Award of the Elephants Heart

Awarded to Laurensa Silverlocke (formerly known as Laurensa de Chambord) (modernly known as Dianne Read Stucki)

By the Barony of Cynnabar on 2015-08-05

It is said, that if an Elephant chance to meet with a man wandering simply out of his way in the wilderness, he will mildly and gently set him into the right way again. But if he perceive a man's fresh footing, before he espy the man, he will stray from farther following the scent, look about him every way, snuff and puff for very anger. Neither will he tread upon the tract of a man's foot, but give intelligence of it to the next Elephant unto him, and he again to him that followeth, and so from one to another passeth this message, to the utmost rank behind. Then the whole herd makes a stand, and withall put themselves in battle array. Herein is to be seen the wonderful work of Nature, and her mighty power; that the greatest, the most fell and savage beasts that be, having never seen that which they ought to fear, should have the sense, why the same is to be feared.

Laurensa, as We welcome you to Us and count you among Our number, may you possess the wisdom of the Elephant, who rightly judges danger and defends her companions. Herewith do We, Ermenrich, Baron of Cynnabar, and Kasha, Baroness of Cynnabar, bestow upon you this day Our Award of the Elephant's Heart.

Let none countermand Our words.
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Text adapted from Naturalis Historia by Pliny the Elder (c. 77-79), translated by Philemon Holland (1605).

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