Skarphedinn's AoA

Words by Magnus hvmalgi:

"At the Flower-Clash, Skarphedinn inn havi was called before Kenric the king and Avelina the queen. A skald was called to speak on the man's deeds. This is what was said.

Iron-tower

of terrible power

crushes our foes,

his fearsome blows

breaking their ranks,

reddening the banks

of Gjöll - the raven

glutton-haven.

Thunder roars
rankle the boars

to run - a dog

drives through the fog

and the corpse-mud -

cowering from flood,

their hides bear brunt

of Har of the hunt.

Stalwart skilled Skarphedin
stands proud, and skull-laden

This beast of might,

bearing the light

touch of service,

settles the nervous

with gilded voice,

grasping the choice

of peace when force

the plainer recourse.

The wisdom of old -

the ancient gold

breaker's advice -

to bear as ice

the weight of the world

with words furled -

feeds the rowan

a feast to grow in.

Stalwart skilled Skarphedin

stands humble, grace-laden

These things opposed -

proud-strong battle-oak

by fire disposed

to fulsome smoke -

speak of a man

of spear-knowledge

and knowledge-span

like spear-hall edge.

Praise-fit the ash

of ancient roots

that stands in boots

of Bragi and clash

of wounding-poles,

with winding trunk

that battled and sunk

the bravest of souls.

Stalwart skilled Skarphedin

stands - worthy of honor laden

Then all were called to remember the deeds of Skarphedinn and give him his due honor. It was the Time of Remembrance, fifty-one years after the Settling."

The illumination was inspired by the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne documents. The calligraphy was inspired by the Norse runes, created specifically for this scroll.

I worked the entire thing on a piece of goat skin ... parchment? Vellum? Whatever it is, I was worried I couldn't tame it. The thing was frustrating. Trying to flatten it produced weird wrinkles. Writing on it caused it sometimes to work beautiful and sometimes to bubble as if oil was on the skin. But I didn't give up! Why? Because Skarphedinn is an inspiration and he would be proud and overjoyed to know I wouldn't let this scroll best me! And honestly, I'm quite pleased with the result.