Crescent

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Illustrations:

Period:

Crescents interlaced:

Bertschi,
Bertschi, Wappenbuch besonders deutscher Geschlechter, BSB Cod 308 (Augsburg 1515-1650)	Insignia Equitum Gallici 1550-55, interlaced crescents

Moon-phases:

Italian

Italian crescent and moon-phase motifs

Crescents with faces:

BSB Cod 392d (S Germany, 1500-1550), Suddeutschland Wappenbuch. Image courtesy of Keith Farmer.	Siebmacher Wappenbuch, 1605. Image courtesy of Bruce Draconarius.	1550-1555 Italian, one of the BSB Insignia armorials. Image courtesy of Bruce Draconarius.

Modern:

Pictorial Dictionary, 3rd edition:

• Crescent
• Moon

Vector Graphics:

• Viking Answer Lady - http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/Stars/Heraldry_SVG_Images/index.htm

Sources:

"Emblazons Containing Crescents, Increscents, Decrescents, and Moons" by Gunnvǫr silfrahárr [1]

• Academy of St. Gabriel "Medieval Heraldry Archive" - http://www.s-gabriel.org/heraldry/
• Archive of St. Gabriel reports - [[2]]
• Laurel Armory Articles - http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/armory_articles.html

• New Heraldic Primer (Heraldry for Non-Heralds) - http://heraldry.sca.org/armory/newprimer/
• Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry (PicDic), 3rd Edition - http://mistholme.com/pictorial-dictionary-of-heraldry
• Period Armorials

• Parker's Heraldry - http://karlwilcox.com/parker/
• Riestap's Armorial Général - http://www.euraldic.com/lasu/bl/bl_a_aa.html

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Precedents:

Precedents of the SCA College of Arms - [[3]] Morsulus Heralds Website - [[4]] (to search the LoARs and Precedents) Restatement Wiki - [[5]] (restatements of Precedents) Use the above links to be sure any precedents listed below haven't been superseded by newer precedents.

Definition:

From Wreath: Crescents and Things Revisited

Two submissions this month had the motif of within and conjoined to a crescent a tree, where the crescent was very thin and circular, and the tree quite substantial. Under current precedent, the tree is maintained, which seems fundamentally flawed. In April 2012, precedent was set regarding how we treat charges within or between the horns of a crescent. At that time, the ruling was:

• the crescent is the main charge, as it is typically the larger charge
• if the other charge is entirely within the crescent, it is a maintained charge...
• if the other charge is placed between the horns of the crescent but extends beyond the bounds of the crescent, it is either a co-primary charge or a secondary charge, depending on the relative sizes of the two charges...

As shown by the first point, this ruling entirely assumed that crescents would be the typical fat crescent with a small "interior" space between its horns, a more substantial charge than any charge placed within it. However, crescents did in fact vary quite a bit in shape in period, and from round and thick to fairly shallow and thin. The thinner crescents seen in period armorials typically do not extend beyond a semi-circle, looking rather more like bananas in fact, but a more circular thin crescent should not be disallowed in SCA heraldry. It is in fact possible to have a substantial central charge surrounded by a less-substantial thin crescent. Given the variety of crescent shapes, the April 2012 precedent is hereby overturned. We will therefore treat charges entirely within or between the horns of a crescent, conjoined or not, in a similar manner as to how we treat other paired charges as set forth in the February 2012 precedent on sustained and maintained charges: the more substantial charge is the primary or co-primary charge, and the other charge if smaller is a secondary charge or, if conjoined and less than half the visual weight of the other charge, a maintained charge. For example, a tree within a crescent// is a primary tree and a secondary crescent, but //between the horns of a crescent a tree// is a primary crescent and a secondary tree. Reblazons to clarify whether a charge //within a crescent is a secondary charge or a maintained charge will occur as needed, with the April 2012 reblazons taking priority. http://heraldry.sca.org/loar/2013/05/13-05cl.html#7

April 2012 - crescents with things:

From Wreath: Crescents and Things Commenters were asked to discuss how we should blazon the period motif of charges combined with crescents. Placing items between the horns of a crescent is a period heraldic motif. Richard I of England used it as a seal, currently listed in Society armory as the badge (Tinctureless) An estoile between the horns of a crescent//, a style of badge that was likely brought back from the East during the Crusades. The family of Percy had as a badge //within the horns of a crescent a pair of shacklebolts. Other examples have been found in period armory of other objects set just above or within a crescent. Discussion on this motif, informed by the recent discussion, past precedent regarding charges within annulets, and precedent set on the February 2012 Cover Letter regarding sustained secondary charges, has led us to make the following rulings. When considering a charge set between the horns or a crescent or encompassed entirely within the crescent:

• the crescent is the main charge, as it is typically the larger charge
• if the other charge is entirely within the crescent, it is a maintained charge, and will be blazoned with the term within// to emphasize its lesser importance. For example, //within [and conjoined to] a crescent an X.
• if the other charge is placed between the horns of the crescent but extends beyond the bounds of the crescent, it is either a co-primary charge or a secondary charge, depending on the relative sizes of the two charges, and will be blazoned with the term between the horns// according to current practice for co-primary and secondary charges. If the charge is conjoined to the crescent and would be considered a secondary charge under this ruling, it is therefore considered a sustained secondary charge. For example, //in pale an X between [and conjoined to] the horns of a crescent// is a co-primary group. For example, //between [and conjoined to] the horns of a crescent an X// or //a crescent sustaining between its horns an X is a primary crescent and a secondary X.

Whether two charges are conjoined or not does not count for difference, only their relative sizes and position. When a primary crescent and a secondary charge are present in a design where they would be expected to be in a secondary or tertiary charge group, the crescent and charge will both be considered part of the same group. [[6]]

Registerability (Restricted, Reserved, SFPP, OOP):

January 2014 - phases of the moon:

From Wreath: Phases of the Moon - The "phases of the moon" motif of a roundel between an increscent and a decrescent has long been considered a step from period practice. As early as August 1989 it was declared "not really period style," but did not seem to be considered a step from period practice until September 1998. We know that the motif of an X between two Ys is a fairly common one in later period English armory. Non Scripta found evidence of a rose between two lions combattant and a mullet between two lions combattant, and Elmet added a fleur-de-lys between two rabbits passant respectant, all in English armory. Orle actually found a roundel between a decrescent and an increscent in Italian armory. We have never considered an X between two Ys respectant to be considered a step from period practice with any other combination of charges, only with a roundel and crescents, which is not consistent. Therefore, we are overturning past precedent. This motif is no longer considered a step from period practice. http://heraldry.sca.org/loar/2014/01/14-01cl.html

Collected Precedents:

Tenure of Elisabeth de Rossignol (May 2005 - July 2008) - [[7]] The 2nd Tenure of François la Flamme (October 2004 - May 2005) - [[8]] The Tenure of Shauna of Carrick Point (May 2004 - August 2004) - [Armory Precedents] The Tenure of François la Flamme (August 2001 - April 2004) - [Armory Precedents] The Tenure of Elsbeth Anne Roth (June 1999 - July 2001) - [Armory Precedents] The Tenure of Jaelle of Armida (June 1996 - June 1999) - [HTML Document] The 2nd Tenure of Da'ud ibn Auda (November 1993 - June 1996) - the 1st part (Nov 1993 - June 1994) and the 2nd part (July 1994 - June 1996) The Tenure of Bruce Draconarius of Mistholme (June 1992 - October 1993) - [precedents] The 1st Tenure of Da'ud ibn Auda (June 1990 - June 1992) - the 1st year (June 1990 - June 1991) and the 2nd year (July 1991 - June 1992) The Tenure of Alisoun MacCoul of Elphane (September 1986 - June 1990) - [Precedents] The Tenure of Baldwin of Erebor (August 1984 - August 1986) - [HTML Document] The Tenure of Wilhelm von Schlüssel (August 1979 - August 1984) - [Precedents] The Tenure of Karina of the Far West (December 1975 - June 1979) - [Precedents] The Early Days (June 1971 - June 1975) - [Precedents]

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In the Ordinary:

(includes increscent moon, moon)

• [- 1 - Argent - Decrescent]
• [- 1 - Argent - Increscent]
• [- 1 - Argent - Pendant]
• [- 1 - Argent - Tilted]
• [- 1 - Argent - Upright]
• [- 1 - Azure - Decrescent]
• [- 1 - Azure - Increscent]
• [- 1 - Azure - Pendant]
• [- 1 - Azure - Tilted]
• [- 1 - Azure - Upright]
• [- 1 - Fur]
• [- 1 - Gules - Decrescent]
• [- 1 - Gules - Increscent]
• [- 1 - Gules - Pendant]
• [- 1 - Gules - Tilted]
• [- 1 - Gules - Upright]
• [- 1 - Multicolor - Decrescent]
• [- 1 - Multicolor - Increscent]
• [- 1 - Multicolor - Pendant]
• [- 1 - Multicolor - Tilted]
• [- 1 - Multicolor - Upright]
• [- 1 - Or - Decrescent]
• [- 1 - Or - Increscent]
• [- 1 - Or - Pendant]
• [- 1 - Or - Tilted]
• [- 1 - Or - Upright]
• [- 1 - Purpure]
• [- 1 - Sable - Decrescent]
• [- 1 - Sable - Increscent]
• [- 1 - Sable - Pendant]
• [- 1 - Sable - Tilted]
• [- 1 - Sable - Upright]
• [- 1 - Vert - Decrescent]
• [- 1 - Vert - Increscent]
• [- 1 - Vert - Pendant]
• [- 1 - Vert - Tilted]
• [- 1 - Vert - Upright]
• [- 2]
• [- 3]
• [- 4 or more]
• Crescenty - see [[9]]