Scroll Text - Alrekr Begsson - Millrind 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Service Award

ar the exclusive words of the King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc to Our exceptional Alrekr Begsson. Let Us expound on the service to which you have shown to Our Kingdom as Commander General of Our archers. Let Us explicate the distance you have traveled to ranges throughout Our Lands, exorcising evil targets with fine examples of archery as you exercise Our archers as they explore the ranges as you watch over them. No one has to explain to Us of the exceptional work you do for AEthelmearc. Many Nobles and Peers expressed concern that you did so much work for the archery community that We had barely exhaled your name when a loud exclamation arose from the Noble Order of the Millrind begging a boon that you, Alrekr Begsson, be extradited from the quiet ranges and be extoled and exuded into the aforesaid Order without exemption. We expect no word of excuse from you as We give and grant unto you a position within the exemplary Millrind and take from us the a token, that We extend to you, of your new station. In witness do We, Gareth and Julianna, sign this warrant on the 24th Day of October, AS 61, at Agincourt. And if anyone be so rash or daring, let them be exiled, exenterated, expeled, exscinded, and expunged from Our Lands so that they expire in the wilderness.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55549434394/in/dateposted/

The evolution of Swiss army knives.

 

Ask Another Laurel - Italian Inception.

Shakespeare and the Italian Connection.

I have always been interested in knowing the how's and why's of weird things. I don't think I can ever remember a time where I accepted "Because it just is" as an answer. Since the last article was a tad lengthy, I will keep this one short. Ish. Come back with me to the long lost land of the 1980's, where a young Caleb was sitting in High School, Freshman English reading the Texas approved, expurgated version of "Romeo and Juliet". [1] We had reached a certain scene in the text book where Mercutio warns Romeo that Tybalt fights in the Italian style, and I raised my hand. "Mrs. Defenbaugh? What are the odds that I'm going to remember your name in 40 years? Follow up question: Why is one Italian telling a 2nd Italian that a 3rd Italian fights in the Italian style when all of them live in an Italian city in Italy?" Mrs. Defenbaugh didn't have an answer, and gave me a look that I recognized as "I don't get paid enough to deal with your stupid questions." Well, to keep this article short (ish), the answer is that's what Shakespeare wrote. Thanks for read.... Okay. There is an actual answer.  

Promo picture from the 1968 "Romeo and Juliet"

England had a love/hate relationship with Italy. While most people, i.e.: the commoners, had little to no interaction with Italians and Italian products, the upper classes were agog over everything Italian. The average person on the street viewed the Italians as a source of mockery; they talked funny, they walked differently, they ate different food, and they didn't dress like good old fashion Englishmen. But, those at the top wanted everything the Italians could provide; cheese, spices, silks, the latest in fashion, and the latest in fashionable swords, all financed by Italian bankers.

But first, we need to talk about people. More specifically, servants. We have to understand that many of the household servants were not commoners, but actually members of the upper classes. One might wonder why the upper crust would stoop to acting as servants; even the fourth son of a Lord would have some amount of social rank. First of all, we have to not think in Victorian or Edwardian terms. In Tudor times, there were servants and then there were servants. "Trusted employees" I think would be a better term. If the Lady of the manor needed someone to go out and buy 20 Shillings of spices, whom should she send? A lower-class, household servant who is paid 10 pennies a week and might take the spices, or the cash, and run off, never to be seen again? Or a trusted employee, who might be a blood relation, who would not be tempted to steal the money or spices, and would be of higher rank than the spice merchant and would be less likely to be cheated? If the Lord of the manor needed people to watch his back as he went to meet a competitor, who would be better in a fight? The stable boys or gentry trained in the use of a sword? In addition, if you were hosting a fancy-schmancy dinner party and needed servers, whom would you prefer to hob-nob with the nobs? The kitchen servants, who wouldn't know a Duke from an Earl if they were smacked upside the head with a chain of office, or people who grew up in a well-off household and were taught, from an early age, all of the modes of address for nobility and how to comport one's self. One would have to know the rank and station of all of the guests to ensure that this person is served before that person. The regular house-hold servants can wait at the tables of the people "below the salt" but if one wanted to impress the upper classes, the tables "above the salt" would need a higher class of servant. Better dressed and better educated.

In exchange for running the occasional errand or waiting on the tables of the elite, these trusted employees had a job that paid considerably more than a common servant. Lodging was often included so that the Lords and Ladies would have their employees on hand if needed, any time day of night. They also had a private army, loyal to them, to act as body guards and armed companions for their own children. We are told that part of the process of becoming a knight, in the middle ages, was first becoming a page and then a squire, often in the house of a knight trusted by the parents of the child. First son would inherit the land and title: second son would join the Church: third, fourth, and fifth sons would be placed in other households to find them employment and keep them busy learning the art of fighting and of diplomacy. This method of fostering just evolved into a more transactional program. One house would align themselves with another, more wealthy, house. That house would take the children, teens and young men, and young women, as well, although not for all of the same reasons, [2] put them in livery and boom: the wealthy household now has a cadre of well educated, physically fit people that can show off the station of the household. And who would be loyal to them; perhaps more loyal than blood cousins. While most were employed as potential muscle, those with cerebral talent might be sent off to a university that their own parents would not have been able to afford. Once educated in business and accounting, the sponsor would have a loyal man looking over the books for the household. But, Shakespeare didn't write any plays about accountants. [3] 

This relationship between households, and between cousins and relations, became part and parcel of the times. Larger households had access to well trained young men to act as trusted servants, bodyguards, and companions, and the smaller households had a way to improve the lot of extra children and gained important allies from larger, more prosperous households which would protect them if attacked by business or social rivals. This created an elite army, loyal to the grand house that employed them, and while common servants could be no better than street thugs, these noble servants were better trained and armed, and a force to be reckoned with. In "Romeo and Juliet", in the opening scene, we find Sampson and Gregory, common servants, antagonizing Abram, a social superior and a Montague (*gasp*). Shakespeare would have decked out Sampson and Gregory with the standard kit of the time, bucklers and broadswords, which would have told the audience the social rank of the two characters. Particularly when the Bard has Sampson say, "Draw if you be men. Gregory, remember thy washing blow." Shakespeare is telling the audience that these two men had at least some training in the "old fashioned" method of swordplay. But, when Tybalt and Benvolio show up, they would have been outfitted differently. 

By the time "Romeo and Juliet" was first performed, some when around 1594, a revolution in sword technology was already steaming along a full blast. The long, slender rapier was well established and new fencing styles were available, for the right price, that took advantage of the longer blades. England, up to the mid 16th century, was dominated by the German buckler style we now call I.33; after close to 300 years, the "buckler style" was so entrenched in English sword fighting that the caricature of the swashbuckling soldier, with the particular gait causing his buckler knocking against his sword, made an actor instantly recognizable upon the stage before any words are spoken. George Silver's book, "Paradoxes of Defense" [4] was, in part, an updated version of the I.33 manuscript. England had a school of sword play called The Masters of Defense, where people would go to learn and make public trials of their skills. After a decade of training and trials, one was allowed to call themselves a master and be allowed to open up their own school of sword play.

Cover of the 1599 edition of Silver's work.

I.33, Fol. 01r, describing the first 4 wards.

 In 1570 Giacomo di Grassi, an Italian, published his fight book "Ragione di adoprar sicuramente l'Arme" ("Discourse on Wielding Arms with Safety") which took a different approach to sword and buckler fighting. In I.33, the buckler is used primarily for defense: either to protect the hand wielding the sword or as the book calls it, a "castle wall" which must be avoided or laid under siege. di Grassi proposed using the buckler more actively and in a more offensive fashion. While Italian copies of "Discourse" were available in England, courtesy of Italian teachers, the book was fully translated into English and published in 1594 under the title of "His True Arte of Defence". di Grassi, like Silver, geared his teaching towards the common soldier. While DiGrassi did mention rapiers, he was adamant that they had no place on the battle field. 

Cover of the 1570 edition of di Grassi's work

di Grassi, plate 16

While dueling did occur in London, both in formal and impromptu settings, they generally weren't lethal. At least according to coroner's reports. People did die, but looking at court reports, most of the deaths and serious injuries occurred due to large scale fights rather than individual duels. This was partly to do with how society was structured. This was, in part, to the public training and testing of these Masters of Defense. For the most part, everyone was taught the same fencing style and trained to follow the same rules. The trials, which again were public, were places where trainees would show that they knew their lessons and the rules. Actually killing your opponent, during these trials, wasn't the point. While people were seriously injured and killed in street brawls, getting into a formal duel, on the street, was generally "safe" as it was very likely that the two duelists were trained to the same standards and the constant, public trials under strict rules made it less likely for one or both parties to break with tradition. A duel could be settled with "first blood" or similar. The appearance of being a well trained gentleman was, usually, more important than being seen as an out of control monster. This, of course, only applied to people who were allowed to carry a sword. 

What does this have to do with Italy? Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up. In English Law, and in London Law in particular, the only people who were allowed to openly carry a sword were soldiers or city guard while on official business, gentlemen with coats of arms (the nobility), and the personal guards of the nobility while wearing the livery of their boss. If you were the 3rd or 4th son of some minor noble, one with a modest title but not much wealth, you might go work for a higher ranking family. One with more money and the need for a... well.... private army. These nobles for hire had the education and training to be companions of higher ranking peers; not social equals, but high enough to accompany the elite as they walked around London. Walking around armed, to be sure. Personal body guards or a posse to discourage any thieves or kidnappers. Technically, these lower ranking men were household servants, but their actual household duties were minimal at best. They were there for public show and for the occasional muscle.

The wealthy, with money to burn, wanted the best of everything. And at the time Shakespeare was writing, the best came from Italy. Clothes, cheeses, hats, and swords. Not the broadsword, arming swords, or hangers that were the standard of England, but the new rapiers that were all the rage in Italy. Since the new swords required new fencing styles, Italian sword masters packed up and moved to London to open up elite schools catering to the elite households. The nobs would gladly pay for personalized and private training in the new styles, and would also pay for their cousins to also learn. After all, if you wanted to walk about with the latest sword, it wouldn't look good for your besties to be wearing last decade's swords. And since private instructors were already being paid to teach one person, they could also provide lessons for a small group. This created a problem. Several problems, actually.

The first was that the elites could afford private training for themselves and their close retainers, bypassing the public training and testing that ordinary people were getting. Without the formalized training of the MoD, and the strict rules on conduct and "fair play", these elites were taught to kill quickly rather than to show off one's skill and control. The second was that the Italian masters brought with them Italian concepts of personal honor. Teaching that any slight was an unforgivable insult that could only be settled by blood and death. For ordinary people, being called a liar or a coward could result in someone swinging a fist. For sword wielders, the insult could be dismissed due to drink, or through unequal social ranks. Or, a formal duel could be arraigned through normal channels. But the new method, the Italian method, required that the insult be instantly challenged and fought over right then and there. Using a weapon and training that was designed to quick thrusts that led to death more often than not. 

Thrusting was dis-encouraged with the "buckler style" and within in the structure of the MoD because it was dangerous. If you wanted to remain in the company of other swashbucklers, you played by the rules: the fraternity of the MoD would not allow "cheaters" to use thrusts, kicks, or other underhanded techniques. In fact, in England, thrusts were actually outlawed to reduce the likelihood of death during duels, self defense, and trial fights. In a proclamation of 1538:

"His majesty [Henry VIII, 1509-47], being credibly informed that divers and sundry his subjects have lately been murdered and slain in sundry frays happening by chance by reason of sudden foins [thrusts or stabs] with swords and other weapons, minding to take away the occasion of such slaying and murdering, doth straightly charge and command that no person or persons in any fray or fight that shall happen or chance between them shall use in his fight any foin or foins with his sword or other his weapon; and if any such person or persons from henceforth slay or murder any by occasion of such foin or foins, that then the offender contrary to this proclamation shall suffer death without remission or pardon, and shall lose his clergy and privilege of sanctuary." [5]

But the elites had access to cash. As much as was needed to buy pardons, or silence. Or, worse yet, the threat of killing witnesses. And this led to young, wealthy bravos roaming the streets with their loyal cousins/retainers, all carrying rapiers and intimidating anyone who might challenge them or look at them funny. You had to assume that if someone was wearing an expensive rapier, they would have paid for the training to use it. It wasn't just the threat of dueling someone skilled in the new style, it was the knowledge that that person could kill you and then walk away scot-free. 

"And since it was the rapier that hung about their hips it would be the rapier that they turned to for self-defense, for defense if their reputations and to indulge their more antisocial desires. As a result, dueling quickly became a rewarding and effective method of bullying. Or perhaps we should say that the threat of dueling facilitated upper-class bad behavior, as much as the actual dueling itself. Naturally, the swords assisted a young man in his attempts to exploit and intimidate the lower classes most satisfactorily. If your tailor started making too much noise about the need to settle your bill before he embarked upon making your next outfit, or the innkeeper was reluctant to rent you his best chamber once he had repaired the damage from last week, you had merely to allow your hand to drift towards the hilt of your sword to lend a certain immediacy to your claims for preferential treatment. It either of these tradesmen needed a little more persuasion, it was an easy matter to manufacture a supposed slight to your honor ('Do you doubt my word?!') and perhaps draw your sword a little, demanding an apology. A reputation helped, of course. The trick was to have a few very public quarrels with people who you were sure would quickly back down. Of course, you needed to look like you know what you were doing." [6]

So, London become home to gangs of wealthy, young men wandering around in Italian clothes, wearing Italian swords at their hips, swaggering around looking for something to do to fill their endless and empty free time. Seeking "entertainment". Perhaps speaking whatever Italian they learned from their sword masters. And if they "found" trouble they could buy their way out of any real trouble. They were a menace. And the average Londoner was getting sick of it. If a normal group of young men got into a fight, the city watch could break it up and drag everyone involved in front of a judge for trial and punishment. These gangs of nobility played by their own rules. The late Terry Pratchett wrote that privilege meant private law: if the penalty for starting a fight was 3 shillings, and your weekly allowance was 50 shillings, than the fine wasn't a deterrent. If your title, or daddy's title, protected you from being thrown in jail, then there was no fear of being sent up the river. Feral dogs that no one was allowed to reign in. 

Another aspect with the rapier style of fencing was that the method of fighting was different than what Silver was teaching. While the "buckler style" of dueling was done almost nose to nose, the Italian styles relied far more on the length of the blade and the ballet-like movements to move in and out of "measure"; fighting at the extreme range of the fencer and striking like a viper and then withdrawing out of reach of a counter attack. The old school fencers viewed this as cowardly: not man enough to stand toe to toe with your enemy. The Italophiles viewed this as "proper" training to give them more time to parry an incoming shot. A modern writer compared the perception of the new rapier styles to the Saxon attitude towards the mounted combat of the Normans: if you ride in to battle on a horse you are half way to running away from battle on that horse. That is, if you fight from way, way, way over there, you are giving yourself a head start on running away. 

So, London was plagued in both houses with gangs of young, wealthy, armed men who were looking for excuses to show of their fighting skills. Shakespeare wasn't describing Verona, in "Romeo and Juliet", he was describing what was going on in his home town; perhaps a touch over the top to show that as bad as it was in London, Italy was worse. "Hey", you can hear the subtext, "if you think that it's bad here, why way over there it's worse 'cause they have no English common sense. No, the English would never start a street riot over someone biting their own thumb. No, only the Italians would be so thin skinned to start a fight over biting a thumb. The English had far more control over their emotions and it would take at least a rude hand gesture to start a brawl." [7]

So, to answer the question that I had asked 40 some odd years ago in Mrs. Defenbaugh English class, Mercutio wasn't warning Romeo about Tybalt, he was telling the audience what type of person Tybalt was. But, because we're talking about William F'in Shakespeare, he told two different stories. To the nobs paying for the box seats, Tybalt was one of them; cloaked in personal honor, wore the latest in fashion, carried a rapier, and was well trained in the latest of swordplay. And to the groundings who paid a penny to stand and watch, Billy-boy told them that Tybalt was a vain, arrogant, cowardly peacock, wearing funny clothes, and carrying a sword that was obviously overcompensating for something. 

Michael York, as Tybalt, in the 1968 "Romeo and Juliet"

[1] Written about 1594 and first published in an unauthorized quarto in 1597. 

[2] Young, noble women were trained to help manage the household, act as companions to the Ladies of the house, and generally train them up to be good wives. Can you say misogyny?

[3] Okay, he did, but he didn't spend much time talking about interest rates and re-payment schedules. Okay, he did write about those things, but those are not the parts that people quote. “I am not bound to please thee with my answers.”

[4] While Silver's book was published after Romeo and Juliet's debut, Silver had been teaching swordplay for years.

[5] "Modernising the Law of Murder and Manslaughter: Part 1", Graham McBain

[6] "How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England", Ruth Goodman

[7] Not the two-fingered salute, though. This has nothing to do with Romeo and Juliet but it was a fun rabbit hole to go down. The iconic, British two-fingered hand gesture only dates back to around 1900. It was something that was only found in the North of England, somewhere around Tyneside or Newcastle. No one can figure out how it started or what it actually meant, but it was very local and might have had something to do with the iron and steel works. Fast forward to the late 1960s and writers and producers working for the BBC were looking for a rude hand gesture for all of the new comedy shows, but the BBC had strict guidelines as to what could be said or implied on TV. They had a detailed book on all of the known rude hand gestures from all over Europe. Legend has it that some director or producer was in the North Countries scouting for outdoor locations and saw this gesture in action. When he (it was most likely a he, just based on the culture of the BBC at the time) got back to London and started showing it off, he discovered that no one had ever seen it before and, more importantly, was not in the big book of rude hand gestures. It started showing up in comedy shows as the only rude hand gesture shown on screen. When the higher-ups of the BBC cracked down on it, the story about how it dated back to Henry V and Agincourt was created. You know the one. The French threatened the English archers that if they did not surrender, they, the French, would chop off the first two fingers of each of the archer's right hands. Then after they, the English, gave the French what-for, they flashed the still attached two fingers at the defeated French. So, the legend goes, it's not a "rude" hand gesture, it's a sign of defiance towards a bully. As English as the "V for Victory" salute Churchill gave. Today, it is THE English rude hand gesture that is used above all other rude hand gestures. On an related note, we do have court records, from London, that fights, and deaths, were caused by rude hand gestures. One, "the fig", or "the fig of Spain". was so rude that one could get arrested for doing it in public. Shakespeare got into some trouble when one character, in one play, said that he will give another character the fig and then walked off stage. Just mentioning the gesture got the company in trouble.

Weird thought of the day: Coffee

Weird thought of the day: Coffee was really expensive in the first coffee houses of London. People could buy a cup of coffee for a penny in the early days of coffee houses (1650s). Not a modern volume of a cup, but a coffee cup of coffee. More like a saucer than a modern cup. There are so many references to these coffee houses as "penny universities", places where anyone could go and for a single penny take part of whatever conversation or discussion that was going on, at that moment. The underlining subtext being that a penny was all that was required so that anyone could enter: rich or poor. The entrance fee to the "university" was dirt cheap. But, was it? In London, in the 1650s, a quart of average beer cost a penny. A gallon of strong beer cost 3.5 to 4 pennies. A 1 pound loaf of bread also cost a penny. So, for 2 pennies, I could either buy 2 cups of coffee or a quart of beer and a full loaf of bread. 

A penny might not sound like a lot of money, but an unskilled laborer, in London, might make 10 to 12 pennies for a full day's work; sun up to sun down. Would I pay 10% of my day's wages on a cup of coffee? No. Would I pay 10% of my day's wages on a week's worth of food? Yes. A penny for a cup of coffee might have been cheap for someone rich, but very expensive for the average working slob. 

Scene from a 17th century English coffee house. Image courtesy of Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

Baconn'd herrying

From a Facebook post (10/2/24) that I want to keep so that I don't lose the information:

 One of my friends posted this video and asked what baconn'd herrying was. I don't remember which one of ya'll and I thought that that person had tagged me. Alas, I am unable to find the poster. With hope, you will read this.

The piece in question is at time stamp 14:30 and the full quote is:

Furft, a loif of brede in trenchors, 2 manchets, a quart of bere, a quart of wyne, 2 pecys of faltfisch, 6 baconn'd herrying, · 4 white herring or a dysche of sproits.

The Works: Together With His Life, And Notes On His Life Of... (Samuel Johnson).

I did some digging and it looks like "bacon herring" is an old Scottish term for redden herrings, or red herrings, or kippers, as they are known, today.

"Writing about 1585, Montgomerie of Hesilheid, a member of a family that provided one of Kintyre's "Lowland Lairds", complained in a poem, "This is no life I lead upon a land with raw red herring reisted in a reek." In earlier times, herring were prepared for redding by being salted whole in the fish houses in heaps about two feet deep. This lasted about two days when they were washed and hung up in the smoke house on wooden rods pushed through the gills and mouths. After seven days of smoking, the oil was allowed to drip from the fish for two days, when the fire was relit. The whole process was twice repeated, and then the smoking was continued until the herring were sufficiently cured for the particular market to which they were to be sent. In the modern process, the ungutted fish are "roused", i.e. salted in vats for one or two weeks, washed and smoked for about a week, the smoking being interrupted as before to allow the oil to drip away. Red herrings were variously known as bacon herring, militiamen, and Glasgow magistrates. "Reds" were traditionally supplied to the Levant. Kippers, of course, are split and gutted before being smoked."

- Fish and Fowl and Good Red Herring, by A. I. B. Stewart. The Kintyre Antiquarian & Natural History SocietyMagazine. WebEdition3 / Mar1997

 Scroll Text - Alastar Scott McCrummin - Millrind Backlog 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Service Award

Oh, all who shall see or hear these present letters, Malcolm and Tessa, King and Queen of AEthelmearc, greeting and recommendation. We who not only by common renown but also by the report and testimony of other Nobles worthy of credence are truly advertised and informed that Alastar Scott McCrummin has long made feats of service so numerous that the scribe did not have enough ink to list them all here. We can say that the number of people whom you have fed surpasses the ability of Our own Exchequer to count. For this, and for the nobility and honor which you show everyday We say that henceforth you be admitted in the company of Our Order of the Millrind. And for the remembrance of this we assign to the aforesaid Alastar the right to bear the blazon in the manner which is fitting his new station and Grant him arms. In witness whereof We King and Queen of AEthelmearc as above named have signed with Our hands and sealed with Our seal and given the 24th day of June in the year of the Society 41.

Inspired by the 1459/60 grant of arms to John Alfrey.

Scroll Text - Anastasie deLamoure - Millrind Backlog 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Service Award

Do hear Our words, Anastasie deLamoure, We greet you well. And for as much as Our Kingdom cannot exist without the service of Our subjects, Our Realm is stronger for the service that you have done for Ourselves and Our predecessors. Of light of your service to the Thrown Weapons and archery communities, as Landed Baroness, as Exchequer, We do Grant you entrance into Our Most Noble Order of the Millrind, with all the rights and responsibilities attendant thereto and command that you wear the badge of the said Order so that all may know of your new station. Further, we command that you continue your acts of service to inspire others to follow in your footsteps. So speaks Timothy and Gabrielle, King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc, at our hunting lodge in Deftwood, at Shoot in the Wildwood, the 2nd day of September, AS52.

inspired by: Letter from the Edward IV to his officers (23 June, 1442). 

 Scroll Text - Wulfric Isernheort - Golden Alce 2026

AEthelmearc - Martial Award

Unto all gathered at this celebration of Harvest Raid, We Gareth and Julianna, King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc, greet you well. Duty and privilege move us to see that those who merit, honor, and recognition are rewarded for their efforts. The labors of Wulfric Isernheort deserve such notice. For his skill in the heavy list have caught our eyes and we are well pleased with his skills and deeds of arms. Today, we induct him into the Noble Order of the Golden Alce. We trust that now having been so recognized, this skilled and generous Lord will go on to sustain nobility and increase honor, so that all may see his many martial endeavors and be inspired. So witnessed by all assembled and signed by Our Hand on this 26th day of September, AS61 in the Shire of Heronter.

based on King Renee’s Tournament Book, 1458

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55549647660/in/photostream/

Scroll Text - Thrown Weapons Tourney Winner - Harvest Raid 2026

 Scroll Text - Thrown Weapons Tourney Winner - Harvest Raid 2026

Shire of Heronter - Martial Tourney

 were on the thrown weapons range, today, and we couldn't keep a lid on who the winner was. Not to be ironic but you threw with a great outlook as you hit bull's eye after bull's eye. Not wanting to play it safe, you took an iris method of throwing and won the thrown weapons tourney. Clearly, you were a attentive pupil when you were taught how to throw. It would be short sighted to ignore your skills; even your glancing hits increased your score. If looks could kill, your opponents would have given you 20 lashes. Not to make this accolade any cornea we wish to name you as the overall winner of today's tourney, done on this 26th day of September, AS61, at Harvest Raid 32, in the Shire of Heronter.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55549375513/in/dateposted/

 Scroll Text - Katherine Kersey - Writ for Pelican 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Writ

Pay heed to the words of the King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc. Unto Our noble servant, Katherine Kersey, Baroness of Our Court. Forasmuch as We have of late had many diverse and astonishing reports of your acts, and being that we have long known of your dutiful and diligent service to The Crown and to Our Kingdom and forasmuch as it is the duty of the Crown to recognize and provide due and just reward for those Our subjects of especial fidelity and service, do We command unto you that it be Our express pleasure and will that you answer the following question: will you join the Noble Order of the Pelican and take your place among the Peerage of the Known World. Our people will contact your people to set a day and time for you to answer this Our question. And further do We command that these Our letters shall comprise sufficient warrant and discharge of your duty in this behalf. So signed Gareth, King. So signed Julianna, Queen, on this 26th day of September, AS61, at Our hunting lodge in Our Shire of Heronter, at Harvest Raid.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55549270796/in/photostream/

Scroll Text - Heinrich Bidderman - Golden Alce 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Martial Award

Come forth good gentles of the Land and know the will of your Sylvan Sovereigns. Where as anciently from the beginning, the valiant and virtuous acts of worthy persons have been commended to the world with sundry monuments and remembrances of their good skills. Heinrich Bidderman has done commendable deeds of arms as a youth fighter, and has grown into an adult, taking up the rapier and exploring the world of cut and thrust combat. It is only fitting that We should recognize his efforts and welcome him into Our Order of the Golden Alce that all may know of his worth. So say We Oliver and Grainne, on this final day of July, at Pennsic, three score and one years after the founding of The Dream.

Based on an English Patent of Arms to an Individual, 1576

 Scroll Text - Zaphira bint Benjamin Ibrahim - Award of Excellence 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Service Award

In the Year of the Society fifty and ten, We, Andreas and Kallista, Rightful Sovereigns of the 7 Baronies, 2 Cantons, 18 Shires, 2 Colleges and 1 Dominion and of all other lands of Sylvan AEthelmearc, give to you, Baroness Zaphira bint Benjamin Ibrahim, an Award of Excellence for the awesome service that you have done for Crown and Court and for Ourselves. You have been at times a calming breeze of organization. At other times you have been a veritable fire tornado of action. You have been a force of nature herding Our retainers, docket, schedules and scrolls as if they were all trained cats. We give to you this Award Excellence, along with all the rights and privileges that accompanies it on this 11th day of April, at Our final Court, in Our Shire of Kings Crossing. And if any should deny Our Will, let them be condemned with ever lasting aches and pains for We wish this, Our Gift, be a testament to Our welbeloved friend.

inspired by A.D. 784. Ealhmund, king of Kent, to Wihtred, abbot, and his familia at Reculver; grant of 12 sulungs (aratra) at Sheldwich, Kent

 Scroll Text - Honnoria of Thescore - Millrind 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Service Award

Come forward Honnoria of Thescore and hear the words of your Sovereigns. Since We have had consultation and meeting with the Peers, Coronets, Nobles, and other principal people of Our Kingdom with regard to the quantity and quality of service which you hath done for Our Kingdom, Ourselves and Our predecessors. We will command you, strictly enjoining you in the fidelity and allegiance in which you are bound to Us, that on the 27th day of June, in the 61st year of our society, you accept from Our hands the token of the Noble Order of the Millrind and do join the said Order without delay or excuse. In witness do We,  Oliver and Grainne, King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc, commit Our hand to paper at Our Castle at Pac Interruptus, in Our The Barony of Thescorre.

inspired by Summons of a Baron to Parliament (1295)

Scroll Text - Katherine Kiersey - Millrind 2024

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Service Award

Attend Us, Noble Order of the Milrind, right trusty and right welbeloved Order. We will and command you, Our Order, to deliver, or cause to be delivered, unto Our welbeloved Katherine Kiersey, Baroness, in consideration of such service as she hath done unto Us in the Barony of the Rhydderich Hael and other areas of Our Domain, a medallion bearing the emblazon of the aforesaid Noble Order, to wit, Fieldless, a millrind argent, that she may proudly wear as We mean to add her name to the rolls of members of the Order, and besides such other benefits as We mean towards her for her service as Coronet, Scribe, and Royal Retainer. And these Our letters shall be your sufficient warrant in this behalf. Given by the hands of Oliver and Grainne, King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc, at Our castle in the Barony of June, the 27th day of October, three score and one years since the founding of Our Society, at Pax Interruptus.

based on a privy seal letter to the Treasurer and Chamberlains of the Exchequer for payment of a certain sum to William Brymingham, 27 September, 1570

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55292559775/in/dateposted/

 Scroll Text - Robert of Ferness - Scarlet Guard 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Martial Award

To all and singular as well as Nobles and Gentles to whom these present letters shall come from Oliver and Grainne, King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc, which stretches from the boarder of the Eastern Kingdom to the East, to the Middle Realm to the West, from the shores of Ealdormere to the North and the Lands of Atlantia to the South. Greetings and peace to all. Forasmuch as anciently from the beginning the valiant and virtuous acts of excellent persons have been commended to the world with sundry monuments and remembrances of their Good deserts. Know ye that of Our special grace and in consultation with certain Noble Archers of Our Realm, We by these presents for Us, Our heirs, and Successors do Give and Grant to Our trusty and well beloved servant Robert of Ferness free liberty and license from time to time, and at all times for ever hereafter, to discover, search, find out, and learn all such manner of things as may give him wisdom, knowledge and joy within and upon the archery range both within Our Realm as well as in foreign Realms as befits a Companion of the Noble Order of the Scarlet Guard and to the enrichment of the wealth and knowledge of Our most favored Kingdom of AEthelmearc. And that he do so, bearing in mind the virtues of service, chivalry, and duty which underpin Our Society. In witness where of We Oliver and Grainne, as mentioned above, have set here unto Our Hands in the Year of the Society AS 61, while sitting upon Our Thrones at War Practice in Our Shire of Steltonwald.

Inspired by the Second Grant of Arms from 1586 awarded to the Merchant Taylors and Letters Patent to Sir Humfrey Gylberte issued in 1578.

 Scroll Text - Petition to the Crown - 2006

Barony of the Rhydderich Hael - Petition to the Crown

Unto the most glorious King Gareth, and benevolent Queen Juliana, rulers of these most Sylvan lands, the shining garnet within the Known Worlds, does their humble servant, THL Brigette De Sainte Mere-Église, ever vigilant Seneschal of the stupendous Barony of the Rhydderich Hael, offer greetings and felicitations

We, the elders and the heads of Your Barony of the Rhydderich Hael and the Canton of Beau Flueve do note that our Lord Baron, Magnus de Lyons, and our Lady Baroness, Thalia Papillon, has served as our leaders and chief judges for many years. But, at this time, they wish to step down and pursue the study of the diverse arts away from the busy life at Court.

As a land of diverse Nobles, Peers and Commoners, the Barony needs guidance and a firm, yet gentle, hand to lead the way to even higher greatness. We agreed in an assembly of the community and we balloted from lesser to greater for Baroness Genevieve O'Connor and Ustät Abdullah al-Rashid, since they are wise and trustworthy and will serve as Your eyes and Your ears and will speak with Your voice.

So do we, in an assembly of all of the members of Your Barony and Canton, and if it please the Lord King and Lady Queen, request that you invest them as the Baron and Baroness of the Rhydderich Hael and of Beau Fleuve. In agreement and with a single mind do all members write and sign this petition and deliver it unto Your hands on this, the XX day of December, AS61.

Scroll Text - Armand Jambe - Golden Alce 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Martial Award

Pay heed all gathered at this celebration, We Oliver and Grainne, King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc, greet you. Duty and privilege move Us to see that those who merit honor and recognition are rewarded for their efforts. The labors of Armand Jambe deserve such notice. For his skill on the field and in the  list have caught our eyes and we are well pleased with his skill and service of arms. Today, We induct him into the Noble Order of the Golden Alce. We trust that now having been so recognized, this skilled and generous Lord will go on to sustain nobility and increase honor, so that all may see his many martial endeavors and be inspired. So witnessed by all assembled and signed by Our Hands on this 16th day of May, Anno Societatis 61, at War Practice, in the Shire of Steltonwald.

based on King Renee’s Tournament Book, 1458

Scroll Text - Vigo of Heronter - Silver Alce 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Martial Award

Do all pay heed to Oliver, by Right of Arms King, and of Grainne, by Grace and Strength Queen, do call upon Our Majesty and the long traditions of Our Sylvan Kingdom and call forward Vigo of Heronter, youth fencer of renown, and give unto you certain honors and grant you entrance into the Noble Order of the Silver Alce. If indeed anyone should attempt to take those arms from you, or prevent you from taking your rightful place within the aforsaid Noble Order, or dispute Our gift and grant, may they be accursed and cast from AEthelmearc, the Bestest Kingdom, and wander the wilderness until common sense shall return to them. Thus do we mark this warrant with Our signs in the year of the Society 61, at QRC.

inspired by Charter S5, A.D. 604 x 616. Æthelberht, king, to Mellitus, bishop, and St Paul's minster; grant of land at Tillingham, Essex

Scroll Text - Jim of Ballachlagan - Award of Arms 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Award of Arms

All shall know of the honor and grace do We, Oliver and Grainne, King and Queen of Æthelmearc, call before us Jim of Ballachlagan. Service and duty he gives with grace and dignity on and off of the fields of battle. Therefore, by the authority of the Crowns We wear, We ordain and command that Jim, as mentioned above, be at once admitted into the ranks of nobility and shall be called a Lord and also do We Award him Arms. And if it happens that We hear of any shenanigans towards Our Command, We decree that such person, by assent of Our authority, pay a fine equal to their station. This we proclaim on the 11th day of April, AS 60, at Our Coronation, in the Shire of Kings Crossing.

Inspired by the Statuta Armorum, c. 1260

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55226837614/in/photostream/

 Scroll Text - Draig Ui MeicThire - Golden Alce 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Martial Award

In the presence of all gathered at this celebration of the Bog 12th Night, We Kallista and Andreas, King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc, greet you well. Duty and privilege move us to see that those who merit honor and recognition are rewarded for their efforts. The labors of Draig Ui MeicThire deserve such notice. For his skill in the fencing list have caught Our eyes and we are well pleased with his skill and service of arms. Today, we induct him into the Nobel Order of the Golden Alce. We trust that now having been so recognized, this skilled and generous Lord will go on to sustain nobility and increase honor, so that all may see his many martial endeavors and be inspired. So witnessed by all assembled and signed by Our Hand on this 10th day of January Anno Societatis 60 in the Barony of St Swithin’s Bog.

based on King Renee’s Tournament Book, 1458

  Scroll Text - Birna vis - Cornelian 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Courtesy Award

Salutations and greetings good and noble gentles, and know the Lady who is to be rewarded by the Crown according to the ancient traditions of the Sylvan Kingdom of AEthelmearc. Since it is certain that each one of those things that are so much the more easily are called upon by Nobles of the Realm, kindness, courtesy and chivalry, are so much the more prized by Ourselves Our predecessors and Our heirs. Know, all present, that Birna vis's good humor and kindness is pleasing unto Our eyes and We will to present unto her, with Our own hands, a Cornelian so that all shall know of her outstanding courtesy. Should anyone be against this gift, let them be separated from Our Sylvan Lands and wander alone forever. Done by the hands of Oliver and Grainne, on the 25th day of April, AS 60, at the Raids of Blackstone Mountain.

inspired by A.D. 762. Sigered, king of Kent, to Eardwulf, bishop, to augment his monastery; grant of 1.5 iugera in the northern part of the city of Rochester.

 Scroll Text - Zofia Kowalewska - NULL 2026

Barony of the Rydderich Hael - Courtesey Award

As it is the duty of the Coronets to nourish and encourage courtesy and chivalry throughout our Barony, it is also our right to recognize those subjects who displays of such behavior makes them worthy of note. Therefore, we, Magnus and Thalia, Baron and Baroness of the Rhydderich Hael, are pleased to induct Dame Zofia Kowalewska into the Noble Union of Lords and Ladies in recognition of her display of these virtues. Thus do we sign this charter on the 3rd day of January, AS 60, at AEthelmearc 12th Night. 

Scroll Text - Bob the Herald - Award of Excellence

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Courtesy Award

Oh, hear these words. In the 60th from the incarnation of Our Society, We, Andreas and Kallista, King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc, in the final year of Our Reign, will give in perpetuity to Robert O'Connor, known to some as Bob {long pause} THE HERALRD, an Award of Excellence. We shall undertake to hand over this aforementioned Award to him here in Our Court so that all shall know of the service he has done for Kingdom and Crown as well as for Ourselves. If anyone should decrease this generous gift, may they be punished until the world's end. Thus do We affix our marks on this warrant at a famous place called Kings Crossing on the feast day of Saint Gemma, the 11th day of April. 

A.D. 805 (26 July, Acleah). Cuthred, king of Kent, to Wulfred, archbishop; grant of 2 sulungs (aratra) at Hrithra leah, part of an estate of 15 hides (manentes) at Buckholt in Petham, Kent, in return for 30 mancuses. Latin

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55146323178/in/dateposted/

Scroll Text - Steve de Rossi - Golden Wezzle 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Service Award

Pay heed to the words of Andreas And Kallista, King and Queen of these Sylvan lands. Of late, We have been pelted with good words of Our welbeloved subject Steve de Rossi. We have been told that he is always kind; he never tells anyone to get stuffed, no matter how stretched out he is. Never one to hide from responsibilities. Never one to get under your skin. Will travel fur-longs to assist with Royal Courts and guard the Royal baggage. Always taking his naps in the sun, when told to, so that he would be well rested and tanned. Thus do we call upon Our animal in-stinks, and putting aside any gutless terror, We wish to preserve this moment in time, for it is a no brainer that We induct the aforesaid Steve de Rossi into Our Noble Order of the Golden Wezzle; furries a jolly good fellow. Done this 28th day of March, AS 60, at the Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55146539025/in/photostream/

An article written for the AEthelmearc Gazette

On the nature of Dragons

by Caleb Reynolds

 I wish to take this time and space to talk about a misconception of dragons. More specifically Northern European dragons (Draco europa septentrionalis). I wish to write about our misconception of what dragons ate and how they changed their local environment to suit their diet.

Figure 1

To start with, let us speak about the wide spread destruction of the land that was often blamed on dragons. We read in the manuscripts that dragons routinely burned down the forests surrounding their lairs; please refer to Tolkien's "Desolation of Smaug" for a modern visual of this. We do have to ask why a dragon would wreck their environment. Most warm-blooded animals require around 5 to 25% of their body weight in food, per day, to maintain function [various sources] so why would a dragon destroy an ecosystem, and the animals that live in it? Burning down an entire medieval forest would remove the habitat of hundreds of species of plants, animals, and birds. The ash produced could be carried into nearby lakes, rivers, and streams and wreck havoc upon fish populations, further stressing the food chain.

There are a couple of theories for this. The first is the nature of the dragon, itself. While Indian dragons are small enough to live in the shade of peridens trees, feasting on doves, Northern European dragons were far too large to move through a forest as adults. The dragon in "Beowulf" is described as over 50 feet long. [se wees fiftiges fotgemearces I lang on legere; 'in length it was fifty foot-paces as it lay' (lines 3042-3)] The dragon form of Fafnir, that Siguard slew, was described as "huge and evil" and gouged a track in the ground with its bulk [Fafnir's huge size, for example, although not described directly, is implied by the excessively large track which was hollowed out by his body as he crawled. Similarly, the dragon fought by Fridlevus hollowed down the ground to the rock forming a bank of earth on either side of his body as it dragged itself along.- THE NATURE OF BEOWULF'S DRAGON - HOWARD SHILTON]. The Lindworm that Ragnar Loðbrók fought according to Saxo Grammaticus, was large enough to encircle the bower of Þóra Borgarhjǫrtr. [Possibly 50 feet in diameter].

We could, therefore, make the assumption that a dragon would want to burn down a forest so that it could hunt in the area around it's lair, without getting stuck between trees. Unfortunately, we would have to ask what would the dragon hunt, if the forest is removed. While wolves have been observed to hunt and live quite comfortably on field mice in the Northern Canadian provinces, [Farley Mowat, Canada’s Dominion Wildlife Service] it might be unreasonable to think that a dragon, the size of a city bus, would be able to find, catch, and eat enough small rodents to survive, let alone generate enough energy to power the dragon's fire.

Figure 2

Some theorize that dragons burn down forests to create more grasslands, which would be more beneficial to large herbivores, such as deer, elk, moose, and the aurochs which used to roam Europe. But, there is no guarantee that herds of large animals would move into the area of desolation. Also, the conversion of forest to grassland cannot happen overnight. Forty years after the eruption of Mount St. Helens, scientists reported that some grass and flowers had started to grow back. The Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center surveyed 1,750 individual deer and elk in 2024: far lower than the tens of thousands that lived in the Volcano's shadow prior to the eruption. [200 elk were reported as starving to death in the winter of 1998 due to the dearth of forage]. So, if dragons burn down a forest to increase the population of large prey animals, it doesn't appear likely that this would be a good, short term solution.

Figure 3

Figure 4

Humans could move into the area, with their cattle, sheep and goat, but their herds would find the same lack of fodder that wild animals would find. Plus humans might not want to get near the lair of a fire breathing dragon with their flammable houses and people. So, what else could dragons be doing with their fire and destruction?

Why do we assume that dragons live entirely off of meat? We do have plenty of evidence that dragons ate the occasional person or cow, but I was unable to find any period sources stating that dragons went on eating frenzy, eating entire herds, flocks, or villages. What if our assumptions of dragons are wrong. What if dragons weren't warm-blooded? Let us discuss the possibility of dragons being cold blooded.

Figure 5

1) While many warm-blooded animals rely on fat, blubber, fur, or feathers to retain body heat, cold-blooded animals don't, relying on the sun or the environment to gather energy to maintain body heat. Dragons are well known for having scales and not fur or feathers.

2) Many cold-blooded animals  have evolved to go into what is known as torpor to conserve energy when cold; slowing down their bodies so that they can conserve more energy from the food that they eat. Many reptiles have been observed to enter torpor after feeding in order to maximize the energy gained from their food for body size growth and other bodily processes. Dragons are well known for sleeping after feeding.

 3) Cold environments, generally, force evolutionary changes on animals to become larger in size to maximize the surface area to body mass ratio. This allows more skin to be available to absorb sunlight, and thus stay warmer. We can see this in the size difference between not only the polar bear and the black bear, but in dragons described in medieval and classical literature. While Northern European dragons are described as large in size, Mediterranean, Indian, and Middle Eastern dragons are described as much smaller in size: city bus size vs horse size. [Asian dragons might be a completely different genus to the European dragons, but that will have to wait for their own article.]

In addition, we must re-examine the diet of Northern European dragon. While we do have descriptions of these dragons eating people and livestock, we, again, do not have any mention in the literature of the constant hunting practices of a large predator that would need to eat two or three cows per day. Or a dozen humans each and every day. Perhaps dragons only did this for nutrition that could not be found in their regular diet. In the same way cats will eat grass, on occasion, dragons might have turn to meat for certain vitamins, minerals, or proteins not found in their normal diet.

Figure 6

What was their normal diet? I propose that dragons ate trees. And not just any trees. Ones that would provide the dragons with the maximum nutrition per gram. Large, hard wood trees. Hear me out. If dragons ate trees, what would be the only reason why they would burn down entire forests? It is because there are certain species of trees that require the heat of a forest fire for their seeds to open up and sprout. Trees such as the redwood, sequoia, aspen, core oak and Scots pine. The fire would not only allow these species to reproduce, but would clear out other trees and plants that would compete with the tree preferred by the dragons. While these species of trees are slow growing, they are long lived and if the dragons were cold-blooded, they would not need to consume an entire tree everyday. They would eat until they were full and then sleep it off. Over the course of several decades, the new growth would replace the older trees that had been feasted upon in prior years.

Figure 7

I further propose that the Northern European dragon died off due to a combination of predation from knights and heroes as well as the deforestation of these old growth trees by the expanding human population during the renaissance due to ship building and glass and steel production. 

Figure 8

In the 17th Century poem "The Dragon of Wantley" we read:

Some say he ate up trees,

And that the forests sure he would

Devour up by degrees:

For houses and churches were

to him geese and chickens

He ate all, and left none behind,

but some stones, dear Jack,

that he could not crack,

Which on the hills you will find.

[quoted from Thomas Percy’s "Reliques of Ancient Poetry" 1765]

We can also suppose that Northern European dragons evolved the ability to breathe fire to assist them with dealing with the cold weather. Recounts of dragons from warmer climates do not mention fire, but poison instead, which might be related to the diet of those species of dragon. 

"Then a great dragon began to ravage the country-side with fire and alone did a single knight take arms against it, and in the end, was the victor. All night long did the raging flames swept o’er the land and the water, and all withered and burned at it’s touch. The dragon had burned up the people’s homes and fields. The city did burn as likewise did the ships and the water-skirted land was devastated. Not ‘til the touch of dawn did the dragon end it’s destruction and retreat to its lair. Great faith did it have in the safety of its hiding place, but it’s faith was to be futile." [Geoffrey Of Cambria, "The History of Britain" 1455]

Perhaps the tree diet of the Northern dragon produced suitable by-products (turpentine, sap, etc), that would allow the dragon to produce fire on demand, which would not only allow the dragon to control its environment, but to keep itself warm in the coldest of winters. Perhaps animal protein was needed for the necessary chemical materials to produce the flames. Alas, the great dragons of Northern Europe are all gone and we are unable to examine one to discover their biological chemical factories.

One last point I wish to make. That is of the nature of why dragons sought out princesses but didn't eat them right away. Certainly there are plenty of stories describing princesses, and other young, female members of nobility, being sacrificed to dragons, and other monsters, or captured directly by the monster, e.g.: Andromeda, Hesione, Elizabeth the Fair, Iseult, Þóra Borgarhjǫrtr. While the princesses were in mortal danger, there are scant stories of the dragons, in those stories, actually eating the "fair maid". But plenty of these stories do tell of one hero and/or knight after another falling to the dragon before a mighty and/or cunning warrior shows up to kill the beast. Why are there so many of these stories if not to hint of the motivation of the dragon.

I believe that the dragons were not interested in eating the princess; after all, the natural habitat of a princess is far away from old growth forests. If the dragon needed to eat a human, there would be closer and easier targets to hunt. No, I believe that the dragons were capturing princesses to use as bait. You see, I propose that dragons needed gastroliths in order to help break down the cellulose material of the hard wood that made up their diets. While rocks could have been swallowed, in the same way that birds, crocodiles, alligators and other animals are known to do, metal might have been preferable, and armor, with it's sharp edges, might have been a better choice to break apart the wood that the dragon would not have been able to chew with the teeth that were depicted in medieval manuscripts.

At some point in human history, metal armor was invented and dragons, long of life and cunning in thought, [various sources] discovered that eating one of these humans wearing metal armor made their digestion easier. So dragons evolved the practice of capturing the occasional princess in order to lure a metal-clad knight to come save the woman. The higher ranking princess, the higher ranking knight which meant more and better armor. The dragon would then eat the knight, and the armor, and gain the superior "gizzard stones". Eventually, the metal armor would pass through the digestion tract of the dragon to be deposited in the lair of the beast, which would explain why armor and weapons were often described as being found in the dragon's lair after it had been killed.

With proper feeding, the princess could be used for multiple attempts as bait, and if she died, then the dragon could simply eat the princess and get another one if more armor was needed. We have no way to determine how long the metal would last in the dragon's gullet, but with the small percentage of noble women in Europe, and the slow metabolism of the cold-blooded dragon, we can assume that the dragon would not have to go through more than one princess every few years, thus preventing the over hunting of young, female members of royalty.

Figure 9

Scroll Text - Muirin - Award of Arms - 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Award of Arms

Hear the words of the King, Defender of AEthelmearc, and of the Queen, Benevolent Inspiration. Whereas We having taken into Our consideration the injuries, spoils, and acts of hostility committed by pirates, sea rovers, and divers other wicked and ill-disposed persons, who commit many and great Piracies, Robberies, and Depredations unto and upon the Ships, Goods, and Persons of our Subjects to the great Hindrance and Discouragement of Our Sylvan Realm. We do therefore hereby award commission to and authorize Muirin, of the Rhydderich Hael, to fight, take, suppress and destroy any Pirates, Sea Rovers or other Subjects of the Declared Enemies of the Crown of AEthelmearc in what place so ever they are met with the Ships, Vessels, and Goods to take and make prize of. And We do command the company of the Ship to obey her as their Captain and in the execution of her commission, and further do we Award her Arms and make her a Noble of Our Court so that she may act in Our names and authority. We further command that she continues her journey within Our Society, upon the archery range and all other places that draws her attention. Thus commands Andreas and Kallista, Third of those Names, on this 3rd day of January, AS 60, at 12th Night, in Our Barony of the Rhydderich Hael.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/54941951592/in/dateposted/

Scroll Text - Rapier Tourney Winner - Bears Event 2026

Shire of Hunters Home - Martial Tourney

All pay heed to these words. To the nobles and commons within seeing or hearing of these words, know that {____________________________________} has shown such skill with the sword and has defeated all others upon the rapier list and so has earned the title of the winner of the Bears Event Rapier Tourney. Done this 14th day of March, AS60, in the Shire of Hunters Home.

Inspired by Henry VII's warrant for an imprest at the receipt of the Exchequer, 10/16/1498

 Youth A&S winner - Ice Dragon A&S

Barony of the Rhydderich Hael - A&S Tourney

Now let all know that the Arts and Sciences are the foundations of all true learning must be laid in study; marked by a broad spirit; accurate scholarship; and careful attention to details. We are well moved by the works of {________________________} and are pleased to name them as the best youth entrant of the Ice Dragon A&S Grand Competition and Pentathlon held on this 28th day of March, AS 60 at the Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon. Done by the hands of Magnus and Thalia who signed this warrant as proof of our words so that no one deny their accomplishments.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55145263192/in/photostream/

 Scroll Text - Youth Chivalry - Ice Dragon 2026

Baron of the Rhydderich Hael - Courtesy Award

To all seeing these present letters, we wish upon them enjoyment of perpetual peace. Since those things which are done lapse with the passage of time, and unless they are corroborated by written testimony, will easily slip the memories of people, and be forgotten, we wish it to be known to all people both now and in the future that we, Magnus and Thalia, 13th Baron and Baroness of the Rhydderich Hael, for the preservation of that true nobility and the constant courtesy that we have seen on the list, we name {______________________________________________} as the most chivalrous youth fighter on this day. Thus have we signed this with our hands 28th day of March, AS 60, in the Barony of Rhydderich Hael, at Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon.

Inspired by the Grant of a House at Riga to the Men of Lübeck, 1231

Scroll Text - Youth Combat Tourney Winner - Ice Dragon 2026

Barony of the Rhydderich Hael - Martial Tourney

O {________________________________}, pay heed to the words of Magnus and Thalia, 13th Baron and Baroness of the Rhydderich Hael. To the nobles and commons within seeing or hearing of these words, it is our wish and desire to recognize your noble skill of fencing; said skill with the sword did impress our eyes and so moved hand to paper and name you the winner of the Ice Dragon Rapier Youth Combat tournament, held on the 28th day of March, AS 60, in the Barony of Rhydderich Hael, at Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon.

Inspired by Henry VII's warrant for an imprest at the receipt of the Exchequer, 10/16/1498

So.... This happened yesterday.

I'm still gobsmacked.

This was presented to me right after being inducted into the Order of the Howling Wolf and, like a good fencer would, that award served only to distract me from the main attack; one with which I was unable to launch a counter.

And it was caught on camera.

The scroll is a steel buckler; list legal, but I would not dare have a blade scratch a single word painted on it. 

The back is also filled with jokes from members of the White Scarves of AEthelmearc. 

I will be clear-coating the F out it so that it doesn't get messed up. I'm also going to get a buckler hanger so that I can wear this with my sword for important court event.

Words by "The Three-headed Cerberus"

Calligraphy and illumination by Kolfinna Jódísardóttir

Shenanigans (and jokes on the back of the scroll) by the entire Order of the White Scarf

Having Caleb rendered tearful and speechless: Priceless

Listen and rejoice at Our word: Understand they describe a daredevil welling with wit and whimsy, Master Caleb Reynolds is more than an august assassin. His prowess with a sword indelibly inspires, but has unbearably unbreakable heart and juvenescent spirit is the true testament of Caleb as a fighter and a man. Caleb captures the attention of other fighters without effort or design and teaches his fellow rapier rascals that killing your opponent with kindness is more dangerous than killing them with your blade. Those who do not see his skillful trajectory are surely a travesty, tragedy and full of audacity.

For these reasons and countless more, Caleb has earned an honored place amongst the members of the most Noble Order of the White Scarf. Thus Andreas and Kallista, King and Queen of Sylvan AEthelmearc having consulted with the Order and in complete consensus with them, devotedly decree that Caleb Reynolds should be inducted into the Noble Order of the White Scarf this day at the Feast of the Seven Deadly Sins and Venetian Carnival.

 Scroll Text - Marguerite de Neufchasteau - Capstan 2026

Barony of Delftwood - A&S Award

Do know that we, Baron Ixac and Baroness Amalie, second of those names, acting with foresight for ourselves in the future, have decided to award one who gives away her skill and knowledge of cooking, sewing, and falconry to any and all in our Barony who wish to learn. We wish to give  Marguerite de Neufchasteau entry into the Noble Order of the Capstan. We wish this gift to be steadfast in perpetuity so that no one should presume to diminish it, and should any one be so rash to do so, let them be accursed. So do we sign this warrant and make our will law. Done at our Investiture, at the Feast of the Seven Deadly Sins, AS 60, on the 21st day of February, in the Barony of Delftwood.

  S29 - A.D. 697 or 712 (July). Wihtred, king of Kent, to St Mary's Church, Lyminge; grant of 4 sulungs (aratra) at Pleghelmestun, Kent. Latin with bounds

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55049011353/in/dateposted/

 Scroll Text - Oðindisa Býkona - Court Baroness 2026

Kingdom of AEthelmearc - Court Barony

In the third year of the reign of King Andreas and Queen Kalista, a Lady was called forward. A weaver of the grass-biter's coat, displayer of embroidery, protector of the hive-inhabitants. Oðindisa Býkona, 13th daughter of the harbor-light of Delftwood, was her name and she asked for a boon. The King and Queen received her well and asked what boon she wanted. Removing her hair ribbon’s hoard she said that she has served as the wealth-bestower and keeper of the sting-flies and of the tamer of the wolves of the air for too many years, and now it is time for her to step down and rest. That her Coronet is destined for a new brow to ride. The King and Queen did hear her words and, being good and just rulers, listened to their hearts and did grant her boon, but told the Daughter of Delftwood that once a Coronet is planted on the worry ground of the head, it can only be removed through a bog of tears, and they did give her another Coronet to wear and told her that the mills of Delftwood would stand against Garmr's breath because of her leadership. Thus it was done in the 60th year since the forging of the world, at the Feast of the Seven Deadly Sins, on the 21st day of the 2nd month, so sing the Skalds of AEthelmearc.

Useful Links

 Links to useful information that I use all of the time.

last updated 1/31/26

Bibliography tools:

Bibcitation: The site I use to assist with my bibliographies.

Scribal Links:

Manuscript Miniatures: An image resource with tons of tags to help narrow down image searching.

Manuscript Art: Another site organized into various categories. Most images have links to the original source. Sometimes very slow but worth it.

Walters Art Museum's Flikr page: Thousands of high resolution, manuscript images.

Opening phrases: A list of opening phrases from Caid's wiki page.

The Aberdeen Bestiary: Good quality images of this wonderful manuscript.

Internet Medieval Sourcebook. Links to a number of period documents with English translations.

The Scriptorium: A collection of resources and examples of writing for SCA award scrolls.

The Plumpton Letters and Papers: A collection of late period letters.

Original letters, illustrative of English history; with notes and ..., Volume 1: Another book with excellent period letters that can be used as inspiration for scroll wording.

A Formula Book of English Official Historical Documents: Another book with period wording. Most are in Latin.

Letters Written by the Six Wives of Henry VIII:

16th Century Documents : 1500 - 1599: A good resource for grant of arms.

Fifteenth Century English Patents of Arms:

Traceable, heraldric art:

Research links:

A History of Agriculture and Prices in England: 1259-1400: A great resource for period pricing.

Measuring Worth: a must have website to help figure out the modern value of period money.

Things to buy:

Alchem Incorporated Crossbows: The site also sells fencing swords and daggers. 

Cookbooks:

The Project Gutenberg eBook of The accomplisht cook

Martial Arts:

Wiktenauer: An online resource of period fencing handbooks. With images.

 Scroll Text - Highnesses' Choice Pentathalon - Ice Dragon 2026

Barony of the Rhydderich Hael - A&S Tourney

May it be known to all here present, pay heed to the words of Oliver and Grainne, Heirs to the Sylvan Thrones of AEthelmearc. To the nobles and commons of this, our fair Kingdom, it is the wish and desire of Oliver and Grainne, the aforesaid Prince and Princess of AEthelmearc, to hold up before all the fair works of the trusty and welbeloved subject {INSERT NAME HERE} whose skill in the arts and sciences did impress royal eyes and so moved hand to paper and name you and your work Highnesses' Choice at the Ice Dragon Grand A&S Competition, held on this 28th day of March, three score years after wise elders met at Mistland's Tourney, from which all days are numbered.

 Inspired by Henry VII's warrant for an imprest at the receipt of the Exchequer, 10/16/1498

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calebreynolds/55049166420/in/dateposted/

Caleb’s Lemonade - 2026

This project was for the Brewing Competition held at AEthlemarc 12thNight; I won the non-alcoholic category.

 Caleb’s Lemonade

1) Introduction:

This is a lemonade based on Caleb’s lemon syrup recipe inspired by the 13th Century Anonymous Andalusian Cookbook. [1] Oddly enough, the Cookbook doesn’t give any suggestions for using this syrup. Nor is this syrup mentioned anywhere else in the cookbook, but you most certainly can dilute it in hot or cold water and make lemonade. I have poured this over pound cake (poke some holes in the top of the cake, first), and it is a good glaze to apply on grilled chicken, or just spooned into hot tea.

While the cookbook doesn’t give any instructions, the syrup can be diluted into a drinkable lemonade, which is what this project is. 

2) Technical documentation of the project for people who don’t like reading 100 pages before finding the ingredient list. 

Ingredients:

1 Caleb. [2]

Water.

Method:

Find Caleb and become friends with him. Once you and Caleb are friends, ask him to make, for you, his Lemon Syrup from the 13th Century Anonymous Andalusian Cookbook. [3] You might have to sit through a lecture on sugar from the 13th Century; just nod your head and make “Hm-hmmmm” noises. If you are actual friends, and make the right noises, he might make the syrup for you.

The ratio of syrup and water will depend on the thickness of the syrup that Caleb makes. For this project, the ratio was four parts water [4] to one part syrup. The mixing of water to syrup was done two days prior to AEthelmearc 12th Night [5]  and the resultant lemonade was left to chill in the ‘fridge until the event. At the event, the bottle was turned upside down and shaken to thoroughly mix the syrup and water prior to tasting.

If you are unable to find a Caleb in season, or you are unable to sit through his brain dump while making the appropriate nods and noises that indicate that you were paying attention, you will have to make the syrup for yourself. [6]

[1] See attached documentation

[2] Organic and free range, if possible.

[3] See attached documentation

[4] Tap water run through a Pur filter.

[5] 1/3/2026

[6] See attached documentation