Calligraphy practice for the scroll below
June-July 2004

Martin (finally) sent me the specs for what he wanted in June. Drafts #4-#8 are on graph paper. To the left are #1 and #6.

Draft #1 - Oh, I was rusty! I also learned that ink flows more on flimsy notebook paper.

Draft #2, Draft #3, Draft #4, Draft #5

Draft #6, Draft #7, Draft #8

Not only does the calligraphy improve, but the wording changes between versions too...

Red Raven: Martin Dragonet
July 2004

The award, given in Sept. 2003, was a surprise. The recipient was known for being, among other things, a musician, a protégé, and a curmudgeon. Despite the last, to my relief, he loved his whimsical scroll.

The calligraphy is my attempt at what would fit his persona (England, early 1500's). The blazon for his device: Argent, on a fess azure between three martlets, close and sinister facing gules, a dragon passant Or. Supporting the escutcheon is an otter.

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Earlier version: no blue dragon

As above, but without the blue dragon behind the Red Raven badge. Included as example of creative repair (or additional embellishment, take your pick).

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Practice for the invitation below
July-August 2004

This first attempt has some differences from the final version: no -us endings on the names, no decoration, no paragraphs, better long-S letters, and no crossed out letters (sigh).

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Royal invitation to Castle Wars II
August 2004

A lot of firsts with this one for me. First piece in Latin. First piece on parchment paper. First piece that I wasn't there for when it was given to the recipient.

The calligraphy is my attempt at would what be suitable for England, 1064 (at the time, the intended setting for the event, I think). Guillaume did the translation (see below for his Red Raven scroll!). The long S is no favorite of mine...

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Red Raven: Guillaume des Pyrenees
October 2004

He was very well-known for a love of games; a chess rook is the main charge on his arms. At the time, Guillaume was also one of Elspeth's apprentices.

The calligraphy (I call it a soft textura quadrata) is my attempt at what would fit his persona (13th century Occitan). Elspeth did the painting. The critter has the snout of a dragon, the ears of a dog, the mane of a horse, and the legs and tail of a goat.

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Red Raven: Ludwig Würzsteiner
October 2004

He was known for being a musician and for his service in the offices of both reeve and seneschal. The calligraphy is my attempt at what would fit his persona (mid-15th century HRE). Elspeth did the painting and calls the purple critter a nose-toodler...

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Red Raven: Irene von Schmetterling
October 2004

At the time, her persona changed "depending on interest", but Irene is a longtime, avid practitioner of the dueling sword. Considering the concept of a challenge in a duel, I decided to give myself and my lady a sort of challenge.

I chose an Italian humanist hand and asked Elspeth for whitevine decoration. I had practiced non-italic and then tried to do the scroll italicized... (not smart). The calligraphy hand and decoration styles were both firsts for us.

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Red Raven: Andrew MacLeod
November 2004

Andrew is the first person, to my knowledge, who lives far from the Barony to be recognized at this level for service to the Barony. To match his dignity, I intended a simple document. His persona is from Scotland, circa 1400.

I call the script a cleaner version of a English secretary hand, circa 15th century. It is also (at least the body text after the first line) much larger than I intended. The heraldry at the bottom, from sinister to dexter are the bages of the Barony, the order, and Andrew's device. The green and purple things are thistles – from a suggestion to Elspeth as a possible design element.

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