The Pen is Mightier

  Cedric Campbell, in his youth, wanted to learn fencing and the art of combat.  Also he wanted to know of the temper of iron, and the qualities of each weapon, as much for defense as for offense, and most of all matters of mortal combat.  And the aforesaid Cedric did learn the aforesaid things from many Society masters, namely Westerners and An Tiri, and in Drachenwald in many cities, with great fatigue and with great expense from so many masters and scholars. And in so many courts of great lords, princes, dukes, countesses and counts, knights and squires did he undertake this art, so that the aforesaid Cedric was more and more retained by many lords and ladies and armigers for learning the art of fencing and of combat. Thus Tyndal and Emerson, Kings to the Eastern Throne, seeing that the aforesaid Cedric had studied the sword for 30 years, while asserting that he is not a perfect master in this art, did decide to induct him into the Order of Defense, and declare to all ...

It is obvious that in the elemental world there is nothing more magnificent and noble than the precious existence of monarchs, on whose high mindedness the external order of the world depends.  It is certain that to entrust a world to one person and to place the affairs of the world in the hands of one individual is to put the world of meaning to her , or rather to create the soul of the world of meaning - particularly a monarch who can detect whiffs of breezes of spiritual spring and grace the throne of success, who has attained a higher rank and has become a painter in the studio of meaning, a host of the banquet of reality, an intimate in the private apartments of the visible world, and a confidant in the pavilion of unity, and who graces the throne of felicity with good fortune. Be it known by these letters patent, read into the court of Sultan Mohammad Al Wajdi Al Abderrafi Al Manil Ibn Horrah Ibn Gowan and Brenhines Corotica merkka Senebelnae, on October 1, AS 57,that the p...

 Lorenzo,  Shall I compare thee to a chatelaine?  Thou art more stalwart and more clement.  Rough demos used to teach and entertain Stirs the soul with sword and flying pennant.  Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines, Sometimes too wet, too dark, with sun bedimmed, But every faire thy gen’rous teaching signs new Eastern fencers who can kill… or limb. Despite thy fearsome skill with pen and blade, Thy secret heart protects a gentle spirit  As all the Roses in this court arrayed Attest thy courtesy that each may hear it.  For what is clear for any eye to see This man’s a more than worthy peer to me. ------------- I could not attend my friend's elevation this past weekend.  Lorenzo was awarded his Pelican for his service in running SCA demos and recruiting new people. He had asked his Pelican, Alys Mackyntoich if I could speak for him for the Rose. As I was reviewing his body of work, and while thinking of the fact he had a 16th Century persona,...

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 Sultan R'youko’jin and Sultana Indrakshi. We have commanded that Our Knight Sterling De La Rosa, having pleased us with his advice, his service, and the skill of his sword, be made a Baron of our Court. May he be granted a plot of land close by the Iron Bog, fertile and damp, which bears many large stones.  This command, thus given in writing, must therefore be enacted before the sun has set on this day, the 4th of June in the 57th year of the Society, from Our Dīvān at Southern Region War Camp. ------------ Word Count: 126 Words by Countess Marguerite inghean Lachlainn My R=research notes from previous Ottoman scrolls:  http://www.thepenmightier.com/2019/01/ideas-for-ottoman-scroll-texts.html Persona notes: https://wiki.eastkingdom.org/wiki/Sterling_De_La_Rosa Notes f...

Without running on in poetical fashion,  without using hyperbolic figures of speech, which are too clearly courtier’s flattery, we should turn our attention to praising Fortune Sancte Keyne, the one and only wonder and miracle of nature, the high ruler of the sea, lofty courtesan, favorable & strong,  without equivalent or peer in the world.  In her the Crowns of the East take pleasure in elevating her into the secure, eternal nest of the Pelican, an Order which had been incomplete. Done this day anno societatis LVI, at the Aisles of March by the great good wisdom of Ioannes II & Honig II -------------------- The words for this are based on the writing of courtesan and poet Veronica Franco.  The recipient of this Pelican is Countess Fortune Sancte Keyne, whose persona is an Italian Courtesan.  She is a member of the Knowne World Courtesan's Guild and hosts a regular book club called “sex book club” where the participants read period texts and discuss ...

And so she navigated to our shore,  Fair winds had brought her safely to the East, She’d carried brushes, paints and clever lore, With Winston, truest friend and feline beast. Then once she’d found a land with opened doors, She made, for friends and Kings, her art into a feast. This is the land for which she’d ever longed; The sweetness of a home where she belonged. Thus, at the Sixth Ethereal Court of the Eastern Consuls of the East, Tindal and Alberic, do induct Cezilia Raposa into our Order of the Silver Brooch.   ---------- This is a scroll text for one of my dearest friends, Cezillia Raposa.  The scroll was illuminated by Mistress Nataliia and the caligraphy was by Baroness Faeillin, who has since become the Signet of all the Eastern Scribes (a kingdom level job).  This was a fun scroll for us to collaborate on, because Cezillia, Nataliia and I have worked together for other ...er...  victims.. in the past, and Nataliia also used to be the Signet, so t...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 t...

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. 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 frequen...