This website serves as an unofficial chansonnier—that is, a book or collection of songs and poems—of several troubadours (who may style themselves singers, musicians, poets, bards, minstrels, and sundry other names) throughout the Society for Creative Anachronism. In addition to songs and poems, this site also presents prose fiction and research essays from the society's talented participants. There should be a little bit of something for everyone: entertainment, education, distraction. Hopefully you will find at least one of these to bring you some enjoyment. Check back often, as well, to see what further troubadours (and various works) have been added to the virtual leaves of this folio.
Recent Additions
Surrounded and alone, of both I plaine,
Nor wanting either, yet here bayde remaine,
To humoure semblaunce when sholde truth prevele;
But honesty and grace to few appele,
Nor faithfulnesse when fleeting bond might faine....
Doves of light are sleeping ‘round the moon
The tree of heaven casts its shadow on the dune
But there is no rival for the way your hair is strewn
The clouds below the stars make a veil of the light
I pray you think of...
V1
Boughes grown lanky
My neglect frees the maple
Umber banners trail
Would you take down your jet hair
If I turned my eyes away
V2
Boughes grown lanky
My neglect frees the maple
...
Worthy sons and daughters of Anuket,
Do not store all your incense and oils
your necklaces and net dresses up
Solely for use in the necropolis.
Burn the oil now, drape yourself in lapis
and eat a pharoah’s fine...
Bryn Madoc's children, purple and gold
Covered in glory when stories are told
We'll take the black road, we'll take the white road
We'll take the south road that leads us to war
Son of Bryn Madoc, doughty and strong...
From the Collection
When valor is met on the field one thinks of chivalry,
I'll tell you of a knight so bold, and what a man should be.
If honor above all else is the crowning trait of man
All eyes must gaze and heads must turn and thoughts must be of him.
No man make question this knights worth, his prowess on the field,
Integrity his cornerstone, and never will he yield.
A leader for his Kingdom tho' he'd never wear a crown,
The silent captain, on his watch we'll never...
Who's Who
Yaakov HaMizrachi of Atlantia
Mar Yaakov HaMizrachi (OL) is a Jewish resident of Cairo in 1305. Married to Rivka Bat Shaul and father of Aharon ibn Yaakov, Yaakov became fascinated by Frankish poetry and so apprenticed to Mistress Dorigen of the Grey Gate. As a consequence, he spends much time in the Laurel Kingdoms studying poetry, storytelling and other bardic arts. When not in Cairo, they live in the Barony of Storvik. Yaakov has been Poeta Atlantiae twice, Storvik Bardic Champion twice, and occassional faculty of the University of Atlantia.