Category: Music

Duke Edward Senestre

Duke EdwardI wrote this “song of deeds”, or chanson de geste, for Duke Edward’s victory in Crown Tourney.  The time period and origin were appropriate for his persona and, if you’ve ever seen him fight, you would agree that this praise poem is a perfect choice to describe the skill he shows on the field!

I  did get the chance to perform the chanson during the procession at Edward and Mora’s Coronation.  I was honored to do so!

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Duke Edward Senestre
Victorious in Spring Crown Tourney, A.S. XLV

(chanson de geste)

From Normandy, Edward is called afield,
Where Harold’s blood once quenched Duke William’s zeal;
He stands athirst, assured of day’s reveal
When once again beside Mora he’ll kneel;
No man stands tall enough to bring defeat;
This doughty knight now comes to rule Caid.

His banners wave, and vassals praise their lord;
All eyes now fixed upon his long, broad sword.

First, Scotia, and then, young Ian fall;
Red Wolf and Lioness will bear the pall.
No Serpent’s wing will catch the flight of Owl;
Nor Dragon’s Eagle, over Caid, soar.
This fearless Duke, now high above them all
Will once, again, lead armies into war.

One moment’s pause to hear the Lion roar
Was not enough to quell his long, broad sword.

Two years the toll, the journey now compleat,
The Persian will not find here what he seeks;
Nor Rider’s Knight, to her his promise keep;
Beloved Sloth, no glory for your deed.
No man stands tall enough to bring defeat;
This doughty knight now comes to rule Caid.

edward and mora

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– THL Beathog nic Dhonnchaidh

. . . a 14th century bard who can often be seen traveling far from her home in the Highlands with her lord husband and muse.  If a good tale crosses her path, she will sing a song about it, pull out its hair and spin it, or throw it in a pot and cook it up.

 

The Genealogy of Lyondemere

Domhnall_Sings-300x225

In 2006, my lord husband, Domhnall, defeated me in the competition for the 5th Lyon Bard for the Barony of Lyondemere.  I like to think it was because of the following piece I wrote for him to sing!  He did do a wonderful job, as always.

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The following original text is sung to the music of the 16th century composition, 

“Blow thy horn, hunter”, by William Cornysh (d. 1582)
Bawdy Songs Fit to embarrass your Mother, by Master Samuel Piper, O.L.

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From the West Kingdom and in the thirteenth year
Caid was born and one brought forth to guard Lyondemere
Conrad von Regensburg, First Baron of Lyondemere.

And then a Baroness to sit as vassal of the throne
So that the Founding Baron knight would never sit alone.
Megwyn of Glendwry, First Baroness of Lyondemere.

Two Pelicans then called to serve and to protect this land
One Lady Laurel and her knight would then serve hand in hand
Colin Wynthorpe and Xena Baxter Wynthorpe.

And then one brave young fighter and his lady fair
Added numbers to these lands while watching it with care
Gilbert Rhys MacLachlan and Morann Will Owen.

Two Laurels then to hold these lands and cover them with art
One to be a gentle knight and one to hold his heart
Jamal Damien Marcus and Eowyn Amberdrake.

The next in line an honored bard and friend to many kings
And at his side one Mistress, kind, who loves to hear him sing
Thomas Bordeaux and Angelina Nicollette de Beaumont.

Barons of Lyondemere and Baronesses of Lyondemere.

The Song of Lyondemere

In 2006, I participated in a contest which would determine the Barony of Lyondemere’s 5th Lyon Bard.  We were required to compose a piece which incorporated the genealogy of the Baronage of Lyondemere.  I wrote the following, in the style of a chansons de geste, “song of deeds”, a poetic form of eleventh century France.

Perhaps the best-known example of this form is the Chanson de Roland, composed c. 1098-1100.  Typically, these epic poems varied in length from 1,000-2,000 lines and described the heroic deeds of some great central figure, such as Charlemagne.

A chanson is composed of 10-syllable lines grouped in stanzas of irregular length, rather similar to a paragraph in prose writing.  Each line is heavily end-stopped, usually having a clear grammatical or punctuated ending.  Instead of a more modern rhyming scheme, the technique of assonance is used to create the effect of rhyme, with the last stressed vowel in each line being the same throughout the stanza.

My piece is much shorter and simpler in style than the original examples, and was recited, rather than sung, as were many of the later chansons.

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The Song of Lyondemere
(chansons de geste)

In the thirteenth year of the West Kingdom
King Gregory and Queen Bevin did come
Armand crowned King from the tourney he won
Diana greeted with cheers of welcome
Conrad von Regensburg now called Baron
That first day of Anno Caidis I.

For two years he served as vassal alone
His duty to protect his Caid home
At long last a Baroness would be known
Megwyn of Glendwry would serve the throne.

Together, they served Caid for ten years
To succeed them would be two double peers
Colin Wynthorpe would guard Lyondemere
With Xena Baxter Wynthorpe his wife dear

Then a young family would serve Caid
Gilbert Rhys MacLachlan called to succeed
His Lady, Morann Will Owen, agreed.

Their term ended when five years came to pass
Then Baron Jamal Damien Marcus
Was knighted to protect and to guard us
Eowyn Amberdrake to inspire us.

The barony grew and with it its art
Then time for these two fine peers to depart
But remain here, forever in our hearts
The next to serve, an honorable bard
Thomas Bordeaux, now vassal lord and guard.

Sven then called the Baroness he would want
Angelina Nicollette de Beaumont

This Baroness serves with grace and beauty
Her diligence honors the barony
Thus is the barony along the sea
Long Live Lyondemere! Long Live Caid!

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I did not win the competition!  My lord husband, Domhnall, did.  But, I was to become the Lyon Bard the following year, and had high hopes of performing this piece for Lyondemere Anniversary then, to herald the procession of Barons and Baronesses present to celebrate the day.

I did not get the chance, to my disappointment.  Oh!  If only Caid and Her territories would learn how to use their bards!  I’m afraid my sadness lingers on this subject.

 

Sir Davi d’Orleans

Sir Davi

 

Davi joined the Order of the Chivalry at Gyldenholt’s Unbelted Tourney, January 22, 2011.  It was a glorious day!  I was honored to sing his virelai at Court, and added a special verse to the end of the poem for the occasion.  Davi could not be left for dead on this joyous occasion!

 

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Now from that distant bower, His Lordship d’Orleans does ride
To this, his finest hour, and to meet the Crown with pride.
Brothers in armor, words of fealty spoken
Duty and honor, Knight to knight unbroken
Come now from vigil tower, unto the throne with Herald’s cries
A bow to Gentle Flower, and honor for Caid.

Now from that distant bower, His Lordship d’Orleans does ride
To this, his finest hour, to join the chivalry.

THL Davi d’Orleans

Davi and CaitlinI have enjoyed experimenting with various medieval poetry forms.  I very much wanted an excuse to try my hand at writing a virelai, a form of medieval French verse most commonly set to music in Europe from the late 13th to the 15th centuries.  Davi loves the pageantry in the SCA, and his persona was just right for a virelai!

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THL Davi d’Orleans fallen in Spring Crown Tourney, A.S. XLIV

(virelai)

Far from the Valley Loire, His Lordship d’Orleans did ride,
To meet the tourney hour and take the Crown with pride.
Sword winged and ready, victory smells sweetly;
Gaze sure and steady, take the day completely.
Now call gallant and dour, to the field with Herald’s cries
A bow to Gentle Flower, and honor for Caid.

Far from the Valley Loire, His Lordship d’Orleans did ride,
To meet the tourney hour and take the Crown with pride.
First blows to red knight, who responded deftly;
No victory this fight, Valrik ended neatly.
A foe with raven’s power, and tested skills that time provide;
Defeat at dragon’s tower, but with honor for Caid.

Far from the Valley Loire, His Lordship d’Orleans did ride,
To meet the tourney hour and take the Crown with pride.
Swift blows from black knight, history repeating;
Thus ended last fight, Davi was defeated.
Far from the Valley Loire, His Lordship d’Orleans now lies
At rest in distant bower, always honoring Caid.

Far from the Valley Loire, His Lordship d’Orleans did ride,
To meet the tourney hour and take the Crown with pride.

— THL Beathog nic Dhonnchaidh

. . . is a 14th century bard who can often be seen traveling far from her home in the Highlands with her lord husband and muse.  If a good tale crosses her path, she will sing a song about it, pull out its hair and spin it, or throw it in a pot and cook it up.

For thee, Fair Maid Atlantia

AtlantiaI wrote this poem as largesse for Pennsic War.  It is a rondel, a 14th century French verse form.  The first two lines are repeated, as a refrain in the middle of the poem and again, as the concluding couplet.

The rhyming scheme is

A b a b
b a A B
a b a b A B

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For thee, Fair Maid Atlantia

Written by THL Beathog nic Dhonnchaidh, Caid
In honor of TRM Michael and Seonaid and for the glory of Atlantia
On the occasion of Pennsic War XXXV

(rondel)

For thee, Fair Maid Atlantia
My sword shall strike both swift and sure.
Today your King, I stand above
Those fallen on the field of war.

This pledge I make; I will endure
Each foeman’s threat or strike of glove.
For thee, Fair Maid Atlantia
My sword shall strike both swift and sure.

Your warriors stand amid the blood.
The battle won, they doth ensure
This honor for the land they love;
At home we will rejoice once more!
For thee, Fair Maid Atlantia
My sword shall strike both swift and sure.