On September 24th in the Shire of Heronter, Prince Marcus and Princess Margerite will be crowned King and Queen of Æthelmearc. Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope interviewed Their Highnesses to learn more about them, their SCA careers, and their personas.

Prince Marcus Eisenwald joined the Society in 1993 in his native Nordmark, aka Stockhlolm, Sweden, though he had participated with boffer groups as early as 1987. His persona is that of a German Landsknecht foot soldier from 1523-1525. During that time period, he says, younger sons of nobility could gain experience and money serving as officers in the military. He received his AoA in 1996 and was made a Court Baron in 1997 after serving as the second and last Governor of the Crown Principality of Nordmark before it became a full Principality. Marcus reigned as King of Drachenwald in the summer and fall of 2003, and then again in the winter and spring of 2009. In between, in 2007, he was knighted. He also did a stint as Earl Marshal of Drachenwald.

Marcus’ interests include German costuming and scribal arts as well as fighting. While still in Nordmark, he served as Scroll Clerk (Signet) for the Principality. He also enjoys woodwork and other arts; he currently has his sights set on learning to make shoes. He appreciates people who really go the extra mile to be authentic, and says he would love to camp in the Enchanted Ground some day, though currently having a young child and being royalty makes that impractical.

As a former Drachenwalder, His Highness has a unique perspective on Æthelmearc. He notes that both Kingdoms have distinct differences in culture and atmosphere. He appreciates the fact that Æthelmearc has so many people willing to step up and make things happen, and admires the energy and service he sees on display in our Kingdom. The thing he misses most about Drachenwald is the easy access to museums with actual period artifacts, which makes it much easier to do research.

Princess Margerite Eisenwald joined the SCA in 1992, and is looking forward to being Queen on her 25th anniversary in the Society at next March’s Ice Dragon. She found the SCA through Duchess Liadain ní Dheirdre Chaomhánaigh, who she’s known since they were in 6th grade. Her persona is primarily late Roman, though she has forays into other periods and places and believes in taking the best from a variety of cultures. Once the protégé of the late Mistress Michaele del Vaga, and a member of Count Robyn Wallace and Countess Isabeau de L’Isle’s household, Anephedros, Her Highness received her AoA in 1994 and was made a Court Baroness in 2005. Over the years she has served as a local and Kingdom officer, including a stint as Kingdom Seneschale, and has autocratted and served as head tollner or cook for numerous events. She is currently the Kingdom Minister of Youth, but will be passing that office to THLady Cordelia Colton before she is crowned Queen.

Margerite claims she is “not arts inclined” but admits to enjoying costuming, cooking, and beadwork. She says Mistress Michaele taught her how to plan a feast, and credits Michaele with persuading her to run a feast at the first Æthelmearc Æcademy with Mistress Mathilde des Pyrenees.

Marcus and Margerite first met at Pennsic. Duchess Anna Blackleaf introduced them because they had both been through gastric bypass surgery and Her Grace thought they might be interested in sharing their experiences. Obviously they hit it off, and while the distance proved a bit of a barrier, Marcus says they had a few visits back and forth as well as a lot of Skyping before deciding to get married. Then they faced the choice of where to live: in the U.S. or Sweden. At the time, Marcus was working for Swedish TV while Margerite had a Master’s degree and worked as a teacher here. They decided it would be too difficult for Margerite to get work in Sweden, and His Highness was looking for a career change, so he moved to the Shire of Heronter and went back to school there, studying mental health counseling. He now works as a drug and alcohol counselor while Her Highness continues teaching 4th graders.

Their Highnesses have a daughter named Ingrid who is a very energetic four-year-old. Sometimes jokingly referred to as “The Dread Empress,” Marcus notes that, if she’s not sleeping, Ingrid is constantly on the move. Although a little shy with adults she doesn’t know well, Margerite says Ingrid enjoys playing with other children. Her Highness said she and Prince Marcus are “fairly strict” parents who want Ingrid to grow up successful and good-natured.

When asked about their goals for their upcoming reign, Princess Marguerite said they want to see their subjects shine. She encourages people to take risks and try new things, working outside their comfort zone. Prince Marcus believes that many people worry too much about failing. For fighters, he recommends that they try new weapons forms, fighting in tourneys with their least favorite weapon because they will learn more from the experience.

Princess Margerite says she would like people to know that they welcome help from gentles across the realm. Since they don’t have a large household, they will be looking for people in the groups they visit to assist them, especially as retainers, which they hope will be a good way for them to meet new people and for their subjects to get to know them better. They and their daughter have no food allergies or dietary restrictions (though, like many young children, Ingrid can be somewhat particular about her food), and look forward to attending feasts throughout the Kingdom.