Thorfinna grafeldr, Order of the Hare Salient, 2023

I trow she sat at that cluttered desk
For a count of hours beyond knowing
Struck by her duty, offered to the Great Wolves
A gift to lands struck by plague
Stuck at that desk of which few still know
Upon which magic she struck.

‘Mid empty horn and gnaw’d bone
Her eyes gazed at unseen sights
Laughing aloud she shifted the Runes
And connected all alike.

For all her work on behalf of the barony, which she has dutifully served in many ways, forms, and means, and especially for her work creating ethereal content during the Great Plague, do We, Dubhessa and Joffr, Baroness and Baron of Skraeling Althing, induct Þorfinna gráfeldr into the Order of the Hare Salient, done on the 7th day of Góa, at Practicum in the Canton of Caldrithig, in the fifty-seventh year of the Great Althing.


Wording by Baron Colyne Stewart, based on Odin's Quest after the Runes (stanzas 137-144) of the Hávamál (The Words of Odin the High One) from The Elder or Poetic Edda, commonly known as Sæmund's Edda, part I: The Mythological Poems, edited and translated by Olive Bray (London: Printed for the Viking Club, 1908), pp. 61-111. Web version edited by D. L. Ashliman, University of Pittsburgh, https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/havamal.html Accessed January 11, 2023.

Góa is a month on the Old Icelandic calendar that lasts from February 19 through March 20. The 7th of Góa is therefore February 25th.

Dubhessa ui Uilliam, Hare Salient, 2021

 Excerpt from the Annals of Kaerbrok:

That time saw the streets of villages and cities, castles and towns with scarcely a person to be seen, yet that year was still beyond measure abundant and fruitful, though in ways before unimagined. In this time of uncertainty there were those who continued to serve the peoples of their barony, and indeed Dubhessa ui Uilliam is one of the exalted.

And We, Avelyn and Dafydd, Baroness and Baron of the Barony of Skraeling Althing, and of the Covenant Among the Hares, have this written about her sacrifice and deeds of good work and other notable things, which happened in Our time, which we saw with our Own eyes, or which We learned of from persons worthy of credit. And lest things worthy of remembrance should perish with time and fall away from memory of those who come after us, We, seeing her work as former Minister of Arts and Sciences for her Stronghold of Greyfells, her work as her Stronghold’s seneschal, her work at events, including that which was held on the day of this edict, and many too numerous to recount in full, do present her with an Award of the Hare Salient. This we did in her Stronghold, at the Making MAYhem event, on the turning of the wheel to the first day of the fifty-sixth year of the Society.

 

Wording by Baron Colyne Stewart, based upon the final entry of The Annals of Ireland, written by Friar John Clynn, c. 1349  CE.

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.

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[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.

Aurelia Gabriana, Order of the Pelican, 2018

It was with honour when I, a humble poet, wrote to you once before on behalf of the crown. As you know, when I write I insert poetic quotes in my work, and try to create elegance in my words so that they would charm the ear. Now I move my pen to write to you again, Aurelia Gabriana, a woman of nobility whose righteousness is respected by all, at the bequest of our esteemed monarchs, Basiléus Evander and Basilissa Marioun, while we mark the anniversary of the passing of Emperor Leto II in the fifty-third year of our koino̱nía. Therefore, my friend, I need another kind of writing, another kind of urbanity in my words to speak on their behalf. I need a tongue—to tell the truth—that is filled with esprit. This then is the truth of things, in direct words. St. John Damascene once wrote of passions which could be overcome by virtues. They, our sovereigns, hold that you are an exemplar and paragon of those said merits. The first of these is the desire to serve, as you have done in so many ways. The second, compassion, which you show to all. Furthermore, your goodwill and love for all people; your joy; your patience and perseverance. Lastly is your way of doing good in secret; of despising boastfulness; and your humbleness. Therefore, due to these decent and noble traits, Evander and Marioun wish it known that they would raise you up so that henceforth you shall be known as a member of the Order of the Pelican. Your service shall stand a testament and will shine in glory through all eternity. This they told to me while the artisans of the kingdom gathered for the Queen’s Prize Tournament, in the Canton of Skeldergate.

Words by Maister Colyne Stewart, in the manner of a 12^th century Byzantine epistle, as described by Margaret Mullett in the Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Studies. Letters of this period would have been around 400 words long, to fit on one page. They lacked formulaic openings and closings, and often were undated. They were written in elaborate prose, with an emphasis placed on the relationship between the sender and the recipient. Letters would have been sent by couriers and were often accompanied by poems, perfumes, gifts or food (the symbolism of the accompaniment sometimes connected thematically to the letter’s contents). Letters at this time letters would have been written in Greek

I based this wording in part on a letter by Niketas Magistros (a high ranking official in 10^th and 11^th century Byzantium (as quoted in Floris Bernard’s “Humor in Byzantine Letters of the Tenth to Twelfth Centuries: Some Preliminary Remarks”) and St. John Damascene’s “On the Virtues and the Vices” as collected in the Philokalia (a collection of spiritualist writings written between the 4^th and 15^th centuries).

Koino̱nía, is Greek for communion and community.

Ronin, Award of the Wolf’s Cub, 2019

Who praises young Ronin?

I, said the knight,

Due to his might,

I praise young Ronin.

Who saw him shoot?

I, said the archer,

Saw arrow’s departure,

I saw him shoot.

Who saw him fight?

I, said the soldier,

I saw no one bolder,

I saw him fight.

Who saw him work?

I, said the Pelican,

He made me believe again,

I saw him work.

Who saw him try?

I, said the Laurel,

This son so auroral,

I saw him try.

Who saw him worthy?

We, said the Queen,

With King convene,

We saw him worthy.

Thus was it recorded in the musical tomes of the lupine kingdom, that Kaylah, Queen by Right of Arms, and Trumbrand, King of Grace and Patience, did look upon the many acts of Ronin, and found him to be a most excellent exemplar of Their lands. Therefore did They bestow upon him an Award of the Wolf’s Cub, given at the Harvest of the Huntsmen, in the Barony of Ben Dunsfirth, on the fifth day of October in the fifty-fourth year of the Society.

Wording by Maister Colyne Stewart, based on the children’s rhyme “Cock Robin”, originally published in ‘Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book’, c. 1744 (though its origins likely date back to the 15th century). This version only contained four verses, with an extended version appearing around 1770.  

Tangwystl Caterina D'Courci, Duchy, 2017

Be it ordeined, established, and enacted by Edward, king, and Rylyn, quéene, of this realme of Ealdormere, with all the preheminence, and dignitie roiall to the same apperteining, that We do bestow, anoint and give unto Tangwustl Caterina D’Courci, first viscountesse of this Our kingdome, the title, style and right of duchesse, with the appurtenances thereto in anie wise due or appertaining. In her, Our kingdome’s first princesse, shall rest, remaine, and abide, our most roiall favour. This We order, Edward, souereigne lord king, and Rylyn, high quéene, with the grace of the North so to indure.

Done on the feast day of Blessed Charles of Austria, while Their souereigne maiesties sit in the castell of Rockton, within the lands of the boar known as Ben Dunfirth, in the yeare of the world 5984, and in the fifty and second yeare of the society, after the birth of the Lady Ealdormere 28, and in yeare ninetéene of the lupine realme.

Wording by Maister Colyne Stewart, based on “An act for the establishing of the crowne in the line of Henrie the seauenth” as recorded by Raphael Holinshed in Holinshed's Chronicles, which were written in 1577 with a second edition released in 1587.

In modern English, for the ease of the Court Herald:

Be it ordained, established, and enacted by Edward, king, and Rylyn, queen, of this realm of Ealdormere, with all the pre-eminence, and dignity royal, to the same appertaining, that We do bestow, anoint and give unto Tangwustl Caterina D’Courci, first viscountess of this Our kingdom, the title, style and right of duchess, with the appurtenances thereto in any ways due or appertaining. In her, Our kingdom’s first princess, shall rest, remain, and abide, our most royal favour. This We order, Edward, sovereign lord ing, and Rylyn, high queen, with the grace of the North so to endure.

Done on the feast day of Blessed Charles of Austria, while Their soverign majesties sit in the castle of Rockton, within the lands of the boar known as Ben Dunfirth, in the yeare of the world 5984, and in the fifty and second year of the society, after the birth of the Lady Ealdormere 28, and in the year nineteen of the lupine realm.

Original:

Be it ordeined, established, and enacted by this present parlement, that the inheritance of the crown of this realme of England, & also of France, with all the preheminence, and dignitie roiall to the same apperteining, all other seigniories to the king belonging beyond the sea, with the appurtenances thereto in anie wise due or apperteining, shall rest, remaine, and abide, in the most roiall person of our now souereigne lord king Henrie the seuenth, and in the heires of his bodie lawfullie comming, perpetuallie, with the grace of God so to indure, and in none other.

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland

(3 of 6): England (7 of 9), Henrie the Seauenth, Sonne to Edmund Earle of Richmond, Which Edmund was Brother by the Moothers Side to Henrie the Sixt,

by Raphael Holinshed

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/45681/45681-h/45681-h.htm

which is part of the Holinshed's Chronicles, which were written in 1577 with a second edition released in 1587.

Pesha, Order of the Crucible, 2016

With grace and dignity do we, Velikii Knyaz Siegfried and Velikii Knyagina Xristina, call before us Pesha, known as Gypsy.  Her skill at dance, needle crafts and in persona research are known throughout Our kingdom and those of many of Our royal cousins.  Therefore, at the counsel of the kniaz and posadniks and people of Ealdormere, it is ordained and commanded by Us that Pesha be at once admitted into Our most noble Order of the Crucible. And if it happen that any kniaz or posadnik or other member of the populace, do go against this, Our royal decree, that such person, by assent of our boyars, shall pay a fee equal to their station. This we proclaim at Tournoi du Coeur des Glace, in Our shire of Bastille du Lac on the fourth day of the second month of the fifty-first year of the society.

Wording by TH Laird Colyne Stewart, based on the Statuta Armorum, c. 1260.

Elenore de Cherbourg, Award of Arms, 2016

So We, Siegfried and Xritstina, keepers of Ealdormerean land in its princely rule, address Ourselves to Elenore de Cherbourg. My dear child, listen of how your father and mother birthed you and raised you in good instruction and into the desire to serve those of Our lands. For you work in Our halls, and cook in Our kitchens, and serve at Our feasts, and work with embroidery and thread. Our people’s blessing upon you, we hold you in favour and seeing your good deeds which are righteous and whose fruits add to the abundance of plenty in our kingdom do We bestow upon you an Award of Arms.

This is given certificate at Queen’s Prize Tourney, in Petrea Thule, the month of November, the 66 day of autumn 51. Signature in this certificate of Siegfried, Velikii Knyaz, and Xristina, Velikii Knyagina.

Wording by TH Laird Colyne Stewar, based on the Mstislavov gramota (c. 1130), the Domostroi, section 25 and postscript (16^th century) and a pledge record of the prince of Kholm to Ivan III (March 1474).

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”.

Jocelyn de Cranewell, Order of Defense, 2016

Be it known unto all by this present writings wheresoever it shall come to be read, heard or understood and especially to all manner of officers under Our dominions do We, Nigel III and Adrielle III, monarchs of the lands of the north, to all Justices, Mayors, Shieriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, Headboroughs, and to their deputies, and to all others to whom this decree comes, greetings.

Every parent, in order that their children should acquire reputation, procures for them some place in some royal court, and of some protection, to provide for them the best that they can. So did a notary of the court of Florence, place with Us his only daughter, who has, under the guise of learning to dance, become adept with the sword, and dagger, and cloak. She has traveled far across the Known World, both learning from those who are masters of the art, while freely giving of her knowledge to those in need. She has flourished upon the field, and has Our trust.

Thus do We, your sovereign King and Queen majesties with Our most honourable counsel, look with favour upon Jocelyn de Cranewell as an exemplar of the arts of the sword, and because she is dear to Us and shown of herself the magnanimity, the cunning, the valour, and the innumerable other virtues, and also the greatness of her ancestors, being descended as she is from a Lion of Ansteorra, who was begat by Hans Durmast, who was begat by the Moondragon who introduced the art of defense to the Society, do We admit with authority and by special commission under Our broad seal the said Jocelyn de Cranewell into the Order of Defense, forever more to be known as a Maestra and a Peer of the realm. And therefore we state by Our royal majesty and most honourable cousel, desire all our true subjects to aid the said Jocelyn de Cranewall against all strangers and such as teach without authority, and such foresworn men against Our royal majesties, which of long time have deceived our true subjects. We desire all our true subjects and officers as they love our sovereign crown to suffer none to keep any school of Defense whatsoever they be except having authority to show in like case as this Maestra Jocelyn de Cranewall hath unless it otherwise be also recognized by the Crown. In so doing you shall show your selves true and full faith officers and subjects unto our power.

In witness thereof on the day of the feast of Clare of Assisi, while sitting Our thrones in the Debatable Lands at the Pennsic War in this, the fifty-first year of the Society, do We sign our hand and seal.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based in part on the introduction to Ridolfo Capo Ferro’s treatise "Great Representation of the Art and Use of Fencing" and Sloan MS 2530 page 31-2 which concerns the creation of a Master of Defense. Section in bold may have been cut for space.

Mattius of Petrea Thule, Scarlet Banner, 2016

Nigel, king, Adrielle, queen, and servants of Ealdormere, to Their beloved subject, Mattius of Petrea Thule, squire and man of good cote, greetings.

The actions of the worthy ought to meet with a corresponding fulfillment. Insomuch, as of your affection for all things martial, being always upon the lists and the fields of war, being a squire to one of our loyal knights, training to be a marshal, and the joy that is always apparent upon your person when so engaged: We, therefore, much pleased with the earnestness of your dedication, do look on you in favour, and do ordain that, by the authority of this Our present decree, you be given Our Award of the Scarlet Banner.

Given at Pikeman’s Pleasure, by the hand of Nigel and Adrielle, King and Queen of the Kingdom of Ealdormere, on the 4th day of June, in the 51^st cycle of indiction of the incarnation of our Society.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Papal Bull “Pie Postulatio Voluntatis” which established the Order of the Knights Hospitaller. 

Lucia de Moranza, Award of Orion, 2015

Albeit the jealous temper of mankind, ever more disposed to censure than to praise the work of others, has meant that the work of the deserving sometimes goes unrecognized; therefore, prompted by that desire which nature has implanted in Us, Quilliam and Domhnail, King and Queen of the free north, to reward whosoever We think offers a common benefit to all, do We call Lucia de Moranza before Us. Good lady, We send you a gift, which is at any rate the least We could do to show Our appreciation for your endeavours in the arts and sciences. And in this writ, Our gift, We have expressed both Our love of your works in fabric arts, bobbin lacing, egg painting and tablet weaving, as well as the love of the people of Our lands. Take then this Award of Orion, in glad spirit, and give Us satisfaction in knowing that all now know the favour We hold for you. We have done this at Queen’s Prize Tourney, in Our lands of Petrea Thule on the feast day of Emperor Justinian in the fiftieth year of the Society.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the preface to Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius by Niccolo Machiavelli (c. 1517).

Jane of Greenhill, Order of the Crucible, 2015

Right trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well. And whereas it hath pleased Us to see the great works created by Jane of Greenhill, and she is justly and rightfully known for her exemplary interpretation and study of Henrician Tudor attire, therefore so is she recognized by Quilliam and Domhnail, the monarchs of this realm, and enacted by Our authority, she shall be inducted, accepted and established as a member of our most noble Order of the Crucible. For her contributions to Our kingdom We give high thanks, laud and praise. Given under our signet at the Huntman’s Harvest in Our Barony of Ben Dunfirth on the 3^rd day of October, in the fiftieth year of the Society.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Act of Supremacy (1534) and the Birth Announcement of Princess Elizabeth (1533).

Gerart vander Borch, Award of Arms, 2015

Excerpt from Gamlaðr Vatn Saga:

There was a man called Gerart, still quite young but very handsome and fully grown to manhood. King Quilliam and Queen Domhnail left him with the task of giving help to their lands of the High Cliffs. Gerart thus left his homeland of Germania and put out to sea towards a place called the Marchmount, beyond the Rouge Port and along the normal sea-routes. Settling among the Norse who lived there, Gerart became well known for his giving nature and sense of right. He took to the trade of the smith, and became renowned for his talent at forging tools and for his willingness to work no matter how hard the labour. As the Marchmount in the High Cliffs was found along the trade-routes, it was a good place to hear news. And so a skald came, with word from the King and Queen, for Gerart:

Brokkr-kin, long the road

The gold-crowned asked you to walk,

Builder of towns, iron-shaper,

You are known for your good works.

Skilled and proficient

Your character beyond reproof,

Rulers reward you Gerart,

And call you Herr.

This awarding of arms to Gerart is recorded in the saga as happening in the Barony of Septentria, at the Althing, on the twenty-sixth day of Witu-mānod, in the fiftieth year of the settlement.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on chapter 57 (Egil kills Berg-mund) of Egil’s Saga (Penguin Classics, 1976).

Mahault of Swynford, Order of the Wain, 2015

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 (13^th century).

Berend van der Eych, Order of the Wain, 2015

The king, Steinarr, and Queen, Liðr, to Their beloved and faithful servant, Master Berend van der Eych, Baron of the Court, greeting. Because we wish to have a consultation and meeting with you, to be done in the presence of the rest of the principal men and women of Our kingdom, as to reward you for the toil you have undergone over the past fifteen years on behalf of Our said kingdom and all those who dwell within it; we command you, strictly enjoining you in the fidelity and love in which you are bound to us, that you present yourself before us in the Debated Lands during the season of War, for consideration, ordaining and elevating your worthy self into Our Order of the Wain.

This We had done the 6th the day of August, while We sat Our Thrones at the Pennsic War, in the fiftieth year of the Society.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the summons of a baron to Parliament (1295).

Catherine Townson, Order of the Laurel, 2015

Steinnar and Liðr, by grace of the north, king and queen of Ealdormere, &c. to heralds, pursuivants, &c. greeting. Know ye that plants can grow in disparate soil, and with love and care they can be moved from place to place, and not just grow but thrive. So has one of our subjects been transplanted, and so has she thrived. From far An Tir she came to our northern lands, and in our gardens and glades she tills and hoes, and on the loom her deft fingers flow. Our privilege it has been, to watch her blossom. Therefore, we, seriously contemplating the eminent services and merits of the noble Catharine Townson, who is skilled at the weaving of textiles, and judging the same to be most worthy, that, in our special grace and certain knowledge, have erected, preferred and created the said Catharine as a member of the Order of the Laurel, with the name, status, style, title, honour and dignity as a Laurel, with all and singular responsibilities, duties and other things whatsoever of such status of being a Laurel. To recognize her new station, we give and concede by these presents to her, the said Catharine, a ring we have marked, invested and really enobled, and a medallion of honour and dignity, and also a coat on her shoulders we place. And this we have done on the [ ] day of [ ], at the War of the Trillium, in our Canton of Ardchreag, in the fiftieth year of the Society.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Creation of Edward Copurtenay as Earl of Devon, Letters Patent, Mary, 1553 and the Creation of Thomas, Earl of Arundel and Surrey, as Earl of Norfolk, Letters Patent, Charles I, 1644.

Rose of Greyfells, Award of Arms, 2015

We, Steinar and Lyðr by the grace of the north, king and queen of Ealdormere, and by the covenant we have made with our people, make known to the living and in posterity that Rose of Greyfells has impressed us with her skill with the needle and the spindle, and so do We bestow upon her an Award of Arms. Therefore, the said Rose, shall be entitled to bear arms without let or hindrance and is urged to consult with Our heralds.

In testimony whereof we have confirmed this document with Our seal.

Done at War of the Trillium, in Our Canton of Ardchreag, in the year of our Society 50, on the Feast of Ulrich of Augsburg.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Abbot of St. Mary of Tronchiennes’
Relief for Succession to a Fief, 1233.

Eoin MacAlpen, Award of Arms, 2015

Steinarr, by the grace of the north, king of the Skraels and all other Ealdormereans, and Lyðr, queen of the same, to the beloved of the northlands, greeting.

For the honour that you bring to Our Barony of Skraeling Althing, and for the skill you have shown with the brewing of mead, do We, Monarchs of the North, confer upon you, Eoin MacAlpen, an Award of Arms. And in order that you may possess what is conferred on you of Our grace we have decreed that you may bear and display your arms, per pale gules and azure, on a beehive or two axes in saltire sable, without let or hindrance.

Given at The War of the Trillium, in our Canton of Ardchreag, in the year of brotherhood 50, on July the fourth, in the fourth month of Our rule.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stwart, based on a Grant of a Fief in Islands from Archbishop Siegfried to the Abbot of Paderborn, 1241.

Charter of the Proposed Alchemical Guild of Ealdormere

It is provided, ordained and established by the common council of the Kingdom of Ealdormere for the approval of our lord [NAME] the King of Ealdormere and [NAME]  his Queen in the matters of alchemy and practice of the same within the baronies of Septentria, Skraeling Althing, Ramshaven, Ben Dunfirth and Rising Waters, and also of all the shires of the realm. And let it be known that the pursuit of the Philosopher’s Stone, the Magnum Opus, the Elixir of Life and all other matters of transmuting one material into another be carried out and pursued by the members of the Alchemical Guild of Ealdormere.

Furthermore, it is ordained concerning the same Guild that alchemical materials including but not being limited to phlogiston be kept by members of the aforesaid Guild. Likewise the construction, sale and keeping of all alchemical instruments including but not limited to the athanor, aludel and alembic is to be unimpeded for all Guild members.

And that no one of the kingdom sell alchemical agents to a foreign merchant except by the Royal’s allowance. And whosoever does this and is convicted by a bailiff shall fine him for each item twelve pence after the form aforesaid.

For the members of the Guild it is provided and ordained that those who are of the Guild be sworn after such manner that they will be faithful and loyal to the king and the kingdom; and that they will loyally keep the counsel and the private affairs of the mystery of alchemy.

And it is provided that all these ordinances aforesaid be read and published openly twice yearly, that is to say on the Day of the Holy Innocents and on that of St. Augustine, that no one of the kingdom may oppose the above-named articles.

Witnessed and signed by

[NAME], King

[NAME], Queen

Margeurite, Signet

Document reviewed by Colyne Stewart, clerk.

12 pence paid to the hanaper.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on an undated constitution of the city of Lincoln (c. 1300s).