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.
Illumination and Calligraphy 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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
