Academy of Saint Gabriel Report 447

Academy of Saint Gabriel Report 447

This report is available at http://www.s-gabriel.org/447

Some of the Academy's early reports contain errors that we haven't yet corrected. Please use it with caution.

Greetings,

Here's the information we found on the name "Branwen," which you wanted to use as an early Irish name.

Unfortunately, the "Morte D'Arthur" can't be used as documentation. Malory took his names from a variety of sources, many of which weren't historical. We haven't found other examples of documentation, so we can't say that this is a medieval name.

"Branwen" is orignally Welsh, but it wasn't used by actual people. It's the name of a character from a well-known Welsh legend who is probably the source of the <Branguain> or <Brengain> who appears in some 12th century French romances. It is quite likely that Malory got his <Bragwaine> from these romances.

Some of the names found in period romances were in actual use; others weren't. Therefore such documentation by itself cannot show that a name was really in use. Since the only period examples of <Branwen> that we have found are fictional, we recommend that you use a different name, especially since you're interested in an Irish persona. The SCA College of Arms will register "Branwen" even though it's not a medieval name, but we would be happy to help you find a historical Irish name.

Arval Benicoeur, Tangwystl verch Morgant Glasvryn, and Talan Gwynek contributed to this letter.

We hope this has been helpful, and that we can continue to assist you.

In service,
Alan Fairfax
Academy of S. Gabriel