Arwyn of Leicester, Order of the Laurel, 2019

THE GRYPHON IS MOST HIGH     HE IS TO BE PRAYSED

Let Greatness of Glory be his Principality, and Splendor, and Greatness of Retinue, and Valour and Boldness, and Courage, and Favour with the Gryphon, the bestower of Victory, to the people of Avacal. So long as flowers spread their perfume and daylight shines, with Sincere Love and Ancient Friendship, do We, Ivar the Black and Asney Grimolfrsdottir, who lean upon the Couch of Command in Our Kingdom of the Gryphon, highly advanced in Dominion, Noble in Courage and Justice, send praise.

As the maxim says “An equitable Ruler is the personification of Good in the World[1]”, and so do We find Our Princely minds wishing to make known what cannot remain hidden, being the esteem in which we hold Our loyal subject Arwyn of Leicester also known as Amira al- 'Aliyya. This Arwyn is a woman of Great Worth, beloved by her family and by our cousin the Shah, who considers her to be a fidalgo[2] of high rank. As she has great knowledge of saffron, golpar, shevid[3] and all the spices, and has been governing the accounts of her household, and made her knowledge available to all, do We elevate her in rank, advance her in prestige, and make her a member of Our most noble Order of the Laurel. With her do We then make the following contract:

1st We make her a woman of the pen[4] and grant her the right and title to sit in the royal palace[5] and name her moqarrab ab-hazrat sharbat-khana[6], over-seer of spices and desserts to Our court.

2nd It is granted that she shall pay no manner of Customes or tolles any kind of waye when buying or selling the commodity of spice.

3rd Free libertie, safe conduct and licence to come or sende her factors in trade throughout Our countrey, and to act as our Embassador and agent in the buying and selling of spice with Our cousins in other countreys.

4th That her Camel men, Carauans and Shipps will have safe harbour on Our roads, coasts and rivers, and that any who infringe upon them shall be brought to Us for judgement.

We expect all to fulfill these obligations[7] and be bound by Our stipulations, except a stipulation that makes unlawful what is lawful[8]. Fulfil this, Our agreement, for an agreement is obligatory.[9]

This is the intention granted by Ivar and Asney, who reside on the Couch of Justice and Splendidness , may Their dynasty last till the end of the world, and Their reign be prolonged till the consummation of ages! Done at the celebration of Yule, in the Barony of Borealis, on the 16^th day of Azar[10] in the yeare 1398, reckoned in the Society as the 7th Day of December in the yeare 54.

Wording by Maister Colyne Stewart of Ealdormere, based upon contracts between: ‘Abd al-‘Ali Khan, ruler of Gilan and England (14 April 1563); Shah Tahmasp and England (29 June 1566);  Shah ‘Abbas I and King James I of England (1615; modified in July 1697); the Treaty of Peace and the Frontiers (17 May 1639); and a letter from Shah Sulayman to Charles II (1677-78).

Sources

Dandamayev, Muhammad A. et al. “Contracts”. Encyclopædia Iranica, online edition http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/contracts-legally-enforceable-undertakings-between-two-or-more-consenting-parties accessed September 29, 2019

Ferrer, José Cutillas, “SPAIN: RELATIONS WITH PERSIA IN THE 16TH AND 17TH CENTURIES,” Encyclopædia Iranica, online edition, 2018, available at http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/spain-relations-persia-16-17-century September 29, 2019

Ferrier, R. W. “The Terms and Conditions under which English Trade Was Transacted with Ṣafavid Persia”. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

Vol. 49, No. 1, In Honour of Ann K. S. Lambton (1986), pp. 48-66 (23 pages)

Published by: Cambridge University Press on behalf of School of Oriental and African Studies

https://www.jstor.org/stable/617668 accessed  September 30 2019

Hanway, Jonas. An Historical Account of the British Trade Over the Caspian Sea: With a Journal of Travels from London Through Russia Into Persia; and Back Through Russia, Germany and Holland. To which are Added, the Revolutions of Persia During the Present Century, with the Particular History of the Great Usurper Nadir Kouli in four volumes. Volume one. London: 1753.

  https://books.google.ca/books?id=etApAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y Accessed September 29, 2019

 “Iran, 1400–1600 A.D.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=08&region=wai (October 2002)  accessed September 29, 2019

Marcinkowski, M. Ismail. “Dastural-Moluk”, Encyclopedia Iranica. http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/dastur-al-moluk Accessed October 1, 2019

ibid. “Tadherat al-Moluk”, Encyclopedia Iranica. http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/tadkerat-al-moluk Accessed September 30, 2019

Matthee,  Rudolph P. The Politics of Trade in Safavid Iran: Silk for Silver, 1600-1730.

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999. https://books.google.ca/books?id=5U0yECMV--wC accessed September 29, 2019

Minorsky, V. Tadhkirat Al-Muluk: A Manual of  Safavid Administration  (circa 1137/1725). Cambridge: W. Heffer & Sons LTD. 1943. Online at https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.227105/2015.227105.Tadhkirt-Al-muluk_djvu.txt Accessed September 30, 2019

Mustafa, Grand Vizier.  “Treaty of Peace and Frontiers: The Ottoman Empire and Persia (17 May 1639)”. Pars Times: Greater Iran and Beyond, http://www.parstimes.com/history/iran_ottoman.html  Accessed October 1, 2019

Ranjbar, M.A. and Sehhat Manesh, R., 2016. “New Routes to Iran’s International Trade in the Safavid Era”. Ancient Asia, 7, p.8. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/aa.124 accessed September 30, 2019

Savory, Roger M. “COURTS AND COURTIERS vi. In the Safavid period”

Encyclopedia Iranica. http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/courts-and-courtiers-vi

accessed September 29, 2019

Shafaat, Ahmad, Dr. “Islamic Rules Governing Financial Dealings, “1988.  Islamic Perspectives, http://www.islamicperspectives.com/FinancialDealings.htm Accessed October 1, 2019

With Thanks To

Carroll-Clark, Susan. Private correspondence, Facebook Messenger, September 24 through October 1, 2019.

Leo-Roca, Carlos. SOAS Library, University of London.

---

[1] The original maxim is “An equitable Sultan is the shadow of God on earth”. (Mustafa.)

[2] Someone who was of a high rank could be known as a fidalgo. (Savory.)

[3] Spices native to Persia.

[4] The Safavid administration was split between the “men of the sword” and the “men of the pen”. (Savory.)

[5] It was a great honour to be allowed to sit in the Shah’s court. (Savory.)

[6] A moqarrab ab-hazrat was a manager in charge of a royal workshop responsible for expenditures. Moqarrab meant “confidant” and “hazrat” is an honorific. The sharbat-khana was the workshop that included spices, sugar and tobacco. (Savery. Minorsky. Marcinkowski.)

[7] The koranic verse 5:1 stipulates that agreements must be adhered to. (Dandemayay.)

[8] This is attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. (Dandemayay.)

[9] Several koranic verses teach that contracts must be honoured, including "O Believers: Honor your contracts" (5:1,) as well as "And fulfill every commitment. Surely every commitment will be asked about (on the day of judgment)" (17:34). (Mustafa. Shafaat.)

[10] Azar is the ninth month of the official calendar of Iran. It begins in November, ending in December, and lasts thirty days.

Bjarn Aaronson, Award of Orion

Droekvett poetry. by THL Dietrich von Sachsen

Worthy northrealm noble,
Norns call him Bjarn; kneels he
In Baldric’s hall – heroes’
Hearth, worthy of Breyla.

Kin is he to canvas
Colours he well controls
Boldly his shield showing
Shapely painted sentry.

Arbiter – our artists
Gain unbiased judgement
Students he taught tell of
Time and effort offered.

Honoured son of Aaron!
Of Orion order
Of harp and stars; stand ye
Strong – your King thus commands.

Done this 30th Day of June in the
53rd Year of the Society,
whereof we have set our
hands and seal. 

Outlands Order of the Argent Hart Wording

_____ and _____, King and Queen of the Outlands, to all who come by these presents, Greetings.

It is our prerogative to recognize those persons whose constant excellence in the practice and teaching of the Arts and Sciences has enriched Our realm.

We do therefore take and admit ________ to the Order of the Argent Hart {for [his/her] outstanding abilities as a ____________} that all may know of the esteem in which We hold [him/her[. { We further bestow the right to bear the insignia of the Order, to wit: Vert, a stag's head, erased and affronty, argent, collared and armed, within a bordure embattled Or.}

If the recipient has a registered device but does not have a previous armigerous award, then the following may be added:

[We further wish to reward [him/her] with an Award of Arms. We award [Lord/Lady] _____ the right to bear those Arms approved by the College of Arms, <BLAZON> throughout the lands of the Known World as a sign of (his/her) great merit ].

If the recipient has no previous armigerous award, and no registered Arms, the following may be added:

[We further wish to reward [him/her] with an Award of Arms, and charge [Lord/Lady] ______ to consult with Ourselves and Our heralds to determine suitable and unique Arms.

To which We set Our hand this ___ day of ___, Anno Societatis ____, being ____ Gregorian.

_______________, King ______________, Queen

The Herald's Confirmation of Arms must be added after the signature of the King and Queen if the scroll is conferring Arms:

The College of Arms, finding no impediment to the Arms here blazoned, has assigned their exclusive use to <NAME>

______, White Stag Principal Herald

ALTERNATIVE:

______ and ________, King and Queen of the lands of the Outlands, to all nobles and gentles who come by these present letter, Greetings.

Whereas, ________ has shown excellence in the Arts and Sciences, {most especially in the areas of/as a _________,}

We are minded this day to admit [him/her] to the Order of the Argent Hart that all may know of [his/her] worth. { We further bestow the right to bear the insignia of the Order, to wit: Vert, a stag's head, erased and affronty, argent, collared and armed, within a bordure embattled Or.}

If the recipient has a registered device but does not have a previous armigerous award, then the following may be added:

[We further wish to reward [him/her] with an Award of Arms. We award [Lord/Lady] _____ the right to bear those Arms approved by the College of Arms, <BLAZON> throughout the lands of the Known World as a sign of (his/her) great merit ].

If the recipient has no previous armigerous award, and no registered Arms, the following may be added:

[We further wish to reward [him/her] with an Award of Arms, and charge [Lord/Lady] ______ to consult with Ourselves and Our heralds to determine suitable and unique Arms.

To which We set Our hand this ___ day of ___, Anno Societatis ____, being ____ Gregorian.

_______________, King ______________, Queen

The Herald's Confirmation of Arms must be added after the signature of the King and Queen if the scroll is conferring Arms:

The College of Arms, finding no impediment to the Arms here blazoned, has assigned their exclusive use to <NAME>

______, White Stag Principal Herald

ALTERNATIVE:

(non gender-specific)

We, _____ and _____, King and Queen of the Outlands, unto all whom these presents come, send Greetings.

It is Our prerogative to recognize those persons whose constant excellence in the practice and teaching of the Arts and Sciences has enriched Our Realm.

We do therefore take and admit _______ to the Order of the Argent Hart. {We further bestow the right to bear the insignia of the order, to wit: Vert, a stag’s head erased and affronty, argent, collared and armed, within a bordure embattled Or.}

If the recipient has a registered device but does not have a previous armigerous award, then the following may be added:

[We further wish to reward [him/her] with an Award of Arms. We award [Lord/Lady] _____ the right to bear those Arms approved by the College of Arms, <BLAZON> throughout the lands of the Known World as a sign of (his/her) great merit ].

If the recipient has no previous armigerous award, and no registered Arms, the following may be added:

[We further wish to reward [him/her] with an Award of Arms, and charge [Lord/Lady] ______ to consult with Ourselves and Our heralds to determine suitable and unique Arms.

To which We set Our Hand this _____ day of ______, Anno Societatis _____, being _____ in the common reckoning of years.

The Herald's Confirmation of Arms must be added after the signature of the King and Queen if the scroll is conferring Arms:

The College of Arms, finding no impediment to the Arms here blazoned, has assigned their exclusive use to <NAME>

______, White Stag Principal Herald

[Source: Kingdom of the Outlands Scribe’s Handbook (pdf)]

Outlands Order of the Flower Wording

We, _________ and _________, King and Queen of these fair Outlands send greetings to all.

As the gardener labors so grows the flower, thus from great work cometh great beauty. So the Arts of the Outlands grow only by the strong labor, fine skills and dedicated teaching of Our [craftsmen/craftswomen/artisans]. One such is our trusty ___________. It is meet and fitting We prefer and create [him/her], by Grant of Arms, a Flower of the Outlands. { [He/She] shall receive all honors, duties and privileges as are conveyed with such station.} The College of Arms having approved <BLAZON> for [his/her] sole and unique use, the Honorable [Lord/ Lady [NAME] shall bear them as a sign of Our high favor. {We further grant [him/her] the right to bear the badge of the Order, to wit: Vert, two stags combatant argent sustaining between them a sexfoil, a bordure engrailed Or.}

In witness whereof have We set Our hands {at [EVENT] in Our [Barony/Shire] of [NAME OF CHAPTER],} this ____ day of _____, Anno Societatis_____, being _____ in the common reckoning of years.

______, King ______, Queen

The College of Arms, finding no impediment to the Arms here blazoned, has assigned their exclusive use to [NAME].

Signature of White Stag Principal Herald

ALTERNATIVE:

We, ______, by Right of Arms, King, and ______, by Grace and Courtesy, Queen of these fair Outlands, send due Commendations and Greetings to all good gentles and nobility to whom these present letters shall come.

It is the great duty and privilege of the Crown to recognize those whose skill, knowledge and teaching of the Arts increases the glory and beauty of the Outlands. By the report and testimony of Our counselors and by Our own certain knowledge, We are truly advised and informed that ______ has long pursued good works and deeds of virtue and enriched Our realm through [his/her] practice of the art(s) of <ART>.

We therefore do publicly prefer and create [him/her] as a Flower of the Outlands and bestow upon [him/her] these Arms: [BLAZON] to be borne and displayed by the Honorable [Lord/Lady first name] and none other in all the lands of the Known World.

Done by Our hands this ____ day of ______, Anno Societatis _____ being _____ Gregorian.

______, King ______, Queen

Being required by Their Majesties to make search in the records of my office for the Arms of the aforementioned gentle, I do find that [he/she] may lawfully bear the Arms herein mentioned.

White Stag Principal Herald

ALTERNATIVE:

We, _________ and _________, King and Queen of these fair Outlands send greetings to all. Just as the flowers of the desert flourish and bloom in their harsh surrounds, so in these rough Outlands do artisans of great skill grace Our Kingdom with their works. It is the privilege of the Crown to recognize those whose skill, knowledge, and teaching of the Arts serves to increase the glory of the Outlands.

As such We are pleased to prefer and create ________, by Grant of Arms, as a Flower of the Outlands. { [He/She] shall receive all honors, duties and privileges as are conveyed with such station.} The College of Arms having approved <BLAZON> for [his/her] sole and unique use, the Honorable [Lord/Lady [NAME] shall bear them as a sign of Our high favor. {We further grant [him/her] the right to bear the badge of the Order, to wit: Vert, two stags combatant argent sustaining between them a sexfoil, a bordure engrailed Or.}

In witness whereof have We set Our hands {at [EVENT] in Our [Barony/Shire] of [NAME OF CHAPTER],} this ____ day of _____, Anno Societatis_____, being _____ in the common reckoning of years.

______ King ______ Queen

The College of Arms, finding no impediment to the Arms here blazoned, has assigned their exclusive use to [NAME].

Signature of White Stag Principal Herald

[Source: Kingdom of the Outlands Scribe’s Handbook (pdf)]

Middle Kingdom Order of the Evergreen Wording

Let it be known throughout the vastness of the realm that we (name of Consort), Royal Patroness (Patron) of the Arts, and (name of Sovereign) our King (Queen), are well aware of the skills and teaching accomplished by (name of recipient) in the (art/science/research) of (reason of award).

Therefore we wish for all to know of the high regard in which we hold him/her, and so we are minded to create him/her a Companion of the Order of the Evergreen. We grant unto him/her all rights and responsibilities attendant upon this rank, and the right to bear the badge of the Order as registered with the college of Heralds. Given by Our hands this__ day of ___, Anno Societatis (A.S.) __ in our (location of event).

[Source: Middle Kingdom Scribe’s Handbook (pdf)]

Middle Kingdom Order of the Willow Wording

May it be known by all that we (name of Consort), Royal Patroness (Patron) of the Arts, and (name of Sovereign) our King (Queen), right mindful of the skills that (name of recipient) hath displayed in the art of (specific mentions), wish to recognize him/her as a Companion of our Order of the Willow. We bestow upon him/her all rights and responsibilities attendant upon this rank and the right to bear the badge: Purpure, a willow tree eradicated Or, without let or hindrance from any person. Confirmed by our hands this __ day of ___, Anno Societatis (A.S.) __, in our (location of event).

[Source: Middle Kingdom Scribe’s Handbook (pdf)]

Meridies Order of the Velvet Owl Wording

In ancient times the Owl was the symbol of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and the Arts, and so represents man's ideal of artistic achievement. Therefore be it known by all people that (Recipient's name) has shown outstanding accomplishments in the Arts and has freely imparted that knowledge of those skills to the populace and so is awarded the Order of the Velvet of the Owl for excellence in the Arts and Sciences. After consulting with the present companions and principals of the Order, by Our perogative We hereto set Our Hand and Seal, this (number) day of (month) Anno Societatis (Society year), being (year) Gregorian.

-To be signed by the Consort, with space for her seal. This award carries precedence and must also be signed by Beacon Principal Herald, with places for a third signature and seal.

[Source: A Handbook for Scribes of the Kingdom of Meridies (doc)]