Lady Lucy

Scroll by (then) Lady Kolfinna Valravn

Life is hard when you don’t have any arms, therefore we do hereby award Lucy of Wigan the arms following: argent, a raven rising sable maintaining in its beak a sprig of rowan vert, a base engrailed gules. on this 24th of March, Anno Societatis LII at Night on the Rhine in Our Barony of Lochmere.

Calligraphy and Illumination by (then) Lady Kolfinna Valravn

Text by Alias Ela

Attend, Atlantia, for all should be aware of the illustrious service that strives selflessly in small places. Know that it is not the size of the service but the disposition that delivers it that ascertains the truly deserving. Such service is encountered in many small ways: a happy hearth, robust repasts, warm words, sweet treats, everlasting support, an eye for the omitted and a thought for the forgotten. Now We, Ragnarr and Lynette, King and Queen of Atlantia, announce such unseen service to all by acknowledging the works and kindnesses of Our beloved Lucy of Wigan. Thus do We induct Lucy into the Order of the Opal on this sodden 27th of October, A.S. LIII, at the Queen’s Rapier Championship in Roxbury Mill, for Lucy has enriched Our Shire and Kingdom.

Calligraphy and Illumination by (then) Lady Kolfinna Valravn

Scroll Text by Alias Ela

Hear, how midway in the journey of our lives,

great merit and worth were discovered that we,

King Anton and Queen Luned, must recognize.

In Atlantia’s northern lands, fair and free,

            dwells Lucy of Wigan in Roxbury Mill,

            where with modesty she makes marvelously

her diverse delights with dedicated skill.

            To list them all is a task most punishing

            she creates with fiber and food – and more still!

Knitting and naalbinding, weaving and sewing –

            sparing time for a dance, for Lucy loves balls –

            then to the garden, as greens need gathering.

Oft from her kitchen tempting fragrances call:

            desirable dishes waft deliciousness,

            while smooth libations sate all friends in her halls

Her subtlest arts remain; these are priceless:

            We exclaim her judgment, mirth, and courtesy,

            but the greatest of all her gifts is kindness.

Now induct her into that high company

of the Coral Branch! It is justly called for,

and done by our hand and our Royal Decree,

For Lucy we laud, adulate, and adore,

in Anno Societatis Fifty-Five

on April the Tenth at Valencia Court.

Hear, how midway in the journey of our lives, 

of that time when Lucy of Wigan was seized with a need to adventure, setting forth from the safety of her manor.

In Atlantia’s northern lands, fair and free, 

Lucy set forth down the straight way into dark woods, until she came upon a leopard trapped in vines. Parched and near dead, it begged her to share her cordial, but Lucy knew a sip would not sustain the leopard – so she cut it free. It thanked her for her kindness, and she went onward. Soon she came to a lion weeping under a willow-tree. Once a prisoner, it had paid for its freedom with its mane. She could not bear its distress, so she sat—

Knitting and naalbinding, weaving and sewing –

with her diverse skills creating a new mane for the lion. Fastening the mane around the lion’s neck, she assured it of its handsomeness, with or without a mane. She left him gladly preening into a pond. As night grew closer, she came upon a starving wolf lying in the path. It whimpered pitifully, and Lucy was reminded of her own stomach rumbling when

Oft from her kitchen tempting fragrances call,

enticing her to taste the fine fare before it was finished. Kneeling, she offered a meat pie to the hungry wolf, who gladly took it. Soon it fell asleep, and she went onward. At last, she found herself in a grove where starlight reflected from every surface, for each leaf was of silver, bronze, and gold, and each branch of amber, diamond, and coral.

“Her subtlest arts remain; these are priceless,”

a sweet voice sang out; a luminescent figure stood in the middle of the grove. “You entered a forest, thick-crowded with troubles. Though you could have passed without a trace, you stopped for each creature that needed you, helping as you could.

For Lucy we laud, adulate, and adore; 

A poet among poets would not have words to describe all you have done for those you have helped. You have done many works, with fiber, food, and flower.” The forest glowed gently around the figure, who plucked a twig of coral from a nearby tree. She extended it to Lucy, who knew then that the moon had come down to test and reward her. “But moreover, you were kind.” 

Calligraphy and Illumination by Lady Kolfinna Valravn

Scroll Text by Ollam Lanea verch Kerrigan 

Medallion by Lord Edgar Rafskegg 

Every gentle of the Northlands, listen:

We praise she who kindles the flame,

And keeps us all in thrall to her works

At hearthside, weaving bench,

Lectern, and stitching frame.

Lady Lucy of Wigan marries imagination

To ingenuity, sharing her spark with all

Who would soar to heights of knowledge and art.

Thus we induct her to our Order of the Lark

This 12th day of November, AS LVII

Baron Ludwig and Baroness Sinn, right and noble leaders of Highland Foorde

Glosses:

(sung to the tune of “Rocket Man” by Elton John)

Rocket cat: soaring over buildings near and far

Dear Lucy,

We voted. You are our favorite.

Signed,

Everyone