I was delighted to be asked to prepare the words for +Thomas of Effingham 's Order of Defense scroll. In keeping with his persona, the language is English c.1460-1475.
Bi Iuan the Kinge. Bi Mathilde the Quene. For asmuche as oure auncestours off blessid memorie Darius et Eþeldreda ordeyned, proclamed & stablisshed the Order of Deffence with-inne the Est; and for-asmuche as it is nedefull & spedeful[1] for the gode wele of owr Reawme to make & cawse to be maden compayrs of the sayd Order; and for-asmuche as We aperceyueth[2] owr Thomas of Effingham to be a trewe dycyple off the arts of the swyrde, douwty in dedis of armes, and in all waies worshepable[3], auenaunt[4], splendidious[5], and a mervayloust[6] man of the worlde; Therfor, bie this owr present and laufull chartur, we stabull[7] & ordeyn & conferme the forsaide Thomas as a Maister of Deffence, possessing all ryghts and priuyleges as any othur Maister of the Order afor-written, and bering hens-forthward and evirlastyngly arms bi lettres patents in the forme folwyng: Gules, a bend sinister argent surmounted by a serpent contourny in annulo vorant of its own tail Or all between six crosses crosslet argent. In witenesse & feyth & affirmacion heroff wee haf subscribed with owr owen handes uppon this charter owr signs manuell. Done at Bergental, uppon Saynte Birstans Daie, 4 Nouembre, in the fifti- secounde ȝere of the Societie.
[1] spedeful = beneficial, profitable, advantageous; also auspicious, favorable
[2] aperceyueth = aware of, informed of
[3] worshepable = worthy of respect, honorable, estimable
[4] auenaunt = seemly in appearance or manners, agreeable
[5] splendidious = wonderful, worthy, magnificent
[6] mervayloust = worthy of admiration, illustrious
[7] stabull = establish
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