From Steinarr, king, and Liðr, queen, to all &c,
greeting.
Three mountains separated by two valleys will strike a man
who sees them from a great distance as one mountain. Then, when he stands on
the first mountain, he will see the first valley and two mountains and feel
despair at the journey still ahead, and when he stands on the second mountain
he will see two valleys and three mountains and further despair. However,
Mahault of Swynford, is like one standing before the first mountain, who
without fear ascends its height. And when she reaches its peak and sees that
there are another two mountains to be climbed, she does not turn aside from the
labour as so many do, but continues her journey, climbing peak after peak until
all have been conquered and the trails she has cleared from their bases to their
summits have made the passing of those who come after easier to traverse. These
mountains, representing as they do years of tireless service to the Crown and
Kingdom, show the dedication of our servant Mahault, and We are therefore moved
to induct, elevate and invite her into Our Order of the Wain.
Done this 6th day of August, at the Pennsic War, in the
fiftieth day of the Society.
Wording by THLaird
Colyne Stewart, based on a passage from the Apocalypse Commentary by Petrus
Iohannis Olivi (13th century).
