In a whirlwind of events, I was asked to do the calligraphy for Olivia’s Pelican scroll. I.. I just couldn’t turn it down.
Now, we already had a very short timeline to get this done, on top of that there were some complications with the first draft. But, I was able to get my part done, somehow in a day and a half over a weekend. Given the constraints, I’m pretty happy with how my part turned out.
Words – Count Wilhem von Ostenbruke
Let us pick up the tale
Of our beloved Olivia Baker
How has she fared?
Where did the world take her?
One winters day AS LIX,
In Nordenhal,Our lands covered white,
The Winter Fox Returns,
To feast and dance with delight.
There is much work to be done
For such a grand event
Decorations, preparations and food
Invitations have been sent!
Everything must be perfect
For this is no ordinary celebration
But sshhhh it’s a secret…
It’s Olivia’s elevation!
The Order of the Pelican
Has raised up its voice
They offered advice
Towards their Majesty’s choice
“When work needs to be done
From dawn until dusk
Olivia will help without question
She’ll do what she must.”
“Olivia helps not for awards
She does not look for recognition
She shows her love for this Kingdom
On the tourney fields and in the kitchens”
Whether helping cranky old fighters
Or putting a smile on a child’s face
Olivia meets every challenge
With kindness, courtesy and grace.
King Matthew and Queen Fiamuin have set Their hand
Per chevron fleury counter fleury, Or and Gules
Two musical notes and a lily counterchanged
Letters patent bestowed to one of Our Kingdom’s Jewels
Now, you’ve probably noticed that this is a poem, which has a specific layout. I had some decisions to make to get it to fit in the space. I decided to use Gold capitals for each block, and fancy capitals to designate the lines. My other option was to use a much smaller nib and try to get two columns going. If time wasn’t an issue I would have gone with that, but things being what they were, I’m happy with the decision I made. Much less chance of screwing things up and having to start again (again)
A note on the script, yes Fraktur isn’t quite appropriate for the Illumination, I did get Ellesbeth’s approval, it was personally appropriate for the individual getting the award. Batârd or Blackletter would have been a little more appropriate, but space and time were top priority, and I’ve not yet familiar enough with Batârd to pull it off in a day and a half. Fraktur was something I could do fast, well, and give it the flourished attention that it deserved.
