The Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory - SCA Heraldry

IntroductionThe Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory:The Rules for SubmissionsThis document contains the standards Laurel uses to evaluate all submissions of names and armory forregistration. These are the authoritative standards – other documents may summarize or provide simplifiedversions, but submissions must meet the criteria as laid out here. However, these Rules are not a step-by-stepprocedure for devising names or armory. Policies for heralds and for the submissions process are in otherdocuments, such as the Administrative Handbook, available on the Laurel website.This document is primarily for Laurel to use when making decisions on whether a name or piece of armory can beregistered. Laurel evaluates each submission to ensure that it is period within the framework that these Rulesrequires, does not conflict with other registered items, and is not presumptuous or offensive.We make these Rules available so that anyone interested can read and learn about the standards. They are alsoused by the members of the College of Arms in advising Laurel on whether a submission meets these standards.We encourage submitters and newer heralds to use the training materials available on the Laurel website. Thesematerials give instructions for creating medieval-style names and armory. They explain the processes forsubmitting those names and armory for registration. They give overviews of these rules that are sufficient toanswer most questions. However, in the case of any differences between the Standards for Evaluation of Namesand Armory and the other documents, the Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory take precedence overother documents.These Rules are divided into four main sections, plus appendices. The General Principles section describes someof the fundamental principles that underlie these rules. It also defines some common terms used throughout theserules. The other three main sections each address the standards that each type of submission – personal names,non-personal names, and armory – must meet. Each main section first lays out the standards for content and style(how submissions must be put together). It then lays out the standards for avoiding conflict (being “too close” toregistered items). Finally, it lays out the standards for avoiding presumption (claims that are not allowed) andoffense.The appendices contain supplemental information that expands on the Rules. One appendix contains the table oflanguages that can be mixed in a name submission. Other appendices contain information which consolidatesdecades of Laurel rulings. These appendices will be updated regularly to keep the material up to date.Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory – April 29, 2012 - Page 1 of 73