General Principles of the Rules For Submissions and How to Avoid the Common Problems
By THL Arwyn of Leicester ECoH
The Rules for Submission can be an overwhelming document to read and understand. It's a combination of legalese and heraldese which makes it somewhat difficult. However, when we start working with it, we can find ways around normal pitfalls and help the submitter get what they want. If we look at it from that prospective, we can learn more about how it can be done.
We need to communicate the complex ideals of the rules but in a language that the client will understand but also appreciate. These rules often make the College of Heralds and College of Arms very rigid when in fact there are often really simple ways around common problems. But with understanding the rules ourselves and how to reduce the chances of returns, we increase the acceptance rate and improve the confidence of the overall system. This article details only with the issues with Part I – General Principles (Parts II through VI are dealt with here)

Part I - General Principles

Compatiblity

Our general principles for the rules for submissions really confirm that we are maintain the integrity of the submissions conviction towards the scope of the Society. We define this compatibility to be Europe and areas that contacted Europe prior to 1600A.D and to be "period". For the purpose of our heraldry, all elements of a submission stall have period content, period style with some documented exceptions. However, we often have a conflict between this "period" and the desire for a client to have an authentic name or device for their persona.

So, let's digress. The heralds are not extremely interested in a client's persona. Where they are from, how they got there, etc is not critical to accepting the submission as long as it meets the period content and style requirements. We really need to look at why someone wishes to have his or her submission to be authentic. If their desire is high, then work to ensure that the documentation is provided to support their claim. However, often people think it as a "just nice to have" because they like there persona. A very wise herald once told me:

"Dear. You need not worry so much about your persona. You've just started in the SCA and overtime you probably will change your garb, time period and culture at least once over ten years. Don't get hung up making sure your name matches your current persona because you don’t know what you will be ten years from now. Just find something that you like and can represent you."

Good advice! In fact, I did time shift for a little while but in the end came back to my original persona. However, not everyone does. Try to impress this on newcomers when they are very keen. We need to help them find what they want to be called now and in the future.

Offense

We still need to maintain the dignity of the Society within itself but also its presentation to the outside world. Although some names and armory would be considered period in content and style, we now consider some of these to be unacceptable. For example, the swastika from our recent Germany history has a poor connotation and would be in poor taste to use. Therefore, it is considered to be offensive. We can’t as a society support anything that reduces the fun of the game for everyone else. More often, this is not a problem for most clients.

Inappropriate Claims

Names or armory should not claim powers, status or relationships that the client doesn't have. We use names and armory to describe and distinguish people from each other. But we don't want to confuse someone with someone else or claim status or power for something we don't have. Again, our name and device is used to label ourselves within the Society as a whole and should be accurate to our current station.

To reduce confusion between different people, we require a level of difference between what we currently have registered to others and the proposed submission. When this difference is too close or non-existent, we will find the items to be in "conflict". Name and armory conflicts are different and will be discussed below. We just need to understand that it eliminates the 150 John Smith's that exist in the phone book and ensures that the appropriate person gets recognized for their efforts and successes within the Society.

Because our client's image is reflected within their submission, we need to make sure they are not claiming status or stations that they don't hold. Although every fighter may want to be a Knight or King one day, not all of them do. Only some will pass to that level. But we can remind the client that may slightly change or completely his or her registered items when they acquire a power or station (ie adding a baronial coronet, a belt of Chivalry, etc). The addition of these small changes often only conflict with their own passed heraldry because they already own it and are protected by conflict.

Don'’t forget to check constructed names. They often cause problems if the name also claims status or station. Being from a small castle or stronghold may look like the client owns it and therefore claiming land. We as individuals in the SCA can't hold lands and this submission may be returned. Also, constructed names also may have status associated with a position within period and/or in the SCA. For example, Schoolmaster, indicates a level of position and could confuse people that this person has a peerage. Therefore, this submission was returned.

In Summary:

When we work with the client, we need to get behind why they are doing what they want. Find out more about them so you can assist them in the correct direction. Our society has a specific scope and time period and we want the heraldry both names and armory to reflect that. Also, we need to reflect the correct image of the SCA and not offend any particular group both within the SCA but to the outside world.

Without this basic understanding, our client may go in a complete different direction and their submission will become more complex. Or, alternatively, they may offend someone unintentionally. If we discuss more with them at beginning, we can reduce the issues in the long term. Work with your local chatelaine when working with newcomers so they get pointed in the right direction.

Continue on to Part II