The Charter: Reconstructed
CultureWilliam and Mary’s Charter was written in 1693. The College’s history and traditions are encapsulated in its 323-year-old quill calligraphy text. Beautiful, historic, foundational – we were inspired by The Charter’s prose and timeless nature.
One way that any document lives is through continued interpretation. Reading, rereading, celebrating its words, or, in our case, reconstructing and reorganizing its words themselves. That’s exactly what our features team did – wrote from and in honor of The Charter by creating poetry out of only the words written in the official document. Another reminder that something radically different can be produced from the materials.
a love poem by Amirio Freeman
we had certain knowledge that
(by the grace of god)
our well-beloved foundation would last
almighty
sustained
ample
& bounteous
far after the fall of kingdoms
the erection of countries
the death of our heirs
perpetual
like the motion of a river
but
after seven years
a hundred lies
& the resignation of faith
our certain knowledge diminished
Untitled by Emmel El-Fiky
To all youth,
To whom good manners
May be maintained –
[Don’t let] such fame
Establish propagated faith!
Such a liberal place,
Should sciences be promoted.
A special philosophy –
Undoubted deprivation of a liberal manner,
Is for the power to take
The major part of trust
And spiritual lands.
Enjoy this trust!
Receive defraying inheritances,
And nominate to power with our
Resignation!
Substitute others into
His or their places.