Monday 2 December 2013

Christina Montgomery, Award of Arms, 2013

In the name of the celestial and indivisible Lady Ealdormere, Nigel and Adrielle, by favour of His Majesty’s strength of arms, august Monarchs of the Northlands. Although recognition of the worth of Our subjects may be done by others, it is, however, the duty of Our imperial authority to royally acknowledge worthy people lest there be any doubt of their value to the Crown. Be it known, therefore, to the present age and to future generations of Our subjects, that We, aided by the grace of Lady Ealdormere who scattered her secret heart among the people of the north, in the presence of many of the members of Our royal court, have called before us Christina Montgomery. This gentle is well known and loved by the people of her barony, who have sent us many missives extolling her skill in the culinary arts, her cheerful attitude and constant service. Lest these acts of honour and glory of our most beloved Christina Montgomery may in any way be diminished, We would bestow on her an Award of Arms. In order that this Our imperial decree may, for all ages, remain valid and unshaken, we have ordered the present charter to be written and to be sealed with the impress of our seal.

Done on the Feast Day of St, Andrew, in Our Canton of Bryniau Tywynnog, at Wassail, Anno Borealis forty-eight.


By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on The Establishment of the Duchy of Austria;
September 17, 1156. (Doeberl, iv. p. 88.)

Joffr Rödson, Award of Arms, 2013

In the days when Nigel was King and Adrielle was Queen, it once happened that an armourer came before them and greeted them. And the king and queen received him well and asked him his name. The man said he was called Joffr Rödson, son of Röd. He asked if he could stay awhile among the retainers. The king and queen granted him that and assigned him a very worthy seat. Joffr was pleasant and polite and well liked by all. He worked diligently on the growth of the king and queen’s lands, and they were both well pleased with him.

At the end of the year, when gathering for a yule celebration, Nigel and Adrielle held a court and called Joffr Rödson before them, and gave him an arm ring and the right to call himself a lord of the people.

And Nigel’s skalds took note that this occurred on the thirtieth day of November, in the Canton of Bryniau Tywynnog, at Wassail, in the forty-eighth year of the society.


By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on The Tale of Toki Tokason, 13th or 14th century, trans. Peter Tunstall, 2005.

Wulfric of the Black Wood, Award of Arms, 2013

Armour is a boon to all fighting men;
            it saves the body from harm.
Riding seems easy to every warrior while he is indoors
and very courageous to him who traverses the high-roads
to far off practices.
The sword is extremely sharp,
            suited to righteous purpose.
Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one's dignity;
it furnishes help and subsistence
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else.
Eagerness is infectious,
            it is easily caught by all who see it.
The Black Wood is a home,
            to a man who encompasses all these points.
            Wulfric by name, a mighty man.
Hlaford is a title, now held by him,
            a lord of the land.
Nigel is a King,
Adrielle is a Queen,
            who give him this boon,
            at Wassail, in Bryniau Tywynnog,
            on the last of November,
            in the forty-eighth year of the land.


By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem, 8th or 9th century, http://www.ragweedforge.com/rpae.html

Ieuan ap Gwilym, Award of Arms, 2013

Let people present and future know that We, Nigel MacFarlane and Adrielle Kerrec, have given, bestowed, and by this charter confirmed, to Ieuan ap Gwilym, an Award of Arms and the right to bear such arms as he may design in consultation with our heralds and pursuivants. This is done in recognition of his service as both pursuivant and deputy seneschal, his courteous manner, and his aid at events. In testimony of which We have appended Our seal to this present charter. These are witnesses: Baron Penda, Baroness Sibylla. Given at Bryniau Tywynnog at Wassail on Saturday on the feast of St. Andrew in the 1st year of the reign of Nigel II and Adrielle II and the forty-eighth year of the society.

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on an English Land Grant, 1422.

Wulfwynn of the Blackwood, Award of Arms, 2013

Wulfwynn of the Blackwood             throwing axen weapons
Loosing arrows swiftly           longing for the shieldwall
Sewer of garb and clothing                 seamstress of much skill
Naelbinder and greeter           No less than a treasure
Adrielle and Nigel      address her at Wassail
Hail her as a Hlaefdige           In Bryniau hall
On loved day of Andrew       in late Blót-mónaþ
Forty-eighth year        of our fine fellowship.


By THLaird Colyne Stewart, written in the style of an Anglo-Saxon poem, following the proper conventions (to the best of my current abilities).

Tamsin Kitto, Award of the Orion, 2013

Many are held             in high esteem
Skald and poet                        foe-render and Viking
But none so high         as those who create
Tamsin Kitto is such a one      whip-corder, weaver,
Binder of naal             Vor knows her work
Called before thrones              knealing artisan
Before Nigel, Konungr           Adrielle, Drottning
Giver of minds-worth             she is bestowed
An Orion is given        with as many strings
As Tamsin has talents             while in Bryniau Tywynnog
At yuletide wassail                 on the last day of Frer-mánuðr
Forty-eight years         since Ymir was rended
And from his bones    was born the world


Words by THLaird Colyne Stewart, done in the style of Old Norse verse.

Beathan MacFinnon, Award of the Orion, 2013

NIGEL and ADRIELLE, by the Grace of Lady Ealdormere, King and Queen of Ealdormere, Earl and Countess of Arrochar, Protectors of the Far North, Wardens of Septentrialis, Ard Ri of Lacus Pentamerus and Lacus Ealdormearc, High Lord and Lady of Ardchreag, &c.

For as much as you, Beathan MacFinnon, are known for the construction of furniture, jewelry, banners, woodworking and calligraphy, and it was witness at the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Faire that you were chosen as the victor of the Queen’s Choice Prize, therefore it is but just and reasonable, that since you work so diligently, you should be rewarded for it. And We, being willing to honour and favour you for the reasons aforesaid: Our will is, that you, Beathan MacFinnon, after showing such expertise in the arts and sciences, be given Our Award of the Orion, and the right to bear the badge of the award without let or hindrance. And by this Our letter: We command Prince Siegfried and Princess Ragni, Our most beloved son and daughter, the Infants, Dukes, Prelates, Marquesses, Great Masters and Military Orders, Priors, Commendaries, our Counsellors, Judges, and other Officers of Justice whatsoever, belonging Courts, and Chancery, and Constables of Castles, Strong Houses, and others; and all Corporations, Bayliffs, Governours, Judges, Commanders, Sea Officers; and the Aldermen, Common Council, Officers, and Good People of all Cities, Lands, and Places in our Kingdoms and Dominions, as such in all respects, and give you all the perquisites and other things belonging and appertaining to the said award; and allow, and cause to be allowed you, all the honours, graces, concessions, prehaminences, prerogatives, immunities, and other things, or any of them which are due to you, by virtue of your achievements. We command our Chancellour, Heralds, and other Officers, to pass, seal, and deliver to you, Our Award, in such form and legal manner, as you shall require or stand in need of. And that none of them presume to do any thing to the contrary, upon pain of our displeasure, and forfeiture of 30 finfarthings for each offence. And We command him, who shall show them this Our Letter, that he summon them to appear before Us at our Court, where we shall then be, within fifteen days after such summons, under the said penalty. Under which same, We also command any Public Notary whatsoever, that he give to him that shows it him, a certificate under his seal, that we may know how our command is obeyed.

GIVEN at Bryniau Tywynnog, on the 30th of November, at Wassail, in the year of our Society, 48.-
Nigel, THE KING, Adrielle, THE QUEEN.



By THLaird Colyne Stewart, based on the Privileges and Prerogatives Granted by Their Catholic Majesties to Christopher Columbus : 1492