Last modified: May 03, 2007


Outlands College of Heralds

27 April 2007

From the Office of Rampart Herald
Furukusu Masahide (John Newton)
rampart@outlandsheralds.org

Unto the Outlands College of Heralds, the esteemed submitters, and all others who come by these letters, on this 27th day of April 2007, A.S. XLI, does Furukusu Masahide, Rampart Herald, send greetings.

My deepest gratitude to those who took time to send internal commentary: Aethelwulf, Cnut, Gwain of Miskbridge (Green Anchor Herald), Ines Alfon (Saker Herald), Lyonnete du Soleil, Marie de Blois (White Stag), Modar Neznanich (Volk Herald), and Pipa Sparkes (Axed Root Pursuivant).

Line Emblazon Sheet
Color Emblazon Sheet
March 2007 Letter of Presentation
April 2007 Letter of Response
April 2007 Letter of Intent
August 2007 LoAR Results
Return to the Rampart home page.

The following items were sent on to Laurel for final determination:

  1. Cilléne mac Conghalaigh. New Change of Name from Cilléne Ó Conghalaigh.
  2. Cilléne mac Conghalaigh. New Household Name and New Badge for [The House of the Dirk and Arrow]. Per pale vert and purpure, a dagger and an arrow inverted in chevron argent.
    Blazon changed from [Per pale vert and purpure, a dagger and an arrow inverted chevronwise argent] to [Per pale vert and purpure, a dagger and an arrow inverted in chevron argent] to properly describe the arrangement of the charges.
  3. Eoin Gallda mac Néill. New Device. Per saltire sable and purpure, a dragon and tyger combatant argent.
    Blazon changed from [Per saltire sable and purpure, a dragon and tiger combatant argent] to [Per saltire sable and purpure, a dragon and tyger combatant argent] to correct the spelling of the beast.
  4. Kimberly Blackwood. New Name and New Device. Erminois. a chevron gules between two demi-suns issuant from the corners and a tree sable.
  5. Mari the Far Travelled. New Badge. Per pale azure and vert, a pale and semy of lozenges Or.
    Blazon changed from [Per pale azure and vert all lozengy, a pale Or] to [Per pale azure and vert, a pale and semy of lozenges Or] to properly describe the lozenges.
  6. Matilda de Seton. New Change of Name for Aindrea MacCullaich.
  7. Robert Magnus. New Name.

The following items were returned for further work:

  1. Chemakwa of the Beothuk. New name and device. Per chevron sable and purpure, in fess two grizzly bear's claws and in base a dagger and an arrow inverted chevronwise argent.

    Gender: Female. The client cares most about the meaning of the name - "big bear". No major changes accepted.
    [of the Beothuk]: The Beothuk were a tribe situated on the island of Newfoundland, whom the Norse explorers of "Vinland" called "Skraelings". The culture became extinct in the 16th Century. They spoke a unique language that was distantly related to an Algonquin dialect. Several Beothuk captives were brought to Europe in the early 16th Century. The submitter includes complete printouts from several sources on Beothuk history, culture, and language: http://www.dickshovel.com/beo.html; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beothuk; http://www.native-languages.org/beothuk.htm; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquian_language
    [Chemakwa]: "Shemaqua" was found as a name meaning "Big Bear" on the website of a 19th-century Native American re-enactor (http://bigbearsden.org/). The submitter recognized that this did not make the name period. "Makwa" means "bear" in several languages of the geographic area in question: http://www.glifwc.org/pub/fall99/clansystem.htm documents Ojibwe clans, the largest of which was the Bear (Makwa) clan (undated). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anishinaabe_clan_system similarly lists several Bear sub-clans, such as "Waabishki-makwa" (Black Bear) and "Mishimakwa" (Grizzly Bear) in this culture. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquian_language defines "Makwa" as Algonquin for Bear. The same site was used to learn that "Chi" or "Che" is an adjective used to describe something as large or big. Thus, "Che-makwa" - "Big Bear".

    Commenters indicate that while the offered documentation is interesting, it does not address the question of name construction by the Beothuk people, and thereby does not document the possibly Algonquin word [Chemakwa] as a name. The notes on bears, and the use of a re-enactor's website focused on the 19th century does not provide compelling evidence that this is a period name for our purposes.
    Name returned for lack of documentation.

    Commenters discussed several issues with the currently submitted armory. The use of three different co-primary charges places the device in violation of Rfs VIII.1.a - Tincture and Charge Limit - which states that "three or more types of charges should not be used in the same group." Several issues were brought up regarding the bear paws. While many commenters found the bear paw design artistically interesting, all agreed that the design of the bear paws would be difficult to recreate from a blazon, which violates Rfs VII.7.b. There was also discussion of the reference to "grizzly" paws was either unnecessary, or even something to make it unregisterable, as a grizzly bear was not know in period. Finally all commenters agreed that the field division was not steep enough to be per chevron, and should be significantly higher on the field. Commenters also mentioned that the dagger and arrow are sufficiently narrow and of an unstandard form to make them potentially unidentifiable, and possibly a violation of Rfs VIII.3 - Armorial Identifiability. Please consider this upon redraw and resubmission.
    Device returned for lack of name and violation of Rfs VIII.1.a, VII.7.b, and general redraw.

  2. Cilléne mac Conghalaigh. New device. Per chevron vert and sable, a wolf statant reguardant and in base a dagger and and arrow inverted chevronwise argent.

    Commenters discussed several issues with this armory. The use of three different co-primary charges places the device in violation of Rfs VIII.1.a - Tincture and Charge Limit - which states that "three or more types of charges should not be used in the same group." Commenters agreed that the field division was not steep enough to be per chevron, and should be significantly higher on the field. One commenter felt there may be an issue with the non-period form of the wolf used in this submission. Commenters also mentioned that the dagger and arrow are sufficiently narrow and of an unstandard form to make them potentially unidentifiable, and possibly a violation of Rfs VIII.3 - Armorial Identifiability. Please consider this upon redraw and resubmission.
    Device returned for violation of Rfs VIII.1.a, and general redraw.

  3. Mari the Far-Travelled. Device Resubmission. Per bend azure and vert, a pegasus couped at the shoulder contourny between three compass stars Or.

    The name was registered in May 2005.

    The previous device submission, [Per bend azure and vert, a winged horse's head couped at the shoulder contourny between three compass stars Or], was returned on the December 2005 LoAR: "This device is returned for violating RfS VII.7.b, which requires that "Elements must be reconstructible in a recognizable form from a competent blazon." We were unable to create a blazon that adequately describes the primary charge. The primary charge isn't really a demi-pegasus as the wings issue from the neck, not the shoulder, and the forelegs are not shown. And it is not a winged horse's head couped at the shoulder because too much of the back is showing and the wings are attached to the head."

    The resubmission does not adequately address the objections of Laurel. This redraw has taken some elements from one option offered by Laurel, and some elements from another option offered by Laurel, but really failed to come up with a solution that addresses all issues. If the client were to include the fore-legs of the Pegasus with the current submitted drawing, it could be blazoned as a demi-pegasus, and fulfill Laurel's requirements. If the client were to coup the head at the shoulder, removing all back and leg portions, and have the wings issue from the head, it could be a winged horse's head couped at the shoulder.
    Either of these options would be acceptable to overcome Laurel's objections. As this stands now, it is still in an intermediate state.
    Commenters also noted that the compass stars should be larger.
    Device Returned for failure to address Laurel's reason for return.

  4. Raven Hyrst, Canton of. New Branch Name and New Device. Or, two gussets sable, overall a laurel wreath counterchanged, in chief a raven displayed sable.

    The group cares most about the sound of the name. No major changes accepted.
    [Hyrst]: meaning "a wooded hill" or "ornament, decoration, jewel" is found in Clark Hall's A Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary Second Edition (http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~kurisuto/germanic/oe_clarkhall_about.html, tiff 173), and the Anglo-Saxon Dictionary by Bosworth and Toller (1898) (http://lexicon.ff.cuni.cz/html/oe_bosworthtoller/b0584.html), pg. 584: "hyrst, es; m. A hurst, copse, wood. The word occurs most frequently in compounds, e.g. hnut-hyrst, ćsc-hyrst, etc. , and is still found as hurst in names of places." Common period usage of the word can be found, for example in Beowulf: http://www.georgetown.edu/labyrinth/library/oe/texts/a4.1.html. - see lines 672, 2255, 2762, 2988, and 3164. An example of Hyrst occurring as part of a placename in period is the Priory of Hyrst, which dates to the 12th Century (see "Dugdale's Monasticon v.6 pt. 1", in Monasticon Anglicanum: a Histo0y of the Abbies and other Monasteries, Hospitals, Frieries, and Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, with their Dependencies, in England and Wales by Sir William Dugdale (London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, 1817-1830, pg 100: http://monasticmatrix.usc.edu/bibliographia/index.php?function=detail&id=8006). A History of the County of Lincoln (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.asp?pubid=201), chapter 33, also discusses this Priory. Evidence that "hyrst" was used in period as a place name in combination with the name of a bird is found in the village known today as Crowhurst, which dates to the 8th century as Croghyrst (http://www.villagenet.co.uk/pevenseylevels/villages/crowhurst.php): "The village is first mentioned in 771 as Croghyrst, when King Offa of Mercia, gave the Bishop of Selsey 8 hides (a measurement of area) within the village. In return, the Bishop built a church for the population."
    Petitions signed by all six officers of the Canton in favor of the name and device are included.

    Commenters indicate that in _A Dictionary of English Place-Names_ by Mills there are several towns of [Raven]+[something] design. Some are derived from the term [raven] (i.e. bird) such as East Ravendale in Humberside (formerly Yorkshire), which is given in the Domesday Book as [Ravenedal]. Commenters feel that [Ravenhyrst] is probably more of a period form.
    Commenters also indicate that the OED lists [raven] meaning [a largely distributed corvine bird of Europe and Asia, of large size, with black lustrous plumage…] as having been first used with this spelling in 1592 by Marloe in "Jew of Malta." Earlier spellings include [hreafn] (850), [raefnas] (950), [rauan] (1220), [rauon] (1390), [rauyns] & [rauyne] (1400), & [revyne] (1450). Please be sure to include the reference and date of the spelling used in all future submissions, as all terms must be documented as used in period.

    The petition included with the submission does not include a signature from the Baron and Baroness of Caerthe, the ruling nobles of the Barony of Caerthe, wherein this group resides. Administration Handbook IV.C.5 - Evidence of Support - states: "this support may be demonstrated by a petition of a majority of the populace and officers or by a petition of the seneschal and at least three-quarters of the other local officers. In the case of branches with ruling nobles, such petitions must also include a statement of support from the ruling noble." (If the group would like a petition form that will fulfill all requirements, please contact Rampart Herald).
    Rampart notes that when including copies of documentation, the relevant sections should be circled, highlighted, or otherwise made obvious on the copies.
    Name returned for lack of proper petition.

    Commenters indicate that there are several style issues with the submitted device.
    The laurel wreath is not properly formed, as laurel wreaths must be round and nearly closed at the top. Several precedents apply to inserting a charge between the tips of the wreath:

    [a tower sable…environed in base with a laurel wreath vert]. The armory has an additional problem which would not allow it to be accepted. Laurel wreaths should not be drawn with another charge between the tips of the wreath, except possibly when the charge between the tips is very thin. [Apr 2002, Ret-Atenveldt, Hawk's Rest, Shire of]

    [a laurel wreath and in chief a roundel] Second, the laurel wreath is not closed (or even nearly so), and if it were, there would be no room for a roundel. A properly drawn laurel wreath should not have sufficient room between its tips to place another charge [Feb 2000, Ret-Middle, Darkstone, College of]

    In this case we have a laurel wreath counterchanged over two gussets. Per Laurel precedent Counterchanging of one charge over another is only allowed when the charges are ordinaries:

    The only time we permit a charge to be counterchanged over another is when they are both ordinaries. [Shire of Crystal Crags, 12/98 p. 13]

    Laurel precedent also bans the charging of gussets:

    "Based on the consensus of those commenting on this issue, the College will ban the use of charged gores and charged gussets, matching the ban on charged tierces. Uncharged gores, gussets and tierces will continue to be registerable. Any charged gores or gussets currently pending at Laurel will be processed as having been 'in the pipeline' before the ban went into effect. Therefore, after March 1, 1992, we will no longer register charged gores or gussets." (CL 12/21/91 p.2).

    Commenters indicate that having a raven displayed is a weirdness (as only eagles are normally displayed) which is not a reason for return, but an issue to be aware of.
    Device returned for lack of name, and multiple style issues.

  5. Rosalind of Wellmark. Augmentation of Device Resubmission. Argent, a bend sinister gules, in bend three roses counterchanged barbed and seeded proper, as an augmentation a canton sinister argent charged with a cross botonny gules within a bordure sable.

    Submitter's name was registered in 1992.
    The device was registered in September 1992: [Argent, a bend sinister gules, in bend three roses counterchanged barbed and seeded proper.]

    A previously submitted augmentation, [Argent, a bend sinister gules in bend three roses counterchanged barbed and seeded proper, as an augmentation a canton gules charged with a cross flory argent], was returned on the October 2001 LoR for a complete lack of contrast between the bend sinister and the canton sitting on it.
    The current submission resolves this issue.

    Current Laurel policy is that any augmentations that have the appearance of independent arms must be submitted separately. This means that the augmentation must be conflict checked as if it was independent armory.
    Augmentation has multiple conflicts:


    Augmentation returned for multiple comflicts.
  6. Sorcha inghean Eion. New Name and New Device. Ermine, a water bouget azure within a bordure raguly vert.

    Gender: Female. Submitter cares most about the language/culture of the name. Changes accepted.
    [Sorcha]: Academy of St. Gabriel report 1203 (http://www.panix.com/~gabriel/public-bin/showfinal.cgi/1203.txt) states that this name was fairly common in medieval Ireland.
    [inghean]: "Quick and Easy Gaelic Bynames (http://www.medievalscotland.org/scotnames/quickgaelicbynames/) - "daughter of "
    [Eion]: Kross, Sharon L. "Scottish Gaelic Given Names - Men" (http://www.medievalscotland.org/scotnames/gaelicgiven/men/eoin.shtml): "The Islay Charter, a Scottish charter from the Lord of the Isles written in Gaelic and dated 6 May 1408, is witnessed by: Eoin MacDomhnaill". The name cited is spelled "Eoin", rather then "Eion" as requested on the name form.

    No copies of documentation were included with this submission. Administrative Handbook IV.C.2 - Documentation - states: "Except for documentation from items in Appendix H (the No-Photocopy List), such documentation must include copies of cited source material."

Thus ends my Letter of Response.

In service and duty,

Furukusu Masahide
Rampart Herald

Line Emblazon Sheet
Color Emblazon Sheet
March 2007 Letter of Presentation
April 2007 Letter of Response
April 2007 Letter of Intent
August 2007 LoAR Results
Return to the Rampart home page.