This time, the text is not in Russian! Ellynor is one of my favorite people, and I was excited to work with Magdalena von Kirschberg on her OGR. Ellynor has a very-late period English persona, and outside fencing she’s a garb expert, specializing in Elizabethan and other late-period costume. I was fortunate to find what I feel is a very appropriate text to base this scroll on – the Second Grant of Arms to the Guild of Merchant Taylors, granted in London in 1586.
Scroll Text:
To all and singular as well Nobles and Gentles as others to whom these presents shall come, be seen, heard, read, or understood, we, Matthew and Fiamuin, King and Queen of the East, sendeth Greeting:
Forasmuch as anciently from the beginning the valiant and virtuous acts of excellent persons have been commended to the world with sundry monuments and remembrances of their Good deserts.
Amongst the which the chiefest and most usual hath been the bearing of Signs and Tokens being evident demonstrations and testimonies of prowess and valor diversely distributed according to the qualities and deserts of the persons meriting the same, which order as it was prudently devised to stir up and inflame the hearts of all to the mutation of virtue, even so hath the same been continued from time to time, and yet is continually observed; to the intent that such as have done commendable service to their Crown or Country, either in war or peace or otherwise by the laudable and courageous enterprise or proceedings of any person, might thereby receive due honor in their lives, and also derive the same successively to their posterity and successors after them.
And whereas we, Matthew and Fiamuin, by these Letters, bearing date at Rusted Woodlands 23rd of November in the 59th year of the society, did summon forth Ellynor Redpath, a worthy of the Art and Mystery of all things sharp and pointed. And that there should be a perpetual recognition of the skill in that faculty, we hereby induct her into our Order of the Golden Rapier.
Images:
Calligraphy and Illumination by Magdalena von Kirschberg
