I recently had the singular pleasure of writing for two friends at the same time. Mistress Elisabeth Piper and Dame Elanor of Eccleshall were both to be awarded the Order of the Carp for their excellence in persona development. In writing charter words for them, I wanted to base my work off of poems both... Continue Reading →
A Laurel Scroll for Angharat verch Reynulf
Photograph of Angharat verch Reynulf by Anne Asplund This charter is done in the cywydd style of Welsh poetry popular in the 14th century. Cywydd poems were poems of praise of worthy persons. A bard who composed and performed cywydd was known as a cywyddwyr. Cywydd poems were composed of rhyming couplets, where each line... Continue Reading →
A Processional for Gerald
The Priory of Saint Catherine, assembled for Gerald's elevation to the Order of the Laurel. Having written lyrics for two peerage elevations before, I had started to feel comfortable in composing them. So when Dame Cristiana asked me to help with Gerald's surprise elevation, I jumped at the chance to write something for this dear... Continue Reading →
A Processional for Disa
Writing Disa’s processional hymn was the most challenging and enjoyable piece of writing I have done in a long time. I really wanted the music to contribute to the authenticity of her ceremony. My goal, therefore, was to produce a piece which would have been unquestioningly plausible for 9th century Birka. Which proved nearly... Continue Reading →
A Processional for Aelisia
As a Beginner-level instrumentalist, I am very challenged in writing lyrics (and I don’t write music at all). So when asked to write music for Aelisia’s procession I had to clarify that I could write lyrics to someone else’s music given sufficient time and access to a recording of the tune (as well as, of... Continue Reading →
The Tragedie of King Donald the first: A scene from a historie in the Elizabethan tradition
Some endeavors we undertake from an inner sense of need or desire, others we are called upon to perform by those to whom we are beholden or admire. The latter was the case when the Lady Aine Skye, of inestimable virtue and talent, asked me to enter the Iron Bardic competition at Honey War 2017. ... Continue Reading →
Olcan’s Championship Scroll: 2016
In 2015 (A.S. L), Olcan became our Shield of Glymm Mere for a second year in a row. In planning the Charter to give him at the end of his year of service, I really strove to create a wholly original piece in a meter, rhyme scheme, and style consistent with his persona's poetic culture. ... Continue Reading →
Daedin’s grant of demesne: an actual charter!
And now for something completely different. Around the time that Aelisia and I became the baronage of Glymm Mere, Her Excellency ban-Jarla (Countess) Daedin had taken a fledgling group of members under her wing. Through her tutelage, they learned about the SCA and about the joy found in Service. In thanks for the good... Continue Reading →
Olcan’s Championship Scroll: 2015
In 2014 (anno societatis XLIX), the heavy fighting championship for the Barony of Glymm Mere in the Kingdom of An Tir was won by the honorable lord Olcan Mac Meanma, known affectionately as Olcan "the Gentle". He served us well for a year with the title 'Shield of Glymm Mere', at the end of which... Continue Reading →
Elanor Stanhope’s Equestrian Championship: 2015
As her persona is of a twelfth century Anglo-Norman noblewoman, I decided to try my hand at writing in French.
I don't speak French.
