ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1827 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1827 ************************************ 28 Oct 1999 From: (Josh Mittleman) Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked whether is an appropriate name for an Englishman between 1400 and 1600; and you asked for advice designing arms. This letter is a brief answer to your question. Your name is perfect for your period. We have found several examples of in your period [1, 2]. It was also spelled in 1598 and in 1583 [3]. The surname appeared as early as 1219 and we found an example in 1578 [4, 5]. You wrote that you want arms with a blue background and a central charge evocative of the sea: a boat, a shark, etc. You also said you want to use a harpy as your crest. A boat would be an excellent choice, as would an anchor, a seashell, and various kinds of fish. If you'd like more information on the use of any of these charges, please write us again. We have found no period example of a shark used as a heraldic charge, so we cannot recommend it as good re-creation. In thinking about your arms, you may find it helpful to look at the pictures in this book: Joseph Foster, _The Dictionary of Heraldry_ (New York: Arch Cape Press, 1989). It contains several thousand color re-drawings of period English arms. You'll notice that simple designs are common in this collection. Two particular patterns were quite common, and we recommend them highly: a single charge on a plain background; and three identical charges in an inverted-triangular arrangement on a plain background. In heraldic jargon, a crest is an insignia displayed above the shield. It was originally an object worn by a knight on top of his helm, and it evolved into a extra pictorial adornment associated with a man's arms, though not actually part of them. In common speech, is often used as a synonym for . Crests were widely used in English heraldry in the 16th century, less so in the 15th [6]. The SCA College of Arms does not register crests, but some kingdoms regulate their use. If you want to use one, you should check with the heralds in your kingdom for the local laws and customs. We hope this brief letter has been useful. Please write us again if you have any questions. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter by Aelfwyn aet Gyrwum, Margaret Makafee, Juliana de Luna, Elsbeth Anne Roth, Mari nic Bryan, Rouland Carre, and Zenobia Naphtali. For the Academy, Arval Benicoeur 28 Oct 1999 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References [1] Julian Goodwyn, "English Names from pre-1600 Brass Inscriptions" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1997). An example of is dated 1442. http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/arval/brasses/ [2] Talan Gwynek, "Late Sixteenth Century English Given Names" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1997). http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/talan/eng16/ [3] Gray, Irvine and J. E. Gethyn-Jones, editors, _The Registers of the Church of St. Mary's, Dymock, 1538-1790_ (The Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, 1960). [4] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995). [5] Mari Elspeth nic Bryan, "Names of Members of the Frobisher Voyages, 1576-1578" (WWW: J. Mittleman, 1999). [6] Woodcock, Thomas, Somerset Herald, and John Martin Robinson, Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary, _The Oxford Guide to Heraldry_ (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988).