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

Thyra Eiriksdottir (Order of the Laurel)

Order of the Laurel
The Sign of the Dancing Fox X (East Kingdom)
Awarded February 3, 2018 (AS LII)

Details:
Calligraphy & Illumination by Isabel Chamberlaine. Inspired by MS Harley 2365 (Elucidarium)

Thyra is one of "MY Queens", so when asked if I would create the scroll to accompany her elevation to the Laurel I immediately replied YES! There were some notes as to what she would like, I latched onto "dangerous chemicals" and "small is better".

Paper: Random piece of parchment I had in my horde.
Materials: Mitchel calligraphy nib with Oak Gall ink; and Ruby Red Writing Ink from "Arte of the Booke". Kolner Miniatum with 23k gold leaf. Pigments - Azurite, Vermillion, Orpiment, Indigo, French Ochre, Lead White

Words by Mistress Aildreda de Tamwurthe
There is no thing in nature or kind but that a Laurel knows it, for all that she ever now or may do, she does it by the great and high power of Art. We, Tsar Ivan and Tsarina Mathilde, know Thyra's good deeds of scrollwork and dance and so she is presented here that We and Our Kingdom may have joy of her, for it is recorded that it is a great joy to Us of an artist and artisan when she is made a Laurel. And so We cause this to be done at the Sign of the Dancing Fox on the first day after Candlemas, A.S. 52.

Scroll ID: Isabel C 59
Time Invested:
Completed January 2018

Nataliia Anastasiia Evgenova Sviatoslavina vnuchka (Order of the Laurel)

Order of the Laurel
Northern Region War Camp (East Kingdom)
Awarded July 1, 2016 (AS LII)

Details:
Calligraphy & Illumination by Isabel Chamberlaine.

A while back Nataliia had helped me find my techniques for working on the Black Hours for Diego's Peerage piece; I wanted to honour that by producing one for her. This piece was very loosely inspired by the Peacock page found in the Mira Calligraphe.

Paper: Black 120gsm paper (I forget which brand).
Materials: White Dr Martin ink for the calligraphy. 23k shell gold (purchased) for the gold-work. Various W&N gouache and the occasional water soluble pencil for any of the coloured areas.

Words by Mistress Aildreda de Tamwurthe from Da Vinci's The Practice of Painting
0 poet, if you tell a story with your pen, the painter with a brush can tell it more easily, with simpler completeness and less tedious to be understood. And if you, historians, or poets, or mathematicians had not seen things with your eyes you could not report of them in writing. Indeed, you may not even enter the lists against the painter, for with only words you cannot satisfy the eye as the painter does. In those very lists, Nataliia Anastasiia Evgenova Sviatoslavina vnuchka has won honour with pen and brush.

It is fitting that We, Emperor Ioannes and Empress Honig, mark this example of a painter whose work carries out her purpose and meaning, naming her a Laurel of Our Court on the feast day of St. Gaius at Northern Region War Camp, A.S. LII.


Scroll ID: Isabel C 57
Time Invested: 25 hours
Completed June 2017

Brunissende Dragonette (Order of the Laurel)

Order of the Laurel
Pennsic War 45, Kingdom of Aethelmarc
Awarded August 11, 2016 (AS LI)

Details:

Calligraphy & Illumination by Isabel Chamberlaine. Inspiration taken from The Ellesmere Chaucer held by The Huntington Library, specifically f. 88 r.

Paper: Goat parchment (double-side finish) from Pergamena.

Materials: Mitchel #6 nib for the calligraphy and a crow-quill nib for line work; Oak Gall Ink, Ruby Red Writing Ink from Arte of the Booke and Higgins (Blue) Pigmented Drawing Ink. Kolner Miniatum with 23k gold leaf. Pigments used - lapis lazuli, vermillion, green earth, lamp black, and lead white.

Words by Vicomte Alexandre d'Avigné
Kenric Dei gratia regni Orientis Rex et Avelina Dei gratia Regni Orientis Regina defensores Tir Marae legisque Orientis Archiepiscopis Ducibus Comitibus Vicecomitibus Episcopis Baronibus Militibus Prepositis liberis hominibus ac omnibus Officiariis Ministris et Subditis nostris quibuscumque ad quos presentes litere pervenerint salutemus.

How can one take the measure of a dame whose mighty work spans such a vast array that diverse artisans proclaim her fame? To simply list her skills would fill the day, And yet this fearsome task we must essay. So let us now rehearse the many things Which bring this lady to the note of kings.

She forms her subjects out of humble clay And gives them to the unforgiving flame To issue forth again in bright array. Her beads of glass are worthy of acclaim So their production doth increase her fame. But broader still is her creative scope. To seemly make the court she giveth soap.

 To arts both scribal and heraldic too She doth contribute with both wit and quill Providing with her research insights new Which then she implements with her good will. Yet this is not the limit of her skill She labours in the fair arts culinary With great sucess beyond the ordinary.

How can one praise an artist so diverse With words, although they matter, I am told, Or with a few scant lines of humble verse? The skills she doth display are great and bold And prized above both silver and bright gold. There is but one way to repay this debt; A laurel for Brunissende Dragonette.

Ergo, eum nos prefate Rex et Regina per literas nostras patentes sub magno Sigillo nostro Orientis confectas gerentes datum decimus dies Augustii tempore regni nostri tertii quod est anno societatis quinquagesimo apud Bellum Pennsicus.

Scroll ID: Isabel C 55
Time Invested: 18 hours.
Completed July 2016

Lissa Underhill (Order of the Laurel)

Order of the Laurel
King’s & Queen’s A&S Championships, Shire of Barren Sands
Awarded February 6, 2016 (AS L)

Details:
Calligraphy & Illumination by Isabel Chamberlaine. Inspired by this page from the Cnut Gospels housed in the British Library.

Paper: Peramenata, 230gsm, Natural.
Materials: Oak gall ink for main calligraphy; green calligraphy used verdigris; red calligraphy used vermillion. Kolner Miniatum with 23k gold leaf. Pigments used - vermillion, lapis, green earth, French ochre, and lead white.

Words by Master Grim the Skald
Listen as I tell of Lissa the wise whose heart was inspired by the spark of the kiln, delved into secrets, and deftly became a fire-former of finest beads.  Her skill grew swiftly and soon treasure-glass adorned the necks of dauntless thanes and ladies alike. Lissa then spread throughout the East this shining art and fires of the kiln caught the eastern hearts.  Brennan the bold, bright Tyger’s King, kindly Caoilfhionn Queen of the East, have heard council of crowned-in-leaves and on Brinolf’s day in Barren Sands they ask Lady Elysabeth Underhill accept a Patent, a peer’s title, and join the order of art-forming – for fires of the kiln caught the laurel’s hearts.

Scroll ID: Isabel C 53
Time Invested: 24h 20m
Completed January 31, 2016

Aildreda de Tamwurthe (Laurel)

Order of the Laurel
Dragonship Haven Investiture
Awarded February 21, 2015 (AS XLIX)

Front side of Dreda's Laurel piece.

Back side of Dreda's Laurel piece.

Details:
Calligraphy & Illumination by Isabel Chamberlaine. Over the course of correspondence with Maistre Lucien de Pontivy ( +Myra Hope Eskridge ) we came up with a plan for the type of thing that Dreda would like to receive. This piece is based on folio's and images found in The De Brailes Hours which I am told is one of her favourite manuscripts.

During the email correspondence I had with Lucien I remembered how I had enjoyed seeing the Hours of the Duc de Berry displayed unbound at The Met a number of years ago; I presented the idea of making this a double-sided piece so that it would look an feel as if it had been pulled from a binding for display. Lucien loved the idea.

My cheat-sheet for sizing.

The calligraphy blocks are true to the size of the original; 80 x 115mm. Although I also tried to match the number of lines, I ended up with two more; basically I should have moved up in nib size. For the actual page size I had to go with what I thought work visually and that would allow for framing; the original manuscript has at some point been drastically trimmed and the original size has been lost.

There are a number of marginal texts written in red ink. The idea for these came from Lucien who offered up the first one, I added in more which were adapted from those found in Marc Drogin's book Anathma! Off course I didn't write any of them down, hopefully Dreda is willing to let me know what I wrote so that I can add them to this post!

Now I'd like to tell you about my friend Dreda.

Dreda (and Lucien) were there at my very first event, War of the Roses; camping with the then Baron of Concordia of the Snows, Angus Kerr (now Pembridge). Our little blue ground-pimple was hidden out back so as not to ruin the aesthetic of the the canvas camp, but we were welcomed with open arms. This woman embraced us with her smile and helped to make us feel welcome.

I saw a lot of her (them) that first year, becoming more and more mesmerized by this couple that were always kind, that took the time to welcome me without being overwhelming, and showed me the beauty of their respective period arts. I watched from an ever shortening distance and learned the pride that could be taken in even the smallest of things and that dedicated period research is a thing of true beauty.

Most of my formative and transportive moments involve my voyeurism of this beautiful woman. I would not be where I am today without those early experiences and these days she is one of the first people I look to when doing my own research. It was my absolute pleasure to be involved in her elevation to the Order of the Laurel.

Surface: Goat parchment (double-side finish) from Pergamena.
Materials: Mitchel #4 nib for the calligraphy and a crow-quill nib for line work; Oak Gall Ink, Ruby Red Writing Ink from "Arte of the Booke" and Higgins (Blue) Pigmented Drawing Ink. Jerry Tressers Gesso overlaid with 23k gold leaf. Period pigments used - lapis lazuli, vermilion, lead white

Words by Maistre Lucien de Pontivy and Master Peregrine the Illuminator.

Main text:
O how fortunate are they, the succulents and blossoms on the farthest branches of the tree of knowledge, which are fed the strength of the green wood from the very roots. 

For lo: Aildreda de Tamworthe is the soul of memory and the society, the deepest roots and the greenest boughs, whose gifts of language, song, and learning fuel our growing spirits and inspire us to better ourselves for the good of all, and of the Society. She inspires us, with song and graceful eloquence and a rich store of language, to gentle our restless minds and to stir our sleepy souls. She guides us, in meet space and moment, to embark on voyages of discovery and learning. She leads us, by research and by learnéd example, to seek and strive to be exemplars of our own chosen times and places. 

Aildreda de Tamworthe willingly and freely, directly and casually, with attention to detail and fine subtleties, supplies her fellow scholars, artisans, and scientists with research material concerning any historical matter, from clothes to food to domestic life to music to habits of mind and speech, as naturally as if they were her very own, and with surpassing generosity of spirit. 

These are the green boughs which curl into the wreath of Laurel. 

For these and for her service to the Kingdom Arts and Sciences, and to the Society, Edward King and Thyra Queen do award Mistress Aildreda de Tamworthe Arms by Letters Patent and welcome her into our own Order of the Laurel. Done by our hand on February 21 A.S. 49 at the Baronial Investiture in Dragonship Haven.

Marginal texts:

• Dreda she is called, this Lady of Tamworthe, Aildreda by name after Aetheldreda her forbear.

Scroll ID: Isabel C 51
Time Invested: 26 hours
Completed February 20, 2015

Cited works:
DROGIN, Marc. Anathema! Medieval Scribes and the History of Book Curses. Totowa NJ: Allanheld, Osmun & Co. Publishers Inc., 1983. Print. ISBN 0-8390-0301-3

Oðindísa Býkona (Laurel)

Order of the Laurel
Feast of the Seven Deadly Sins, Barony of Delftwood (Aethelmearc)
Awarded February 7, 2015 (AS XLIX/49)

Details:
Calligraphy & Illumination by Isabel Chamberlaine. Inspired by Flateyjarbok GKS 1005 fol. 79r. (can be found on "page 9" of the links in the top-right corner).

Surface: Goat parchment (single-side finish) from Pergamena.
Materials: Mitchel #4 nib for the calligraphy and a crow-quill nib for line work; Oak Gall Ink, Ruby Red Writing Ink from "Arte of the Booke" and Higgins (Blue) Pigmented Drawing Ink. Period pigments used - French ochre, green earth, vermilion, (home-made) verdigris; Windsor & Newton titanium white and purple.

Words by Fridrikr Tomasson

In Old Norse:
Þá á vetra stofnans fertugundi ok níundi, Rikardsmessa inn Konung, inn nótt tuttugundi ok annarr þorsmánaðar ok nótt sjaundi mánaðar fimti einvalds Titus ok Anna Leigh, Konunginn Æthelmerc ok Kvenna. Gegnum meðan hæstir eru stormar um vetrinn fóru á Vindkverns Staðd á hinna Syndar Sjau Dauðligra Hóf. Þar tala hinn skaldshvítskeggjaðr heyrðu

Ok hann sagði:

Engis gulla augar óðrærs æna smyrill; flugastinga súpa sæta mjölkblóms lævíss. Vængar með höggvanda vínsvelgr fljóta til býhus Þer hunangs ymrþjuða þrekliga stemma lækrgull. Meyja hroska meldrar mala luma hunangs - lærdóms glaðast landvörð ljoseld halda blossi. Runum Freyjas fela - fjarðlog herjar hirða. Riki býheims hrósa ræriróðs prúðlig meyja. Birtigulla býtár bekkr damstæð leka játir barajastars yndiligr bekkr vindsgnýr. Hrannir út hann dynjað Hárs á saltunnu skáldit siglað Óðinns segjað skaldskipit ok ölhrönn.  Ágæta Óðindisa afusa meyja gullin. Bóndar mikill býkongs berrat órdsmíðs bjórveig.

Þá er heyrðu þessa, Titus ok Anna Leigh fundu Oðindisa bykona, aldæll ok víta, mætr ganga í bönd með bróðernit lárviðs af vísi býhalda vítr ok læring hana af vísi þat. Gjöf gefu henni, nafn aeðlæst ok skjaldnafn: Fjólublátt, sól í dýrð hans, á æðstu gulli þrjú perur grænt, eiginn hennar af opið bref. Ok gleðusk állr! 

Þus endast nóttsaginn einvalds Titus ok Anna Leigh, Konungr ok Kvenna Aethelmearc.

English Translation:
Then, in the forty-ninth winter from the Founding, on the Feast day of Richard the King, being the 22nd night of Thor-month, and the seventh night of the fifth month of the reign of Titus and Anna Leigh, the King of AEthelmearc and his Queen traveled in the depth of winter to visit their WindMill Stead for the Seven Deadly Sins Feast. There they heard the White-Beard Skald speak. And he said:

Meadow´s golden-eyes gathers the hawk of wisdom The sting-fly sips sweet blooms' strong milk Drunkard with wings staggering floats to home at bee house There the buzzing-tribe strongly stems the stream-gold. Maiden of the mill wise measures golden honey. Brings to landward  brightest beacon´s light of learning. Keeps she Freya's secrets, keeps the baron's fjord-flame. King of bee-home praises wisdom's stately maiden. Bright-gold bee-tears frozen brook the golden dam-yard leaks. Charming bee-tear brook squall yields finest yeast-wave. Har's waves flow to high hall barrel quenches skald's thirst. Skalds ships sails all ways over Odin's ale-wave. Thanks to golden maiden, Oðindisa's glory, Bee-king's minions many bring to wordsmith strong drafts.


After hearing this, Titus and Anna Leigh found Othindisa bykona, gentle and wise, most worthy of taking the oath of a Companion of the Laurel Brotherhood for her studies in the science of keeping bees and her teaching of that science, and They gave her a gift of a Most Noble Name and the shield-naming: Purpure, a sun in his splendor, on a chief Or three pears vert, hers alone by Letters Patent. And all rejoiced! 

Thus ends this night-saga of the reign of Titus and Anna Leigh, King and Queen of Æthelmearc.

Scroll ID: Isabel C 50
Time Invested: 17h
Completed January 25, 2015.