Cygnus for Eadmund Sweordhwita
A fellow scribe, Faraulf, was given the assignment for Eadmund’s Cygnus. He based it on MS Cotton Tiberius A. XIV, which is a copy of the Venerable Bede’s history of England. He initially approached me with questions about the flammability of parchment vs pergamenata. I was happy to help with the R&D on that (on my dining room table with scraps from The Cursed Codex Runicus Commission, no less) but was also pleased to help with the text, which is based off Bede’s own introductory text.
Written in August, 2022
At your request, I have newly published for you to read this summary of the good works of Eadmund Sweordhwita, for more full consideration.
For if the Crown recognizes the good works of good people, the attentive listener is excited to imitate that which is good, and is more earnestly excited to perform those things which they know to be good in service to the kingdom.
Wherein it is to be observed that in what I have recorded concerning our most faithful Eadmund Sweordhwita, I do faithfully relay what I found written of him by the populace of the kingdom; and at the same time took care to add such things as I could myself learn from the faithful testimony of those who know him.
Knowing these things, I must recognize the sincerity and zeal with which Eadmund conducts himself in the society, with joyful service and cheerful countenance, and I commend him to you for the Award of the Cygnus, which you have given to him by the hand of your regent this day at the Feast of Saint Radegund, A.S.57. And I, who, as the true rule of history requires, have labored sincerely to commit to writing such things for posterity, do so mark your will and you, by your hands and seal, your intent to acknowledge him forthwith.
Source:
Bede's 'Ecclesiastical History of the English People,' translation by L.C. Jane 1903
https://www.heroofcamelot.com/docs/Bede-Ecclesiastical-History.pdf
