Gwendolyn of Aldburg, Award of the Scarlet Banner, 2015

... As it was in days gone by,
When the Spear-Skraels and they who ruled them
Had Courage and Greatness. We have heard
much of those bygone Prince's heroic campaigns
alongside the Bear-Folk and the Wyrm-Born Kings of old.
Never be it said that those who followed them
Be nithing at war; strong are those born even now.
The powers of Quilliam wax and his worth is proved
Not only by Domhnail, blessed Queen of all those
Who call the Wolven-realm home; but by the strength
Of those who take the blood-worm to hand
Beneath the Scarlet Banner.

Thus did the Breaker-of-Rings seek forth one
Of the Skrael-Shieldlings to stand before him
And his lady, in their lofty hall.
So was Quilliam sent forth Gwendolyn,
Horse-Lady of Aldburg, White Ravens of Othin
Borne proudly upon her battle-shield.
Bright mail and tall helm she wore, but none
Outshone her martial pride; for trained had she
At the feet of her Uncle, who taught her never
Before the foemen yield, but to stand tall
As any fighting man who put arm to shield
Beneath the Scarlet Banner.

"What kind of Lady are you arrive
Rigged out for combat in your coat of maille
Riding here from distant Harrowgate Heath
Upon thy dun-skin mare? I have reigned
As King for some time, yet rarely before
Has a mightier man-at-arms been seen here
As stands here now; unless I am mistaken,
She is truly noble. No mere hanger-on in a hero's armour."
"I belong by birth to your people, the Skraels
And owe allegiance to none but you, great king."
"Then stand, and bear your arms and gear, and I shall guide you,
Beneath your Scarlet Banner."


Wording by Lord Dietrich Sachsen

Merewyn of Swenyeshie, Award of Orion, 2015

Let all who heren thisse asise,
Of Steinarr, Kyng of the Ealdormerii,
And Lydr, Quene who Wið-stod him.
Worldes bliss we pris nout,
Al be that the bliss of oure Kine-þeod we pris gretliche.
They that do multiplye the murthe of oure puple
With conning and queyntise - forgen bel beydes -
We wouldst wurðien. We bi-nemnen in oure loftye castel:
Merewen de Sweynesheie is grauntyed the Awarde of Orion.
Ne mon is gabben oure vassal!

(IN MODERN ENGLISH)
Let all who hear this decree,
Of Steinarr, Kyng of the Ealdormerii
And Lydr, Queen who stands beside him.
Wordly bliss we value not,
Although the bliss of our subjects we value grealty.
They that do multiply* the joy of our people
With cunning and artifice - forging beautiful beads -
We would honour. We declare in our lofty hall:
That Merewen de Sweynesheie is granted the Award of Orion.
Let no man scoff at our vassal!


Wording by Lord Dietrich von Sachsen

Jack Mungo, Award of the Orion, 2014

Let it be known, from lofty hall to furthest field,
The words of great King Steinarr of bright steel,
And Lydr, Queen, who bears the scarlet shield!
They would speak of this man who before them kneels:
    Speak of Jack who goes no more a-viking,
    Lest he our fierce justice goes inviting,
    Jack now raises hammer, and anvil-striking!

When sword-blades are brandished and shields are battered,
Spear-shafts splintered and mail links scatter,
When bright armour breaks and banners lie tattered,
Know well that our tall helms ne'er will shatter!
    For Jack, who goes no more a-viking,
    Lest he our fierce justice goes inviting,
    Forges helms with hammer, and anvil-striking!

Great skill has he shown with iron and steel,
Like Weland of old from Mimir, he is learning,
For his craft Weyland suffered - wounded in heel
So does this man fall afoul of earth, acid and burning,
    Poor Jack, who goes no more a-viking,
    Lest he our fierce justice goes inviting,
    May he survive to wield hammer, and anvil-striking!

Let none proclaim us like Niðung, of greed and pride,
False King who would make proud Weyland a slave!
Royal-blooded are we, and great bounty we provide!
To noble servant here - who is lordly, not knave:
    We give Jack, who goes no more a-viking,
    Lest he our fierce justice goes inviting,
    Award of Orion for anvil-striking!


Wording by Lord Dietrich von Sachsen

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).