SCA Name & title: Lady Isolda de Leycestre
Years in the SCA: About 5 years total, separated by 2 Kingdoms with a 2O year hiatus in-between. I came back into the SCA in Æthelmearc in the spring of 2019.
How did you find out about the SCA? 20 years ago, my Ex-husband introduced me to the SCA.
Where did you start, what was your first event? I got my first start in the SCA in 2000, the Kingdom of Atlantia at an event called Garb Wars.
What is your persona? My persona is based as a 14th Century Lady and wealthy wool merchant because it’s my love of spinning wool that got me back into the SCA.
Why did you pick this persona? Mostly the garb out of 14th century illuminations fascinates me!
Do you have any group or household affiliations? I belong to The Dutchy of Arindale and I have recently been apprenticed to Master Hrólfr Á Fjárfelli.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA: Outside of the SCA, I run a small fresh cut Dahlia Farm during the growing season, I love making people smile when they get one of my bouquets. I also have a monarch butterfly sanctuary with a large walk-in caterpillar raising cage. My peak monarch hatching season is mid-July and all of August. The thrill of raising and releasing monarchs every year never gets old!
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? I’ve mostly been doing A&S activities, that seems to me my niche.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.) I think my experiences have been great and allow me growth within the SCA. I’m in a fantastic Household that’s very supportive of what I do and the path I’m on to better myself. I’ve also met a lot of great people in Æthelmearc that make the experience of events that much more joyful and meaningful.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? I honestly did not have any goals other than to attend events and have fun! That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.
What are your goals now? My goal now is to work towards my Laurel and I hope that I can bring as many people with me as I can.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
Not doing something good enough or being period correct enough for some people’s liking. That can have a very negative impact on people, especially if new to the SCA. But I have been fortunate enough to be in a great circle of friends to make those negatives turned into positives.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA?
My first event I attended after the shutdown I had brought a bucket of flowers for the Queen at the time, and photographer snapped a picture of me with the Queen while I was still dressed in a not so nice looking tunic I wear for pavilion set up. That photo made it into the Æthelmearc news and I was mortified at how I looked! I know it’s me and a personal thing, but it really bothered me knowing that I could have done better before seeing the Queen. So, since then I started on a path to make my 14th Century kit of a Lady period correct! I’ve spent this past summer working on that with sewing and acquiring items that my persona would have had. The interesting thing about me wanting to be a better person and about my garb being period correct, it has also sparked that into life with other people around me, that’s kinda cool! I would love to see that continue to spread and people take more interest into period correct garb for their persona. I’ve been helping quite a few folks with making garb to make their kits better. I also started a blog and Facebook page about my garb making adventures called Isolda’s Medieval Wardrobe for people to follow along. So yeah, I’d like to see that joy and pride spread within the Kingdom.
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? My advice to someone new in the SCA would be to make sure you are having fun! Find out what your passion is within the SCA and go for it! And don’t be afraid to ask questions! There are so many great people in the Kingdom that are always willing to help steer you in the right direction.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? Illuminations!! I cannot draw a stick figure to save my soul! I really admire the work and artistry and the craftsmanship that goes into making the scrolls for awards! That’s some serious talent!
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? Gosh, I don’t know if I have an era I would want to join the SCA in. I was too young for the 70′ and 80’s. Maybe the 90’s when I was in my 20’s and had more energy to do archery and fencing.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? My Laurel. I want to know if I truly got what it takes to go through all the ups and downs, the good times and the hell. My husband will be the first one to tell you that I do not aggravate well, lol! I know a lot of what I will need to learn on this path is patience!
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? Dancing! I have not seen any of that since I started in 2019. It’s also something I would like to learn.
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