This was one of those scrolls that fairly created itself. The recipient has a Saxon persona and who, among many skills, is able to recite Beowulf entirely in Old English. He is a retired Marine, so I wanted a “strong” Fountain to better reflect hie mien.
The wording is in Old English, using multiple web sites (an OE dictionary and translation sites (such as this one) to check how the wording fit from OE to modern day English) to try and get a more accurate and proper translation. I knew some modern words would not translate, but did my best to make it flow and choose the correct wording so that hopefully, his reading would agree with my writing.
The figure is my take on Grendel from Beowulf, with my mental story of him terrorizing a village and then caught in a village’s fountain by a witch’s spell which turned him to stone. His face is based on an Italian gargoyle and the crosses at the bottom are based on a various Anglo-Saxon relics as well as the recipient’s tabard. The runes above his head are a transliteration of the word “Grendel”.
Translation: As a fountain sprays water into the world, giving of itself, there are those in Our Kingdom of Atlantia who do the same for the populace. Ulfbeorn Ælfweardes sunu exemplifies this giving nature. He has served his barony as both Exchequer and Seneschal, making sure that it flows as smoothly as water in a gentle river. His steadfast devotion to his barony without expectation of reward makes Us, King Anton and Queen Luned bestow upon him Our Fountain. Done this 24th day of October, A.S. LV at Our celebration of Castile Court at Alcazar de Segovia.
The scroll itself is gouache on pergamenata, using shading to convey the water falling as well as the texture of worn stone.
Philomene’s Scriptorium 