AoA for Amal binti Hamid

Scroll	Exemplar

In November when I was in Copenhagen, about four days before an event I found out one of my scribes was in fact able to attend, so I quickly wrote their Majesties along the lines of "Please, please, please give her her AoA, she's been wonderful". They kindly acted upon my advice, but of course there was no way I could get a scroll to the event in time. So I decided I'd do it myself and started digging around right away for a suitable exemplar. I decided to go with BL MS Arundel 41, fol. 35, a French or English MS from the 2nd or 3rd quarter of the 13th C, because this style, to me, really says "medieval manuscript", and I really want my scribes to have the best. So I was going to try to do it all: the initial, the border, the calligraphy (with some abbreviations), the two-column format with paragraph/sentence markers, and a penwork initial in the second column. The biggest thing that held me up was that I needed a text starting with Q. Qs are common in Latin, but relatively uncommon in English. It took me until February before I came up with a suitable opening; the rest of the text then follows standard grants of arms texts from the 15th C. I wrote the text, drew the Q and the border, and caligraphed the incipit and the first two lines on Feb. 12, finished the calligraphy on Feb. 13, did all of the illumination except for the whitework and the center of the Q Feb. 19, and then finished up with drawing and painting the inside of the Q on Mar. 6. I'm very happy with the result.

The text reads:

Incipit verbis Ulfi et Ceve qui sunt rex et regina drachenwaldenses.

To all present and to come who these present letters shall see or hear Ulfr and Caoimhe king and queen of this kingdom of drachenwald greetings and love. Equity and reason ordains that virtuous men be by their merits and renown rewarded and not only their persons in this mortal life so brief and transitory but also after shall in all places have great honour perpetually before others, shining by certain signs and demonstrations of honour and courtesy, to wit by blazon helmet and crest in order that by their example others again force themselves to use their days in virtuous works and for this end we, king and queen as abovementioned, not only by common renown but also by report of other noble witnesses truly advertize and certify that Amal binti Hamid al-Chania gentlewoman is worthy that henceforth she be in all places admitted, renowned, accounted, numbered and received in the company of nobles and for this we forthwith ordain to the above-named Amal for her sole and unique use all rights to such arms as she shall register with the College of Arms. Therefore in witness of this we the king and queen abovementioned have signed these presents made and givenat Aarnimetsa the xxvii day of November anno societatis xlv.

The incipit translates as "Here begin the words of Ulfr and Caoimhe who are king and queen of Drachenwald."

---

© 2011, Sara L. Uckelman.

Queens Order of Courtesy for Lyonet de Covenham

Scroll	Exemplar

The exemplar is BL MS Harley 2253, fol. 131, a late 13th/early 14th C manuscript. I still find this type of secretary hand perplexing.

This manuscript contains a number of secular and religious lyrics, and I adapted the lyrics from one, the song of "Annot and John", appearing at fol. 63 of the MS. The text reads:

Þese are the wordes of Caoimhe drachenwaldish quene
Ase saphyr in seluer semly on syht,
Ase iaspe þe gentil þat lemeþ wiþ the lyht,
Ase gernet in golde ant ruby wel rhyt
Ase onycle she ys on yholden on hyht,
Ase diamaund þe dere in day when she is dyht;
Ase all þese ys þe ladie lyonet of covenham,
pearle of grace and goodenesse and þus we
Caoimhe make her a member of oure Order of
Courteisie, on augst seventh, a.s. xlv, at raglan.

Lines two through six are copied from the song.

---

© 2011, Sara L. Uckelman.

Panache for Nattfari Gardharson

Panache for Náttfari Garðarson

Dec 18. I drew out the design, calligraphed the text, inked the score, and did the initials. The music and the side border was done Dec. 19. The design is based on Codex S. 384, fol. 13v and Codex S. 384, fol. 14r, a 13th C graduale.

The text reads:

Euterpe, muse of music, has smiled favorably on Náttfari Garðarson and graced him with great talent. We, Ulfr and Caoimhe, king and queen of Drachenwald, recognize this by making Náttfari a member of the Order of the Panache on january viii, a.s. xlv, in the shire of Attemark, during our final court.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Lindquistringes for Franz von Hohenklingen

The text was written and half calligraphed on Dec. 16, and the calligraphy done on Dec. 18. The initial was painted by Mærith aff Weselax.

The text reads:

Drachenwald is made strong by those who live within its borders, those who fight to protect its lands, who grace it with their skills in the arts and sciences, and who serve the crown, the kingdom, and its populace with their works and deeds. It is the pleasure of the crown to recognize all those who have greatly enriched the kingdom in these ways, and so it is that we, Ulfr and Caoimhe, as the days of our reign come to an end, wish to single out the most lordly doings of our subject Viscount Franz von Hohenklingen, knight, by making him a member of our Orden des Lindquistringes, which order was created to recognize those whose exemplary service puts them above the ordinary. Membership in this order brings with it the right to bear the badge of the order, a ring formed of a wingless dragon in annulo widdershins Or, maintaining in chief with all four legs and mouth a gem gules, without let or hindrance from anyone. This we do on the 8th day of January, a.s. xlv, in our Shire of Attemark and in testimony whereof we have signed below.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Panache for Iida Juhanantytar

The initial was illuminated by Nicole d'Anjou and is based on MS Hs. I 489, fol.215r, from the 14th C.

The text reads:

Ulfr and Caoimhe king and queen of drachenwald announce by these presents that for her skills in the arts particularly in weaving we create our subject Iida Juhanantytar a member of our Order of the Panache, with all the rights and responsibilities appertaining thereto. Done on the 27th day of November, a.s. 45.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Lindquistringes for Kathryne Elizabeth Gordon

The design is based on British Library MS Harley 2793 f.33, from the first half of the 9th century. This was my first attempt at doing a zoomorphic initial. I didn't quite capture the look of despair on the fish's face, or the bored look on the duck, but I'm still pretty happy with how it turned out.

The text reads:

By these words let the will of Ulfr and Caoimhe, king and queen of Drachenwald be known. We have not only heard many testiments of the deeds of our subject Kathryne Elizabeth Gordon but also seen them with our own eyes. We wish to reward this service by making the said Kathryne a member of our Orden des Lindquistringes in witness of all she has rendered to us. This we do on the 4th day of December, a.s. xlv, at Yule Ball in our shire of Flintheath.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Panache for Asa Vavare

Panache for Åsa Vävare

The text reads:

Ulfr and Caoimhe, king and queen of drachenwald, to all the dukes, counts, barons, lords, and gentles of this kingdom, greetings and salutations. Let it be known that we have not only by the testimony of many worthy and credible gentles but also by our own witness been informed and acquainted of the many skills and deeds in the arts and sciences displayed by our subject Åsa Vävare. In recognition we make the said Åsa a member of our Order of the Panache, with all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges appertaining thereto, and so that all may know of her excellence, of her knowledge, and of her prowess in these matters we charge her to bear the badge of the order, issuant to chief from a torteau charged with a bezant pierced sable three feathers gules, Or, and sable, depicted more plainly below. So that none may contest this our will we the said king and queen have witnessed these presents on the 11th day of December, a.s. xlv, being the Feast of Saint Lucia.

The initial was illuminated by Lord Arnaut de Najac at Kingdom University. The calligraphy was done Nov. 18 and 19, and I painted in the badge on Nov. 19.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Sigillum Regis for Katheryn Hebenstreitz

Nov. 12 I picked out the design, pencilled in the borders, and started inking it. Nov. 13 I finished inking it and painted the gold, and Nov. 16 I did all the colors and the inner border.

The design is based on Pierpont Morgan Library MS M.1000 fol. 230r.

I took photos as I went:

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

AoA for Sophie

Scroll	Exemplar

The exemplar is MS Codex San-Florianensis III,1, fol. 43v, an 11th C manuscript. Nov. 1, I drew out the lines and the initial, painted the green and blue, and wrote the incipit. Nov. 2, I did the gold, red, and white, and wrote the text, and Nov. 4, I calligraphed it while at the Gothenburg airport. Here are some photos of combat scribing:

The text reads in Latin:

Incipit verbis Ulfi et Ceve regis et regine

Magnas et multas attestationis actionum subjecti nostrorum Sophie audivimus, et placet nos. Scite quod his presentibus agnoscimus virtutem dignitatemque supradicte Sophie. Altamus et assignamus ei ordonis domine et jus tali armis prout deferet cum Collegio Armorum. Nullus prohibeat Sophiam ostendere istos armos, alioqui irascemur.

Fit manibus nostris in septetvicesimo die Novembris anno societatis xlv.

Translation:

Here begin the words of Ulf and Caoimhe king and queen.

Great and numerous attestations of the actions of our subject Sophie have we heard, and it pleases us. Know by these presents that we recognize the virtue and dignity of the abovesaid Sophie. We raise her to the rank of lady and assign to her the rights to such arms as she shall register with the College of Arms. No one prohibit Sophie from displaying those arms, or we shall be mad.

Done by our hands in the 17th day of November, a.s. xlv.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Court Barony of Rainer Wulfgar

The calligraphy was done Oct. 1, the design drawn and the base colors painted Oct. 2, and the shading and whitework done Oct. 3.

The text based on the summons to parliament used by Queen Elizabeth II (though I believe it's essentially unchanged from earlier summonses); such a summons would make someone a baron if they weren't already one. It reads:

Ulfr by favor of arms of Drachenwald including all of the southern reaches King and Caoimhe by favor of beauty and inspiration of the same realm Queen to our right trusty and well beloved honorable lord Rainer Wulfgar. Whereas by the advice and assent of our peers for certain arduous and urgent and serious affairs concerning Us and the defence of our kingdom we are minded to surround ourselves with such barons as shall give us council in these affairs we strictly enjoining command you upon the allegiance by which you are bound to Us that the weightness of the said affairs and imminent perils considered (waiving all excuses) you place personally yourself before us so that we may make you a baron of our court so that with the said prelates, great men and peers you treat and give Myour counsel upon the affairs aforesaid. And this as you regard Us and Our honour and the safety and defence of the said Kingdom and dispatch of the said affairs in nowise do you omit yourself from our counsel.

Witness Ourselves at Griffinstor the 30th day of October in the 45th year of the society.

The design is based on Hs. II 119 f. 238v, from the 13th century.

I took photos as I went:

Calligraphy 1	Calligraphy 2	Border	Base colors	Pre-whitework	Finished	Close-up

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Sigillum reginae for Guntram von Wolkenstein

Sigillum Reginae for Guntram von Wolkenstein

The text is based on the first 13 pages of The Paston Letters and reads:

To our right trusty and heartily well-beloved Guntram von Wolkenstein, Master of the Laurel, we greet you well, thanking you as heartily as we can for ourself and especially for that ye do so much for our house and court, which I trust verily ye do rather for the great love that ye deem I have thereto. And forasmuch as we purpose to thank you for your rightful favour showed to us in all matters that toucheth us, we pray that you proudly and humbly bear our sigil, and that in so doing you be long preserved in honour and prosperity. Written at Adamestor, on the 6th day of November, a.s. 45, by your queen

The design was drawn out on Sep. 17 and everything else done on Sep. 18. The design is taken from the Hours of Mary of Guelders, fol. 19v, reproduced on p.78 of John Harthan, Books of Hours and Their Owners. The MS is dated to 1415.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Lindquistringes for Torrkil Mor

The calligraphy was done July 28 and everything else Aug. 1.

The text reads in Latin:

Ulfr et Keva, rex et regina Drachenwaldenses, Torkilo Moro, salutationem, gratiam, et benedictionem. Agnitionis muni quod prebuisti nobis, offerimus ideo tibi admissionem in nostris ordonis anuli lindquiste, qui conferte jus ostendere insigne ordonis, anulus factus draconi aurei sine pennis habentis ornamentum rubrum.

Datum apud Mynydd Gwyn, vii kal. Augusti, anno societatis xlv.

Which reads in translation:

Ulfr and Caoimhe, King and Queen of Drachenwald, to Torrkil Mor, salutations, goodwill, and blessing. In recognition of the service that you have rendered to us, we hereby offer to you admission in our order of the ring of Lindquist, which confers the right to display the insignia of the order, a ring made of a golden dragon without wings having a red jewel. Dated by Mynydd Gwyn, 8 of the calendar of August, in the year of the society 45.

The design is based on plate II 13, p. 46, of The Golden Age of Dutch Manuscript Painting, from a book of hours by the Master of the Morgan Infancy cycle (ca 1415), Ms Wittert 35 in Liège, Bibliothèque de l'Université.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Augmentation of arms for Matthew Blackleaf

The illumination was done by Agatha of Norwich.

The text reads:

To all those who shall see or hear these present letters Ulfr and Caoimhe King and Queen of the Drachenwaldish greeting and all recommendation. Equity requires and reason ordains that men virtuous and of noble courage be rewarded for their merits by renown and that they may be in all places of great honour perpetually shining before others by certain signs and shows of honour and gentility in order that by their example others may the more endeavour perseveringly to spend their days in feats of arms and other virtuous works to attain renown of ancient gentility in their line and posterity. And therefore We abovesaid King and Queen who not only by common renown but also by the report and testimony of other noble men worthy of credence am truly advertised and informed that Matthew Blackleaf, Baron, Knight, Duke, has long persued feats of arms and as well in this as in other his affairs has borne himself valiantly and conducted himself honourably so that he has deserved well and is well worthy that henceforth perpetually and for ever he may be in all places honourably admitted renowned counted numbered and received among the number and in the company of other ancient gentle and noble men. And for the remembrance of this his gentility we have ordained and assigned to the said Matthew Blackleaf for him the right to augment the blazon which follows. That is to say a shield divided per pale sable and azure, a phoenix displayed and sinister facing argent enflamed and on a chief triangular Or an oak leaf sable. We charge him to consult with the College of Arms and to design a suitable mark of honor to have and to hold for him for evermore. In witness whereof We King and Queen of Drachenwald above named have signed with our hand these presents. Made and given the XXXXXXX day of August in the year of grace two thousand and ten, which is the year of the society forty-five.

The lines are 1/4".

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Silver Guard for Mikael Carhu

The illumination was done by Countess Honor of Restormel.

The text reads:

Proclaim to all the will of Ulfr and Caoimhe King and Queen of Drachenwald. Know that we have on many occasions received from faithful and true denizens of our realm reports of the valor, courtesy, and prowess of our brave and noble Mikael Carhu and are moved by his many virtues and the acclaim of our populace to make him a member of our Order of the Silver Guard that all may know of his courage and skill. In witness of this action we have caused this present charter to be drawn up which we have signed below on the ____ day of July, a.s. xlv, at Cudgel War in Humalasalo.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

Queens Order of Courtesy for Judith de Northumbria

The text reads:

To owre dear cousin the countess Judith de Northumbria. Right worthy and worshepefull ladye, I recomaunde me to yow and thank yow for þe good, trew, and diligent labour ye have hadde for the mattier of the quenes of Drachenwald. For yowr conseil and thee manhede yow have shewn to us and otheres, we wish and firmly command þat ye be everilkquar accompted, nombred, accepted, and receyued into our Order of Corteisie. My wille is that ye shew þe chief signes of this honour, ane whight edelweiss wyth a centre of redde.

Written at Knightes Crossing þe x day of Iuyl, a.s. xlv. Yowre frend and lege ladye, þe quene of Drachenwald,

This is based (very loosely) on some of the Paston letters, with a liberal dose of my own invention. Two comments on vocabulary:

Manhede: the Middle English Dictionary s.v. Manhede gives in sense (2) the following gloss:

(a) Manly virtue, character, or dignity; manliness; (b) the character befitting a knight or monarch; chivalric nature or dignity; courageous behavior, bravery, valor; (c) courteous behavior, good manners, gentility; (d) humanity, compassion, kindness, generosity.

Everilkquar: a form of 'everywhere', which I have been dying to use.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.

AoAs for Michael der Grosse von Bergen and Martin von Vrakenvorde

For my first court as signet I wanted to be absolutely sure that we had scrolls for everything; unfortunately, I was traveling a lot leading up to the event so I knew I couldn't do them on my own, and still have time to get them mailed to Germany. Luckily, during my travels I spent a day visiting Ælfwynn Leoflæde dohtor, who is running Isengau's scriptorium, and she already had one blank, by Apollonia Grünenzwig, on hand, and I asked if she and Apollonia could put together another before I arrived, and they rose to the occasion wonderfully.

The text of the first reads:

Michael der Grosse von Bergen, we Ulfr and Caoimhe rightful king and queen of Drachenwald salute you and send you fond greetings this nineteenth day of June, a.s. xlv. Know that we have heard many good reports of your service to the Shire of Veilburgen, particularly in fostering heraldry. Such service is a mark of nobility and it is our pleasure to recognize this nobility by making you a lord and award you all rights to such arms as you shall register with the College of Arms. In witness whereof we have set our marks below.

The text of the second reads:

All know by these words the will of Ulfr and Caoimhe, King and Queen of Drachenwald. To all true and noble people these present letters seeing or hearing greetings and good will. It is so that many persons been moved of noble and gentle courage to exercise virtuous marks and conditions by the which they shall come to the perfection of great honur. Of which persons one in especial whose name is Martin von Vrakenvorde of the shire of Aventiure who has served our realm greatly as chatelaine, web minister, and fencer. In these as well as in other of his affairs has borne himself valiantly and conducted himself honourably so that he has deserved well and is well worthy that henceforth and forevermore he may be in all places admitted counted numbered and received among the company of other ancient gentle and noble men. Where upon we the said king and queen have made herein an award of arms to the said Martin so that he and no other person but him may bear such arms as he shall register with the College of Arms. In witnes whereof to these letters we have set our marks below on the first day of the first month of our reign.

This is based loosely on some of the texts at http://verysleepy.itgo.com/grants.htm.

---

© 2010, Sara L. Uckelman.