Rhoswyn Gwynedd, Award of the Maiden’s Heart, 2016

Strong sacrifice is the strength (not in oppressor’s battle

But in ethereal miracles),

Highly-praised renowned gathering place, pure its essence,

Is the domain built by Rhoswyn Gwynedd.

Since I am song’s steward I will make a declamation of praise

To the works of this glorious lady,

Where the words collected rival the pleasures of Annwn,

Sparkling like spray from Owain’s fountain.

Nigel the King, Adrielle the Queen, brought to Rhoswyn renown,

It is made of a heart of the maiden,

A sign that none shall be o’erlooked in their kingdom

Fine is the golden wise pillar of the Wolf.

As our poet has related, so do we Nigel and Adrielle, King and Queen of Ealdormere, bestow upon Rhoswyn Gwynedd our Award of the Maiden’s Heart for her work as webminister and exchequer. Done while sitting Our thrones in Our canton of Ardchreag at the War of the Trillium on the feast day of Euddogwy in the fifty-first year of the Society.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Welsh poem I’r Grog o Gaer (To the Rood at Carmarthen) by Dafydd ap Gwilym.

Annwn was the Underworld, a place of delights, a paradise.

Owain’s fountain is a reference to “Owain, of the Lady of the Fountain”.

Johanna Hurst, Maiden’s Heart, 2014

For Johanna Hurst. Nigel and Adrielle, &c., to Barons, &c., greeting. Know ye that whereas the eminence of numerous noblemen and the abundance of great and wise people are the principal ornament and the chiefest support of every Realm, we, at the request of the Prelates and Lords and of the Commonalty of our Realm meeting together in our present Parliament assembled at Caer Draeth, willing therefore to honour and likewise strengthen the Royal scepter by the multiplication of exalted persons, and considering the magnanimity, assiduity and prudent circumspection of our trusty and very dear Johanna Hurst, who, according to her works as head of entourage, toiling in the kitchens of the kingdom and holding the office of minister of arts and sciences has shown herself dutiful and devoted to us, by the declared counsel of our said Parliament have given to her an Award of the Maiden’s Heart. And to that end we have affixed our hand and seal at a Game of Queen’s, on the feast day of Cuthmann of Steyning, in the forty-eighth year of the society.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Creation of Henry of Lancaster as Earl of Derby, by Edward III, 1338, Charter, R.C.V. 31.

Anneke the Furious, Award of the Maiden’s Heart

Let us honour

The arm that carries

The ship that bears

The heart that ponders

Tireless and selfless

Lady Anneke the Furious

Has served with dedication and skill

At all manner of events.

She has contributed to many Eoforwic events

Served as an entourage volunteer

And now as Seneschal of Ard Chreag

Her organizational skills are exemplary

For her illustrious service

We, King Nigel and Queen Adrielle

Give unto Lady Anneke the Furious

The Award of the Maiden’s Heart.

She has the right to bear the badge

Quarterly azur and or

a heart counter-changed

Done this 17^th day of April

Anno Societatis 44

At Cloth of Gold

Hosted by the Canton of Eoforwic

Wording, calligraphy and illumination by THL Asa Gormsdottir

Motifs from the Ardagh Chalice, 7^th C. and the Lismore Crozier, insular Celtic art, c. 1100

Runes in Elder Futhark

Brigit Langbein, Award of the Maiden’s Heart

Stout of heart and strong of arm

Stands Brigit Langbein, mother of warriors

She possesses the heart of the North

And her deeds are wrought in greatness

Across the frozen plains.

Long has she stood ready

To do whatever service required,

Before its need is conceived.

She has taken up the mantle

Of Seneschal of Skeldergate

And has stood steadfastly

Behind countless Royalty.

From long hours conveying young warriors,

To steady council for those who would hear it,

She is a cornerstone of Our glorious kingdom.

For her continuing service to the Crown,

We Quilliam King and Dagmar Queen

Are minded to give her the Award of the Maiden’s Heart.

From this day forward she may bear the badge

So all may know of Our faith in her.

Done this 24^th day of September

Anno Societatis 46

In our Barony of Rising Waters

At Our Fall Coronation.

Scroll by THL Asa Gormsdottir

Motif based on the Tara Brooch, 7^th C. Irish Celtic metalwork

Calligraphy in half uncial

Snæbjörn sverðsbrjötr, Award of the Maiden’s Heart, 2006

Great rulers have good reason

to regard you; love

you show in your service:

Ealdormere is served by you.

Before your coming

No servant so light-hearted

in all the northlands, you

smiling breaker of swords.

For his work as a feller of trees, a chopper of wood, a hauler of gear, a valet in the Ladies galleries at tourney, and other services, do we Edouard, Sun-King, and Domhnail, Raven-Queen, present unto Snæbjörn sverðsbrjötr an Award of the Maiden’s Heart. Done this 25^th day of August, Anno Societatis 41, while sitting our thrones at A Day of Piracy in our shire of Bastille du Lac.

Based on Ottar the Black’s poem about King Olaf, in the Orkneyinga Saga, circa 1200.

Illumination by Her Majesty Domhnail Galbraith; Calligraphy by His Excellency Corwyn Galbraith; Wording by Lady Þorfinna gráfeldr and THLaird Colyne Stewart.

Duncan MacLeod, Award of the Maiden’s Heart, 2013

From the most serene prince the lord Nigel by Anvil’s Virtue illustrious king of Ealdormere, and Adrielle by inspiration the Queen of Ealdormereans, greetings. When, under the sweetness of peace, the minds of the loyal find rest, then the life of Ealdormereans is adorned with good conduct, and also the whole of the kingdom, because the affairs of all kingdoms are everywhere arranged more favourably. Our humility has led Us, now and at other times, to bestow awards upon the worthy during such times. Naturally, We are prepared and shall be prepared to acknowledge the service of Duncan MacLeod. Unto this man, with a pure heart, we give an Award of the Maiden’s Heart. Written at Feast of the Hare in Greyfells, the third day of Hallowmas in the first year of our reign, Anno Societatus 48. [4 November 2013]

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on a translation of the letter of Robert the Bruce (courtesy of Dauvit Broun, University of Glasgow) - http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2013/06/robert-the-bruce-letter-found-at-british-library.html

Eleanor du Grismontes, Award of the Maiden’s Heart, 2013

A great lady lives

In our Land of Ealdormere

We have heard the history of her,

Of which We here make record.

This lady was Eleanor du Grismontes,

Beloved of her canton,

She who serves at all times,

Her history We show you.

This Eleanor was Chatelaine

To the lands of Greyfells,

Also Keeper of the Gate,

About Eleanor We tell you.

In Ealdormere, at this day,

There is no more worthy person:

Very kind and giving is she;

And so We do reward her,

I, Nigel King, and I, Adrielle Queen,

Upon her place a Maiden’s Heart,

At the Feasting of the Hare,

In the Year of Our Society 48,

On All Souls Day.

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Song of Dermot and the Earl (Chanson de Dermot et du comte), 13th century.

Marrin von Waldburg, Award of the Maiden’s Heart, 2013

In public consistory, at the time of the solemn and royal court held at Trinovantia Nova, the dukes and a brilliant assembly of counts and barons being in session, and a very great multitude of nobles and commoners standing before the most serene lord Nigel king of the Ealdormereans and the exhaulted queen Adrielle, for the purpose of exhibiting the fulness of justice to each person, their majesties first asked that it be defined by a decree who ought to be recognized for their service to the crown. And it was defined by all the dukes and barons who were present, that Marrin von Waldburg had long and tirelessly so served and should be so recognized.

That said Marrin therefore was presented with an Award of the Maiden’s Heart on the feast day of Witta of Büraburg at Crown Tournament. And it was decreed that she could bear the badge of that award without hindrance or let. This was done in the year of the society forty-eight.

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on Count Palatinate as Judge Over the Kings, Decree of the Nuremberg Diet, November 19, 1274.