Nicola Canis, Award of Arms, 2021

 

Let all present and future know that We, Rattanicus Rex and Isabel Regina Ealdormerensis, in Our goodness and grace, have by this present letter given and granted and confirmed, through her homage and service, to Nicola Canis, the rights, responsibilities, and station of a Lady of the Realm; and further we do by this letter grant unto the aforesaid Nicola the right to bear the arms Per bend sable and azure, a three-headed dog rampant contourny tailed of a serpent maintaining in its tail a sword argent, for which a yearly annuity must be rendered in coin or in service, as pertains to the whole realm. And We, Rattanicus and Isobel and our heirs warrant the aforesaid Nicola of the aforesaid rights for the aforesaid service in perpetuity. With these witnessing on the 4th day of September, Anno Societatis LVI (56).

Wording by TH Lord Dietrich von Sachsen; based on a grant of land given by Nicola de la Haie.

Jonas of Skraeling Althing, Award of Arms, 2018

In the name of Evander and Marioun the Compassionate, The Merciful

Praise be to the sovereigns, Lord and Lady of the North, and blessing and peace eternal upon their line, our masters Evander and Marioun.

The annals of former generations are lessons to the living: a man may look back on the fortunes of his predecessors and be admonished; and contemplate the history of past ages and be purged of folly. Glory to Him who has made the heritage of antiquity a guide for our own time!

Know then, Commander of the Faithful, that there is one amongst the subjects of the North who made the glory of the past his own; for he has studied ancient books of the most eminent tutors, and perused the writings of the martial traditions of the Kings of Persia and India. In so mastering the lore of the sabre and excelling in the arts martial, that his fame has spread far and wide as a student of defence; and he has become renowned in his home province of Skraeling Althing.

When the King and Queen of Ealdormere heard tell of this man, they requested him to attend their court. And so it was on the 25^th day of Safar, in the 53^rd year, that they spake unto Jonas of Skraeling Althing – for such was he named – and began repeating these couplets:

                All who come before our thrones, know of what we do proclaim!

Let not one vassal, woman or man, this our mighty word defame

For wonderful is he and right worthy of our praise

And of our Scarlet Banner, Jonas’ honour we do name.

Wording by TH Lord Dietrich von Sachsen, based on the dedication and poetry of A Thousand and One Nights.

Tanegashima Hiromoto, Award of Arms, 2018

The hot sun rises
Over Iwashimizu;
Hachiman’s temple.
Baldric and Breyla, mighty
Imperial sovereigns
Summon before them
A loyal bushi; name him
Tanegashima
Hiromoto: Twin arrows
Crossed atop a turtle’s shell.
Veteran of war
Trainer of Ashigaru
He serves and is served.
Sews the seeds of future
And of victories to come.
Tanegashima
Bushi of southern islands:
Service is honoured.
Our court recognizes you;
Know now your worth as tono.

Done this 7th day of Summer, in the 53rd Year of the Society, by our decree.

NOTES:

Composed as a renga (連歌) format of poetry.

"The hot sun rises" is a kigo (季語, "seasonal word") for summer.
Iwashimzu Shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the the syncretic divinity of archery and war; this, along with the crossed arrows on the turtle's shell, is a reference to Hiromoto's heraldry.
Sewing the Seeds of the Future and Southern Island is a reference to the literal translation of Tanegashima.

Wording by Akashi Terumoto.

Tanegashima Masako, Award of Arms, 2018

The time of blooming;
Wild orange blossoms
Erupt like gunfire
Baldric, our great Ten’nō
Derives counsel from Breyla
His noble Kōgō.
In humility
Now kneels Tanegashima
Masako; who gave
Herself unto bushido.
In battle, fear flees her mind;
Punishes her enemies
And those of her lord.
As she raises up others
So shall we elevate her.
Tanegashima
Seed of the Southern Islands
Onna-bugeisha
Rise and take up your station,
As a hine of our court.

Done this 7th day of Summer, in the 53rd Year of the Society, by our decree.

NOTES:

Composed as a renga (連歌) format of poetry.

"Wild Orange Blossom" is a kigo (季語, "seasonal word") for summer, refering to the flowering that occurs in early summer.
"like Gunfire": Tanegashima is a name for a Japanese arquebus, and a play on her name.
"Seed of Southern Island": Another play on the literal meaning of Tanegashima, "Southern Seed Island"
"Onna-Bugeisha" is a female samurai.

Wording by TH Lord Akashi Terumoto

John Spooner, Award of Arms

Based of an English Patent of Arms, by THL Dietrich von Sachsen

To all Present and to come who shall these present letters see or hear, Quillium the King by Right of Arms of This Kingdom of Ealdormere, and Tangystle the Queen, greetings and love with humble recommendation.

Equity, will, and right ordains that virtuous men and noble undertakings be by their merits and renown rewarded; and not only their persons in this mortal life but so all after them know of the esteem We place upon them. Thus unto this end do we, King and Queen aforesaid, who by common renown and the testimony of others, have been well-reported and informed that John Spooner has well-pursued the woodworkers' art and so enriched our demesne.

Henceforth let him in all places be acknowledged and counted amongst the company of the lords of the realm with this Award of Arms. In testimony whereof we have set out hand and seal, on the 10th day of June, Anno Societatis LII.

Shimazu Nobuhisa, Award of Arms

Chōka (長歌, "Long Poem") which is a form of Japanese waka 和歌, by THL Dietrich von Sachsen

The Summer King Reigns;

Baldric-ten’nō, with glory
And Breyla, kōgō
Before them kneels a hikan
Of far Kyushu:
Shimazu Nobuhisa
Weathers storms of swords
As harbour on an island
Masters the seasons
Bountiful dishes always
Served with joyful heart.
Mikado says to you, Rise
Take your station as Lord.

Done this 7th day of Summer, in the 53rd Year of the Society, by our decree.

Aleksandr Bergsson, Award of Arms

By THL Dietrich von Sachsen

Harken now, and hear / Halls of the North!

The skalds proclaim / Skillful is he
Who hefts the hammer and / holds it aloft
Who weaves and wefts / like Norms with wool.

Aleksandr, born / son of Bergr
Serves his gothi / good this bondsman
Hand-bloodied for wood; / axe-wound now heal'd
The hour is here / to honour his deeds.

Regin bless'd richly / Northrealm rulers
Edward the King / Queen Rylyn beside
Such learned labours / Lord we name him!
Award of Arms / eternal fame.

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).

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).

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.

Joshua of Northgaetham, Award of Arms, 2015

Be it known that we Trumbrand Cyning and Kaylah Cwene, concerning our subject Joshua of Northgaetham, in the XLIX year of our Society, send greeting. As monarchs of the Ealdormereans, do we call upon Lady Ealdormere, St. Finnvarr and St. Menken, as we look upon this inhabitant of our canton known as Northgaetham. As the might of our fyrd has gained renown, so too has Joshua gained renown among our people. It is known that he is filled with a desire to learn the arts of combat and travels great distances to take up arms with his fellow carls. Know it also that he is skilled in the smithy, and has made his own armour. Comand we then, in the name of the North, and call upon our subjects to uphold this, our command, that Joshua of Norhgaetham be made a hlaford. If anyone among you should try to challenge this decree, they will be met with fierce and just punishments, unless they quickly atone.

Witnessed and signed, within the borders of the Shire of Trinovantia Nova, at the Winter War, on the feast day of Saints Perpetua and Felicity.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on A.D. 670 for 924 x 939. King Athelstan to the minster of SS Mary and Peter, Exeter; grant of 5 hides (cassati) at Culmstock, Devon. Latin with English bounds.

Gottfried von Hengstberg, Award of Arms, 2014

In the name of the great and unconquerable Wolves of the North, Siegfried and Ragni, by favour of boreal mercy, august king and queen of the Ealdormereans. Since human memory is short and does not suffice for a crowd of things, the authority of those who preceded our age, the divine emperors and kings, has decreed that those things were to be written down which the progress of fleeting time generally removes from the knowledge of men.

A. Wherefore let the generality of the present as well as the future subjects of our kingdom know, that Gottfried von Hengstberg, the redoubtable polearms man from the Harrowgate Heath, for the reason that he greatly impressed us with his joy and vigour on the field of battle, that he also engages in the right and proper pursuit of the arts of the bow, and his eagerness to assist in projects both great and small, and is in all ways a benefit to us and our kingdom, has incurred our pleasure.

B. We, therefore, after deliberating with our councilors, have agreed to elevate, raise and endow the aforesaid Gottfried, bestowing upon him an Award of Arms, and making him a lord of our realm.

We do confirm, therefore, this lawful investiture of our royal majesty onto Gottfried. And wishing this to remain valid for all posterity, we forbid by a royal edict that any one, with rash daring, infringe it or in any way attempt to violate it; and we validly corroborate this our decree by the present privilege, signed by the seal of our Majesty, this twenty-first day of June, in the forty-ninth year of the society, at the Summer Siege in our Canton of Harrowgate Heath.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Gelnhausen Charter; April 13, 1180 C.E.

Heinrich Brechthold, Award of Arms, 2012

Let all good and true nobles attend the words of Edward, Second of his Name, and Rylyn, Second of her Name, König and Königin of the Northern Kingdom of Ealdormere. Know we well that no blade is keener or truer than the heart of an eager Northman. Heinrich Brechthold has the heart of a true son of the North, and thus do we call him before our mighty thrones. Though he has been our subject for but a few score of days, this Dienstmann has learned the art of war in his homeland of Bastille du Lac. He has taken his armour and sword across our land, winning renown in tournaments, and, when the call to war was sounded, took ship abroad, serving under our Banner on the fields of battle in the Debateable Lands. Even when on the most gruelling of campaigns in the service of Ealdormere he has found time to learn the noble art of sewing and garb-making. Such deeds are worthy of reward. Thus do we, Edward and Rylyn, Rex et Regina Ealdormeris, by Royal Decree award grant unto Heinrich Brechthold, an Award of Arms, and raise him the rank of Edelfrei, a free noble, with all the attendant rights, privileges, and responsibilities this new rank confers.

Done this 1st day of September, A.S. 47, in our Barony of Skraeling Althing, at Bonfield.

Wording by Dietrich von Sachsen.

Mattius of Petrea Thule, Award of Arms, 2013

Nigel, the king, and Adrielle, the queen, greet Their Lawspeaker, and Siegfried the prince, and Ragni the princess, and all Our earls and all Our people, twelfhynde and twyhynde, clerk and lay, in Ealdormere, friendly; and We do you to wit that We will be kind and unfailing to Ealdormere’s rights and law. Among those rights is the recognition of worth of Our people, and one of those people is Mattius of Petrea Thule who is known for his enthusiasm both on and off the field of battle, skilled with both instruments of war and song. Now We beseech Our heralds and suffragan pursuivants that they all be attentive as we use Our royal authority to grace Mattius of Petrea Thule with the title of Hlaford. And we will that all people, clerk and lay, pay him due courtesy worthy of this rank. This We do in our Canton of Ardchreag, at the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Faire, on the feast day of Gertrude the Great, in the year of the society forty-eight. Wassail.

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Charter of Canute, 1020 CE

AoA for Wynefryd Bredhers

Unto all be it known that we, Kenric, mighty King of the East and Avelina, kind and gracious Queen, have made it Our wish and command to advance in nobility Wynefryd Bredhers.

Know now, all of our fair realm, that the said Wynefryde is a lady of charm and wit and that her kind heart and generous nature brighten Our court. With constant dedication she knows each fighters name and checks the rolls with devotion. To acknowledge her virtues, we confer upon her all the honors and privileges of her new station as well as the right to bear these arms - Vert, a fern within a bordure Or. Having confirmed by document and set by Our hand at the Market Day at Birka on this 25th day of January A.S. XLVIII in our Barony of Stonemarche.

Wording by Christiana Crane.

Christina Montgomery, Award of Arms, 2013

In the name of the celestial and indivisible Lady Ealdormere, Nigel and Adrielle, by favour of His Majesty’s strength of arms, august Monarchs of the Northlands. Although recognition of the worth of Our subjects may be done by others, it is, however, the duty of Our imperial authority to royally acknowledge worthy people lest there be any doubt of their value to the Crown. Be it known, therefore, to the present age and to future generations of Our subjects, that We, aided by the grace of Lady Ealdormere who scattered her secret heart among the people of the north, in the presence of many of the members of Our royal court, have called before us Christina Montgomery. This gentle is well known and loved by the people of her barony, who have sent us many missives extolling her skill in the culinary arts, her cheerful attitude and constant service. Lest these acts of honour and glory of our most beloved Christina Montgomery may in any way be diminished, We would bestow on her an Award of Arms. In order that this Our imperial decree may, for all ages, remain valid and unshaken, we have ordered the present charter to be written and to be sealed with the impress of our seal.

Done on the Feast Day of St, Andrew, in Our Canton of Bryniau Tywynnog, at Wassail, Anno Borealis forty-eight.

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on The Establishment of the Duchy of Austria;
September 17, 1156. (Doeberl, iv. p. 88.)

Joffr Rödson, Award of Arms, 2013

In the days when Nigel was King and Adrielle was Queen, it once happened that an armourer came before them and greeted them. And the king and queen received him well and asked him his name. The man said he was called Joffr Rödson, son of Röd. He asked if he could stay awhile among the retainers. The king and queen granted him that and assigned him a very worthy seat. Joffr was pleasant and polite and well liked by all. He worked diligently on the growth of the king and queen’s lands, and they were both well pleased with him.

At the end of the year, when gathering for a yule celebration, Nigel and Adrielle held a court and called Joffr Rödson before them, and gave him an arm ring and the right to call himself a lord of the people.

And Nigel’s skalds took note that this occurred on the thirtieth day of November, in the Canton of Bryniau Tywynnog, at Wassail, in the forty-eighth year of the society.

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on The Tale of Toki Tokason, 13^th or 14^th century, trans. Peter Tunstall, 2005.

Wulfric of the Black Wood, Award of Arms, 2013

Armour is a boon to all fighting men;

            it saves the body from harm.

Riding seems easy to every warrior while he is indoors

and very courageous to him who traverses the high-roads
to far off practices.

The sword is extremely sharp,

            suited to righteous purpose.

Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one's dignity;

it furnishes help and subsistence
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else.

Eagerness is infectious,

            it is easily caught by all who see it.

The Black Wood is a home,

            to a man who encompasses all these points.

            Wulfric by name, a mighty man.

Hlaford is a title, now held by him,

            a lord of the land.

Nigel is a King,

Adrielle is a Queen,

            who give him this boon,

            at Wassail, in Bryniau Tywynnog,

            on the last of November,

            in the forty-eighth year of the land.

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem, 8^th or 9^th century, http://www.ragweedforge.com/rpae.html

Ieuan ap Gwilym, Award of Arms, 2013

Let people present and future know that We, Nigel MacFarlane and Adrielle Kerrec, have given, bestowed, and by this charter confirmed, to Ieuan ap Gwilym, an Award of Arms and the right to bear such arms as he may design in consultation with our heralds and pursuivants. This is done in recognition of his service as both pursuivant and deputy seneschal, his courteous manner, and his aid at events. In testimony of which We have appended Our seal to this present charter. These are witnesses: Baron Penda, Baroness Sibylla. Given at Bryniau Tywynnog at Wassail on Saturday on the feast of St. Andrew in the 1^st year of the reign of Nigel II and Adrielle II and the forty-eighth year of the society.

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on an English Land Grant, 1422.

http://www.bibliographics.com/YORK/YORK-DOCS.htm