Words: Queen's Archery Champion

Eva Woderose did the calligraphy and illumination for this scroll from the Ellesmere Chaucer. This was a great opportunity for calligraphy, illumination and words to all come from the same source, so I based the words off a part of the Knight's Tale that mentions a bow and arrows. I used the modern translation.

SCROLL WORDS
Queen's Archery Champion

Beloved court, as brilliant as the stars,
Arrayed here in this barony of Ours:
We, Gabriella, at this day’s fair end
Have news for you and absent kin and friends.
This day, the last of this year’s sodden spring,
We sought the champion that the kingdom brings
This year before Our eyes, to shine and shoot
As will a passing star in its pursuit.
We found a champion suitable for Queens;
A bow __(he/she)___ bears, and arrows bright and keen.

This 20th day of June, AS XLIV, We name ________________________ Our Queen’s Champion of Archery and bestow suitable appointment in Our court. This We do at Our King’s and Queen’s Archery Champions and Vinland Raids in the Barony of Smoking Rocks.

SOURCE TEXT
Canterbury Tales of the Ellesmere Chaucer (Knight's Tale)
Geoffrey Chaucer, England, late 14th century

The form of Venus, glorious as could be,
Was naked, floating on the open sea,
And from the navel down all covered was
With green waves, bright as ever any glass.
A citole in her small right hand had she,
And on her head, and beautiful to see,
A garland of red roses, sweet smelling,
Above her swirled her white doves, fluttering.
Before her stood her one son, Cupido,
Whose two white wings upon his shoulders grow;
And blind he was, as it is often seen;
A bow he bore, and arrows bright and keen.