they have suggested Irish Coileán, Coilin, or Caolan as being more appropriate. The device conflicts with WOLFGANG VON VOLKERSHEIM, "Argent, a wolf rampant to sinister sable and on a chief gules a rolled scroll and a quill reversed Or." (SCA). (02/1985)

Caitlin ingen Chuimbrech. Name only.

REASON FOR RETURN: We would like to see some documentation for Chuimbrech. Brigantia, working from Thurneysen's Grammar of Old Irish and Strachan's Old Irish Paradigms, arrived at chuimrig as the likely derivative of comrig, but she can find no evidence for the verbal noun ever being used to indicate a "captive" (the translation given in the letter of intent), let alone being used as a given name (since it follows a patronymic particle). If the applicant wishes the Old Irish for "daughter of the captive," Mistress Alisoun suggests ingen chimbedo, from cimbid 'captive or prisoner'. (06/1985)

Caitlin of Amberwyne. (device). Per fess argent and azure, a lion passant and three roses counterchanged.

NOTE: This conflicts with WALL, "Per fess argent and azure, in chief a lion passant of the second." (Papworth 88) A change in the lion of partition (sorry ...) should be sufficient. (09/1984)

Calgaigch MacPhee. Device. Per pale vert and argent, a goose migrant to chief counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with STEFAN DEN STRASSENRAUBER: Per pale vert and Or, a double[­headed] eagle counterchanged. (SCA) We count at best a major plus a strong minor point of difference. In altering the device, beware of DAVID WESTERVILLE: Per pale sable and argent, a crane displayed legless Or. (SCA). (07/1986)

Calontir, Crown Prince of. Device. Purpure, a cross of Calatrava, in chief a crown, within a laurel wreath lying as on a border Or, overall a label throughout argent.

NOTE: This submission raised the question of whether or not it is appropriate for the arms of the crown prince to incorporate a crown or a laurel wreath. A quick check of the ordinary reveals instances of crowns being registered to crown princes (and at least one crown princess), as well as to several royal offices, so I do not think this poses a problem. The laurel wreath is another matter ­ it is specifically the mark of an SCA branch, and as such is appropriate only to the arms of the sovereign. There are two exceptions to this rule on the books, and I do not wish to create any more. (10/1984)

Calvinus Sinister. Name change (from Craig of Westermark); appeal.

NOTE: Lord Wilihelm located a copy of the edition of Yonge cited by Vesper in his letter of intent. The pertinent passage, taken from a section titled Cognomina, is as follows:

"In contrast to the hairy Caesar, we proceed to the opposite title that the great Julius might have borne, if he had not figuratively, as well as literally, hidden his baldness with a wreath of bays. Calvinus, the diminutive of Calvus (the bald), is worth mentioning, because it probably was the origin of the surname of Jean Chauvin, the Reformer; and was re­Latinized again by him into the Calvin by which he is known to controversy. The father of the Cid regarded as his great enemy one Lain Calvo, who is supposed to be, by one of the great Spanish corruptions, formed from Flavius Calvus."

This supports Brigantia's argument that Calvinus is a Latin cognomen (a personal nickname), not a given name. (05/1985)

Caoimhin McKee. Device. Counter­ermine, a rose gules barbed vert and seeded sable between in saltire four keys, wards to center, Or.

NOTE: This conflicts visually with YAROSLAV RURIKSSON, "Counter­ermine, a rose gules, barbed and seeded, surmounted by a sword inverted proper." (SCA). (03/1985)

Carlwyn George Ordragoun of Canterbury. Device. Azure, a pall and overall a swan statant, wings elevated and addorsed, argent, and a dragon rampant to sinister Or addorsed.

NOTE: The argent swan blends with the pall, and the device as a whole is not well balanced. The contrast problem could be dealt with by making the swan Or instead of argent. A more balanced design (incorporating elements of her original submission, and offered with the caveat that it has not been checked for conflict) would be, "Azure, a pall inverted argent between two dragons rampant Or and a swan statant, wings elevated and addorsed, argent.". (02/1985)

Caroline of Glen Gowan. Badge. Azure, a sea­cat "dormant in annulo" argent.

REASON FOR RETURN: This is a lovely picture, and beautifully drawn, but the cat is not in an heraldic position, and none of the heralds commenting on this submission (at the meeting or in the correspondence) was able to suggest a blazon that was both adequately descriptive and accurate. Please choose another position for the sea­cat. (06/1986)

Carreg Wen, Shire of. (name only).

NOTE: The name, which is Welsh for "white stone," conflicts with that of the Canton of the White Stone in the East Kingdom. Since the two are unlikely to be confused, a letter of permission from the existing branch would be sufficient. The name would probably be better as one word: Carregwen. (09/1984)

Cassandra ffowlke. Device. Per fess with a right step gules and azure, a camelopard passant proper, winged Or.

NOTE: I think it is important, with an unusual field division such as this, to place the charges so they will not obscure the line of division. With a field "per fess with a ... step," any large, central charge will tend to obscure one or both of the angles, making it difficult for the observer to tell if the field is per fess, per pale, or per bend (indented?). Two appropriately­shaped charges in bend sinister or in fess ought to work, as would placing the winged camelopard on a more jejune field. (10/1984)

Cathanar, College of. Device. Per chevron argent and gules, in chief a compass star and a spear fesswise in pale sable, the spear maintained in dexter by a sinister gauntlet sable and in sinister by a dragon's jamb erased vert, and in base a swan naiant argent environed of a laurel wreath Or.

NOTE: This has six different charges and five tinctures, which is far too complex, especially for the arms of an SCA branch. Please simplify. (04/1985)

Catherine de Hawkhead. Device. Bendy erminois and vert.

NOTE: This conflicts with ABREY, "Bendy of six, ermine and gules." (Papworth 291) According to the Rules for Submissions (XII.10), two field­only designs must differ in at least two of the stated categories. These two devices differ only in tincture. (02/1985)

Catherine du Fay. Device. Per pale sable and argent, on a fess two domestic cats couchant respectant all counterchanged.

NOTE: This is in technical conflict with ANCILLA THE PACKRAT, "Per pale argent and vert, on a fess counterchanged a rat statant to sinister panniered, gorged, and being led on a chain, by a frog statant to sinister, all counterchanged." (SCA) I count a major point for the changes in tincture and two minor points for the differences in type and position of the tertiary charges, yielding slightly less than two full points. (12/1984)

Catherine the White. Device. Vair, a bend between two bells argent.

NOTE: The argent charges blend in with the argent portion of the field, which fact was not pointed out, unfortunately, when the previous submission was returned. My usual policy in cases such as this is to grant an exception to the rule in question. In the present instance, however, we feel the contrast problem is too serious to overlook. I would like to apologize, on the part of the Laurel office, for not having caught the problem earlier. We would suggest she change the argent charges to Or; barring conflicts, this ought to do the trick. (12/1984)

Cathlin of Morecombe Bottome. Device. Erminois, a pile wavy sable, overall a swan, wings addorsed argent, gorged and chained Or.

NOTE: "A charge that is overall or surmounting another charge obeys the Rule of Tincture with respect to the field, not the charge(s) beneath it." (Rules IX.5) She might consider a field "per chevron inverted wavy sable and erminois," which would produce a similar effect. (01/1985)

Catlin Kavanaugh. Device. Per chevron sable and azure, a chevron argent between two fountains and a fleur­de­lis argent.

NOTE: This conflicts with WOLF MICHAELSON, "Per chevron sable and azure, a chevron argent and in base a wolf's head erased Or." (SCA) There are differences in type, number, and tincture of a group of secondary charges, but since they are applied to the same group of charges, the later changes demote, yielding less than two points. Alternatively, we could treat the two charges in chief as a group (worth a major point, since they're being added) and the charge in base as a less important secondary (two minor points, one demoted, for change in type and tincture). The result is still less than two points. (03/1985)

Catrina Highrider. Device. Azure, issuant from base a demi­sun Or, on a chief argent a D­ring snaffle bit sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: Conflict with the state of SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Azure, a demi­sun rising Or, on a chief argent three garbs Or. (Low, Roll of Australian Arms, p. 46) The only difference is in the charges on the chief. We also feel it conflicts with OSRIC STANISLAUS IVYAROVICH: Azure, on a sun issuant Or, a drakkar in sail to sinister proper sailed gules. (SCA) It differs by the addition of a chief and two tertiary charges, at least one of which, in theory, is supposed to demote.

We would also appreciate some information on the D­ring snaffle bit, which appears to be a new charge. Is it known to be period? (12/1985)

Ceatta o Gulcleth. Name correction (to Ceatta ohoni Culcleth).

NOTE: The documentation enclosed with the original submission was for the given name and the locative. No documentation was provided for ohnoni, which is supposed to be Welsh for 'from'. There is no entry for ohoni in Y Geiriadur Mawr. The preposition from is normally rendered as o, which causes the initial consonant of the following word (Culcleth) to mutate (becoming Gulcleth). (02/1985)

Cecilia of Lindley. Device. Argent, a sun sable eclipsed Or, on a chief azure three garden roses argent leaved Or.

NOTE: This infringes upon GREGORY OF YORK, "Argent, a falcon striking proper, on a chief azure, three roses argent, each charged with a rose Or fimbriated sable, all barbed and seeded proper." (SCA) There is a point and a half for difference in type and tincture of the primary charge. The changes to the white roses on the chief are negligible. (10/1984)

Cedric Steinhauser. Device. Sable, a bend sinister between a tower and an eagle's claw, and on a chief Or, an anvil between two smith's hammers palewise sable.

REASON: The device is too complex: of the seven charges, six are of different types. Simplify. DISCUSSION: The tincture "Or" following the chief is understood to apply to the bend sinister, the tower, and the eagle's claw. There is a point at which factoring of tinctures starts becoming a liability instead of an asset. It would not be unreasonable to blazon this "... an eagle's claw Or, and on a chief Or. This effectively separates the blazon into two pieces (the bend sinister and its accompanying charges, and the charged chief), and reassures the reader that, No, you didn't accidentally omit a tincture. It is not incorrect to repeat tinctures; it is merely customary to be brief whenever clarity allows it. (08/1986)

Cedric the Bold. Device (reblazon). Ermine, a bend sinister gules surmounted by a raptor displayed reversed Or.

NOTE: A raptor is a bird of prey, such as a hawrk or eagle; the term does not describe a specific type of charge, but rather a class of charges. In addition, the bird shown in the emblazon is neither displayed nor reversed. (01/1985)

Cei Myghchaell Wellinton. Badge. A fool displayed guardant, clad in motley, proper.

NOTE: There is no "proper" color for motley. I would suggest making the fool's garb lozengy of a color and a metal, which is a reasonable heraldic approximation of motley. (04/1985)

Cein O'Madden. Name and device. Vert, on a tau cross throughout between two harps addorsed Or, three quatrefoils in chief vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: According to Brigantia, Cein is the genitive form of Cian. (This means that you would use "Cian" as the given name, and "Cein" in a patronymic.) A Tau cross throughout would be drawn as in the margin ­ the limbs would reach the edges of the shield, but the crossbar would not become the "chief." Please use this form, or choose another charge. (05/1986)

Ceithlenn nic Rauri. Name and device. Per chevron azure and gules, two mullets argent and a comet palewise Or.

NOTE: Is this "variant" of the Irish Gaelic name Caitlin based on a specific example, or is it made up? According to Batonvert, the spelling does not correspond to any reasonable pronunciation. (Brigantia hypothesizes a back­formation from the anglicized form Cathleen.) Both recommend she use Caitlin. The Scots Gaelic patronymic (after suitable linguistic gyrations) would be either ni Rhuairidh or ni Rhuadhri.

The device conflicts with DEPORODH OF RANNOCH, "Per chevron abased azure and argent, two mullets argent, and in base a birch leaf erect proper." (SCA) There is a minor point for changing the tincture of half the field, and a major point for replacing the leaf with a comet. Please note that an heraldic comet has a definite tail (known as its "beard"); see the illustration in the margin. (04/1985)

Cenwulf Godfyrht. Device. Or, an equal­armed patriarchal cross azure and a mount vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: Conflict with GORDON THE RIGHTEOUS: Or, a Greek cross gules and a mount vert. (SCA) We count a major and a minor point of difference for the cross, and no difference for the mount. (03/1986)

Ceridwen Dafydd. (submitted as Ceridwen Dafydd of Cambria).

Appeal denied. Cambria is for all intents and purposes the same as Wales, and may not be used with the name of the goddess Ceridwen. (09/1984)

Ceridwen o Glamorgan ferch y Prydydd. Device. Azure, a bend Or between a mullet of ten points and a kettle argent.

NOTE: The name Ceridwen should not be used in conjunction with a cauldron or kettle ­ the cauldron of Ceridwen was the fount of poetry and knowledge. (The tale of Gwion Bach. The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales, pages 162­164. Edited by Patrick K. Ford. University of California Press, 1977.) The device conflicts with IAN MACANGUS, "Azure, a bend between a mullet of eight points and a tree eradicated argent." (SCA) It also infringes upon JAN ZLOTSLY MEC, "Azure, on a bend Or between two mullets of four points argent a sword gules." (SCA). (03/1985)

Charic Morgan. Name and device. Vert a cross crosslet potent and on a chief Or a bow sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: Char­ is not, to the best of our knowledge, a protheme, so its combination with -ric is questionable. The device conflicts with BECK: Vert, a cross raguly humetty Or, on a chief of the last three blackbirds proper. (Papworth 625) There is a minor point of difference for the type of cross (the two are fairly similar), and there are two minor points for type and number of charges on the chief. Beck's blackbirds are Ar. (proper), not pu. (purpure). (05/1986)

Charles Farquhar Gordon. Device. Argent, an enfield rampant gules, in base a sprig of three thistles slipped and leaved proper, a chief sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with ROBYN MACARTAIR: Argent, a fox rampant guardant gules and on a chief sable a chess knight between two chess rooks argent. (SCA) There is a minor point for the thistles, another for removing the charges on the chief, and a third for the difference between a fox and an enfield. (05/1986)

Charles Marquette. Badge for Household of the Black Orchid. Argent, a mullet of four points saltirewise azure, between in pale two roses gules, slipped and leaved vert, and in fess two orchids sable slipped and leaved vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: This is too complex for a badge. The use of more than one kind of flower in a device or badge is poor practice, especially in a single group of charges. Please simplify. (06/1986)

Charles of the Red Oakes. Device. Sable, semy­de­lis, on a bend cotised argent, two oak trees eradicated and blasted gules.

NOTE: This infringes upon HELLERD, "Sable, a bend between two cotises and six fleurs­de­lis argent." (Papworth 207) There is a minor point for the difference between six fleurs­de­lys and semy of them, and an additional minor for the tertiary charges. (10/1984)

Chenan du Cheval. Device. Pean, a ruined castle argent, overall a unicornate horse salient to sinister gules.

NOTE: Charges overall should not obscure the charges behind them; the ruined castle is not recognizable. Please use either a horse (without a horn) or a unicorn (with beard, tufts, and a lion's tail). (02/1985)

Cherie Ruadh MhicRath of Locksley. Device. Gyronny arrondi reversed, purpure semy of daisies proper, and azure, a cat to sinister gardant argent, lying upon its back and playing with a [pink] flamingo feather proper. (Phoenicopterus ruber).

NOTE: The cat is not in a recognizable heraldic position, and it was the consensus of the College of Arms that the overall effect of the device is also not heraldic. The color of a flamingo's feathers is apparently dependent on its diet, so there really is no "proper" color. In addition, if the feather is an important enough charge to warrant an involved blazon, then it is also important enough to be subject to the rule of contrast. Please redesign. (04/1985)

Christin d'Hiver. Device. Per pale dovetailed Or and azure, a chevron counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN. This infringes on GRUBER OF NUREMBERG: Per pale Or and azure, a chevron counterchanged. (Rietstap) There is a single point of difference, for the line of partition. (08/10/1985)

Christina of Islay. Device. Azure, a triskelion of three arrows embowed points outward Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: This differs by only one point (for the arrangement of the arrows) from ARCHARD: Azure, three arrows Or. (Papworth 8) (05/1986)

Chrystofer Kensor. Device. Azure, a wolf rampant to sinister maintaining an axe argent hafted Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with ALAIR OF THE BLOODY FOUNTAIN: Azure, a wolf and a unicorn combattant argent. (SCA) There is a major point of difference for removing the unicorn, and a minor for the addition of the axe.

DISCUSSION: The point­and­a­half rule does not apply here because one of the coats consists of two dissimilar primary charges. I am not altogether convinced that this is a reasonable conflict, but it is consistent with our system of counting difference. This may be something we need to think about. (09/1985)

Ciaradh Mac Cu Uldah Mörkstjärna. Name only.

NOTE: Ciaradh appears to be a common noun, and not a given name. She might consider the given name Ciara, which is feminine. According to Brigantia, the patronymic form of the modern surname McCullough is mac Chonuladh, with the root Cu Uladh being first placed in the genitive case (Con Uladh) and then aspirated. The submitter might also want to consider the Irish form of Mörkstjärna (Swedish 'dark star'), which Batonvert says is rialt dorcha. (02/1985)

Clairiel du Vent Argent. Badge for the Cult of Clariel. Or, a slip of broccoli vert.

NOTE: A slip of broccoli is heraldically indistinguishable from a tree. This conflicts with VIEDMA, "Or, an olive tree vert," and PEARTON, "Or, a pear tree vert fructed proper." (Woodward 317; Papworth 1113) She might consider a stalk fesswise. The designation "Cult of Clariel" is not appropriate for registration with the College of Arms. (02/1985)

Clairiel du Vent Argent. Device. Per fess argent and tierced per pale gules, argent, and gules, a lozenge throughout sable charged with a mullet of six points elongated to base Or.

NOTE: The device does not appear to be consistent with either mundane or SCA heraldry. Please redesign. DISCUSSION: The chief problem here is with the field divisions, which are being used to construct a pair of abstract geometrical shapes. As frequently happens when ordinaries are combined in like fashion, the resulting blazon is confusing, and the overall effect is non­heraldic. (02/1985)

Clea de Hunedoara. (badge for Guildiya Sirinov; change in status).

NOTE: Household badges must be registered to an individual. The English transliteration of 'guild' would appear to be Gildiya, not Guildiya, and we have not been able to verify that Sirinov is correct. Please document them. (09/1984)

Cloondara, Shire of. Name chance (from Floating Castle).

NOTE: The name conflicts with the town of Cloondara in Ireland. Pale cites O'Connell, The Meaning of Irish Place Names, p. 25, where it is said to mean "meadow of the two ring forts.". (03/1985)

Colin Regehr. Device. Per pale gules and counter­ermine, a trèfle counterchanged and in dexter chief a mullet argent.

NOTE: Trèfle is the French for 'trefoil', and is used as such in mundane heraldry. (Dubois I 726; Parker 585) The trefoil depicted here is too skinny to be counterchanged per pale, and it is difficult to recognize. (Charges should be drawn to fill the available space.) If he will widen the charge, it can be blazoned "a trefoil slipped and couped," and would be acceptable. (02/1985)

Collette la Fleur des Jardins. Device. Per bend sinister azure and argent, two seagulls in bend volant to sinister argent and a sprig of three violets purpure, slipped and leaved vert.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with MARITSA DMITRIEVNA: Per bend sinister sable and argent, a Russian cross argent and a violet purpure, slipped and leaved vert. (SCA) We count a minor point of difference for changing the tincture of half the field, and a major point for changing the type and number of the charges in chief. All of the changes take place in the upper half of the field. (11/1985)

Colwin of Oakwood. Device. Per bend argent and Or, a bend gules, overall a mace sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: I'm afraid this does, in fact, conflict with THOPIAS WOLFGAME VON LAUER: Argent, a bend gules enfiled of an annulet sable. (SCA) The point and­a­half rule was intended to apply to cases where there is a dominant primary charge, such as single primary charge plus a charged chief. Here, there is a major point for replacing the annulet with the mace, and a minor point for the difference of half the field.

DISCUSSION: See the cover letter for various observations on maces. (10/1985)

Conmara O Mactire. Name only.

NOTE: Conmara appears to be a component of a surname, and not a given name in its own right. Brigantia has suggested that the applicant use Connor, from the Irish Conchobhar. (03/1985)

Conor Sigmundsson. (device). Gyronny azure and argent, a compass star counterchanged.

NOTE: This conflicts with the badge of MOBERIE OF TOR DENLY, "Gyronny argent and azure, a mullet of four points counterchanged." (09/1984)

Corwin du Mont de Maine. Device. Argent, a garden rose, slipped and leaved, between in pale two crescents, all between two flaunches sable.

NOTE: The name and device both allude to Corwin of Amber, the principal character in a series of novels by Roger Zelazny. The fictional Corwin's colors are black and white, and his symbol is a rose, usually rendered as argent on sable, but sometimes found (due, I am told, to a "famous error" on the cover of an early edition of one of the books) as sable on argent. The College of Arms has a long­standing policy of regarding allusions of this sort to be an infringement on the fictional character.

Master Wilhelm ruled in October 1982, and again in May 1983, that the name Corwin may not be used in conjunction with a white rose (of any kind). After reading over the comments on this submission (particularly Batonvert's, which convinced me that my ruling on CORWIN RENWALD was in error), I am extending the ban to include roses in any tincture. (02/1985)

Courtney Lettice de Varnay. Device. Per pale azure and Or, fretty overall counterchanged, on a chief per pale Or and azure two nag's heads erased respectant counterchanged.

NOTE: The device conflicts with PHILIP HARLECH OF EXETER, "Per pale azure and Or, a fret and a chief counterchanged." (SCA). (02/1985)

Crisiant ferch Eirian. Device. Argent, a chevron cotised sable, overall a wolf rampant gules.

REASON FOR RETURN: The device conflicts with that of RORY PHALEN: Argent, a fox rampant guardant gules between two flaunches sable. (SCA) There is a single point of difference, for change in type of secondary charge. (03/1986)

Crossings of the Red Spears, March of the. Device. Argent, two spears in saltire surmounted by a third palewise gules, the head of the center one environed of a laurel wreath vert.

NOTE: We did not receive any forms for this submission. The device conflicts with FERRAN DE MONTFERY, "Argent, an escarbuncle of spears offset deasil gules." (SCA) The laurel wreath should also be a more prominent component of the design. (03/1985)

Dafydd ap Hywel Trawsfynydd. Device. Per saltire Or and gules, on a saltire, two swords in saltire, counterchanged.

NOTE: The Laurel office has held previously that a skinny object such as a sword should not be counterchanged along its long axis because of the lack of contrast. The College of Arms concurs with Crux Herald in his earlier decision to return this submission. (03/1985)

Dafydd Bretnach an Dùn Breatunn. Device. Sable mullety argent, on a fountain a sea horse naiant Or.

NOTE: This conflicts with ELEANOR OF ALNWICK, "Sable, on a fountain a swan naiant argent." (SCA). (01/1985)

Dafydd Dercanraith. Name and device. Azure, a chevron cotised throughout Or between two enfields combattant and a sword palewise argent.

REASON: A chevron rompu is too complex to cotise. Please choose a simpler treatment for the charge.

Derc and anraith are Irish name elements, not Welsh, as the letter of intent implied, which misled the heralds who commented on the name. Please resubmit this, providing a little more documentation in the LoI. The following (taken from the submitter's source, pp. 30 and 32 of Ewen's History of British Surnames) should be sufficient:

­anraith occurs as the second element in the dithematic name Maolanraith 'chief of the storm"; and the descriptive surname Righdearph "of the red forearm" is glossed as derg "red" plus rig "forearm", alternatively rigdai "royal" plus derc "eye".

The submitter is presumably trying to form the descriptive "eye of the storm" in Irish Gaelic. (08/1986)

Dafydd Sean ap Hywel. Device. Sable, a demi­sun issuant from base and elongated to chief Or and in chief two mullets of four points argent.

NOTE: This conflicts with KAFFAR FIUIRLATH, "Sable, in chief a catamount passant guardant argent, maintaining in each forepaw an arrow inverted and issuant from base a demi­sun Or." (SCA) There is a point and a half for the differences in the charges in chief. (10/1984)

Dagonell Collingwood of Emerald Lake. Device. Barry wavy of eight vert and argent, on a bend Or three roses gules, barbed and seeded sable.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with GLAGGE ("Gules, on a bend Or, three cinquefoils gules"), cited in the letter of intent. There is a major point of difference for the field; but a rose and a cinquefoil are at best a minor point different, and when the two are tertiary charges, the difference is negligible. (03/1986)

Daibhi Iain Dubhghall. Device. Per pale indented argent and vert, on a fess counterchanged between a saber, blade to base, and a dagger fesswise, a swept-hilt rapier fesswise reversed, all proper, the blades counterchanged gules.

REASON FOR RETURN: The use of three different types of the same charge (a sword) ­­ not to mention the unusual manner of counterchanging the blades ­­ is visually confusing, and contrary to the spirit of heraldry. A similar, and heraldically acceptable, design would be: Per pale indented argent and vert, on a fess counterchanged between two swords fesswise, another reversed, the blades embrued, proper. Please suggest this to the submitter. (07/1985)

Damianós Arrianus Alexius Nicosiaios. Device. Argent, on a pale between two swords inverted sable hilted gules a Gorgon's head cabossed argent.

NOTE: This conflicts with LIN THE BAKER, "Argent, on a pale sable a garb Or." (SCA) [Major for addition of secondaries, two minors for type and tincture of tertiary.]. (03/1985)

Daniel de la Trompette d'Or. Device. Argent, on three piles in point throughout azure a straight trumpet between a natural trumpet and a natural trumpet reversed Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: The device conflicts with BRYAN: Argent, three piles azure. (Papworth) There is a single point of difference, for the addition of the group of trumpets. As Roger F. Pye has demonstrated, "piles in point" is the modern term for the way piles were always drawn in period, and medieval piles were also always "throughout." See the discussion for RANDAL OF KINGS HAMMER, 18 May 1986, p. 14.

NOTE: This should be drawn with the outer piles issuing from the chief, not from the corners. It could also be improved (in terms of classical heraldic style) by using only one type of trumpet.

Daphne of Ered Isen. Device. Sable, a sword inverted surmounted by a retort fesswise, in chief a label, all gules fimbriated Or, distilling from the retort a goutte d'Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: Under present standards, this device contains too many instances of complex fimbriation. It is my opinion that the Grandfather Clause would permit her to use her father's arms differenced by an unfimbriated label (in Or or argent), or to incorporate elements from her father's device (the fimbriated sword and retort) into an otherwise acceptable new design, but that this combination is excessive. Please see the discussion on the submission of RENA THORBJORNSDOTRIR (18 May 1986, pp. 18­20), from which this ruling is derived. (07/1986)

Davan Inn Spaki. Device. Sable, a staff bendwise sinister Or, overall an owl stooping affronty, all within a bordure argent.

REASON FOR RETURN: This still conflicts with JAMES MACCHLURAIN: Sable, an owl argent (SCA); and with KNIGHTS OF THE WATCH: Sable, an owl displayed argent. (The World of Greyhawk) The staff is largely obscured by the body (and the sinister wing) of the owl. We would suggest reorienting it, to make it a more prominent part of the design. (01/1986)

Davan inn Spaki. Device. Sable, a wooden staff bendwise sinister proper, overall an owl stooping affronty argent.

REASON FOR RETURN: The wooden staff proper has insufficient contrast with the sable field. (RFS IX.5) This also conflicts with JAMES MACCHLURAIN: Sable, an owl argent. (SCA) There is a point of difference for the position of the owl, but we feel the staff (which is skinny, does not show up against the field, and is largely obscured by the body of the owl) is not a significant enough charge to contribute a full second point. Virgule has also noted the arms of the KNIGHTS OF THE WATCH: Sable, an owl displayed argent. (The World of Greyhawk). (07/1985)

Daved Shmuel ben Rachon. (device). Ermine, a golden eagle stooping, wings elevated and addorsed, proper, bearing in its beak a garden rose gules slipped and leaved, between two scarpes vert.

NOTE: Submission withdrawn at request of Principal Herald. (09/1984)

David Dimitri. Device. Per pale argent and vert, two single­arched bridges throughout counterchanged, a bordure gules.

NOTE: The charges are not recognizable as bridges. At the very least, they should be masoned, this apparently being the convention for charges (walls, arches, etc.) made of stone. Please resubmit this with a corrected emblazon. (01/1985)

Dearborne Grayson. Name and device. Or, on a pale between two swords inverted sable, three suns in splendor Or.

NOTE: Dearborne is a known place name (as in Dearborn, Michigan; ­borne means 'stream'), and so cannot be used as a given name unless a specific example can be found in period. Batonvert has suggested Der(e)bern(e) as a more likely derivative of Deorbeorn. The device conflicts with EMEREN-TIANA ROSE, "Or, on a pale between two chains palewise sable, a rose slipped and leaved Or." (SCA) [type of secondaries, type and number of tertiaries]. (04/1985)

Debra of Cyprus. Device. Pean, a sea­horse erect Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: The device conflicts with that of JANA SEASGAIR: Per fess wavy Or and sable, a sea­horse haurient counterchanged. (SCA) There is a point of difference for the tincture of the field, and a derivative tincture change (which is demoted to a minor point) to the sea­horse.

DISCUSSION: Visually, there is a difference in the tails of the two sea­beasts (Debra's is looped back on itself, while Jana's is annodated*), but I have been unable to establish that this is a definite difference, and not artistic variation. Haurient isn't a very good choice of terms; it's a fish­word (meaning "erect with head upwards") being used in place of the usual sea­monster word ("erect").

* annodated: bowed embowed, or bent in the form of the letter S. (Parker 11). (07/1986)

Decrease Mather. Name only (appeal).

NOTE: This name was originally returned by Master Wilhelm in December 1982. "This is a joke name on Increase Mather. Joke names are not allowed. The Puritan practice of using qualities as names appears to be out of period. Within our period, the Puritans appear to have used Old Testament names." Pale Herald has appealed this decision in light of my ruling on the "offensiveness" of joke names. (16 Dec 84, p. 4) He has also presented information on Puritan naming practices.

According to E. G. Withycombe (pp. xxxvii­xl), the Puritan "quality" names were most rife between 1580 and 1640. The practice was late in our period, and it was uncommon, even among the Puritans. Nonetheless, if we assume that occurrences of such names were evenly distributed over the years named, fully a third of the high period lies within the scope of the SCA. This seems to me a significant enough fraction to permit documented Puritan "quality" names, or names formed on this pattern, to be registered within the SCA, at least on a case­by­case basis. Although Pale's argument for Decrease is not conclusive, it is plausible, and I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.

The question of offensiveness is a knottier one, and it is not helped by Master Wilhelm's unfortunate use of the term "joke name" in this context. Joke names may take many forms. Miles Long is a period name embodying an obvious pun. John Of Somme Whyre is less blatant and requires some willingness to suspend disbelief, but is not altogether implausible. Thomas for the Interim makes sport of the process of choosing a Society name. Names such as these may startle on first hearing, but are soon accepted, and the fact that they are "jokes" remembered only when a shift in perception, such as the reaction of a newcomer, causes them to be reexamined.

Ting­nye­'dzin­gyi­seng­ge McPhee, with its anticlimactic byname, burlesques cross­cultural personas. This falls on middle ground ­ it is jarring enough to be disruptive, but it is also a logical consequence of a permitted practice, and so can neither be passed nor rejected without evoking a legitimate complaint. Kathleen Erin­go­burne­the­Bragh, on the other hand, is ungrammatical, and embodies an obvious, out­of­period, and (if you will pardon the expression) inflammatory reference, which is reinforced by the burning cup in the accompanying device.

It is my contention that "joke" is necessarily a pejorative attribute only to those whose perception of the SCA is straitened and humorless. If a name is offensive, or otherwise unacceptable, then it should be returned on those grounds, not simply because it has the capacity to entertain. The problem with Decrease Mather is not that it is a "joke" name, but that it is a parody of the name of the famous Puritan clergyman Increase Mather. It could legitimately be ruled offensive on these grounds. (This, in fact, is how I interpret Master Wilhelm's earlier ruling.) In any case, the name alludes strongly enough to the historical character to constitute infringement (just as "Marvin Luther" would infringe on the German leader of the Protestant Reformation). I am returning the submission for these reasons, with the suggestion that the submitter change his given name or byname to remove the problem.

As for the use of the name as an example in Appendix II of the Rules for Submissions, it is hereby struck from the record. (05/1985)

Deirdre Llyn Stormdreamer. Badge for Haven of the Silver Mist. Vert, a castle and on a chief per fess embattled vert and argent a pomme.

NOTE: The chief has the appearance of an SCA comital coronet (a coronet embattled, which is a reserved charge) set with a green stone. Please redesign. (03/1985)

Demian O'Boirne. Badge. Azure, in pale a plate and a seal displayed, head erect, tail sufflexed, argent.

REASON: This is not a standard heraldic position. It renders the charge unrecognizable, and recognition ­ lest we forget ­ is the raison d'etre of heraldry. DISCUSSION: Sufflexed, by the way, appears to be an SCA neologism. I was unable to find a source for it when I was editing Precedents.. I don't believe this qualifies as "standard heraldic language.". (08/1986)

Deorwine aet Earneleia. (device). Or, an eagle rising affronty gules, in chief an estoile of eight points azure, all within a bordure rayonny gules.

NOTE: This conflicts with AELFRAED AEDWALD OF DEVENNPORT, "Or, a phoenix azure rising from flames, within a bordure rayonny gules." (SCA) (09/1984)

Diarmuid MacSeumas O'Siodhachain. Name and device. Per fess sable and Or, a pale and six quatrefoils slipped, all counterchanged.

NOTE: Diarm(u)it appears to be a modern form of the given name most commonly found as Diarmaid. (Withycombe 84) The given name used in a patronymic must be in the genitive case; the Irish form (which the information sheet indicates that he wishes) would be MacS(h)eamuis. The applicant has asked that we not correct spelling or grammar. The device conflicts with SIMEON, "Per fess sable and Or, a pale counterchanged and three trefoils slipped of the second." (Papworth 1010). (12/1984)

Diego Miguel de Alderon. Name and device. Or, chaussé vairy argent, gules, Or, and sable, a natural panther rampant within a bordure sable.

NOTE: Alderon is cognate with Alderaan, the home of Princess Leia in Star Wars, and with Alderan, one of the Domains in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover novels. The panes of vair are too small; drawn correctly, they will tend to blend with both the field and the bordure. Vairy of four colors has not, to the best of my knowledge, been accepted for use in SCA heraldry, and I am not convinced that it is desirable. Please choose a less complex design. (01/1985)

Dieter des Schwärzen Eichkatchens. Device. Per pale gules and argent, a squirrel sejant erect sable maintaining a sword inverted argent.

NOTE: The device conflicts with ORM THE DEFIANT, "Per pale gules and argent, a unicorn­headed lion salient grasping in both forepaws the blade of a sword inverted, counterchanged." (SCA). (01/1985)

Dinaris the Wanderer. Device. Azure, on a pile argent between two lightning flashes Or a double­bitted axe gules.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with ALINA DE MONTAGUE, "Azure, on a pile argent between two fleurs­de­lys Or, a sprig of holly vert, fructed gules." (SCA) There is a major point for type of secondary charges, and a minor point for type (and partial change in tincture) of the tertiary charge. This also infringes upon PASCQUAL CABAIZRUVIAS DE LA VARA, "Gules, on a pile throughout argent between two lightning flashes Or, a mushroom gules." (SCA) There is a major point for field tincture, and a minor for type of tertiary. (Given the medieval definition of a pile, I consider the difference between a pile and a pile throughout to be negligible.) The device also uses a modern lightning flash. "The modern lightning flash, with its bevilled lines, is prohibited as being out of period." (WvS, 19 Aug 83, p. 6)

DISCUSSION: Asterisk has suggested that the lightning flashes in this coat should be acceptable under the grandfather clause, because the original submission (which was returned by Laurel in November 1981) was made before these charges were banned. The grandfather clause is the doctrine that protects something that has already been registered from a subsequent change in the rules; it is sometimes extended to new submissions from the same person or from close relatives of the original applicant. (In its current manifestation, the grandfather clause derives from article IV.C.4 of the Corpora, and is echoed in article V.6 of the Rules for Submissions.) The applicant does not have a registered submission containing old­style lightning flashes, so the grandfather clause does not apply.

The term is also used in RFS XV, to describe the grace period (sometimes referred to as the "statute of limitations") for resubmissions. "Submissions that are returned for certain reasons and which are resubmitted with all stated reasons properly rectified within one year shall be exempt from any Rule changes adopted after the return ... on a grandfather clause basis." More than a year has passed since the return took place, so the grace period does not apply either. He might want to consider one of the currently­accepted representations of lightning: the so­called "lightning bolt," or (better still) an heraldic thunderbolt. (06/1985)

Donal MacMurtrie. Per chevron gules and ermine, on a chief embattled argent a demi­sun issuant from chief gules.

NOTE: The consensus was that a demi­sun issuant from chief, on a chief, did not appear to be period style. The convention is to have a demi­sun issuant from a part of the field. (08/24/1984)

Donal Winterwolf. Badge. Azure, on a snowflake argent, a wolf's head erased azure.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with the U.S. ARCTIC TEST CENTER: Azure, a snowflake points in pale argent. (MilOrd #1195) (08/25/1985)

Donald Thomas Maxwell. Device. Azure, a dove rising argent, wings displayed and inverted, on a chief Or three crosses crosslet gules.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts visually with BULLINGHAM: Azure, an eagle displayed argent, on a chief Or three crosses crosslet gules. (Papworth 308) (03/1986)

Dragolen Silverhelm. Name and device. Per pale vert and gules, a dragon rampant Or, maintaining in both forepaws a helm argent.

NOTE: 1) Dragolen does not appear to be a correctly formed Anglo­Saxon name; according to Batonvert, the vowel o would not have intruded between the protheme drag­ and the deuterotheme -lin. She suggests Draglin, Draglind as likely feminine forms of the name, and Dragland or the common monothematic name Drogo for a male. 2) One of the dragon's hind legs should be raised; as drawn, it is more statant erect than rampant. This infringes upon the BARONY OF RHYDDERIC HAEL, "Per pale vert and sable, a dragon rampant within a laurel wreath Or." (SCA) There is a minor point for change in tincture of half a divided field, and a point for the absence of the laurel wreath. The helm is not worth an additional minor point. (11/1984)

Dreiburgen, Barony of. Badge for the Dreiburgen Bards' Guild. Argent, a pile inverted throughout azure, overall a lyre, all within a bordure counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: The lyre counterchanged with the pile is complex and difficult to recognize. This is marginal. Inasmuch as it is a submission for a branch, and branches are supposed to set a good example, I am returning it with a request that they redesign. Brachet has suggested "Argent, a pile inverted between two lyres all within a bordure azure" and "Argent, on a pile inverted between two lyres azure another argent, all within a bordure azure", both of which appear to be clear of conflict. (04/1986)

Dreiburgen, Barony of. Badge for the Dreiburgen Bards Guild. Per pale azure and argent, on a pile inverted throughout between a drinking horn palewise and a quill, a tower, all counterchanged.

NOTE: This is too complex for a branch badge. Please simplify. (09/1985)

Drusilla of Northumbria. Device. Vert, a ring of three keys inverted argent and a chief embattled azure fimbriated argent.

REASON FOR RETURN: Fimbriation of chiefs (as well as bordures, flaunches, and "other such throughout abstract charges") was disallowed in Master Wilhelm's cover letter of August 19, 1983. (11/1985)

Dryw Sidar. Name and device. Azure, an owl and in base three chevronels braced argent.

NOTE: We would like to have some documentation for Sidar. The device conflicts with BEIRTAUT, "Azure, an owl argent" (Rietstap), and STEFFAN AP CENYDD OF SILVERWING, "Azure, chapé ployé invected, an owl close affronty argent." (SCA). (01/1985)

Dunham Wycliffe. Name (appeal).

NOTE: This submission was originally returned in August 1981 because Dunham is a surname, not a given name. Vesper has requested that an exception be made based on late­period English usage discussed by William Camden in his Remains Concerning Britain, and has further suggested that the Rules for Submissions be modified to take this usage into account.

Vesper's argument is plausible. It demonstrates that,late in our period, an English godfather sometimes gave his surname to his godchild as a given name. Dunham and Wycliffe are both documentable surnames, and were in use in England during this period. The proposed rules change is a straightforward application of this same argument: "We suggest that SCA names which are formed by using a late­period English surname as a given name and combining it with another surname which was used in late­period England be considered as exceptions to the general ban on the use of surnames as given names. These names would be considered on a case­by­case basis, and the submitt[e]r would have to show ... that the names in question were indeed late­period English surnames."

The problem with this argument is that it represents special pleading in a controversial area. The exceptions I grant generally involve extenuating circumstances, and are either based on a principle I feel comfortable with repeating or else seem isolated enough to have limited scope. An exception in this case would not be limited in scope, even without a rules change. Brigantia expressed the problem nicely:

"Can we say successfully that anyone can use a surname for a given name if they are using both a surname and a given name which are demonstrably existent in Tudor England? (This is what the evidence justifies.) The question will inevitably be asked why can't you use it in sixteenth century French or Danish names and then by extension why not in earlier names so that very quickly we will be at the point where a name like Thorbiornsson the Bold or Delacroix of the Flaming Sword, both of which are in violation of the 'spirit of the law', are legitimate by a kind of reductio ad absurdam."

In all fairness, the question "Is the use of surnames as given names a period practice?" is capable of being answered correctly in both the affirmative and the negative. The most liberal interpretation would be to say, "It started in period, so it is period," and allow surnames to be used as given names without restriction. The most conservative interpretation would be to say, "The practice did not become common until the Middle Ages were over," and disallow even those surnames that became given names during our period.

I consider our present policy to be a workable compromise between these two extremes. It treats the general practice as being out of period (thus removing the need to distinguish by country or period of persona, which is tricky when you're dealing with hybrids), but it permits exceptions when a specific name is shown to have been used in period, or when it is the applicant's mundane given name. (12/1984)

Ealdgyth von Froschheim. Device. Quarterly purpure and argent, nine roundels, 1, 2, 3, 2, and 1, counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: According to Pye, "If there were six or (fewer] charges the number was normally specified; if more than six they were considered to be semy." (A return to first principles: III ­ Semy. Coat of Arms VII(53): 206­208.) Semy should cover a defined area. I know of no way to blazon this configuration without enumerating the charges (which is incorrect) or resorting to barbarisms like "in lozenge." Please choose a more standard arrangement. (06/1985)

East Kingdom, Signet Office. Badge. Azure, a swan statant close reguardant ermine.

NOTE: This conflicts with SHERYL OF THESPIS, "Azure, a swan naiant argent crowned Or." (SCA). (01/1985)

East, Kingdom of. Talon Herald (name only).

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with the Order of the Serpent's Talon. "For Orders or heraldic titles, two names conflict if they are the same with only spelling differences, or if they differ only by the addition of one word or by an exact translation into another language." (RFS VI.4). (07/1985)

Edouard d'Ath. Badge. A demi­griffin Or maintaining between its talons a thistle, slipped and leaved, proper.

REASON FOR RETURN: Brooke­Little states that crests are hereditary devices, and conferred by grant, which leads me to conclude (RFS V.1) that, under the present rules, we must treat crests as mundane badges. This submission therefore conflicts with the crest of AKAYS: A demi­griffin Or. (Fairbairn) Sigh ... (07/1986)

Edward Dragonslayer. Device. Per bend sinister azure and argent, a bend sinister counterchanged between a horse rampant to sinister argent and a dragon dormant vert, all within a bordure per bend sinister argent and azure.

NOTE: I'm afraid this pushes the limits of heraldic style in too many places. The device is structurally complex and difficult to blazon. Please simplify. DISCUSSION: There is recent precedent for a divided bend­and­bordure combination, in the device of ARLIN THROCKMORTON ("Argent, a bend per bend wavy sable and gules between two crosses moline sable, all within a bordure per bend wavy sable and gules"). Edward's device has a simpler line of partition, but it has a divided field and two unlike secondary charges (in different tinctures), which pushes it over the limit. (05/1985)

Edward FitzRanulf. Device. Quarterly Or and gules, four crosses couped counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with the arms of WALES, "Quarterly Or and gules, four lions passant gardant counterchanged." The discussion on the complete­difference­of­charge rule (RFS XII.4) states, "any use of more than three charges cannot invoke complete difference due to the visual importance of the arrangement." There is thus a single point of difference, for type of charge, since the tincture of the field and the tincture and placement of the charges are the same.

DISCUSSION: This submission was deferred from the March meeting, to allow time for the commenting heralds to consider whether this conflict was reasonable. It appears from the responses that there is not enough support in the College of Arms for a change to the complete­difference­of­charge rule. (06/1985)

Edwin von Elsass. Device (appeal). Per fess argent and azure, three round buckles counterchanged.

NOTE: This submission was returned (EDWIN VON REINHESSEN, Dec 1984) for conflict with WHISELFORD, "Per fess azure and argent, three annulets counterchanged." (Papvorth 5) Vesper has appealed this ruling, citing Rules XIII.A.1.c ("Two fields that have the same partition but differ in the tincture of each section differ by one major point") and XIII.A.2.c ("Counterchanging the field and charges counts as one major point").

The example given for XIII.A.l.c shows both halves of the field being replaced by tinctures that were not in the original field. Rule XIII.B.l.c limits the difference to a minor point if the tincture of one of the halves is retained, and XIII.B.7 allows only a minor point for permutation of tinctures between field and charges. I don't think there is any question of awarding a major point on the basis of XIII.A.l.c.

The example given for XIII.A.2.c involves a complete exchange of tinctures between an undivided field and an undivided charge. XIII.A.2.d ("counter-changing by a line of partition") divides a previously undivided field and charge. The term counterchange is obviously ambiguous, but the discussion for each of the rules gives a pretty good idea of the intended meaning, and neither of these meanings applies to the present case.

Visually, I feel this sort of counterchange carries more weight than an exchange of tinctures between the two halves of the field (for which I have been allowing a minor point), but less weight than the two types of counterchange enumerated in XIII.A.2, so it is at best a strong minor. (05/1985)

Edwin von Elsass. Device (appeal). Per fess argent and azure, three round buckles counterchanged.

REASON FOR RETURN: Conflict with WHISELFORD: Per fess azure and argent, three annulets counterchanged. (Papworth 5)

SYNOPSIS: This submission was originally returned in December 1984. Vesper appealed this ruling, citing Rules XIII.A.I.c and XIII.A.2.c. I returned the appeal in May 1985, with an abbreviated account of my interpretations of the cited rules, the rules I used to derive the "spirit of the law," and the visual weighing I had used to corroborate this. Vesper has appealed the ruling again, insisting that it represents a change in the rules, and offering an observation on this class of conflict.

DISCUSSION: As I noted in my previous return, the rules do not clearly address the question of how much difference this sort of counterchange contributes. I am of the opinion that the present question was not considered at the time the rules were drafted; this may be the first time it has been addressed. In any case, I attempted to derive the "spirit of the law" by looking for analogies in other parts of the Rules.

XIII.A.I.c "Two fields that have the same partition but differ in the tincture of each section differ by one major point." There is an implicit assumption here (reinforced by the examples given) that different tinctures are being used. In the other cases I was able to find of a partial change in tincture (XIII.B.l.c and XIII.B.7), the commonality brought on by retaining one of the original tinctures reduced the value of the change from a major to a minor point.

XIII.A.2.c "Counterchanging the field and charges counts as one major point." The sole example given is of a light charge on a dark field versus a dark charge on a light field. I believe this is the intuitive application of counterchanging to difference, and that the example limits the meaning of the term. Vesper's argument assumes that the term is unqualified, and that the rule may therefore be applied more broadly.

Within the context of difference, I have come up with the following possible applications of counterchanging:

1) "Azure, a bend Or" is the total counterchange of "Or, a bend azure." This is the type of counterchange used in the example for XIII.A.2.c. It counts as one major point. (The terms total and partial counterchange are taken from Shield and Crest, pp. 316 and 319­320.) [Tincture of field is changed; tincture of charge derives from field; no change in outline.)

2) "Per pale azure and Or, a bend counterchanged" is a partial counterchange of "Azure, a bend Or." This type of counterchange is addressed in XIII.A.2.d, where it is referred to as "counterchanging by a line of partition" (a more useful description than "partial"). It counts as one major point against SCA and important mundane armory, and as sufficient difference against all other mundane coats. [Tincture and division of field are changed; tincture and division of charge derive from field; change in outline.]

3) "Per pale azure and Or, a bend counterchanged argent and gules" is also a (partial?) counterchange of "Azure, a bend Or." This type of counterchange is not directly addressed in the rules. I haven't given it much thought, but could argue for a major and a minor point (or possibly two major points). [Tincture and division of field are changed; tincture of charge is changed; division of charge derives from field; change in outline.]

4) "Per pale azure and Or, a bend counterchanged" is a (rotational?) counterchange of "Per pale Or and azure, a bend counterchanged." This is the case at hand. [Tincture of field is rearranged; tincture of charge derives from field; no change in outline.]

Without qualification, an exchange of tinctures across the line of partition may be considered a degenerate case of both XIII.A.I.c and XIII.A.2.c. I feel the examples provide this qualification. Vesper's argument that the discussion is somehow separable from the rest of the rules is inadmissible. As a study of the Rules for Submissions will show, the discussion serves at different times to justify a rule, to limit it, to offer examples of its use, and occasionally to present additional rules. (My experience has been that the "rules" of SCA heraldry actually reside in four places: the text of the Rules, the discussion of the Rules, rulings on individual submissions, and patterns of use. Without all four of these, no one can hope to understand SCA heraldry fully. This is one of the things that makes our system of heraldry so complicated.)

I have been allowing only a minor point of difference for reversing the colors of a divided field. (The earliest example I could find was BJORN RHYS: 28 Sep 84, pp. 16­17.) I believe Vesper is correct in saying that this is not explicitly stated in the Rules, although it follows by analogy from XIII.B.l.b­d, and in light of the restriction implicit in XIII.A.l.c. (I think I picked it up from one of Master Wilhelm's point counts.) This policy also played a part in the decision.

The preceding discussion is actually somewhat misleading, in that it implies that the original conflict call was made technically (on the basis of a point count). The call was actually part visual and part technical, with each being used to corroborate the other.

I consider the interchange of tinctures to be less memorable, visually, than the more conventional forms of counterchange. I can generally remember whether a coat is light on dark, or vice versa; but I have a devil of a time remembering left/right or upper/lower. I know, for example, that Loch Salann's arms are party per bend, that the laurel wreath is bendwise, and that the colors are black and white, but I'm not absolutely sure how they're arranged. In the list above, I've noted the areas of change that each type of counterchanging brings about. Visually, I rank this type of counterchange (#4) between a simple interchange of tinctures of the field (which I have been counting as a minor point) and the first type of counterchange (#l). I would be willing to allow a strong minor point, but not a major.

The West's argument on light/dark patterning is interesting, but I think all it really does is demonstrate the amount of weight we give to changes in color, as opposed to changes in outline. (I seem to recall Master Wilhelm saying, a number of years ago, that the British College doesn't consider color at all, since arms are so often used without tincture.) This doesn't invalidate the observation; but it argues more strongly for a change in the way we count difference than it has bearing on the present submission.

As for the "new class of conflicts" that Vesper says my ruling opens up, I would like to point out that when researching "Per fess argent and gules, in pale two roundels counterchanged," he would have found "Per fess gules and argent, in pale two roses counterchanged" the same way he would have found "Per fess argent and gules, in pale two roses counterchanged." I do not see how one can only be found serendipitously or by accident until there is a major revision to the Ordinary" and the other reached by more rational or less iconoclastic procedures. If there is a problem here, it lies in having to look under rose for a conflict with roundel, not with the way the coat has been divided and colored.

ANALYSIS: The College was divided on the issue. About as many people thought there was visual conflict as felt there was visual difference, and roughly half recognized that the Rules are capable of more than one interpretation. Going back over previous comments, I find the division remains about equal.

There seems to be an undercurrent that people wish the two did not conflict. I attribute this to the fact that both coats are fairly simple, and one of them ­.'Ls mundane. If this is the way the College would like to go, I can see two possibilities:

1) We could reduce the amount of difference required between SCA and mundane coats, either across the board or for certain "simple" cases.

2) We could allow a major point of difference between the buckles and the annulets, on the assumption that a [mundane] herald could tell the difference, especially since these are the only charges to be considered.

Mind you, these are being offered as observations, not proposals. While neither is wholly unreasonable, both are likely to be controversial, and hence fraught with peril. (At least one of the comments on the appeal questioned allowing even a minor point for the buckles ... )

CONCLUSION: I find nothing to convince me that my initial ruling was incorrect, or that my interpretation represents a change in the rules. (10/1985)

Edwin von Reinhessen. Name and device. Per fess argent and azure, three round buckles, tongues upward, counterchanged.

NOTE: According to Obelisk, the wine province in Germany (the name of which is spelled Rheinhessen) is a modern construction. Our sources seem to bear this out. The device conflicts with WHISELFORD, "Per fess azure and argent, three annulets counterchanged. "(Papworth 5) We count one minor point for the interchange of tinctures, and another for the difference between round buckles and annulets. (12/1984)

Efan Gwyrddcalon ap Rhydderch. Name change (from Evan ap Rhydderch).

REASON FOR RETURN: According to Mistress Keridwen o'r Mynydd Gwyrdd, the proper form for the byname would be Calonwerdd " : "The noun comes first, and the adjective takes the soft mutation, which changes 'gwyrdd' to 'werdd'." The submitter has asked us not to make any spelling or grammar changes to his name. (09/1985)

Egil Bloodax. Badge. A double­bitted battle axe gules.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with ADELHARDT WERNER: Per pale purpure and Or, a double­bitted axe counterchanged. (SCA) There is a single point of difference, for the tincture of the axe.

DISCUSSION: The axe in the arms of THORVALD THORLYFSSON is indeed single­bitted. (03/1986)

Eirianedd o Randir Mwyn. Device. Argent, in dexter a hawk rising wings addorsed and inverted sable and issuant from sinister three piles fesswise azure.

REASON: The design is attractive, but I am uncertain what term, if any, may be applied to the charges issuing from the sinister. Piles should go most or all the way across the field, leaving no room for other charges. (I've written on this at considerable length on previous submissions.) DISCUSSION: Three alternatives have been proposed, two of them requiring further research, and one a new emblazon. If the "piles" are redrawn so as to curve downward, they will become the German charge known as "wolves' teeth". (See The Art of Heraldry, Plate IX, figure 87, referenced in Chapter XII, page 62.) These have been registered previously in the SCA, and I know of no objections of period or usage that have been raised against them. The second possibility is to investigate the charge or division described in Woodward as émanche or émanché. The practice is Continental. I'd like to know a little more about the period and usage, if this information can be found. Or it might conceivably be looked upon as a sinister flank indented. (Not dancetty, as it has only one side.) In either case, it would represent a new practice, and so ought to be reviewed by the College before being registered. (08/1986)

Eirik Rodbjorn. Device. Or, a grizzly bear rampant gules, maintaining a mullet azure.

NOTE: This infringes on D'ALBE, "Or, a bear rampant gules." (Rietstap). (02/1985)

Eirik Valnodhaar. Device. Gules, a cross and on a chief arment two drakkars addorsed sable sailed gules within a bordure counterchanged.

NOTE: A chief counterchanged by a bordure, although legal, is poor practice. The blazon requires, however, that the side and bottom bars of the cross also be counterchanoed, which has not been done. In addition, the bordure reduces the space available on the chief, squashing the charges, and the lowered horizontal bar makes this look like a Latin cross inverted, which some may find offensive. Please redesign. (01/1985)

Elaigne Kerr Benicoeur. Badge. A cur's head erased and sinister facing per bend azure and ermine.

REASON FOR RETURN: This conflicts with CHARLES BRADFORD: Bendy Or and gules, an alaunt's head sable erased, orbed gules, facing sinister. (SCA) There is a single point of difference, for the tincture of the dog's head. (07/1985)

Elaine Bel Monte. Device. Per bend sinister purpure and argent, a pair of balances Or and a mountain issuant from base vert.

NOTE: This conflicts with JOHN THE TRADER, "Per bend sinister purpure and vert, a set of scales Or and a sword inverted argent." (SCA) She might try writing Lord John for a letter of permission; Pennon Herald says he is willing to allow the conflict. (01/1985)

Elana Blakefenn. Gyronny vert and ermine, a cat couchant sable.

NOTE: This infringes upon CARE­CHERI OF THE FALLEN STARS, "Gyronny gules and ermine, a domestic cat dormant to sinister sable." (SCA) The difference in position of the cat is a major point, but changing the tincture of the solid half of the field is only a minor point. (08/24/1984)

Eldenath of Starhaven. Device. Vert, a dove volant to sinister holding in its beak a rosebud slipped and leaved argent, in chief three mullets of six points, and a base doubly arched Or.

REASON FOR RETURN: Her name was returned in the May letter, at which time I noted that "I am willing to accept Eldenath, with some reluctance, on the grounds that it is her mundane name, but only if there are no other Elvish or Tolkien references in the name or device