So the
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is mostly conversational, but buried in it, under the
entry from AD. 973 is a stanza of verse.
This makes an interesting scroll by copying the rhyme and meter as best
we can.
Common elements of Anglo-Saxon poetry, as you can see in the original, is a four beat line, alliteration, with flamboyant descriptions and kennings. Please note my meagre skills as a 'chainsaw poet' are used to produce a polished award scroll that presents well after a couple hours of work, rather than adhere to absolute period language and meter as a proper bard might.
I’ve bolded the inspirational phrases
or words that we carried to the final product:
A.D. 973.
Here was Edgar,
of number 'd years
of Angles lord,
from the birth of Christ,
with courtly pomp
the lofty king,
hallow'd to king
guardian of light,
at Akemancester,
save that thereto
the ancient city;
there yet was left
whose modern sons,
of winter-tale,
dwelling therein,
as writings say,
have named her BATH.
seven and twenty.
Much bliss was there
So near had run
by all enjoyed
of the lord of triumphs
on that happy day,
a thousand years,
named Pentecost
when this was done.
by men below.
Nine and twenty
A crowd of priests,
hard winters there
a throng of monks,
of irksome deeds
I understand,
had Edmund's son
in counsel sage,
seen in the world,
were gather'd there.
when this took place,
Then were agone
and on the thirtieth
ten hundred winters
was hallow'd king. (44)
Here was Edgar,
of number 'd years
of Angles lord,
from the birth of Christ,
with courtly pomp
the lofty king,
hallow'd to king
guardian of light,
at Akemancester,
save that thereto
the ancient city;
there yet was left
whose modern sons,
of winter-tale,
dwelling therein,
as writings say,
have named her BATH.
seven and twenty.
Much bliss was there
So near had run
by all enjoyed
of the lord of triumphs
on that happy day,
a thousand years,
named Pentecost
when this was done.
by men below.
Nine and twenty
A crowd of priests,
hard winters there
a throng of monks,
of irksome deeds
I understand,
had Edmund's son
in counsel sage,
seen in the world,
were gather'd there.
when this took place,
Then were agone
and on the thirtieth
ten hundred winters
was hallow'd king. (44)
Taking
the period piece, I set the final scroll product with doubled up stanzas (so it
wasn’t so long and thin in presentation, but tried to keep each one to four beats), and used subtle wording to indicate
the court baronage integrated into the verses (‘named her baroness’ … ‘kneeling lady with a silvered brow’). I also included places and history where I
could (‘thirty nine summers, of numbered years from Cariadoc, the first war
king’) to keep the spirit of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (which is a history,
after all).
Here was
Aelfwynn, of Skraeling fair
With courtly pomp, hallowed high lady
At Debatable Lands, the ancient ground;
Whose watchful Crown, at their court therein
Have named her Baroness. Much bliss was there
By all enjoyed, on those happy days
Named Pennsic Wars, by all around.
A knowing Quilliam, a loving Dagmar
We understand, in counsel sage
Did proclaim to all. As others gone
Thirty nine summers, of numbered years
From Cariadoc, the first war king
Of both East and Mid. Behold the lady
Service yet was left, wonders yet to craft
As many folk said, all the baronies
Had known her kindness, artful and loving hands,
For so many years, so shall it be done.
This day in August, noted as the twelfth
A.S. 45, of royal charter.
Seen to all a'gathered, as this takes place
A kneeling lady, with a silvered brow.
(based on the A-S Chronicle 973 verse 44 - "because Brand knew his sister didn't like that late-period four numbers in the year nonsense)
With courtly pomp, hallowed high lady
At Debatable Lands, the ancient ground;
Whose watchful Crown, at their court therein
Have named her Baroness. Much bliss was there
By all enjoyed, on those happy days
Named Pennsic Wars, by all around.
A knowing Quilliam, a loving Dagmar
We understand, in counsel sage
Did proclaim to all. As others gone
Thirty nine summers, of numbered years
From Cariadoc, the first war king
Of both East and Mid. Behold the lady
Service yet was left, wonders yet to craft
As many folk said, all the baronies
Had known her kindness, artful and loving hands,
For so many years, so shall it be done.
This day in August, noted as the twelfth
A.S. 45, of royal charter.
Seen to all a'gathered, as this takes place
A kneeling lady, with a silvered brow.
(based on the A-S Chronicle 973 verse 44 - "because Brand knew his sister didn't like that late-period four numbers in the year nonsense)
The text of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle can be found here in it’s
entirety:
And here's an overview article about Anglo-Saxon verse:
http://tinablue.homestead.com/Prosody4anglosaxonmeter.html
Questions about verse scrolls or want to critique me on Anglo-Saxon poetry? Drop me a line!
Cheerfully slaving for my feudal masters,
Brand, Barenwalde