May-Be Twin Tournament Scrolls
- Sabine di Sandra
- Jul 11, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 14, 2025
I was honored to have Baroness Katherine Barr ask me to make the Barony of Iron Bog's Baronial Rapier and Rattan tournament scrolls.
I played into the May-Be theme with the words for this. And while I think I kept the puns mostly under control, I did constantly have Wonderwall playing either in my head, or from my phone. How I kept that from leaking onto the page, I'll never know.
The full title of the event is May-Be (I'll Try Something New) - and I did indeed, as these scrolls hold my first big attempts at cadels! I have always loved cadels, and been quite intimidated by them, but using one of my biggest nibs was actually very fun. I was drawn to the beautiful detail in the rattan scroll's cadel, but the rapier scroll's cadel flows far better, since the angle of its lines stays more or less consistent. Regardless, they were perfect for a black and "white" (parchment color) scroll for Iron Bog. Both also have touches of gold gouache, which are slightly difficult to see in the pictures.
Words, Calligraphy, and Illumination by Sabine di Sandra
Words
A champion is not only one who bests their opponents in combat, but one who conquers their doubts and fears to rise above the competition.
A voice whispers, “What if I fall? What if I am defeated?”
“But what if,” the champion says, “May-Be I will be victorious!”
So mote it be, and hail to the new Rattan/Rapier Champion of the Barony of Iron Bog! May your courage and prowess henceforth bring honor not only to you, but to Our Barony. May your deeds inspire Our populace. And May-Be you will continue to push further beyond the limits of what you thought possible in service to the Barony. Presented in July A.S. LX by Baroness Genevra d'Angoulême and Baron Andre l’Epervier at May-Be in the Barony of Iron Bog.
Sources
Both cadels are from this source: https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/thumbs/ubb/AN-II-0003
The design at the bottom is taken from page 144v https://digi.vatlib.it/view/MSS_Ott.lat.680
The rapier and the sword are based on exemplars from https://heraldicart.org/
