My friend Sorcha Dhocair had been given a writ for the Masters of Defense, and she was scheduled to be elevated at court at Pennsic 47. Was asked by Myrun Leifsdottir if I would do the words. She showed me the work in progress, which blew me away. We talked about potential sources and I asked about word court. Myrun said "However many you want". This... no. You do not tell that to a wordsmith. Everything goes to hell. She promised me she had a small hand. I told her I would limit myself to 250 words, and then I was bad and went to 268.
Wherefore, you young branch of this noble art, unto you I do make this earnest request, that you will bestow all your idle time, which too many spend in frivolous company and in drunkenness, in giving good counsel unto such young people as do frequent your company, teaching them besides skill with blades, how to manage their weapons, and how, and when to appoint the field, but not upon every boastful quarrel, and chiefly of all, charging them from drunkenness, and all other vices belonging thereunto, which make their souls stink of sulphur and brimstone, and thus doing will purchase you, not only the love of Your Monarchs, but likewise of all the world, and your good report will be in every person’s mouth, yea it will go before you in your travels, like as with an herald of arms, or else like a speedy post, overtake you wheresoever you go. And so to aid you in performing these good acts and to allow you to be received with all due honor and respect do we further give unto you all the rights, privileges and honors which are possessed of a Peer of the Society and name you a Companion of the Order of Defense and order that you shall possess fully and freely Arms by Letters Patent: Per pale purpure and vert, on a lozenge argent a rose proper,
Given by Us on the fields of Pennsic, Anno Societatus fifty-three.
Now, Swetnam's words are sort of... salty. I am told there was much merriment in the audience. I gather in Swetnam's time, Fencers had a reputation not unlike the reputation SCAdian fencers have in the East. However if you read my words carefully, it shows how Sorcha stands above that reputation. She does "give good council", teaches people which end of a blade is what, and also how to comport one's self on the field. Her good report really is on every person's tongue. It his historically correct, and it is also not an exaggeration. I admire her greatly.
Sadly, I am not sure that came across in the moment. I think it was just funny to the court, and while funny has a purporse, it should not always be applied. I have to think about using references like this in the future.
Text of MoD Scroll:
Hear the words of Brennan and Caoilfhionn, Basileus & Bassilissa of the glorious East Kingdom unto their servant Sorcha Dhocair upon her Elevation to the Order of Defense:Wherefore, you young branch of this noble art, unto you I do make this earnest request, that you will bestow all your idle time, which too many spend in frivolous company and in drunkenness, in giving good counsel unto such young people as do frequent your company, teaching them besides skill with blades, how to manage their weapons, and how, and when to appoint the field, but not upon every boastful quarrel, and chiefly of all, charging them from drunkenness, and all other vices belonging thereunto, which make their souls stink of sulphur and brimstone, and thus doing will purchase you, not only the love of Your Monarchs, but likewise of all the world, and your good report will be in every person’s mouth, yea it will go before you in your travels, like as with an herald of arms, or else like a speedy post, overtake you wheresoever you go. And so to aid you in performing these good acts and to allow you to be received with all due honor and respect do we further give unto you all the rights, privileges and honors which are possessed of a Peer of the Society and name you a Companion of the Order of Defense and order that you shall possess fully and freely Arms by Letters Patent: Per pale purpure and vert, on a lozenge argent a rose proper,
Given by Us on the fields of Pennsic, Anno Societatus fifty-three.
Analysis:
Sorcha's Persona is 14th Century Irish, but there are no fencing manuals from that culture or period, so I went with an English text, as the English liked to think of themselves as ruling the Irish, and it was as close as I could get.Now, Swetnam's words are sort of... salty. I am told there was much merriment in the audience. I gather in Swetnam's time, Fencers had a reputation not unlike the reputation SCAdian fencers have in the East. However if you read my words carefully, it shows how Sorcha stands above that reputation. She does "give good council", teaches people which end of a blade is what, and also how to comport one's self on the field. Her good report really is on every person's tongue. It his historically correct, and it is also not an exaggeration. I admire her greatly.
Sadly, I am not sure that came across in the moment. I think it was just funny to the court, and while funny has a purporse, it should not always be applied. I have to think about using references like this in the future.
I hope Sorcha likes it anyway.
Primary Source Material:
Joseph Swetnam - Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence -1617
Modernized Transcription by David Kite Words: Folio C2 Recto
“Now as this art is called a noble art, and not so named unfittingly, being rightly understood, for there is no art nor science more to be preferred before this, for that there is none that jumps in equality, nor that matches in singularity or that has so many sundry subtle devices and ingenious inventions, as this noble art of defense has.” … “ how can perfection be attained but by practice, and therefore it also behooves thee to use practice with sundry men, and so to make use of the diversity of each man‟s skill, and then for thy benefit, ... she is not therefore to be condemned of envy, but rather to be commended of all.”
(Pg 24) “ Wherefore, you young branches of this noble art of defense, of you I mean to speak, and unto you I do make this earnest request, that you will bestow all your idle time, which too too many spend in idle company, and in drunkenness, such ill spent time, I could wish, that it were either bestowed in reading of good books, or in giving good counsel unto such young men as do frequent your company, teaching them besides skill with weapons, how to manage their weapons, and how, and when to appoint the field, but not upon every drunken quarrel, and chiefly of all, charging them from profaning the Sabbath day, drunkenness, and all other vices belonging thereunto, which make their white souls so black an ink, stinking before God as it were the smoke of sulphur and brimstone: and thus doing will purchase you, not only the love of God, but likewise of all the world, and your good report will be in every man‟s mouth, yea it will go before you in your travels, like as with an herald of arms, or else like a speedy post, overtake you wheresoever you go, whereas on the contrary side, those which do spend their days in drunkenness, and leading their lives lasciviously one misfortune or other happens unto them, either by the loss of a limb, or by the loss of an eye, or by the loss of their lives. “
“Given by Us on this most beautiful August day on the fields of Pennsic, Anno Societatus fifty-three.”
Brennan and Caoilfhionn, Empress & Emperor or Basileus & Basilissa or Autokrator & Autokratera
Inspirational assistance from other SCAdians, The Great and Mighty Alys Mackintosh
Scroll Illumination Sources:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/387561?sortBy=Relevance&%3Bft=Abraham%20Bosse&%3Boffset=0&%3Brpp=100&%3Bpos=44
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/699945?sortBy=Relevance&%3Bft=Abraham%20Bosse&%3Boffset=300&%3Brpp=100&%3Bpos=321
Modernized Transcription by David Kite Words: Folio C2 Recto
“Now as this art is called a noble art, and not so named unfittingly, being rightly understood, for there is no art nor science more to be preferred before this, for that there is none that jumps in equality, nor that matches in singularity or that has so many sundry subtle devices and ingenious inventions, as this noble art of defense has.” … “ how can perfection be attained but by practice, and therefore it also behooves thee to use practice with sundry men, and so to make use of the diversity of each man‟s skill, and then for thy benefit, ... she is not therefore to be condemned of envy, but rather to be commended of all.”
(Pg 24) “ Wherefore, you young branches of this noble art of defense, of you I mean to speak, and unto you I do make this earnest request, that you will bestow all your idle time, which too too many spend in idle company, and in drunkenness, such ill spent time, I could wish, that it were either bestowed in reading of good books, or in giving good counsel unto such young men as do frequent your company, teaching them besides skill with weapons, how to manage their weapons, and how, and when to appoint the field, but not upon every drunken quarrel, and chiefly of all, charging them from profaning the Sabbath day, drunkenness, and all other vices belonging thereunto, which make their white souls so black an ink, stinking before God as it were the smoke of sulphur and brimstone: and thus doing will purchase you, not only the love of God, but likewise of all the world, and your good report will be in every man‟s mouth, yea it will go before you in your travels, like as with an herald of arms, or else like a speedy post, overtake you wheresoever you go, whereas on the contrary side, those which do spend their days in drunkenness, and leading their lives lasciviously one misfortune or other happens unto them, either by the loss of a limb, or by the loss of an eye, or by the loss of their lives. “
Additional Notes:
Suggestions given by Nataliia, Tyger Clerk Signet:“Given by Us on this most beautiful August day on the fields of Pennsic, Anno Societatus fifty-three.”
Brennan and Caoilfhionn, Empress & Emperor or Basileus & Basilissa or Autokrator & Autokratera
Inspirational assistance from other SCAdians, The Great and Mighty Alys Mackintosh
Scroll Illumination Sources:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/387561?sortBy=Relevance&%3Bft=Abraham%20Bosse&%3Boffset=0&%3Brpp=100&%3Bpos=44
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/699945?sortBy=Relevance&%3Bft=Abraham%20Bosse&%3Boffset=300&%3Brpp=100&%3Bpos=321
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