Table of Contents
- Backlog Overview / FAQ
- What kind of art do you do? What is your specialty?
- How does the backlog work?
- Album Note
- Backlog Scribal
- Honor of The Lion's Sword (July 17, 1999) for Skapti Thorinsson
- Goutte de Sang (Jul 15, 1989) for Megan Althea of Glengariff
- Lion's Arrow (Jul 21, 1996) for Erik MacLost
- Lion's Sword (Sep 1988) for Eirikr Thorinsson
- Carp (Jul 1987) for Anastasia Aleksandrovna Andreeva
- Jambe de Lion (May 1985) for Meresigha Stonegatta of Witham
- Carp (Feb 2005) for Achaxe Ek Auchatae
- Goutte de Sang (Sep 1983) and Jambe de Lion (Jul 1984) for Celdae the Seeker
- Jambe de Lion (Aug 1986) for Eduardo Francesco Maria Lucrezia - make #2
- Goutte de Sang (Jan 1986) for Thorvald Grimsson
- Jambe de Lion (Aug 1986) for Eduardo Francesco Maria Lucrezia
Backlog Overview / FAQ
What kind of art do you do? What is your specialty?
I love backlog work because you get to work directly with the recipient and hear directly from them what they hope for as opposed to the guess work involved in an unannounced scroll. I have, however, found that this also results in inquiries into what I as the scribe could or would make.
I make a variety of things in various different mediums! Since scrolls are often art on paper (though they don’t have to be!) the specialty question usually seems to be looking for a specific style or time frame for reference manuscripts/documents that I might focus on recreating. I haven’t specialized in that way. I try to work with whatever suits you, the recipient, and what you have told me you are interested in or looking for. I am quite happy to try new things! That said, if you would like to see some examples of my past work to get some ideas of what I have done or what my work might look like, that’s what this album is for. If something catches your eye, or sparks a ‘crazy idea' we can run with that theme! If you don’t see anything like what you had in mind - the album is purely backlog scrolls that I have completed, and I repeat that I am happy to try something new! :)
How does the backlog work?
The basic outline of the system is as follows: The backlog coordinators collect and organize information on who has received an An Tir award without a scroll / scroll-like-recognition-object, or with a promissory note instead of the actual document / object. (If you are missing something, or someone you know is missing something, contact the backlog coordinator! No, it is not too late!) This information is then made available to any scribes interested in helping out. (Are you interested in taking on a backlog assignment? Then you should also contact the backlog coordinator!) From that point either the recipient can find a scribe to commission a piece from, or a scribe can find a recipient to offer something to. Contact is made and ideas for the scribal item are discussed. If both the recipient and scribe are happy with the plan, that gets recorded with the coordinator and then the assignment is worked on. When complete, the scribe will send the item either to the backlog coordinator or the recipient directly. Regardless of the initial sending location, the final address the item is to be sent to will be needed so that it can be kept with the item and appropriately routed. If the item is one which needs a seal and signatures (traditional paper awards for example) it will be sent to the coordinator first who will take care of finishing those parts before sending it to the recipient.
Album Note
The photos are all pre-signature / seal as that is the stage I send them off in. If there are large oddly-blank spaces or pieces that look purposely off balanced, that likely indicates where the seal / signatures are meant to go. In most cases these are not the “final product” that the recipient receives.
Backlog Scribal
Honor of The Lion's Sword (July 17, 1999) for Skapti Thorinsson
There was a specific eagle design that the recipient particularly liked which I mimicked to make the centrepiece of this award.
Wordsmith - Karin Ollesdotter av Augvaldsnes, inspired by La Comtessa de Dia, “Ab ioi et ab iodent m’apais"
minor wording edits, transliteration to Elder Futhark, calligraphy and illumination by Greta Grunwald
English text reads:
For we’ve chosen one who’s brave and noble in whom worth becomes ennobled; openhanded, agile, knowing, full of knowledge and good sense. We pray that he not believe, and that none can make him believe We’re failing him, always providing him.
My friend, brave worthy person know your worth and so We ask you presently; please lend Us your protecting presence.
By Our Hand, King Davin and Queen Groa of An Tir this 17th day of July, in A.S. XXXIV present you, Skapti Thorinsson with the Honor of The Lion's Sword. Long may you live to protect Our realm and great Kingdom of An Tir.
Goutte de Sang (Jul 15, 1989) for Megan Althea of Glengariff
Megan asked specifically for illumination from the Book of Kells, so this piece is based off of the canon tables on folio 4v Since this piece has the recipients heraldry, the scroll gets an additional seal - one to go on either side of the Goutte de Sang badge.
Lion's Arrow (Jul 21, 1996) for Erik MacLost
Erik's persona is a Norse Viking adopted into a Scottish clan, and he mentioned associating with silver/white and blue. I picked a lion design from Kells to hold a blue and silver fletched "Lion's Arrow" for the initial. The T is from folio 124r, and the little lions are from folio 77v
Lion's Sword (Sep 1988) for Eirikr Thorinsson
Eirikr particularly likes Celtic knot work, so the design is inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels. The part around the seal is based on the cover, and the sword is adapted from a small detail on folio 27. Wording by Halima Al-Rakkasa! Eirikr was also interested in having a largish size for the award, so this is 13" x 18".
Carp (Jul 1987) for Anastasia Aleksandrovna Andreeva
Anastasia fancied having the award scroll be a folk tale telling the story of her carp award given for her 16thc Russian persona. This was part of the second 48 hour An Tir backlog scribal competition with a "winter" theme, specifically the song "Hazy Shade of Winter". Halima Al-Rakkasa wrote the award text as a fairy tale for me to use (which I calligraphed here in a psuedo-cyrillic hand). I selected a Russian Orthodox Church calendar (that actually looks a fantastic amount like a modern comic strip) to display the story. Reference manuscript
Jambe de Lion (May 1985) for Meresigha Stonegatta of Witham
Meresigha particularly liked Folio 25r from the Benedictional of St. Æthelwold, and suggested modifying it to include the lion's arm. Thus this work is based off of that manuscript: MS 49598
Carp (Feb 2005) for Achaxe Ek Auchatae
Since the carp is an award for persona development, it made sense to do a persona-based item for this one. This is a fish-pendant based primarily off of saddle blanket pendants from the 5th century BCE, now found in the Hermitage Museum: inventory number 1295-248, along with the recipient's heraldry. The primary materials for the pendant are leather, horse hair, imitation gold leaf, fur, various glues, and dye.
Goutte de Sang (Sep 1983) and Jambe de Lion (Jul 1984) for Celdae the Seeker
The main request for this piece was to have something small that combined both the Goutte de Sang and the Jambe de Lion. The design elements are primarily taken from this 1595 Persian manuscript: Bodleian Library MS. Elliott 254, 67b.
To ensure enough space to fit both awards on the page, with 4 royal signatures, a seal, border space, etc, the geometric design lines where made with the award text. The paper size here is 7" x 11". As it may be challenging to read on small screens, the text of the two awards are as follows:
"Unto all upon whom these words fall, pray heed: The eminent glory of Our great Kingdom of An Tir is reflected in both the subtle works and the great endeavours of our peoples. It is the judgement of the Sable Lion Throne that such effort and devotion be rewarded. Well pleased are We by the noble service that Our subject Celdae the Seeker hath rendered unto Our Realm. So do we Manfred Kriegstreiber, King by right of arms and we Morwyn of Wye, Queen of grace and inspiration decree that your name be entered into the ranks of Our right noble Order of the Goutte de Sang. This do We confirm by Our hands and sanctify by Our Seal on this the 4th day of September, Anno Societatis XVIII"
"Unto all upon whom these words fall, pray heed: The eminent glory of Our great Kingdom of An Tir is reflected in the arts of our peoples. It being one of Our greatest pleasures to recognize and honor creative excellence, may it be proclaimed throughout Our Realm that on this 14th day of July, Anno Societatis XIX We, Thorin Njalsson and Angharad Drakenhefd o Fynydd Blaena, Crown of An Tir, are profoundly satisfied and indeed exceedingly jubilant as We admit Celdae the Seeker into Our inspired and most accomplished Order of the Jambe de Lion. We charge you now to go forth from this day and share your skill and knowledge that Our Kingdom may ever after be enriched by your gifts. We confirm and acknowledge unto them all rights and responsibilities attendant upon this rank, without let or hindrance from any person. This do We confirm by Our hands and sanctify by Our Seal on this the 14th day of July, Anno Societatis XIX"
Jambe de Lion (Aug 1986) for Eduardo Francesco Maria Lucrezia - make #2
The first version of this award that I made got lost in the mail, so I made a new one. The award later turned up again, so now there's just two versions!
This one is aimed at a 1460's Italian persona by building off this piece from 1450-1460 Florence that I thought would work well as a scroll.
Goutte de Sang (Jan 1986) for Thorvald Grimsson
The request for this one was to have the recipient's persona carving the runes still in the stone railing in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
The text was transliterated by the recipient himself and says the following:
"Unto all upon whom these words fall, pray heed:
The eminent glory of Our great Kingdom of An Tir is reflected in both the subtle works and the great endeavours of our peoples. It is the judgement of the Sable Lion Throne that such effort and devotion be rewarded. Well pleased are We by the noble service that Our subject Thorvald Grimsson hath rendered unto Our Realm. So do we Thorin Njalsson, King by right of arms and we Angharad Drakenhefd o Fynydd Blaena, Queen of grace and inspiration decree that your name be entered into the ranks of Our right noble Order of the Goutte de Sang. This do We confirm by Our hands and sanctify by Our Seal on this the 30th day of August, Anno Societatis XXI."
Jambe de Lion (Aug 1986) for Eduardo Francesco Maria Lucrezia
This scroll was done as part of a 48 hour competition which had a theme of pollinators and harvesters. The general style is from Mira calligraphiae monumenta, and a few specific elements are from Ms. 20 (86.MV.527), fol. 59 and Ms. 20 (86.MV.527), fol. 4. The design also attempts to make references to the recipient's heraldry.
