When I was eligible for my arms, I really wanted mottos as well. So I have been paying attention to things I said often or things I wish I said and testing them out. I settled on three.
Raedas gewillum fiðraþ literally is “(Wise) Counsel gives feathers to my will/wish. In Old English, the word for feather and wings are the same, fithrath. What I am trying to say is “Plans gives wishes wings.” It was the closest I could get. I like to plan and by planning, I can make my wishes come true.
Sanguinum Facit Ars is Blood makes art. Again, what I say as a glass artist is “it isn’t art until you bleed on it.” Pithy in English; torturous in Latin. This is much more simple.
Lastly, I wanted a motto for my pub. When I was researching Medieval Guilds, I came across the Worshipful Company of Vinters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worshipful_Company_of_Vintners
https://vintnershall.co.uk/the-company/
This was perfect! They are responsible for the swan-upping so that fits. The Vinters are responsible for all wine and wine products so vinegar falls in that. They were formally established in 1363 and are among the 12 great liveried companies of London. Oswyn Swann surely was a member.
Above is the full coat of arms for the Company. Much of it was granted later than SCA period but it is perfect but I certainly didn’t want to steal it. Pay homage though, that I can do.
The motto of the Company is Vinum Exhilarat Animum – Wine Gladdens the Spirit.
Since my device is a swan already, I went with this.
The Azure Swan as the pub name and Swann’s Sundries for the store front.
The motto Vinum Exhilarat Amici – is in homage to the Worshipful Company. It is Wine Cheers (our) Friends!
The canvas banners will be finished this weekend and I will start on the silk banners shortly.
