[MR] A scribe's viewpoint re: promissories, combat scribing, etc.

[Britni Newton]

Greetings everyone,

I am a scribe who does both calligraphy & illumination, has done combat scribing, and has served their Majesties as Royal Scrivener, and while I am far from unique, I do want to weigh in on this conversation, because scribal discussions always seem to devolve into confusion regarding promissories, scrolls, and scroll blanks and what can be done to increase their appearance.

The biggest factor in whether real scrolls get given out at Court is their Majesties and Their preferences regarding Court.  

Some crowns make a priority of making sure that their Court Business is given to the scribes with plenty of advance notice in order to get real scrolls done.  

(As a note, two weeks is usually more than sufficient to get GoA and AoA level scrolls done.  As a scribe, this is my personal favorite type of Crown, because it means I have time to create something I'll be happy with to surprise someone I like.  Scribes like making stuff for court too.  It's more exciting to see the recipient's face at that moment, than it is to give them a scroll later.  We all love that moment.) 

Some crowns choose to never give their scribes their court business ahead of time, for divers reasons.

Some crowns do not make their court business list until the day of the event.  (Been there, scribed that. Drank a lot.)

It is Their Royal Prerogative to do so, and it is important to clarify that those Crowns who chose not to give their business lists out early accepted that they would likely not have real scrolls to give at their event, but that their awards would go on the Kingdom backlog.   They understood that though a scribe might generously choose to help to the best of their ability, it was far from guaranteed that one would be available to do so. 

Promissories are usually computer generated or printed copies of a
design, colored in, with the text pre-printed in with spaces left for
the changeable parts.  



Scroll blanks are actual uniquely created pieces, drawn and painted by
hand, sometimes with calligraphy added (with blanks), or sometimes
without.   They are infinitely preferable to promissories , because they are an actual scroll that can be given as opposed
to a backlog piece.  Blanks for heraldry are not that difficult to
leave.   The caveat here is that when you create them, please remember that this may be the only scroll someone receives.  The quality of the work should reflect the honor of the award.   Also, the award badge has to be properly shown.  No black pearls, purple coral branches, or green opals can be used, no matter the artistic merit, because the award badge is wrong.  The ones without award badges are not as helpful as you might think, because we may not have the resources on hand at the event to paint in whatever badge we need.

Now, those Crowns who did not give the lists out ahead of time then had a choice to either give promissories, or sometimes use the scroll blanks they are given throughout their reign.  Likewise, Crowns who wish to add an award to their business day of (like Shark's Tooth's, Silver Nautiluses, Herrings, Awards of Arms, or higher), find scroll blanks VERY handy to fill in the gaps.  Sometimes most of the court business got assigned and finished, but one or two pieces were still left over.  Scroll blank!   Bam!

A combat scribe at an event can fill in the scroll blanks with calligraphy, if available, and fill in the promissories likewise.   This is not a quick task.  This takes hours.  Literally sometimes the entire day if there are more than a few to be done.   The issues we run into with this method are that sometimes we are not given the correct spelling of a name (because their Majesties weren't or because someone has bad handwriting), we rarely have someone's heraldry if the award is armigerous, and we can not paint shield blanks in on the spot most of the time.   We also can't check with the College of Heralds for accuracy or provide them a readable copy of the text ahead of time.  There's also a slight chance of ruined garb.

For a scribe to work at an event requires a separate space from the main event, protected from the elements, with a chair, and a sufficiently large and clean flat surface.   Access to clean water is a bonus.  At the more primitive sites, this can be surprisingly difficult to find.    Combat scribing can NOT be done as a "activity to attract newcomers" because their Majesties' court business should be a secret.  This is the main reason a "Scribal Pointe" wouldn't be useful.  Scribes who want to combat scribe usually volunteer to their Majesties during the day, and go find where the secret location is.  We don't want to be mean to innocently curious people by screeching and yelling "Go away!!", and flailing like a muppet.

Painting promissories, thank you cards, or even painting scroll blanks?  Sure.  Set up a table, and go to town.

My personal view on scribing is that it's something I prefer to do in my studio at home, where all my toys and books and things are handy, and the wind and rain can't get me.  When I'm at an event, I'd rather be doing stuff I can't do at home.  That said, I have done lots and lots of combat scribing, because I believe it's a way I can contribute to making Court special for someone else.

Sincerely yours,
Livia Z.
































> Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:48:59 -0400
> From: arwynn16 at gmail.com
> To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
> Subject: Re: [MR] Promissories
> 
> Okay I can understand the "mushroom scribe" situaution... however here
> are my thoughts at combating that. I do somewhat agree with
> promissories for AoA level awards when the award recipient does not
> have registered name and arms.
> 
> 1) Scroll Blank - Defined as: It includes the bulk of the calligraphy
> but with spaces, not just one or the other. Spaces would for Crown
> names, recipient name, date and event name... it may or may not
> include a blank shield and Triton confirmation...
> 1.a) Some scribes are exclusive to one discipline or the other;
> calligraphy or illuminating..for example, if scrolls are just
> illumination they can be given to scribes who wish to do just
> calligraphy or vice versa. This would elliminate the need to create an
> angry horde of "mushroom scribes" at events. It would take
> coordination but I know it has and can be done once a system is in
> place. Hence the need for a Scribe's Point.
> 2.a) Conditions for awards at higher than AoA levels... No scroll
> blank peerage scrolls: Personally I think it should be a "crime" to
> let a peerage scroll be awarded from a scroll blank. There are a few
> people who can do GoA level work for a scroll blank but it would be at
> a Signet's or Crown's discretion to use one for that purpose.
> 
> 2) Scribe's Point - This would help with coordinating scribal efforts
> & talents across the Kingdom which is a designated location
> (preferably with ample space) at Kingdom level or large events.
> 2.b) This could also provide an oppourtunity for individuals who are
> interested in scribing to see what its all about. Recruitment! As well
> as provide oppourtunities for scribal classes. Continue interest!
> c) Because the scrolls will be left with spaces it would not be
> imperative if a scroll made it to a specific event or not or timed
> when an awardee was in attendance. If scribe wants to do more
> "personalized" work then it would be recommended to request
> assignments from the backlog- as it is easier to achieve without
> things getting complicated.
> d) This would also allow scribes who cannot attend many events to have
> a proxy to pick up or drop off scroll assignments. Artwork moving is a
> good thing and it would almost elliminate the "mushroom scribe" ...
> instead of taking an entire event to do three scrolls it would take
> maybe 30 minutes tops to scribble in name and dates for three scrolls.
> 
> Maybe then it would more hive like instead of a room full of fungus-
> everyone working together for one purpose without a lonely few taking
> the whole load.
> 
> Thoughts, concerns, better ideas??
> 
> Rohesia Anven
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