Order of the Bedchamber

So, I had decided if I had managed to get into the third round at King and Queen's Bardic, that I would put on my resume (and hope to get asked) to do an Order of the Bedchamber piece. We know, from documents of the court, that there were two Skomorokhi in Ivan the Terrible's Order of the Bedchamber (which was a list of all his retinue that did the home tasks that were necessary). And we also know from journals of visitors that Ivan often enjoyed having his Skomrokhi regale him with songs, poetry, byliny, and epic tales - whether they were true or not. Sometimes he would have them recite epics that were well known and loved. But Ivan also enjoyed getting drunk and wearing masks and doing improv with the Skomorokhi, so almost anything is up for grabs.

In either case, for quite some time now I have been taking notes on phrases that would make good 'Order of the Bedchamber' glory to the King type of praise piece. And that is what I offered to do. Although I didn't make it into the third round, I finally decided I would like to try my hand at arranging all the phrases and see if I could make a worthy praise poem for the soon to be King Kenric of the East, as he and his beautiful lady have always been an inspiration to me.

So, based off a variety of byliny, but mostly the Lay of Igor's Campaign, here is the praise piece for Kenric that I wrote, something that would rival the Skomorokhi tales that were told while Prince Ivan languished in his bathing tub in the afternoons.

O you guests, invited guests,

Honored guests, warrior guests.

You are to be told a wonderous thing.

A wonderful thing and it is no trifle.

I speak of our King Kenric.

Swaddled to the sound of trumpets,

Nursed beneath helmets,

Fed at the spear's point.

He has girded his mind with fortitude

And sharpened his heart with valor.

King Kenric will speed like an ermine into the rushes,

Like a white duck onto the water.

He will spring upon his swift horse

And leap from it like a white footed wolf.

He will speed towards the meadows of AEthelmearc

And fly like a falcon beneath the mists

Slaying geese and swans

For his morning, midday, and evening meals.

What is this noise?

What is this ringing I hear far away?

He shouts.

The earth rumbles.

The grass rustles.

The tents stir.

The East advances on the great plain with scarlet shields

Seeking honor for themselves and glory for their King.

The roads are known to them.

The ravines familiar to them.

Their bows are strung.

Their quivers open.

Their sabres whetted.

They race across the land like grey wolves.

But a like battle was never heard of.

From dawn till evening,

From evening till dawn.

Tempered arrows fly.

Sabres thunder against helmets.

Lances of steel crash amid the land.

A blood red glow will herald the dawn.

Black clouds come in from the East

and streaks of blue lightning quiver within them.

There will be a mighty thunder.

Rain will come-

A rain of arrows.

Here lances will break.

Here sabres will strike against foreign helmets.

Brave thoughts carry our minds to action- to war.

Horses neigh beyond the shires.

Glory rings out in the baronies.

Trumpets sound in the cantons.

Standards are raised in Tir Mara.

The countryside is happy.

The cities are joyful.

We praise the deeds of the past.
Glory to Brennan!

Glory to Caoilfhionn!

Now we must honor the present.

Glory to Kenric!

Glory to Avelina!

Long live the King and Queen!

Long live the retinue!

Glory to the East!

Klaus Winterhalter's Tyger's Combattant

I have never done a Tyger's Combattant before and, honestly, when I was given this assignment, I wasn't certain where to start. Fighting, in general, is one of the few parts of the SCA I don't know as much about as I would like, but having done one of the AoA level combat awards, I felt excited and confident that I could do this one justice!

When I typically start a scroll, I start by choosing the words that will inspire me and then choose the manuscript based on the words.

For words, I decided on a letter from Ermengard, Viscountess of Narbonne: To view the original letter, click here.

I worked with the words and eventually the scroll wording read as such:

"To Our most beloved populace, by grace of the East, the most illustrious King Brennan, and his gracious Queen Caoilfhionn, greetings, good health and the magnanimity of the Kingdom.

We desire to protect and defend the East and as necessary, We shall not resist the cries of many. It is said that Klaus Winterhalter does strive to deliver up to Us and Ours both commands and service at many times and places. As his arm has taken up the shield of protection and risen in aid of the East, many have willingly and constantly followed behind his arms and his teachings

We do not speak alone, but all our compatriots are consumed by ineffable joy that We see Our Kingdom, on which the vigor of the Eastern Kings and Queens have conferred the tokens of such honors, another is given such recognition.

Let his vigor therefore assume strength and enter into Our Order of the Tyger's Combatant with a strong arm to repress the boldness of Our enemies and give solace to the worthy hope of Our friends. So We conclude at Our time of the Mudthaw in the Barony of Settmour Swamp. Dated this day of April 2, A.S. L by Our very hands."

Once finished, I decided for an illumination choice the Psalter of Saint Louis, circa 1260. I decided to do the whole thing on parchment to give it more of an authentic feel instead of the watercolor paper I often like to use. Here is the final product: