Madrun Cwith - Order of the Furisine

At Stonemarches Harper's Retreat this year 

We're so gratified to greet

Madrun Cwith with glad conceit 

For as the Baronial seat, We see

That she supports feasts, a treat!

A Baronial helpmeet!

These plain praises observed within by smart

Gerhardt and Amalie therein 

We put forth the Furisine 

In Anno Sociatitas sixey one

We’ve deemeded this done and agree

To give Our Madrun such glee

This Saturday September 19th, as We decree

Wordcount 72

Illumination and Calligraphy by  Cwenthryth Wine

Photo by Cwenthryth Wine

KEY Welsh - Englyn Penfyr (pre 1300s)

Three line tercets
Alliteration 
Syllable count: 10, 7, 7 
A rhyme ends the first line
A rhyme starts 2nd line
B rhyme in the first line: 8th, 9th, or 10th syllable 
B rhyme ends the end of 2nd and 3rd lines
Or
-------B B or B/A

A----B
------B

10 At Stonemarches Harper's Retreat this year 

7 We're gratified to greet

7 Madrun Cwith with glad conceit 

10 For as the Baronial seat, We see

7 That she supports feasts, a treat!

7 A Baronial helpmeet!

10 These plain praises observed within by smart

7 Gerhardt and Amalie therein 8

7 We put forth the Furisine (Fuer-i-sin)

10 In Anno Sociatitas sixey one

7 We deem this done and agree

7 To give Our Madrun much glee

This Saturday September 19th, as We decree

BLOG burned too bright for this world
-Emily Brontë
(More or less)

BLOG burned too bright for this world

-Emily Brontë

(More or less)

Research for this scroll was light. I checked my notes on the basics of an early form of Welsh poetry, Englyn Penfyr (pre 1300s) and re read class notes of a Welsh poetry class:

Wicked Welsh - The Poetry Of Gwerful Mechain. By Lord Dai Gerdwr, OW 

 With the form in hand I jumped into composition. Welsh Poetry is delightfully complex and I was able to give it the time I needed for composition.

VERSE ONE

10 At Stonemarches Harper's Retreat this year 

Since this verse is so complex, I am breaking them down by tercets rather than line by line. 

Much to my chagrin, I could not manage alliteration into the first line of the scroll. Since I wanted to get the location and event information out of the way quickly, I chose to keep the words as is.

7 We’re so gratified to greet

In the first round of composition I realized I had forgotten the interior rhyme. Going back over the verses, much to my surprised gratification, I realized I had included one! Year/We’re was already done! Done is beautiful.

7 Madrun Cwith with glad conceit 

Conceit was chosen with one of its definition as in “a result of mental activity:thought”

VERSE TWO

10 For as the Baronial seat, We see

This first line has the only correct alliteration in the verse.

7 That she supports feasts, a treat!

This is where the alliteration fell away in favor of the rhyming and syllable count.I tried at least to have the sounds repeated in the second line with supports and feasts but under the way we mark alliteration at the beginning of the word, this doesn’t count. But to the ear of the listener, hearing it will seem like alliteration.

7 A Baronial helpmeet!

While Helpmeet can be used as a euphemism for wife or husband, here I am using it as an indication that this person is married to their job in the barony, so to speak, while attempting to support the positive connotations that evokes.

VERSE THREE

10 These plain praises observed within by smart

Technically the rhyme word “within” should be on the 8th, 9th or 10th syllable not on the 7th. I made the exception or justification that it is at least the third word from the end, if not within the permitted syllable spots. A better way to read this would be to read it out like a very long sentence.

7 Gerhardt and Amalie therein 8

In general, I try not to write sentences that wrap around the lines of verse. Especially in these earlier poetic forms. As the author I sometimes cheese to break the rules in order for the scroll to make sense.
This line with Their Excellencies names goes over the 7 syllable count. Sometimes with a person or a place name I will leave the extra syllable. It's a small concession to the required information of the scroll.

7 We put forth the Furisine (Fuer-i-sin)

This was a BAronial award that I was unfamiliar with. I had to reach out to the community for a common pronunciation before I could finish the poetry!

VERSE FOUR

10 In Anno Sociatitas sixey one

It’s not often that I can get Anno Sociatitas in a rhyme that flows naturally, so I will definitely take it when it happens.

7 We deem this done and agree

7 To give Our Madrun much glee

This the final verse in the scroll also came out the most successive tercit included with the scroll. There is separate alliteration in each line, the interior rhyme is clear and the end rhymes are simple and clear. 

FINAL LINE

This Saturday September 19th, as We decree

Alas, as I pat myself on the back for working in Anno Societatis, I had to tack the last bits of information on the bottom of the scroll out of the rhyme scheme. I did manage to end it on a continuing rhyme, so when read out it sounds as if it belongs in the poetry.

And there it is. I enjoyed dipping my toes in Welsh poetry. I love the challenge it represents with the interior rhyme. I am very glad that I have managed to take a few classes at Pennsic concerning Welsh Poetry. These classes lead me to find better sources online that I have explored in previous scrolls. I have made mistakes in the past in this rhyme scheme, and it's always a treat to continue secure in that those mistakes are behind me as I move forward with this verse.

Photo by Cwenthryth Wine

Photo by Cwenthryth Wine

Photo by Cwenthryth Wine

Photo by Cwenthryth Wine

Wentlyanna Bengrek - Order of the Silver Cattail

Their Excellencies of the lands and holdings entrusted to them, Eldrich Gaiman and Mairi Crawford of the Barony of Iron Bog, sit before this welcome assemblage.

We are thankful for the presence of Wentlyanna Bengrek. Therefore We believe with some confidence and looking kindly upon her years of dedication to the whole of the Barony do conclude that We are better for her  presence.

For We have long known with a profound sincerity, her veneration and dedication to Us and Our populace. Her reputation will no longer be concealed by silence, the brilliance of the deeds themselves will not remain dulled. Thus We now declare most strongly: that

Wentlyanna's steadfast efforts fervently represent The Order of The Silver Cattail.

As We’ve so declared, this award with its trappings shall be presented upon Wentlyanna Bengrek. With regard to every place, port and person under Our jurisdiction, this has been recorded and set into Our annals this Saturday September 19th, Anno Societatis LXI, at Our annual River War.

Word Count 166
Illumination and Calligraphy by Annika Björnsdóttir

Photo by Annika Björnsdóttir

Rivers belong where they can ramble

Eagles belong where they can fly

I've got to be where my spirit can run free

Got to find my corner of the BLOG

To my delight, I was asked to write the words for this award. Writing scrolls for friends is the best part of this job. The composition was requested to be in a traditional form. In SCAdian terms, this would be prose instead of poetics.
When attempting to write in the prose style as treatises, proclamations, or letters of the time period my go-to method is to find a sample of the writing and emulate that. Having the reference point in front of me helps me craft the scroll words as close as possible to how the medieval people would have written it themselves.

Through much searching on the intertweebz, I found the pdf for Medieval and Renaissance Studies Primary Sources. From there I found the Letter of Cadwalla, abbot of Redon, to Hildegard, duchess of Anjou, (1038). Though the subject: 

“Abbot Cadwalla asks the Duchess to grant assistance and safe, toll-free passage to a monk selling wine from the monastery’s vineyards in order to raise money for renovations.” is vastly different from the nature of Silver Cattail, the Barony’s highest honor: 

“Given for exceptional contributions to the Barony and for serving as role model for all members of the populace. The Baronial seat may award no more than just one Silver Cattail per year.”

What follows is the breakdown of the original letter, the process notes, and the final version as was included on the final award document. Transforming a letter about something so completely different from the praise poetry we use in a scroll is a challenging, intricate puzzle.

ORIGINAL

Abbot Cadwalla of the monastery of Redon and the flock entrusted to him send

to Hildegard, queen of Anjou, the gift of saving prayers.

WORKING NOTES

Their Excellencies of the Lands and people entrusted to them, Eldrich Gaiman and Mairi Crawford of the Barony of Iron Bog sit before today’s assemblage.

FINAL VERSION

Their Excellencies of the lands and holdings entrusted to them, Eldrich Gaiman and Mairi Crawford of the Barony of Iron Bog, sit before this welcome assemblage.

COMMENTARY

When basing on a period work one of the first things to do is to take out any references to religion. As a substitute to fit a secular perspective I chose effusive descriptions of the Barony and their Baronage.

____________

ORIGINAL

We give thanks that through frequent envoys and letters you have not disdained

to visit our humility, when you beseech us to remember you in our prayers. And

therefore, if you believe with some confidence that God looks kindly upon you

because of us, know that, although we are sinners and not strong enough [to

pray] on our own behalf, we nevertheless remember you each day to the Lord.

WORKING NOTES

We are thankful for the presence of Wentlyanna Bengrek and therefore, We believe with some confidence and look kindly upon her and her years of dedication to the Barony. 

we nevertheless remember each day

FINAL VERSION

We are thankful for the presence of Wentlyanna Bengrek. Therefore We believe with some confidence and looking kindly upon her years of dedication to the whole of the Barony do conclude that We are better for her presence.

COMMENTARY

Instead invoking God, this section was used as the introduction to the recipient, sprinkled with some of the explanation of why the award is being given.

____________

ORIGINAL

For we have long known with what profound sincerity you show God religious

veneration and his servants submission. And if your reputation were to be

concealed by silence, the brilliance of the deeds themselves would not remain

quiet. This alone do we urge most strongly: that you strive fervently to make

progress in the Good.

WORKING NOTES

For We have long known with what profound sincerity she shows veneration and dedication. 

Therefore her reputation will no longer be concealed by silence, the brilliance of the deeds themselves will not remain quiet. This alone do We declare most strongly: that Wentlyanna's steadfast efforts fervently represent The Order of The Silver Cattail 

FINAL VERSION

For We have long known with a profound sincerity, her veneration and dedication to Us and Our populace. Her reputation will no longer be concealed by silence, the brilliance of the deeds themselves will not remain dulled. Thus We now declare most strongly: that Wentlyanna's steadfast efforts fervently represent The Order of The Silver Cattail.

COMMENTARY

The one real difference I made to the words here was to enhance “brilliance” by including the word, “dulled.” To create the image that the award represents her shining presence in the barony. Which perfectly led into naming the award of The Silver Cattail which was described to me as the Baronial version of the Tyger of the East.

____________

ORIGINAL

Now then, because we have decided this coming March to renovate our

monastery, which is nearly in ruins because of its age, we are sending you this

brother so that he may sell wine from the vineyards granted to us by God’s

generosity. 

WORKING NOTES

Now then, because we have decided that today, at this River War 

 this award with its trappings 

FINAL VERSION

As We’ve so declared, this award with its trappings shall be presented upon Wentlyanna Bengrek. 

COMMENTARY

This spot in the source material specifically mentioned a date and because of that it could be the spot to add the dating information of the award document, in an effort to be more true to the original. However due to the way the composition was built, it made more thematic sense to include that information in the end as part of the conclusion of the scroll.

____________

ORIGINAL

But we fear, and not idly so, that the patient fellow shall be

prevented by someone on account of the strife that has arisen between your lord

[the Duke of Anjou] and the prince of Brittany. We therefore commend him to

your protection, asking that, for the sake of the honor of the Lord Savior whom

we serve, you not fail to assist him in whatever matter he should need assistance.

Furthermore, with regard to tolls in every place and port subject to your

jurisdiction, we pray that you shall let him pass free of charge, just as we trust in

you. Farewell

WORKING NOTES

Furthermore, with regard to every place and port subject to Our jurisdiction, We've recorded that has been done Anno Societatis LXI

FINAL VERSION

With regard to every place, port and person under Our jurisdiction, this has been recorded and set into Our annals this Saturday September 19th, Anno Societatis LXI, at Our annual River War.

COMMENTARY

While there was a good section of the inspiration that I could still draw from, there was also a great deal of required information still left to include. As such I skipped to the end of the piece and took from the concluding lines for my own conclusion.
In one of my final reviews, I noticed that the day and dates ended up being alliterative. I liked how it emphasized the final sentence. As such I went back to the sentence before it, which also had some alliteration and decided to emphasize it more, changing “subject” to “person.” 

____________

Writing in this style of prose can be very fulfilling. Taking an existing piece and adapting it to suit the needs of the modern eye of recreation is an enjoyable challenge. The entire project was made all the sweeter writing for a friend. 

Photo by Wentlyanna Bengrek