Lorcan’s County

If I lead old friends into the fray,
I sing under the Shield,
And they fare into battle mighty and whole
and they fare from battle whole,
they are whole wherever they go.
------Havamal  verse 156.
All men praise nobility and worth. It is most praiseworthy of a King and Queen to recognize the accomplishments and value of their people. Therefore, We, Duncan and Larissa, King and Queen of Trimaris, do demand that all people honor the valiant and true Lorcann an Dubhghaille for this day He is proclaimed Earl. Let all the honors, rights, and privileges of this lofty rank be his due. For this day He has done the most noble and honorable of deeds.He has returned the fair Kingdom of Trimaris to Us richer and mightier than when He first received its Crown. Done by our hand this second of April, A.S. XLV
Duncan, King
Larissa, Queen

Design and Execution:
Design based upon the Ornside Bowl, an 8th century silver bowl crafted in York and found in the grave of a Viking warrior buried in Cumbria who likely looted the piece during a raid on York.
Shield Construction by Baron Segda ui Mordha

Drawn by Lady Brynna of Kildare

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Text, Transliteration, Calligraphy and Illumination by Mistress Maol Mide ingen Medra

Painting assistance provided by HL Gwenhwfyr ber Cain, Lady Brynna of Kildare, HL Arianna Rosa Cristina de Veniziano, Mistress Theodora Perplexa, Lady Franca Donato and dozens more who assisted in small portions so they could lend their skills to this unique project.

This piece was completed almost two years ago but I just recently received these close up photos of the work. Thanks to Patricia Bauman for the photos.

Elena's County

This was done some 6-7 years ago. One of my first pieces on vellum, this was a bit of a learning experience. It was also the second time I was using ground mineral pigments, making my own glair, and I was still not so sure-handed with gilding.

Why my friends asked me to produce work in this period, I have no clue. I look back at pages done years ago and can see only the flaws.

Based upon folio 124r of the Manesse Codex depicting Walther von der Vogelweide sitting in a pose described in one of his most famous songs, I adapted this page for Elena's County. I used a more feminine border from another page of the Codex Manesse and left out the helm and scroll depicted in the original.

One personal addition, a tiny purple goblet, was inserted at the bottom of the frame as a bit of fun-poking at my dear friend Elena.

I do have to say it is very odd looking with fresh eyes at a project done so long ago.