Ines’s List of Rarely Used SCA Charges – Techniques of Digital Heraldry

This is a reference copy of a historical document, preserved for its utility to the SCA heraldic community.

It was created by HL Ines Alfón, based on the OandA through Dec 2015, with updates through March 2017. It was originally hosted here on Google Sheets, but went offline somewhere between 2021 and 2024. It was recovered from Archive.org in July 2026 and reformatted for easier inclusion on this site.

1 Instance

Axle bracket (AXLE BRACKET) last registered Feb 1989 – (2/1989)
Banana (FOODSTUFF) last registered Feb 2014 (02/2014) This is the defining instance of a banana in Society armory
Belaying Pin (SHIP-PARTS) registered Jul 1980
bib-apron (CLOTHING-OTHER) last registered Nov 2015 (11-2015) “This is the defining instance of a bib-apron. It was documented as a period artifact, as seen in Jost Amman’s Book of Trades, 1568. For purpose of conflict checking, it does not have a DC from a waist-apron.”
brewer’s scoop (FORK-AND-SPOON, BASKET) last registered Jan 2016 (01-2016) “This is the defining instance of a brewer’s scoop in Society armory. The brewer’s scoop is a period charge. It is used by brewers for sampling the mash during fermentation — in essence, a bucket at the end of a long pole. The brewer’s scoop is found in the sixteenth century Armorial of the Arlberg Brotherhood of Saint Christopher (http://bilderserver.at/wappenbuecher/VirgilRaberEXAv2_52z2/ and scroll to fol.91), and in the episcopal arms of Peugelberg, late 16th C., from the Großes Wappenbuch, BSB Cod.Icon 333 fol.76 (http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/~db/bsb00002481/images/index.html?seite=76&fip=193.174.98.30)”
Bridle (SADDLERY AND TACK) last registered Nov 2014 (11/2014) This is the defining instance of a bridle in Society armory
Calligrapher’s knife (TOOL-CARPENTRY) registered Nov 2009
Cornice (ARCHITECTURE) last registered Mar 2015 (3/2015) – “This is the defining instance of a cornice. That framing charge can be found in the Stemmario Trivulziano. A cornice is an architectural motif.”
Demi-badger (BEAST9DEMI) registered Sep 2006 DEMI animals are defined as from the head with front / forelegs and body to the waist.
Demi-bat (BEAST9DEMI) registered Jun 1995
Demi-boar (BEAST9DEMI) registered Jun 1992
Demi-bull (BEAST9DEMI) registered Aug 2003
Demi-elephant (BEAST9DEMI) registered Jan 1996
Demi-hedgehog (BEAST9DEMI) registered Dec 1996
Demi-seal (BEAST9DEMI) registered Jan 1973
Demi-snake (BEAST9DEMI) registered Nov 1998
Drawbridge (ARCHITECTURE) last registered Aug 2011 – (08/2011) “This is the defining instance of a drawbridge in Society armory. The charge in period heraldry can be found in Stemmario Trivulziano, a Milanese roll of arms dating to the mid-15th Century, on plates 278 and 282. A drawbridge is at least a CD from a portcullis”
Dussack (SWORD) last registered Feb 2014 – (2/2014) “This is the defining instance of a dussack in SCA heraldry. The submitter did not provide any documentation of its suitability as an armorial charge, but fortunately Batonvert provided the necessary documentation. A dussack is a curved practice sword with a distinctive looped handle”
Flesh hook (FORK AND SPOON) last registered Sep 2014 – (09/2014) “This is the defining instance of both a flesh hook and a strainer. Both cooking implements can be seen used together in the Luttrel Psalter.” http://www.godecookery.com/afeast/kitchens/kit036.html
Frying Pan (MIRROR TOOL9OTHER) last registered Dec 2013 – (12/2013) “This is the defining instance of a frying pan in Society armory. This charge can be seen in the Armorial Bellenville, a 14th century French armorial, on f.54v (found at http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8470169b). It is permissible to draw the frying pan with a bit of depth to the pot, although it is depicted largely from above.” — (SLN Editorial) Will conflict with mirrors
Gimlet (TOOL-CARPENTRY) last registered Oct 2013 – (10/2013) “This is the defining instance of a gimlet in SCA heraldry. This charge can be seen in Virgil Raber’s Wappenbuch, 1548 (found at http://bilderserver.at/wappenbuecher/VirgilRaberEXAv2_52z2/, page 208/109).” — (SLN edit) looks kind of like a modern t-corkscrew
Handle (HANDLE) registered Mar 1993 – drawer handles
Head – Llama (HEAD-BEAST9OTHER) last registered May 1993 – SFPP as new world fauna – not sure of conflict against doe, camel, etc. However as only of this type – kind of moot.
Hoe (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) registered Jan 1998
Mill (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered Jul 2013 – (07/2013) defining instance from LoAR “This is the defining instance of this charge in Society heraldry. It can be seen in Siebmacher on pl.98, in the arms of von Uhrmuhl.”
Mitten (HAND-AND-GAUNTLET) “last registered Apr 2006 – “This is the first registration of a mitten. The submitter provided documentation from the Museum of National Antiquities (Historiska Museet) in Sweden showing that the Åsle mitten in their collection dates between 1510 and 1640 (http://www.historiska.se/collections/veckansfynd/vfynd1_012003_E.html). While there is a blazonable difference, there is not a CD between a mitten and a gauntlet or a hand.”
* — 1 mitten, HAND-AND-GAUNTLET however has 545 entries, so this is rare, but with a high conflict chance and does not quite follow the purpose of this document. Added as it is a defining instance.”
Nonagon (POLYGON) registered May 2003
Oarlocks (SHIP-PARTS) registered Aug 2008
Plummet (TOOL-CARPENTRY) registered Oct 2008
porte-arnois (TOOL9OTHER) last registered Jan 2015 (01/2015) “This is the defining instance of this charge in Society heraldry. The submitted drawing is taken from Hierosme de Bara’s Blason des Armoiries, 1581, p.154 (online at http://books.google.com/books?id=xzB0iqHZmbgC), where it is blazoned as un porte-arnois. A porte-arnois is a portable armor-stand.”
Punner (TOOL9OTHER) last registered Oct 2011 – (10/2011) “This is the defining instance of a punner, or pile-driver, in Society armory. Blazoned as a rammbock in German armory, that term is most frequently translated as pile-driver in English. According to the OED, punner is a 1611 spelling of a tool for pounding, or ramming, earth about a post.”
Rake (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered Jun 2014 – (6/2014) “This is the defining instance of a rake in Society armory. This charge can be seen in the canting arms of von Rechenberg, in the 15th C German armorial Scheibler’s Wappenbuch, BSB-Hss Cod.icon. 312c on f.49 (found at http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/bsb00007174/image_54). By default, the orientation of a rake is palewise head to chief.”
Rosary (JEWELS AND JEWELRY) last registered Mar 2014 – (3/2014) “This appears to be the defining instance of a rosary in Society heraldry. … the rosary is similar, with a closed loop of beads with a free-hanging string of beads ending in a cross. Goutte d’Eau provided several images of period rosaries, as well as some depictions in period art.”
Seed () registered Mar 2010 – “ash keys”
Sledge (NOT hammer) (TOOL9OTHER) last registered Feb 2014 – (2/2014) This is the defining instance of a sledge in SCA armory. This charge can be seen in the arms of von Schlitsted in Siebmacher on pl. 170 (found at http://www.wappenbuch.de/pages/wappen_170_Siebmacher.htm)
Sling (SLING) registered Aug 1979
Staircase (ARCHITECTURE) last registered May 2014 – from LOAR: “This is the defining instance of a staircase in Society heraldry. A staircase can be seen in the canting arms of Gradenigi, in the c.1550 Italian armorial Insignia Venetorum nobilium II, BSB Cod.icon. 272 on f.175r (found at http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/bsb00001419/image_361).”
Strainer (FORK AND SPOON) last registered Sep 2014 – (09/2014) “This is the defining instance of both a flesh hook and a strainer. Both cooking implements can be seen used together in the Luttrel Psalter.” http://www.godecookery.com/afeast/kitchens/kit036.html
Table (TABLE) registered Sep 1998
Tongue, beast or monster () registered Jan 1973 – probably not recognizable, nor allowed
Trapezoid (POLYGON) *NON SCA – flag, not sure if registerable
Turning Cratch (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered Dec 2013 – (12/2013) “Defining instance of the charge. See Siebmacher p. 109, plate 89, the arms of Die Lamminger, looks like a television antenna. The very middle one. http://www.wappenbuch.de/pages/wappen_89_Siebmacher.htm”
waist-apron (CLOTHING-OTHER) last registered Mar 2015 (03-2015) “This is a defining instance of a waist-apron in Society armory. It was documented as a period artifact.”
Water Level (TOOL-CARPENTRY) last registered Jan 2010
Wheelbarrow (TOOL9OTHER) last registered Aug 2010 – (8/2010) This device is the defining instance of a wheelbarrow in society armory. The Letter of Intent did not mention the attached documentation that a wheelbarrow is a period charge.

2 Instances

Battering Ram (BATTERING RAM) last registered Mar 2004
Cheese Wheel (FOODSTUFF) last registered Oct 2013
Coffin () last registered Mar 1985
cornice (ARCHITECTURE) last registered Jan 2016 (03-2015) This is the defining instance of a cornice. That framing charge can be found in the Stemmario Trivulziano. A cornice is an architectural motif.– “four-lobed quadrate cornice”
Demi-goat/sheep (BEAST9DEMI) last registered May 2007
Demi-yale (MONSTER9DEMI) last registered Mar 2011
Footbridge (ARCHITECTURE) last registered Jan 2015 (01/2013) “This is the defining instance of a footbridge in Society armory. This period charge can be seen in Italian armory, in BSB Cod.icon.273, c.1550, on f.81r (http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/bsb00001420/image_165). While we have registered bridges in the past, a footbridge is identified by the steps leading up and down, as well as by the handrail. There is at least a DC between a footbridge and a bridge.”
Hayfork, Fork (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered May 1985
Hempbreak (TOOL-SEWING AND WEAVING) last registered Feb 2014 – defining instance from 07/2013 LoAR “It can be seen on a banner in Banners, Standards, and Badges from a Tudor Manuscript on p.199 (found at http://books.google.com/books?id=T-cLAQAAMAAJ). A slightly different variant, with a blade instead of a toothed lid, can be found on pl. 138 of Siebmacher, in the arms of von Habel. “
hoe (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered Apr 2007
Mash Rake (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered Feb 2014 (10/2012) “This is the defining instance of the mash rake in Society armory. The charge can be found in Vigil Raber’s Neustifter Wappenbuch, mid-16th C., f.47, in the arms of Meilenhofer.”
Octagon (POLYGON) last registered Apr 2002
Paternoster (JEWELS AND JEWELRY) last registered Apr 2012 – (8/2006) – This is the defining instance of a paternoster. It is an oval of even sized beads with a cross pendant at the bottom. The cross is essentially a maintained charge, thus a paternoster will not receive a CD from a necklace. The documentation presented supports this style of paternoster or a paternoster with two sizes of beads – small beads with larger beads at intervals. There is no heraldic difference for the size of the beads.
Plane, block (TOOL-CARPENTRY) last registered Nov 2014 – (01/2006) “This is the defining instance of the block plane in SCA armory. It matches the block plane seen in Albrecht Durer ‘s Melencolia, 1514, as seen at http://www.artchive.com/artchive/D/durer/melencol.jpg.html. The block plane is shown in profile, fesswise and with the handle to dexter by default.”
Rudder (SHIP-PARTS) last registered Apr 2007
sea-nettle (MONSTER-SEA9BEAST,OTHER) last registered Dec 2014 (09/2010) “This is the defining instance of a sea-nettle in Society armory. The sea-nettle is the creature usually termed a “jellyfish” in modern English. It has a round body with dangling, frond-like tentacles. Documentation was supplied from Gulielmi Rondeletii’s Libri de piscibus marinis: in quibus verae piscium, published in 1554, and matches the submitted charge.”
Septfoil / Octofoil () “rare” but should conflict with multipetaled flowers (2,9)
Vanneaux (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered Nov 1999 – winnowing fans
Weinleiter (hand barrow) (TOOL9OTHER) last registered Feb 2014 – (1/2014) This is the defining instance of a weinleiter in Society armory. Blazoned on the Letter of Intent as a poulaine, then corrected in commentary to poulain, no evidence was provided that it was the proper term for this charge. Seen in the arms of Die Vasant on pl. 106 in Siebmacher (found at http://www.wappenbuch.de/pages/wappen_106_Siebmacher.htm), the best translation of the German term weinleiter, literally wine manager or wine director, would likely be “handbarrow.”

3 Instances

Alerion (BIRD) “last registered Nov 2007 (1994 Laurel – non-SCA) – As Batonvert notes:
As for the alerion or allerion, originally the charges in the arms of Lorraine appear to have been eagles: they were shown with beaks and/or feet until the end of the 13th C. (Pastoureau’s Traité d’Héraldique, p.150). However, de Bara’s Blason des Armoiries, 1581, p.213, shows the arms of Lorraine with beakless footless birds, and explicitly blazons them Allerions. They get no difference from eagles, but it does look like they’d become blazonable artistic variants by the end of our period.
We would add that the alerion may only be displayed: both because the period evidence supports no other posture, and because the lack of beak and feet make this posture essential for recognizability.
As this gets no difference from eagles, this is rare, but with a high conflict chance and does not quite follow the purpose of this document. Added as a kind of defining instance.”
Cradle () last registered Oct 2008
Figurehead (SHIP-PARTS) last registered Apr 1984 – all drakkars* – this seems to have probably became “prow”
Fire Dog / Andiron (TOOL9OTHER) last registered Aug 2015 – (8/2013) This is the defining instance of an andiron charge in SCA heraldry. An andiron, also known as a fire dog, is the tool used in fireplaces to support logs. This depiction was taken from the attributed arms of the King of Ethiopia as seen in Sammelband mehrerer Wappenbücher, 1530, BSB Cod.icon.391 f.31r, found at http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/bsb00007681/image_63
Fish Skeleton (FISH8OTHER) last registered Mar 2014 – (9/2006) “There is a CD between a fish and its skeleton. A fish skeleton is a period charge as seen in Pinches & Wood, A European Armorial (a reproduction of a 15th C roll of arms for the Order of the Golden Fleece) and in Siebmacher’s Wappenbuch of 1605.”
Gridiron (TOOL-SEWING AND WEAVING, TOOL9OTHER) last registered Jun 2015 – defining instance April 2005
Head – Fish (HEAD-FISH) last registered Jul 2014 – (01/1973) (SLN Editorial: the second in 1993 and now 2014… by all bets, the next should be around 2034 *grin*)
Llama (BEAST-CAMEL) last registered October 2012 – SFPP as new world fauna. assumption – no conflict with camels
musical bow (BOW) last registered Dec 2015 (Nov 1996) – nothing explicitly said – may conflict with weapon
Oven, domed (TOOL9OTHER) last registered Sep 2014 – (8/2013) This is the defining instance of a domed oven in Society heraldry. It can be seen in the Zurich Roll, strip II back page 10, number 267, in the arms of Stubenwid (found at http://www.silverdragon.org/HERALDRY/ZurichRolls/zroadt2r.htm).
Plow (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered Mar 2004
Quintain () last registered Sep 1992 – tilting quintain (there seem to be no precedents barring its use)
Rivet () last registered Aug 2014 – initial registration Mar 2001
Sail, Mast and Yardarm only (SHIP-PARTS) last registered May 2014 – (06/2002) From May 2014 LOAR: “Barring further evidence of this depiction of a sail, rectangular and flat as opposed to the triangular draping of the period charge, in period heraldry, this depiction will no longer be registerable. An example of the sail in period armory can be seen in the arms of De Vellate in a 16th century armorial of Milan, BSB Cod.icon. 270, on f.422r (found at http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/bsb00001430/image_853 ).” If you want one, make sure of its shape
Trenket (TOOL9OTHER) “leatherworker’s head knife” last registered Oct 2014 – first registrations reblazoned – first registered June 1987
Wool-comb (TOOL-SEWING AND WEAVING) last reigstered Mar 2012

4 Instances

A-Frame Plumb Line (TOOL-CARPENTRY) last registered Jan 2015
Awl (TOOL-CARPENTRY) last registered Aug 2011
Bellows (TOOL9OTHER) last registered Jun 2011
Bog beast Monster () NO LONGER REGISTERABLE – Bog Beast – An SCA-invented, rather than period, heraldic monster. [LoAR 4/94, p.17]
Chatloup (METC) last registered Sep 2015 (11/1997) “A chatloup is a charge from Tudor heraldry, defined as a monster with a wolf’s body, a cat’s face, and antelope’s horns. It was granted as a badge in 1513; chatoup’s heads were used in the canting arms of Cathorne, 1553. (Dennys, The Heraldic Imagination, p.153; Gwynn-Jones, The Art of Heraldry, pp.76-77.)”
Crampet (CRAMPET) all registered by same person Dec 2007 – Aug 2010, has blanket permission to conflict
Fish – Ray () last registered Sep 2011
Helmet crest (HELM CREST) Last registered Dec 1986 – Japanese kuwagata
Pants (trews, breeches), Mantle and Scarf (CLOTHING-OTHER) last registered Oct 2015
shoe sole (CLOTHING-BOOT AND SHOE) last registered Nov 2015 (3/2015) “This is the defining instance of a shoe sole in Society heraldry. It is found in the Stemmario Tribulziano by Nicolo’ Orsini de Marzo under the heading of di Sori, and illustrated in Bossewell, 1572 [III.17]. The default orientation is palewise, toe to chief”
Shovel (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered Mar 2010
Spade (TOOL-AGRICULTURAL) last registered Nov 1995
Worm () presumably placed under snake after last registered in Jan 1986

5 Instances

Arthropod – Ant () last registered Jan 2012
Demi-coney (BEAST9DEMI) last registered Jan 2009
Demi-weasel -otter (BEAST9DEMI) last registered Jul 2015
Dragon’s scale (DRAGON SCALE) last registered Sep 1999, 4 by Barony of Dragonsspine; may be not registerable/grandfathered