Jean Paul Ducasse (Order of the Laurel)

Order of the Laurel
War of the Roses (East Kingdom)
Awarded May 26, 2018  (AS LIII)

Details: Calligraphy & Pen Work by Isabel Chamberlaine. Inspired by "The Permennter" from Hans Sachs "Everyday description of all estates on earth, high and low, spiritual and secular, of all arts, crafts and quarrels" (The Estates Book).

A few years ago (2014), a number of us were persuaded to enter the K&Q Arts & Sciences competition that was being held in our local Barony, Concordia of the Snows. We formed, what became known as, "The Messy Corner"; it was a chance to display unfinished, experimental type pieces. I was roped in by Aife, and I decided that if I was going to do it then I was damn sure I was going to rope JP in as well. Eventually he agreed to set up his parchment making stuff as a display (rather than enter the comp.) and actively work on, and discuss this trade with anyone who was interested. He had a steady stream of people all day asking questions and trying their hand at the scraping. He was a big hit.

We discussed it in depth later. The skin he had displayed was a mess because of the inconsistant methods/process used on it throughout the day; going in, he knew this would be the case though. He basically considered it a "throw away skin". I asked if I could have it.

What he didn't know, I was playing the long-game.

You see, JP has always been convinced that he would NEVER be considered for inclusion in the Order of the Laurel. We spent HOURS discussing the lack of period sources for the production of parchment; how it was "cheating" because he had years of tannery experience; how he sucks at writing documentation; how he could never teach this stuff; I could go on... but eventually, over time, he found his way, turning his knowledge and passion for parchment making into a stream of education for those that were interested.

This same, crappy piece of skin, worked on by so many hands at that K&Q A&S, has been with me ever since; kept safe for this EXACT moment. I (and others) have always known that JP would join the Order of the Laurel, it was inevitable.

The artwork for this piece is specifically created within an 8" x 10" space so that, if JP so chooses, the skin can be cut down to a standard frame size; the realist in me fully expects him to do this. The artist in me hopes that he doesn't.

Paper: THIS SKIN, stretched, displayed, and worked on at K&Q A&S in 2014.
Materials: Mitchel calligraphy nib #4 with homemade Oak Gall ink.

Words by Master Valentyne Shawe.

For scribal friend what fame should we impose?
Jean Paul Ducasse, a man of messy skill,
Who treats a skin and bends it to his will.
But how to treat a man of skins who knows
that using brine of women's passing shows
most white. Then stretching skin on rack until
he wields the knife to scrape it clear, and still
then renders silken smooth with sanding loaves.
Now called by Caoilfhionn Queen and Brennan King.
On Dyfan’s Day, in homeland known for snow,
when clash the flags of roses red and white.
Jean Paul now kneels to hear the nobles sing
in praise of work, while monarchs now bestow,
the Laurel leaves for scholar bold and bright.

Scroll ID: Isabel C 61
Time Invested: About 5 hours
Completed May 5th, 2018