Order of the Chivalry for Matthew MacGyver

I remember where I was when I was asked to do this scroll. It was almost exactly 1 year ago and Sir Matthew (the wise? elder?) asked my laurel first. Christiana told me the request was coming and she would support me saying yes or no — but I was on Matthew’s in case of peerage. I said I would think about it. What I meant was — I would think about YESYESYES. I watched Matthew on his journey from Silver Tyger, through OTC, and onward towards knight. It was a journey and it gave me a lot of insight of what to expect as I walked this same path. The trials, the joys, and everything in between. I was overjoyed to give back a little to the fighter who let me learn the path through his eyes.

The other thing with Matthew that made it such an exciting assignment was he is quite sentimental and I could give him a scroll that represented him with little restrictions. Of course, I asked advice from his loved ones and got back things like “Do *you*, that’s what he wants”, “He mentioned a portrait would be cool” (but why me then?! ha), and “He would love it to be bling, and shine, and glorious.” Okay I could work with all of that. I found a reference piece with my laurel’s guidance and off I went!

Chivalry Scroll for Sir Matthew Macgyver, 2023

Calligraphy and illumination by me with words by Nicol Mac Donnchaidh (read these words at the end of this post!)

Inspired by Gospel Book of Henry II. circa 1020 (pictured below).

Gospel Book of Henry II. circa 1020.

Gold leaf, gouache, iron gall ink on Bristol paper.

My very favorite thing I was able to do on this scroll was the raised scorpion at the end on the belt. I was also pleased that I could get all of his awards onto his scroll, including the green Gawain armband (you can see wrapped around the middle section).

I am also happy how this calligraphy came out with the exception of a few weird letter slants in the gold circles. Nicol and I were able to include a very funny inside joke in the calligraphy and I have never been happier to do something so dumb on a scroll.

My least favorite part is I messed up BIG time trying to add some last minute touches to the scroll and although I was able to fix it… I cried for an entire Pennsic day. You live.. you learn. But I will never ever ever forget how horrible that feeling is.

But overall, I am happy with the rest and happy I got to see my friend elevated! Congrats to Sir Matthew MacGyver! You deserve this!

Thank you for reading!

Words by Nicol mac Donnchaidh

“Each Knight is hewn from stone, for each must bear the burden of the virtues they lift. The trappings they discard are but rubble beneath them. These burdens are not borne for vainglory but are hefted upon the back of a knight for the betterment of the people. They are trusted to be the defenders of the weak, to be the voice of the voiceless, and to be the sword that rights transgressions. Once elevated from the person they were before, the challenges surpassed lay only behind them.

And so it is thus with Our Subject Matthew MacGyver, and with exaltation do we, Caoilfhionn and Brennan, call forth our Order of Chivalry upon the fields of Pennsic, where many of his brethren and sistren have been entrusted with the same responsibility. Let their voices reach him so that he may find his own among the chorus.  

It is with faith that we know that Matthew will carry this weighty responsibility to the people of the Eastern Kingdom. That he will cut away what holds so many back. Nobility Over Tyranny. Justice Over Reluctance. Dignity, Ignomity.  

Now he stands apart from the faces set long before him. His house shall bear his name, and he will carve it as he sees fit.”

Countess and Lady of the Rose for Corotica Merkka Senebelenae

Well, I got this honor as well. I was so happy to make a scroll for my squire sibling as they stepped down as royal consort. I had a shorter timeframe than usual because there were things out of my control and up in the air. I leaned on good friend, expert, and husband of Corotica for help selecting some Iron Age inspiration (truly it takes a village sometimes!) I ended up settling on The Desborough Mirror, which apparently is a common choice for Iron Age inspired art. I wish I had known that!

But, I do think the choice of a mirror for this piece is right because I think it’s a symbolic representation of Corotica’s reign because the kingdom really reflected their success as a royal. The kingdom was not only better for it- but I think they grew into the role as well. And I’m not saying all that because I’m biased for my squire sibling, either. It’s all true!

Order of the Rose and Countess Scroll for Countess Corotica. Scroll done by me, picture taken by Brenden Crane because I didn’t take a good picture before leaving! Rookie mistake

Gouache and Paladium on Bristol. Calligraphy with iron gall ink and red ink. 

Inspiration: The Desborough Mirror, 50 BC- 50 AC

The Desborough Mirror, 50 BC – 50 AC

Words by Aciterix Caldius Julius Cittinius aka Kit de Coldwood, which are spectacular as always (read them at the end of this post!)

Now some progress pictures!

You can see in some of these pictures below that I was struggling with the palladium sticking. I do think the palladium was the right choice for this piece and it does reflect the vibe I wanted because it’s kind of unique and interesting on a scroll but it would have to be very special recipient for me to try this much palladium on one scroll again!

So, the thing I learned in this piece is that palladium is much more challenging to work on compared to gold leaf. It’s not as prone to sticking and nothing I could do helped! Ugh. I think that humidity and also the thickness and layers of miniature may be something to look into in the future. (Hey maybe I can pick Duchess Katherine’s brain about this, she did a cool palladium scroll a few years ago).

Also, this is a lot of palladium; you can see my Gilding Graveyard below. I also struggled with how much shading and detail to do in the painted parts because I wanted it to look Iron Age and not a later period piece. I also was worried about it looking unnatural.

Gilding Graveyard, 2023

Anyway, thank you for checking out my post on this piece. I’m almost caught up with the pieces I wanted to talk about! The next couple will be out this week, hopefully. See you soon!

Words by Aciterix Caldius Julius Cittinius aka Kit de Coldwood

“Cold knife-cuts of wicked North Wind, Hale falls, and Hail the reign of Corotica! A Winter Wolf of her verdant lands, She strode Summer’s searing war, spear in hand. A Princess of the blade, Army, and the People. And no less so into her Reign, a Queen! She delivered her deep dedication. Turning her target from Foe to Fostering Joy, A Season of Peace and Friendship once again. Fierce and Strong, Kind and Generous, A Flowering vine Growing strong, Along the wall of a battlement. The Beauty of a Rose housed in Crenelations.   And so on this day of our spring’s Coronation The First day of April, Anno Societatis LVII We, Brennan and Caoilfhionn Brenin and Brenhines of the East Recognize Corotica merkka Senebelenae this day with the title of Countess and as a lady of the Rose With all the honors, privileges, and dignities Appertaining thereunto, most especially the Right to bear these arms by Letters Patent”

Order of the Tyger’s Combatant for Leurona Winterbourne

This is a scroll I did for Leurona’s OTC. I was very excited to do this one because I could be a bit playful because I am friends with Leurona. Because she has cats, I decided to lean into the cat theme. I really enjoyed exploring how to make cat prints (I used raw polymer clay) and I think it came out okay!

The other relevant bit is that I did not get great pictures of the finished scroll. Whoops. Luckily, I got the following picture from Leurona’s FB page.

Words by Aciterix Caldius Julius Cittinius, AKA Kit de Cordwood (below).

Calligraphy and illumination by me

Gold leaf gilding, gouache, and iron gall ink on Bristol paper.

First attempts of printing paw prints using a (raw) polymer clay stamp and ink. I was really happy with these results but one challenge is getting the right amount of ink onto something that doesn’t like ink.

Source: Psalter with calendar, prayers, litany, and offices, 1310-1324 (Add MS 49622)

Anyway, very fun scroll and happy I got to be a part of my friend’s day!

—

Words by Aciterix Caldius Julius Cittinius, AKA Kit de Cordwood.

Do not seek the sword, For vainglory. The sword does not give. The sword takes. Hours, as the sun Folds itself into the horizon, These moments spent in kata. Carving form into memory. Your vices, indulgent whims Fall aside, cut out. Small pleasures of the flesh Released for possible gains. The sword takes. It does not change you. It strips the excess, And then takes more. Do not seek the sword, Not for glory or honour. If you have honour, The sword will find it, As you are, piecemeal, Pared away. Leurona Winterbourne, By her own claws and sword, Has cut herself into a singular Tiger, A Combatant of calibre, A blade of the East. And so we, (names of the royals) Welcome her into the Order of the Tigers Combattant, this (day and event)

Baron of the Court for Otto Gottlieb

Words by Nicol Mac Donnchaidh — and they are such good words (they are written below)!

Calligraphy and illumination by me. My favorite part of the illumination is the duck because it’s fun and tells a whole story! I remember spending a ton of time trying to get the gold perfect but it’s hard to know if it’s ever perfect.

Scroll created for Otto Gottlieb, 2023. Gold gilding, gouache, and iron gall ink on Bristol.

Inspiration Source: Saint Mark the Evangelist and Saint Sinibaldus Venerated by Members of a Lay Confraternity, 1425-34

Although the artist is from Venice, the illumination was created for a German confraternity in Venice.

I really enjoyed doing this piece and was especially grateful to do a scroll for someone I look up to so much. Otto is pretty cool ✨

Vivat Otto!

Words by Nicol Mac Donnchaidh:

Mohammad and Corotica, Rulers of the Eastern Kingdom, send greetings. 

It is fitting for our Royal Majesties to honor with particular benefits those who faithfully and sollicitously have protected the services of the populace. Thus, upon the humble request of our friends, the Barony of Endewearde, we graciously deem it proper and of service to grant certain privileges.

As a mark of our bountiful grace and with the agreement of the wise persons of our realm, we have granted the title of Baron of the Court to Otto Gottlieb.

We grant him permission to freely trade in all goods on the wharves, streets or alleys, usually called smaavarninger and to trade in all manner of hides, when those do not comprise a deker, also butter as long as this does not amount to nine lober, from this day, the Seventh Day of October, AS LVII, as presented at the Court of the Majesties at The Hunt in the Barony of Endewearde.

In order that these our friendly concessions and the grace we have shown shall have lasting force we have given this document validity by confirming it with our seal.

Based on http://www.furthark.com/hanseaticleague/src_pri_1278lubecknorway.shtml

Silver Crescent for Razia bunt Rusa, Pennsic 2022

This is a Silver Crescent that went out Pennsic 2022 for Razia bunt Rusa. I was pretty excited to do it because her persona is Persian/Mugal and it was an excellent opportunity to get creative. Also, Razia seems pretty amazing with all that she does.

I did learn a lot with this piece, especially with how to use tools better and also how the environment affects the drying time of miniatum. There were definitely moments of frustration and I think I could have made the design more precise. All that being said, I was pretty happy with how it all turned out!

Scroll based on the dome of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (Iran, 1603). Completed for Pennsic, 2022.
This piece was done with gold leaf gilding, gouache, iron gall and red ink on bristle paper.

Words by the incredible Eleanor Grey (Rachael Gelineau) in the style of a medicinal plant entry in The Canon of Medicine by Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā), 1025.

Calligraphy and illumination by me, Embla

Illumination inspired by the dome of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (Iran, 1603)

I actually took a lot of progress pictures above for the making of this scroll. I think it was really a test of gilding and also being precise with my design. I think with a design like this- if things vary too much, things really look off. And there were a lot of small tedious parts that would have benefited from templates and better tools. I think I learned a lot about ways to make this easier for myself and look better for the recipient.

I did love getting to use a different kind of inspiration for this. It’s really neat to take a step out of the books and look at architecture and other types of art.

Photos from the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (Iran) which inspired this scroll.

And finally, some different angles of the finished scroll.

Overall, this was a really fun piece to do, and I really hope that she loved it as much as I loved making it! Congrats Razia!

And thank you for staying with me and reading through this journey! I’ll see you soon as I try to upload some of my older pieces.

Words by Eleanor Grey Written in the style of a medicinal plant entry in The Canon of Medicine by Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā), 1025

Nature: Raziya bint Rusa, known in her season to the Carolingian baronial seat and myriad years of steady service. Temperament: Raziya champions the arts, making them accessible through her own research and organizational excellence. Properties: Raziya offers the gifts of her photographic eye, further using this radiant vision to identify those who lend themselves to quiet service and presenting them for recognition. With this knowledge to hand, Ryouko’jin Of The Iron Skies, Demon King of the Three Heavens, and Rani Indrakshi, induct her into the Order of the Silver Crescent on the field of Pennsic, in the 57th year of the society.

Silver Brooch for Caewlin

This was a Silver Brooch I did in 2022 for Caewlin Ealhreding. It was slotted to go out at GNEW but was moved to Pennsic of that year.

I am really happy with the calligraphy, the smoothness of the gold, and some of the details in the illumination. However, I wish I had used better tools to get the illuminated more symmetrical. I definitely learned from this piece.

Silver Brooch for Caewlin Ealhreding. Iron Gall ink, gold gilding, and gouache on Bristol paper. Words by me as well.

Page from the Benedictional of St Æthelwold in which my piece was based.

Gold leaf, iron gall ink, and gouache on Bristol paper.Inspired by the Benedictional of St Æthelwold, 963-984 Anglo-Saxon EnglandCalligraphy, illumination, and words (😶) by me- EmblaGiven Pennsic 2022.

Words:

As the dread Eastern Tiger roars for summer war, the artisans of the East prepare the kingdom for victory. Word of one such artisan, Caewlin Ealhreding who is known for fashioning leather wares such as belts, pouches, and sheaths. Reputation of his skill has grown from the Barony of Smoking Rocks, reaching across the East. Demon King of the Three Heavens, Ryou and Brilliant Queen Rani Indrakshi have learned of Caewlins works and as such find him worthy of recognition. And so, on this day that the rising sun glows across the lands of malagentia during our XXXIV GNE war, let all know that Caewlin is now an honored member of the Order of the Silver Brooch.