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).

AElfwyn et Laganwuda, Order of the Wain, 2014

In the year of the society's incarnation 48 I, Nigel, with the favour of divine grace King of Ealdormere and Adrielle my Queen, led by divine love, foreordained by the same divine right, in the last hours of Our reign, have not been forgetful in the duties of governance and have taken care to commit this to writing so that our words and deeds should not be negated with the passage of time, either through the lack of care of our successors or through some kind of envy or dishonesty. 

With the agreement and authorisation of many nobles, including Our beloved companions of the Wain, We, giving with sincere intent, do bestow upon Mistress Aelfwyn, a grant of arms and do induct her into Our order of the Wain and grant unto her the right to bear the badge of the Order, for she has performed exemplary and long-standing service to Our Kingdom as officer, marshal, artisan, leader, champion, always as one who provides an example of courtesy and chivalry worthy of emulation. On account of such faithful service and loyalty We do further grant this charter bestowing on her for all time that place which is called by rustics the Redwood. In order that the aforementioned Mistress Aelfwyn should favourably possess without intermission this royal gift as long as Ealdormere should thrive, all that is recognised as belonging to that same place by law, both in large and in small matters, in fields, pastures, meadows, woods and fisheries, may the aforementioned Redwood, be free from all worldly impediment, except these three: military service, and the construction of bridge and fortress. The aforementioned Redwood is seen to be surrounded by these bounds. From the Cyningsweg south to Ramsayville, in the east from the green bank to the Morrisionweg. If any, however, should try, against Our wishes, to harm this charter, through the spite of oppressive covetousness, may they, falling down to the swirling masses of noisome darkness, be cursed, into everlasting fire’, where they may be tormented in a cruel punishment by demons with heated iron instruments of torture if they do not change this before their death with appropriate penitence. 

But, so that it will not be terminated as long as Ealdormere prevails, We have also recorded these things in writing. This aforementioned liberty was created in the year of the society's incarnation 48, on this 26th day of April.

Wording by Duchess Adrielle Kerrec.

Isabel Atwyll, WAIN, 2014

Be it known that our very Sovereign Lord the King, Nigel II, and the Queen, Adrielle II, sitting in Parliament on their Royal seats, at the request of their Lords Spiritual and Temporal and of their Commons assembled in the same Parliament, created and preferred Isabel Atwyll as Companion in their Order of the Wain. This being done to recognize her service as Minister of the Lists, Seneschal, Gate Keeper and in numerous other occupations. And hereupon, after the homage done to their Majesties by the same, the said Isabel was commanded by their Majesties to sit in her seat among the Order thus given to her. This was done in the Shire of Bastille du Lac, on the feast day of Bernadette Soubirous, at the Tournoi de Coeur de Glace.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Creations of the King’s Brother John as Earl of Kendal and Duke of Bedford, and of his Brother Humphrey as Duke of Gloucester by Henry V, 1414. Extant from Rolls of Parliament, R.C.V. 172.

Ealdormere Order of the Wain Wording

All gentles and nobility, let it be known by all that We, [Sovereign] and [Consort], [King/Queen] and [Queen/King] of the Trillium lands of Ealdormere, in consideration of the most excellent service that [recipient] has given [details of service], are minded to induct [him/her] as a Companion into Our noble Order of the Wain and the right to bear the badge of the Order. Furthermore do We bestow upon [him/her] a Grant of Arms and the right to bear [his/her] arms [insert blazon here if one has been registered] with the crest of the Kingdom. Given by Our hands this [day] day of [month], anno societatis [year], at [event] in Our [group hosting event].

[Source: Ealdormere Scribal College]

Hans Thorvaldsson, Order of the Wain, 2012

Hear the words of Edward, Wolf King, and Rylyn, Trillium Queen:  Long has Hans Thorvaldsson served Our People.  He has served Our Vassals as Seneschal of Septentria.  He has served our Army as Commissar, and as an armoured combat marshal.  He has served as campmaster to the Canton of Eoforwic for many years at Pennsic.  And he has served tasty food, both in the field and in feast halls throughout our Kingdom.  Such service to hearts, minds and stomachs must not go unrecognized, so today, on campaign in the Debatable Lands, we make him a Companion of Our Order of the Wain, and bestow upon him a Grant of Arms.  Let him now be called Honourable Lord, and display the badge of the order and the Crest of the Kingdom as is his rightful due.  Done this ninth day of August  anno Societatis  46, as witness our hands and seal.

By Magistra Nicolaa de Bracton

Constance of Caldrithig, Order of the Wain, 2012

Who is Constance of Caldrithig?

She is the Exchequer on the Privy Council.

And is that all that she is, and all that she does?

By no means. Also she has been a seneschal, both of her barony and her canton.

Is there not more she does for her barony?

Indeed. She has also served as its calendar secretary, tracking Their Lapine Excellencies’ schedule. As well, she is the barony’s camp cook who plans the menu, sets the budget, does the shopping and much of the cooking.

Has she not also organized events?

She has. She has been the event steward of Feast of the Hare more than once, as well as organized several other events. As well, she has held weekly meetings dedicated to the arts and sciences. She has also been heavily involved with recruitment of potential new members to the Society through demonstrations held at Osgoode and Upper Canada Village.

Should all this service not be recognized, my liege?

Indeed it should.

Therefore, all gentles and nobility, let it be known by all that We, Roak and Elizabeth, King and Queen of the Trillium lands of Ealdormere, in consideration of the most excellent service that Constance of Caldrithig has given, are minded to induct her as a Companion into Our noble Order of the Wain and give her the right to bear the badge of the Order. Furthermore do We bestow upon her a Grant of Arms and the right to bear her] arms with the crest of the Kingdom. Given by Our hands this [day] day of [month], anno societatis [year], at [event] in Our [group hosting event].

By THLaird Colyne Stewart. Based on the Dialogus de Scaccario, or Dialogue concerning the Exchequer, late 12th century, by Richard FitzNeal. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/medieval/excheq.asp