SCA Name & title:
Dame Ursula of Rouen
Years in the SCA: 14
What is your persona? Norse
Why did you pick this persona? I really liked the clothes and accessories.
How did you find out about the SCA? Through a guy I was seeing at the time.
Where did you start, what was your first event?
I started out at fencing practices in Misty Highlands, Æthelmearc, but my first taste was a demo at Twin Lakes in Westmoreland, PA, and my first weekend event was a couple of weeks later at Bog Three Day in St. Swithin’s Bog, Æthelmearc.
Do you have any group or household affiliations?
Yes, I am a member of Talbot’s Keep and Woodland Watch.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.
I am a Financial Aid Counselor for a state university and a very proud aunt!
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?
I fenced for my first few years until I got injured and started autocrating. I love anything to do with creating the “Dream” for others and working behind the scenes to make the magic of the SCA happen. I often do this by retaining and serving royalty. I also enjoy cooking, water bearing, and thrown weapons.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.)
Experience includes being a retainer on several reigns, including retaining for His Majesty Malcolm at my very first event, currently serve as Reign Steward for TRMs Maynard & Liadain. I held the office of Authorization Clerk for 5 years. I also serve my local shire as Seneschal. Currently a lot of my time goes into the INter-Kingdom Scribal (INKS) Guild. I often serve as autocrat/co-autocrat or royalty liaison for events. Currently I serve as a member of the production staff of ÆLive.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?
My goal was to wear a pretty dress! Seriously. But then I wanted to have fun and help others have fun which is what I still do today.
What are your goals now?
Currently, to survive the pandemic and help the SCA back to its feet when the time is right. But my ongoing goal is to help others find their joy in the SCA.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
As someone with very little patience and zero ability in the sewing department, great garb always intimidates me. I’m always gawking at and lusting after others’ garb.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA?
I really want to help my shire get back to its former glory. Bring people back together. Rekindle relationships, and hopefully facilitate a local thrown weapons program.
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?
Pennsic is not the end all be all. It’s okay if you don’t go. Seek out smaller events and get to know the people and the activities of the SCA. Also, do not feel pressured to join a household or take a belt if you don’t want to. And always, ALWAYS, ask questions.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be?
Teleportation! Living in a corner of West Virginia makes for some VERY long drives. Though to be more serious, probably sewing.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why?
I think I joined at a good time, though it would have been cool to see what it was like in the eighties and nineties, as long as I was old enough to drink if we time travelled back.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?
My Pelican was my end goal. I worked very hard for it and am honored every time I remember that I am one. I think the coolest award in the kingdom is the Jewel, just to be in the same class as those who hold that accolade would be awesome. Though, some of the most amazing honors are those personal tokens and thank yous that hold no rank or precedence. I cherish those I have received and do my best to give tokens for deeds that inspire me on a regular basis.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be?
Road trips and post revs. So many of us are so busy at events that we don’t really get to enjoy everyone’s company until the post rev or ride home. Along those lines, events in or within walking distance to hotels would be very much welcomed, especially for those who have to drive very far to get to events.