In the following article are questions I have been asked during my years
as a scribe. I will attempt to answer them and hopefully clear away some
of the confusion surrounding how scroll production and the award system
fit together in the Kingdom of Calontir.
A scroll is no more than a legal document showing that you have received
an award. Many people confuse the scroll for the award itself. The award
is elevation based on recognition of one's talents. The scroll is a physical
symbol of that elevation. If you received an award, but didn't receive
a scroll, you would still have the award.
Let us start at the beginning of the award process. First a gentle is recommended to the King and Queen for a specific award. Their Royal Majesties (TRM) then have to decide that they are going to give the award.
If the award is an AoA-level award or lower (a basic Award of Arms, Queen's Chalice, Golden Swan, Leather Mallet, Iren Fyrd, Boga Fyrd, Torse, etc.), TRM will request that a preprint be filled out for the recipient.
If the award is a GoA-level award or higher (Grant of Arms, Lily, Silver
Hammer, Iren Hyrd, Boga Hyrd, Cross, Baronetcy, County, Duchy, etc.), TRM
contact the Falcon Signet who is responsible for finding a scribe to produce
an original. Some reigns have chosen to give preprints for both AoA-level
and GoA level awards.
A number of years ago it was decided that the scribes of Calontir could not keep up with the demand for original pieces of artwork for each award given. To cut down on the work, it was decided that we would use preprints.
To make a preprint, a scribe draws the illumination and does the calligraphy for a scroll, leaving a large blank for the recipient's name, and the date and place where the award is to be given. This scroll is then photocopied onto parchment coverstock paper, and distributed to various volunteers to be painted. (While it is true that we used markers to color in the scrolls some years ago, today only paint is used.) Once painted, the missing information is filled in and the royal seal is stamped on or attached to the scroll.
While it is not an original scroll, preprints should not be considered
cheap. It still takes a minimum of a 1/2 hour to paint and finish the calligraphy
on a preprint (as opposed to an original which can take anywhere from 3
to 30 hours to complete). While this may not sound like a lot, some reigns
have given as many as 12 preprints in one court.
The Falcon Signet is a deputy of the Gold Falcon Herald. To put it simply,
the Falcon Signet's main duty is to make sure there are scrolls for court.
This means overseeing the production of preprints masters and contacting
individual scribes to do originals. The name and address of the Falcon
Signet is listed in the front of the Mews.
For preprint, it is not necessary, and since as many as three people may have worked on your scroll, it is not expected. However, for an original, it is a very good idea to show the scribe that you appreciate their time and effort. Anything from a simple "thank you so much" to a small gift is acceptable.
Remember, the scribe has literally invested hours of time and labor
into an original scroll so that the person receiving the award will have
something to remember the moment by. To not acknowledge that effort would
be extrememly rude and leave the scribe wondering if you didn't like their
work.
Most scribes put their maker's mark, generally their initials, somewhere
on the scrolls they have completed. They are also encouraged to print their
names in pencil on the back of all original scrolls. If you really don't
know who did your scroll, contact the Falcon Signet. He/She should have
a record of which scribe was assigned which scroll.
In each reign's budget, there is $250-$300 dollars set aside to reimburse
the scribes for their time and materials. For each original scroll produced,
a scribe received $10. While this may sound like a lot, once the cost of
materials to produce one scroll are subtracted, there is not much left.
The start up costs to become a functioning scribe can easily run into the
hundreds (though, like most artisans, we collect a little here and there
over the years).
It is perfectly acceptable to ask a scribe to make an original scroll for any award you may have received.
Of course the easiest way to go about it is to ask someone you know who does calligraphy and illumination. If you don't know any scribes (or they are all busy), contact the Falcon Signet. He/She should be able to give you a list of scribes who can do the work. It is then your responsibility to find one who is willing (remember that there are only so many scribes in this kingdom and many are busy trying to keep up with current awards). If you absolutely can not find anyone to make your scroll, contact the Falcon Signet again, and he/she will attempt to find someone for you.
It is then your responsiblity to contact the scribe and arrange suitable
payment. (You wouldn't expect an armorer to make you a helm for free. Scribes
are no different.) I always recommend the barter system (that's how I get
garb).
Occasionally, a recipient, especially if they are fairly new, will receive a scroll that has their name spelled wrong. This happens for a variety of reasons. Maybe the person recommending you spelled your name wrong. Maybe the King misspelled it when giving it to the scribe. Or maybe the scribe just wrote it down wrong. Mistakes happen.
If this is a preprint, the solution is simple. We will just make you
another. With originals, this gets more complicated. My best advice is
to leave it if the error is not too glaring. If you really want it fixed,
contact the scribe and talk to them about options.
The most important thing is to get it framed as soon as possible. In
the mean time, don't fold it or roll it up. Lay it flat between two pieces
of cardboard and put it in a safe place. While it might seem like a good
idea to put the scroll in a trash bag to keep it dry, doing so has led
to at least one scroll ending up in the dumpster.
Permission to reprint in any SCA related publication, print or electronic,
providing no changes are made without prior written consent, and this notice
is kept intact.