At Tri-Baronial Yule, Marya Kargashina was made a Companion of the Laurel. I spoke for her for the Order of the Laurel these words.
I, Laurel-Companion, Ælfflæd Ælfgaresdohtor
Speak for Marya Kargashina, once my apprentice.
Fine friend she has been to me, a full score and four years,
When well-met we wandered, students in the Summits.
Before oaths were sworn, to teach and to learn,
We weighed her wergild, the weapon-wielder and I
Counsel-sharer, she speaks and she hears.
Gracious Name-giver, words spread world-wide.
My student’s mind delves, deep in Novgorod’s mud
Bringing forth knowledge, from the floor of wind’s hall.
Blue-handed tutor, tints woven textiles,
All of the colors, of Os-gearth’s bridge.
Her hammers she wields, striking hard Weyland’s way.
Bright bronze and silver, deck temples with Slav-rings.
Loud is her language, with the word-fame of others.
Word-sword wielder, bright the runes written.
Through fire and flood, my fierce friend forges onward.
Jubilant, her joy, flares in others a flame.
Knowledge-sower, her seeds cross the kingdom.
Garth-grower now, guides her own plantings.
Bittersweet my tears, at the loss of my student.
Great is my joy, greet the laurel tree grown
I give you my gratitude, mighty ring-givers
For making my bench-mate, a peer of the realm!
thought to be Anglo-Saxon (Budny & Tweddle), and currently reside at the Kerk Sint-Catharina in Maaseik, Belgium. The motifs on the brocaded tablet woven bands included a vine with leaves that looked looked like it could work for laurel regalia. I think this is going to result in another terribly period, yet not blingy enough to read as regalia object. I’m having fun getting my new loom warped up and working through the mechanics of this new (to me) technique.