Monday, December 31, 2012

Queens Order of Courtesy for Joel

NAME

There is nothing more satisfying than being able to recognize the services of the one closest to you. It cannot be easy to be the husband of the queen, especially in addition to being the father of the petite-reine, who was 4 months old when Paul won Crown and 13 months when I stepped down.

The text was written on Dec. 30, and calligraphed Dec. 31. It reads:

To him whose life I hold dearer than my own, I recommend me to you. It is one thing to follow the pursuit of glory so that one might bring honor to the one he loves, but another thing entirely to bring praise to his beloved by stepping aside and letting glory pass. Such act of true virtue, humility, modesty, and generosity has gone not unnoticed, and equity demands that it go not unrewarded. Wherefore let these presents serve as notice to all that my privy clerk and confessor is hereby and henceforth entered into the rolls of the members of the Queen's Order of Courtesy. Written by the hand of her who is and always will be yours, on the morn before Epiphany,


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

AoA for Lorcan Rochefford

Lorcan

The illumination was done by Amal binti Hamid. The text, written Dec 1. and calligraphed Dec. 1 and 2, reads:

Audite et aspicite verba Pauli et Arianue regum drachenwaldenses. [Hear and see the words of Paul and Aryanhwy Drachenwaldish kings.]

Be it known to all that we king and queen of drachenwald, suzeraines of Nordmark and Insula draconis, emperors of frankmark, and margraves of the southern towers, considering the noble estate of a gentleman from Griffins Tor by the name of Lorcan Rochford and for as much as we the said King and Queen having to us full authority to all things concerning rank, nobility, and status within these our lands, we according to our said office and authority witness, ratify and attest that the said Lorcan is lineally descended of noble blood and by his actions has confirmed and affirmed that he is of high rank and station whereby it is our wish to exalt and prefer him by naming him Lord Lorcan and assigning and awarding to him all rights to such arms as he shall register with the College of Arms which are to be depicted more plainly below and forthwith charge him to consult with our heralds so as to devise suitable and unique arms for him to have and hold without let or hindrance from any man for any reason from this day henceforth in sign and token of nobleness and virtue for evermore and in perpetuity. In witness whereof we have had these presents drawn up, signed and given by the queen at Adamestor the viiith day of Decembris in the year of the society xlvii.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Silver Guard for Rainer Wulfgar

Rainer

The blank was done by Lady Kerttu. The text reads as follows:

Paul and Aryanhwy, servants to the subject of Drachenwald, to their venerable cousin, Rainer, baron of the court of Ulfr and Caoimhe, greetings. It has in times past been ordained that a company of soldiers skilled with sword, lance, and bow be formed so that every denison of this realm be prevented from and protected from ill and that suitable new members for the furtherance of the good of the realm be made by speciall commission signed by ourselves, and this certain company is known as the Order of the Silver Guard.

Item, membership in this Order is presented to those who have distinguished themselves by chivalry and prowess at arms.

Item, the badge of the Order is a silver wristguard engraved with a dragon passant coward, maintaining a sword erect.

Item, members of the Order shall rank equally with members of the Orden des Lindquistringes and the Order of the Panache.

And whereas we the king and queen abovenamed, being credibly informed by speeches and attestations that diverse and many are the skills at arms displayed by your noble self, confirm, ratify, and announce that from this day henceforth you are a member of the abovenamed Order.

Dated at Adamestor viii Decembris, a.s. xlvii.

It is sort of based on the text I wrote for Franck vom Berg's Silver Guard, along with the text from kingdom law about the order.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Lindquistringes for Baldric Sigismund

Baldric

Done on a blank by Bridget Greywolf. The text reads:

By the king and queen right worshipful and most redoubted sovereign lords of Drachenwald to our well-beloved friend Baldric Sigismund. Forasmuch as we have many certain reliable testimonies that you have been a good and faithful steward and seneschal of our lands of Griffins Tor, wherefore we are minded to make you a companion of our Orden des Lindquistringes, and all that reason or law will upon the attainment of such status we will be right glad you to have. Written at Adamestor, the 8th day of December, anno societatis xlvii.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Panache for Caerthgyn of Dunbeath

Caerthgyn

Done on a blank by Saraswati. The text reads:

We, Paul and Aryanhwy, King and Queen of Drachenwald, do hereby make Caerthgyn of Dunbeath a member of the Order of Panache, for he has made the kingdom brighter by his skills in leather and metal. Datud viii decembris apud Adamestor.

The source for the illumination was a Welsh MS, and I attempted as best I could to match the script. It was hard, but I like the way it turned out.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Fox for Katherine of Great Chesterford

Katherine

The illumination was done by Agatha of Norwich. When Ari gave me the assignment, she asked for something special, since the martial orders are not offered to women as frequently as they might. So I knew exactly which illumination to go with. The text reads:

By the Prince and Princess right noble and well-beloved.

In times past it was ordained that a company of fighters skilled in sword, lance, and bow be formed so that these isles be prevented from harm and protected from ill and that suitable new members be made of this company by special commission signed by their Highnesses, and this company is known as the Order of the Fox. And whereas the Prince and Princess, being credibly informed by speeches and attestations that diverse and many are the skills at arms shown by Lady Katherine of Great Chesterford, both in tournament and war, do make unto her our especial seal of approval by confirming, ratifying, and announcing that the Lady abovenamed is from this day henceforth a member of the said Order. Dated at Flintheath, the first day of December during the first year of the reign of Paul and Aryanhwy the first by those names in Drachenwald.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Panache for Dunstan von Wilster

OriginalMine
PDunstan

This is based on Paris, Bibl. Sainte-Geneviève, ms. 0257, f. 133v. It's the first illumination I've done in 5 months, and only the second in over a year. On Oct. 14 I picked the initial, drew the layout, composed the text and partly calligraphed it; on Oct. 15, I finished the calligraphy; and on Nov. 13 I did the initial. I was unhappy with the whitework when I finished it (and am still when I compare it to the original), but I was pleasantly surprised to find, the next day, that I thought it rather good. Usually my scrolls do not improve in my estimation by waiting.

The text reads:

Paul and Aryanhwy, king and queen of Drachenwald, to all the dukes, counts, barons, and lords of this kingdom, greeting. Let it be known that we have not only by the testimony of many worthy and credible gentles but also by our own witness been informed and acquainted of the many skills and deeds in armoring and metalsmithing displayed by our subject Dunstan von Wilster. In recognition we make the said Dunstan a member of the ancient and honorable Order of the Panache, with all the rights, responsibilities, appertaining thereto, and so that all may know of his excellence, of his knowledge, and of his prowess in these matters we charge him to bear the badge of the order, a torteau charged with a bezant pierced with sabale, three feathers issuant to chief gules, Or, and sable. So that none may contest this our will we the said king and queen abovenamed have witnessed these presents on the 6th day of October, a.s. xlvii, at Crown Tournament.

I'm miffed that I smeared the calligraphy; I tried to scrape it, but I'm not a very good scraper yet.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

AoA for Wolfgang vom Walde

Wolfgang

Done on blank by Saraswati. The text reads:

Each and every one of our subjects bring us joy, but one especially shines forth as an example of all that is good and noble. Wolfgang vom Walde has pleased us greatly with his endeavors and attempts to promote the arts and sciences of war within Ad Flumen Caerulum, training and teaching, so that others may increase in favor and deed.

For all these merits and many more which are held by the same Wolfgang we, Paul and Aryanhwy, king and queen of Drachenwald, right mindful of the duties and powers with which we are lawfully encumbered, do hereby recognize the said Wolfganges exemplary service and conduct and for his benefit and advancement we create him a lord and award unto him all rights to such arms as he shall register with the College of Arms. This we do on xxiv day of november a.s. xlvii, witnessed by the said king Paul, whose name is signed below in testament.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

AoA for Christina of Ad Flumen Caerulum

Christina

This blank was done by Racaire; I just filled in the relevant bits in red.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Panache for Johanna aff Hucka

Johanna

This was one of my "gotchya!" scrolls. Mistress Johanna has been a bounteous creator of largesse for many kings and queens of Drachenwald -- since stepping up, I have received TWO boxes via mail, and more delivered by hand. Imagine my surprise when I checked the OP, and no one had yet thought to recognize her skills and services to the arts & sciences. (Largesse is not the only thing; she's always teaching and displaying and learning, too.) A quick email to Paul, saying "We've got to fix this", a quick response back, and we were set. :) It was only a week and a half before the event, so I had to use a blank, but since I wanted something simple, delicate, and elegant, this blank by Lady Agatha of Norwich was just what I wanted. Agatha based the illumination on the Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux, which I went to to try to copy the calligraphy as best I could.

For the text, I went through the MED and looked up every adjective that had "noble" in its meaning, and selected all of the appropriate ones (minus "daft", "sely", and "odde"), because I knew one modifier alone, or even two or three would not be enough to describe all that she has done. I composed the text on the first day, and for once actually did a practice version, to see if the text would fit (it did, perfectly -- I didn't have to do any modifications!), and calligraphed it the next. The text reads:

Considering well the avenaunt, chois, comely, digne, excellent, honourliche, liberal, queme, true, wale and forthmostly the bountevous generositie of Johanna aff Hucka we make her a member of the Order of Panache, on the x day of nov xlvii.

Now witnessed:


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Silver Guard for Franck vom Berg

Franck

This was done on a blank by Lady Lovisa af Talkotten. The text was based loosely on the commission of Elizabeth I to Charles, Lord Howard:

By the Kyng and the Quene.

It has in times past been ordeyned that a company of fighters skilled with sword, lance, and bow be formed so that every subject of this realm be prevented from harm and protected from ill and that suitable new members for the further ance of the good of the realm be made of this company by speciall commission signed by their Majesties, and this certeyn company is known as the Order of the Silver Guard. And whereas the King and Quene's Majesties, being credibly enfourmed by speaches and attestations by owre counts and dukes that divers and many are the skills at arms shown by Lord Franck vom Berg, which we ourselves have this very day witnessed firsthand, do wish to make unto him our especial seal of approval by confirming, ratifying, and announcing that the Lord Frank abovenamed is from this day henceforth a member of the aforesaid Order.

Dated at Knights Crossing xi October, a.s. xlvii.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Ffraid for AElfwynn of Eoforwic

Ælfwynn

The illumination, by Lady Saraswati, was based on the Book of Kells, so I used this image as my guide for the calligraphy.

The text, calligraphed over the course of two days and based on the Dec. 21, 1587 commission to Charles, Lord Howard, in State Papers Relating to the Defeat of the Spanish Armada, Anno 1588, vol. 1, John Knox Laughton, ed., (Navy Records Society: 1894), p. 19, was written the first day and translated into Latin the second; the calligraphy was done on both days.

The text:

Domina Ælfwynna de Eboraco, salutatio et salus ex Richardo et Lena, principibus Insulae.

Sci quod habentes specialium credum et confidentiam in fidelitate, prudentia, zelo, experientia, industria, et diligentia quod ostendisti, facimus, assignamus, constituimus, et ordinamus te esse socium ordonis Ffraid. Per ipsos principes vi octobris xlvii.

Translation:

Lady Ælfwynn of York, salutations and health from Richard and Lena, Princes of the Island.

Know you that we, reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity, prudence, zeal, experience, circumspection, industry, and diligence that you have long shown, do make, assign, constitute, and ordain you to be a companion of the Order of Ffraid: by these princes, vi oct xlvii.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Laurel for Lia de Thornegge

I composed a text for the Laurel scroll for a Laurel that Paul and I made at Kingdom University. It is based on the Grant of Arms to the London Company of Weavers (at the bottom of the page).

To all true and noble people thies presentes lettres Reading, Hearing or Seeing: Paul, kyng of Drachenwald and master of the Ordre of the Laurel, and Aryanhwy, quene and patroness of the arts and sciences, sende dew recomendacyon and gretyng as it apperteyneth to all. For so moche as we understond ffor certeyn that every person of crafte and skill within the kyngdomes lands who stody, devyse and Inmagyne with theyre besy curys and undelayd devoyres and delegencys and suche personys namely as be lynyally descendyd ffrom noble blode compellyd therunto by verry course of nature the most convenyent and most honowrable weyes and meanys to them possyble ffor to exalte and prefferre theyr Craftes and Fraternyteys to honeur and noble and to as excellent laude and Recomendacyon as by theyr mendys canne be thought or contryvyd to thentent that eny persone entryng or comyng into their Craftes and Fraternytes beryng of theyr sadde and laudable vertuoux and comendable disposiscyons and opynyons shuld Rather enforce and aplye themselfe effectuelly with all possyble delyngce towardes the maytenance and supportacyon and longe contenewaunce of the same to the laude and prersyng of God, thenour of the sovereynge lord of this Realme aforsaid and of the sayd Crafte and fraternyte. Amonge whom, we, the sayd kyng and queen note and Apoynte at this tyme specyally the good, sadde, worshypfull and well dessposyd persone, that is to say the Honorable Lady Lia de Thornegge, Clothier, Scribe, Broiderer, and mistress of many divers arts for the tyme beyng and henceforth to eternity a member of the auncient and honourable Order of the Laurel. We, the sayd kyng and quene, for the tendre zele and inward affeccyon that we bere toward her ladyship, for the presservyng and encresse therof to her honour have yeven and granted unto her by letters patent the Armeys hereaffter Folowyng as in the mergene depykt more pleynly apperyth: that is to saye she bere per pall inverted sable, vert and sylvere, thre seeblätter inverted silvere, silvere, and sable: the Crest upon the helme bearing a wrethe of lauriel leaues: which armys by thactoryte and poure of the College of Arms annexed and attrybutyed, we, the sayd kyng and quein have ordeyned to and for the said Lady to her that now and herafter shalbe in synge and token of vertu, ffor evermore to have and to hold, occupy and Reioyce withoute any Inpedyment, Interupcion, lette or enpechement by vertue of our sayd patent for evermore. In wytnesse wherof we, the sayd kyng and quein to thies presentes synged with our hands have putte our selle of auctoryte yovyn at Unikankare the x day of November in the vthe monthe of oure reigne.

The scroll itself was done by Melisande Fitzwalter, and was amazing.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

AoA for Sean of Eplaheimr

Sean

This was a battlefield scroll and a battlefield award; Paul and I watched this gentle on the fencing field over a couple of days at Raglan, and were continually impressed. When we heard from two or three people that they'd written recommendations of him to the Prince and Princess of ID, we knew what we had to do. And it turned out beautifully. Master Etienne had a blade which he wished to gift the young man, who had no blade of his own, and arranged to do so during a break in the fencing while Paul and I spectated. As he made to give over the sword, we had our herald call hold and inquire if the young man had yet been given the right to bear arms. When it turned out he hadn't, we remedied this.

The text, calligraphed on a blank done by Genevieve, reads:

All those these present letters seeing, hearing, or reading, bear witness to the will and desire of Paul and Aryanhwy, king and queen of Drachenwald, who have throughout this Raglan Fair have [sic] seen and heard much of the skill at arms of one Sean of Eplaheimr and are moved to advance him to the rank and status of lord, which we do on the xix day of August, a.s. xlvii, in Mynydd Gwyn.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Charter for Cernac's Combat Choir and Creche

Cernac

The text was written August 5, and the calligraphy done August 7 (in one sitting! It took 2.5 hours). The cadels are based on http://luc.devroye.org/fonts-32681.htm. The two coats of arms (mine are in dexter, those of the Company's patroness are in sinister) were done the 14th. And then I screwed up the entire thing in the very last step by misspelling my name in my signature.

The text is based on a text from Sidney Young, The annals of the barber-surgeons of London (London; Blades, East & Blades, 1900), p. 55, and reads:

Aryanhwy by the hand of Paul Queen of Drachenwald, Suzeraine of Nordmark and Insulae Draconis, Empress of Frankmark, and Marchioness of the Southern Towers, to all whom these present letters shall come, health. Know that we considering how our beloved, noble, and honest cousin Viscount Cernac the Inspired of the Shire of Dun in Mara, exercising the Mysteries or Arts of Combat Training, Child Minding, and Choir Leading as well as respecting swords, bucklers, infants, and other associated items of that ilk, and the teaching and guiding of the same, as in short-sword, long-sword, and singing, has since the beginning of our reign undergone and supported, and continually undergoes and supports, great and manifold applications and labors; and also, that the ignorant, negligent, and stupid not sufficiently skilled in the said Combat may spread many and almost infinite evils happening to many of our liegemen, unless proper remedy is by us speedily provided for the same. We therefore, heartily weighing and considering that such evils do happen for want of proper examinations, corrections, and punishments by a due supervision of a master wrangler who is sufficiently skilled and instructed in the mysteries or arts as aforesaid; have at the humble request of our aforesaid beloved, noble, and honest cousin Viscount Cernac granted to him that the said Mystery, and any man of the said Mystery aforesaid as he so desires, may be in deed and name the principal proctor and foremost founder of the most noble company which hight Cernaces Combat Creche and Choir, and that as Master of the Creche he may have a perpetual succession to serve with respect to the affairs of the infants, sucklings, and striplings, both peasant and kinebarn, within the kingdom, and most specifically with respect to her blitheness Gwen la petite-reine, who by virtue of her worth and dignity shall preside as patroness over the said Creche, and that he, by the name of Master or Governor of the Combat Creche and Choir may be able to plead and be pleaded for before whatsoever justices in courts, and actions whatever. And that the said Master of the Creche may lawfully and honestly assemble himself and whatever subordinates he should desire, and make statues and ordinances for the wholesome government, superintendence, and correction of younglings, in accordance with the exigency of necessity, as often and whenever it may be requisite, lawfully and unpunishably, without leave or hindrance from us, our justices, escheators, Sheriffs, Coroners, or any other Bailiffs, or servants of us, so long as we shall sit this throne; provided that such statues or ordinances are not in any ways contrary to the laws and customs of our Kingdom of Drachenwald. And further we allow that the said Master of the Creche may style himself such by appointment to her Majesty the Queen and to the benefit and progress of his patroness her blitheness Gwen la petite-reine. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be drawn up. Witness myself at Raglan Castle the xvii day of August in the first year of our reign.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Panache for Kiriel du Papillon

Kiriel

Unfortunately, I couldn't get a very good photo of it, and I didn't finish it in time to take it out to the office and scan it. The blank was done by Lovisa af Talkotten. The text was written on August 4, based slightly on the confirmation of lands and arms to Walter Haywode. The calligraphy was done August 5; the panache badge was painted August 13.

The text reads:

To all those who shall see or hear these present letters, Paul and Aryanhwy, King and Queen of Drachenwald, greeting in God. Know ye that for her accomplishments in the kitchen, for her ceaseless purveying of comestibles, and for her tutelage and teaching of novitiate cooks, we have granted and by this charter confirm and affirm to Kiriel du Papillon, Dame of the Pelican, all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges appertaining to membership in the ancient and honorable Order of the Panache, that is to say, the following: The right to be admitted, numbered, accounted, and renowned amongst the members of the Order, the responsibility to bear the badge of the Order, that is to say, on a torteau a bezant pierced sable, issuant therefrom three feathers gules, or, and sable, the privilege of styling herself in all places before all men and at all times a member of the aforementioned Order, and further we make over to the same Dame Kiriel the sole and unique right to style herself throughout the kingdom as royal pie-baker by appointment to Her Royal Majesty the Queen, this right to be held unto herself for as long as we the abovenamed king and queen shall sit our thrones. And further the aforenamed Dame Kiriel is enjoined in her capacity as mistress of the pies to travel as she will and to teach others in the art of tarts, to stir up the commons of the people to do well and to have perseverance in well doing. In testimony of all this and in witness whereof We, the aforesaid King and Queen, to these letters have put our hands below, and inscribed the badge of the abovenamed order more clearly in the margin. Given and confirmed within the octave of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady, in the second month of our reign.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

AoA for William of Crow Moat

William

The illumination was done by Susannah of York. The text reads:

Nunc incipit verbi Clancii et Ursule, Principes Insulenses et Draconenses. [Now begin the words of Clancy and Ursula, Insular and Draconic Princes.] Ancient proverb says that virtue lies in not withholding good to him it is due, when it is in thine power to give. It being in our power, we do not any longer withold that which is due our subject William of Crow Moat and make him a lord. Witness ourselves at Raglan Castle in our final court.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Laurel writ for Lia de Thornegge

Writ to contemplate membership in the Order of the Laurel for Lia de Thornegge

Lia

The text reads:

Paul and Aryanhwy, king and queen of Drachenwald, to our own dear subject the Honorable Lady Lia de Thornegge, companion of Panache and Courtesy. Know that for the love we bear you and for your accomplishments in the diverse and courtly arts, it is our intent, will, and desire to create you a member of the ancient and honorable Order of the Laurel. If it be your intent, will, and desire to accept this honor and be numbered amongst the members of the aforesaid order, then we command and require you to present yourself before us in our University court three months hence. This writ signed by the hand of the queen and delivered by our regent Niamh Princess of Nordmark


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Panache for AElfwynn Leoflaede dohtor

(Originally posted on LJ.)

I was shocked to recently look at my scribal page and realize that the last illumination I'd done was nearly a year ago, two combat scrolls done at Raglan (here and here). After about mid-July last year, sitting hunched over a table because just too uncomfortable, and then there was the lack of time, lack of sleep, lack of motivation which meant I was just calligraphing on already made blanks (I still can't believe that all three lacks didn't contribute to more errors than they did!).

But almost as soon as the final blow was struck during Crown Tourney, I knew I needed to change that, because there was a recipient and a scroll that I had to do.

Kingdom law concerning the Panache says that membership in this order is given to those "who have distinguished themselves by long and consistent excellence in the Arts and who have also constantly made their expertise available to the various members of the Kingdom." Ælfwynn pretty much single handedly got the Isengau scriptorium up and running, the scribes of which have produced many beautiful scrolls during my tenure as signet, often last-minute requests that I knew I could count on her to fulfil. I have been waiting for her to be at an event where royalty was at so that I could recommend her for membership in the Order of the Panache for more than two years! Eleanora attended Isengau's local event while Princess, but the group desired to keep things informal so I couldn't suggest a regency court. Then there was Garden of Earthly Delights at which point I was simply not enough on the ball to write my recommendation in time (and also I knew I was in no position to do the scroll if my recommendation was acted on, which would've disappointed me greatly). So when she said that she was attending Collegium of Defense, I knew what I was doing the weekend after coronation!

Since it had been so long since I'd done any painting, I wanted to pick something simple and yet still flashy. I wrote up a text (which I ended up having to cut down while calligraphing, even though I picked a small hand and a large piece of perg, I still didn't have enough space, which was disappointing), and then decided on this 'T' for the initial: Codex 163, f.185v (I can't figure out how to download a version of the image that has all of the T, and PrtScr isn't working for some reason; if I get an image of it later I'll update the post, for now you can just follow the link). I thought it looked fairly simple, and the calligraphy was close enough to my default Carolingian hand that I was going to give it a try copying it.

AElfwynn

Unfortunately, this ended up being one of those scrolls where I'm unhappy with almost every aspect of it; the opacity of the green, the detail of the red, the shape of my curves, the calligraphy itself, the line spacing, the fact that I had to modify the text...pretty much the only things that turned out where the initial painted letters, which style I've tried many times now with disappointing results, and finally I like the way these look. And of course, there is one other fact that redeems the entire scroll: I got to sign my name to it and give it to a dear and deserving friend whose membership in this Order is now assured for all ages. It doesn't get much cooler than that.

Also, many, many people have told me they think it looks good, so I guess it passes the arm's length test, especially when it's not next to the exemplar, so I'm willing to accept it's not as bad as I feel it is and be happy with it.

Oh, and the text reads:

To alle true and honourable People thiese present Letters heryng or redying We, Aryanhwy, Queen of Drachenwald and Patroness of the Arts, and Paul, our King, due recomendation and greetings. For as moch as we the said King and Quene hauing of full Authority to all thyngs concernyng our office and station consideryng the noble estate of our loyalle and wellbeloved subject lady Ælfwynn Leoflæde dohtor who hath not only long pursued the craft of the scrivener but further hath long fostered this craft amongst others to the glory of owr kyngdome and is worthy that henceforward perpetually she be in all places admitted renomed accompted numbered and receyued amongst the company of the Order of the Panache and for this seing all thiese thinges also nobly done we hereby ordaine and assign to the same Ælfwynn the right to bear the blazon of the said order in the following manner: To wit issuant to chief from a torteau charged with a bezaunt peirced sable three feathers gules, Or, and sable, to haue and to hold for herself for euer. Therefore in witness of this We the Queen and King above named have drawen up this present charter signed by the queenes hand below and given in Turmstadt the twenty-third day of June the year of the society fourty-seven.

(In the Midrealm, it is not uncommon for scrolls for the A&S awards to have the queen's name first, as the patroness of A&S. I liked that idea and decided to adopt it for this text, especially since I was going to be giving it out alone.)

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Knighthood for William of Richwood

William

The illumination was done by Agatha of Norwich. The text reads:

Those who have the will to achieve great worth are already on the way to great achievement. And they speak the truth, for because of their great desire to reach and attain that high honor, they do not care what sufferings they have to endure, but turn everything into great enjoyment. Indeed, it is a fine thing to perform great deeds, for those who rise to great achievement cannot rightly grow tired or sated with it; so the more they achieve, the less they feel they have achieved; this stems from the delight they take in striving constantly to reach greater heights. And great good comes from performing these deeds, for the more that one does, the less is one proud of oneself, and it always seems that there is so much left to do.

Such are the words of the most noble knight Sir Geoffroi de Charny, and these now are the words of Sven and Siobhan, King and Queen of Drachenwald: Item, that Lord William of Richwood, XVIth viscount of Nordmark and captain of the Queen's guard, hath long borne himself in the above styled fashion. Item, that he has excelled in courtesy and in valour, and in all manner of other virtues. Item, that in recognition of these things, we have made him a Knight of the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Chivalry, in our court at Double Wars in the 46th year of the Society. Item, that we witness this act below.

The text is taken from a translation of The Book of Chivalry by Geoffroi de Charny, mid 14th C, found at http://smuhlberger.blogspot.com/2006/05/geoffroi-de-charny-speaks_10.htm.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Panache for Lena the Red

Lena

The illumination was done by Agatha of Norwich. The calligraphy took two days, and the text reads:

Greetings from Sven and Siobhan, king and queen of Drachenwald, to all whom these present letters meet but most especially unto Lady Lena the Red. Know, good lady, that we, having heard many and numerous testimonies and witnesses from worthy, reliable, and credible nobles, are well acquainted with and advertised of the artifice and skill with which you have long served our kingdom freely truly and honorably. For the reward of such attainment and accomplishment it was created in times past the ancient and honourable Order of Panache to be populated with artisans and crafters, and it is our right, privilege, and perogative to create you a member of the aforesaid company, to be styled in all places as a companion of the order and at all times to display the badge of the said order. This we do on eve of All Fool's Day while in Depedene under Wychwood and so that none can contest our will we have signed with our hands below.

I just realized this means I did the panache scrolls for both Richard and Lena!.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

PCS for Asbiorn inn evyerski

Asbiorn

This was done on a blank by Saraswati. The text was provided by His Majesty and reads:

All loyal true noble good gentles hear now the will of king Sven and queen Siobhan of Drachenwald that upon this day we induct Lord Asbiorn inn eyverski into the most noble Popular Company of Sojourners. May his travels in other lands bring him much joy and we hope to be able to one day greet him here again. Witnessed xciii feb xlvi at Harplestane.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Lindquistringes for Asbiorn inn eyverski

Asbiorn

The text was composed by Viscount Robert of Canterbury, and reads:

Sven & Siobhan the Kyng & Quene of Drakenweald unto oure royal couzyns throwout the knowen worlde and to alle vassals and subgitz thereof, Greeting. Whereas it hath ben knowen time out of mynd that vertuous seruise is deseruing of just rewerd, and havyng heyrd and knowleched the very meny peticiouns and entreaties of Oure Peers of the Reaume, and of oure Heraudes in ordinary and extraordinary, and of oure Orden des Lindqvistringes and the Order of Ffraid, as well as many other of oure court as touching oure loyal trusty and welbeloued Lord Asbiorn inn eyverski of his most excellent and capable seruise as Rockall Herald as well as his discrete and capable labours as marshall of defense & eke his diligauns to do the common good as a careful steweryd of events of state withyn our Fief of Insulae Draconis therefore myndful of the faithful necessary and acceptable seruise that hath ben done unto us by the forsaid Asbiorn do we straightway honourably admit and enroll him among the numbre and companie of the Orden des Lindqvistringes by these lettres ordained and assigned of Alle rights dutys and avauntages thereof. This we trust is fully in the kyngdomes common good, that through grace and mercie we haue in our kepyng. Giuen by oure honde upon the Craig of Mallens Brae on the xviii day in the second month of oure regne.


© 2012, Sara L. Uckelman.