Award: Award of the Cygnus for Judith of Northwode
Date: Bardic Madness 2019
Paper: 5×7″ on sheep (?) parchment
Illumination: Gouache, Finetec gold, iron gall ink
Calligraphy: Iron gall ink, 1mm Brause nib
Inspiration: Hours of Elizabeth the Queen f.4v 

Let all know of one Judith of Northwode. Scribe, signet, seneschal, steward. For this, an Award of the Cygnus. May 4 AS LIV.

Award: Court Barony for Aesa Olafskona
Date: Gulf Wars 2019
Paper: 5×7″ on sheep (?) parchment
Illumination: Gouache, Finetec gold, iron gall ink
Calligraphy: Iron gall ink, crowquill nib
Inspiration: Canterbury Tales   Chaucerian Roundel

Before us now stands one of virtue true
who might be thinking there’s been some mistake.
For Aesa, what award can we you make?

You know just what we need before we do
with generosity which can’t be faked.
Such aid to us reveals great virtue, true,
of that indeed there can be no mistake.

More joy than these mere words convey to you
we Vladimir and Petranella take
in raising those who strive for Northshield’s sake.

So now for she who is of virtue true
whose service to us can be no mistake
we Aesa fair a Baroness do make.

March 14 AS LIII at Gulf Wars

Award: Court Barony for Siobhan Medhbh O’Roarke
Date: 12th Night 2020
Paper: 8×10″ on pergamenata
Illumination: Gouache, Finetec gold, iron gall ink
Calligraphy: Iron gall ink, 1mm Brause nib
Inspiration:  Wardington Hours, f.9v, Portrait pose: Spinola Hours  fol. 265v Background of portrait: Spinola Hours  fol. 253v

Award: Award of the Baton Gules for Amary Fairamay
Date: 12th Night 2020
Paper: 5×7″ on pergamenata
Illumination: Gouache, Finetec gold
Calligraphy: Iron gall ink, 1mm Brause nib
Inspiration:  MS M.52 fol. 478v

Recognizing her steady service to the scribal community of Nordskogen and beyond do we, Gabrield and Caoilfhionn, Lord and Lady of Nordskogen, bestow unto Amary Fairamay this Award of the Baton Gules.  Jan 11 AS LIV.

Award: Award of Arms for Amary Fairamay
Date: 12th Night 2019
Paper: 8×10″ on pergamenata
Illumination: Gouache
Calligraphy: Iron gall ink, .75mm Brause nib
Inspiration: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3

To our faithful subjects, from Siegfried and Gwyneth, Stellar Majesties Northshield, greetings.  Know ye that we are grateful for the generous service our loyal subject Amary Fairamay has contributed to the Canton of Nordleigh in serving as Minister of Arts and Sciences, but especially in the provision of comestibles and conveyances.  For this, as well as her prolific knitting and period appearance, do we now award her arms, conferring unto her all the honors, privileges, and responsibilities inherent thereunto.  In witness thereof we set our hands this 21st of October, anno societatis XLI at the Northshield Rapier Academy in our fair Canton of Nordleigh.

Award: Chivalry for Tom Tinntinnabulum
Date: Pennsic 2019
Paper: 11×14″ on vellum
Illumination: Gouache, gold leaf, iron gall ink
Calligraphy: Iron gall ink, 1mm Brause nib
Inspiration: Grant of Arms to the Worshipful Company of Drapers

Making of Tom’s Chivalry Scroll

To all present and to come who these letters shall see or hear, Their Draconic Majesties, Felix and Madeleina, Rightful Sovereigns of the Middle Kingdom, send health and greetings.

Equity wills and reason ordains that those of a valiant and virtuous nature be had in a perpetual memory, not only in their persons in this mortal life, so brief and transitory, but also in their good name and fame, to be of noble memory and in all places of honor ever more reveranced, and to be recommended for showing of certain signs and tokens of honor and gentleness so that by their examples other persons may the sooner and the more often apply themselves to spend their lives in honorable works and virtuous deeds.

Of which persons one in especial whose name is Tom Tinntinnabulum have we verily ascertained, not only by common renown, but by our own knowledge also, and by the report of the noble members of our honorable Order of Chivalry, has long continued in virtue and in all his acts has gladly and honorably guided and governed himself, so that he now deserves and is right worthy to be entered in the aforesaid order.

For remembrance and consideration of his gentleness, virtues, & ability, by the authority and power of our office, we, Felix and Madeleina, do of our especial grace and certain wisdom, recognize Tom Tinntinnabulum as a Knight of the Society for Creative Anachronism, to be in all places numbered a Peer of Our Realm and a member of the Order of Chivalry, with all rights, privileges, insignia, precedence, and responsibilities thereto appertaining.

In witness whereof to these letters we have set our seal and signed this 5th day of September in the 39th year of our Society, at Havok in Hastings in our fair Barony of Andelcrag.

Award: Order of Brigit’s Flame for Rachell Baker
Date: February 24, 2018 (AS LII) at Lupercalia
Paper: 8″x10″ Bristol
Illumination: Gouache, Finetec gold, Micron pen
Calligraphy: Noodler’s Borealis Black, 1mm Brause nib
Inspiration: Bedford Psalter and Hours f.161v

Of her excellence in the arts of embroidery and costuming, and of her efforts in broadening the knowledge of our populace thereof, have we, Kaydian and Cassandra, King and Queen of Northshield, heard much, and thus are we minded to induct Rachell Baker this day, the 24th of February AS 52, into our Order of the Brigit’s Flame.

I had this sketched up on Bristol waiting for an assignment, and this was the perfect chance to use it.  I tend to work on pergamenata more often nowadays, but Bristol is still perfectly fine.  The original pages were a different dimension and a bit bigger, so the proportions don’t match exactly, but I’m overall happy with it.

Painting whitework continues to be a learning process.  So much depends on the consistency of the paint, which seems to change constantly as I paint, so I’m continually having to get it back to the perfect whitework thin-but-not-too-thin.

I still use a Micron pen for illumination outlines.  For this one, I tried a new way: pencil outlines, paint flat colors and shading, outline, whitework.  I was happy with how it came out.   Normally I outline in pen and erase all the pencil before I paint, but this works too.  I want to experiment in the future with using a dip pen for outlines both under and over the paint.

And I really need to build calligraphy practice into my routine.  It’s better than it was, but not as even as I’d like.  I also need to get some nibs of different sizes to play around with.  I use a 1.0mm Brause nib for everything, but I suspect branching out will help me match the proportions of the exemplars more closely.