ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1461 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1461 ************************************ 23 Apr 1999 Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel. You asked whether the names or and badge "Three armored arms in triskelion, each sustaining a sword argent" were appropriate for a tournament society between 1300 and 1500. Here's what we found. The earliest citation we found for the English word was in the mid-19th century [1]; it certainly would not have been used in as an English name of any sort during your period. We have also found no examples of the charge that the SCA calls a triskelion in mundane heraldry. In period, tournament societies were often named for heraldic charges but usually had more formal names as well. An example is the Order of the Croissant, which was also known as the Order of Saint Maurice. You are on the right track for a name, but is not an authentic choice. The badge "Three armored arms in triskelion, each sustaining a sword argent" uses a motif that is rare in period but not completely unknown. We found these examples: Lord of the Isle of Man: Gules, three legs flexed in triangle armed argent spurred Or argent. (Identical arms are listed in for an individual in Germany); [2] Owen ap Edwyn, Prince of Ingelfeide: A beryth iij armys harneysed w[t] iij swerdys combattant joynand sayland asewre and sylwyr (Azure, three arms joined in millsail fashion [i.e., 'conjoined at the shoulders in triskelion'] each sustaining a sword argent). [3] The SCA College of Arms will probably blazon the badge "(Fieldless) a triskelion of three armored arms, each sustaining a sword argent". If you wish to avoid the word , "Three armored arms joined in millsail fashion each sustaining a sword argent" or "Three armored arms conjoined in pall at the shoulders each sustaining a sword argent" would be more authentic blazons. If you plan to register this badge, please note that it may conflict with Ternon de Caerleon: "Gyronny of six palewise vert and erminois, in pall three dexter arms, flexed and conjoined at the shoulders, each hand grasping a dagger argent". The size of the swords on each badge will determine whether there is a conflict. This possible conflict can be avoided by changing the tincture of your badge to Or (gold). We hope that this letter has been useful to you, and that you will not hesitate to write again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Alan Fairfax, Arval d'Espas Nord, Aryanhwy Prytydes merch Catmael, Evan da Collaureo, Modar Neznanich, Rolland Carre, Talan Gwynek, Zenobia Naphtali, Caelin on Andrede, Walraven van Nijmegen, and Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn. In Service, Margaret Makafee 23 Apr 1999 --------------------- References and Notes [1] _The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary_ (New York: Oxford University Press, 1973). s.v. triskele [2] Siebmacher, Johann, _Johann Siebmachers Wappenbuch von 1605_, 2 vols., ed. Horst Appuhn (Dortmund: Harenberg, 1988,1989). [3] Barron, Oswald, "Randall Holme's Book", _The Ancestor_ vols. iii (1902), pp. 185-213; iv. 225-50; v. 175-90; vii. 184-215; ix. 159-80.