This was produced as a prize for the competition at Bhakail's Pirates' Bransle and Investiture Party in 2003. The text is a letter of marque, based on a license given to John Wellys and Philip Taillour by King Henry IV in 1405. I altered it to be from the hands of Lorcan and Scheherazade, our Baron and Baroness, and wrote it in very very small letters in a Bastard Secretary hand (common in the early 1400's). The illumination was inspired by a folio from the Grandes Heures de Jean de Berry from 1409 (Bibliothèque Nationale, Ms. lat. 919, f. 41); a legal document like this would have had minimal illumination if any, but for SCA purposes we often fudge it and decorate legal documents like breviaries.
The piratical fellow in the top center miniature is flying a
red flag; this was the standard "no quarter given" flag in our period. A black
flag would mean "we'll take prisoners" but a red flag was a "give up all hope
if we catch you" signal, appropriate for a Bhakaili plundering repelling
the enemies of the Barony. The baronial badge of the flaming Salamander and
the monograms of our new Baron and Baroness feature in the other miniatures.
The Letter of Marque was won by Don Philip of the Golden Hind with 9 kills. Congratulations!
Original size overall: 5"x7". Gouache and ink on 140lb. Arches paper. There is also some cinnabar (mercury sulfide) underlying the red in the border, but I didn't like the color (it was too orange) so I overlaid it with red gouache. In other words: don't lick the scroll.
Text:
The Baron and Baroness of Bhakail to all and singular Admirals &c., Greeting. Know ye that in view of his skill at sundry arts of war and peace, and having proven to be a privateer of cunning and wit, we have granted and given to our well-beloved ___________, master of a certain ship, liberty to equip in the port on the fleuve de la Ware, at their own charges, the aforesaid ship with as many mariners, men-at-arms, and bowmen as shall be necessary for their navigation and defence at sea against our enemies, whosoever they may be, and for subduing, capturing, and destroying the same; and liberty to set forth with the same ship, so equipped, upon the sea for the purpose aforesaid. And we will that whatsoever he succeeds in winning, gaining, and having by capture from our enemies aforesaid, he may have and keep for his own proper use, without claim or hindrance by or from us, or our heirs or ministers, or the ministers of any of our heirs whatsoever. Provided always that under colour of this license he, his mariners, men-at-arms, and bowmen aforesaid, neither do nor permit to be done any violence, hindrance, or hurt to any who are in friendship with us. Witness the Baron and Baroness at the Mifflin's Fortress in Our Barony of Bhakail this first day of November, Anno Societatis XXXVIII.
Original Text:
The King to all and singular Admirals &c., Greeting. Know ye that we have granted and given to our well-beloved John Wellys, master of a certain ship called the James of Bristol, and to Philip Taillour, master of another ship, called the Trinity of Bristol, liberty to equip in the port of the town of Bristol, at their own charges, the aforesaid ships with as many mariners, men-at-arms, and bowmen as shall be necessary for their navigation and defence at sea against our enemies, whosoever they may be, and for subduing, capturing, and destroying the same; and liberty to set forth with the same ships, so equipped, upon the sea for the purpose aforesaid. And we will that whatsoever they, John and Philip, succeed in winning, gaining, and having by capture from our enemies aforesaid, they may have and keep for their own proper use, without claim or hindrance by or from us, or our heirs or ministers, or the ministers of any our heirs whatsoever. Provided always that under colour of this licence they, John and Philip, their mariners, men-at-arms, and bowmen aforesaid, neither do nor permit to be done any violence, hindrance, or hurt to any who are in friendship with us. Witness the King at Westminster on the 4th day of February.
