ÆTHELMEARC
COLLEGE OF HERALDS - commentary archive
Letter of Intent #57
Jehan de la Marche
I apologize for sending this out so broadly; I do not seem to have to
hand the approproate address, but I wanted to make a few comments
before leaving for Englandtomorrow.
6. Aurelia the Astrologer:
I have been reading a lot of astrological texts lately and the usual
term for astrologer seems to have been " mathematician" (Latin
mathematicus; I suppose fem. form mathematica). These texts are
14th-15th century W. European (Eng., Fr. Italy)
13. Eowyn Swiftlere
I supose technically the added byename may make it acceptable, but
unless we can find actual period examples of Eowyn I am strongly
opposed to registering a name which is (as far as I know) the unique
name of a very well known fictional character, the heroine of Lord of
the Rings.
29. Malcom Fraser the Impatient
Malcom Fraser is a perfectly good Scots name, but Border nicknames
tended to be earthier and less Latinate than "the Impatient"--see the
discussion in G.M. Fraser's The Steel Bonnets; it is later than his
desired period but I think the customs would be similar.
44. Tomas le devoue
By 16th century, French surnames were reasonably stable and generally
locatives or professions; I do not know of a genuine example
paralleling "Le devoue". In this period, related words (devot) would
imply membership in the most fanatical wing of the Catholic faction
(remember this is the time of the Wars of Religion).