Scrolls in 2023

Laurel for Marlein Eberlein.  This was a scroll I had promised to do for the recipient as and when she became a Laurel (recognised master in the field of Arts and Sciences in the SCA). That finally happened this year. It was inspired by 16th century "Citizen Portraits"... that is, portraits commissioned by well-to-do bourgeois, something that really only began to happen in this period.  Previously portraiture had mostly been the monopoly of royalty or nobility.  Such portraits often (though far from universally) feature the sitter's accomplishments or source of their wealth, and because the sitter will not be armigerous, any heraldry will be typically that of their trade guild.  In this case I featured the clothes Marlein has made (being worn by her), a sprang hairnet and some pottery, three arts in which she has distinguished herself.  As she often sells her produce, I have put her at a trade counter, implying a successful merchant. I used the symbol of the Laurel Order as an approximate equivalent to Guild heraldry, though since it is SCA convention to include personal heraldry in such a scroll, I sneaked her own arms in as a decoration on one of the pots.

I have used the term "Scroll" because it is the term used in the SCA for an award certificate, even though very few are actually rolled paper or parchment.  In this case, it is in fact done as an oil painting on board, as would be typical of the genre that inspired it.  It is, for a scroll, a very large piece, approximately A2 size. (See picture below for an idea of the size)

Showing the inscriptions in gold leaf and as "Trompe-l'oeil" carving in the wood of her counter is again based on common examples of how text is used in this painting genre.  The text is in Latin (the universal language of the period) and Swedish (Marlein's own language).

Though inspired by the genre of 16th century citizen portraiture, this painting is not based on any one specific exemplar.

Photo by Danel Styringheim showing the presentation

Countess Scroll for Beatrix.  In the SCA, it is the custom for those who have reigned once as a queen to made a countess on stepping down.  Whilst this is an honour, it is also, in effect, a demotion, since the person being made countess has until recently been queen... and before becoming queen, may have been a commoner.  It is this change of fortunes inherent in the process of making someone a countess that led me to base this scroll on the common mediaeval motif of "the wheel of fortune", showing Fortuna turning the wheel that raises up to kingship and then deposes the poor unfortunate.  This motif is such a common one that I did not base it on any one particular exemplar, but it combines features drawn from a number of such illustrations.

Gouache and gold leaf on Pergamenata, A3 size.

The scroll being presented

Silver Martlet for Nicholas d'Estlych This is an award given at Principality level for Arts and Sciences.  As the recipient was being honoured for his services to heraldry, I based it on German heraldry manual.  It is, essentially, a direct copy, except that the heraldry itself has been altered to show the heraldry of (in ascending order), the Order of the Silver Martlet, the recipient's personal heraldry, and that of his SCA shire, principality and kingdom.  The text has also been altered, but the scrawling lettering is based on that used in the original... it is not just my poor calligraphy!

Gouache on Pergamenata, A4 size

Hild for Duncan Chaucer. This award is given at Principality level for services to teaching, in this case, teaching fencing.  Thus, like the one above, the inspiration was a manual from the period, and largely a direct copy except that the figure on the left has been made into a portrait of the recipient in his typical garb.  The lettering has likewise been based on that used in the original.

Gouache on Pergamenata, A4 size

Duke Drachenwald scroll for Elffin o'Mona.  "Duke" is the title awarded in the SCA to somebody who has reigned as king twice, upon their stepping down.  As Elffin was the first king of Drachenwald to reign twice, he was given the unique title of "Duke Drachenwald".  However, no scroll was produced at the time to honour the event, and Elffin asked me directly to produce one.  He was very specific about the content, which is why it features only his arms, but despite its simplicity, I attempted to produce it to high standards.

Gouache on Pergamenata, A3 size.  Large lettering and crown in gold leaf.