Unto Shauna Laurel designate, Margaret Pelican desginate, Evan Wreath designate, and the commenting members of the College of Arms do Ailis Garnet and Roana Cornelian send greetings once again! It is the desire of the Æthelmearc College of Heralds that the following items be considered for registration. Unless otherwise noted, submitters will accept any changes.
We would like to note that the badge submitted on our July XLoI (Æ69) "(Fieldless) A demi-escarbuncle argent" will be used by the Kingdom for Augmentations of Arms.
This name is intended to be masculine. Originally submitted as Alaric of Mæidesstana, we believe that form has temporal and linguistic problems. The citations we found for Alaric date from the 4th century and the citations for Mæidesstana date from the 14th century. Furthermore, we suspect Mæidesstana to be an Anglo-Saxon spelling, with which the English preposition 'of' is inappropriate.
Alric is lis ted as a man's name in Ælfwyn's article, "Anglo-Saxon Names."
Alaric, the originally submitted spelling, is a header form in Withycombe who states that it was "the name of several kings of West Goths, notably Alaric I who sacked Rome in AD 410. Occasionally used as a Christian name since the beginning of the 19th C." We found a single citation on a genealogy website for one Alaric de Lacie, b. 1132, d. 1181 (http://awt.ancestry.com/cgibin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2514950&id=I23838) but were uncertain as to whether this citation reliably proves that the spelling Alaric was in use contemporary with Mæidesstana.
æt is the Anglo-Saxon equivalent of "of."
Mæidesstana is found in Ekwall s.n. Maidstone; the citation says "Mæidesstana, Mæg₫an stan 10 BCS 1321 f." BCS refers to the Carticularium saxonicum, we have taken this to mean that Mæidesstana is most likely an Anglo-Saxon spelling. The entry also gives Meddestane from the Domesday Book.
3. Aleyd von Kiel – New name, New device
Azure, a crane passant and on a chief argent three roses azure.
This name is intended to be feminine. The submitter accepts minor changes only and requests authenticity for the German language/culture.
Aleyd is a variation of Adelheid dated to 1384 in Talan's "Medieval German Names from Silesia."
The city of Kiel is documented at http://www.lodginggermany.com/info/Kiel/history.htm. This site states that "The city Kiel was founded bu the Count Adolf IV in the 1200's, at the end of the Kieler Förde (Kiel Bay) that carves 11 miles into the land."
This name is intended to be masculine. The submitter cares most about the sound.
Damian is found in Withycombe dated to 1205.
Kennison is a suggested variant of both Kenison and Kennieson, which are header forms in Black with the latter dated to 1745. Both are forms of Cunieson which is also a header form in Black, with John Cunysoun dated to 1474.
Kennison is a secondary header form in Bardsley s.n. Keniston, Kenniston. The citation states that the names are variants of Kynaston, and that "The suffix –ston or –stone is frequently corrupted to –son …. c.f. Kelson for Kelston." Bardsley cites a Francis Kennystone buried in 1592.
Pursuing the name / placename Kynaston, Reaney & Wilson s.n. Kynaston give "Walter de Kynwardeston' c1295 Glast (So); Ralph de Kinastan t Ed 3 Rydware; William Kynastone 1418 LLB I. From Kynaston (Hereford, Salop)." Mills s.n. Kinson says "Dorset. Chinestanestone 1086 (DB), Kinestaneston 1238."
This name is intended to be masculine. The submitter cares most about the Russian language/culture.
Dmitrii is a header form in Wickenden, which cites Great Prince Dmitrii in 1262.
Zhirov is cited as a patronymic for Gridia Zhirov in 1496- 8 s.n. Zhir, ibid.
The submitter has no preferences about this name.
Emma is a header form in Withycombe, which states that it is Old German, also the English daughter of Richard Dukes of Normandy, and it was common from the 11th century onwards.
Idunn is found in Reaney & Wilson s.n. Iddon, Iddins. The entry says "Idonea Hy 2DC (L), 1205 Cur (Lei); Willelmus filius Ydeneye 1297 SRY; Nicholaus filius Ydon' 1297 MinAcctCo; Idone 1327SRSo;William Idony 1274 RH (Lo); Robert Ydany 1300 Ipm (K); Robert Ydeyn 1327 SRC. Probably ON Idunn, I{dh}una (f) from i{dh}ja 'to do, perform' and unna 'to love'. It was Latinized as Idonea 'suitable'. The vernacular form was Idony."
In other similar names, Reaney & Wilson s.n. Iden give "Osbert de Idenn 1296 SRSx; From Iden Green in Benenden or Iden Manor in Staplehurst (Kent).
Mari's article, "An Index to the 1332 Lay Subsidy Rolls for Lincolnshire, England," lists a Hawise Idoun and a Simon Idoun.
7. Hrothgar Ivarsson – New name, New device
Per chevron dovetailed gules and sable, in chief two lozenges and in base two wolves in pale statant argent.
This name is intended to be masculine. The submitter cares most about the sound, and requests authenticity for the 10th-11th century.
Withycombe s.n. Roger states "Old English Hrothgar was reinforced at the time of the Norman conquest by French Roger, from the corresponding Old German Hrodgar" and dates Roger(i)us as early as 1071-5, Geirr Bassi also lists the similar sounding Hróðgeirr as a masculine given name on page 11.
Ivarr is found on page 12, ibid. According to the rules on page 17, the patronymic form is Ivarsson.
Names combining Old English and Norse are registerable with a weirdness as per December 2001
precedent.
8. James of Hartstone – New name, New device
Gules, a mouse rampant and on a chief embattled argent three apples slipped and leaved gules.
This name is intended to be masculine. The submitter cares most about the sound.
James is a header form in Withycombe with this spelling dated to 1240.
Hartstone is a shire name registered in 06/01.
The submitter cares most about the sound.
The submitter's primary name was registered in 02/02.
House is a standard household designator. We contacted the submitter and he specifically prefers the English 'House,' not the German 'Haus.'
Isenfaust is a constructed byname already registered to the submitter. Isen is a variant of Eisen (Bahlow, sn. Isaibart & Isener), which means Iron (Bahlow, sn. Eisenbart). Faust means fist (Bahlow, sn. Faust). Similar formations include Eisenhaupt meaning 'iron head' (Bahlow, sn. Eisenhaupt), and Eisenbein meaning 'iron shin' (Bahlow, sn. Eisenbein).
A household name following the pattern "House <surname>" should be registerable based on the following precedent from Bruce:
House names in period don't seem to have been overly fantastic. For the most part, they come from the same linguistic well as period bynames. In particular, since a period house name was so often simply the surname, byname, or epithet of its founder, any such epithet that is acceptable in a Society personal name should be acceptable as a Society household name. This is the rule of thumb I've formulated for determining the acceptability of household names henceforth. If we would register John X, we should register House X as well. We would not permit John Starwalker, so we should not permit House Starwalker. We would register John of the Red Sickles (wincing, perhaps, but we would), so we should register House of the Red Sickles. (2 July, 1992 Cover Letter (June, 1992 LoAR), pg. 3)
This precedent was later ruled to only apply to household names generated from inherited surnames. However, since late period German naming practices included inherited surnames, this construction should be registerable.
This name is intended to be feminine. The submitter requests authenticity for Scottish language / culture.
Marioun is dated to 1528 and 1595 in Talan's "A List of Feminine Personal Names Found in Scottish Records – Part Three: Post-1400 Names." Reaney & Wilson s.n. Marion cite one Richard Marioun in 1350.
Black s.n. Young cites John Yong de Dyngvale in 1342 and Symone Yong in 1343. Reaney & Wilson s.n. Young cite a Walter Yonge in 1296.
11. Morien ap Rhys of Cardiff – Badge Resubmission
(Fieldless) A triskele within and conjoined to an annulet argent.
This is a redrawing of the badge that was sent to Laurel on Æ58 (July 17, 2002) and returned in 11/02.
Morien's name was registered in 05/87.
12. Rhydderich Hael, Barony of the – Resubmitted badge
Per pale vert and sable, a bee Or.
This badge is to be associated with the Order of the Golden Bee, which was registered to the Rhydderich Hael in 08/03. At that time, this badge was returned:
"The badge conflicts with the badge of André Lessarde, (Fieldless) A legless bee displayed barry sable and Or, winged Or. There is one CD for fieldnessness, but no difference for changing less than half of the tincture of the bee from Or to sable. The barony has a letter of permission to conflict with a badge of Elizabeth Braidwood, (Fieldless) A bee Or."
In addition to the aforementioned letter of permission to conflict from Elizabeth Braidwood, the Barony has now procured a letter of permission to conflict from André Lessarde, which we have forwarded to Laurel.
13. Wolfgang von dem Schwartzwald – New badge
(Fieldless) A long cross formy Or, overall two swords in saltire argent.
His name was registered in 02/86.
This badge was originally blazoned as a long cross paty Or. While the use of the term 'paty' in blazon was discontinued in August 1986, we point out the submitter's device, registered in 02/86: Per fess indented vert and sable, a long cross paty enhanced Or between two swords argent. We request a reblazon of Wolfgang's original device, or else the retention of the term 'paty' in this blazon, so as to indicate that the crosses are the same.
14. Zara the Quiet– New household name Plant y Ddraig, New badge
Per fess indented Or and azure, a dragon and a catamount passant counterchanged.
The submitter accepts minor changes only and cares most about the meaning "Children of the Dragon / Dragons' Children" and the language/culture. The submitter requests authenticity for 8th century Welsh. The submitter's primary name was registered in 05/93.
Originally submitted as "Plant Ddraig," we have added the preposition "y" because we believe it to be more grammatically correct. As a disclaimer, neither of us has any expertise in Welsh and any assistance that the College can offer us would be greatly appreciated. Also, the documentation found thus far is exclusively modern. If anyone can offer better evidence, please do!
Concerning the first element, Plant: 'plant' is the modern Welsh word for 'children.' We found references to a number of current Welsh organizations using this term in their names.
There is currently, and has been for some time (Since before 1914, according to the herald of record) a group called "Plant Owain" (Owain's Children). In current references:
"The forum on the Theatre Wales website has since been monopolised by contributions about the play, including an anonymous message from 'Plant Owain' - Owain's children - who told Mr Edwards, 'Bring your play to Pen-y-bont. We will give you a demo you won't forget.'"
(http://www.theatre-wales.co.uk/news/newsdetail.asp?newsID=450)
The herald of record also offered the lyrics to a song (we were unable to verify this document):
CARDIFF ARMS PARK 1993 (Bleddyn ap Emrys)
They all came down from London/And their heads were swollen with pride;/The Triple Crown and the Championship,/This year for the English side.
But one thing they'd forgotten,/In their arrogant Saxon way;/You'd better not take us for granted/When you come to Wales to play.
For our forwards were all Plant Owain,/They fought to their last breath./Before they'd go down to the Saxon foe/They'd battle to the death.
Our centres were the LLywelyns,/Rhys Gethin was on one wing./The inside half was Rhodri Mawr,/Duw - he played like a real Welsh king.
Owain Gwynedd was there at standoff/And Gwynfor came in at full back;/Yr Arglwydd Rhys was the other wing/And King Arthur was leading the pack.
And one thing there was that clinched it;/We had the extra man./Glyn Dwr in his shining armour/Had drawn up our battle plan.
Heroes of Wales, our Immortals,/Your names shall endure in fame,/For you beat the best of England,/And sent them home in shame.
The herald of record also offered what appears to be taken from an Internet posting (we were unable to verify this document):
"David E. Powell <David_Powell3006@email.msn.com> wrote: 'They had a charter which reccomended many things for an Independent Wales, but I wonder what sort of Navy a newly independent Wales might need. (I wonder what Prince Charles would think if Wales took the path of full home rule.)
'Well, we'll have Plant Owain (a light-armed security force, able to act as guerillas in case of war). No air force. Navy not specified.'" (Reference is J. Morris and T. Morys, 'A Machynlleth Triad').
There is also a group or project called Plant y Dwr ("Waterbabies"?) We could only find Welsh-language citations – the project home page is at http://scan.nmgw.ac.uk/waterbabies.cy.shtml.
There is also a current group called Plant y Cymoedd (Valleys Kids) with a home page at http://www.celfyddydauieuenctid.org.uk/index.cfm?section=whoWeAre&OrgName=ValleysKids&language=en&language=we&language=en&language=we
"Mae Margaret Jervis yn gweithio gyda 'Plant y Cymoedd.' Mae Plant y Cymoedd yn ddathliad o lwyddiant unigolion sydd, trwy roi cynnig ar wahanol weithgareddau a chael gwahanol brofiadau, yn lledu eu gorwelion ac yn cyrraedd eu llawn addewid."
"Margaret Jervis works with Valleys Kids. Valleys Kids is a celebration of the achievement of individuals who, through trying different activities and having different experiences, broaden their horizons and achieve their potential."
Another use of plant, in the title of a magazine:
"1891: "CYMRU" PUBLISHED (Cymry'r Plant = the Children's Wales) A monthly magazine, "Cymru" contained articles on the history, literature and culture of Wales. First edited by Owen M. Edwards, and later by his son Ifan ab Owen Edwards, it had a great influence upon a generation of writers and poets. The motto of the magazine was Codi'r hen wlad yn ei hol (To raise the old land to what it once was) Edwards also edited a most influential children's magazine "Cymry'r Plant" (the Children's Wales) and founded Urdd y Delyn (Order of the Harp) a predecessor to the later hugely successful Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Welsh Youth League)." http://www.britannia.com/celtic/wales/timeline/tl15.html
Other examples include a national children's organization, Plant yng Nghymru (Children In Wales), with a homepage at http://www.childreninwales.org.uk, and a children's art gallery, Oriel Plant (Children's Gallery) with a homepage at http://oriel.ysgolccc.org.uk/
Concerning the second element, Ddraig: 'ddraig' is the modern Welsh word for 'dragon.' We found references to a number of current Welsh organizations using this term in their names.
Awel Y Ddraig ("Breath of the Dragon" dancers, in Wisconsin) referenced at www.rootsweb.com/~vtwags/WhereAreTheWelsh.html
Band Y Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon Band) at http://www.scn.org/welsh/bandgoch.html
Llyfrau'r Ddraig (Dragon Books) at http://www.llyfraurddraig.com/
Neuadd y Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon Hall) at http://www.teifivalleygardenmachinery.btinternet.co.uk/reddragonhall.htm
Concerning the plausibility of the construction: Laurel precedent states that "Possible models for household names include Scottish clans (Clan Stewart), ruling dynasties (House of Anjou), professional guilds (Baker's Guild of Augsburg, Worshipful Company of Coopers), military units (The White Company), and inns (House of the White Hart)." (Jaelle of Armida, 07/98)
Contemplating the inn sign names example: what if plant (children) is a designator? The College has registered Company, Band, and even Pack as designators. There is even a precedent on the Welsh word meaning 'Family' or 'Warband':
[Household name Teulu Ffynnon Ddu] Lady Harpy has noted that the use of teulu ("family") with a toponymic household name does not fit Welsh name structure. However, teulu also means "warband" which makes the name more plausible. (Giovanni Fontananera, 10/93)
If 'children' can be thought of as a designator, then this household name could fit the inn signs pattern. Contemplate House of the White Hart – House of the Dragon – Children of the Dragon?
Concerning the word 'children' being used to describe a group of (not literally related) people, Shakespeare's works include the following:
Salisbury: And is't not pity, O my grieved friends / That we, the sons and children of this isle / Were born to see so sad an hour as this / Wherein we step after a stranger march / Upon her gentle bosom, and fill up / Her enemies' ranks,--I must withdraw and weep / Upon the spot of this enforced cause,-- / To grace the gentry of a land remote, / And follow unacquainted colours here?
(King John, act V, scene ii)Chorus: O England! model to thy inward greatness, / Like little body with a mighty heart, / What mightst thou do, that honour would thee do, / Were all thy children kind and natural!
(King Henry V, act II, prologue)
Contemplating the pattern of household names based on an epithet or nickname of the founder, there are two relevant precedents:
[registering Clann an Chullaich Bhain] The name was justified as an inn name in the LoI, but this is impossible: the root meaning of clann is 'plant', whence 'off-shoot; children, family, offspring; descendants, race'. Thus, the name must be justified as a clan name. Extant examples of these take the form Clann <genitive case of personal name>; strict adherence to these examples would obviously rule out the present submission. However, the Dictionary of the Irish Language cites mediæval use of an Cullach 'the Boar' as an epithet. This opens the possibility that the descendants of a warrior called an Cullach Bán 'the White Boar' might have taken his epithet as their clan name. In view of the loose standard of authenticity to which the College has traditionally held household names, we are willing to give the name the benefit of the doubt on this point. (Somhairle O Laidhigh, 02/96)
[Clan Caer Lonn] The name mixes two languages, Welsh (Caer) and Gaelic (Lonn) in one phrase, violating rule III.1.a, "Linguistic Consistency." Brian should also be informed that Clans were named after personal names and nicknames, not places. Lastly we would prefer to see some evidence that "Strong" is a reasonable adjective to apply to keeps. [Brian Brock, 07/99, R-Atenveldt].
Thus, if 'dragon' is a plausible epithet, then "Dragon's Children" seems plausible, similarly to the above suggested "clan" + "boar (an epithet)." We have no documentation supporting ddraig or any similar term used as an epithet in Welsh naming, but we appeal to the College's greater resources to determine whether or not the name is registerable.
There was a great deal of discussion amongst our internal commenters concerning this name. There were a few notable comments that we'd like to pass on, verbatim, to the rest of the College as food for thought while you contemplate this household name yourselves.
"...I'm still not convinced that it would be appropriate for the 8th century. It really sounds awfully nationalistic, especially for a time period in which there are separate small kingdoms (Gwynedd, Powys, an so on) -- much as in England, where one finds the kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia, etc." (Myfanwy ferch Rhiannon)
"…So, when I put all this together, I am left with the conclusion that this submission is possibly registerable. Saying that "Plant Ddraig" is a household name, where "plant" refers to descendants, much in the way "clann" does, and that "ddraig" is an epithet, much in the way that "lion" is an epithet, might be plausible. I think it best to let the College of Arms decide on the matter." (Edmund Tregelles)
"…A few thoughts re Plant y Ddraig. In Modern Welsh, 'Plant y Ddraig' translates to precisely 'The dragon's children.' Another option is 'Plant Draig' which translates to 'Dragon's children.' Please note that in the second one the Dragon is with a capital D. The first one merely is 'the dragon's children,' perfectly innocuous. The second one being Dragon's children is a different matter. It does not require the article 'y' because this is the dragon of Wales, that is to say the Pendragon, which is every bit as much a proper name as Heilin or Cai in Welsh.
"A second consideration as to what is proper and what is pretentious is this: A household whose name is 'the Pendragon's children' is tantamount to claiming King Arthur as an ancestor, and before Saxon conquest of Britain it would be veiwed as a claim to the crown. In the 8th century after the Saxons are fully imbedded in England this would cease to be a claim to the crown and would be more of a nationalist rallying cry, carrying the meaning that these are the true children of Wales." (Brandubh Ó Donnghaile)