The Order of the Willow is an award given by the crown to those who have shown proficiency in the arts. The recipients are known by the badge blazoned: Purpure, a willow tree eradicated Or. This award is equal to the awards: Order of the Silver Oak.
- Direct Link: Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts
- Title: Robert de Boron, Joseph d'Arimathie, Le Livre de Merlin, Suite de Merlin ('the Huth Manuscript'); f. 53r: The battle between Uther and Pendragon at Salisbury.
- Origin: 14th century
The Award of the Willow was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Speedball calligraphy ink. The text reads as follows:
Proclaim unto all that we Vukasin, Royal Patroness of the arts and Cellach our King, right mindful of the skills that Avelyn atte Wode hath displayed in the arts of calligraphy and illumination, wish to recognize her as a companion of our Order of the Willow. We bestow upon her the right to bear the badge: Purpure, a willow tree eradicated Or, without let or hindrance. Confirmed by our hands this 28th day of October, Anno Societatis 52 in our March(e) of Tirnewydd.
I wanted to create an easy to frame scroll, so the paper size was set at 8"x10" to accommodate a 5"x7" frame mat, easily found at any commercial craft store. It was nice to work in miniature, even if it did require pulling out the extra lights and the reading glasses. :| As it turns out, the scanner decided to not function properly, so the finished work picture is lower quality due to my camera phone and it being overcast outside. (And probably the cats checking out if I was putting wet food down, thus throwing a little shade...)
 |
| Finished work. |
 |
| Inspiration piece. |
