Greetings from Myfanwy!
Enclosed pray find commentary for Æ LoI #85. I was probably
overly conservative
in conflict checking, but over-conservative is better than missing
things that
should have been called. Conflict checking included the LoARs through
August
2004, the most recently posted on the Laurel website.
Part of the reason that this letter is being sent in at the last minute
is that
I was originally unable to access the website cited for #9. Retrying it
this
morning got me to it without problems, so I was able to double-check
the cited
information.
I remain your servant and the Society’s.
Lady Myfanwy ferch Rhiannon
Ruth Morrisson
myfanwy@nauticom.net
1. Æthelmearc, Kingdom of (order name and badge) -- Ordre du
Cheval de Fer
(Fieldless) A horseshoe argent.
While not a period citation by any stretch of the imagination,
consulting a
modern French-English dictionary seems to suggest that while the basic
definition/translation of “fer” does mean “iron” it also may
specifically
“shoe”, i.e., “horseshoe”; checking the English half under “horseshoe”
seems to
indicate that the correct grammar would be “fer à cheval” [as a
masculine noun]
and “en fer à cheval” [as an adjective].
I do question the desire for the meaning “iron horse” since that really
makes
me think of a locomotive, or possibly even an automobile!
The orientation of the horseshoe is by SCA and mundane default (c.f.,
PIC-DIC,
fig. 396).
no conflicts found
2. Alric of the Mists (resub) -- Per bend sinister purpure and sable, a
wyvern
sejant within a bordure embattled Or.
The bordure should be a bit wider (although the spacing of the
battlements is
good), even if the wyvern is made a bit smaller as a result.
I kept changing my mind about how best to blazon the posture of the
wyvern.
Because of the position of the tail, it isn’t precisely “sejant” (c.f.
PIC-DIC,
fig. 248) , but the wyvern is not really upright enough otherwise to be
reblazoned as “erect” (c.f. PIC-DIC, fig. 133, which is the depiction
of a
cockatrice erect -- the tail is more like the submission but the legs
are
raised. An additional complication is that the emblazon for a basilisk
(PIC-DIC, fig. 132) is said to be “statant”, which appears to differ
from
“sejant” in that the tail is slightly raised, and not on the same level
as the
feet. There is a wyvern shown in von Volborth (p. 43, fig. 335), which
has one
leg up and the curl of the tail at the same level (more or less, due to
the
shape of the shield) with the other leg; I can only surmise that this
is supposed
to be “passant” because it assuredly is not either sejant or erect.
Parker (pp.
122-23. sn Cockatrice) show the arms of Drake, but no specific posture
is
blazoned, i.e., it is merely blazoned as “a wyvern”. The arms of
Rudings show a
wyvern “volant” (which could just as easily, IMO, be blazoned as
“statant”) but
is quite different from the submission in that the legs are down but
the tail
is extended out straight with a small curl or loop towards the end of
it. The
illustration on p. 123 appears to be. at best guess, “passant” but also
does
not have a blazoned posture: it is said to be ”from one of the
supporters of
the arms of KENNEDY [sic], co. Ayr.” Woodward (p. 292) says:
The DRAGON [sic] of Foreign Heraldry [sic] corresponds with the WYVERN
[sic] of British Armory [sic], having only two legs, and being usually
represented
with its tail nowed in a circle. The arms of DRAKE [sic] of Devonshire
are
blazoned.
Argent, a wyvern, its wings displayed, and the tail nowed gules; [sic]
but
these are
obviously armes parlantes [sic], and the charge is the dragon [sic] of
foreign
armory
(Plate XXVII, fig. 8) [sic].
Note, however, that the emblazon cited by Woodward appears to be
identical in
posture to that of the arms of Drake found in Parker. Additionally, the
same
plate in Woodward has the arms of Tucker (fig. 11), which has
[heraldic]
sea-horses on it (another creature that has two legs and a tail); these
do not
a a posture blazoned in the text (p. 199) but in the emblazon they seem
to be
almost couchant (naiant?) -- at any rate, they do not appear to be
either
erect/rampant or sejant.
It isn’t entirely clear whether this should be returned for a redraw,
but it
certainly rates an artist’s note to the submitter. While I would not
have drawn
“a wyvern sejant” in this manner, I would also not have drawn either “a
wyvern
erect” or “a wyvern passant” like this. Whether it should be reblazoned
as
“statant” is a judgment call that someone else will have to make.
probably clear of: Tristan of Longford (9/96 West) -- Azure scaly
argent, a
dragon segreant a bordure embattled Or.
There is a CD for changing the field tincture, and probably one for
change of
posture. probably clear of: Suibhan ni Coinneach (10/85 East) --
Lozengy azure
and argent, a dragon volant within a bordure embattled Or.
There is a CD for changing the field, and probably one for change of
posture.
clear of: Muirghein Fhionn (5/98 Middle) -- Per bend sinister vert and
sable, a
wyvern statant between three wolf’s paw prints Or.
There is a CD for changing at least half the field, and one for
changing the
type and number of secondaries. Note that it isn’t clear whether there
would
also be one for change of posture.
clear of: Caitlin ni Chinneidigh (4/97 East) -- Per pale azure and
vert, a
wyvern statant wings displayed and a chief embattled Or.
There is a CD for changing the field and one for changing the type of
secondary. There may or may not be one for posture, depending on how
significant the wing position is.
clear of: Corwyn de Wemyss (3/97 Atlantia) -- Per pale vert and azure,
a dragon
passant contourny and a bordure embattled Or.
There is a CD for changing the field, and one for change of orientation
(if not
for change of posture as well).
clear of: Daegar Fairhair (11/88 An Tir) -- Per saltire sable and
gules, a
wyvern erect and in chief a Thor’s hammer, all within a bordure
embattled Or.
There is a CD for changing the field, and one for adding the hammer;
there is
probably one for changing the posture as well.
clear of: Edric the Unsteady 687 Atenveldt) -- Vert, a cockatrice erect
maintaining in its upraised dexter claw a needle palewise, point to
chief,
within a bordure engrailed Or.
There is a CD for changing the field and one for the type of complex
line on
the field. There is probably also one for posture change.
clear of: Keith of Long Shore (7/84 Caid) -- Per pale sable and gules,
a
sea-lion erect reguardant within a bordure dovetailed Or.
clear of: Eckhart von Eschenbach (11/88 Meridies) -- Per saltire
purpure and
vert, a sea-wolf erect Or, maintaining in the dexter forepaw an arrow
bendwise
sinister and in the sinister a bow strung bendwise argent, all within a
bordure
embattled Or.
There is a CD for changing the field, and one for change of posture (if
not
complete change of type. There is possibly also one for the the type of
complex
line on the bordure.
3. Chière une Clergesse -- Argent, on a chevron cotised sable
three crosses
clechy argent.
The documentation for both name elements are as cited. Note, however
that the byname
is not capitalized. I admit to being curious as to what a female
“clerk/clergy
below priest level” would do, but suppose it would be something like
being a
personal secretary to, say, an abbess.
The ends of the crosses seem a bit fat, compared to what’s in the
PIC-DIC (fig.
165), but these are probably okay.
possibly not clear of: Rosemary of the Woods (8/90 Outlands) -- Argent,
on a
chevron sable between three sprigs of rosemary vert, three butterflies
argent.
There is a CD for changing the type of secondaries, but there is only
change of
type of tertiary.
possibly not clear of: John Hawkwood, Sir (12/94 Laurel) -- Argent, on
a
chevron sable three escallops argent. [important non-SCA arms]
There is a CD for adding the cotising, but there is only change of type
of the
tertiaries.
clear of: Klaus von Mainz (12/01 Caid) -- Checky gules and Or, on a
chevron
sable five crosses formy argent.
There is a CD for changing the field, and one for adding the
secondaries. Note
that while there is a change of number of tertiaries, there may not be
significant change of type between the two kinds of crosses.
clear of: Alison Shana Rhys (10/79 Meridies) -- Or, on a chevron
between two
chevronelles [sic] sable four ermine spots in cross Or.
There is a CD for changing the field tincture, and one for significant
changes
to the tertiaries. Note, however, that I suspect that the
“chevronelles” are
probably reblazonable as cotises.
4. Coeddu, Shire of (resubs) -- Argent, a tree blasted and eradicated
sable
within a laurel wreath vert and on a chief sable three mullets argent.
According to my Welsh-English Dictionary, “coed” is a feminine plural
noun form
of “coeden”, meaning tree. Granted, it’s modern Welsh, but the plural
of “du”
is “duon” and I also don’t know whether it would get modified by
lenition or in
some other way for the gender. Otherwise, the docs seem okay.
probably clear of: Yarnvid, College of (6/95 Atlantia) -- Argent, a
harp
reversed sable within a laurel wreath vert, on a chief sable three
goblets
argent.
There should be X.2 [X.1?] between a tree and a harp; there is,
however, only
change of type of tertiary.
probably clear of: Wynterset, Stronghold of (Æthelmearc, 1/04)
Argent, a winged
stag’s head affronty erased at the shoulder wings displayed azure
within a
laurel wreath vert and on a chief sable three mullets of eight points
argent.
There should be X.2 [X.1?] between a tree and a harp; however, I’m not
sure you
get much, if anything for the tertiaries.
clear of: Meghan of Laurel Wood (12/89 West) -- Argent, a weeping
willow tree
eradicated proper, on a chief sable, three Celtic crosses argent.
There is a CD for changing the tincture of the tree, if not for
changing the
type of tree; there is also a CD for adding the laurel wreath.
probably clear of: Christiana Blackhurst (2/95 West) -- Argent, three
oak trees
and on a chief sable three acorns argent.
There is a CD for changing the number of trees, and one for adding the
laurel
wreath; note that there is only change of type of tertiary on the
chief,
however.
probably clear of: Myrgan Wood, Barony of (10/83 Middle) -- Argent, an
elm tree
eradicated proper, leaved gules, within a laurel wreath and on a chief
vert
three maple leaves argent.
There is a CD for changing the tincture of the chief and probably one
for
changing the tincture (if not the type) of the tree; note that there is
only
change of type of tertiary.
5. Donecan de Maccuswel (appeal of return of household name Clann
Maccuswael)
Sigh. Obviously, nothing can really be done at this level. Appeals
automatically get kicked upstairs to Laurel (I presume that since it
was a
Pelican return it will be re-decided by Wreath). Note, however, that in
nearly
all of the cited registrations there does not appear to be a real,
mundane clan
of that name -- even though the names Baldwin, MacFergus, and McBride
all
appear as entries in Black. (I discount “Clan Stewart of Grandloch”
because
while there are various branches of the Stewarts, the Stewarts “of
Grandloch”
is not one of them; additionally, this is a 15 year old registration,
so all
bets are off). The same can *not* be said for Clan Maxwell (c.f.,
Grimble, pp.
211-12, sn Maxwell), which is quite real. [THL Roana’s commentary seems
to say
pretty much the same thing, but more eloquently.]
Mostly for curiosity, I looked up the LoAR commentary for Clann
Cléirigh, which
says in part:
Cléirigh [sic] is the genitive form of the Gaelic name Cléirech
[sic]. So Clann Cléirigh [sic] literally
means 'children [of] Cléirech [sic] ' or 'Cléirech's
[sic]
children'.
This seems to be a completely different type of derivation than that
for the
original documentation for “Clann Maccuswael”. Furthermore, it, like
the cites
from Black, does not appear to be the name of a real, mundane clan.
6. George Anne (badge) -- (Fieldless) A frog tergiant inverted argent.
clear of: Karl Rasmussen of Tvede (badge, 9/90 East) --(Fieldless) A
frog
gules.
There is a CD for fieldless vs. fieldless, and one for the tincture of
the frog
(note that it isn’t clear from the blazon what the frog’s posture is,
and that
if it were argent, it might be a conflict.
no conflicts found
7. Keran Roslin (badge) -- (Fieldless) A heart per pale azure and
argent.
no conflicts found
8. Keran Roslin (badge) -- Argent, a heart gules within a bordure
invected
azure.
clear of: Margaret Menteith (9/97 Artemisia) -- Argent semy of keys
inverted
sable, a heart gules a bordure embattled azure.
There is a CD for adding the semy, and one for changing the type of
complex
line on the bordure.
probably clear of: Edmundo da Monreale (11/97 Æthelmearc) --
Argent, a heart
enflamed to chief gules within an annulet azure.
There is a CD for changing the bordure to an annulet; there is probably
one for
adding the flames to the heart, but it might be worth pulling the
paperwork to
see how significant the flaming actually is.
possibly clear of: Caitlín Nic Mhaoláin of Gleanntaigh
(5/94 Caid) -- Argent,
two birds migrant respectant fesswise azure holding in their beaks a
heart
gules, a bordure invected azure.
There is a CD for adding the birds; it isn’t clear whether the heart is
a
secondary or a co-primary with them
probably clear of: Patrice du Coeur Fidel (10/89 West) -- Argent, upon
a heart
gules another Or, within a bordure engrailed azure.
There is a CD for adding the tertiary; there is probably also one for
changing
the complex line on the bordure, but because is is changing from
invected to
engrailed, that isn’t a certainty.
clear of: Yelena Duvelle (12/91 Atlantia) -- Argent, semy of hearts
gules
within a bordure azure.
There is a CD for changing the number of primary charges and one for
changing
the type of line on the bordure.
9. Minamoto no Taikawa Saiaiko
The cited website documentation is as given. Additionally, “Mi’namoto”
is found
in Solveig (2nd ed., p. 322) as a historical surname dated to 1147.
The element “TAI” is found in Solveig (op. cit. p. 101), dated to 1332
as (if I
understand the notations correctly) an element found in the female name
“Taifu”. “Kawa” is found in Solveig (op. cit., pp. 150-51) and most
often (but
not exclusively) seems to be the second element; the closest analogy
would be a
deuteromene in Old English but I’m not entirely sure it is an accurate
one.
Note that two different kanji seem to be used: one means “river” and
the other
means “large river” (specifically the Yellow River in China). The
earliest
dated citation for the former is 1183, in the name “Ishikawa”, which
appears to
be a surname.
I cannot find “Saiai” as an independent name or name element. I can
find
separate name elements. “Sai” is in Solveig (p. 104), as an element
meaning
“west” and dated to 765 in the Nara period in the name [I can’t tell
what type]
“Sai-dai’ji” (with the added meaning of “big + temple”) and dated to
1332 in
the (apparent) surnames “Kasai” (meaning “arrowroot” and “Kouzai”
(meaning
“incense”). It is also found as an element meaning “three” -- but only
dated to
1600 -- in the (I think) surname “Saigusa (with the added meaning of
“branch/twig”), and as an element meaning “worship/
study” in the (surname?) “Saitou”, dated to 1332 and having the
additional
meaning “wisteria”. “Ai” is found (op. cit., p. 226) as element meaning
“weak/pale/thin” (as in tea) in the (presumed) name “Aikawa”, dated to
1332;
note that it has the added meaning “large river”. It is also found (op.
cit.,
p. 186) as an element meaning “team-work/together” in the male nanori
(?) name
Yosh’aii (dated to 1600 and with the added meaning of “good/superior”)
and the
post-period surname “Aizawa”. Additionally, “Ai”, meaning ‘love”, is
found as
an independent (and historical) female name dated to 1600 (op. cit.,
pp. 255
and 374).
So what does this all mean in the long run for this submission? I can’t
document most of this name for the time period the submitter requests
(late
1100’s), but the bulk of it does seem to be before 1600 (mostly to the
Kamakura
period, early to mid-14th century). I also am not sure of its correct
construction and grammar. My advice would be to send it up to Laurel
with a
request for further assistance, particularly from THL Solveig herself
as the
expert in such matters.
10. Thorin bjarnkarl (resub) -- Or, a bear rampant maintaining a mace
and on a
chief gules three Edelweiss blossoms argent.
There is no picture of an edelweiss blossom found in the PIC-DIC
However,
searching back to saved commentary from the original submission (on
Æ #75)
yielded a previous Google search [URL http://www.google.com], netting a
website
that has a photo of edelweiss flowers [URL:
http://www.echemical.net/edel_story.htm].
The bear is holding a flanged mace, BTW (c.f., PIC-DIC, fig. 486b),
although as
a maintained charged it might not particularly matter.
Nice armory.
possibly not clear of: Arthur Red (4/03 Caid) -- Argent, a bear rampant
and on
a chief gules three Latin crosses formy argent.
There is a CD for changing the field tincture. There is only change of
type of
the tertiaries on the chief, not number or tincture; there is nothing
for the
maintained charge.
clear of: Vladimir Igorevich (5/98 Outlands) -- Or, a bear rampant
gules
maintaining an axe sable, on a chief indented azure three Russian
Orthodox
crosses argent.
There is a CD for changing the tincture of the chief, and one for
adding the
complex line to it. Note that there is probably nothing for the
maintained
charge (even with a different tincture) and there is only change of
type of
tertiaries on the chief.
clear of: Eirik Rødbjørn (10/85 East) -- Or. a grizzly
bear salient gules,
maintaining a mullet within a bordure azure.
There is a CD for changing the bordure to a chief, and one for adding
the
tertiaries. There possibly is not one, however, for the bear’s posture.
Bibliography:
Atkins, Beryl T., Alain David, Hélène M. A. Lewis and
Rosemary C. Milne.
HarperCollins Robert French College Dictionary, 3rd.Ed. New
York:
HarperCollins,
Publishers; and Paris: Dictionnaires Le Robert, 1993, 1997.
Black, George F. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning,
and
History.
Edinburgh: Birlinn Ltd., 1999, 2004 [copyright: The New York Public
Library,
1946]
Bruce Draconarius of Mistholme [Bruce Miller] and Akagawa Yoshio [Kevin
Munday].
A Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry As Used in The Society for
Creative
Anachronism,
2nd Ed., 1992.
Grimble, Ian. Scottish Clans & Tartans. New York: Harmony
Books,
1973.
http://oanda.sca.org
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/loar
Lewis, Edwin C. Welsh Dictionary. Lincolnwood (Chicago), IL:
NTC
Publishing Group,
1961. [Teach Yourself Books]
Parker, James. A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry. Rutland,
VT:
Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc., 1970.
Solveig Throndardottir [Barbara Nostrand]. Name Construction in
Medieval
Japan,
Rev. Ed. Columbia, MO: Potboiler Press, 2004.
von Volborth, Carl-Alexander. Heraldry: Customs, Rules and Styles.
Poole, Dorset:
Blandford Press, 1981, 1984.
Woodward, John, and George Burnett. Woodward's Treatise on Heraldry,
British
and
Foreign. Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc., 1969, 1971.
other URLs as cited