Jehanne de Bretagne, Award of the Maiden's Heart, 2015

Steinnar, by Inspiration's Grace King of Ealdormere and His Consort and Queen, Lyda of Gladsome Countenance do happily send greetings unto all such diverse Kings, Dukes, Counts, Knights, Barons and Lords that this missive may address within and without the lands held by Ealdomere. Amongst Our many subjects stands one worthy of Our praise, a devoted servant, humble and gracious in her manner, loving and well loved by all who do meet her. Jehanne de Bretagne is much treasured by Us, her hearth always warm and her laughter always ringing throughout the halls of Our Homeland, filling Our hearts with comfort and delight. Her tasks are many and diverse, her talents and skills leading her down too many meandering paths for Us to detail in such a missive, but We take great pride to assure all that Jehanne is a gentle worthy of Our notice and regard. We, Ealdormere, from our High Seats, do declare that Jehanne de Bretagne, fierce in her love for Us, shall be henceforth permitted to wear the badge of the Award of the Maiden's Heart, without let or hinderance and demand that all shall heed Our Words or face our displeasure.

Sealed with the Great Seal of Ealdormere and executed by sign manual this Feast Day of Saint Mark the Evangelist in the first day of Our Reign at Our Loyal Shire of Bastille du Lac, Anno Societas 49.

Wording by HE Mahault of Swynford.

Award of the Maiden's Heart, Cameron MacGregor, 2015

Steinnar, by Right of Arms King of Ealdormere, Knight of the Realm, Shield of the Weak and Bane of the Southron Kingdoms and His Consort and Queen, Lyda, Patroness of the Arts, Inspiration of Gentle Pleasures and Shining Light of Good Graces, do offer greetings unto all such diverse Kings, Dukes, Counts, Knights, Barons and Lords that this missive may address within and without the lands held by Ealdomere. Unto such noble personages does Ealdormere recognize, averr and assert that Cameron, son of Gregor, although base born of the land of Scotland, has risen to such great heights through diligent and courageous service as to be counted as a Lord of Our Realm. Ealdormere has viewed his humble demeanour, his tireless martial efforts and his defense of Our Realm against the dread scourge of piracy and found Ourselves best pleased by his countenance and his fierce spirit in serving Us. We declare that with the receipt of this missive, all must know him as a man most blessed by Our Favour and that he is wonderful in Our eyes. We demand, extol and require that all who shall meet him shall know that he is a Lord of our Court and that we feel him worthy to wear the badge of the Maiden's Heart without let or hinderance, as he is a gentleman of great honour, devotion and virtue. Should any question Our Words or challenge his rights as a Lord and favoured subject, they will be met with Our great wrath, causing harm most dire to such an ill-fated fool, his lands and chattel as shall greatly besmirch his name throughout the Known World. Ealdormere will stand strong on the fields Northern and Southron in defence of the honour and good name of our devoted subject, Cameron, son of Gregor and all who slander or speak foul words of him shall pay dearly at the end of Our sword.

Done by sign manual this Feast Day of Saint Mark the Evangelist in the first day of Our Reign at Our Loyal Shire of Bastille du Lac, Anno Societas 49

Wording by HE Mahault fo Swynford, based on a 14th Century Scottish writ.

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).

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.

Othindisa bykona, Order of the Laurel, 2015

Þá á vetra stofnans fertugundi ok níundi, Rikardsmessa inn Konung, inn nótt tuttugundi ok annarr þorsmánaðar ok nótt sjaundi mánaðar fimti einvalds Titus ok Anna Leigh, Konunginn Æthelmerc ok Kvenna. Gegnum meðan hæstir eru stormar um vetrinn fóru á Vindkverns Stað á hinna Syndar Sjau Dauðligra Hóf. Þar tala hinn skaldshvítskeggjaðr heyrðu

Ok hann sagði:

Engis gulla augar
óðrærs æna smyrill;
flugastinga súpa
sæta mjölkblóms lævíss.
Vængar með höggvanda
vínsvelgr fljóta til býhus
Þer hunangs ymrþjuða
þrekliga stemma lækrgull.

Meyja hroska meldrar
mala luma hunangs -
lærdóms glaðast landvörð
ljoseld halda blossi.
Runum Freyjas fela -
fjarðlog herjar hirða.
Riki býheims hrósa
ræriróðs prúðlig meyja.

Birtigulla býtár
bekkr damstæð leka
játir barajastars
yndiligr bekkr vindsgnýr.
Hrannir út hann dynjað
Hárs á saltunnu skáldit
siglað Óðinns segjað
skaldskipit ok ölhrönn.

Ágæta Óðindisa
afusa meyja gullin.
Bóndar mikill býkongs
berrat órdsmíðs bjórveig.

Þá er heyrðu þessa, Titus ok Anna Leigh fundu Oðindisa bykona, aldæll ok víta, mætr ganga í bönd með bróðernit lárviðs af vísi býhalda vítr ok læring hana af vísi þat. Gjöf gefu henni, nafn aeðlæst ok skjaldnafn: Fjólublátt, sól í dýrð hans, á æðstu gulli þrjú perur grænt, eiginn hennar af opið bref. Ok gleðusk állr!

Þus endast nóttsaginn einvalds Titus ok Anna Leigh, Konungr ok Kvenna Aethelmearc.

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Then, in the forty-ninth winter from the Founding, on the Feast day of Richard the King, being the 22nd night of Thor-month, and the seventh night of the fifth month of the reign of Titus and Anna Leigh, the King of AEthelmearc and his Queen traveled in the depth of winter to visit their WindMill Stead for the Seven Deadly Sins Feast. There they heard the White-Beard Skald speak. And he said:

Meadow´s golden-eyes gathers the hawk of wisdom The sting-fly sips sweet blooms' strong milk Drunkard with wings staggering floats to home at bee house There the buzzing-tribe strongly stems the stream-gold. Maiden of the mill wise measures golden honey. Brings to landward brightest beacon´s light of learning. Keeps she Freya's secrets, keeps the baron's fjord-flame. King of bee-home praises wisdom's stately maiden. Bright-gold bee-tears frozen brook the golden dam-yard leaks. Charming bee-tear brook squall yields finest yeast-wave. Har's waves flow to high hall barrel quenches skald's thirst. Skalds ships sails all ways over Odin's ale-wave. Thanks to golden maiden, Oðindisa's glory, Bee-king's minions many bring to wordsmith strong drafts.

After hearing this, Titus and Anna Leigh found Othindisa bykona, gentle and wise, most worthy of taking the oath of a Companion of the Laurel Brotherhood for her studies in the science of keeping bees and her teaching of that science, and They gave her a gift of a Most Noble Name and the shield-naming: Purpure, a sun in his splendor, on a chief Or three pears vert, hers alone by Letters Patent. And all rejoiced!

Thus ends this night-saga of the reign of Titus and Anna Leigh, King and Queen of Æthelmearc.

Words by Baron Fridrikr Tomasson

Eirik Andersen, Order of the Pelican, 2015

Trumbrand and Kaylah, King and Queen of Ealdormere, to Dukes, &c., greeting. Know ye that we have given, granted and by this our charter confirmed to Eirik Andersen, our very dear subject, all the right and honour and preeminence pertaining to being a member of our Order of the Pelican. For many decades has Eirik, son of the High Cliffs, toiled in field and hall, in manor and fort, never fearing to set aside the game of cards he loves so much to take up hoe, or pen, or whatsoever tool may be required, to do good and just service to the kingdom he loves even more. Known not only for his skill at painting in the manner of the Flemings and in matters ethereal, he is also a skilled officer of our realm, and has held numerous positions of authority and duty which he has fulfilled most excellently. For all these reasons, and more too many to account of here, do we elevate him to the Order, grant him permission to wear the badge of the Order, without let or hindrance, and to display a cap of maintenance within his achievement of arms. Witness the King and Queen, at Tournoi de Couer de Glace in the Shire of Bastille du Lac, on the 31^st day of January, in the Year of the Society forty-nine.

Wording by THLaird Colyne Stewar, based on the Creation of Andrew de Hartcla Earl of Carlisle, Charter, R.C.V. 18, 1322.

Einar Inn Austrifera Josepson, Award of Orion, 2015

Excerpt from Gamlaðr Vatn Saga:

In the fall, Daffyd and Mahild took over a farm in the Ford, and it soon became a fine estate. A son was born to them, named Einar; he was quickly handsome and precocious. Like his father, Einar was skilled in working with wood, but soon surpassed him in this ability. Many were the bowl and spoon carved by Einar’s hands, and many homesteads made use of his work.

Mighty Trumbrand and Queen Kaylah, having heard of Einar’s talents, came with many warriors, servants and retainers and stayed at the farm in the Ford. There they watched Einar as he laboured at his trade, and they were much impressed.

They called Einar before them, and then spoke:

We called on Einar’s homestead

And found the woodman shaping;

Armed with blade and saw-tooth

The wood bent to his will.

Grand things we saw him make there,

All of them great treasures,

Made from mighty oak trees;

Rewards must now be given.

And so they gave Einar a ring, marked with the stars of Orion, so that all who met him would know of his great skill.

The skalds recorded that this happened in the Shire of Bastille du Lac, on the 31^st dagr of Þorri, in the forty-ninth ár of the worldthing.

Wording by THL Colyne Stewart, based on excerpts from Laxdæla Saga.