Category Archives: Scroll Texts

Texts of SCA scrolls that Rob has written over the years.

Rob’s Update: Whispers from Forgotten Songs

Week 9 of 2021

Greetings all

It was a much nicer week after last weekend. It was as cold as I’ve ever seen it in KC. We have the occasional day of negative Fahrenheit, but not five days in a row with a several more days from 0-10. It got so bad we started figuring the temp in Kelvins.

But, like usual, Kansas then turned around and gave us days over the norm. I was grilling in sandals on Monday.

I had a good week of writing on The Ravening of Wolves. It won’t show in the word count though, as I pulled a number of chunks to put back in later. If you’ve been reading these for a while, you know this is normal when I get to the 60k mark. I’m in that area, but not exactly sure. Since I anticipate this will be shorter than most of my other novels, probably less than 90k, I’m pleased with where I’m at because I am in the fight scene after fight scene portion of the process.

I also spent time this week working on a newspaper article about the basics of writing as a career. I’ll let you all know when that gets published.

Progress is going on a number of other projects which, while they’ll not come to fruition until the end of the year, really make me excited. I’ll probably have some more conversation on that over the summer.

I am also trying to set up my fall event schedule. It looks like I’ll be on the road quite a bit, as cons and SCA events try to make something work this year. It might be a grind, but it also might be a really efficient set of trips. We’ll see, of course, how things lay out.

What I’m Listening To

Sign of the Southern Cross by Black Sabbath. Heaven and Hell is such a great album.

Quote of the Week

Tomorrow is the 10th year anniversary of Maerwynn and Ashir elevating me to the Order of the Laurel. For those not in the SCA, this is a great honor on par with knighthood, but for endeavors in the arts and sciences.

My first foray into writing was medieval-esque poetry for the SCA, especially with scroll texts. I had the great honor to write the lower-level scroll texts for Maerwynn and Ashir. Since Ashir’s persona is Mongol, all of those texts were in a Mongol style, and this is one of my favorite passages.

This is one of the texts given out to those they elevated as fyrdmen during their reign. I had a lot of fun hearing this one in court.

“You have made Our foemen’s hearts empty.
You have cut out parts of their liver.
You have made their beds become empty.
And you have made an end of their descendants.
For this, We Ashir and Maerwynn, Qan and Qatan
Join your spear to Our ranks of spears”
Rhodri ap Hywel, for Their Majesties Maerwynn and Ashir

New Mythology Works in Progress

Monday, Monday, you’re so good to us.

Why? Because the Watchers at War, book three of the Watchers of Moniah trilogy by Barbara Evers comes out. Here’s the series page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TV9L1J5. This is great stuff, with a twist on traditional fantasy tropes.

Here’s the rest of the upcoming schedule:

  • 1 March: The Watchers at War (Book 3 of the Watchers of Moniah Series by Barbara V. Evers)
  • 19 March: Songs of Valor (Book 2 of the Libri Valoris anthologies with Larry Correia, David Weber, Glen Cook, Dave Butler, and Sarah Hoyt)
  • 12 April: Accepted (Book 2 of the Balance of Kerr series by Kevin Steverson.
  • 21 May: Across the Endless Ocean (Book 1 of the Endless Ocean series by G. Scott Huggins)

I’m currently editing the next book, which will come out in May, featuring a new author for us. It’s more military fantasy, which is a subgenre I’ll be encouraging.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • The Ravening of Wolves (56,812)
  • Rick Blaine (8,845)
  • CB (8,418)
  • Cynewulf (8,642)
  • Gato (2,312)

Upcoming Events

New Releases

As mentioned, the Watchers at War, book three of the Watchers of Moniah trilogy by Barbara Evers comes out. Here’s the series page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TV9L1J5.

For another day or two, you can get The Reluctant Druid, the first book of Jon Osborne’s Milesian Accord series is $0.99. This is fun urban fantasy with currently three novels and two short stories with hopefully more to come. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07716V2RN.

Finally, the second Hit World novel, A Bullet for the Shooter, by Larry Hoy and William Alan Webb comes out tomorrow. This is action-heavy genre gumbo. Good stuff.

Today’s Weight: 337.8

Updated Word Count: 8,624

Eldros Legacy Wiki: 725 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Currently Available Works
Shijuren

Nick Patara, PI

  • Silent Knight (Nick Patara, PI, Book 1)
  • Under a Midnight Clear (Nick Patara, PI, Book 2) (Forthcoming)
Four Horsemen Universe
The Phases of Mars
Short Stories

If you think you received this email incorrectly or wish to be unsubscribed, please send an email to shijuren-owner@robhowell.org

Catalina – Duchy

I haven’t posted a scroll text here in a while, but this one was a lot of fun, especially since a bunch of people helped me read it.

I chose to write her text in the muwashshah style of poetry. This is a style of poetry that appeared in the 800s or so, and was popular in Andalusian during Catalina’s period. It is structured as stanzas of rhyming couplets separated by a chorus that is held together by a rhyme throughout the poem. Usually, as I’ve done here, there are five stanzas.

One of the reasons I chose this style is that in period it was seen as a visual representation of the wisah, the ornamented belt. The idea is that the stanzas are ornaments hanging from a belt formed by the refrains. This seemed too appropriate to Catalina not to choose.

The form is designed to be performed orally. Sometimes it would be spoken, such as will be done in court, but often these poems became the words for various songs. Usually, the performance is a soloist speaking or singing the lines, and a chorus joining in on the refrains.

I did a similar scroll for her Laureling, but this time I was able to arrange for the chorus by handing out a bunch of copies. By the end of the poem, most of the hall had joined in and the echo up front was damn cool.

Side note, since it was often sung, this means that yes, Rhianwen’s version might very well be more period in form, though not in tune.

Catalina – Duchy Text

In sweet days of Falcons soaring
With great rivers swift and roaring
Purple and gold were ascending
and great keeps they were defending
Came a queen of their kingdom fair
Whose charm and skill were all aware

All in this great Celestial sphere
(Chorus) Admired bright pearl of Calontir

Then to war went gold bird of prey
Steel and skill she brought to the fray
When riders lanced and arrows flew
Her courage held as all there knew
And those who cared for warriors bold
Brought sweet water as she foretold

In noble dance of swords and spears
(Chorus) Fought the bright pearl of Calontir

In tall and mighty heartland’s halls
Where nobles heed our kingdom’s call
Wisdom and law did she proclaim
Showed the falcon’s honor and fame
Calling folk before royal thrones
Their deeds to be forever known

Gifts to surprise people most dear
(side note, I almost cracked up reading this line, given that she and Donngal had surprised me in morning court)
(Chorus) Granted bright pearl of Calontir

As memories of bright lilies fade
Relaxing now in soft, cool shade
Heartland’s souls recall awhile
Love and grace and wit and smiles
They raise a cry to celebrate
Catalina’s story so great

Soldier, artist, and server cheer
(Chorus) Feats by bright pearl of Calontir

Anton and Yseult royal heirs
Listen well Their people’s prayers
At Lost Moor hall in summer’s heat
Fifty-fourth year of dream so sweet
Mushira will she now be called
By each poet, scop, bard and skald

A kingdom showed their love sincere
(Chorus) For brightest pearl of Calontir

A kingdom showed their love sincere
(Chorus) For brightest pearl of Calontir

 

 

 

 

 

Mar – Silver Hammer

Greetings all

It’s become apparent that I’m too distracted by something on Sunday nights to regularly add scroll texts, so I’m just going to add them whenever I feel like it.

This particular text was given out last weekend at Calontir’s Crown Tournament. It’s a Silver Hammer for Mar, who lost in the finals to His Highness Damien MacGavin. The Silver Hammer is an award given to people who are skilled craftsmen in things like woodworking, brewing, metalwork, smithing, and such. In Mar’s case it was his crafting of musical instruments and coronets.

One of the most fun aspects of writing scroll texts for me is forcing myself to write in a poetic style that is not my normal style. My normal style, by the way, is Old English alliterative, as shown by the riddle at the end of I Am a Wondrous Thing.

Whenever I am asked to write a text for someone, my first question is, “What is their persona?” In other words, what time and place do they focus on? This tells me what poetic styles I should research in order to write a poem that suits the recipient. Mar’s persona is that of a Varangian, hence his award would come from a Byzantine emperor. So I look around at Byzantine poetic styles and in this case, I chose the 15-syllable iambic Byzantine epic style. Some choices are easier than others. Some are not. This was not.

As a side note, I am often asked why I don’t tend to write scroll texts in a more legal style. After all, these are legal documents. My answer is that legalese is legalese is legalese. The function of legal documents creates a dry structure that transcends time and place. I just think that poetry allows me the option of doing something far cooler than legalese. I can write in legalese, and I have, often enough, but it’s not my preference.

Anyway, back to Mar’s Silver Hammer text. Here it is, with some annotations. Like my annotated snippets, the annotations are indented and italicized.

Mar – Silver Hammer

Arrayed in heartland’s tagma are proud valiant cataphractoi

Tagma is a word meaning elite soldiers, like the Tagma ton Varangoi. Combined with the word cataphract, which is heavy armored cavalry, I’m referring to the chivalry of Calontir.

Ashir its Basileus strong leads spears and swords a-glitter

Its Basilissa Ashland rides beside as falcons soar high

Basileus and Basilissa are the words for Emperor and Empress.

Such that bold topoteretes like Már í Miklagarði,

Topoteretes is a leader in the tagma, again, a reference to him being a knight.

So deadly foes away full seven hundred paces fear him,

In Calontir’s constellation slight single star afar seem

But Warriors do not make realms whole, as known by rulers wise all

So clever Basileus grand and bright-eyed Basilissa

Bright-eyed here is a reference to Athena, which is totally anachronistic even for Byzantine but I thought it was fun.

Rejoice in Calontir adorned with elegance and honor,

Aflame in golden glories great and gowns in pearls bedecked fine

The rulers Chrysotriklinos well cherish all such treasure

Chrysotriklinos is the grand reception hall of the Great Palace of Constantinople. In this case, it’s a reference to Their Majesties.

Rewarding craftsmen skilled with gold and favors of the purple

In Byzantine times the purple was a reference to the Emperor. It seems to perfect not to use as a phrase for someone in Calontir getting something.

But certain jewels glittering surprise august Sebastoi

Ton Sebaston is a way to refer to the Emperor. In this case, I pluralized it to refer to both of Calontir’s Majesties. Also, the certain jewels is a reference to Mar’s metalwork.

And melodies radiant afloat from strings and woodcraft carved fair

A reference to some musical instruments Mar has made.

The artisan so skilled is known for dire hands sinister strong

Beloved of deathless northern rose and treasure of the falcon

So Calon Autokrators keen, the lords of running horses,

Autokrator is yet another term for Emperor, and lords of running horses is a reference to Their Mongol personas.

To Már í Miklagarði grant the title vestitor proud

Vestitors were officials of the Imperial wardrobe, and later this became a fairly low honorary title. They were also the wardens of the Imperial crown. Seemed like an appropriate Byzantine analogue for the Silver Hammers.

As called in Mar’s far northern home a skillful Silver Hammer.

Before all dignities whether proclaimed or once awarded

Titles in the Byzantine Empire were deemed proclaimed or awarded.

In Basileia ton Rhomaion, They decree forever

The Basileia ton Rhomaion was the Roman Empire.

Scroll Text Sunday – Maren’s Queen’s Champion Scroll

Rarely do we give scrolls to champions as they step down, but Her Majesty Ariel wanted one for her champion Maren and this is it. It’s written in a Norse style with 5-syllables per verse, 2 verses per line, at least one alliteration in each verse, remembering that all vowels alliterate with all other vowels in Norse usage.

There are several of my favorite kennings in this one, especially some of the more complicated ones towards the ends.

Text

Glory’s brilliance waits                         beneath the sky’s gem
Bearing Thor’s sword-fame                and Sif’s cup-giving
This heartjoy named by                        noiseless stepping queen         (3)

Wielder of swift blood-worms          and bright god’s sharp spears
Storm-cleaver daughter                      stalwart heir of steel
Brightest jewel in                                    just ruler’s meadhall                    (6)

Aided by hind-helm                               heroic doomhound
She sees face and eyes                        of Heimdall’s offspring
Giving joy to moon-foes                      mindful of duty                               (9)

In highest of halls                                    holder of cup list
Delivers wolf-drink                                at days of sword-play
Kraki sowed less than                           this lady of mist                             (12)

With Valkyrie’s thorn                            valiant is her tale
With weaver’s sharp tool                    terrible her fate
Yet still in hearth-wall                           her heart stands dauntless      (15)

Thus Ariel queen                                    awards distinction
To battle-maiden                                    Maren Thorskabitr
Before the falcon thrones                   fair home of sworn oaths          (18)

Done thirty years since                         thirsty stormbirds drank
When glory of elves                              gives way to grassbane
In heath of heroes                                 held not by mind-fame                   (21)

Notes

Line 1: Sky’s gem is a kenning for the sun

Line 2: By listing the aspects of both Thor and Sif, I emphasize both martial and non-martial accomplishments

Line 3: Cats were known as noiseless steppers, and this is a reference to the cat on Ariel’s heraldry

 Line 4: Blood-worms is a kenning for swords, bright god is a kenning for Baldur, god of learning, so the whole kenning of bright god’s sharp spears is a kenning for pens and writing

Line 5: Storm-cleaver is a kenning for falcon, and this line is a reference to Maren being the daughter of Gawayne and Brialen

Line 10: The highest of halls would be the king’s hall, and the greatest faux pas in diplomacy was to give the cup of welcome out of order, so the holder of the cup list is a person advising the king and, especially, the queen

Line 11: Wolf’s-drink is a kenning for blood

Line 12: Kraki’s seed is a kenning for gold, and in this usage I am emphasizing her generosity, the lady of mist is a kenning for a Valkyrie or battle-maiden

 Line 13: Valkyrie’s thorn is a kenning for a spear

Line 14: Weaver’s sharp tool is a kenning for a needle, and thus an allusion to a sewing needle incident

Line 15: Hearth-wall is an oblique kenning, even for me, it’s a reference to shield-wall but in the context of the home, so it’s a kenning of working at arts and sciences

Line 19: This is a reference to the founding of Calontir

Line 20: The glory of elves is a kenning for the sun, and the middle of June to the middle of July is the Sun’s Month, the middle of July to the middle of August is Heyannir, or the haying month, so this is one long kenning for the middle of July

Line 21: This line is another long kenning for Lost Moor

Scroll Text Sunday – Ashir & Maerwynn Fyrd Preprint

Greetings all

Today’s scroll text is one of a series I wrote for Ashir and Maerwynn when they reigned. In Calontir, there is a set of preprinted texts and scrolls made with the names, dates, and other relevant information filled in as needed for nearly all AoA-level awards. These are the most common awards, and in order to make life easier for the Royal Scribe, they are, as mentioned, done ahead of time to create a library of available scrolls. This is especially important should the King and Queen decide, on a moment’s notice, to give out another award, which happens frequently.

In any case, this was one of my favorites out of my favorite set of preprint texts. All of this reign’s preprints were inspired by the Secret History of the Mongols, since that was the was the persona they reigned with. This was one of the two iren fyrd texts.

If I’m remembering correctly, Yama was the first to receive a text with this wording.

Iren Fyrd Text 1

You have made Our foemen’s hearts empty.
You have cut out parts of their liver.
You have made their beds become empty.
And you have made an end of their descendants.
For this, We Ashir and Maerwynn, Qan and Qatan
Join your spear to Our ranks of spears
And name      person’s name        a Fyrdman of Our Calon Ordu.

Scroll Text Sunday – Catalina’s Laurel Text

Greetings all. I’m a day late for Scroll Text Sunday because I was at Valor over Labor Day. Today I’ll put up one of my favorites of all time, the Laurel text I wrote for Catalina de Arazuri.

The Laurel is one of the highest awards given in the Society for Creative Anachronism, and is bestowed upon people with great skill in at least one art or science.

I chose to write her text in the muwashshah style, a style of poetry that appeared in the 800s or so and was popular in Andalusian during Catalina’s period. It is structured as stanzas of rhyming couplets separated by a chorus that is held together by a rhyme throughout the poem. Usually, as I’ve done here, there are five stanzas.

One of the reasons I have chosen this style is that in period it was seen as a representation of the ornamented belt worn by dancers. The idea is that the stanzas are ornaments hanging from a belt formed by the refrains. This seemed too appropriate to Catalina not to choose.

Catalina – Laurel Text

A squall came over the river
When the moon was but a sliver
As if Andalusia weeping
Sent her tears to river sleeping
Each bead of shimmering water                           5
The land’s love of golden daughter

Asking all from Mecca to here
To view bright pearl of Calontir

Alqsar gardens in their splendor
Crave her steps so soft and tender                    10
The elegance that in palace dwells
Envies her pace swift as gazelles
Arches and columns sadly stand
Missing those adorned by her hand

They ask caliph to lend his ear                               15
Hear of bright pearl of Calontir

Through flowing pines a wind so soft
Calls those Allah has held aloft
Matsu Caliph the falcon’s sword
With Elena Calipha’s true accord                        20
Ask Their lords and ladies renowned
To list words of justice profound

Spoken by crafters of things so dear
Attest well bright pearl of Calontir

Garlands of laurels she has earned                      25
With flowing skills both taught and learned
We cannot list the gifts bestowed
As lovely as December’s snow
She has increased your kingdom’s worth
As though she brought heaven to earth           30

They now pronounce for all to hear
Reward due bright pearl of Calontir

Caliph and Calipha both agree
Such gifts must thus rewarded be
Let her be adorned in trappings old                     35
That recognize such brilliant souls
When horses prance and falcons soar
Fifty years since the lions first roared.

Behold forever the leaves so dear
That adorn bright pearl of Calontir                      40

Behold forever the leaves so dear
That adorn bright pearl of Calontir

Annotations

Lines 1-2: Translation of The Guadalquivir in Flood by Ibn Safar al-Marini, a 12th-century poet. The Guadalaquivir is the river that flows through Seville, Catalina’s persona’s home.

Line 8: The pearl appears all the time in period Andalusian poetry. Hence, I used it as the way to refer to Catalina in the refrain.

Line 9: Alqsar is the Arabic spelling of Alcazar, the famous palace in Seville.

Line 14: This is a reference to the gardens in the Alcazar. As a side note, you’ve seen these courtyards and gardens in Kingdom of Heaven.

Line 28: A pun on Catalina’s real name. I thought of using Dujambir, which is how the Moroccans say it, and I thought of using the Arabic name, but December flowed too well when spoken compared to the options.

Line 30: Another pun, referring to her daughter. Again, I thought of the Arabic term, Janna, but heaven flowed too well when spoken.

Line 37: A reference to Horse and Falcon, the event where this award was given, and in this way I have dated the event.

Line 39: 1437 AH is almost impossible to put into verse form, so I settled for using the year of the Society for Creative Ananchronism  in metaphorical form. The lion’s roaring is a reference to a gate in the Alcazar which, though not period to Catalina’s time, is still cool, at least to me.

 

 

 

Sunday Scroll Text – Chiara’s Cross

I’m going to start putting some of the texts I write for SCA scrolls here on the blog. We’ll call it Scroll Text Sunday because why not.

For those who are not in the SCA, scrolls are provided whenever a person is granted an award. Many are written based on the time and place the recipient chooses to focus upon. From my perspective as a writer, I am constantly challenged to write in a different style to match that time and place, giving me a great chance to expand my skills.

Today we’ll start with one that was presented yesterday. The Cross of Calontir is an award representing years of service to the kingdom.

Cross – Chiara di Paxiti

Chiara’s persona is of a 15th-century Florentine, hence I looked to Lorenzo di Medici for inspiration. He was not only the ruler of Florence from 1469 to 1492, he was also a patron of the arts and a poet himself. I wrote the text in ottava rima style, which originated in Italy and was used for heroic poems. It uses iambic pentameter and ABABABCC rhyming scheme. Medici used this style in some of his works, and I also used some of his other poetry as inspiration for some of the word choices.

The falcon soars across the shining sky
with swiftest wings to claim a northern breeze
Zephyr that lifts him is the softest sigh
as he circles over towers and trees
and to the wind he sends a searing cry                                  5
when thus with eyes aware a prize he sees
below him is a sweet daughter of peace
performing deeds that seem to never cease

Oft she appears when giants make their wars
as fierce as brinded cats with flashing swords                 10
for golden crowns the reddest blood they pour
their greatest joys and deeds she right records
then she to those with deepest wounds succors
with water sweet relieving wounded hordes.
When she completes such deeds, what spies his eye? 15
why tis but sweetest purple butterfly

The falcon’s eyes not only ones that see
for Logan king and Ylva queen are wise
so Chiara di Paxiti must be
for deeds so collected clearly comprise                                20
a Cross of Calontir now must decree
and title given not her only prize
from Pontmerci bestowed ten saccato
and her sworn lady’s love now all shall know

Line 7: di Paxiti means daughter of peace

Line 9: she is a fan of the New York Giants, and I’m combining that love with the fact she is often helping out at tournaments and battles

Line 10: she is also a fan of the K-State Wildcats, and Shakespeare uses “brinded cats” in Macbeth as a reference to wild cats

Line 11-4: this is intended to cover both her job as listmistress and scroll text writing

Line 16: her device includes a purple butterfly

Line 23-4: Issabell wanted to make sure that Chiara, her protege, got land from Pontmerci, her own holding. A saccato is a Tuscan unit of area that is about 1.389 acres

Ashir and Maerwynn’s Preprints

A&S Challenge Day 3. To continue onwards, now I challenge Susan Carroll-Clark to provide examples of some Ealdormerian scroll texts. I think you’ve already been challenged, but I don’t think you did any scrolls texts. In any case, they don’t have to be yours, just some good examples.

I’ve had the pleasure and privilege or writing a great many preprint texts. My favorite set, probably my favorite set of any preprints mine or not, were the ones I wrote for Heath Clifton and Maerwynn Holme. The inspiration for these texts comes from the Cleaves translation of The Secret History of the Mongols (http://altaica.ru/shengl.htm).

My particular favorite is Iren Fyrd 1.

As a side note, if you’re looking at this as a template for writing a set of preprints yourself, I always write 3 Torses now. We give out more of them than the other AoA-level awards. Also, Ashir and Maerwynn ended each scroll with a standard ending, basically the legalese of date and place. You’ll want to make sure you account for that, either in the text or as a standard addendum.

AoA 1
The Qan Ashir has made thieves to beware and made all lies to be in vain.
His Qatan Maerwynn has divided wealth and judged proper judgments.
Now Ashir speaks and Maerwynn judges the fate of person’s name.
They decree that person’s name is a lord/lady of Calontir henceforth
and allow them to display their banner across the lands of this world.

AoA 2

We, Qan and Qatan, Ashir and Maerwynn, have seen that
person’s name has ridden loyally at Our side and
tarried not, at the moment when We were journeying;
journeyed not, at the moment when We were tarrying;
and We decree that your proven nobility shall be known
and bid all in this world to call you a lord/lady forevermore.

AoA 3

We, Ashir Qan and Maerwynn Qatan, have ridden from the heights of Mount Burqan Qaldun to the shores of Tunggelig Stream leading Our people. We have watched Our people hunt the red deer and ride the black horses. We know Our people well and now tell to all of this world that person’s name is truly one of Our Calon Ordu, and shall evermore be known as lord/lady from all of the mountains to all of the rivers.

AoA 4

Ashir Qan and Maerwynn Qatan were feasting beside their golden ger. Their anda approached and gave counsel. These great souls said that person’s name is a person who will never forsake you. These great souls said that person’s name is a person who should be regarded as a companion. Ashir and Maerwynn listened and now decree that person’s name will be forevermore be their companion and a lord/lady of the Falcon Throne.

AoA 5

Ashir Qan said to his Qatan: “I have seen Our people shatter the foe like lightning.”
Maerwynn Qatan said to her Qan: “I have heard Our people call for justice like thunder.”
Ashir Qan said: “person’s name has not been properly rewarded for his/her service to Our Ordu.”
Maerwynn Qatan said: “Then let person’s name be recognized henceforth as a lord/lady of Our Ordu.”

Iren Fyrd 1

You have made Our foemen’s hearts empty.
You have cut out parts of their liver.
You have made their beds become empty.
And you have made an end of their descendants.
For this, We Ashir and Maerwynn, Qan and Qatan
Join your spear to Our ranks of spears
And name person’s name a Fyrdman of Our Calon Ordu.

Iren Fyrd 2

Qatan Maerwynn spoke saying:
“person’s name became a shield for Us on the day of battle. He/she shattered stones when you assaulted the enemy.”
Qan Ashir spoke saying:
“person’s name became a shelter for Us against the enemy. He/she smashed cliffs when I led the charge.”
Together Qan and Qatan spoke saying:
“He/she must be added to Our Order of the Iren Fyrd. From this point forward let him/her bear the bright iron lance in Our service.”

Boga Fyrd 1

Qan Ashir spoke saying:
“Who then shot the arrow so as to break the back of my enemy?”
Qatan Maerwynn spoke saying:
“My Qan, it was person’s name who shot the arrow from the mountain.”
Together Qan and Qatan spoke saying:
“He/she is worthy among Our clan. Let him/her be given a quiver of bright arrows and placed within the ranks of Our Boga Fyrd that Our kinsmen shall be shielded.”

Boga Fyrd 2

Drawing his/her bow, person’s name has released his angyu’a arrow so as to pierce ten foes who are beyond the mountains and steppes.
Drawing his/her bow, person’s name has released his keyibur arrow so as to pierce twenty foes nine hundred alda away.
Qan Ashir and Qatan Maerwynn decree that such a man/woman of the falcon lands must from this day forward be a companion of Their Order of the Boga Fyrd.

Eo-fyrd 1
As Ashir Qan and Maerwynn Qatan rode leading Their ordu into war
They spied one who rode the black horse even if their cheeks were pierced
They spied one whose standard flew in the wind even if their black blood flowed
They spied one who had a mouth full of fury and lungs full of heart
So Ashir Qan and Maerwynn Qatan spooke after leading Their ordu into war
Person’s name rode swiftly against the foe, fearing no harm
We would now call person’s name one of Our külü’üd,
Stalwarts who are called in the far Western tongue eo-fyrd.

Eo-fyrd 2
Ashir Qan spoke saying: “My elder khevtuul who guarded me by night, what say you.”
The khevtuul spoke saying: “Person’s name has stood long in the cold which makes one shiver.”
Maerwynn Qatan spoke saying: “My vigilant torguud who guarded me by day, what say you.”
The torguud spoke saying: “Person’s name has faced the willow-bark quivers of our foes.”
Together khevtuul and torguud spoke saying: “Person’s name took no rest while guarding Your throne.”
Together Ashir Qan and Maerwynn Qatan spoke saying: “Then, Our guardians, We now enlist him/her into Our kheshig, Our eo-fyrd, to protect Us until Erkhii Mergen shoots the seventh sun.

Torse 1

In the swift warfare, person’s name did not suffer Qan Ashir to spend the night empty in a night of rain.
In the face of Our enemy, person’s name did not suffer Qatan Maerwynn to spend the night without broth.
In the striking of Our lances, person’s name did not suffer Our people to be wanting of the fire that was red.
Hence, We shall not suffer any longer that the deeds of person’s name not be recognized and call the soaring falcon to deliver him/her the mantled Torse of purple and gold.

Torse 2

At the moment when Qatan Maerwynn was wearing a dell of gold thread, person’s name was tending to her black horses.
At the moment when Qan Ashir was eating the meat of the red deer, person’s name was pitching his ger.
At the moment when the people of the Qan and Qatan needed help, person’s name was there.
Hence, at this moment, the Qan and Qatan decree that under the sun and moon person’s name is a companion of Their Torse.

Swan 1

Even as seeing Mother Sun when the clouds become clear,
Even as finding the water of the river when the ice becomes clear,
Ashir Qan and Maerwynn Qatan have seen the beauty of person’s name’s art become clear,
And forevermore decree that the golden grace of this Calon Swan to all become clear.

Swan 2

Ashir Qan said to his Qatan: “Certain thoughts have entered my dreams in the black night.”
Maerwynn Qatan said to her Qan: “Certain thoughts have disturbed me in the bright day.”
Ashir Qan said: “person’s name has woven golden cloth to warm Our royal persons.”
Maerwynn Qatan said: “person’s name has sung silver songs to warm Our royal souls.”
Ashir Qan said: “Then let Us call him/her by the name that he/she has earned.”
And Maerwynn Qatan said: “Then we shall call person’s name a Golden Calon Swan.”

Mallet 1

From the time when the brown Earth was only the size of a clod,
From the time when the sea and rivers were only size of a stream,
We have needed wisdom to enrich this land for which We have fought
And have enriched those who fought for wisdom with their dreams.
Now We, Ashir and Maerwynn, Qan and Qatan, in heartlands we have trod
Bestow Leather Mallet to person’s name as token of Our esteem.

Mallet 2

These truths are recognized in all lands where the falcon soars:
Qatan Maerwynn needs those to make the golden bridles for her black horse,
Qan Ashir needs those to make the shining steel for his gleaming arrows.
Thus We name person’s name as one of the craftsmen of Our Calon Ordu
And bestow the symbol of the Leather Mallet as a sign of Our will.

Jorunn’s Baronial Text

Day 2 of the A&S challenge. First, I’m going to nominate Fernando Rodriguez de Falcon. Again, I’d like to see some scroll texts. In Fernando’s case, one in particular.

Today’s text is one of my favorite ever because of the challenge. This is Juli Kupperman‘s court baronage. It was not a scroll, but rather a law-ring made by Darren Jennings and Heather Green Jennings and what that meant for me is that I was limited to 250 characters or less.

Yes, that means this is essentially a phone text-length scroll text.

But I cheated. Here’s the version on the ring itself:

Before gallowslord I Tyrsring say that ᚨ beyond praise and I Freyjassmile heartlands goldbreakers for the ᚱ of ᛃ lordᚹ wailing wind and moonslove as ᚠgiver to seas grant the ᛟ warded by Gunnsᛖ with ᛒ and ᛇ against ᚻneed for her hearth until godsdoom according to peoples law Carved by Baldursguard and Sifslightgift

You’ll notice a lot of runes in there. Interestingly, the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons gave runes not only a letter value, but also a word value. Occasionally, they would flip back and forth using both types of values in the same document. So here’s the expanded version using the word values of the runes:

Before gallow’s lord, I Tyr’s-ring say that, Anton, beyond praise, and Isabeau, Freyja’s-smile, heartland’s gold-breakers, for the riding of Jorunn: lord-joy, wailing wind and moon’s-love, as wealth-giver to seas, grant the estate warded by Gunn’s-steed, with birch and yew against hail’s-need for her hearth until gods’ doom according to people’s law. Carved by Baldur’s-guard and Sif’s-lightgift.

By the way, Reimond is etymologically derived from “protector of wisdom” and Mirabel is etymologically derived from “uncommon beauty.” Apt for both of them, I think. Hence the two kennings at the end.

You get to figure out the other kennings yourself

Erich Hlodowechssun’s Chivalry Scroll

Over on Facebook, there’s been a post examples of you artwork meme. I thought I had made my Dodge roll, but I just barely missed. I I’ve been nominated for the 5 day art challenge by Juliana della Rena so here’s day 1. Get ready for some scroll texts, people, especially since I hope John Kostisin will put some of his texts amongst his 5 day challenge.

This is one I did that was, well, let’s just say, given as a backlog scroll. A back, back, back, backlog scroll. Written at the behest of Elasait Beaty-Schraer for Erich Schraer.

When the sky jewel sailed two score times
Since the maker of lists made a home for dreams
Calontir’s cyning and cwen called this proud son before them
An acorn that grew amidst a forest of falcons

A seedling of the heartland hailing from high oak’s hall
His roots were planted in the land he first plowed
Suðri’s shield warding against Surt’s sword
There he first became a feeder of ravens
Hastening on sea-steeds over swan-roads

He sought sword-storms and showers of spears
In eastern fields filled with shady trees
He defended dragons and defeated tigers
And proud warlords watched wondering at his courage
Naming him one of falcon’s first feared spear-wielders

Striking blows for freedom and striking for the land
He helped the heartland become a home for princes of legend
Bold ring-breakers bearing storm-cleavers
Gave him shining gifts of gold and steel
And forevermore he holds the falcon’s twelfth axe

Not only girded with steel, but also with Grimnir’s gifts,
His prowess and poetry served princes in war and peace
As they forged a kingdom from the bones of far firewyrms
Then his cold steel glistened in Calontir’s golden halls
Still he stands fiercely fighting to defend the king’s land

Wielding wound-hoes in western sands
Under the watchful eye of Arvak and Alsvid’s guide
Thus, We, Asgeirr and Miriam, wielders of scepter and sword,
Calontir’s fifth cyning and cwen
Call Erich Hlodowechssun, this ender of eagle’s hunger,

To kneel before Us and this day we make him a knight
This fifteenth of Hreðmonað, in the third year of falcon’s flight
Read in the halls of smælbera and runungspreca