Pierre de Tours (Court Barony)

Court Baron
Bjorn’s Ceilidh and Baronial Investiture, Barony of Concordia of the Snows
Awarded November 8, 2014 A.S. 49 (XLIX)

Details:
Calligraphy by Isabel Chamberlaine, inspired by various chancery documents.

I was originally planning an illuminated document based on specific sources, but the more I read the words and understood their relevance to Pierre the greater the importance became for keeping this "simple". I'm pleased with my choice.

Thank you to Mistress Eva Woderose for attaching the seal in a speedy fashion.

Paper: Goat parchment created by Baron Jean-Paul Ducasse.
Materials: Oak gall ink with Mitchell #6 and #4 nibs.

Words adapted from the original by Baron Jean-Paul Ducasse; based on "Characters of Virtues and Vices Book 1" (1608) by Joseph Hall, Bishop of Exeter

On character of the wise man. THERE is nothing that he desires not to know; but most and first, himself: and not so much his own strength as his weaknesses. Neither is his knowledge reduced to discourse, but practice. He is a skilful logician, not by nature so much as use; his working mind doth nothing all his time but make syllogisms and draw out conclusions; everything that he sees and hears serves for one of the premises; with these he cares, first, to inform himself, then to direct others.  He seeks his quietness in secrecy; and is wont, both to hide himself in retiredness, and his tongue in himself. He loves to be guessed at, not known; and to see the world, unseen; and when he is forced into the light, shows, by his actions, that his obscurity was neither from affectation nor weakness. His purposes are neither so variable as may argue inconstancy, nor obstinately unchangeable, but framed according to his afterwits, or the strength of new occasions. He is both an apt scholar and an excellent master; for both everything he sees informs him, and his mind, enriched with plentiful observation, can give the best precepts.

Of the humble man. HE is a friendly enemy to himself: for, though he be not out of his own favour, no man sets so low a value of his worth as himself; not out of ignorance or carelessness, but of a voluntary and meek dejectedness. He admires everything in another, while the same or better in himself he thinks not unworthily contemned: his eyes are full of his own wants and others' perfections. He loves rather to give than take honour; not in a fashion of complimental courtesy, but in simplicity of his judgment: neither doth he fret at those on whom he forceth precedency, as one that hoped their modesty would have refused; but holds his mind unfeignedly below his place, and is ready to go lower, if need be, without discontentment. His words are few and soft; never either peremptory or censorious; because he thinks both each man more wise, and none more faulty than himself. He emulates no man in anything but goodness, and that with more desire than hope to overtake. No man is so contented with his little, and so patient under miseries; because he knows the greatest evils are below his sins, and the least favours above his deservings.

Of a valiant man. He undertakes without rashness, and performs without fear. He seeks not for dangers; but when they find him, he hears them over with courage, with success. He hath ofttimes looked death in the face, and passed by it with a smile; and when he sees he must yield, doth at once welcome and contemn it. He is the master of himself, and subdues his passions to reason; and by this inward victory works his own peace. He looks not on his hands, but his cause; not how strong he is, but how innocent: and where goodness is his warrant, he may be overmastered, he cannot be foiled. The sword is to him the last of all trials, which he draws forth still as defendant, not as challenger, with a willing kind of unwillingness; no man can better manage it with more safety, with more favour. He had rather have his blood seen than his back, and disdains life upon base conditions. He talks little, and brags less; and loves rather the silent language of the hand; to be seen than heard. He lies ever close within himself, armed with wise resolution; and will not be discovered but by death or danger. His power is limited by his will, and he holds it the noblest revenge, that he might hurt and doth not. He commands, without tyranny and imperiousness; obeys, without servility: and changes not his mind with his estate. Deliberate in his purposes; firm in resolution; bold in enterprising; unwearied in achieving; and, howsoever, happy in success: and if ever he be overcome, his heart yields last.

Such a man is now before us. We Edward III right and august ruler of the east, and Thyra II delicate and wise regina, seeing the rightness of this man and his actions see fit to make him a Baron of Our court.  And shall from this day forward shall bear these arms patent,  Azure, a cross of five mascles and on a chief argent three gunstones, as proof of Our desire.  Let it be known that as Our word is law this man is a noble of Our Court and as such he is beyond condemnation, or molestation.  By Our hand, word, and deed is he to be granted safe passage throughout all lands that We rule.   Done this the eighth day of November, on the feastday of St. Castorius, in our Barony of Concordia of the Snows at Bjorn’s Ceilidh and Baronial Investiture.

Scroll ID: Isabel C 49
Completed November 2014