FAQs

What is the West Kingdom Company of Scriveners and Limners (aka The Company, WKCSL, CSL, and WK Scribal Guild)? 

We are an educational center for the West Kingdom community, serving Scribal Artists and the Scribal-Curious, dedicated to bridging the gap between existing resources and contacts for both new and experienced individuals in Scribal Arts. Learn more about us here and follow us on Facebook.

What are Scriveners and Limners?

From Middle English, a scrivener is a professional scribe, and a limner is an illuminator of manuscripts. See here for a detailed definition.

Don't I need to be an experienced, warranted, practicing, or talented artist to join in and attend scribal arts activities and events, and/or create art?

You are partially correct. The Company is about Teaching, Learning, Making Art and most of all, Having Fun! All interested parties, patrons, cognoscenti, and curious are welcome to participate. If you have been waiting for an invitation, consider this it! Learn more about us here and follow us on Facebook.

Where can I learn more about scribal arts, scribal arts activities, and scribal arts events?

Please look for opportunities to connect and learn on our scribal calendar.

How do I get a scroll or other scribal artwork made?

When and where the award or peerage was received determines how to go about this. Look here to get started.

How is the Company of Scriveners and Limners different from Scribal Corps, Colleges, and Heralds? 

We all share the same goals but deliver them differently. For example, the Cynagua College of Scribes produces products for the Cynaguan Royalty (i.e., scrolls, declarations, etc.), the West Kingdom Heralds provide heraldic services (i.e., Awards List maintenance, populace name/arms submission assistance, sealing scrolls, etc.), and the Company provides educational and community support services for The West Kingdom Scribes and Populace. We complement each other and are each other’s advocates in sharing the services we provide. Learn more about us here and follow us on Facebook.

I requested my scroll, and it was on the backlog waiting for a scribe.  What happened to my request?

The West Kingdom College of Scribes and the backlog obligation were dissolved by the Crown in AS L. Please see the Pre-Guild Scroll Tracker to learn more. 

How do I know if my scroll is currently in the backlog?

Please see the Pre-Guild Scroll Tracker to learn more. 

What if my scroll was on the backlog and was assigned to a scribe, but they haven't completed it?

We assume that all the assignments a scribe volunteers for are done in good faith to complete the work.  That said, life happens to everyone, and an artist may no longer be able to complete that commitment.  You should check with the scribe currently responsible for your scroll to determine whether they can complete it.  If they are still planning to complete it, you will need to wait for them to finish or make other private arrangements.  If not, you may contract with a new scribe of your choice. Find a Scribe! has a list of active scribes. 

What if my scroll isn't in the current backlog?  What if I get an award in the future and want a scroll made?

If you would like a scroll made that is not on the Pre-Guild Scroll Tracker, (backlog), the process is similar to any other art that you might want to be made, like jewelry, clothing, armor, etc.:  you should ask around for an artist who takes commissions (paid or not) and make arrangements privately with them to create your art. Find a Scribe! has a list of active scribes. 

If I am in charge of arranging my own scroll, who deals with the signatures and seals?

Signatures and seals are optional elements (no longer required). It is up to you to decide whether your scroll will include signatures and/or seals and to arrange with the Royalty and/or Heralds to obtain them.  Keep in mind that if you want official signatures and/or seals, you should be aware of what requirements the Royalty and/or Heralds may have so that you can incorporate them into the art. To determine their requirements, you will need to contact the Royalty and the Heralds directly. For more information on which Herald to contact and what has historically been required, please refer to the "Suggested Content - Signatures and Seals" section of our General Policies. 

Do I need to pay for my scroll?  I thought that was against Kingdom law?

You may find an artist who works for free; however, you will likely need to pay or barter with them, just as you would likely pay any other fine artist or craftsperson.  Indeed, the College did not allow its members to accept compensation for official assignments, as the work was considered a gift from the Royalty to the recipient.  The premise of this royal gift was retired when the College was dissolved.

What happened to the College?

The College was explicitly chartered to create gift scrolls for armigerous awards granted by Western royalty.  Collectively, the members of the College had struggled for decades to fulfill this obligation, devoting their time, talent, and resources to do so.  However, they were NEVER able to stay ahead of the demand while producing the quality they wanted - there simply were not enough of them to keep up, and it had become an impossible task. Therefore, the College was granted permission by the Crown to dissolve in AS L.

Why are other Kingdoms able to deliver scrolls and avoid a backlog?  Couldn't we do that here?

Over many years, many of the Western Chancellors have researched the practices and cultures of other Kingdoms without a backlog and even attempted to implement some of them in the West with limited or no success. Because the members were NEVER able to stay ahead of the demand while producing the quality they wanted, the College was granted permission by the Crown to dissolve in AS L.