Christine de Pisan style scrolls General style notes - Gerald: Christine is born in 1364 and widowed in 1390. She has to fight several lawsuits to secure her property at that point, and supports herself doing legal copywork. There are two children. Her literary career begins in 1399 and ends about 1429. She writes both prose and poetry. Repetition is a feature of her work, whether formally, as in the refrain line of a roundelay, or informally, where she repeats images or themes. A legal background does recur in some of the poetry, and she is very much a court poet, writing for important lords. To claim that a text of mine is in her style, I've sought to quote her extensively, and then to execute the remainder of the text in the style of the time. Individual notes will follow each text. I'm relying on the book Christine de Pizan, Her Life and Works, a biography by Charity Cannon Willard. Award of Arms - Gerald By each of its subjects a kingdom is known Said Fernando, King of Calontir's line And Lyriel, Queen by His martial deed ________________ in Their court did shine, And these were the words They bid us heed. "It is good to see how a court may shine With folk so noble in bearing and deed. So fair, so gentle, it's a joy sublime To see it, for it has no further need By each of its subjects, a kingdom is known. Arms We award to this gentle fine Before Our people, let heralds read Remember these letters which We sign For We shall be judged by those We lead. By each of Our subjects, Our kingdom is known." So say We, Fernando and Lyriel, from the Falcon Thrones. Done by Our hands and seal this ____ day of _______________. A.S. XXXV, in Our _______________________. Notes: This is a roundelay, distinguished by the refrain line, which actually does have to occur as the first line, and then the last line of the two remaining stanzas. And there can only be three stanzas--any longer would be a virelay. It is permitted to lengthen the last stanza, but I'm guessing that You would prefer to keep most texts as short as possible. The second stanza of this one is a quote from the Mutation of Fortune, 1402, a treatise on the proverb "a household is judged by its master." The proverb may mean either that the master is doing the judging, or that the household so mirrors the master that he can be judged by its actions. The refrain line is intended to use this second meaning. Award of Arms – Andrixos (1) Needful Service, cheerfully performed, without motives of aggrandizement, such is the vestment of Gentle Courtesy. And such has ________ by numerous deeds been marked as a worthy member of Our Realm that Propriety demands that We, Fernando and Lyriel, Falcon King and Lily Queen of Calontir award Arms by Our Royal Writ, Hand and Seal. Let this loyal subjects Arms be displayed henceforth as registered in the Great Rolls without let or bar from any, as is befitting of a Gentle of Our Court. By Our Hands and Seals, from Our __________________, We Affirm this Writ completed on the ____ day of _________, AS XXXV. Award of Arms – Andrixos (2) By Good Works do the subjects of a Realm come unto the Notice of the Crown, and so by the deeds and efforts of _____________ are We, Fernando, Falcon King and Lyriel, Lily Queen of Calontir well pleased. As is meet and fitting for such a devoted servant of Our Realm, it is Our Royal Will that henceforth and always shall they by this Award bear Arms within Our Realm without let or hindrence from any. By Our Hands and Seals, We Affirm this Writ completed on the _____ day of _________, AS XXXV, seated in our _____________________ |