Thord Lotharson, Award of the Maiden's Heart

There once was a fighter named Thord,
Who fought with a big axe and sword.
He’d fight all the day
In every which way
So he joined the barbarian horde.

In the Shire did Thord make his home,
But not wanting to be all alone,
When newcomers approached,
In combat he coached,
A made his techniques then their own.

Thus did new fighters he train,
To fight well upon Trino’s plain,
He’d marshal the practice
And Winter War’s fracas,
And we call this a hobby – how insane!

So Kaylah, the Queen of the Land,
Said to Thord as did gallant Trumbrand –
For the fighting art
Award We Maiden’s Heart
Given now from own seal and hand.

Done this day, the 28th of September, Anno Societatis LIV.

Wording by Dietrich von Sachsen.

Neala of Trinovantia Nova, Award of the Maiden's Heart

I invoke the land of Trinovantia Nova,
Much coursed by the gentle seas.
A beloved land is yon land in the west.
So have Kaylah and Trumbrand invoked for her.
Beloved kinswoman is Neala,
Of the storied blood of Ragnaill.
She who is beloved of the land
And who loves in turn.
Waters furrows with heartfelt tears,
And turns fallow land to rich fields,
Through toil and labours,
With love and dedication.
Like a lofty ship is the land of Trinovantia Nova
And Neala, a skilled pilot
Who guides with hand and heart.
For us, the lays of time are preserved
To perform, most noble people;
Woven in the length of the cloak of her being
Is Neala of the Maiden’s Heart.
So do we speak on the feast of St. Machan.
I invoke the land of Trinovantia.


Words by TH Lord Dietrich von Sachsen, inspired by Amergin's Invocation of Ireland.

John of Maggie, Award of the Wolf's Cub

It came to pass in the faire realm of Ealdormere that there lived a young boy by the name of John, son of Maggie. John aspired to become a warrior and to win renown from his Queen and King.

To that end did he consult with his mother and with the wise and noble of the realm. They advised to seek out the great White Wolf of Ealdormere, whom legends said guarded the horn of Suttungr, which gave any who supped from it vast wisdom. Thus did John set out on his quest to find the wolf.

After many moons of searching, John came across the mighty creature amidst a grove of tall pine trees. The beast stood taller than a warhorse, and his fur was as white as the snow, but John was not afeared. He approached the wolf and, with a bow, said unto him:

“Oh great wolf of the north: I wish to be a great warrior.”

The mighty wolf responded: “To be a great warrior, one must first have great courage.”

John thought a moment and then spake thus: “I have challenged warriors twice my stature in both height and prowess. Is this courage enough?”

The great wolf nodded, for he knew it to be so. “To grow as a fighter, one must have dedication to the art of battle.”

John paused in thought, and then responded: “I have sought the advice of noble knights and peers, and have practiced at every opportunity. Is this dedication enough?”

The great wolf nodded, for he knew it to be so. “Dedication and courage are but the start. A great warrior must know honour.”

John bowed before the wolf and spake thus: “I have always sought to win my battles with honour, or not at all.”

The wolf nodded, for he knew it to be so. “So I have heard from many lips. You have courage, dedication, and honour, young John. Do you seek wisdom?” John nodded, and the white wolf did give him the horn of Suttungr, which John supped from. Yet John did not feel any different, and said as much to the noble wolf.

“The horn is but a horn, John; is by seeking the wisdom of those who have come before you that you gain wisdom in turn. Your courage, honour, dedication, and wisdom are well known to me, and to Ealdormere.”

Thus did John return to the court of Kaylah the Queen and Trumbrand the King, who, on the seventh day of December, AS 54, declared him worthy of the Award of the Wolf’s Cub, as befits one whose virtues are known to the wolves of the northlands.

Wording by Dietrich von Sachsen.

Rylyn Buchanan, Award of the Maiden's Heart

In the year of the incarnation of the first Laurel Kingdom quinquaginta quattuor, indication of the 7th day of the final month. I Kaylah, Queen of Ealdormere, with the assent of the King of Ealdormere Trumbrand, in the fourth month of my reign, recognized by noble counsel the labours of Rylyn Buchanan who sat in the seat of the Trillium Herald. Accordingly, it is in all parts of the land that she has served our College of Heralds and our thanes, hersir, bondsman, and thralls. For it is with quickness of wit and fullness of heart that she has turned her skill and hand to the art and science of heraldry. She has collected great sums to account for the expenses of the college, and has proved she can consult in any land, in great hall or in summer field. . Accordingly, it is in the western part of the land that I give her the Award of the Maiden’s Heart, and the right to bear the badge of the award aforenamed, “Quarterly azure and Or, a heart counterchanged.” This I will take care to uphold to all common and other people as long as men have freedom to hear my words. Confirmation of the decree set forth in the most frequented place Bryniau Tywynnog

Wording by Dietrich von Sachsen. Based of the 805 CE Charter of Cuthred, king of Kent, to Wulfred, archbishop.

AEthelbert of Whitstone Isle, Order of the Crucible

Rest your feet awhile, ye gentles good,
And hear the words of Roak Khan,
And those of Hyrokkin, Khan Begam.
The reputation of AEthelbert
Is not just a load of old cobblers.
Let us thus wax eloquently in his praise.
For word-fame lasts; this sole of diligence –
No cowmouth’d vagabond is he.
But his works speak with a most supple tongue
Which ensure he does not get off on the wrong foot.
Needles to say, and not to put too fine a point on it,
Such works deserve swift reward, hell-for-leather!
For as the ancients say: “If the shoe fits,
“Then a Crucible we make for skill and wits!”

Done this 18th Day of May, Anno Societatis LIV, as we sit our thrones at the great faire of Fruits of Our Labours, in our Canton of Bryniau Twynnog.

Wording by Dietrich von Sachsen.