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
Chanterai des hommes n’ont honor
Et avueent que ses seignor
Li que n’est cortois mais vilaine.
Ses cuers vertu done dolor!
Rare est le noble qu’at fin’amor:
Vos chant a former cez cort plaine.
Et avueent que ses seignor
Li que n’est cortois mais vilaine.
Ses cuers vertu done dolor!
Rare est le noble qu’at fin’amor:
Vos chant a former cez cort plaine.
Doi imiter Mal Habillé?
Ses manches sont de sauce taché!
Ses chausses puent de merde fortment!
N’est nul que dit de li, por Dé,
“Com un noble bien l’est habillé.”
Si le suivre soie un dupe dolent.
... [Read more]Ses manches sont de sauce taché!
Ses chausses puent de merde fortment!
N’est nul que dit de li, por Dé,
“Com un noble bien l’est habillé.”
Si le suivre soie un dupe dolent.
Who's Who
Katarzyna Witkowska of Atlantia
Greetings! I am Katarzyna Witkowska and live in Poland in the early 15th Century. I am a widow with considerable land holdings outside of Krakow. In my youth I served in the court of King Jadwiga until her untimely death. My husband and one son were killed in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410. My family believed a young woman needed a fine education in order to run lands and so I learned much at the University. I especially love to write poetry and tell stories to children. I still consider myself an archer although I do not shoot as much as I used to.
In the SCA, I have been Poeta Atlantiae twice. I love to teach poetry and story writing to children and adults. I especially like to explore different genres of poetry and teach about them. My favorite poet is Francois Villon. I also like the Hebrew Poetry from the Golden Age in Christian and Muslim Spain. Of course, I also study Polish Poetry and am working on being able to recite it in medieval Polish. Except for a few words, I cannot speak or write Polish but I am working on it. One of my goals is to be a better bard and use poetry of all kinds to entertain. I am also studying herbs and their uses both in cooking and in healing.
I am a warranted youth minister and enjoy working with the fabulous youth of Atlantia. I also create and offer Pages Academy classes. I am also a warranted voice herald. I especially like to travel throughout Atlantia and meet people and teach.
My work can be found online at https://www.katarzynawitkowska.com/