Cyphers

[lumineaux]

Edward and Thyra wanted some of their Cyphers to include brief scrolls granting certain rights and privileges to their courtiers based on either personality quirks or the work done during the reign.  These were required to be short, but they wanted them to sound period.   They were fun little bits to do, because I was able to work with the language of contracts and wills, which often is not appropriate for SCA awards.
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By Edward the King. We do, by these our presents, give and grant to
our trusty and well-beloved Aífe ingen Chonchobair in Derthaige safe
passage throughout the lands of the East Kingdom, the which passage
shall be guaranteed by the performance of a song or story by the
aforenamed Aífe for us our the heirs of our body, to be tendered upon
Candlemas each year hereafter that our line shall sit the Tyger
Throne. Given at Carillion on 6 April in the 46th year of the
Society.
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By Edward the King. Forasmuch as Cassandra Grey of Lochleven has
rendered noble and diligent service unto our person as clothier,
counselor and companion, and for the love we bear to the aforenamed
Cassandra, we do by these our present letters give, grant and endow
the aforenamed Cassandra with the rights to use any such velvets,
satins, laces and sundry other materials, as well as such kirtles,
frocks, aprons and sundry other garments as may be found in our
stores, so that she may outfit herself suitably, the which rights
shall last for all the term of her life. Given at Carillion on 6
April in the 46th year of the Society.
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By Edward the King. By these our present letters, we do convey and
grant unto Eoghan Bastard mac Lachlainn of Lochleven, for the term of
his life, the sole, singular and unhindered usage of all Crown Lands
as lay within the borders of the East Kingdom for the raising and
maintenance of sheep, the which flocks shall be marked clearly with a
brand formed of a delf sable, the which usage shall be guaranteed by
the gift of mutton for our tables and those of our Son the Prince upon
the Feast of Twefth Night. Given at Carillion on 6 April in the 46th
year of the Society.
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By Thyra the Queen. Desiring to provide hereafter for the good
prosperity of our loyal servant Cristoff Gockerhan von Loch, we do
now, upon this 6th day of April in the forty-seventh year of the
Society, in open court before witnesses, give, grant and confirm unto
the said Cristoff, for the term of his life, the rights of free
passage upon the roads of the East Kingdom with all such wagons, carts
and sundry conveyances as may be necessary for his continued
livelihood.
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By Thyra the Queen. Know ye that of our especial grace, certain
science, and mere motion, we have given and granted, and by these
presents do give and grant to Sergei Rozvad syn a fast ship with a
shallow keel suitable for discovering, searching and obtaining from
remote, heathen and barbarous lands, countries, and territories any
and all useful and attractive items for our use, including but not
limited to kitchen basins. Given at Carillion on 6 April in the 46th
year of the Society.
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By Thyra the Queen. We do by these presents, for us, our heirs and
successors, give and grant license and immunity to Simon Gwyn from any
and prosecution, assailment or molestation for such injuries to the
English language as he is known to commit, the which license and
immunity shall extend to all lands where our word shall hold the force
of law and shall enjoy perpetual force. Given at Carillion on 6 April
in the 46th year of the Society.

Comments

[shalmestere.livejournal.com]

Très cool :-)

BTW, what did yours say? Who wrote it? Inquiring minds....

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

I don't know who wrote it; I will have to find the transcription amid the pile of notes from Last Court.

[bds-duncan.livejournal.com]

And they were a very nice touch.

[dreda.livejournal.com]

I missed the deadline of Candlemas for Aife's - I love that.

Also, I giggled really hard when Gregor described himself as king "by Grace of God and Right of Arms."

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Documents granting rights in return for things tended to have firm deadlines and date terms. That's why all of these, unlike award documents which give things in perpetuity, have definite and finite durations, or particular times when obligations must be performed.