Lyle H. Gray
gray @ cs . umass . edu

24 June 2001

This is the Letter of Report (LOR) on Internal Letter of Intent (ILOI) number 2000-04. Accepted submissions listed in this letter have been sent to Blue Tyger Herald, to be included in an External Letter of Intent (XLoI) to Laurel and the College of Arms.

Note: The date of this letter does not reflect the actual date of decision for these submissions.

In Service,

Lyle Eastern Crown

1. Ailionóra inghean Fhaoláin - new primary name accepted

2. Ailionóra inghean Pilib Ó Corcráin - new primary name accepted

More work may need to be done on the form of the patronymic and clan name. We believe that "Pilib" and "Corcráin" may both need to be lenited and/or put in the genitive case, and that ó possibly should be changed to uí. Also (and probably more importantly), "ó Corcráin" is not dated in MacLysaght, so we have no support for this being a period form of the name. Ó Corráin and Maguire give "Corcrán" as the name of a famous hermit of Lismore, who died in 1040 (p 60, s.n. "Corcrán"), and say that it is the source of the modern surname Ó Corcráin (which may be in the genitive case already). However, these are all relatively minor grammatical changes, not substantive changes, and we will defer to the full College of Arms for final disposition of this submission. It is also noted that the name form submitted is more appropriate for a later period person (1400s) than an earlier one (1200s), based on the documentation for the given name and the spelling of "inghean".

3. Aliénor LeGier - new primary name returned & new device returned

Sable, a fleur-de-lys and a bordure argent.

There is no documentary support for the spelling "LeGier", although there appears to be sufficient to document "Légier", based on St. Lèger (7th c). Capitalizing the G completely changes the meaning of the name. Unfortunately, the submitter checked both boxes for no changes, and we cannot make even so minor a change as to make the G lower case, and must return the name submission for further work. Additionally, there is no support for adding the phrase "dicte Des Trois Maisons" (‘called "of the three houses"’); although names included a phrase meaning "called" have been ruled by Laurel to acceptable in Latin, German, and French, we still need to show that that phrase was used for descriptive epithets of this type, if not this specific example, rather than nicknames.

The device conflicts with Meraud Wallace: (registered in August of 1998 via Atlantia): Purpure, a fleur-de-lys, a bordure argent. There is one CD for the field.

4. Ana Lucia de Andalucia - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Per chevron Or and purpure, in chief a hurt [roundel azure].

5. Anna Katherine von Argenthal - new device returned

Azure, argent, vert schneckenwise [sic], a bordure wavy Or.

The device conflicts with Albrechtus Vagus (1997): Per pall arrondi sable, azure, and argent, with only one CD for the addition of the bordure. We do not feel that changing 1/3 of the color of the field is sufficient for a second CD, field-primary rules notwithstanding; X.4.a allows a CD for changing at least ˝ of the color of the field, and X.4.a.ii.c. allows for counting additional CDs, not for increasing the significance of a single change. It does not conflict with Karl von Elfstein der Schmuckmacher B (Sep 1998 East): Per pall inverted arrondy vert, Or, and argent, a bordure engrailed purpure; there is a CD for tincture of the bordure, and a second CD for the change in line of partition of the bordure. We also note that the bordure needs to be drawn larger, with deeper "waves", in future submissions, and that the partition of the field should divide the field into even sections.

6. Arthur de Beaumont - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Argent, within a cross moline disjointed vert, 9 roses in cross gules seeded Or.

While we do not feel that this is particularly good style, with charges placed within the disjointed cross, we do not feel that this is sufficient reason to return this submission at this level.

7. Bertran de Bancroft - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Quarterly gules and azure, a lion rampant guardant lozengy argent and sable maintaining a gauntlet argent.

Although Withycombe (p. 49, s.n. "Bertram") dates Bertran only to 1655, Reaney and Wilson (p. 30, s.n. "Bartram" et al) and Withycombe date the form Bertrannus to 1086, which gives us the given name as a given name in Latinized form in the exact form the submitter desires. The citation for "de Bancroft" in R&H is Stephan de bancroft, not de Bancroft, but this is still sufficient to our purposes. My thanks to Cateline la Souriete, Brown Mouse Herald, for both of these observations.

8. Branwen filia Iohannis de Monmouth - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Azure, in pale an open book and a bee argent.

The name "Branwen" was ruled compatible on the cover letter of the 12/95 LoAR. The genitive form of "Iohannes" appears to be "Iohannis". We have the problem that the name appears to be in three different languages (Branwen in modern Welsh, filia Iohannis in Latin, and de Monmouth in French/English). However, the name citation given in the article "Constructing 13th Century Welsh Names" by Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn (http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/welsh13.html) gives examples of "filia", "filius", and "uxor" being used with Welsh given names, and with either Welsh or Latinized patronyms/husband’s names. Reaney & Wilson gives examples of John de Monemue 1218, John Monmouth 1362, and Walter Monemothe 1387 (p 313, s.n. "Monmouth"), indicating Monmouth, Wales. We will defer to the full College of Arms for final decision on this name.

The device has a possible conflict with Timothy der Kenntnisreiche (An Tir, Mar 1992), Azure, in pale an open book argent grasped by a scorpion Or. X.4.d states that there is a CD for changing the type of at least half of a charge group. X.4.e states that there is a CD for changing the color of at least half of a charge group. Therefore, this beast apparently has (at least) two CD’s and is clear, unless the scorpion is small enough that it’s "maintained". This will require a visual check of the registered device for a final decision.

9. Carolingia, Barony of - new badge accepted

Argent, between 2 beavers combattant a column gules.

Eager beavers are the pillars of their barony…

10. Cecilia Attewode - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Azure, an oak tree [couped and] blasted argent.

As Brown Mouse Herald says, "The submitter is to be commended for choosing a very period name."

The tree is not eradicated; eradicated indicates that the roots are showing, as if the tree had been ripped out of the earth. There are at least two possible conflicts: Ariadne of Alyson-Tara (East, July 1979), Sable, a blasted tree voided argent, and Middle, Kingdom of – Order of the Silver Oak (1983), Purpure, an oak tree blasted eradicated argent, fructed Or. Both have a CD for the field. Voiding a tree would not be allowed under the current rules, but should be sufficient to grant a second CD against Ariadne’s device. The question then becomes whether eradication is significant enough to grant a second CD (fructed is not). Since two Laurels (Da’ud and Jaelle) have apparently ruled two different ways on this question, we will pass the device on for a ruling on this case.

11. Charles of Giggleswick - resub primary name accepted & resub device accepted

Per fess azure and purpure over all a fess wavy Or.

We are accepting the given name as "Charles", due to lack of documentation of "Charlie" as a period nickname, but will include a note that the submitter would prefer "Charlie".

Two commenters (including Jaelle Argent Snail) noted that since Jaelle Laurel rescinded the edict forbidding mixed Gaelic/English orthography (CL Feb 1999 LoAR, which I did not have in hand for my previous decision), the original submission of "Tearlach of Loch Ness" would now be allowable.

We do not accept submissions of a single diminutive, such as a bar. We have re-blazoned the charge as a fess wavy, and the submitter should draw it larger to match.

12. Ciarnait inghean Bhroin - resub device accepted

Azure, a chevron vert fimbriated Or between three caravels argent.

13. Concordia of the Snows, Barony of - new badge accepted

[Fieldless] A hare courant to sinister per pale azure and argent.

The hare is much closer to courant than to salient as submitted, but to be strictly courant it should probably have both hind legs extended backwards.

14. Concordia of the Snows, Barony of - new badge returned

[Fieldless] A great helm argent.

The badge is being returned for a redraw – too many commenters consider it to be in trian aspect, neither full turned to dexter nor affronty. Other than that, the submission appears to be without conflict.

15. Concordia of the Snows, Barony of - new badge returned

[Fieldless] A rapier palewise inverted, surmounted by two rapiers crossed in saltire, argent.

The badge conflicts with the badge of Duke Deaton Claymore (Atenveldt, 1994): Vert, two claymores in saltire surmounted by a third inverted proper. One CD for the fieldless badge, but there are no other CDs (we do not grant CDs for type of sword, nor for argent vs. proper (argent, hilted Or) for swords). As noted in the ILoI, despite two of the rapiers being blazoned as proper, all three rapiers were argent.

16. Concordia of the Snows, Barony of - new badge accepted

[Fieldless] A bow reversed, overall in pale two arrows fesswise reversed argent.

17. Concordia of the Snows, Barony of –new order name returned
Name submitted: Order of the Snow Hare

If a "snow hare" can be documented, this order name can be accepted. However, we can find no evidence of a "snow hare" as a name of an animal, either currently or in period; perhaps a "snowshoe hare" was intended (in which case the animal should probably be drawn with much larger feet). Regrettably, without documentation of the existence of a "snow hare" in period, this submission must be returned for further work.

18. East Kingdom –new heraldic title accepted
Name submitted: Golden Stag Pursuivant

19. Eibhlin MacEwan - resub device returned

Azure, a bend wavy between a fox statant [guardant] argent and a willow tree Or.

The device is being returned for redraw again. The bend is too narrow, and the fox is in too naturalistic a pose. It should be drawn so that it is more clearly guardant or reguardant, and so that it does not have a perspective of being seen from slightly above. I would like to recommend that the submitter be put in contact with an heraldic artist such as Margaret Holmwood.

20. Fergus O Ferrall of Fenwick - new primary name accepted

We have taken the liberty of respelling "O’Farrell" to "O Ferall", a documented late period anglicized spelling from Woulfe (p. 523, s.n. "Ó Fearghail").

21. Fujiwara no Aoi - new primary name accepted & new device returned

Sable, two hollyhock leaves slipped within and conjoined to a bordure argent.

Regrettably, the mon submitted has several problems stylistically. First, since it is a device, it must be submitted on a device form, even though it is a mon. Secondly, the emblazon cannot be reconstructed from the blazon, and we cannot come up with a good blazon that describes it. Therefore, we are returning the device for redrawing on the proper form, and for further work on developing a blazon/emblazon combination that are workable.

22. Caisín Mac Annaidh – new alternate name accepted

Because of the potential confusion in the given name used for both male and female, and because "Mac" is both a patronymic and a clan name, we wanted to take the liberty of transforming the submitted "Mac" to "ingen" (daughter of) to remove the ambiguity. However, the submitter allowed no changes (major or minor). This may or may not be sufficient reason for this name to be returned by the College of Arms -- the submitter is hereby warned that she may want to reconsider her stance on allowing changes.

23. Garth Guntarsson - new primary name returned

The name was submitted without documentation. While there appears to be sufficient documentation to support “Garth” as a reasonable anglicization of “Garđr” (Geirr Bassi, p. 10), we have trouble documentating “Guntar” as a Norse or Anglo-Saxon name. Making a slight change to German “Gunter” is possible, but that name was apparently introduced into England by the Normans, and is too late for a 9th c. Anglo-Norse persona requested. Another possibility is to use "Gunnarr" (Geirr Bassi, p. 10) for the patronymic, but we would rather that the submitter made that decision, not us. We are returning this submission, and recommending that the submitter resubmit as "Garđr Gunnarrsson”.

24. Geoffert of the Lone Oake - new primary name returned & new device pended

Gules, an oak leaf between three roundels Or, each charged with a pair of grozing pliers sable.

The name is being returned for lack of adequate documentation of "Geoffert", Costain’s work notwithstanding. We recommend that the submitter consider a name like "Geoffrey del Oke" or "Giffard atte Oke", removing the reference to "Lone", as we cannot document that usage either. We found no substantial problems with the device, and will hold it pending resubmission of a name.

25. Gideon Ha Khazar - new primary name accepted & new device returned

Argent, on a bend between a menorah and a broadsword azure, a dolphin argent.

We have removed the hyphen in "Ha-Khazar" as being more correct. One commenter noted that the Hebrew form of Gideon is Gid’on – the submitter may want to consider making that change.

The device is being returned for reconsideration and redraw. The bend should not taper, it should be drawn somewhat narrower, and the dolphin should probably be oriented bendwise (in which case it could be made naiant, which is the default posture of a dolphin).

26. Ignatia Ursula - new primary name (?) returned & new device (?) pended

Bendy rayonny [of six] gules and Or, a bear statant to sinister sable.

The name is being returned for insufficient documentation, both of the given name "Ignatia" and of the use of "Ursula" as a byname. We can find no documentation supporting "Ignatia" as a given name in period. We can find documentation of "Ursula" as a given name (St. Ursula), but not as a byname or surname. One commenter suggested that the submitter consider using "Urseler" or "von Ursule" (meaning from Ursel in the Taunus Mtns) if she prefers the sound of that name.

The device has no apparent conflicts. Several commenters suggested that there may be a contrast problem with the black bear overall of the rayonny field division, and some suggested that the bear be redrawn so that the feet are level with each other, making it clearly statant. We are more concerned with the first issue than the second, and suggest that the submitter seek further consultation on this device while working on resubmitting her given name.

27. Ignatia Ursula - new badge returned

[Fieldless] An estoile gules fimbriated Or.

The badge conflicts with the device of Sequora of Zagamar D (Jul 1974): Gyronny ermine and Or, an estoile gules. There is one CD for the field, but none for fimbriation. In addition, by definition an estoile is not a "simple geometric charge", and probably cannot be fimbriated. If it is submitted as an estoile upon an estoile, it should be drawn clearly in that fashion.

28. Iron Bog, Shire of - new badge accepted

Per pale sable and argent, two cattail reeds conjoined at base, slipped and leaved counterchanged.

29. Iron Bog, Shire of - new badge accepted

[Fieldless] Two cattail reeds conjoined at base, slipped and leaved counterchanged.

Consider Sean of Bergental (B 4/94, East): (Fieldless) A tuft of three cattails slipped and leaved argent, and Llywelyn Gruffydd of Elfsea (9/94 Ansteorra) Vert, three cattails slipped and leaved conjoined at the base argent. One CD for the fieldless, one CD for the number of cattails. Two CD’s, but extremely close. These may have problems with X5 visual conflict, but will need to be compared against the registered submissions.

30. Jonathan Carver - new primary name returned & new device pended

Quarterly azure and argent, a chalice between in bend two compass stars counterchanged.

We normally don’t return a name submission for conflict with an historical personage unless that name appears in a standard reference, such as the Encyclopedia Brittanica. Webster’s Biographical Dictionary (1943) lists a Jonathan Carver 1710-1780, whose claim to fame was the exploration of Lake Superior and Minnesota. He published a book of his explorations and a treatise on tobacco. (Note for the sake of the submitter that John Carver was the first Governor of Plymouth Colony, also listed in the biographical dictionary.) We consider this to be a standard reference, and therefore must return the submission for exact conflict.

There were no problems found with the device submission; it will be held pending resubmission of a primary name.

31. Jordan Lovatt - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Per pale sable and argent, two unicorns combattant counterchanged, in chief a decrescent Or.

The given name "Jordan" can only be documented as a man’s name in period; however, the College of Arms does not care if the name matches the submitter’s gender, so this is acceptable (and Jaelle Argent Snail notes that women in England were sometimes known by men’s names in period). The submitter may want to consider that implications of having a man’s name. There were no significant problems found with the device.

32. Ketill Errickson - new primary name accepted & new device returned

Vert, a wolf’s head couped between 3 estoiles argent.

It was suggested that the submitter consider "Eiriksson" as the spelling of the patronymic.

The device is being returned for a redraw, so that the animal head is more clearly that of a wolf (several commenters confused it with a bear’s head).

33. Koga Yoshitsune - new device returned

Gules, three delfs conjoined in pall within an orle argent with a bordure sable.

The device is being returned because of the combined orle and bordure. As drawn, it is a bordure sable fimbriated argent, which is not allowed in the RfS. We suggest that the device be altered to something like Gules, three delfs conjoined in pall, an orle argent. We found no conflicts.

34. Konrad von Ulm - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Argent, a lion rampant and on a chief embattled sable, three maltese crosses argent.

35. Leonhard Schuwert - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Per chevron azure and Or, in bas two hands holding crossed printers’ balls azure inked sable.

Withycombe (p. 193, s.n. "Leonard") lists a St. Leonhard as a 5th c. Frankish noble.

36. Louise LaMotte - resub badge accepted

[Fieldless] A bezant between and conjoined to in pale two butterflies displayed azure.

Not particularly good period style, but that is not sufficient reason to return it at this level.

37. Lucia Francesca de Valencia - new badge accepted

[Fieldless] A baton argent, overall an apple slipped and leaved vert.

Consider Ynys Fawr, Barony: (Fieldless) an apple vert transfixed by a dagger inverted proper. One CD for the fieldless, and one CD for the change in arrangement of the.... dagger/baton. Perhaps not different enough for X5. This will require a visual check.

38. Magdalena Winter - new primary name accepted & new device returned

Argent, on a bend azure 3 mullets of 6 points palewise Or.

Conflicts with Brigid Findlater (Caid, 5/95): Argent, on a bend azure four Hungerford knots palewise Or. Changing the type and number of the tertiaries gives at most one CD.

39. Magnus Lucius Castus - new primary name returned & new device pended

Lozengy vert and argent, a cock passant gules.

The name is being returned for formation problems. "Magnus" and "Lucius" are both documented as praenomen (given names), but Lucius is placed in the position for the nomen (house name). Placement of "Castus" is fine. The submitter needs to decide which praenomen to use, and pick a suitable nomen.

The device has been reblazoned with the rooster passant rather than rampant, following precedents of the second tenure of Da’ud. We found no other problems or conflicts. The device will be held pending resubmission of a primary name.

40. Mairwen ferch Morien - new primary name returned & new device returned

Quarterly vert and argent, four hinds passant guardant counterchanged.

The name is being returned for lack of dated citation of "Mairwen" to period. As stated by Brown Mouse Herald, "When Gruffudd does not give a dated citation it usually means that there is none and the name was one of those created out of a Welsh dictionary in modern times during the Welsh cultural revival."

The device is being returned for redraw (such a shame!) so that the deer are more clearly guardant (note: at gaze is statant guardant, not simply guardant) or reguardant. Also, the bottom two deer need to be more clearly trippant (deer for passant).

41. Morgan ap Rhys ap Bran - resub device accepted

Counter-ermine, a lion’s head cabossed gules en-soleil argent, and on a chief embattled argent, two roses sable.

I have decided to use the term head cabossed rather than face, as the latter leaves some abiguity about the mane that I don’t want to get into. We will leave it to Laurel to decide if a lion’s head cabossed can be en soleil or if another term is more appropriate.

42. Munenaga Souichirou - new primary name pended & new device pended

Sable, a pall inverted gules fimbriated between three estoiles argent.

There was a question about "Souichirou" meaning simply "first son" (this would normally be "Ichirou") and "Munenaga" meaning more than simply "long" (this would normally be "naga"). We are going to hold this submission so that we can ask the submitter for additional explanation/documentation of the two names, plus explanation of the kamei vs. nanori issue. The documented normal name order is kamei zokumyou nanori. "Munenaga" is documented as a nanori (no kamei is given), but we do not know if or how that would affect the name order, or if a name would normally have appeared without a kamei. The device appears to have no conflicts, and will be held pending the resolution of the name.

43. Philippe de Bouillon - new primary name returned & new device returned

Argent, a fess wavy azure [between] in chief three crosses fluerity Or [and] in base a heron statant [to sinister] proper.

The name is being returned for lack of documentation of "de Bouillon" being used for other than the Duke or Duchess de Bouillon. The only other example that was found was Godefroy de Bouillon, who was apparently King of Jerusalem.

The device is being returned for multiple style problems. There is no defined proper coloring for a heron in heraldry – as emblazoned, this appeared to be a blue heron, and it should probably have been blazoned azure and colored completely blue. Herons in nature tend towards grey, which would blur the line between metal and color (grey is usually considered to be a metal). The gold crosses have insufficient contrast against the white field, and should be blazoned as either fleuretty or floretty.

44. Rosalind Bennett - new device change accepted

Per bend argent and sable, in sinister chief a fleur-de-lys vert.

45. Sandmörk, Canton of - branch name resub accepted & branch device returned

Per fess engrailed argent and gules, a longship with sails furled sable and a tower surmounted by a flame proper within a laurel wreath Or.

The device is being returned for style problems. It has three disparate charges in the same secondary charge group (the longship, the tower, and the laurel wreath), which is overly complex by VIII.1.a. Also, it was noted that the flame was depicted in a no-longer-allowed fashion (a flame gules fimbriated or), and should more properly be draw as tongues of red and yellow flame. This would have insufficient contrast with the gules field; a simple flame Or might be better.

46. Sarra Fina MacDonald - resub device returned

Purpure, a pile inverted between two thistles Or.

This emblazon can also be blazoned as "Per chevron throughout purpure and Or, two thistles Or", and should also be conflict checked as such (based on the principle that "You cannot blazon your way out of a conflict", and supported by recent precedent in the CoA consideration of Uther of Elgin – LoAR 0301).

Possibly conflicts with Tryffin mac Ualraig "Per bend sinister sable and gules, two thistles Or." One CD for the field. Default for two things on a per bend sinister field is in bend, default for two things not on a bend field is in fess. So it may or may not get one CD for arrangement of primaries, depending on whether the arrangement is considered to be the result of a forced move, and is thereforce considered to be insignificant.

It is probable that this would be considered to be a forced more, and therefore insignificant for purposes of determining CDs. The device is therefore being returned for conflict.

47. Isabetta Seraphina di Petrillo - new alternate name accepted & resub device accepted

Quarterly argent and azure, four lozenges counterchanged.

We have changed the "di" to lower case.

48. Sean O’Nial - new primary name returned & new device returned

Per bend gules and argent, a bend enhanced per bend Or and sable.

This must be returned for conflict with Shane O’Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, who made "the Irish question" so difficult for Elizabeth I. He is found on p. 1122 of Webster’s Biographical Dictionary (1943). (Shane is the 16th century English phonetic spelling of Sean.)

The device is being returned for style problems, as we are unable to blazon the submission in a way that will consistently reproduce the emblazon.

49. Stephan le fiz Ricard - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Bendy of 8 argent and gules, a bordure azure.

50. Tanczos Istvan - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Per chevron potent and gules.

51. Theodosia the Fiery - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Per chevron rayonny azure and Or, two goblets Or and a viol sable.

Documentation for "fiery" as an epithet for spirited, ardent, etc. was provided from the OED. Earliest spelling and date is "firy" c. 1385 and 1393.

The blazon was modified to the closest form that should reproduce the emblazon. There were several comments that what was drawn is not a viol, which should have strings that reach all the way to a tailpiece. The submitter should be so informed, but I do not believe that that is sufficient reason to return the submission at this level.

52. Wolfgang der Sucher - new primary name accepted & new device accepted

Vert, a decrescent between 3 lozenges Or.

53. Xandra Rozina Xiberras Galea - new primary name returned & new device returned

Per pale argent and gules, a Maltese cross counterchanged, on a chief azure a falcon displayed Or.

The name is being returned for rework, for insufficient documentation and possible style problems. No photocopies were provided of the sources, so we cannot evaluate them. No documentation was provided for Maltese names having two given names. Use of given names in a play (even a play written by a respected historian) are not documentation of the names being period. Also, despite the name "Sciberras" being the submitter’s mother’s maiden name, it is not allowed under the mundane name allowance, as it is not the submitter’s surname.

Because someone asked: The complexity count of the device is only 6: 3 tinctures, 3 charges. There is concern about the depiction of the falcon, and more effort needs to be made that this depiction would be appropriate for Maltese heraldry.