Poem from my Elevation to the Order of the Pelican

For Maister Colyne Stewart, on the occasion of his elevation to the Order of the Pelican
By Magistra Nicolaa de Bracton

He bears arms of shining gules and argent,
with the fox counterchanged painted there in richest hues.
Recalls his lineage, from grace descended
A fox’s jamb, a pen sustaining for his sigil.
And why the fox applies to that laird noble,
I intend to tell, though I tarry more than I should.
The fox, fair cunning and full of wit,
Tenacious in token of truth, by the title that he has,
Seven virtues fire the feisty fox:
Franchise in proud bearing, Fortitude, slayer of sloth,
Humility, purgative of Pride, Temperance, the middle path;
Justice, giving each his worth; Honesty in word,
And Courage, great strength of heart
For so it accords with this laird and his bright arms,
Steadily sure in seven ways,
Colyne was for good known, and, as shining silver,
void of every villainy, with virtues adorned
all, so.
And so the fox changed thus
he bore on shield and coat,
as sigil of faith and trust
and gentlest laird of note.


The poetry, which was part of Maister Colyne's elevation ceremony, is based on a passage from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and is inspired by the poetry that Colyne has written for so many on the occasion of their elevations.