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 ...

 Whenever you earnestly want to fight with Matthias Grunwald then observe how you arrange a duel with him and at which hour. Afterward, equip yourself with everything according to need, and do this yourself in secret. And tell no one what you have in mind, because your courage might fail you. And equip your gloves according to your advantage with everything, sword and gambeson, hose, and whatever you then want to use. And consider, possibly, canceling this duel, as he is a master of defense and you can still legally withdraw from fighting him if you want. R’you and Indrakshi, the good crowns, affirm the truth of that, and make Matthias a member of the Order of Defense on the year of the Society 57, at the Pennsic War.    (129 words) Process Notes:  We had 3 weeks to get this peerage scroll done. I was teamed up with Baroness Keziah who needed to do both the calligraphy and illumination.  Because Matthias’ persona is German, I wanted to do something from the Germ...

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...

This was one of those speeches that I had a framework for going into court, but it was not written down or rehearsed in advance. I knew the beginning and the end, and I had the base idea I wanted to embed in the middle of the speech, then I noodled my way into connecting the beginning to the base idea, expounding on the base idea and then moving from that exposition into to the conclusion. It works because the conclusion is strong and I can sell the speech with personal magnetism. It is remembered by others in the room as being one of the better speeches of the day for those reasons. That said, looking at it logically once it has been transpired, it is a mediocre speech with many run on sentences, and I injected myself too much. Don’t do this at home, kids. FB link to Anastasia's Vigil My piece starts at 8:05. "I am Countess Marguerite Ingean Lachlainn, (Bows to the Crown). A Lady of the Rose is supposed to speak about Courtesy, but today I am going to speak about ...

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...