Illumination inspiration from Bible of Borso d’Este (c1455-1461) folio 1234. Verbiage inspired by legal documents, property grants to Church such as Wissembourg, no. 135.

Materials being cattle vellum, natural pigments, 24 k gold leaf with Gesso. Focus for assignment being stay on period techniques throughout. Vellum from Patron thicker than most, heavy. Even with preparation, cleaning, buffing and pouncing, struggles with ink. Ink being walnut, infused with lamp black, for reason to decrease bleed and consistency, as well as dark. Applied with quill pen, finding am happiest. Quill having smaller reservoir than modern, but also seems having more consistent, as constant reload and prep-swipe flowing better. Just needing more patience. Red ink being same red as used for paint, mixed thinner.

Gum Arabic and pigments adhering well enough, though needing some convincing in places. Gesso and gold leaf having struggle, as most do. Eventually sanding all off and doing twice. Better result. All gold on page being leaf, including dots.

Mixed in subjects pride throughout, and other.

Portrait challenges with flow of pigments, matches style of original, which also being goal. Shading in detail parts done multiple times over, as base dries and shading subtle. Learned much with. Honored for ask to do.

Text reads:

If we give of ourselves anything from our goods to those in need for subsistence for the poor, or in education of the masses as needed therewith, it is without doubt we are confident this will be made manifest as the growth and health of the community, and region, and in truth throughout the whole of the Kingdom. The Sovereigns great responsibility is to note the needs of the Realm, and provide for, or note from whence provision is made, to ensure the full care and health of the Kingdom and populace. It is with awareness of this weighty responsible duty, We make known to Our Court record these provisions and providers, such that nobility therein is appropriately seen and recognized. Elena d’Artois, Our noted subject, shall have this inventory placed against her rolls of benevolence, being neither fully nor completely accounted, but merely a summary of immediate attendance thus known: Through the role of Dean of the Aethelmearc Defence Academy, teaching and providing for the populace to grow in skill at arms; through sweat, long sleepless nights and prick of needle, providing for the Royal Countenance no fewer than some three dozen appropriate raiments suitable for Crowned heads, to at least six Royal Couples throughout the Knowne Worlde, in additions to so armoring and providing for rank upon rank of rapier soldier over no less than a count of fifteen years; through constant dedication to precision over years of focus on the greater good.

Regnum Aethelmearc, known herein as Bjarki King, and Gabrielle Queen, do submit the aforementioned declaration appropriately and truly in accordance to our Will. Thus such a heavy lift, so reckoned against her estate which is but an incomplete and illustrative summary, light compared to her actual weighty inventory of gifts, noted have We that she has continually maintained behaviour and countenance appropriate to a Royal Peer of Our Realm, and thus documented, she has acted above her current station in accordance of these gifts. We are therefore required by Law and conscience to recognize her leadership of service to the Realm and see it is rightly recorded, given as a beacon to all who would seek her in the Worlde.

Thus declare we with Joy upon the occasion of our Queen’s Rapier Championship, on the second of November, Anno Societatis LIX (59), the elevation of our most dear Elena d’Artois to the noble Order of the Pelican.