Volume 4, Number 1


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Editorial

Unto all known Scribes in the Principality of Lochac
Richard de la Croix sends greetings.

My Lords and Ladies, this is to be the first of hopefully (surely) many regular Newsletters that I will be writing as Provost of Scribes. If you are a practising Scribe, want to be a Scribe or just have friends that are Scribes then these scribblings are specifically for you. If none of the above apply to you, then please contact me so that I can remove your name from the Mailing List.

Firstly, a little about myself. For those of you that already know me, you may skip the next paragraph, otherwise by all means read on.

My name as is already obvious, is Richard de la Croix. I have been in the Society for around 8 or 9 years. My primary interests include Calligraphy and Illumination (it helps), Dance, Fighting and Costuming. I am a member of the Order of the Laurel and the Chivalry.

I love to write as well, so be assured that any mail that you send to me will not go unanswered. While I am in the office, barring unforseen circumstance, you will be sent replies to any correspondence to me within 14 days of receipt - hopefully within a week.




Files Not Received

That's right folks, I have still to receive the files of the office from Rhiannwen, so please be patient. I will endeavour to have these in my possession within the next fortnight.

This means a couple of things to all you budding scribal enthusiasts. Of primary importance is the lack of information I have on Current Assignments. If you write to me specifically about the work you have assigned from the College, I will not be all that useful. (No one-liners here please).

It is possible that I can call Rhiannwen if it is a matter of urgency, or you could do so if you wished. Otherwise, please sit tight and all will be rectified as soon as possible.

Secondly, I won't be able to issue further work to those of the scribal unemployed. This problem will be resolved when the files turn up and I have some idea of the work that is out there and that which is still to be done.

Again though, I don't want this to in any way stop Scribes from working on the backlog. If I find that I am swamped by requests for work (don't you love an optimist) I'll think of something.



The Way Ahead

I have set myself a couple of goals while I have the job of Provost. There is no doubt that the backlog of scrolls has got larger. In addition to this, I fear that the overall standard of work may have declined. In an attempt to counter these two undesirable elements I will put into action

The First One Year Plan

Simply put there are three major objectives to the plan that will be implemented to facilitate improvement in the quality and quantity of work received.
  1. Firstly, I will be attempting to improve the communication channels between the office and present and potential scribes. Primarily this will be achieved through a more regular Scribe Notes. News of work completed and currently underway will I hope serve to motivate potential scribes to work for the office. On another relevant issue, all correspondence to me will be answered, and answered quickly. If you can't trust the Provost of Scribes to answer a simple letter, how can you trust them with the fruits of over 50 hours of Illumination.

  2. Secondly, regular articles will appear on various aspects of the art of Calligraphy and Illumination. Most times these will accompany your issue of Scribe Notes. Articles will cover everything from Heraldry for Scribes to Gold Leaf, with requests for specific subject matter more than welcome. It is also hoped that this will provide an avenue for existing Scribes to share their knowledge and/or experiences with their peers (without a capital "P").
  3. Thirdly, some sort of hierarchy will be implemented in the next 2-3 months. I envisage the old system, used under Mistress Rowan will serve as a good starting point. It will be a way for myself as Provost, to recognise work done for the College, and ultimately the Principality. Hopefully, this will serve in some way to at least provide acknowledgment for the valuable service that we as Scribes provide.
Having said all this of course, your input is more than welcome. None of what I say or do while I hold this position is written in stone. As such, I appreciate your feedback, since ultimately I need to convince you to work for me and not vice- versa.

Order of Precedence

I have been in contact with Sir Haos re obtaining the Gentry of Lochac (for those not familiar with this document it is a complete list of the [Awarded] Gentles of the Principality and their awards) in some manner of data base. This will I'm sure provide an excellent tool for keeping track of assignments completed and outstanding.

Once I have the files from Rhiannwen, I intend to cross reference her records of ongoing and finished assignments with the data base. Once I get organised, it should just be a matter of producing queries on assignments more than a year old to facilitate the production of useful reports.

While on the subject of overdue assignments, there are some of you out there with scrolls outstanding well over the year mark by now. I too am guilty of this offence. Please, if you don't think you can finish them in the next 2-3 months, talk to me to discuss your workload. Of course if you have no intention of finishing, then the courteous thing to do is to send me a note that you would like them withdrawn. I assure you that I will think no less of you. understanding that there are often more pressing concerns than the SCA in one's life.



Mail Box

Any mail that you send me will be answered either here, or in a personal letter. Generally though, if an issue of Scribe Notes is close to being sent out then you'll probably find quick replies ending up here. If by some chance you would rather a private reply, just indicate so in your correspondence and I'll more than happily oblige (after all, I've got to type the response somewhere).

Cristoval Gitano

The wording of the Award of Arms Scroll looks fine. I have asked Mistress Bess to check it for grammar, and she has agreed. I don't envy you the task of the volume of Calligraphy that will be needed but the finished product should certainly be worth the effort.

I will address the matter of the list of Royalty in the near future, and hopefully by the next issue. The list of assignments you have was also of help. Don't do any work on scrolls that are way overdue, as I am uncertain of their current status. I was very pleased to hear that you had two completed scrolls. Great effort, and don't worry, if its nagging you want, its nagging you'll get.

Leofwyn Wulfinga

Nice to here from you Lindsay. I was pleased to hear that there are so many Scribes in Innilgard just waiting for the chance to slave over a hot piece of parchment. Thanks for the report. I will endeavour to get some assignments out to you as requested. by the way, can you supply the names and addresses of your "helpers" in Innilgard, so I can attempt to get them on the mailing list for S.N.

I was stunned to hear that scrolls you completed 21/2 years ago are yet to surface for their intended recipients. I will find out what has happened to them.

Good to see that you have some sort of organisation too. Keep up the good work. I look forward to working together with you and your group as well.

Hrolf Herjolffsen

Thanks for the list of names you sent via e-mail. I have included a copy of Scribe Notes for each of the names you provided. Once you have addresses, I can send copies straight to the individuals concerned, but in the mean time I hope this suffices.

Eilis O'Bourne

As I said via e-mail, I'm more than happy to send copies of this newsletter to anyone in the Central Kingdom (inc Oertha) that finds the content of interest. Since postage is coming from my own pocket, this should only be of concern if I am suddenly swamped by requests for international mail (hardly likely).

I don't suppose I can convince you to work on some Lochac Award Scrolls (grin). Oh well, can't hurt to try can it?



Roll of Arms

I have heard rumours that there are several mad artists in our midst that would like to update the Principality Roll of Arms. Unfortunately, this is only likely to be a rumour, in addition to which, I am loathe to encourage updating this document in preference to work that could be done on the backlog. But.....

By the same token, if there is interest in the project, I can assure you it is fun to work on. It should be born in mind however that it is no light task. The last update I did required a monumental effort. Blazoning and emblazoning more than 200 devices took many hours, and I confess some months. Mistress Rowan can also shed light on the work involved, since she produced the first edition. I suggest that before you jump in head first, try a page for yourself (6 devices) and see what you think.

In any case, before you undertake the task, you should speak to Mistress Rowan. It is after all her "baby" and politeness dictates that you ask her permission to carry on her work. I'm sure she will be more than happy to offer advice as well.



Mailing List

I am still compiling my mailing list for Scribe Notes. If you are a scribe known to me and you have received this issue, then I have already put your name on the list. No further action on your part is required. Obviously though, if you don't want to hear from me you should let me know.

If on the other hand, this did not get sent directly to you, but you would like to receive future issues, I require a letter, phone call or e-mail with your Mundane Name, SCA Name and address.

Additionally, in an attempt to reach as many people with interest in the College as possible, I have also sent copies to all Arts and Sciences officers within the Principality. I'm sure you know if this situation applies to you., and the scenario is much the same. If you want to be put permanently on the mailing list, I will need your details as mentioned above. You will get one more issue as a courtesy, then I'm afraid unless I hear that you would like them to continue, further editions will not be sent.

I do need to exercise some restraint on the side of postage, so these conditions will apply for the remainder of my term I am perfectly prepared to mail out to all interested people, but the interest has to extend as far as at least contacting me to say you want to hear from me. Sound fair? (this is rhetorical).

On a related issue, I may be contacted in several ways, to wit;
  1. Telephone (02) 740 6020 (home) or (02) 956 4357 (work)
  2. Post 2/34 Benaroon Rd, Lakemba, NSW, 2195 or

  3. e-mail richie@ozemail.com.au or richie@rowany.DIALix.oz.au
While on the subject of e-mail, I will also be posting relevant info and bulletins to a scribes list. I do prefer this form of communication because it is cheap, fast and very effective for keeping records.

If you want to receive electronic updates, send a message to scribes@rowany.DIALix.oz.au and I'll put your name on my e-mail list.

Scribes Workshop

As a further means to getting on top of the backlog, I will be trialing quarterly workshops for the College. The aim of these get togethers will be to knock over as many pre-printed AoA scrolls as possible. They will, for the moment anyway, be held primarily in NSW and possibly Victoria.

If you want to host one of these, then you will need to supply a hall or community centre room with chairs and tables suitable for scribing. Everything else will be brought by those in attendance, including myself.

This is only a very tentative idea (I am in my experimental phase at the moment), and I assure you I am not one to flog a dead horse. If it is unsuccessful, then it will be stopped.

The first one of these will be schedules for around November, so stay tuned

Feature Article

This month's feature article is an excerpt from Mistress Rowan's Guide to Illumination. It is reprinted here with her gracious permission, as it appeared when sent out by her as Crux Australis Scribe. Anyway, you should find it very useful as an introduction, with great tips on materials etc.

On that very point, Rowan has informed me that she is very near to completing her Manual of Illumination. From all reviews, it sounds a must have. Further news on availability and so forth will be posted here, so stay tuned.....

Anyone else who feels the need to share their knowledge, don't be shy. I would like articles on anything that you think would be relevant to the Scribal Art as practised within the SCA or otherwise.

I hope that you have found this update useful. Remember, I would like feedback and suggestions from you all if you feel that something needs improvement. Until next time,

I remain yours in service,

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Written by my hand this 1st day of October in the year nineteen hundred and ninety-four of the Common Era
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