This was an assignment for a backlog scroll. After digging around a bit I wasn’t having much luck finding out specific information so I turned to one of my favorite charters.
The Foundation of the University of Heidelberg AD. 1386
We, Ivan and Matilde, Tsar and Tsarista of these Eastern Lands by these present and ever-certain letters send greetings. Lest we seem to abuse the privilege conceded to us by our deeds, with the Granting of Arms to our Barrett the Map Maker, and less for this reason, being subjected to the judgement of our Eastern populace, we should merit to be deprived of the privilege granted, do decree with provident counsel, which decrees is to be observed there unto all time, that, the foresaid Barrett shall be made a Baron of our Court . And we do further grant, with even greater liberality, through these presents, arms in the form following: Sable, a tower Or enflamed proper and a chief Or, semy of sparks gules, so the foresame Barret, without fraud, enjoy the same privileges, franchises, immunities and liberties with which our Barons and Baronesses are now or shall hereafter be endowed.
Further we decree that the foresame Barret from our stock in hand of provisions, if there remain over one or two wagonloads of wine without him having practiced deception, may after the feast of Easter of that year sell it en gros without paying impost. We grant to him, moreover, that each day our esteemed Barret, of himself or through his servants, may be allowed to buy in our eastern lands, at the accustomed hour, freely and without impediment or hurtful delay, any eatables or other necessaries of life.
In witness whereof we have caused to be made these our ensignes manual. Witness by one and all at A Market Day in Birka in the Barony of Stonemarche, the 27th day of January, A.S. 52.
This one was a fun one, as one of the ways to give scrolls a more period feel is to grant rights and concessions to the recipient. Symon was deservedly getting this augmentation of arms for all the extra work he did in the kingdom web minster office during the pandemic, especially around the producing of ethereal courts so I wanted to play on that at bit as well. I turned to one of my favorite repository of sources the Epistolae which is a wonderful repository of letters from medival women (with translations!).
Picking a source, this is what I came up with
Predecessors of sharper memory more experienced in literary work commended monuments of things accomplished to the notice of their successors. Inspired by this example lest we slothfully neglect something worthy of memory to future times; We, Consuls Alberic & Tindal, thinking to our successors’ benefit, since while we know the beginning, we do not know what the end may be, lest acts well and piously done be confounded by oblivion through time, let us take care to recall them in memory with virile writings.
For the count of good character, weighting how much service Symon of Barnesdale has given as a tireless deputy web-minster to the kingdom, uncounted hours helping with our courts and coronation in these times of need and want, recognizing also that one receives mercy according to their work, We, began to deliberate what we might confer on Symon, thereby committing his works to ethereal memory.
Truly since the outcome of things is measured by prudence, We Tindal & Alberic, employing wise counsel, endow the aforesaid Symon with an Augmentation of Arms and so all may see our will; command our Heralds to aid Symon in its fulfillment. Further so he may continue his good works We bestow the aforesaid Symon, the manor Bar-sur-Aube, with the revenues, rights, and concessions from the salt commerce held within.
Indeed if anyone in the variety of later ministers, from the levity of princes, the verbosity of opponents, the efforts of the fraudulent, the violence of the rapacious, should attempt to obstruct this with solemn writing, he will be disproved by the sight and hearing, confused by the testimony, repulsed by the words of the many trustworthy witnesses before us, so that Symon of Barnesdale may perpetually rejoice in the things well ordered for him.
Done by our hand, and strengthened with our seal, in our unbent, unbowed, and unbroken Eastern Lands.
I’ve been impressed with Guthfrith ever since I met him as the Baron of Ruantallan. Beyond being a wonderful steward for his people he has always been a skilled fencer giving back to the community. There was some back and forth on this one if it would be an etheral award or wait (as this was July 2021). Eventually it was ok’d as an etheral award. The Signet asked if I could do one day turn on the words so it could be read into court. Always up for a challenge I accepted.
Based on Githfrith personal I looked to english 15th century sources and quickly settled on DiGrassi, His True Arte of Defense as as inspiration. This is what I came up with.
If worthy men generally were not apt to contemplation and searching out of things: Or if desire had not bestowed upon them the grace, to be able to lift up their minde from the earth, and by searching to finde out the causes thereof, and to imparte to those who are willing to take any paines therein: it would come to passe, that the one parte of men, as Lordes and Masters, should beare rule, and the othe parte as vyle slaves, wrapped in perpetuall darknesse, should suffer and lead a life unworthie of the condition of man.
One such worthy man is Guthfrith Yrlingson, known far and wide for his skill with the blade, comportment on the field, generosity with his time, and the sharing of all he has learned.
Therefore do we Consuls Tindal and Alberic bade Guthfrith to take up the collar, badge and mantle and enjoy without predejuice all rights, honors and privlages of the Order of Defense.
In witnesse to theise present we have settled our seale of Arms with our ensign manuell.
Done this AS 56 in our Graceful and Deadly Eastern Lands.
This was another favorite of mine for a friend with a roman persona. Based on this and the fact is for the armiger Archery award I looked to the Aeneid for inspiration. This is what I came up with:
Hear, O Clarice della Luna most worthy to be praised, You, and the hard fate of your trials , and your most noble deeds, do Ozzur Rex, and Fortune Regina say shall not pass In silence, if an act so great as yours shall be believed by any future age!
Know of the daughter of Apollo Aegletes, prowess on the archery range, her work marshaling in the Queen’s own home Shire of Quintavia, and the mentoring of new folks with a ready smile.
Wherever Fate may lead us, whether on or backward, let us follow. Whatsoever occurs, all Fortune must be overcome By endurance, with none so ascendant as our servant Clarice, and as such do We induct her into the Order of the Apollo’s Arrow.
And so declaring, We do set below our ensigns manual for those whose memory is less Eidetic than Clarice , upon the 14th day of September in the fifty Fourth year of the Society in our fair Barony of Carolingia.
Words by Matthias Grunwald, Inspired by the Aeneid
A couple of personalization “the hard fate of your trials” was in reference to some sad news with pets. “Aegletes” is a surname for Apollo that generally refers to radiant/bright. Clarice has one of the brightest smiles that I know of.
I was thrilled to work on this special signet projectwith Gunðormr Dengir , Thyra Eiriksdottir and Alys Mackyntoich to have a pre-printed writs. Due to the burden on the Scribes anything that is done to lessen the work for a reign is a good thing. Or in the imortal words of the Tyger Clerk of the Signet when asked to comment about why standardized writs were introduced this year. “Because that writ scope-creep was [beep beeeep].”
More to the point this table from the gazzette article really drives home the time savings in the long run.
Was the effort worth it? Let’s compare the time it would take to complete 50 writs, by each method.
Printed
Hand-written
3hrs wordsmithing
1.5hrs wordsmithing
3hrs typesetting
1hr material prep/practice
3hrs printing, cutting, cleaning
2hrs calligraphy (average)
20mins personalization per writ = 16hrs
-> 4.5hrs per writ, x50
= 25 hours total
=225 hours total
The goal was for short texts in the format of 15th / 16th century summons. Not having a lot of words to play with I attempted to make my suggestions count. I turned to a favorite source, the Scottish parliament records and picked out interesting words that had a legal / summoning context.
Not a lot of words, so need to make the words count. I came up with 2 options.
Shorter
INSERT NAME
has been compeared by precepts of clare constat to the royal Eastern court of
MONARCH AND MONARCH
to answer the question put before them in liege postie whether to
join the ORDER OF FOOBAR
And a longer one
INSERT NAME
has been compeared, commanded and summoned
by precepts of Clare constat to the royal Eastern court of
MONARCH AND MONARCH
to answer the question put before them in liege postie whether
to take on all rights, responsibilities and duties of the
ORDER OF FOOBAR
Some the interesting words
compear
To appear in court as a party to a cause either in person or by counsel.
precept
A command or injunction to do some particular act; an order
Clare constat
deed executed by a subject superior
liege poustie
The state of being in full possession of one’s faculties and so capable of transacting one’s own affairs, sound in mind and body.
The following was a long list of words I picked out to play around with and certainly will use in future scrolls.
brieve
Sc. Law. A legal writ, an official document.
bloodwit
Guiltiness of, or liability to a penalty for, bloodshed; an action against a person for bloodshed.
bruik
To have or enjoy possession of, frequently of lands.
caption
Legal arrest or apprehension; a warrant for arrest.
cass
To make void, render ineffective, annul or disable.
chaser
A male sheep imperfectly developed in the genitals, which causes it to desire and chase ewes.
circumduce
Sc. Law. To reject as being legally invalid; to declare or claim (the term for leading a proof) to be elapsed.
clare constat **
Sc. Law. A deed executed by a subject superior, for the purpose of completing the title of his vassal’s heir to the lands held by the deceased heir, under the granter of the precept.
compear
Sc. Law. To appear in court as a party to a cause either in person or by counsel.
compone
To come to an agreement (with another for something); to compound or settle a matter by making payment or otherwise.
comprise
To value, appraise; also the seizure of goods of a debtor.
compromit
To agree upon; to settle, arrange.
compulsitor
Sc. Law. A compulsory instrument or act; anything which compels.
connex
Sc. Law. An appurtenance; an item of property connected with another. Always used in conjunction with annex.
conquest
Acquisition, especially of property; property acquired (in contrast to inherited).
consignation
trysting
A meeting arranged for the purpose of negotiation towards the settlement of a dispute. The action of negotiating such a settlement; arbitration, negotiation.
use and wont
Usual and customary procedure.
culrach
Sc. Law. The surety given on removing a case from one court to another. Required especially when a cause was removed to the court of a lord of regality.
decerniture
A decreet or sentence of a court.
deliverance
Sc. Law. A formal decision or judicial judgement.
dempster
The officer of a court who pronounced doom or sentence definitively as directed by the clerk or judge.
doom
A judicial sentence, used in both civil and criminal cases, but often in the formula of a death sentence.
infeft
To invest with legal possession a person with heritable property.
Infeftment
Sc. Law. The investing of a new owner with a real right in or legal possession of land or heritage; a document specifying the infeftment.
liege poustie
Sc. Law. The state of being in full possession of one’s faculties and so capable of transacting one’s own affairs, sound in mind and body.
novodamus
Sc. Law. The formal renewal (with or without alterations) by a feudal superior of a former grant; a statement to this effect in a charter renewing a grant in this way.
obligement
A contractual promise or undertaking; also, one of several particular undertakings embodied in a single agreement or contract
** precept
A command or injunction to do some particular act; an order. Also a writ ordering the formal giving of possession of heritable property to an heir or successor.
propone
To put forth or display, declare, offer as a reward, propose (for an answer), intend.
proven
Sc. Law. To establish (a thing) as true; to make certain; to demonstrate the truth of by evidence or argument.
writ
A writing having legal force, usually as witnessed, signed or sealed, a deed, a formal written document.
It’s also fun to use wordsmithing skills to write fun challenges or to thank people.
This was to the Mid Realm general at the time marshaling up a fight for the rapier champions alternate team.
Sir Matthias Grunwald, East Kingdom Rapier Melee Champion Captain to General Moira Eiriksdottir, Rapier General of the MidRealm army, greetings.
As it is just, proper, and honorable to strive to better oneself on the field of battle, and because there is no fiercer, worthy, and honorable opponent than our mighty cousins of the Dragon, We the East Kingdom Rapier Alternate Champions, with the support, love and encouragement of our Royals do wish to challenge like minded Midrealm gentles to the field of combat immediately after the Melee Champions have tested themselves.
Signed on the Feast of St. Pantaleon the Martyr, AS LIV
This next one was part of my public thank you for all the crazy people who planned and executed the items for me to be inducted into the order of defense in 3 weeks!!!
To all the Dukes, Duchesses, Countesses, Masters, Maistres, Mistresses, Baronesses Barons, Lords, and Scions, who labored on the planning, preparation, and execution of a panoply befitting an elevation to the Order of Defense do I Meister Matthias Grunwald Master of Defense, Knight of the Society, send greetings.
Since human memory is short and does not suffice for a crowd of things, the authority of those who preceded our age, has decreed that those things were to be written down which the progress of fleeting time generally removes from the knowledge of men. As such I put down with these words those who labored feverishly, quickly and in darkness on the Collars, Cloak, and Glove presented to my person; the eloquent, forceful, and poignant speeches attesting to my worthiness to join the august order; and the crafting of the words, calligraphy, illumination and presentations to memorialize the occasion for all time, do I grant a boon. If it is in my power to do so, does not cause me to forsake prior oaths, or bring shame to myself or those that depend on me I will endeavor to fulfill what you require with all haste, speed and alacrity.
So, none may have cause to gainsay these words do I seal them with my Ensigns Manual.
Meister Matthias Grunwald
It’s possible there could be a part III to this series, but I might just keep those words private.
From time to time it is fun to branch out from award scrolls for the SCA. Below is 3 texts for friends from a larp I started with and still help out at. First two are for writs, last if for a presentation of a gift after a hard battle.
Since human memory is short and does not suffice for a crowd of things, the authority of those who preceded our age, has decreed that those things were to be written down which the progress of fleeting time generally removes from the knowledge of men. Wherefore Alexander Cecil, mighty king of these lands, having heard the good, worthy and valorous deeds of our subject Sakariasvafnir Keeneye not least being his works in training, protecting and sustaining Chimeron as its Warlord, advising the King on all and sundry matters as a member of the Royal House of Chimeron, and protecting the crowns honor as a former member of the Kings twelve.
Thus do we command Sakariasvafnir Keeneye to come before us at a mutual agreeable time and answer the question put before him, namely will he accept all honors, trappings and duties as an Avatar of Chimeron!
Based on excerpts from the The Gelnhausen Charter; April 13, 1180 A.D.
King Alexander Cecil to all the lairds, sheriffs, earls, barons, bishops, abbots, justices, faithful subjects and honored guests, greetings. Know that we have heard of the valorous deeds of Orion Mars in able serving as the Captain of our militia, co-crafting quests to train the foresaid milita, and protecting Chimeron as the Warlord’s second. Being so moved, we command the foresaid Orion to sit vigil and contemplate the question put before him, namely will he accept the honors, trappings and duties as a Avatar of Chimeron! Furthermore, so Orion can sustain his teachings do we award him a virgate from our lands with soke and sake, toll and team, and infangthief of said parcel.
Done this day, at our Black and White Masquerade ball.
Inspired by Charter granted by Henry I to London
Infangenetheof (infangthief) is the right of the lord of a manor to try and to punish a thief caught within the limits of his demesne.
Virgate – A virgate is a measure of land which can be roughly thirty acres.
Sake and soke are defined by the Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages, as literally ‘cause and suit’, a formula found in later legal documents denoting jurisdiction over a court or property. Holding these rights was often taken as synonymous with land ownership. Grants of sake and soke allowed the granter to intercept the fines and other profits of justice relating to his own estate which would otherwise have gone to the king. The formula included toll and team, denoting a lord’s right to tax the sale of goods within his estates and to adjudicate civil disputes on property under his jurisdiction.
To King Alexander Cecil, known as Matt Brenner, from all the princesses, lairds, sheriffs, reeves, earls, lords, barons, bishops, abbots, petitioners, militia, faithful subjects, and honored guests of the nation of Chimeron, greetings.
Since human memory is short and does not suffice for a crowd of things, the authority of those who preceded our age has decreed that those things were to be written down which the progress of fleeting time generally removes from the knowledge of men.
All who have known him have benefited from Matt’s steadfast, faithful, and caring demeanor, and have seen the courage in which he meets all manners of trials, travails, and tribulations. In addition, all have seen Matt’s desire to continue giving to all who may pass his way in the mien of Father Christmas, but know his fight will prevent him from doing so naturally.
Therefore do all assembled here today, whether in person, or in thoughts, present to Matt the wig, mustache, beard, and other accoutrements of Father Christmas so Matt will always be able to carry out his heart’s desire.
So none may have cause to gainsay these words do we seal them with our Ensigns Manual.
This was a fun scroll to work on, as it was fun to work with Ozzur and Fortune’s reign, and see the new ideas that they brought. Also this gave me a chance to work with Eva Woderose, one of the scribal giants in the kingdom.
Scroll requests were
It starts with an ‘I’, so if you want to go with that, cool, but anything is fine. There are lots of fun examples in that text, so I don’t even have to be creative about it.
I think somewhere between 200 and 250 words will be about right.
Based on the Ozzur persona / period I looked at early period sources and ended up in Beowulf for inspiration as Ozzur was war time king, and the first unbelted King since Duke Balfar. This is what I came up with:
Lo! Margarita first of her name heard tell of the might in days anear, of the Stormborn, scion of the Rainbringer, folk-king whose deeds of prowess were wrought with Sword, Shield and Bow. Oft Ozurr reft away the branches from his foes nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do. Fear came of the Jarl, after many a Winged-Wyrm Hús was laid low.
A moderate amount of redress he won for that, waxed under the clouds, throve in his glories, till of them that dwelt nigh over the whale-road, each must obey him, and pay him tribute. That was a good king! In such wise worthily among his eastern populaces by goodly gifts of boots must a man in his youth so prevail, so that in later age, when war shall come, willing comrades may cleave to their lord and do him service, among every people the Bootgiver shall thrive by deeds of praise.
And so Margarita being so moved were charged by ancient custom with recognizing the fullness of valor of Ozurr the Bootgiver and bade him take up the belt, chain and spurs as a knight of the society, and further granted the foresaid Ozurr arms by letters Patent, Argent, goutty d’huile, a boot proper and a base vert.
Lest the noble deeds of Ozurr be lost to the passage of time, we have caused these matters to be rendered in text. Done upon October 5, AS 54, at their Coronation in the Shire of Owlsherst
Words by Matthias Grunwald
Scroll by Eva Woderose
Something that was particularly fun with this one is the ability to work in some in jokes for Ozzur into the text. Namely
nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do — This is lifted directly from Toto’s Africa. One of Ozzur’s favorite songs and song during a particularity wet eastern court at pennsic.
A moderate amount of redress he won for that — In joke between Ozzur and his knight Anton that that would be used when someone did something particularity good.
Rosina has been doing interesting research into period mathematics for many years and was very happy when it was passed around that she would be inducted into the order of the laurel for her research.
I was able to work with Mistress Kayleigh McWhyte a very accomplished scribe, so always fun to see what a new combination can come up. Requests for this one where:
Hello Matthias. I have a source picked out that is English and later period, based on a Grant of Arms. First letter is an A.
Is there any chance you might have a 200-250 word text based on the above criteria.
Perfect, I went looking into the later period grants and came up with this based on several city charters.
Alle Noble, gentilles, and populace theise present Lres heryng or seyng Tindal and Alberic othirwise called Consuls of the Eastern Kindom sendeth humble and due Recomendacion as appertteyneth for soo moche as the crafte , research, reflection, translation, and teaching of numbers and works for our distance ancestor Anna Neuper, do we calle Rosina von Schaffhausen before our presence. Her work over many years in furthering the knowledge of our populace shal move us with grace to atteign unto honoure the forsaid Rosina laudable desrive and induct her into our Venerable Order of the Laurel. And so she myght boldy & vowable occupie chalenge ande enjoie for evermore with oute eny predjuidce or rebuke of eny estate or gentill of this Reame, takyng respect and consideraction vnto the goodle entent & disposiciond of the forsaid Rosinia haue devysed and granted arms by letter Patent, namely Azure, a pile inverted bendwise purpure fimbriated or. Futher do We of our saide powere and auctorite have appoynted yevyn and granted to and for the saide Rosina to enjoie with oute and prejeudice or empechement all rights, honors, and trappings of the Order of the Laurel. In witnesse to theise present haue settle our seale of Arme with our sige manuell.
Done this AS 56 in our learned eastern lands.
Words by Matthias Grunwald Scroll by Kayleigh McWhyte
This one was interesting as it was during the height of the pandemic. When I was asked on it I knew the perfect source that I wanted to use for a few reasons.
Margarita is a very accomplished bard.
This was September 2020 and we were all still suffering from the loss of activities that this poem spoke too.
I’ve always wanted to find a use for this source from Countess Marguerite_Ingen_Lachlainn who is one of the best poets that I know (and fun fact I was squired to in a different game).
Margarita is a feminine given name in Latin and Eastern European languages, originally derived from PersianMorvared meaning ‘pearl‘
This is what was accomplished together.
Some will speak, a tale they’ll spin of noble deeds long turned to dust; We’ll freshly mourn for times gone past, For history’s glory lost to us.
They’ll say: Where has honor gone? Where the belt? That gracefully hung from noble waist? Where once the aim of mighty men Was simply seen and easily traced.
Where the vision, brightly shining? Where the path so clearly laid? Where our purpose pure and shared, In blood and friendship equally paid?
Where the hallowed, hollowed hills Where we were want to strive or sing? Where the mirth and merriment That made the timbered woodlands ring?
Where the bard whose chanting voice Would stir the hearts of better men? Where the verse and where the rhyme? We’ll never hear their sound again.
Gone the mead-hall, gone the cup The fire there has long been dead And moss and lichen gather now Where rightful rulers ably led.
Gone the field of clashing steel, Where rivals met with open hand. Gone the grace and gone the skill; as fear now stalks our fertile lands.
Our brightest days are long behind us The trust we placed in you is spent Naught remains of our finest hour But these our words of sad lament.
Lo, Margarita will say:
I’ll not deny those days of glory Have left their mark upon us all. I will deny we’ve heard the last Of honor’s brilliant clarion call.
For at this hearth in friendship clasped I see the same, no more, no less. True heroes of our past would know Our glory’s now! Not lost to us!
For here sits Honor on her bench And there is Vision’s steady gaze And in this breast does Duty live In all our souls bright purpose blaze!
For when we stand to face the dark The East’s true strength is shown: We keep alive the only hope This tattered world has lately known.
The old ways are reborn in us, Our story’s not yet ended. This bard will fire your noble hearts To keep our land defended!
And so do we Tindal and Alberic Consuls of these unbowed Eastern lands roar that Margarita’s deeds will not pass into silence! For her untiring work in leading, inspiring and loving these lands and her people , do we grant her all rights, privileges, honors, and duties as a Lady of the Rose and take heart; heroes shining like Pearls walk among us.
So none may gainsay our words, do we fix our ensigns manual, in our mighty Shire of Quintavia, On this 15th Day of August, AS 55
Based on poetry written by Countess Marguerite inghean Lachlainn, words by Sir Matthias Grunwald, Scroll by Duchess Thyra Eirksdottir