Fox for Alana Utterich

The exemplar is Codex Michaelburanus perg. 1, f.195r, my first time painting on gold. Whoo, is it fun! It took one day to sketch out the initial, paint the blue, and do the gilding. The next day I cleaned up the gilding, did the red, and the calligraphy.

The text reads:

Incipit verbis Pauli et Caterine. The fox is famed for his cunning and wit, and as such is an example for all those who defend our lands, and it is for this reason that in days past our honorable ancestors in recognition of this created the Order of the Fox to admit as companions all those whose skills with weapons are set apart from the rest so that they may be advertised and recognized throughout our lands. One such person is Lady Alana Utterich, who has won great renown with the bow, whereby we the abovenamed princes of Insulae Draconis do induct the said Alana in to the aforenamed Order. Datum apud Glen Rathlin xviii feb a.s. li.

Here's some progress pictures:

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© 2017, Sara L. Uckelman.

Fox for Guy de Dinan

Scroll

Exemplar

The exemplar is BL MS Stowe 17, fol. 244. The text reads:

Oh the wily fox he is a clever fellow, he tricks his enemies into thinking he is helpless and then springs his pointed claws upon them. Like the sly fox the archer fools his enemies into complacency before his pointed arrows fall upon them. The fox is a cunning fellow, dissembling and distracting and misdirecting so that no one knows his skills. Like the fox is our beloved archer Guy de Dinan, who with such craft has risen to the rank of yeoman archer. We, Pol and Caitriona, prince and princess of Insulae Draconis, however, are more clever than the fox and his guile does not escape our notice. By the power and authority invested in us by ancient law and custom, we call the said Guy before us to be name a true fox and a member of the Order of the Fox, with all rights and responsibilities appertaining thereto. This we do at Michaelmas Feast in the Shire of Thamesreach xxiv.ix.li.

And two close-ups:

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© 2016, Sara L. Uckelman.

Fox for Aodhan dha Cheist

Scroll

Exemplar

The original is from Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16, Folio 72v. I chose and sketched it, painted the base coat and the black on Aug. 24. I did the whitework, blackwork, and laid down the size on Aug. 25, after which I composed the text and calligraphed it (getting a really bad case of calligrapher's hand along the way...)

The text reads:

Pól and Caitriona, by right of arms prince and princess of Insulae Draconis. For as much as you, Aodhan dha Cheist, have demonstrated not only skill but also great joy and exuberance on the archery field, rising to the rank of master archer, you have also distinguished yourself with the rapier, and thus do we the abovenamed princes do by this charter create the said Aodhan a member of the Order of the Fox. Datum apud Lough Devnaree iii septembris a.s. li.

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© 2016, Sara L. Uckelman.

AoA for Thomas Bainbridge of Manchester

The exemplar for this piece was Codex Claustroneoburgensis 389 f.74r, a 15th C German manuscript. I just love this particular pattern and combination of colors -- it's so weirdly modern. I've wanted to do it for ages, so was very happy to have the opportunity to use it here!

The text reads:

Pol and Caitriona, prince and prince of Insulae Draconis, to our servant Thomas Bainbridge of Manchester, salutations and greetings. Insofar as by the ordination of the right of arms we have ascended the thrones of princely might, it is right that in our deeds we altogether reward those by whose gifts and services we are exalted. There fore we, desiring that ancient custom as well as solemn laws to remain in vigour and prosperity, and en deavouring to recognise and elevate such persons as have con tributed richly to our realm, the likes of the above-named Tom of Manche- ster who has served us most especially through labouring as our Gauntlet Pur- suivant, maintaining and recording all manner of worthy challenges, skirmishes, and duels throughout our lands, do by our princely authority proclaim and affirm that the aforenamed Thomas is to be recognised as a lord, with all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges attendant thereto, and for the recognition of which we charge the said lord Thomas to consult with our heralds and to devise suitable and unique arms. Datum apud Castellum de Raglan, super Festo de Raglan, a.s. lj.

This was originally given out at Raglan, but the recipient sadly couldn't make it then, so it was held in secret and re-given at October crown.

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© 2016, Sara L. Uckelman.