ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1497
http://www.s-gabriel.org/1497
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From: 
4 Mar 1999


Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel!

You asked us whether "Or, in pale a bow fesswise surmounted by two arrows
in saltire and a phoenix sable rising from flames gules" is a historically
accurate coat of arms.

You did not indicate a time or place as context for this question, so we'd
like to begin by noting that the earliest heraldry appeared during the
period 1120-1160 or so, and that standards of practice changed over time
and according to local taste.  Since you signed your letter with the name
<Eirik> and asked about historical accuracy, we'll limit our discussion to
the time when heraldry existed (after 1150) and the places during that
time where the name <Eirik> was used (Scandinavia). 

You may be disappointed that your arms do not seem to follow medieval
style.  In particular, it is rare to find two or three dissimilar objects
arranged "in pale" as in your suggested arms.  The bow-and-arrows motif is
a modern trophy-of-arms.  We have not seen a bow placed fesswise in
period armory, and would discourage the arrows crossed in saltire.  This 
is a motif overused in the SCA, so much so that it no longer serves the
purpose of an identifying symbol.

The phoenix was introduced into armory quite late in our period and was
always rare, so we think it is very unlikely that the phoenix would have
been used in native Scandinavian arms in your period.  We found a couple
examples of phoenices in 15th century English heraldry, but not in
Scandinavia [1].  Unless you are interested in very late-period arms, we
recommend a charge other than a phoenix.

If you would like our help designing arms that fit the heraldic style of
your period and culture, please write us again and let us know what time
and place most interests you.  We could also suggest some appropriate
charges and designs. 

We hope this has been helpful, and that we can continue to assist you. 
Arval Benicoeur, Talan Gwynek, Lindorm Eriksson, and Teceangl Bach
contributed to this letter.

In service,
--Walraven van Nijmegen
Academy of S. Gabriel

[1] The phoenix is rare in English and Continental heraldry.  The first
    known English example of a phoenix is a badge of Henry VII.  A grant
    to the Painters' Company of London, 1486, includes phoenix's heads in
    their arms and a full phoenix in their crest.  Jane Seymour was
    granted a phoenix in a badge in 1536, and both Elizabeth I and Mary,
    Queen of Scots used phoenices as badges.  Ralph Verney used one as a
    badge in the early 16th century.  Rodney Dennys, _The Heraldic
    Imagination_ (New York: Clarkson and Potter Inc., 1975), p.181.  James
    Parker, _A Glossary of Terms used in Heraldry_ (Charles E. Tuttle,
    1982), s.v. Castle. J.P. Brooke-Little, _An Heraldic Alphabet_ (New
    York: Arco Publishing Company, Inc., 1973).