The Pen is Mightier

Considering the art of the blade is grounded upon offense and defense, both of which are practiced in the straight and circular lines, for that a man may not otherwise strike or defend.

And because, the knowledge of the manner and time to strike and defend, does of itself teach us the skill how to reason and dispute thereof only, and the end and scope of this Art consists not in reasoning, but in doing [[: therefore to him that is desirous to prove so cunning in this Art, as is needful, it is requisite not only that he be able to judge, but also that he be strong and active to put in execution all that which his judgment comprehends and sees. And this may not be done without strength and activity of body]].

Moreover, because this art is a principle member of the military profession, which altogether is the ornament of all the world, therefore it ought not to be exercised in brawls and at fairs, but as members of the Order of the Golden Rapier conduct themselves, namely, to exercise it f…

AOAs for Ibraham and Nesrin

Ibrahim

A jewel of great worth is Alman Ibrahim
He succeeds as if good luck were part of him;
Sitting curia for Ravensdale Stronghold,
His words are wise, his judgement is manifold.
The Shah’s court speak well of him in poem and prose,
His good name has pleased our regal Eastern Rose.

Thus, on this (number) day of (month), Anno Societatis (year), We, Wilhelm & Vienna, Köenig and Könegin of the East Kingdom, are moved to Award unto him Arms to be borne by him alone: (arms if any). Done by Our hand at (event name) in Our (name of host group).

Nesrin

Like a rose whose petals opened overnight,
Like a diamond which transforms the dark to light
Our Nesrin Bint Suleyman opens her heart
And welcomes newcomers to practice their art.
Far her fame has spread, a welcome desert pool.
The Shah holds her as a  precious national jewel.

Thus, on this (number) day of (month), Anno Societatis (year), We, Wilhelm & Vienna, Köenig and Könegin of the East Kingdom, are mo…

An Ottoman Berāt in the form of a mülk (a land grant)

This is the command of the noble, exalted, lofty sultinic sign and the illustrious, world-conquering khakanic tuğra… may it be effective through Divine aid and Eternal protection!  Heed the mighty words of the Sultan Ozur and Sultana Fortune: We have commanded that Our warrior, Midir of Quintavia, having pleased us on the tournament field with the skill of his sword, be inducted into the Order of the Silver Rapier, and be granted a plot of land in Quinitavia, wooded and fertile with large stones.  This command, thus given in writing, must therefore be enacted before the sun has set on this day, the 27th of April in the 53rd year of the Society, from Our Dīvān at Balfar’s Challenge.

Commentary:
Relying on my original research, I was able to create an AOA level fighting award for a gentleman who starting coming to my regular rapier practice.  At the time we thought his persona was Turkish, and so when the assignment came up, Nataliia,…

Most fearsome warrior, most honored counselor, source of all good order in the world, administrator of the affairs of war and of right thinking. When this exalted Imperial cipher is read aloud, be it known that Sterling de la Rosa, noble of bearing, skilled in diverse arts of the blade, faithful subject of the East, shall be named a Knight of the Society. We, Sultan Wilhelm & Sultana Vienna of the Eastern Realm, have commanded that the afore named be given all the rights befitting a knight, arms by letters patent  (arms information here) as well as the responsibility to defend the weak and helpless, and to act in the manner of a peer, with courtesy and respect for all peoples, even the enemies that stand before the East. We so command that this be accomplished forthwith, on this day 30th Day of March in the 53rd Year of our Society, at Our Divan at Mudthaw.

Commentary:

Sterling has a 16th Century Ottoman persona, so I researched Ottoman Court documents to try to arrive at a word te…

While working on a scroll text for an Ottoman persona, I discovered a lack of resource materials available in English for Ottoman legal documents.  I ended up buying a copy of Imperial Ottoman Fermans, Exhibition Catalogue, an expensive and little known resource, half in Turkish and half in English.  I had originally wanted to borrow it from the library, but the only copies listed on WorldCat.org were in Turkey and Germany, even though you can buy the book on Amazon.

As a resource for the art of Ottoman legal documents, this book is AMAZING, I highly recommend getting your own copy if that is what interests you.  However, if you are buying this book as a resource for the language used in the texts, let me save you the trouble.  The book does not translate the documents.  It gives each one a full page color photo, and then it has a short explanation of what it is, one paragraph in Turkish and one in English .  Half the translated description describes the image you are seeing, and then…

Master Donovan contacted me privately and said he had a chunk of period text he wanted to turn into a peerage scroll, but he didn’t know where to start, and could I help him figure it out? He failed to mention who the scroll was for or which peerage, so I went into this one blind.  I didn’t find out until it was read in court, nor that I got partial credit for composition until that time. So if you wanted to know what I think about and how I think about it when I tackle a period text, below is an example.
The Text is from the Wiktenauer translation of Capo Ferro. He wanted to use the Leoni translation, but Wiktenauer is what he had access to.

It is not my intention to hold you at bay with pompous and splendid words, in the recommending to you of the profession of arms that I practice. It is extolled in the due order of its merit, for which it is greatly prized and honored, and always praised, and the greatness and valor are commended of those who worthily carry the sword at their sid…