[MR] Heraldic Word of the Day

[Jim Looper]

Ever wonder about some of the words that get tossed about when one device/name gets accepted and another gets rejected? Here are a couple of word (with definitions) to help you along...

Precedent. 
A decision by Laurel regarding a submission that may be applied to other similar submissions. Only expressly stated Laurel decisions should be considered precedents; registrations without comment do not necessarily set precedent. The accumulated precedents of the Laurel office, filed by topic, are available to the public both through Free Trumpet Press and through the Laurel web site. 

Compatible. 
In keeping with the normal usages for the period and domain of the Society. Guidelines on compatible names are given in Parts II and III, and guidelines for compatible armory are given in Parts VII and VIII of the Rules for Submissions. See also Domain of the Society, Period, SCA-Compatible. 

SCA-Compatible. 
This term is applied to elements of submissions (whether name or armorial) that, to the best of our knowledge, were not used in period but which have been declared registerable on the basis of their great popularity, such as Rhiannon and compass stars. The use of an SCA-compatible element is a weirdness. See also Weirdnesses, Rule of Two. 

Weirdnesses, Rule of Two. 
An informal term referring to the idea that the College can usually accept a name or armorial design that has one break with the usual period style provided that it is not overly obtrusive. A name or device that has two violations of period style, or two weirdnesses, is less likely to be registered. These weirdnesses are defined in precedents. See also SCA-compatible. 

Sincerely,

Lucien