The Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory - SCA Heraldry

The Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory:The Rules for SubmissionsFor example, the attested Gules, a fess sable is not evidence for the submission Gules, on a fess sable betweenthree mullets argent three bezants nor is it evidence for the submission Gules, a lion sable.C. Number and Origin of Examples: The number of cases that must be used to demonstrate a pattern of usagedepends on how closely they match the submission in style.1. Source and Style: All examples should come from a single heraldic style or culture; the submissionsshould match the style of that culture as well. This is true even when documenting multiple elements whichfall outside the core style rules.2. Independence: Only independent devices count as examples. Multiple depictions of the same design, or ofarms cadenced from an original device, are not independent examples. In general, two depictions of anidentical armorial design or very closely related armorial designs from the same part of Europe will beconsidered not to be independent examples unless their owners can be identified and confirmed to beunrelated.Some elements or combinations of elements are so closely associated with one family that finding multipleindependent examples seems improbable. If independent examples cannot be found, such an element willnot be registerable under the individually attested pattern rules.One example is the design often labeled "Mortimer": Barry Or and azure, on a chief azure two palletsbetween two gyrons Or and overall an escutcheon argent. While it appears in different tinctures, it isalways associated with that family; therefore, there is only one example of this combination of elements.3. Number: In general, three closely matching examples of the exact practice are sufficient to demonstrate apattern. When closely matching examples are not found, six examples that bracket the submission incomplexity should be sufficient. In no case will multiple examples of a pattern with ordinaries or simplegeometric charges be sufficient evidence of that pattern for animate charges (though that pattern withordinaries and complex charges that are not animate may be). Likewise, in no case will multiple examplesof an element or combination of elements in simple designs be sufficient evidence for that same pattern incomplex designs. However, the use of an element or combination of elements in complex designs mayallow its use in simpler designs.For example, "A single black primary charge with a complex outline on a red background" is the type ofpattern we would call "closely matching". Some examples that would bracket such a submission are "a redcomplex-outline primary charge on a black background"(the tinctures match, but are swapped) or "multipleblack complex primary charges on a red background".For submissions with multiple elements which fall outside the style rules, three closely matching exampleswhich all include all of the non-core style elements will be sufficient to allow registration. If no example ofthe combination can be found, six independent examples of each non-core style practice should besufficient to give the submitter the benefit of the doubt that the practices might have been used together. Aswith single non-core style elements, the examples should be of comparable complexity to the submitteddesign.A.5. Armory ConflictA. Definitions and General Principles: To be registered, a new submission must be clear of conflict with allregistered armory. Conflict is both a period concept and a modern part of the requirement in the GoverningDocuments that armory has sufficient difference to avoid undue confusion. There are two types of confusion aStandards for Evaluation of Names and Armory – April 29, 2012 - Page 49 of 73