Award of the Argent Cresset - October 2019

The Award of the Argent Cresset is an award given by the Baron and Baroness of Cleftlands to individuals who make efforts to learn and teach the arts within the Barony.

• Source: Catalog of Illuminated Manuscripts, British Library
• Title: Gospel Lectionary, Use of Paris ('Quatrième Évangéliaire de la Sainte-Chapelle')
• Origin: France, Central (Paris)
• Date: c. 1285-1920

The Award of the Argent Cresset was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Speedball calligraphy ink. The text reads as follows:

Draw near to hear the words of Their Excellencies Crispin and Gianna, Baron and Baroness of the Cleftlands. It is proper to honor those gentles who make efforts to learn and teach the arts which enrich the splendor of our fair barony. Therefore, we recognize Jaquelinne la Deiciere as the premier recipient of our Award of the Argent Cresset of the Cleftlands. We grant the right to bear the badge: Fieldless, a cresset argent enflamed proper, within and conjoined to an annulet argent estencilly gules. Done by our hands on the fifth day of October, Anno Societatis 54 at our Standard Bearers Baronial Championships.

Finished work.

Inspiration piece.

Pennsic War 48 Classes I Took

War this year was a mixture between personal, project, and professional time. I was able to squeeze in a small number of classes as time allowed. (I'll try to come back through and eventually write up insights on the classes, but today is not that day.)

1. Surveying Material Culture from Written Inventory - This class will explore the Last Will and Testament of Kale Pakouriane, a Byzantine *patrikia* (noblewoman) and her impressive inventory of clothing, jewelry, and household goods, within the dispersion of bequests to a variety of beneficiaries. Beneficiaries included her mother, sisters, manumitted slaves, and other household staff. We will re-live her marriage, life, closet, and wealth from her written will, and reconstructed garments will be displayed. (Instructor: Baroness Anna Dokeianina Syrakousina)
2. Slavery & Freed Persons in Rome - Slavery was a fact of life in ancient Rome, so what might a Roman persona be expected to know about it? Join us as we dispel the myths, face the facts and gain an understanding of how Roman people interacted with this challenging tradition. (Instructor: Salvia Repentina) 
3. Twelve Plants through the Ages: Year 3 - Follow twelve plants through time from Celsus to the modern day. What plants were used medicinally in period, and which of these uses have been proven by contemporary science. I am covering 12 plants this year which are different from the previous two years of plants covered by this class. This is a historical overview of uses, and does not constitute medical advice. (Instructor: Mistress Raziya Bint Rusa)
4. Justinian’s Plague and The Great Mortality - Come learn about flagellants, fleas, *tarbagans+, plague saints, and what Empress Theodora did with her three orifices. (Instructor: Baroness Slany bean Uillic)
5. Medieval Soil Amendments - Come discuss a variety of soil amendments used by medieval gardeners, and talk about why they were/are added/used from both a modern and medieval standpoint. We will try to discuss at least four soil amendments, and possibly more if time permits. (Instructor: Baroness Ellice de Valles)
6. Kick-Ass Medieval Women - We've heard it all before: Women were subjugated in the European middle ages. Haha, not quite! There will be no damsels in distress in this class! We'll survey a handful of strong women who bested their "better sex" using the sword, pen, or both. (Instructor: Baroness Anna Dokeianina Syrakousina)
7. Coronets: Interacting with Royals and Baronage (Instructor: Baroness Edan Lowery)
8. Russian Folk Demonology - Overview of the most common characters of Russian folk demonology, including household and nature spirits, diseases, werewolves, mermaids, and the undead, none of them particularly nice. (Instructor: Lady Luceta Di Cosimo)

Order of Saint Clairiel - June 2019

The Order of Saint Clairiel is an award given by the Baron and Baroness of Cleftlands to individuals who have performed minor miracles within the Barony.

• Source: Catalog of Illuminated Manuscripts, British Library
• Title: Book of Hours, Use of Sarum ('The Taymouth Hours')
• Origin: England S.E. (London?)
• Date: Second quarter of the 14th century

The Order of Saint Clairiel was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Speedball calligraphy ink. The text reads as follows:

Let one and all know that we, Crispin and Gianna, fifth baron and baroness of the Cleftlands, here induct Cadfan of Cleftlands into the Order of Saint Clairiel in recognition of the miracles he performed while facilitating the baronial history display for (the) Midrealm’s golden jubilee. Done this first day of June, A.S. fifty and four at our Northern Oaken War Maneuvers.

Finished work.

Inspiration piece.