Baronial Investiture Scroll

[lumineaux]

Source Text: Charter granted by Richard II to York in 1393 (http://www.the-orb.net/encyclop/culture/towns/florilegium/government/gvcons08.html)

 

Edward Rex et Marguerite Regina, to our archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, dukes, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, reeves, officers, and all our bailiffs and loyal subjects, greetings. Know that by our special grace and at the petition of our well-loved subjects, the seneschal and the citizens of Our Barony of Smoking Rocks, we do now, upon this the feast of Saint Edward, martyr and king, grant and give license, on behalf of Ourselves and Our heirs (insofar as we may), to Nest verch Tangwistel to assume, hold, keep and exercise the authority, prerogatives, pre-eminences and appurtenances of the office of territorial Baroness of the aforesaid Barony; and We do further by these Our letters endow the said Nest with such portion of Royal authority and power as is just, fit and in accordance with well-established custom and venerable law to correct and punish, and the power and authority to take cognizance, enquire, hear and determine all things and matters concerning all kinds of felonies, transgressions, misprisions, and extortions, as well as all kinds of other cases and pleas whatsoever occurring within or pertaining to the aforesaid Barony of Smoking Rocks in whatever way in return for which authority We do require, command, enjoin and obligate the said Nest to defend, protect and maintain the aforesaid Barony in Our name and to raise such armies, levies, troops and funds as may be called upon to defend the Kingdom of the East, whether so called upon by Us or Our Heirs. And if it shall happen that any person or persons refuse to obey, execute and observe all things comprised by this Act, then every such person or persons shall suffer the manifest displeasure of the Crown and shall incur such pains, penalties and forfeitures as the Crown shall hereafter decree. Given by Our Hand at the Barony of Smoking Rocks, upon 19 June, A.S. XLV.

 

 

Comments

[bds-duncan.livejournal.com]

It is so very good to see a scroll based upon good precedent. Several days ago I was discussing the general topic of scrolls and C&I items in general and the subject of appropriate class topics came up. Something that might be considered would be a class for scribes and others on how to draft appropriate language for our awards - drawing both on precedent and the recipient's persona.

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

What's "appropriate"? I happen to do legal-style documents. katnboots and others do poetry. Given that our scrolls don't have a good parallel in period practice, I can't say that one is any more appropriate than the other.

[katnboots.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[lanome.livejournal.com]

I think this one was up there with your best ever (and not just because there were lots of 'k's).

The bit about dealing with the felonies, etc got a chuckle. Also, mrgrumpybear read it very well (not that I'm the expert on these things). I think you would have been pleased.

[delabarre.livejournal.com]

This is really impressive work, and it really takes the scroll to a whole new level above the old "Thus do we, So and So, Rex and Regina, in our Barony of Somewhere, induct them into the Order of the Halibut."

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

The "work" consists primarily of research to find period legal documents in translation or transcription. Once I've found a source appropriate to the time and persona, the actual adapting takes very little time at all. Most of the best language in this is a direct lift from the source document. Maybe one day I'll post a redlined version showing where I lifted text and where I wrote independently.

[delabarre.livejournal.com]

Research is work. (Thinking about doing research like this makes me want to take a nap, so by my definition, it's work.)

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

I am a research geek. The number of half-written articles I have is just astounding. Also, my tolerance for mind-numbing boredom is probably higher than most people given what I do for a living ;-)