Monday, March 30, 2015

Sapphire scroll for Lady Jaquelinne Sauvageon

This one has been a very long time in coming as this was at the beginning of my scribing career and so:

A) I took no notes.
B) I took no photos.

This all, of course, makes me very sad. But! I do remember the main source for the scroll and the words were written by Baron Pierre de Tours. Knowing the recipient, I was able to get the pictures from the scroll. So here is Lady Jaquelinne Sauvageon's Sapphire scroll for the Barony of Concordia of the Snows based on the Chronicle of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, circa 1455.

"Time passes us all and in so doing does leave marks of many sorts. When one uses the passage of time to learn and to grow then time’s passage becomes an investment which diminishes ignorance. When the skills and abilities are enthusiastically shared with others not only are skills and an ability passed on the enthusiasm is passed on as well. Lady Jaquelinne Sauvageon has used her time instead of allowing time to use her. Not only has her skill in music and dance impressed Us and others, her willingness to teach the art of dance and its enthusiasm has enriched Our populace, the Barony and the Kingdom. Were these her only accomplishments We would be, as we are, most impressed. Lady Jaquelinne has also used her time to investigate, study, and learn medical practices as used in Period and travels with her medical kit and supplies, going so far as to incorporate that knowledge into her registered device. And since it is unseeming that one Gentle be given the same recognition twice no matter how well deserved, it is to Our mind just and proper, right and due, that either skill earn her entrance into Our Order of the Sapphire in decision of which We set our hand at the occasion of Our War of the Roses which is done this day of May 25 in the year of Our Society, AS XLIX."










Sunday, March 29, 2015

Lady Jenevieve's Silver Rapier Scroll

I was given the task of making a Silver Rapier scroll for a lady I did not know, but the story given about one of her most excellent deeds made me excited to work on the scroll.

For this scroll I chose a letter from Adelaide, circa 1262, for the wording inspiration. The original letter is here. My words are shown as follows:

"Edward Rex and Thyra Regina, defenders of the East, to all who see these present letters greetings in truth and honor.

Let it be known that Our faithful advisors confessed that a year ago, in the time of lord Florence of good memory, the good Lady Jenevieve Fiana Spillane made a certain inquiry on a certain controversy in a certain land which is called Æthelmearc, an inquiry in which she completed by diligently lifting her blade to teach the truth of things through the testimony of skill and endurance.

The judges of the controversy found Lady Jenevieve was in no way obligated, nor had she done injury to them or furnish matter of complaint in anything, but rather sought in her favor and friendship.

Hearing tell of the deeds of Our skilled ambassador of the East, We do therefore, under advisement of Our council, induct said Jenevieve into Our Order of the Silver Rapier with all rights and honors attendant thereon.

Lest by death or forgetting of Our said faithful advisors it should happen that knowledge of said gift disappears, We have ordered it to be consigned to writing and fortified by the protection of Our signs manual.

Dated in AS XLIX on March 28 on the event of Mudthaw in Our Barony of Settmour Swamp."
 
The inspiration for the calligraphy and illumination was taken from the Lambeth Apocalypse, circa 1260-1270.
 
 
 
 

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Invitation to Roses

I was requested to make an invitation to War of the Roses in Concordia for their Highnesses. The words were by Mistress Ysemay Sterlynge. Calligraphy and illumination based on gothica bastarda and, of course, cadels.


Words by Mistress Ysemay:

"Unto their most illustrious Highnesses, Darius and Etheldreda, from your most faithful Barony, Concordia of the Snows, greetings.
Although the bitter winds of Winter do blow and chill us to the marrow, all too soon will Spring bring warmth and the heat of War will enter our Realm. Thus, by the Grace of Jean Paul and Lylie, Baron and Baroness of Concordia, do we extend our heartfelt invitation to attend the annual War of the Roses. From the 22nd to the 25th days of May, A.S. XLIXI, our Barony will once again engage in battles both gentle and martial to hone our skills and elevate the prowess of your Eastern subjects. It is our sincere hope that You, Brave Darius and Wise Etheldreda will grace our fields and inspire Your people to greatness.
We patiently await your reply."

I had been waiting to post this one for awhile. Based on a variety of examples of pieces where faces and animals were depicted in the cadel design from the 1600's.

Examples:

Les premieres Euvres de JACQUES DEVAULX , pillote en la marine (1583)

Calligraphic Alphabet (1592)