Sunday, July 15, 2018

Doroga's Maunche Text

Doroga's lady requested that we try to find a way to work a particular quote from Cervantes into the text.  Can you figure out what that quote is?

I did not know who would be reading this, so I did not get too creating with 16th century spelling.

Brennan Rey and Caoilfhionn Reyna to our good and gentle Doroga Voronin, greetings and all good of the goods.  Noble persons of exalted lineage have brought us word of your singular excellence.  It is said that, if one would view in equal balance the shining Phoebus and the blood-stained Mars, look to Doroga, in whom the one and the other are not separate.  In him, both pen and sword are manifest with such discretion, art and dexterity that he has made of bladework both science and art.  We are by these words greatly moved and being so moved, we do now, of our especial grace, certain science, and mere motion, give and grant and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors give, grant and by the present charter confirm unto you the status, estate and renown of a companion of the Order of the Maunche, with all rights, privileges, prerogatives, commodities, jurisdictions, royalties, franchises, and preeminences attending thereupon.  And we do further grant unto you the right to bear Arms in the form following: Per pale purpure and vert, on a chief argent a raven displayed sable.  And we do further instruct and command you to bear upon your person hereafter and in all times coming the badge and signacle of the Order of the Maunche so that the love and esteem we bear you be made manifest to all persons of whatever estate.  For the greater security and stability of the aforesaid, know that we have laid our hands upon the holy relics of our Realm and sworn to keep, observe and fulfill all of the within promises, and each part of parcel of them, really and in fact, renouncing all deception, mental reservation, and subterfuge.  Witness ourselves, at Malagentia, upon 14 July, in the fifty-third year of the Society.

Anastasia's Augmentation of Arms


The spelling is accurate for c. 1510 and the text was inspired by multiple letters of Henry VIII to Cardinal Wolsey thanking him for his service and urging him to take a vacation.   And, of course, there are footnotes.

Brennan the Kyng and Caoilfhionn the Queen to Anastasia Gutane, right trustie, and righte welbelovid wee greete you well.  We recommande you with all owr hart to the peple of the Easte and the Known Worlde, and thanke yow for the grette paynes and labour that yow do dayly take in the bysyness and maters of the Societee.  And we commande, desyre and instruct yow to take summe pastyme and comfort from yowr labour[1], to the intent that yow may longer endure to serve us and our Reaulme.  Surly yow have so substancyally orderyd maters wythyn yowr sphere that lytil or nothyng can be addyd; indede we are well contendyd with what order yow have mayde in all maters to whych yow sett yowr hands, shewinge therbie yowr great love and loyalltie towardes the Crowne and peple of the Easte, which wee accept most thanckfullie from yowr handes.  And further, desyryng, wantynge and wyshyng that the valew, esteeme and tendershippe[2] in whiche yow are beholden be made both perficte and manyfest to all persouns of whateuere estate, Wee have theerfore thoughte it meete and behoveful[3] to give, graunt and bie thees presents lettirs convaye untow yow an Augmentacioun of Armes, with all circumstaunt[4] benefetes, avauntage, profits, pryvyleges and honnours, and we instruct and commaunde our heraulds to attende fourthewyth to þe circumstauncis of the sayd Augmentacioun.  Given under our signet at our mannor of Malagentia the 14th daie of July in the 53rd yere of the Societee.


[1]  Something we have said to Anastaia a lot  :-)

[2] tendershippe = favor, regard, esteem.

[3]  behoveful = requisite, necessary, pertinent, appropriate, proper

[4]  circumstaunt = accompanying