Rules for Submission As of the October 1995 LoAR [Disclaimer: This is an unofficial copy of the rules. There will be some formatting differences from the official copy, though the content should be about the same. Comments, questions, and corrections should be sent to Elsbeth Anne Roth at kvs@cs.cmu.edu] Contents I GENERAL PRINCIPLES 1 Compatibility 2 Offense 3 Inappropriate Claims Name Rules II COMPATIBLE NAME CONTENT 1 Documented Names 2 Constructed Names 3 Invented Names 4 Legal Names 5 Registered Names III COMPATIBLE NAMING STYLE AND GRAMMAR 1 Name Grammar and Syntax 2 Name Style IV OFFENSIVE NAMES 1 Vulgar Names 2 Offensive Religious Terminology 3 Stereotypical Names 4 Offensive Political Terminology V NAME CONFLICT 1 Personal Names 2 Non-Personal Names VI PRESUMPTUOUS NAMES 1 Names Claiming Rank 2 Names Claiming Powers 3 Names Claiming Specific Relationships 4 Other Presumptuous Names Armory Rules VII COMPATIBLE ARMORIAL CONTENT 1 Period Charges 2 Period Armorial Elements 3 Period Artifacts 4 Period Flora and Fauna 5 Compatible Monsters 6 Compatible Armorial Elements 7 Armorial Element Requirements 8 Registered Armorial Elements VIII COMPATIBLE ARMORIAL STYLE 1 Armorial Simplicity 2 Armorial Contrast 3 Armorial Identifiability 4 Obtrusive Modernity 5 Fieldless Style IX OFFENSIVE ARMORY 1 Vulgar Armory 2 Offensive Religious Symbolism 3 Stereotypical Designs 4 Offensive Political Symbolism X CONFLICTING ARMORY 1 Addition of Primary Charges 2 Difference of Primary Charges 3 Required Charges Transparent 4 Significant Armorial Differences 5 Visual Test XI PRESUMPTUOUS ARMORY 1 Reserved Charges 2 Charge and Name Combination 3 Marshalling 4 Arms of Pretense A Glossary of Terms as used in the Rules for Submissions PART I --- GENERAL PRINCIPLES 1. Compatibility - All names and armory shall be compatible with the period and domain of the Society. The Society for Creative Anachronism studies pre-Seventeenth Century Western Culture. The period of the Society has been defined to extend until 1600 A.D. Its domain includes Europe and areas that had contact with Europe during this period. Usages documented to have occurred regularly prior to that date within that domain shall be automatically considered compatible unless they have been specifically declared incompatible by these rules, Laurel precedent, or a policy statement of the Board of Directors. Usages not so documented may be defined as compatible by these rules, Laurel precedent, or a policy statement of the Board of Directors. In all cases, the burden of proving compatibility shall lie on the individual making the submission or that individual's duly constituted representatives. a. Compatible Content - All submissions shall be period in content. Each element of a submission shall be compatible with period usage. See Part II, Compatible Name Content, and Part VII, Compatible Armorial Content. b. Compatible Style - All submissions shall be period in style. All elements of a submission shall be used in a manner that is stylistically compatible with period usage. See Part III, Compatible Naming Style, and Part VIII, Compatible Armorial Style. c. Documented Exceptions - A submission that is adequately documented as a period practice *may* be deemed acceptable even if it violates the stylistic requirements set forth in Parts III (Compatible Naming Style) or VIII (Compatible Armorial Style) of these rules. 2. Offense - No name or armory will be registered that may be offensive to a significant segment of the Society or the general population. No submission will be registered that is detrimental to the educational purposes or good name of the Society, or the enjoyment of its participants because of offense that may be caused, intentionally or unintentionally, by its use. See Part IV, Offensive Names, and Part IX, Offensive Armory. 3. Inappropriate Claims - No name or armory will be registered which claims for the submitter powers, status, or relationships that do not exist. No submission will be registered that could confuse or offend members of the Society or the general population because it expresses or implies some claim that is not true. An explicit claim contains an overt statement of the claim in the submission; an implicit claim requires that its nature be inferred from the submission. A name and piece of armory may reinforce each other and appear to make a claim that is not perceived in either item by itself. If someone reasonably educated in period and modern history and culture would perceive a claim, that claim will be held to exist even if it is unintentional. a. Conflicting Claims - A name or piece of armory that creates a false impression of the identity of the submitter will not be registered. Someone may not claim to be another, either directly by using a name or armory that is identical to another's, or by unmistakably claiming close relationship to an individual who is in fact unrelated. See Part V, Conflicting Names, and Part X, Conflicting Armory. b. Presumptuous Claims - A name or piece of armory which expresses or implies presumptuous claims to status or powers that the submitter does not possess will not be registered. No name or armory will be registered that could be considered presumptuous and thereby cause offense to a significant segment of the Society. See Part VI, Presumptuous Names, and Part XI, Presumptuous Armory. NAME RULES PART II --- COMPATIBLE NAME CONTENT Every word in a Society name must be compatible with period naming practices, as is required by General Principle 1.a of these rules. This section defines the categories of words that the College of Arms has generally found to be compatible. 1. Documented Names - Documented names, including given names, bynames, place names, and valid variants and diminutives formed in a period manner, may be used in the same manner in which they were used in period sources. The name "Bucephalus", although it is documented as the name of Alexander the Great's horse, should not be used as a name for a human. Pronunciation and spelling variants are linguistically valid if formed according to the rules for such variants in the language of the documented name. For example, the alternation of "C" and "K" at the beginning of names is a well-documented feature of Welsh. Therefore, both "Ceridwen" and "Keridwen" would be permitted, even if only one of these forms had been found in period sources. "Qeridwen" would not be permitted, since "Q" does not alternate with "C" and "K" in Welsh. 2. Constructed Names - Documented names and words may be used to form place names, patronymics, epithets, and other names in a period manner. Constructed forms must follow the rules for formation of the appropriate category of name element in the language from which the documented components are drawn. For instance, the standard male patronymic in Old Norse consists of the possessive form of the father's name joined to the word "son", like "Sveinsson" is the son of Svein. The documented Old Norse given name "Bjartmarr" could be used in this construction to form "Bjartmarsson", even if this particular patronymic was not found in period sources. Similarly, German towns on rivers regularly use the name of the river with the word "brueck", like "Innsbrueck", to indicate the town had a bridge over that river. A new branch could use the documented German name of the river "Donau" to construct the name "Donaubrueck". 3. Invented Names - New name elements, whether invented by the submitter or borrowed from a literary source, may be used if they follow the rules for name formation from a linguistic tradition compatible with the domain of the Society and the name elements used. Name elements may be created following patterns demonstrated to have been followed in period naming. Old English given names, for instance, are frequently composed of two syllables from a specific pool of name elements. The given name "AElfmund" could be created using syllables from the documented names "AElfgar" and "Eadmund" following the pattern established by similar names in Old English. Other kinds of patterns can also be found in period naming, such as patterns of meaning, description, or sound. Such patterns, if sufficiently defined, may also be used to invent new name elements. There is a pattern of using kinds of animals in the English place names "Oxford", "Swinford" and "Hartford", and so a case could be made for inventing a similar name like "Sheepford". No name will be disqualified based solely on its source. a. Invented name elements may not consist of randomly arranged sounds or characters. Use of components of name elements without reference to a period naming pattern, such as combining the syllables of "AElfgar" and "Eadmund" to form "AElfmunead", will not be allowed. Similarly, patterns from one language or tradition may not be applied to elements from a different language. The existence of the two syllable pattern in Old English cannot justify combining syllables from the Spanish names "Pedro" and "Jose" to invent "Pese". "Elulol" and "Myzzlyk", which create nonsense syllables and link them without reference to any period pattern, are also not acceptable. b. Invented given names may not be identical to any other word unless a strong pattern of use of a class of words as given names in the same language is documented. Although "China", "Random" and "Starhawk" have been used as given names in recent fantasy literature, they may not be registered without evidence that names of countries, adjectives, or epithets were regularly used as English given names in period. 4. Legal Names - Elements of the submitter's legal name may be used as the corresponding part of a Society name, if such elements are not excessively obtrusive and do not violate other sections of these rules. This allows individuals to register elements of their legal name that cannot be documented from period sources. The allowance is only made for the actual legal name, not any variants. Someone whose legal given name is "Ruby" may register "Ruby" as a Society given name, but not "Rubie", "Rubyat", or "Rube". Corresponding elements are defined by their type, not solely their position in the name. This means a person with the legal name "Andrew Jackson" could use "Jackson" as a surname in his Society name in any position where a surname is appropriate, such as "Raymond Jackson Turner" or "Raymond Jackson of London", not just as his last name element. 5. Registered Names - Once a name has been registered to an individual or group, the College of Arms may permit that particular individual or group to register elements of that name again, even if it is no longer permissible under the rules in effect at the time the later submission is made. This permission may be extended to close relatives of the submitter if the College of Arms deems it appropriate. Only the actual name element from the originally registered submission is covered by this permission. For example, if an individual had registered a surname from a fantasy novel that has no relation to period naming before such names were restricted, that surname could be retained if that submitter decided to change his given name, even though it might not be acceptable under these rules. He could not register other surnames from the same novel, however. The College of Arms might also agree to register this surname to the original submitter's children. This allowance will not be granted for submitters other than the original owner under any other circumstances. PART III --- COMPATIBLE NAMING STYLE AND GRAMMAR All elements of a name must be correctly arranged to follow the grammar and linguistic traditions of period names, as is required by General Principle 1b of these rules. This section defines the requirements for arranging acceptable words into a compatible name. 1. Name Grammar and Syntax - All names must be grammatically correct for period names and follow documented patterns. Standard grammatical rules for a language will be applied unless documentation is provided for non-standard usages in period names from that language. Names should generally combine elements that are all from a single linguistic culture, but a name may be registered that combines languages. As a rule of thumb, languages should be used together only if there was substantial contact between the cultures that spoke those languages, and a name should not combine more than three languages. Each name as a whole should be compatible with the culture of a single time and place. a. Linguistic Consistency - Each phrase must be grammatically correct according to the usage of a single language. For the purposes of this rule a phrase may consist of a single word ("Heinrich", "Calais") or of a grammatically connected series of words ("the Garter", "the Dragon's Heart", with the Beard, "von Koenigsberg") in a single language. Although it seems to mix French or Latin with English, the phrase de London is documentably correct usage in the written language of Anglo-Norman England and can therefore be registered. If a later form of a language differs radically from an earlier form, the two may not be considered a single language; thus, Old English and Early Modern English are different languages. In the case of place names and other name elements frequently used in English in their original form, an English article or preposition may be used. For example, "of Aachen" might be used instead of the purely German "von Aachen". 2. Name Style - Every name as a whole should be compatible with the culture of a single time and place. a. Personal Names - A personal name must contain a _given name_ and at least one _byname_; each of these components will be called a _name phrase_. A _byname_ is any name added to the _given name_to identify its bearer more precisely. Most period names contained no more than three name phrases; as a rule of thumb a personal name should not contain more than four name phrases. (A documentable exception is Arabic, in which longer period names can fairly easily be found; an example is "Ab^u `Abd All^ah Muhammad ibn Isma`^il ibn Mugh^irah al-Bukh^ar^i" `Muhammad, father of `Abd All^ah, son of Isma`^il, the son of Mugh^irah, the Bukharan'.) i. A byname may be one of _relationship_, like a patronymic or metronymic: "fitz Payn", "Johnson", "Bjarnardottir", "Guthrunarson", "des langen Dietrich bruder" `brother of the tall Dietrich', "ingen Murchada" `daughter of Murchad', "Smythwyf", "Mac a' Phearsain" `son of the parson', "abu Sa'^id" `father of Sa'^id'. ii. A byname may be a second _given name_; in most European cultures during most of our period this is a patronymic byname: John "William" = John "Williamson". Late in period in some cultures it may be the second part of a double given name: "Gian Giacomo" Caroldo. iii. A byname may be _locative_, a byname of _origin_or of _residence_: Hubert "of York", Jack "London", Heinrich "von Hamburg", William "atte Wode", Robert "Undertheclyf", Matthias "de Flandre"; Alphonse "le Picard", Dirk "der Brabanter", Adam "(le) Flemyng", Wautier "Alleman", Herman "Muenstermann". Names of residence include _sign names_ taken from signs on buildings: "atte Belle" `at the [sign of the] Bell', "zur Krone" `at the [sign of the] crown', "zum blauen Esel" `at the blue Ass'. These are extremely rare in English but not uncommon in German. iv. A byname may describe _occupation_, _status_, or _office_: John "Bowwright", Hans "Schneider", Jehan "(le) Changeur", Maud "Webster", Nicolaus "Ankersmit", William "Parson", Serlo "le Reve", Adam "(le) Freman". v. A byname may be a _descriptive nickname_: Osbert "le Gentil", "Skalla"-Bjoern `bald', Conrad "Klein" `small', "Klein" Conrad, Robertus "cum Barba" `with the beard', Ludolf "metter langher nese" `with the long nose', Henry "Beard", Rudolfus "der Esel" `the Ass', Gilbert "le Sour", John "Skamful", Thorvaldr inn "kyrri" `the quiet', Iain "Camshron" `hook-nose'. vi. Finally, a byname may be a _sentence_, _oath_, or _phrase name_: Geoffrey "Likkefinger", Adam "Brekeleg", Rudolfus "Drinkwasser", Otto "Dumernyt" `Do nothing to me!', Nickl "Lerenpecher" `Empty the tankard', Serle "Gotokirke", John "Falleinthewelle", Godeke "Maketwol" `Make it well', Katharina "Gottvergebmirs" `God forgive me for it!', Richard "Playndeamours" `full of love', Henry "ffulofloue", Petronilla "Notegood", Hans "mornebesser" `better [in the] morning'. Some bynames may fit into more than one category: Edward Pepper may be named for his temper or for his occupation as spice-merchant; Herbert le Knif may have a notable knife, or he may be a cutler; and Notegood, like other phrase names without verbs, can also be considered a descriptive nickname. Lion may be descriptive or an abbreviated form of atte Lyon `at the [sign of the] lion'. b. Non-Personal Names - Branch names, names of orders and awards, heraldic titles, and household names must consist of a designator that identifies the type of entity and at least one descriptive element. Common designators are "Shire", "Barony", "Guild", "House", "Order of the", and "Herald". The designator must be appropriate to the status of the submitter. Society branches may use the designator established by Corpora for their category of group or any authorized alternative form. The designator may be included as part of a one-word name if the authorized form was used that way in period, like the English word "shire", which appears as a part of the one-word name Worcestershire. i. Branch Names - Names of branches must follow the patterns of period place-names. Some good Society examples are: Shire of "Carlsby", "Standonshire", Barony of "Jararvellir", College of "Saint Carol on the Moor", all of which closely resemble period place-names. ii. Names of Orders and Awards - Names of orders and awards must follow the patterns of the names of period orders and awards. These are often the names of saints; others are similar to sign names (see RfS III.2.a.iii). Some examples are: the "Order of Saint Michael", the "Order of Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus", the "Brethren of the Sword", the "Order of the Garter", "La Toison d'Or" (the "Order of the Golden Fleece"), the "Order of the Golden Rose", the "Order of the Star", the "Order of the Swan", "La Orden de la Jara" (the "Knights of the Tankard"), the "Order of Lilies". iii. Heraldic Titles - Heraldic titles must follow the patterns of period heraldic titles. These are generally drawn from surnames ("Chandos" Herald, "Percy" Herald), names of heraldic charges ("Crosslet" Herald, "Estoile Volant" Pursuivant, "Noir Lyon" Pursuivant), names of orders of chivalry ("Garter" King of Arms), and mottos ("Ich Dien" Pursuivant, "Esperance" Pursuivant). (They are also drawn from place-names ("Windsor" Herald, "Calais" Pursuivant, "Sicily" Herald), but this practice is not allowed in the Society because the common usage "Lady " (e.g., "Lady Sicily") would then contain a forbidden implication of landedness.) iv. Household Names - Household names must follow the patterns of period names of organized groups of people. Possible models 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"). PART IV --- OFFENSIVE NAMES Offensive names may not be registered, as is required by General Principle 2 of these rules. Names may be innately offensive from their content, like "John Witchburner". A name element can also be offensive because of its usual associations or the context in which it is placed. Names may be considered offensive even if the submitter did not intend them to be. This section defines the categories of names that are generally considered offensive. 1. Vulgar Names - Pornographic or scatological terms will not be registered. Obscene terminology, sexually explicit material, bathroom or toilet humor, etc. are considered inherently offensive by a large segment of the Society and general population. 2. Offensive Religious Terminology - Magical or religious terminology that is excessive or mocks the beliefs of others will not be registered. Magical or religious words are not usually inherently offensive, but may offend by context. For example, although the name "Jesus" is common in Spanish, the juxtaposition of it with reference to other religions, like "Jesus the Imam", could be considered a mockery. Use of an unusual number of religious elements might disturb both devotees and opponents of a particular religion. 3. Stereotypical Names - Allusions to derogatory ethnic, racial, or sexual stereotypes will not be registered. Such stereotypes, even if documented from period sources, are innately offensive. This is true whether the stereotype is inherent in the usage, such as "Pedro the Dago", or created by context. 4. Offensive Political Terminology - Terminology specifically associated with social or political movements, or events that may be offensive to a particular race, religion, or ethnic group will not be registered. Even if used without prejudice in period, such terms are offensive by their modern context. Thus, names that suggest participation in pogroms or repressive movements, like "Judenfeind", which is a period German name meaning "enemy of the Jews", may not be used. PART V --- NAME CONFLICT Names may not be too similar to the names of others, as is required by General Principle 3a of these rules. Names need to be distinguished from each other both in their written form and when heard in announcements. This section defines ways in which submitted names may differ sufficiently from protected names. 1. Personal Names - Personal names must be significantly different from other protected personal names. a. Difference of Name Phrases - Two name phrases are considered _significantly different_ if they differ significantly in sound *and* appearance. Name phrases that are not significantly different are said to be _equivalent_. Variant spellings of the same word or name, no matter how radical, are not considered significantly different unless there is also a significant difference in pronunciation. Low German "Flaschentraeger" could be spelled "vlaschendreyger" in 1430, but the pronunciation was essentially the same, so "vlaschendreyger" and "Flaschentraeger" are equivalent. Such variant spellings may be registered where appropriate but do not make the name different. Examples and further restrictions for different types of name phrase are given below. i. Given Names - Two given names are significantly different only if they differ significantly in sound *and* appearance. Irrespective of differences in sound and appearance, a given name is not significantly different from any of its diminutives when they are used as given names. However, two diminutives of the same given name are significantly different if they differ significantly in sound and appearance. "Mary" is equivalent to the French "Marie", since neither the appearance nor the sound is significantly different; it is significantly different from the Hebrew "Miriam", since it differs significantly in sound and appearance and neither name is a diminutive of the other. Similarly, "Ali" is significantly different from "Auda". "Hob" is a diminutive of "Robert" and therefore equivalent to it, and for the same reason "Kunz" is equivalent to "Konrad". But "Hob" and "Robin" are significantly different; though both are diminutives of "Robert", they look and sound significantly different. The same holds for "Nickel" and "Klas", which are both diminutives of "Niclas". ii. Bynames - Two bynames are significantly different if they look and sound significantly different. In general the addition or deletion of prepositions and articles is not significant. Additional restrictions apply to certain types of bynames as specified below. "Blacksmith" is significantly different from "Smith". "Le Vanur" `the basketmaker' is not significantly different from "le vannere" `the winnower or maker of fans or winnowing-baskets' because the pronunciations are not significantly different. "Cum Barba" is significantly different from "Beard" and "Witheberd" `with the beard', but "Beard" is equivalent to "Witheberd". Der grosse "Esel" `the great ass' is significantly different from "der Esel", and "with the Long Nose" is significantly different from "with the Crooked Nose". "The Lion" is not significantly different from "de Lyon". "Brekeleg" is significantly different from "Brekeheved" `break head'. "Waggespere" is significantly different from "Shakespeare". (a) Bynames of Relationship - Two bynames of relationship are significantly different if the natures of the relationships *or* the objects of the relationships are significantly different. "Smythwyf" is significantly different from "Smithson" because the nature of the relationship is significantly changed; it is significantly different from "Tomwyf" because the object of the relationship has been changed (from "Smith" to "Tom"). "Mac Thorcuill" `son of Thorcull' is equivalent to "Nic Thorcuill" `daughter of Thorcull', and "Richards" is equivalent to "Richard" and to "Richardson"; in each case the sound is insufficiently different. "Hobson" is significantly different from "Robertson", however, because "Hob" and "Robert" differ significantly in sound and appearance and are not being used in given names. (b) Locative Bynames - Two locative bynames need not refer to different places in order to be considered significantly different; they need only look and sound sufficiently different. "Der Brabanter" is equivalent to "von Brabant"; such bynames were interchangeable in period. However, "de Flandre" is significantly different from "le Flemyng" because "Flandre" and "Flemyng" are significantly different in sound and appearance. "York" is equivalent to of "York", "Muenstermann" is equivalent to "von Muenster", and "Undertheclyf" is equivalent to "del Clif" and "Cliff". "Zum Roten Loewen" `at the Red Lion' is significantly different from "zum Loewen" and from "zum Blauen Loewen" `at the Blue Lion'. "Lion" (from a sign name) is not significantly different from "de Lyon" because the bynames do not differ significantly in appearance. b. Conflict of Personal Names - Two personal names conflict *unless* at least one of the following conditions is met: i. Given Names - Two personal names do not conflict if the given names are significantly different. "Sancha Alfonso Carrillo" does not conflict with "Juan Alfonso Carrillo". "Hob Gage" conflicts with "Robert Gage" because "Hob" is not significantly different from "Robert" (of which it is a diminutive). ii. Number of Name Phrases - A personal name containing exactly two name phrases does not conflict with any personal name containing more than two name phrases. "Thora Arnthorudottir" does not conflict with "Thora in spaka Arnthorudottir"; "Pedro Fernandez" does not conflict with "Pedro Fernandez Perez". iii. Order of Name Phrases - Two personal names that contain equivalent name phrases arranged in different orders do not conflict if the change in order significantly changes the meaning of the name as a whole. "Klein Konrad" conflicts with "Konrad der Kleine": they could well refer to the same person. "Owen ap Morgan ap Gruffudd" does not conflict with "Owen ap Gruffudd ap Morgan": as they have different fathers, they cannot be the same person. "Aed Dub mac Cormaic" `Black Aed son of Cormac' does not conflict with "Aed mac Cormaic Duib" `Aed son of Black Cormac', and "Hrolfr dufunef Bjarnarson" `Hrolfr dove-nose son of Bjoern' does not conflict with "Hrolfr Bjarnarson dufunefs" `Hrolfr son of Bjoern dove-nose'. "William Brun le Mercer" conflicts with "William Mercer le Brun", both meaning `William with brown hair who is a merchant in fine textiles'. iv. Change of Name Phrases - Two personal names do not conflict if *each* contains a name phrase that is significantly different from *every* name phrase in the other. "William Jamesson the Smith" does not conflict with "William Jamesson the Carter" because each of the phrases "the Smith" and "the Carter" appears in one name but not the other. "Gilbert Fletcher the Long of Kent" conflicts with "Gilbert Long Fletcher" because (1) the latter name contains *no* phrase that is significantly different from *every* phrase of the former name, and (2) the change in order of the second and third name phrases does not significantly change the meaning of the name. c. Historical Personal Names - Protected historical personal names are protected in all of the forms in which they commonly appear. "Charlemagne", which becomes "Carolus Magnus" in Latin and "Karl der Grosse" in German, is protected in all three forms. 2. Non-Personal Names - Branch names, order and award names, heraldic titles, and household names must be significantly different from other protected non-personal names. a. Difference of Descriptive Elements - A _descriptive element_ is a word other than a designator, an article, a preposition, or the name of a branch of the Society. Two descriptive elements are considered _significantly different_if they differ significantly in both sound *and* appearance. Descriptive elements that are not significantly different are said to be _equivalent_. b. Conflict of Names with the Same Number of Elements - Two non-personal names with the same number of descriptive elements conflict *unless* at least one of the following conditions is met. i. Change of Elements - Two such names do not conflict if *each* of them contains a descriptive element significantly different from *every* descriptive element in the other. "House Saint Mary", "Saint Mary Herald", and the "College of Sainte Marie" all conflict with one another because their descriptive elements are equivalent; "House", "Herald", and "College of", being designators, are not descriptive elements. "The House of the Red Dolphin" does not conflict with the "House of the Blue Dolphin" or the "House of the Red Lion". The "Order of the White Scarf of Ansteorra" conflicts with the "Order of the White Scarf of Atenveldt" because Ansteorra and Atenveldt are not descriptive elements as defined above in clause 2.a. ii. Change of Order or Grammar - Two such names containing equivalent descriptive elements do not conflict if either the order of the elements or the grammatical structure of the name has changed in a way that significantly changes the meaning of the name as a whole. The "Order of the Sword and the Tower" conflicts with the "Order of the Tower and the Sword" because the change in order does not significantly change the meaning of the name. Similarly, the "Order of the Guardians of the Castle" conflicts with the "Order of the Castle's Guardians". The "Order of the Castle of the Guardians" does not conflict the "Order of the Guardians of the Castle" because the change in order significantly changes the meaning; it does not conflict with the "Order of the Castle's Guardians" because the change in grammatical structure significatly changes the meaning. c. Conflict of Names with Different Numbers of Elements - Two non-personal names with different numbers of descriptive elements conflict if the only difference in the descriptive parts is the addition of one or more modifiers to a single, already modified root element. The addition of one or more modifiers to an *unmodified* noun is a significant change, so "Black Lion Herald" does not conflict with "Lyon King of Arms". The ""Order of the Black Rampant Lion" conflicts with the Black Lion Herald", however, since "Rampant" is added to an already modified noun. (Adding further modifiers to an already modified noun is not a significant change because it is generally not good period style.) The "Order of the Black Lion's Heart" does not conflict with the "Black Lion Herald" since the added element, "Heart", is not a modifier. Similarly, the "Order of the Tower and the Sword" does not conflict with the "Order of the Sword". PART VI --- PRESUMPTUOUS NAMES Names may not claim status or powers the submitter does not possess, as is required by General Principle 3b of these rules. This section defines categories of presumptuous claims. 1. Names Claiming Rank - Names containing titles, territorial claims, or allusions to rank are considered presumptuous. Titles like "Earl" and "Duke" generally may not be used as Society names, even if the title is the submitter's legal name. Names documented to have been used in period may be used, even if they were derived from titles, provided there is no suggestion of territorial claim or explicit assertion of rank. For example, "Regina the Laundress" is acceptable but "Regina of Germany" is not. Claim to membership in a uniquely royal family is also considered presumptuous, although use of some dynastic surnames do not necessarily claim royal rank. For example, there was a Scottish dynasty named "Stewart", but there were also many other Stewart families so use of that surname does not link one unmistakably to the royal house. "Hohenstaufen", on the other hand, seems to have only been used by the line of Holy Roman Emperors, so its use makes a clear dynastic claim. In some cases, use of an otherwise inoffensive occupational surname in a territorial context may make it appear to be a title or rank, such as "John the Bard of Armagh" or "Peter Abbot of St. Giles". 2. Names Claiming Powers - Names containing elements that allude to powers that the submitter does not possess are considered presumptuous. Society names may not claim divine descent, superhuman abilities, or other powers that the submitter does not actually possess. Such claims include divine patronymics, like "Vulcanson"; epithets peculiarly associated with divinities or superhuman beings, such as "of the Valkyrie"; given names that were never used by humans, like the names of some Giants or Dwarves in Norse mythology; or descriptive epithets like "Worldblaster". 3. Names Claiming Specific Relationships - Names that unmistakably imply identity with or close relationship to a protected person or literary character will generally not be registered. Explicit claims to descend from a particular person, such as "Edwin fitzWilliam Marshall" or "Rhys ap Cariadoc of the Bow" will not be registered. (The latter could be registered with a letter of permission from Cariadoc of the Bow.) However, since there are many people named "William" and "Cariadoc", "Edwin fitzWilliam" or "Rhys ap Cariadoc" would not conflict by themselves. In some cases a unique name, surname, or epithet is so closely related to an individual that its use alone can imply relationship to that individual. There is only one family that uses the name "Baggins of Bag End", so "Joan Baggins of Bag End" would not be appropriate. 4. Other Presumptuous Names - Some names not otherwise forbidden by these rules are nevertheless too evocative of widely known and revered protected items to be registered. Such items include the peerage orders of the Society and such well-known items outside the Society as the "Order of the Garter". The "House of the Rose and Laurel" does not conflict with the "Order of the Rose" or the "Order of the Laurel", but it is too evocative of both to be registered. Similarly, the "Award of the Blue Garter" is too evocative of the "Order of the Garter", whose badge is a blue garter. ARMORY RULES PART VII --- COMPATIBLE ARMORIAL CONTENT Every element in a piece of Society armory must be compatible with period armorial practices, as is required by General Principle 1a of these rules. This section defines the categories of elements that the College of Arms has generally found to be compatible. 1. Period Charges - Ordinaries and other charges used in period armory may be registered. Use of a charge in heraldry after 1600 does not guarantee its acceptability. Thus, even though they appear in modern British heraldry, DNA molecules and hydrogen atoms may not be used. 2. Period Armorial Elements - Lines of division, lines of partition, field treatments, and other elements used in period armory may be registered. Use of an element in period art does not guarantee its acceptability for armory. Use of the Greek key design, which was common in period decorative art, never carried over into armory. 3. Period Artifacts - Artifacts that were known in the period and domain of the Society may be registered in armory, provided they are depicted in their period forms. A pen, for instance, must be depicted as a quill pen or other period form, not a fountain pen. A wheel must be depicted as a wagon wheel, not a rubber tire from an automobile. 4. Period Flora and Fauna - Flora and fauna that were known in the period and domain of the Society may be registered in armory. Hybrids or mutations of period forms known to have been developed after 1600 generally may not be used as charges. For example, the English Sheepdog may not be used in Society armory because it was developed after 1600. 5. Compatible Monsters - Monsters compatible with period armorial practice may be registered in armory. Monsters described in period sources may be used in the Society, even if they were not used in period heraldry. New monsters may be formed for Society use on the analogy of period monsters, so long as all components remain sufficiently identifiable in the compound monster. For example, the Society has created the sea unicorn parallel to the sea lion and sea horse. 6. Compatible Armorial Elements - Any charge, line of division, line of partition, field treatment, or other armorial element that has been ruled compatible with period heraldic style may be registered in armory. The line of partition "dovetailed" and field treatments designed to imitate chain mail and honeycombs are some examples of undocumented armorial elements that have already been ruled compatible with period heraldic style. 7. Armorial Element Requirements - Only elements from the preceding categories that satisfy the following requirements may be registered in armory: a. Identification Requirement - Elements must be recognizable solely from their appearance. Any charge, line of partition, or field treatment used in Society armory must be identifiable, in and of itself, without labels or excessive explanation. Elements not used in period armory may be defined and accepted for Society use if they are readily distinguishable from elements that are already in use. The compass star, defined in the Society as a mullet of four greater and four lesser points, is immediately identifiable without confusion with other mullets or estoiles once its definition is known. b. Reconstruction Requirement - Elements must be reconstructible in a recognizable form from a competent blazon. Any element used in Society armory must be describable in standard heraldic terms so that a competent heraldic artist can reproduce the armory solely from the blazon. Elements that cannot be described in such a way that the depiction of the armory will remain consistent may not be used, even if they are identifiable design motifs that were used before 1600. For example, the Tree of Life occurs as a decorative element in period and is readily identifiable as such, but it may not be used in armory since it cannot be defined in a manner that guarantees its consistent depiction. 8. Registered Armorial Elements - Once an armorial element has been registered to an individual or group, the College of Arms may permit that particular individual or group to register that element again, even if it is no longer permissible under the rules in effect at the time the later submission is made. This permission may be extended to close relatives of the submitter if the College of Arms deems it appropriate. Only the actual armorial element from the originally registered submission may be covered by this permission. For example, if an individual had registered armory containing a fimbriated lion many years ago, only that fimbriated lion would be covered under this rule, not fimbriated wolves, eagles, or lions in other postures. The College of Arms might also agree to register this lion to the original submitter's children. This allowance will not be granted for submitters other than the original owner under any other circumstances. PART VIII --- COMPATIBLE ARMORIAL STYLE All elements of a piece of armory must be arranged into a design that is compatible with period armorial style, as is required by General Principle 1b of these rules. This section defines the requirements for arranging acceptable armorial elements into a design. 1. Armorial Simplicity - All armory must be simple in design. a. Tincture and Charge Limit - Armory must use a limited number of tinctures and types of charges. As the number of tinctures involved in a device increases, the number of types of charge should decrease. As the number of types increases, the number of tinctures should decrease. In no case should the number of different tinctures or types of charges be so great as to eliminate the visual impact of any single design element. As a rule of thumb, the total of the number of tinctures plus the number of types of charges in a design should not exceed eight. As another guideline, three or more types of charges should not be used in the same group. b. Armorial Balance - Armory must arrange all elements coherently in a balanced design. Period armory usually places the primary elements of the design in a static arrangement, such as a single charge in the center of the field or three identical charges on an escutcheon. More complex designs frequently include a central focal point around which other charges are placed, like a chevron between three charges, but the design remains static and balanced. Designs that are unbalanced, or that create an impression of motion, are not compatible with period style. c. Armorial Depth - Armory may not employ depth of field as a design element. i. Perspective - Charges may only be drawn in perspective if they were so depicted in period armory. A pair of dice may be drawn in perspective since they were routinely drawn that way in period armory to show the pips. A bear, dolphin, or castle should not be drawn in three dimensions, but should appear only in its standard, flat heraldic form. ii. Layer Limit - Designs may not be excessively layered. All charges should be placed either directly on the field or entirely on other charges that lie on the field. 2. Armorial Contrast - All armory must have sufficient contrast to allow each element of the design to be clearly identifiable at a distance. Each tincture used in Society armory may be depicted in a variety of shades. Therefore, contrast is not determined by the lightness or darkness of the tinctures on the submitted emblazon, but by the traditional heraldic categorization of tinctures as colors and metals. The colors are azure, gules, purpure, sable, and vert (blue, red, purple, black, and green). Ermined furs or field treatments on a background of one of these tinctures are treated as colors for contrast in the Society. The metals are argent and Or (white or silver, and yellow or gold). Ermined furs or field treatments on a background of one of those tinctures are treated as metals for contrast in the Society. Furs equally divided of light and dark pieces, such as vair, are classed with other evenly divided elements, such as paly, per bend, or lozengy. a. Contrasting Tinctures - Good contrast exists between: i. A metal and a color; ii. An element equally divided of a color and a metal, and any other element as long as identifiability is maintained; iii. A color and a charge, blazoned as proper, that is predominantly light; iv. A metal and a charge, blazoned as proper, that is predominantly dark. b. Contrast Requirements i. The field must have good contrast with every charge placed directly on it and with charges placed overall. For example, "a pale vair between two owls Or" might be placed on a field gules, but not a field ermine because the owls would not have good contrast. Similarly, a field vert with a fess Or contrasts with a wolf rampant overall that is argent or ermine, but not a wolf that is gules or sable. ii. A charge must have good contrast with any charge placed wholly on it. For example, a tree placed on a pale azure could be Or, argent, or ermine, but could not be pean or proper. iii. Elements evenly divided into two parts, per saltire, or quarterly may use any two tinctures or furs. For example, a field quarterly could be composed of azure and gules, argent and Or, Or and ermine, or vert and vairy gules and argent. iv. Elements evenly divided into multiple parts of two different tinctures must have good contrast between their parts. For example, "checky argent and gules" is acceptable, but "checky azure and gules" is not. v. Elements evenly divided in three tinctures must have good contrast between two of their parts. 3. Armorial Identifiability - Elements must be used in a design so as to preserve their individual identifiability. Identifiable elements may be rendered unidentifiable by significant reduction in size, marginal contrast, excessive counterchanging, voiding, or fimbriation, or by being obscured by other elements of the design. For instance, a complex line of partition could be difficult to recognize between two parts of the field that do not have good contrast if most of the line is also covered by charges. A complex divided field could obscure the identity of charges counterchanged. Voiding and fimbriation may only be used with simple geometric charges placed in the center of the design. 4. Obtrusive Modernity - Armory may not use obtrusively modern designs. "Modern" is defined as anything outside the period of the Society. a. Pictorial Design - Overly pictorial designs may not be registered. Design elements should not be combined to create a picture of a scene or landscape. For example, combining a field divided "per fess wavy azure and Or" with a sun and three triangles Or, as well as a camel and two palm trees proper to depict the Nile Valley would not be acceptable. b. Modern Insignia - Overt allusions to modern insignia, trademarks, or common designs may not be registered. Such references, including parodies, may be considered obtrusive. Examples include using "a bend within a bordure gules" to parody the international "No Entry" sign, variations on the geometric Peace sign, and so forth. c. Natural Depiction - Excessively naturalistic use of otherwise acceptable charges may not be registered. Excessively natural designs include those that depict animate objects in unheraldic postures, use several charges in their natural forms when heraldic equivalents exist, or overuse proper. Proper is allowed for natural flora and fauna when there is a widely understood default coloration for the charge so specified. It is not allowed if many people would have to look up the correct coloration, or if the Linnaean genus and species (or some other elaborate description) would be required to get it right. An elephant, a brown bear, or a tree could each be proper; a female American kestrel, a garden rose, or an Arctic fox in winter phase, could not. d. Modern Style - Generally modern style in the depiction of individual elements or the total design may not be registered. Artistic techniques and styles developed after 1600 should not be used in Society armory. Charges may not be used to create abstract or op-art designs, or be patterned after comic book art, fantasy art, pointillism etc. 5. Fieldless Style - Fieldless armory must form a self-contained design. A fieldless design must have all its elements conjoined, like three feathers issuing from a crown used by the Heir Apparent to the throne of England. Since there is no field in such a design, it may not use charges that rely on the edges of the field to define their shape, such as bordures and orles, nor to cut off their ends, such as ordinaries or charges throughout. 6. Documented Exceptions - An armorial design element that is adequately documented as a period practice *may* be deemed acceptable even if it violates other sections of Part VIII (Compatible Armorial Style). Such design elements will be accepted only on a case-by-case basis and only in armory comparable in style and complexity to the documented period examples. The strength of the case for such an exception increases in proportion to: the similarity of the documented examples to the submitted armory; and the number of independent period examples offered as evidence. a. General Exceptions - In most cases the documentation for a proposed exceptional armorial design element should be drawn from several European heraldic jurisdictions. The strength of the case for such an exception increases in proportion to the geographical and chronological breadth of the supporting period evidence. b. Regional Style - Alternatively, a proposed exceptional armorial design element may be documented as characteristic of a specific regional armorial style. In such cases the submitted armory *may* be registered provided that *all* of the following conditions are met. (1) The submitter explicitly requests an exception to the other sections of Part VIII (Compatible Armorial Style) on the grounds that the submitted armory exemplifies a specific regional style. (2) Documentation is adduced to show that exceptional design element was not uncommon in the regional style in question. (3) Documentation is adduced to show that *all*4s elements of the submitted armory can be found in the regional style in question. PART IX --- OFFENSIVE ARMORY Offensive armory may not be registered, as is required by General Principle 2 of these rules. Armory may be innately offensive from its content, or because of its usual associations or the context in which it is placed, such as the swastika which, although used in period armory, is so strongly associated with the Third Reich that it offends a large segment of the population. Armory may be considered offensive even if the submitter did not intend it to be. This section defines the categories of designs that are generally considered offensive. 1. Vulgar Armory - Pornographic or scatological items or designs will not be registered. Obscene images, sexually explicit material, bathroom or toilet humor, etc. are considered inherently offensive by a large segment of the Society and general population. 2. Offensive Religious Symbolism - Magical or religious symbolism that is excessive or mocks the beliefs of others will not be registered. Magical or religious symbolism is not usually inherently offensive, but offends by context. Both devotees and opponents of a particular religion may be offended by an excessive display of the symbols of that religion, for example, a Calvary cross surrounded by four Paschal Lambs and surmounted by a crown of thorns and a whip. Similarly, although a Paschal Lamb is a standard heraldic charge, dismembering the lamb and surmounting it by a pentacle creates a context that could be offensive. 3. Stereotypical Designs - Allusions to derogatory ethnic, racial, or sexual stereotypes will not be registered. Such stereotypes, even if documented from period sources, are innately offensive. This is true whether the stereotype is inherent in the usage or created by context, like placing a Moor's head within an orle of watermelons. 4. Offensive Political Symbolism - Symbols specifically associated with social or political movements or events that may be offensive to a particular race, religion, or ethnic group will not be registered. Even if used without prejudice in period, such symbols are offensive by their modern context. Thus, designs suggestive of the SS, the Ku-Klux Klan, or similar organizations, may not be used. PART X --- CONFLICTING ARMORY A piece of armory may not be too similar to other pieces of armory, as is required by General Principle 3a of these rules. Period armory frequently distinguished between immediate relatives, like a father and his son, by making a single change to the arms in a process called "cadency". The changes made in such circumstances can be considered the smallest change that period heralds would recognize. This section defines ways in which submitted armory must be changed to be sufficiently different from protected armory. 1. Addition of Primary Charges - Armory does not conflict with any protected armory that adds or removes the primary charge group. Most cadency systems did not involve addition or deletion of the primary charge group, so this automatically creates an independent design. For example, "Argent, two mullets gules" does not conflict with "Argent, a pale between two mullets gules", and "Vert, a lion rampant Or and a chief indented argent" does not conflict with "Vert, a chief indented argent". 2. Difference of Primary Charges - Simple armory does not conflict with other simple armory if the type of every primary charge is substantially changed. This type of change was normally seen between complete strangers in blood, and wasn't usually used to indicate any form of cadency. For the purposes of this Rule, _simple armory_ is defined by the following clauses. The word charge refers both to charged and uncharged charges unless it is specifically qualified; a _group of charges_ may contain one or more charges. a. Armory that has only a primary group of identical charges is simple armory. "Argent, a fess sable" does not conflict with "Argent, a lion rampant sable". "Gules, on a pale argent three roses proper" does not conflict with "Gules, on a bend argent three roses proper." "Or, three lozenges vert, each charged with a mullet argent" does not conflict with "Or, three billets vert, each charged with a mullet argent." "Sable, a chevron Or" *does* conflict with "Sable, a chevron embattled Or," because the type of the primary charge group has not been *substantially* changed. b. Armory that has only a group of uncharged primary charges is simple armory. "Per chevron gules and argent, three mullets counterchanged" does not conflict with "Per chevron gules and argent, two escallops and a roundel counterchanged." "Azure, three maunches argent, each charged with a rose gules" does conflict with "Azure, two escallops and a heart argent, each charged with a rose gules," because the primary charges of the latter armory are neither identical nor uncharged. "Per chevron gules and argent, three oak trees counterchanged" *does* conflict with "Per chevron gules and argent, three fir trees counterchanged," because the type of charge has not been *substantially* changed; it conflicts with "Per chevron gules and argent, two mullets and a fir tree counterchanged" because not *all* of the charges have been substantially changed. c. Armory that has only a primary group of identical charges, accompanied only by a secondary group of identical charges, is simple armory. Each of the following armories is simple: "Argent, a chevron between three wolf's heads erased sable;" "Sable bezanty, three millrinds argent;" "Gules, a saltire between in fess two open scrolls argent, each charged with a pen sable;" "Vert, three gauntlets argent within a bordure Or semy-de-lys vert;" "Argent, a rose azure between flaunches gules;" "Sable, on a hand apaumy within an orle of martlets argent, a rose gules;" and "Argent, a greyhound courant and on a chief azure, a fleur-de-lys between two pheons argent." "Gules, a fess argent charged with three mullets azure, all between three billets argent, each charged with a lozenge azure" does not conflict with "Gules, a chevron argent charged with three mullets azure, all between three billets argent, each charged with a lozenge azure," since both armories are simple. However, "Vert, three gauntlets argent within a bordure Or semy-de-lys sable" *does* conflict with "Vert, two mullets and a clarion argent within a bordure Or semy-de-lys sable," because the latter is not simple: its primary charges are not identical. And "Argent, a chevron between three wolf's heads erased sable, a chief gules" *does* conflict with "Argent, a fess between three wolf's heads erased sable, a chief gules," because neither armory is simple: the primary charge is accompanied by two groups of secondary charges. 3. Required Charges Transparent - Two pieces of official Society armory that share required charges may consider their Difference of Primary Charges as if the required charges were not there. This is to avoid penalizing the slight increase in complexity caused when official armory includes required charges like the laurel wreath or crown. As an example, "Gules, a hammer within a laurel wreath and on a chief Or three fleurs-de-lys gules" would not conflict with "Gules, a mullet within a laurel wreath and on a chief Or three fleurs-de-lys gules". Required charges always count normally for difference themselves, this rule only ignores the complexity they add to a design. This provision may not be applied when comparing official Society armory with any other armory. 4. Significant Armorial Differences - Two pieces of armory will not be considered to conflict if two clear visual differences exist between them. a. Field Difference - Significantly changing the tinctures, direction of partition lines, style of partition lines, or number of pieces in a partition of the field is one clear difference. In general, if the tincture of at least half the field is changed, the fields will be considered different. "Per chevron azure and gules" has one clear difference from "Per chevron azure and sable." "Per pale azure and Or" has one clear difference from "Per bend azure and Or" and from "Per pale embattled azure and Or." "Bendy argent and sable" has one clear difference from "Per bend argent and sable." "Barry gules and argent" has one clear difference from "Barry and per pale gules and argent." There is a clear difference for reversing the tinctures of a field evenly divided into two parts, per saltire, or quarterly, but not for reversing the tinctures of a field divided in any other way; "Per pale nebuly ermine and gules" has one clear difference from "Per pale nebuly gules and ermine," but "Paly ermine and gules" has no clear difference from "Paly gules and ermine." Field treatments are considered an aspect of tincture, so "Per fess gules and argent" has one clear difference from "Per fess gules and argent masoned sable." "Per fess dovetailed gules and argent" has no clear difference from "Per fess embattled gules and argent" because the difference between dovetailed and embattled lines is not significant. It suffices to change significantly the style of at least half of the partition lines, so "Quarterly per fess wavy argent and sable" has one clear difference from "Quarterly argent and sable"; "Paly and per fess argent and sable" has no clear difference from "Paly and per fess indented argent and sable," however. "Gyronny Or and sable" has no clear difference from "Gyronny of twelve Or and sable" because the difference between eight and twelve pieces is not significant. i. Charged Fields - If charges other than an uncharged peripheral ordinary are present, at most one clear difference may be counted for changes to the field. For the purposes of this rule the peripheral ordinaries are the chief, the bordure, the base (including the point pointed), the quarter, the canton, the gyron, the orle, the double tressure, and flaunches. There is just one clear difference between "Per chevron ermine and azure, a pale gules" and "Per bend wavy Or and vert, a pale gules". ii. Field-Primary Armory - If neither of two pieces of armory being compared has charges, or if each has the same uncharged peripheral ordinary, they may derive greater difference from changes to the field. Such armory will be called _field-primary armory_. For the purposes of this rule the peripheral ordinaries are the chief, the bordure, the base (including the point pointed), the quarter, the canton, the gyron, the orle, the double tressure, and flaunches. (a) Substantial Change of Partition - If two pieces of field-primary armory have substantially different partitions, they are considered sufficiently different and do not conflict, irrespective of any other similarities between them. Any divided field is substantially different from any plain field: "Per pale azure and vert" is substantially different from "Azure". Any two of the following partitions are substantially different from each other *except* the pairs "per fess" and "barry", "per bend" and "bendy", "per pale" and "paly", "per bend sinister" and "bendy sinister", and "per chevron" and "chevronelly": "per fess", "per bend", "per pale", "per bend sinister", "per saltire", "per chevron", "quarterly", "checky", "lozengy", "gyronny" (of any number of pieces), "barry", "bendy", "paly", "bendy sinister", and "chevronelly". "Checky" is substantially different from all other grid-like partitions (i.e., those formed by two sets of parallel lines, like "lozengy" and "barry-bendy"); these other grid-like partitions are not substantially different from one another. "Barry" and "per pale argent and vert" is substantially different from "Checky argent and vert", but it has only a clear difference from "Bendy and per pale argent and vert". "Per chevron Or and gules" is not substantially different from "Chevronelly Or and gules", nor is "Per pale wavy purpure and argent" substantially different from "Paly wavy argent and purpure", though in each case there is a clear difference between the fields. (b) Complete Change of Tincture - If the fields of two pieces of field-primary armory have no tinctures in common, they are considered completely different and do not conflict, irrespective of any other similarities between them. The ermine furs and their variants are considered to be different tinctures, so "Per bend ermine and azure" is completely different from "Per bend erminois and gules" and from "Per bend argent ermined gules and sable". The addition of a field treatment is also a change of tincture, so "Per fess argent and gules" is completely different from "Per fess argent masoned gules and sable". (c) Other Field-Primary Armory - In any case, independent changes to the tincture, direction of partition lines, style of partition lines, or number of pieces in the partition may be counted separately when comparing two pieces of field-primary armory. There are two clear differences between "Per chevron argent and azure" and "Per pale nebuly argent and azure". iii. Fieldless Difference - A piece of fieldless armory automatically has one clear difference from any other armory, fielded or fieldless. Tinctureless armory and Japanese mon are considered to be fieldless for this purpose. b. Addition of Charges on the Field - Adding or removing any group of charges placed directly on the field, including strewn charges, is one clear difference. Each charge group may be counted separately, so "Argent, a pale gules" has two clear changes from "Argent, a pale between two owls all within a bordure gules". c. Addition of Charges Overall - Adding or removing a group of charges placed overall is one clear difference. "Or, a lion rampant purpure" would have one clear difference from "Or, a lion rampant purpure and overall a fess sable". d. Tincture Changes - Changing the tinctures or division of any group of charges placed directly on the field, including strewn charges or charges overall, is one clear difference. Changing the tincture of at least half of the charges in a group is one clear difference. "Or, in pale three bull's heads gules" differs from "Or, in pale a bull's head gules between two more sable," but not from "Or, in pale a bull's head sable between two more gules." Separate differences may be counted for changing the tincture of different groups of charges, so "Vert, a pale between four mullets Or, all within a bordure argent" would have three clear differences from "Vert, a pale ermine between four mullets argent, all within a bordure checky argent and gules". As with the field, only one change can be counted for all tincture changes to the same group of charges. Tinctureless armory may not count difference for tincture of charges; the Fieldless Difference will count for one change and the second change must come from a category that does not involve tincture. e. Type Changes - Significantly changing the type of any group of charges placed directly on the field, including strewn charges or charges overall, is one clear difference. Changing the type of at least half of the charges in a group is one clear difference. Types of charges considered to be separate in period, for example a lion and an heraldic tyger, will be considered different. A charge not used in period armory will be considered different in type if its shape in normal depiction is significantly different. This means a lion would not be clearly different from a puma. Separate differences may be obtained from changing the types of charges in different charge groups. Changing "Vert, a pale between two lions argent and a chief Or" to "Vert, a fess between two horses argent and a chief Or" produces two separate differences. Since the edge partition line of a charge is part of its type, the change from "a pale wavy" to "a pale embattled" is one clear difference. Changing from "a pale wavy" to "a fess embattled" is also one change of type, not a change of type plus a change of edge partition. f. Number Changes - Significantly changing the number of charges in any group placed directly on the field or overall is one clear difference. One, two, and three are significantly different from any number, four is significantly different from six or more, and five is significantly different from eight or more. Six and higher numbers, including semy of charges, are not significantly different from each other. g. Arrangement Changes - Changing the relative positions of charges in any group placed directly on the field or overall is one clear difference, provided that change is not caused by other changes to the design. Changes to other parts of the design frequently cause changes to the arrangement of charge groups, so changing from "Argent, a fess between two unicorns within an orle purpure" to "Argent, a pale between two unicorns within an orle purpure" requires that the unicorns move from "in pale" to "in fess". Changing from "Argent, three unicorns purpure" to "Argent, four unicorns purpure" will also cause some change in arrangement. These changes do not provide independent difference. Changes that are made on their own, like changing from "three mullets in fess" to "three mullets in pale", or from "six mullets" on an uncharged field to "five mullets in cross", are clear differences. h. Posture Changes - Significantly changing the posture or individual orientation of charges in any group placed directly on the field, including strewn charges or charges overall, is one clear difference. Changing the posture of at least half of the charges in a group is one clear difference. Changing "a sword fesswise" to "a sword palewise", or from "a lion rampant" to "a lion passant", is one clear difference. Multiple changes to the posture or orientation of the same charges may not be counted separately, so "a lion passant bendwise" is one clear difference from "a lion couchant to sinister". Changes of posture or orientation of separate charge groups may each be counted. A change of posture must affect the orientation of the charge, or significantly change its appearance. Changes in the position of the head, for instance, are not significant, nor is the change from statant to passant, which essentially moves only one leg. Changing from passant to couchant, however, visually removes the legs from the bottom of the charge and is considered significant. i. Addition of Charges on Charges - Adding or removing any group of charges placed entirely on other charges is one clear difference. For example, charging a pale with three martlets, or charging a bordure with eight martlets, provides one clear difference. j. Changes to Charges on Charges - Changes to a group of charges placed entirely on other charges may create one clear difference. No more than one clear difference can be obtained from changes to the same group of charges on other charges. i. Making two or more visually significant changes to the same group of charges placed entirely on other charges is one clear difference. Changes of type, number, tincture, posture, or independent changes of arrangement may each count as one ot the two changes. Generally such changes must affect the whole group of charges to be considered visually significant, since the size of these elements and their visual impact are considerably diminished. For example, "Sable, two mullets and a fleam argent and on a chief Or three mullets gules" would not have a clear difference from "Sable, two mullets and a fleam argent and on a chief Or a mullet between two lozenges vert". ii. In simple cases substantially changing the type of all of a group of identical charges placed entirely on other charges is one clear difference. Only the new submission is required to be a simple case in order to benefit from the following clauses. _Simple cases_ are defined by the following clauses. The word _charge_ refers both to charged and to uncharged charges unless it is specifically qualified; a _group of charges_ may contain one or more charges. A charge is _suitable_ for the purposes of this rule if (a) it it simple enough in outline to be voided, and (b) it is correctly drawn with an interior substantial enough to display easily recognizable charges. (a) Armory that has a group of identical charges on an ordinary or other suitable charge alone on the field is a simple case. "Sable, on a pale argent three lozenges sable" has one clear difference from "Sable, on a pale argent three ravens sable." "Or, on a heart vert a pheon argent" has one clear difference from "Or, on a heart vert a cross moline argent". "Argent, a lion rampant gules charged with a cross crosslet Or" does not have a clear difference from "Argent, a lion rampant gules charged with a heart Or" because the lion is too complex in outline to be voided. "Gules, on a mullet of six points Or a cross crosslet sable" does not have a clear difference from "Gules, on a mullet of six points Or a pellet" because the interior of a correctly drawn mullet of six points is too small. (b) Armory that has a group of identical charges on an ordinary or other suitable charge that is accompanied only by a single uncharged group of identical charges lying entirely on the field is a simple case. "Argent, on a fess azure between two pine trees vert a spear argent" has one clear difference from "Argent, on a fess azure between two pine trees vert a rose argent". "Azure, on a bezant a tree azure all within a bordure argent" has one clear difference from "Azure, on a bezant a bear statant azure all within a bordure argent". "Gules, on a bezant a tree azure within an orle of martlets argent" has one clear difference from "Gules, on a bezant a bear statant azure within an orle of martlets argent". "Or, on a chevron between two millrinds and a lion passant guardant sable three escallops argent" has no clear difference from "Or, on a chevron between two millrinds and a lion passant gardant sable three crosses crosslet argent because the charges accompanying the chevron are not identical". For the same reason "Azure billety Or, on a fess between three owls argent a sword azure" has no clear difference from "Azure billety Or, on a fess between three owls argent a rose azure". (c) Armory that has an uncharged primary charge group and a peripheral ordinary charged with a group of identical charges is a simple case. For the purposes of this clause the peripheral ordinaries are the chief, the bordure, the base (including the point pointed), the canton, and flaunches. "Argent, two escallops and a gauntlet and on a chief gules three fleurs-de-lis argent" has one clear difference from "Argent, two escallops and a gauntlet and on a chief gules three crosses crosslet argent". As a new submission "Argent, a lion rampant and on a chief gules three fleurs-de-lis argent" does not conflict with "Argent, a lion rampant between three mullets and on a chief gules three crosses crosslet argent even though the latter is not a simple case". The new armory *is* a simple case, so there is one clear difference for substantially changing the type of the tertiary charges; the second is for removing the mullets (see RfS X.4.b). If, however, the second armory were new and the first already registered, the second armory *would* conflict with the first; the new armory not being simple, there would be just one clear difference for adding the mullets. (d) Armory that has a group of identical charges on a peripheral ordinary alone on the field is a simple case. For the purposes of this clause the peripheral ordinaries are the chief, the bordure, the base (including the point pointed), the canton, and flaunches. "Gyronny Or and gules, a bordure engrailed sable semy of towers argent" has one clear difference from "Gyronny Or and gules, a bordure engrailed sable semy of mascles argent". "Vair, flaunches gules each charged with an arrow argent" has one clear difference from "Vair, flaunches gules each charged with a cross crosslet argent". "Gules, on a chief Or a mascle between two roundels sable" is not a simple case because the charges on the chief are not identical; as a new submission it therefore does not have a clear difference from "Gules, on a chief or three mullets sable", even though the latter is a simple case. 5. Visual Test - If the tinctures, shapes, or arrangement of the charges in a submission create an overwhelming visual resemblance to a piece of protected armory, the submission may be held to conflict even if sufficient theoretical difference can be counted between them. A piece of armory is registered and protected, not the verbal description used to record that armory. The use of different terminology to describe two designs that are visually similar does not affect any potential for conflict that may exist. Thus, "Or, a fess vert" is not different from "Vert, a chief and a base Or" even though one could theoretically count sufficient difference between them from these blazons. Unusual cases may occur where contrast is weak and unusual arrangements of charges are employed, and in such circumstances the cumulative similarities between two pieces of armory may outweigh any specific differences. As an example, the cumulative effect of the similarities between "Vert, ermined Or, on a mullet argent a lion rampant azure within a bordure embattled ermine" and "Vert, ermined Or, on an estoile argent a lion rampant azure within a bordure embattled erminois" creates a strong possibility of confusion. PART XI --- PRESUMPTUOUS ARMORY Armory may not claim status or powers the submitter does not possess, as is required by General Principle 3b of these rules. This section defines categories of presumptuous armorial claims. 1. Reserved Charges - Armory that contains elements reserved to or required of certain ranks, positions, or territorial entities, inside or outside the Society, is considered presumptuous. Symbols reserved or required solely inside the Society may only be registered to those entitled to the status associated with those symbols. Examples of such elements include the field "Azure, semy-de-lys", which is restricted to French royalty; a laurel wreath, required for official Society branches; the coronet restricted to royal peers, kingdoms and principalities; the knight's annulet of chain; the caduceus reserved to those with medical qualifications, etc. Lists of these charges can be found in the glossary. Some elements, like the French royal field, are always restricted. Others are limited to specific segments of the Society. For example, individuals may not place laurel wreaths on their armory, while only those who are royal peers may use the insignia of those ranks. 2. Charge and Name Combination - Armory that asserts a strong claim of identity in the context of the submitter's name is considered presumptuous. Some otherwise permissible names and armorial elements cannot be used together because joining the two creates too strong an association with famous individuals from myth, literature, or history. For example, while "Rhiannon" can be used as a given name, and horses can be used as charges, the two cannot be used together as it suggests the Rhiannon of Welsh myth. Similarly, charges that merely allude to a specific name on their own may become presumptuous if several such charges are used. 3. Marshalling - Armory that appears to marshall independent arms is considered presumptuous. Period marshalling combined two or more separate designs to indicate descent from noble parents and claim to inheritance. Since members of the Society are all required to earn their status on their own merits, apparent claims to inherited status are presumptuous. Divisions commonly used for marshalling, such as quarterly or per pale, may only be used in contexts that ensure marshalling is not suggested. a. Such fields may be used with identical charges over the entire field, or with complex lines of partition or charges overall that were not used for marshalling in period heraldry. b. Such fields may only be used when no single portion of the field may appear to be an independent piece of armory. No section of the field may contain an ordinary that terminates at the edge of that section, or more than one charge unless those charges are part of a group over the whole field. Charged sections must all contain charges of the same type to avoid the appearance of being different from each other. 4. Arms of Pretense - Armory that uses charges which themselves are charged in such a way as to appear to be arms of pretense is considered presumptuous. Period and modern heraldic practice asserts a claim to land or property by surmounting an individual's usual armory with a display of armory associated with that claim. Such arms of pretense are most commonly placed on an inescutcheon or lozenge, but may also appear on other geometric charges such as roundels, cartouches, etc. For this reason, such charges may not be charged in such a way as to suggest independent arms. Such charges may not contain an ordinary that terminates at the edge, or more than one charge. A GLOSSARY OF TERMS AS USED IN THE RULES FOR SUBMISSIONS Alternate Persona - Any identity a participant in the Society uses other than the primary persona. Argent - The heraldic tincture silver or white. Argent is a metal. Armiger - A person who has been awarded the right to arms. Arms can only be given by a sovereign in the Society, and come in three levels: Awards of Arms, Grants of Arms, and Letters Patent. A person with registered personal armory who is not an armiger has a device, but armigers have arms. Armorial Element - A component of heraldic design. An armorial element may be a charge, a line of division, a line of partition, a field treatment, a tincture, or other component that may be used in designing armory. See the rules, Part VII, for discussion of Compatible Armorial Elements. Armory - Any design that the College of arms registers or protects, such as devices or arms, badges, etc. It may also apply, for our purposes, to trademarks, logos, and other graphic symbols that resemble heraldic bearings. See the sections on Registrable and Protected Items in the Administrative Handbook. Arms - A heraldic design that uniquely represents the person or group that owns it. Within the Society, "Arms" are reserved to people who have been awarded arms by their sovereigns. Arrangement - The relative placement of a group of charges on the field. Azure - The heraldic tincture blue. Azure is a color. Badge - A piece of armory used by an individual or group to identify possessions, retainers, members, or other items. A badge is distinguished from a device, which is used solely by its owner. Balance - The state of having charges distributed evenly. Balance does not consider peripheral charges, like a chief. If the charges are all to one side, the design is unbalanced. Balance is not the same as symmetry, as that changes the facing of the individual elements to reflect each other. Heraldic charges usually all face the same way, but have their visual centers arranged as if they were symmetric. Blazon - The verbal description of a piece of armory. Branch - An official chapter of the Society. Byname - A name other than a person's given name. "Byname" is a broad term that may include surnames, patronymics, and various epithets. Cadency - The method of modifying armory to indicate a relationship with the owner of the original armory. Changes that were made to difference one device from another can be considered the smallest changes that were considered significant enough to be noticed at the time they were used. Different systems of cadency were used in period, depending on the time and place. Charge - An item depicted on a piece of armory. A charge may be a simple geometric figure, like a fess or a roundel, or a representation of an animate or inanimate item, like a sword or a lion. See the rules, Part VII, for discussion of Compatible Charges. Charge Group - A set of charges used together in a design as a single unit. The charges in groups in heraldry usually fall into standard arrangements depending on their number and what other items are involved in the design. A collection of charges that are arranged in such a standard arrangement are considered a single group, even if they are of different types. Charge Type - See "Type". Coherent - For heraldic purposes, this means all the elements of a design work together to produce a single effect. Usually, a field division or the primary charge establishes a pattern of dividing the field. If something is used to cross the lines established in such a pattern, it usually lies straight across the line at a right angle. Coherence is diminished by placing elements with no relation to each other, or ignoring the pattern set in the design. Coherence can also be diminished by using unlike charges in a group. College of Arms - The Principal Heralds of each kingdoms, and such other persons as Laurel may deem to be of assistance. College of Heralds - The warranted heralds and pursuivants of a kingdom, and such other persons as the Principal Herald may deem to be of assistance. Color - In Society heraldry, the colors are Azure, Gules, Sable, Purpure and Vert (Blue, Red, Black, Purple and Green). The furs that use colors as underlying tinctures, like Counter-Ermine and Pean, are treated like colors for contrast. Compatible - In keeping with the normal usages for the period and domain of the Society. Guidelines on compatible names are given in Parts II and III, and guidelines for compatible armory are given in Parts VII and VIII of these rules. Conflict - Submissions that are considered to be so similar that they may appear to belong to the same person or to immediate relatives are said to conflict. Definitions of Conflicting Names are given in Part V and Conflicting Armory is defined in Part X of these rules. Contrast - A level of visual distinction between different tinctures. Rule VIII.2a defines good contrast in heraldic terms. Tinctures not defined as having good contrast are said to have low contrast or marginal contrast. Counter-Ermine - An heraldic fur with a sable background and argent spots to represent ermine tails. Counter-ermine is treated as a color in Society heraldry. Designation - The word used in a name for a group or office to define the type of group. Designations may be the types of official branches, like "Barony", "Shire", "Kingdom", etc., or they may be other kinds of designations like "Order", "Guild", "House", "Office", "Herald" and so forth. Device - A heraldic design that uniquely represents the person or group that owns it. A person who has not been awarded arms may register personal armory as a device. This device will become arms when the person is awarded arms. Diminutive - A name that is derived from another name as a shortened form, nickname, or pet form. "Betty", "Eliza", "Betsy", "Lizzie", "Bess", and so forth are all diminutives of "Elizabeth". Documented - Found in a source that was created before 1600 A.D. More recent sources that quote sources created before 1600 are acceptable as documentation unless they are shown to be erroneous. Domain of the Society - Europe and areas that were in contact with Europe before 1600 A.D. Dynamic - In a design context, this means that the arrangement gives an impression of motion or activity. This can happen by posing charges so that their apparent weight is not over their bases, such as in a depiction of a running man that has the feet behind the head so the weight is not firmly supported by them. This can also happen if charges are unevenly spaced to give an impression of motion from one to the next. This term is used as the opposite of "static". Element - See "Name Element" and "Armorial Element". Emblazon - The drawing or depiction of a piece of armory. Epithet - A descriptive name. It may either describe physical characteristics, like "the Short", "the Bald", or "the Red"(from hair color), personality traits or accomplishments like "the Great" or "the Unready", occupations like "the Goldsmith" or "the Farmer", or the place from which a person came, like "of London". Ermine - An heraldic fur composed of an argent background with sable spots that represent ermine tails. Ermine is treated as a metal in Society heraldry. Erminois - An heraldic fur composed of an Or background with sable spots representing ermine tails. Erminois is treated as a metal in Society heraldry. Field Treatment - A repeating pattern drawn in a contrasting tincture over the field or a charge. Field treatments leave more of the underlying tincture showing than they cover, and are considered a part of the field or charge tincture. Field treatments include fretty, masoned, honeycombed, and so on. Fieldless Armory - Personal badges are encouraged to be designed as a single unit, with the charges all connected in some way as if they were cast out of metal in one mold. Such badges were used on any background appropriate at the time, and so may be registered without a specified field tincture. Fimbriation - Use of a thin line of a contrasting tincture around a charge. Fur - Some furs, like Vair, Potent, and Papellony, are divided into pieces of equal size in contrasting hues. Others, like Ermine, Counter-Ermine, Erminois, and Pean, have an underlying hue with a repeating pattern of ermine spots in a contrasting hue. Furs are traditionally considered to be separate heraldic tinctures, like the colors and metals. Geographic Descriptions - Place names, or descriptions of a geographic location. Geographic descriptions could be names like "Canterbury" or "Dijon", or descriptions like "the Blue Mountains" or "the Meadow". Given Name - The name given to a person at birth or in a naming ceremony like baptism. In the English naming tradition, the given name is usually a person's first name, so Martha Washington's given name is "Martha". Grandfather Clause - The popular name given to the guarantee in Corpora that, once registered, a name or armory remains registered unless the owner requests its release, regardless of changes in the rules and standards applied to future submissions. This name is also sometimes applied to the provisions that allow use of elements that were registered once, but are no longer acceptable under the current Rules for Submissions. These provisions of the Grandfather Clause are stated in Rule II.5 and Rule VII.7. Group - A collection of people, not necessarily just an official branch. Households, orders, and branches are all referred to as "groups" in the rules. Group, Charge - See "Charge Group". Gules - The heraldic tincture red. Gules is a color. Herald - When used with a capital "H", "Herald" is a title to refer to a person at a particular level in the College of Arms. Used with a small "h", a herald is any person who works regularly on some aspect of heraldry. Laurel - In these rules, the Laurel Sovereign of Arms, who is the principal heraldic officer of the Society and the head of the College of Arms. Laurel is ultimately responsible for seeing that the duties of the heralds, as defined in the Corpora of the Society, are fulfilled. Legal Name - This term is used to distinguish the formal name a person has outside the Society from the Society name. Letters of Acceptances and Returns - A monthly letter in which the Laurel Sovereign of Arms publicizes decisions on recent submissions. This is usually abbreviated LoAR. The LoAR are available by subscription from the Laurel office. Letters of Comment - Letters written by members of the College of Arms to discuss current submissions and advise the Laurel Sovereign of Arms on the acceptability of the names and armory that are being considered. This is usually abbreviated LoC. Letters of Intent - Letters written by Principal Heralds to describe the submissions from their kingdoms. The College of Arms is given time to comment on the submissions before the Laurel Sovereign of Arms decides whether to register them or return them for more work. This is usually abbreviated LoI. Line of Division - A line or set of lines that cuts the field or a charge into pieces that have different tinctures. Lines of division are named after the ordinaries they follow, like lines per pale, per fess, per bend, and per saltire, or have their own names like checky, lozengy, quarterly, and so forth. Line of Partition - A description of the shape of a line of division, or of the line that defines the edge of a charge. Lines of partition are named to identify their shape, like embattled, wavy, indented, engrailed, and so on. A line of partition may be used on the edge of a charge, where it is called an edge partition, as on "a pale invected". An internal line of partition is between the tinctures when an element is divided, as in "per pale embattled argent and gules". Maintained Charges - Small objects that are held by an animate charge are said to be maintained, like "a lion rampant maintaining a sword". Maintained charges are usually too small to count towards difference. Matronymic - A name given to offspring to indicate the name of the mother. The son of a Scottish woman named "Cait" might take the matronymic "Mac Caite" Metal - In Society heraldry, the metals are Argent and Or (Silver or White, and Gold or Yellow). The furs that use metals as underlying tinctures, like Ermine and Erminois, are treated like metals for contrast. Modern - For Society purposes, "modern" is anything after 1600 A.D. Mon - Japanese armorial insignia. Monster - An heraldic monster is any creature used in heraldry that does not exist outside the imagination. Monsters may either be clearly invented, like the sea lion, or a confused interpretation of a genuine animal, like the heraldic tyger. Name - The word or words applied to distinguish a specific thing from other things like it. There may be names for people, places, groups, orders, guilds, and so forth. Name Element - A part of a name. A name element is usually a single word, such as a given name, a surname, or an adjective in a description. Part II of these rules describes compatible name elements. Neutral - A term used to refer to armorial elements that are equally divided of a color and a metal. Elements that are neutral are considered to contrast well with colors or metals. Or - The heraldic tincture yellow or gold. Or is a metal. Ordinary - Simple geometric charge. Although many differing lists of ordinaries may be found in heraldic texts, in Society heraldry the term is used to apply to those simple geometric figures that pass through the center of the field: the pale, fess, bend, bend sinister, chevron, cross, saltire, pall, and pile, their diminutives, and the simple geometric additions to the edges of the field: the chief and bordure. Orientation - The direction a charge faces and the direction its center line runs. Swords, for instance, are palewise, which is point to chief and the length of the sword running up and down the shield. Other orientations include bendwise, fesswise, inverted, and to sinister. Overall - A term applied to charges that cross over both edges of another charge to lie on the field on either side. For instance, "Or, a lion rampant purpure and overall a fess sable" has the fess starting on the field on one side, crossing over the center of the lion, and lying on the field on the other side. Patronymic - A name given to offspring to indicate the name of the father. The son of a Scottish man named "Gregor" might use the patronymic "MacGregor". This term is used generally in the rules to mean both "patronymic" and "matronymic". Pean - An heraldic fur with a sable background and Or spots to represent ermine tails. Pean is classed as a color in Society heraldry. Period - This term is used as an adjective to refer to the culture the Society attempts to recreate. For our purposes, "period" is short for "pre-Seventeenth Century Western". Period of the Society - As a noun, this means the time before 1600 A.D. Peripheral Charge Group - A charge or group of charges that are placed on the field near the edge of a piece of armory without affecting the rest of the design. Chiefs and bordures are the most common peripheral charges, but orles, tressures, or groups of separate charges used in the same area as a chief or bordure may also be peripheral charges. The design "Per chevron argent and sable, two roses and a fleur-de-lys counterchanged and on a chief purpure three hearts argent" uses the chief as a peripheral charge. Similarly, "purpure, a cross between four eagles displayed argent within a laurel wreath Or" has the laurel wreath as the peripheral charge. Persona - The identity an individual chooses to adopt for Society participation. A persona is not a recreation of an actual individual, but a created person who could have lived somewhere within the domain of the Society. Phrase - In names, a phrase is defined as a single word, like a given name or surname, or a collection of words that are grammatically linked, like an article and its noun such as "the Smith", a preposition and its object such as "of York", an adjective and the noun it modifies such as "Golden Mists", or some combination of these such as "of the Red Rose". Place Name - The name for a geographic area, such as the name of a town or region. In the Society, place names are the names of shires, baronies, principalities, kingdoms, and other official branches. Posture - The pose in which a beast or other animate charge is placed, such as "rampant", "trippant", "dormant" and so forth. Precedent - A decision by Laurel on a specific submission that may be applied to other similar submissions. Presumptuous - Claiming more importance for oneself than one is due. A person who pretends to be entitled to special treatment or recognition because of status, rank, or abilities that the person does not hold or has not earned is presumptuous. Primary Charge Group - The most important group of charges in a piece of armory. The primary charge group is usually mentioned first in the blazon. The primary charge is usually the central ordinary, if one is present. If there is no central ordinary, then the primary charge group is the set of charges of the same size that are largest and visually dominate the center of the design. In the device "Gules, a pale between two mullets argent", the pale is the primary charge. The primary charge in "Or, a maunche between three roundels azure" is the maunche. The design "Per chevron Argent and sable, two roses and a fleur-de-lys counterchanged and on a chief purpure three hearts argent" has the roses and fleur-de-lys as the primary charge group, because they are all of about the same size and in a standard arrangement. Primary Persona - The identity under which College of Arms records, including device registrations and lists of awards on the Order of Precedence, are kept. Principal Herald - The chief heraldic officer of a kingdom, and a Great Officer of State in that kingdom. The Principal Herald is in charge of all heraldic activities within the kingdom. Proper - Used in blazon to specify that a charge appears in its natural colors. "A zebra proper" has the zebra's characteristic pattern of black and white stripes. "A tree proper" has a brown trunk and green leaves. Sometimes "proper" is used to indicate a standard set of tinctures for a standard heraldic charge, like "a sword proper", which has an argent blade and Or hilt and quillons, or "a rose proper", which is "a rose gules, barbed vert and seeded Or". The term "proper" should only be used to indicate colorings that cannot be described in the usual heraldic language. "A raven proper" is just "a raven sable". "Proper" should also only be used if a competent artist will be able to draw the animal correctly without extensive research. Protected Armory - Armory with which new Society armory may not conflict. This includes armory that has already been registered in the Society, as well as various categories of armory from outside the Society that are deemed important. Purpure - The heraldic tincture purple. Purpure is a color. Registration - Acceptance by Laurel of a name or piece of armory for future protection. The College of Arms will only register items that it believes are compatible with period names and armory, are not offensive or presumptuous, and that do not conflict with armory that is already protected. Registered items are protected from conflict with other proposed names and armory to the best ability of the College of Arms. Required Charges - In a few cases, pieces of armory are required to incorporate a particular charge in the design. The Society requires at least one laurel wreath on the arms of every official branch, and a crown on the arms of every kingdom. Reserved Charges - Some charges are specifically reserved in the Society for use by particular groups or individuals, for instance the Coronet with Strawberry leaves reserved to Dukes and Duchesses, the circle of chain reserved to Knights, or the Laurel wreath reserved to Society branches. These charges are listed in an appendix to the Administrative Handbook. Restricted Charges - Some charges are so closely associated with royal families or specific honors outside the Society that they may not be used in Society armory at all. Some examples of these include Azure semy-de-lys, used by France, a Chinese Dragon with five toes, used only by Chinese Emperors, or a Tudor Rose. These charges are listed in an appendix to the Administrative Handbook. Sable - The heraldic tincture black. Sable is a color. Secondary Charge Group - A group of charges placed on the field around the primary charge group. In the device "Gules, a pale between two mullets argent", the mullets are the secondary charge group. The secondary charges in "Or, a maunche between three roundels azure" are the roundels. Semy - A verb meaning something is strewn with identical charges. A field "Azure semy-de-lys Or" is blue with a pattern of gold fleurs-de-lys on it. "A bordure vert semy of rowels argent" is green and is charged with eight white rowels, evenly spaced around it. The charges that are so used are called "strewn charges" in these rules. Society, the - The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Society Name - The name a person chooses to use within the Society. This is the personal name one registers with the College of Arms. Static - In a design context, this means all the elements appear fixed an unmoving. Heraldic postures usually place the weight of the beast firmly over its feet, for instance, and the body is posed unnaturally in a stiff position. Designs are balanced around the center of the shield so that the whole design also looks rigid. The opposite of this term is "dynamic". Strewn Charges - See Semy. Style - The way elements are put together to form a complete submission. Submission - A name or piece of armory that is given to the College of Arms for registration. Submitter - The person who submits something to the College of Arms for registration. Surname - A name passed to all the offspring in a family. Modern English surnames usually come last, so George Washington's surname is "Washington". Other cultures may use their surnames in other positions. Symmetry - A pattern of repeating design. Mirror symmetry reflects a design across an imaginary line to form a like design that is the mirror image of it. Two lions combattant are mirror symmetric. Radial symmetry repeats a design at regular intervals around an imaginary center. Two fish in annulo are radially symmetric. Neither of these forms of symmetry are common in heraldic design, as they change the orientation and facing of objects. Heraldry usually balances charges and keeps them oriented the same way. Tertiary Charge Group - Any group of charges placed entirely on other charges. Tertiary charges in a group may be together, such as three charges on a chief, or may each be on members of the same charge group. The design "Per chevron argent and sable, two roses and a fleur-de-lys counterchanged and on a chief purpure three hearts argent" has one group of tertiary charges on the chief. "Gules, a chevron between three roses Or, each charged with a cross fitchy sable" has the crosses as one group of tertiary charges. "Or, on a fess gules an escallop between two millrinds Or, all within a bordure vert charged with eight roundels argent" has two groups of tertiary charges, one group with the escallop and millrinds and the other with the roundels. Tincture - One of the seven standard hues used in Society armory, or the furs. The tinctures are Argent, Azure, Gules, Or, Purpure, Sable, and Vert (Silver or White, Blue, Red, Gold or Yellow, Purple, Black, and Green). Furs include Ermine, Counter-Ermine, Erminois, Pean, Vair, Potent, Scaly, Papelonny, and the variations of them. Title - A word that indicates the rank of the person using it. The Society has formally reserved the titles King, Queen, Crown, Crown Prince, Crown Princess, Prince, Princess, Coronet, Duke, Duchess, Count, Countess, Viscount, Viscountess, Master, Mistress, Sir, Baron, Baroness, Court Baron, Court Baroness, Lord, and Lady, and their translations into languages other than English. These titles may only be used as authorized in Corpora. "Toyota", Rule of - An informal name given to the idea that the submitter may register armory that is not the best style or in poor taste if he really wants it. This is based on the slogan "You Asked for It, You Got It!" Type - A kind of charge in a piece of armory. The device "Gules, a chevron between two candles and a lantern Or" has three types of charges: chevrons, candles, and lanterns. "Argent, on a pale purpure between two lions combattant gules three lions passant Or" has two types of charges: pales, and lions in two different postures. Variants, Linguistic - Different spellings or pronunciations of the same word. Language was not fixed during the period studied by the Society, so a single word may have many variant forms. Vert - The heraldic tincture green. Vert is a color. "Weirdnesses", Rule of Two - An informal name given to the idea that, in most cases, the College can accept a design that has one break with the usual heraldic style. A device that has two violations of period heraldic style, or "two weirdnesses", is less likely to be registered.