SCA Name & title: Meesteres Odriana Vander Brugghe, OL
Years in the SCA: 34 total at varying levels of participation.
How did you find out about the SCA? I went to High School with someone that was very active in our local group and then after High School, I dated someone that was also active in the local group and they introduced me to Adriana Ramstar, who was my SCA mom.
Where did you start, what was your first event? Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands. I don’t remember the name of my first event, and I basically spent the whole event in the kitchen. It was a Royal Progress event (Randal and Katherine) and my boyfriend got his Award of Arms.
What is your persona? Odriana exists in the late 16th century and lives in Brugge, near the town center. She has an adult daughter who has taken up orders in the Beguinage (the only Roman Catholic institution permitted to still exist in Brugge at that time) and her husband is a ship builder who lives most of the year in Antwerp as there’s no work for him in Brugge. They are nearing retirement and are looking forward to spending their remaining years together enjoying the fruits of their labors.
Selfie from Crown Tournament some time in 2014.
Why did you pick this persona? I originally was focusing my work on a 14th century Scottish persona as that felt the most meaningful to me at the time. I started studying Netherlandish cookbooks and fell in love with the culture. Particularly in Brugge. It reminded me of Pittsburgh in the 1980’s, not quite dead but dying and work moving out of the city to elsewhere. My name means “Odriana of the bridge” and was another nod to Pittsburgh.
Do you have any group or household affiliations? I’ve been in the Debatable Lands my entire time in the SCA, and my household is Huis Witschoof, which I founded after I was elevated to the Order of the Laurel. It includes members from Æthelmearc and the East.
Cooking Ian’s Inn (2013)
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? Cooking (obviously), sewing, pattern making, illumination, heraldry (name heraldry), and knitting. I do a lot of service as well.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.) In the Debatable Lands I’ve been the Seneschal, Signet, Web minister, Historian, Steward, and Room Reservationist when I
worked for CMU. I’ve also served at the Kingdom level most recently as Kingdom MOL and Deputy Authorization Clerk, but I’ve also been the Deputy A&S Minister, Provost of the Æcademy, Chancellor of the Æcademy, and Clerk of the Fleur.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? Absolutely none. I was 18 and enjoying myself.
What are your goals now? I want to serve my Kingdom and mentor my apprentices so that they can reach their goals.
At my elevation with my Laurel, Master Huen Dambrygge.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? I didn’t feel that anything was intimidating as such. Mostly I had the normal concerns that one has when stepping up to do something, the judgement of others. When I was younger, that had more weight. As I’ve aged and had more time in, I’ve learned to listen to those who matter in that regard and understand that you can’t please everyone.
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 biggest advice is to find the things that you’re passionate about and that make you happy and focus on those. If you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing, you need to take a step back to understand why and if it’s correctable, then do that. If not, then don’t. Move on. You aren’t here to build a career; you are here to enjoy a hobby.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
Greetings!! THL Thalia Papillon here, Gazette editor and proud inhabitant of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, continuing with the tradition of populace in focus. Our Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place filled with many great people, but how many of these people do you see event after event and have never met, or maybe wondered more about?
This is open to the entire Kingdom and is not limited by rank, position, or time in the SCA. There is no deadline, when I have articles, I will post articles. I am also interested in interviewing couples, households, fighting units, or any other element that makes up the Kingdom. Even if you don’t live in the Kingdom anymore, but still call Æthelmearc home in your heart? We would love to hear from you too.
If you are interested in being interviewed, please contact me (information below) and I will send you a series of questions to answer. When completed return the answers to me. Please include at least three to four photos to use in the article. One should be a good profile picture. Answers with no photos will not be published.
How did you find out about the SCA? In Middle School, by my teacher who was in the SCA who hosted the school’s annual History Faire. As a 7th Grader I created my own chainmail for my medieval “Garb”, and that was when He recommended me the SCA.
Where did you start, what was your first event? February 2014, Barony of Calafia, Kingdom of Caid (San Diego, CA). First event was a Sunday Fighter Practice where I was able to suit up and fight.
What is your persona? 14th Century Timurid Empire “Gurkaniyan-u-Turan” (Medieval Uzbekistan). A Islamic Mongol Successor State founded by Emir Timur Gurkani “Tamerlane”, 6 generations after Genghis Khan.
Why did you pick this persona? Originally my persona was Kievan Rus, but many times people kept commenting how they love my “Samurai / Mongolian Armor”. So out of humor & spite I doubled down to go for a Mongolian persona, “Going full Mongol!” I would say. Over time I settled with the Timurid Empire for its rich & unique history.
Do you have any group or household affiliations? Corvus Warband; from the Barony of Calafia, Kingdom of Caid.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA: Outside the SCA I like hiking, nature walking, & running. And like many young folks I play video games, watch anime, and paint miniatures.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? Heavy Fighting first & foremost, and recently getting invested into Rapier fighting and Archery.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.): I have been and currently am the Deputy social media Officer for the Barony of Calafia (San Diego, CA) and the Shire of Coppertree (Rome, NY) respectively. I would run and manage the Group Instagram accounts, taking pictures and videos of events and posting them online.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? My starting, and still current goal is to achieve Knighthood in the Order of Chivalry.
What are your goals now? To promote the SCA to the younger generation, and to inspire them to join our community and family.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? Particularly in Heavy Fighting, the most intimidating thing is controlling your emotions, your Ego. Always be humble when you know you have lossed and never express hubris whenever you win. When we all don the Helmet and enter the field; there is always a greater opponent to fight and there is something new to learn.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA? With the shutdown nearly uplifted, I have returned to traveling and fighting again. It has been back-to-back events across New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maine.
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?
“Do not ever think that you are not good enough: You’re fighting was not good enough in the battles, your garb or armor is not of good quality, you are not contributing enough to your group or the SCA at large; and never be afraid to seek assistance. Your presence in attending and your commitment in improving yourself in any capacity at any pace is all that matters. We are reminded of ourselves when we first began, and we would be more than honored to assist you in any way we can.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? Blacksmithing or calligraphy.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? I would say the 1960’s, from A.S. 1-10. It would be interesting to see the origins of the SCA in person and to see its growth.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? The award I seek to achieve is Knighthood into the Order of Chivalry. For many Fighters we walk the Warrior’s Path: the years of training & learning, and the hundreds of opponents we fight in battle. The White Belt of a Knight is not only the symbol of the martial prowess, knowledge, and wisdom that a Fighter has achieved, but it also represents the duty that a Fighter has in aiding and teaching other Fighters along their own journey on the Warrior’s Path.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? It is always great to see more young individuals joining the SCA, attending events, and volunteering or running positions.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
How did you find out about the SCA? Baron Snorri Skyti Bjarnarson, aka David Haldenwang introduced me to the idea.
Where did you start, what was your first event? War Practice 2016. It was a great time and a wonderful introduction to the game.
What is your persona? Godzimir the Golden is a Rus boyar from 10th century Kyiv. As a boy, he enjoyed watching the archers in his father’s employ. The grace and athleticism of the archers fascinated him. Godzimir wanted nothing more than to be as skilled as them one day. To that end, he picked up his bow and left his home in search of adventure.
Why did you pick this persona? I wanted something more exotic than the usual Viking persona. It also roughly matches the style recurve bow I use.
Do you have any group or household affiliations? I am a proud member of the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, and of my household, Ætt Skyti.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA… I live in Pittsburgh and work in the steel industry in the steel city, get it? I like reading, lifting weights, playing video games, and, especially, practicing archery. I have a lovely wife, Reilly, and two cats, named Aegon, or ‘Egg’, and another named Possum. They are adorable gremlins.
What SCA activities do you, or have you participated in? Archery and thrown weapons are my favorite activities and the bulk of what I do in the SCA.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.) I run the Archers Guild in the barony of the BMDL. I also co-lead my household, Ætt Skyti.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? I wanted to expand my knowledge beyond that of the Viking age. I wanted to meet new people and see new perspectives. The goal was to really enjoy this goofy hobby of dressing up with my friends in the woods.
What are your goals now? Reach the rank of Master Bowman in archery. I’m very close. I would like to teach a class on spear throwing, having been a javelin coach. Beyond that, I’d like to learn a new skill. I’m thinking woodworking, cooking, or sewing.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? Going up against such skilled opponents from Æthelmearc and other kingdoms!
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA? Oof, this question did not age well. I’d like to get new people involved in archery. I’d especially like to bring more people over to the ‘period’ style of archery. That’s my jam.
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself, what question would you ask? Be bold. Be humble. Be kind. Why are some long-time members of the SCA not these things?
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent that you do not have, what would it be? Sewing or cooking. One would save me a lot of money, the other would make me and other folks happy.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970,1980, etc.) what “era” would you pick and why? None, I like where the SCA is currently.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? It is my wish to join the honorable ranks of the Scarlet Guard, Æthelmearc’s elite group of archers. I would also like to join the Order of the White Horn, for those in Æthelmearc who show great prowess in thrown weapons. An invitation to the Order of the Golden Stirrup would be neat too. Hey, you said not to be modest.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? (and why)? More advertisement and ease of access for newcomers. This is an expensive hobby, and it’s easy for new folks to be overwhelmed by our excitement for what we do.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
Years in the SCA: 12 active but my first SCA even was in 1997 with a huge gap to 2010 because of life.
How did you find out about the SCA? A local Newspaper, then I was brought to my first SCA activities by my friend Cyndi who I occasionally run into at Pennsic
Where did you start, what was your first event? My first Event was an Endless Hills 12th night.
What is your persona? Early 11th century Irishman who fought at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 in the Munster army of High King Brian Boru.
Why did you pick this persona? I wanted to do Irish, and it seems like the most interesting time for me.
Do you have any group or household affiliations? Duchy of Arindale as Squire to Duke Timothy
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA – I have two amazing sons and I have worked for Amazon since 2012.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? Shenanigans and heavy fighting mostly, but I occasionally fence (mostly at war,) I throw, and shoot archery when there is time. I love work in feast kitchens and do over fire cooking, and I have been known to so some woodworking.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.) I am currently the Region 3 Heavy Marshal and have been for a while, I am also a Combat Archer and a Fencing Marshal. I have been a knight marshal of Endless Hills, and Zule Herald of Endless Hills. I have been event steward for about a dozen events, and head cook for 4 events. I was also Captain of the Queen’s Guard for Duchess Gabrielle.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? To become a knight.
What are your goals now? To be the best fighter I can be, I understand now I can’t control what happens with polling orders, but I can control how I act, and how hard I work. I also want to bring more cooking with period technology to events.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? Duke Dietrich’s footwork…seriously though I have been lucky in being part of such a great household I learned early not to be intimidated.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA? To help the society build back better. We lost a lot of good people the pandemic, but more importantly we lost a lot of problematic people. I would really like to help replace those people with new people who feel more welcome than they were before. Particularly, I would love to see more younger heavy fighters, more cis female, female presenting and gender fluid heavy fighters as well as more siege engineers and combat archers.
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? The SCA is a long show path, a have fun, meet all the people, try all the things, and take time to decide before you join a household or enter a Student/Teacher relationship.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? Tablet Weaving: I really want more tablet women trim, but I can’t afford to pay fair Price and also don’t want to rip off my friends.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? I would have loved to have been able to afford to stick with it when I joined in 1997, I would be 25 years in the SCA right now.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? Order of the Cornelian. I have 2 grant level awards a Gage and a Millrind. Both of them say I worked hard, and people noticed. The cornelian says people believe I am a good, kind, and courteous person. To me that matter more than being a good fighter or good at service.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? More events with settings away from cars and modern things. It drives me nuts when you see a great picture of someone that is ruined because there is a car in the background. I would love it if people dropped their stuff and moved there car away. I know this is difficult for some people, and I accept that, but some able-bodied people are just don’t care enough to move their car.
I would also love to see more people get into their persona beyond some clothes and a fighting kit.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
For the first time in many years, Ӕthelmearc has a Crown Prince and Princess who have never sat the thrones before.
Prince Arnthor inn Sterki and Princess Ceirech na Hinnsi live in the Shire of Hunter’s Home, in Lawrence County, PA, not far from Coopers’ Lake where the Pennsic War is held.
His Highness is a Knight and a member of the Orders of the Gage and Golden Alce, as well as a Companion of the Scarlet Battery for his work with siege weapons. He also has a Keystone and a Sycamore.
Her Highness received her AoA for tablet weaving and service in archery, and a Golden Alce for her work with siege weapons.
Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope interviewed our new Crown Prince and Princess to learn more about them.
When and how did you find the SCA? What most attracted you to the Society?
Arnthor: I found it on the internet and knew it was for me. I was hooked on fighting heavy from our first event, Sunderoak’s summer picnic in 2003.
Ceirech: When I first began my Scadian adventure in 2003, it was for my husband, but after meeting people and discovering some of the opportunities that it offered, I grew an appreciation for it. I remember an early Pennsic experience of waking up to bagpipes in the distance and going to sleep that night to rhythmic drum beats. It was beautiful and it was those kinds of experiences, the ones that make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time, that got me really excited about the SCA.
Please tell me a little about your personas and how you chose them.
Arnthor: I am a Danish warrior who ended up in Rus. My (real-life) grandmother, who passed before I was born, was full-blooded Danish. I always thought that was interesting. I wanted to know as much about her home country as I could.
Ceirech: I chose a 5th century Irish name, but I had no specific persona when I chose it. I tend to decide what clothing style I will wear based on the season. I prefer layered Viking garb during the winter months and cooler Roman garb during the summer, but I’ve also worn Italian Ren and I’m currently looking at Rus. When it comes to garb, there are just too many beautiful and interesting things to wear for me not to learn about and indulge in as many styles as possible.
Photo by Baroness Ailianora Brunhulle
I hear that you are both members of a new fighting group. How did that get started?
Ceirech: Yes, we are very excited! Four of us friends formed our fighting group Bogatyr with a lot of thought and care. Arnthor has always dreamed of a fighting group where everyone is treated as an equal and accomplished fighters can invest in lifting up others who share the same or similar goals as him. I like that we are all individuals that can wear our own colors, but come together under a shared banner on the field as people who fight together and help each other realize our potential. I also like that people take turns being in leadership roles on the field, so if someone wants to try leading they will get that opportunity. We think this will help fighters who otherwise wouldn’t get the experience and they can receive feedback from the group that will help them grow.
Arnthor: We are not a household, we are the wandering chivalry of Ӕthelmearc. My squires (Winnardus, Patrokles, Raziel, and Brillo) are free to join or stay in any household they wish; they just need to fight with me. Other members can come from any household or no household at all to fight with us.
In addition, to stay active over the last year, I started holding fighter practices at my house with a group my wife called the “Vacc Pack” because everyone had to be vaccinated against Covid to participate. This became successful enough that others from the Vacc Pack group began hosting their own fight practices, and one of them even had twenty people.
Has either of you been an associate (squire, apprentice, protégé, etc.) to another peer?
Arnthor: Yes, I was squired to Sir Tarl MacLave. He was a friend and had been knighted in the fall of 2014. We already had a mentor type of relationship so I asked him to take me as his squire the following spring, because I wanted to be part of that lineage Tarl’s knight was Sir Reinhardt von Berchtesgaden, whose had been squired to Master Wulfgar of the Wood. Two weeks later I was knighted, at War Practice in 2015.
Ceirech: I’ve only begun my personal journey in the SCA in recent years, and there are so many things I enjoy, from operating a ballista to inkle weaving, that I have not focused on anything in particular yet. It has been my goal to experience as many things as I can for right now.
Arnthor or Arnþorr? Do you have a preferred spelling? And for Her Highness, can you explain how your name should be pronounced?
Arnthor: It’s Arnthor.
Ceirech: “Ceir” rhymes with “here” and “ech” rhymes with “deck.”
Photo by Baroness Miriel du Lac
You’ve both been involved in siege weapons. Can you discuss how that came about and what your part in it has been?
Arnthor: I was the spearhead and main builder of five ballistae. We gave one to the Kingdom and one was broken, but the other three were still in service at Pennsic 48. Her Highness and I are responsible for many of the Kingdom siege engineers becoming authorized.
Ceirech: For years I wanted to fight heavy, but I knew it wasn’t realistic for me due to my heart problems. My husband wanted to build a ballista, so it seemed the perfect fit to get me out there on the field. He built his first ballista for me, and then he built a few more with some assistance. I wasn’t able to work the ballista every Pennsic due to my health, so to stay involved, I became the Siege Commander for a couple of years, worked as a Siege Marshal, and helped with weapons inspections as well. I also enjoyed authorizing people, because seeing their faces when they got to shoot for the first time was very exciting for me.
I’ve read that Arnthor has done bone carving and Ceirech has done tablet weaving. Can you discuss some of the items you’ve made? What other arts are you both interested in?
Arnthor: I do enjoy antler carving (bone stinks too much for me). I have made many things, such as Thor’s hammers, combs, needle holders, and jewelry with amber stones mounted on them.
Ceirech: I love the arts. I’ve spent many hours over the years at tablet, stick, and inkle weaving. I’ve also made scrolls, done embroidery, learned sprang, and played around with repoussé and chasing.
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I believe you have an adult daughter and son. Are they still involved in the SCA?
Ceirech: Our son and daughter started in the SCA about 19 years ago. I believe they were 8 and 6 years old. Our daughter, Freya, has always enjoyed the SCA and is becoming more active again as an adult. She has made lifelong friends in the Society, so we know the SCA has a permanent place in her life. Our son, Magnus, enjoyed some things about the SCA, but has other interests that take priority, so he has not been active for many years. He told me recently, though, that he may come back for a visit.
What goals do you have for your reign? What do you think is the most important aspect of sitting the thrones?
Arnthor: We want to see people get rewarded for their hard work and effort.
Ceirech: When my husband and I sat in court with the King and Queen for the first time at Crown Tourney, that new perspective allowed us to see the faces of the people receiving their awards and their happiness was very moving. I love that part of it and we are looking forward to seeing the happy smiles and happy tears throughout our reign.
I also think it’s my duty to help be a voice for those with disabilities. My reign may end up looking different than those before me, and I think that should be OK. I may not be able to do everything expected of me in the way people are used to seeing it done. I think it’s important for people to see those differences and to understand that someone’s health can change from day to day, even moment to moment, depending on the person’s specific issue or issues. I would like to see a society that is more knowledgeable about and mindful of people with disabilities. I believe awareness, especially concerning invisible illnesses, can and will improve the experience for everyone.
Have you had a chance to assemble a staff yet?
Ceirech and Arnthor: Yes, we knew from the start who we wanted to run our reign (Lady Vika Vyborgskaia) and be our Head Retainer (Baroness Aine ny Allane). The rest have been falling into place.
Given that Covid-19 doesn’t seem likely to go away any time soon, a winter reign is likely to be challenging. King Gareth and Queen Juliana had to deal with many canceled and rescheduled events because of Omicron, and of course almost all of King Maynard and Queen Liadain’s very long reign was virtual. Have you thought about ways to handle those issues during your time on the thrones if Covid does remain an issue?
Arnthor: Both couples you mentioned provided an excellent road map on how to navigate the pandemic. Her Highness’s health makes her very vulnerable to the worst effects of Covid. So it is of the utmost importance to us that we do the best we can to ensure everyone is safe.
Photo by THLady Silence de Cherbourg
Princess Ceirech, you have mentioned your health issues and the need to use a walker or wheelchair sometimes. Can you tell us more about this?
Ceirech: I have a progressive, incurable, genetic heart disease that wasn’t diagnosed until I was 46 years old. The main heart problem I have is Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. It’s usually pretty benign, but in my case, it is the very opposite, and I have a lot of severe symptoms like congestive heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias. Due to scar tissue building up inside my heart, the signal to tell my heart to beat can no longer travel throughout my heart, so I have a pacemaker to make the bottom chambers of my heart beat and a defibrillator to help protect me from going into cardiac arrest from the arrhythmias I experience.
My heart is actually strong with a good solid beat, but due to my type of heart disease, the wall around my left ventricle is severely thickened and does not like to relax to allow blood to fill that chamber before it’s constricting again. I take medication to slow my heart rate down and give that chamber more time to fill, to get more oxygen into my body. With a heart that stays at a slower beat no matter what I’m trying to do, I run out of physical and mental energy quickly, get dizzy a lot, and struggle to catch my breath. Breathing is also complicated by the fluid I retain from my congestive heart failure.
When I’m feeling my best, I can walk with no assistance in short bouts fairly well, but most often I use a walker to allow myself to sit down if I become breathless. The walker also gives me some help with balance. On my worst days, or when I know I will be traveling around a lot, I use a wheelchair. Pennsic, and any medium to large event sites are where a wheelchair is most needed, so I have freedom to get around. That gives me some semblance of normalcy.
I think it’s imperative that the populace know that, when I’m experiencing a heart arrhythmia, I get dizzy and breathless very quickly. I will drop to my knees immediately. Getting close to the ground is for safety, not necessarily because I’m passing out, although it does feel like that to me. The majority of the time, after giving myself a minute or two, my heart will return to its normal rhythm and I’m able to get back to whatever I was doing, though with a little less spunk.
I also have 2 rods and 6 screws in my lower back, and my back gets stiff and tired. Having the walker keeps that from happening as quickly.
What do you do mundanely?
Arnthor: I do background checks for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).
Ceirech: My education is to be a Secondary History teacher, and when pursuing my Masters I acquired my certification in Special Education. However, due to my health, my dream of being a teacher in the classroom never came to fruition, so drawing upon my creative side, I turned to arts and crafts. The pandemic halted plans I had with a friend to do some vending at craft shows, so with my love of home decorating and photography, I’ve laid the foundation to do ads for home-goods companies. Last year I was approached to start selling my art as prints, even my simple watercolor art I did for Christmas cards and tags, so that is another venue I’ve been pursuing.
Finally, what are you most looking forward to about your time as Heirs and eventually Sovereigns of Ӕthelmearc?
Arnthor and Ceirech: Seeing areas of the SCA that we never would have seen and experienced otherwise, and meeting the people who make them up. We also look forward to recognizing people’s efforts and making any improvements we can, no matter how small, because the most important thing is that Æthelmearc is running smoothly and the populace is content and happy.
Greetings!! THL Thalia Papillon here, Gazette editor and proud inhabitant of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, continuing with the tradition of populace in focus. Our Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place filled with many great people, but how many of these people do you see event after event and have never met, or maybe wondered more about?
This is open to the entire Kingdom and is not limited by rank, position, or time in the SCA. There is no deadline, when I have articles, I will post articles. I am also interested in interviewing couples, households, fighting units, or any other element that makes up the Kingdom. Even if you don’t live in the Kingdom anymore, but still call Æthelmearc home in your heart? We would love to hear from you too.
If you are interested in being interviewed, please contact me (information below) and I will send you a series of questions to answer. When completed return the answers to me. Please include at least three to four photos to use in the article. One should be a good profile picture. Answers with no photos will not be published.
I hope to hear from as many of you as possible and look forward to learning more about everyone
How did you find out about the SCA? We went to a demo at a mall in Jamestown, New York. It was hosted by members of the Shire of Heronter.
Where did you start, what was your first event? My first event was Harvest Raid II. It was a great experience! We even experienced a wedding! We thought that was normal for every event.
What is your persona? Eleanore Godwin is a 13th century Anglo-Saxon woman who has been widowed twice. She is an heiress in her own right, so owns property that is hers. Edward I is on the throne and fighting a war in Scotland. Since it is expensive, he has raised taxes on us lesser nobles. I provide 5 knights, equipment, and horses to the crown. Edward was looking for more and devised a way to get more money by offering a “widow’s dispensation”. What that means is I can pay him to get a written dispensation that guarantees I cannot be forced to marry against my will. So, I run my manor, and my expenses, and most importantly, my life without interference from any man.
Why did you pick this persona? Well, the last name is my grandmother’s maiden name and in researching it, found it is the name of a very early king of England. Earl Godwinson. The time and place came from garb I saw someone wearing and I thought “it’s a jumper I can make that!” So, I ended up 13th century Anglo-Saxon.
Do you have any group or household affiliations? I am a member of the Barony of the Rhydderich Hael, Clan Blackheart, the Tribe Tuatha Firen, and Otter’s Keep.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA… I’m getting settled in a new home, I like meeting with friends, and talking about everything! I have a two-year-old grandson who is a busy, chatty, little smarty pants! I’m looking to have a new routine with plenty of things to do! I get to travel some, and that is fun!
What SCA activities do you, or have you participated in? Scribal arts are my first love! I have been a Thrown Weapons marshal, and a 3-time baronial Thrown Weapons Champion. I have been an archer, and target designer! I have been a teacher of many different subjects, from heraldry, scribal arts, to embroidery.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.) I have held many different offices from chatelaine, to herald, A&S officer, group signet, demo coordinator, chancellor minor (principality). I have autocrated many events, small and large, I have taught classes small and large. I spent many hours running thrown weapons ranges and helping run events.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? My goals were to meet people, work at events so people could have fun, help where needed, and possibly receive recognition.
What are your goals now? Teach scribal arts to people who are looking to start making scrolls and scribes who want to improve their skills. I want to meet new people and go to events I haven’t gone to before, or that it’s been a long time since I attended.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? Speaking in front of court as herald! I was a teacher and could talk to a large class, but in court, Yikes! Not much intimidates me now, I’m a survivor of heart surgery!
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA? Encouraging new people to join the SCA and start having fun! Then see them time after time participating more by working at events, holding offices, and bringing their friends to join too!
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself, what question would you ask? I would say take your time getting comfortable with what we do. Make yourself familiar with how we function as a group. Do not be afraid to speak to someone you don’t know. Ask a question if there is something you want to know. Don’t try to do it all, be it all. Take your time figuring out your persona, name, and culture. You may change your mind after you “find your place” in the SCA!
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent that you do not have, what would it be? To cook an SCA feast! I know so little about medieval cooking, it would be wonderful to be able to do that!
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970,1980, etc.) what “era” would you pick and why? I might have joined in the early ’80’s. I would have had the energy to learn to fence!
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? I would like to be considered for a peerage. I think it is a way to do more to serve my kingdom in a more impactful way.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? (and why)? I would like to see more people helping run events. It lightens everyone’s burden and gives a sense of pride to those who are getting things done for others! Seeing people have fun is a good goal!
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
Greetings!! Lady Thalia Papillon here, Gazette editor and proud inhabitant of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, continuing with the tradition of populace in focus. Our Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place filled with many great people, but how many of these people do you see event after event and have never met, or maybe wondered more about?
This is open to the entire Kingdom and is not limited by rank, position, or time in the SCA. There is no deadline, when I have articles, I will post articles. I am also interested in interviewing couples, households, fighting units, or any other element that makes up the Kingdom. Even if you don’t live in the Kingdom anymore, but still call Aethelmearc home in your heart? We would love to hear from you too.
If you are interested in being interviewed, please contact me (information below) and I will send you a series of questions to answer. When completed return the answers to me. Please include at least three to four photos to use in the article. One should be a good profile picture. Answers with no photos will not be published.
I hope to hear from as many of you as possible and look forward to learning more about everyone
Populace in Focus today features King’s Bardic Champion Master Morien MacBain and Queen’s Bardic Champion, The Honorable Lady Maggie Rue.
Could you give a little background about how and when you started performing as part of the Bardic Arts community?
Morien: I found the SCA back in ‘86. The very first event I went to, in what is now Ballachlagan, had a bardic circle, like pretty much all events did in those days. Lord, they were fun! Lots of Irish rebel music, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Con filk, dirty puns, blood, and iron stuff. Pure joy! The bards that had the greatest impact on me back then were Donnan the Solitary and Morgan Caer Graeme. I learned a great deal from them and miss those performances and those songs.
Maggie Rue: In the SCA, this was really my first performance. While I have hung out around a few Bardic circles among households and groups, I generally don’t sing; it occurred to me at the onset of this competition that I may not need to. Surprise!
What types of Bardic arts performances do you enjoy doing?What is your most / least favorable type of performance?
Morien: I’m still primarily a bardic circle guy. I like the informality of it, the lack of pressure, the faces in the firelight, the willing audience, and the “renao” (which is a wonderful Mandarin word for the noise, happy chatting, laughter, and activity of life happening that forms a backdrop to a performance). My least favorite would have to be live bardic competitions. You usually only get to do one piece, impostor syndrome kicks in, and my will to compete is safer if the other person is wearing armor! If I’m going to fight to win, I want it to be with weapons, not a bit of my heart.
Maggie Rue: Not a great singer and my improv skills are more action-related than a lot of speech. So, I’d go with memorizing an old poem or writing a new one and reciting it as first and foremost. Least favorite would be improving a song. I could be wrong though—enough immersion into a subject and I might get better. We’ll see.
Have you done any type of performance arts outside of the SCA?
Morien: Sure! I sang in the church choir for years when I was in middle and high school, which was the best vocal training I’ve had. I did the school musical every year, plus summer theater, which were usually musicals. I’ve sung in a few bars, once on a tiny stage where Patsy Cline sang when she was starting out. That felt like a church. No one threw anything. I’ve done poetry slams in clubs a couple times. Now I am a high school English teacher, so a lot of my work is essentially storytelling to a tough audience!
Maggie Rue: Yes, indeed. I performed for a time as a character in Jesus Christ Superstar in Middletown NY for a couple of years, doing chorus parts and dancing. I’ve done a number of high school performances as well. During my years as a Game Designer, I ran the convention circuits and had to talk up game products—spiels, really—and became really good at impromptu game sessions. In addition, my parents were both members of the Philadelphia Folk Song Society and I went to a number of music Festivals in my early years… You’d be surprised as to how many SCA songs I’ve heard before in other places in different interpretations.
How much time do you spend researching bardic performances and practicing in preparation for doing a performance?
Morien: Most of my research for the last few years has been on the poetry side of my bardic practice. I work in a wide variety of forms from different periods and cultures, so there is always more to learn! However, I don’t really practice singing enough. I have a playlist of songs I am working up and sing along with it in the car. I have attempted to learn the hard, and suck quite badly at that. I should learn to drum much better, so I could accompany myself on a bodhran. I think I’ll get to work on that…
Maggie Rue: Given this was my first real SCA-based performance, I took two weeks to prepare.
What SCA events / Bardic competitions have you performed in previously and what types of performance did you do?
Morien: I’ve done bardic circles all over, and I’ve taught classes on writing poetry at SCA Fifty Year, Pennsic, AEthelmearc Academy, and Atlantia University. I’ve done “Music in the Key of D”, a bardic contest hosted by the Chalk Man Pub at Pennsic a few times. I also sing battle hype songs with fighters while we are on our way to the battlefield at Pennsic to get our blood up. On these former occasions, I find you seldom go wrong with Irish or Scottish rebel music, or filthy rugby songs.
Maggie Rue: This is it.
When you chose to participate in the Quest to be Sylvan Bard, did you do a type of performance that you have done before, or did you come up with a completely new performance?
Morien: I broke out two I had written before, “The Green Fields of Pennsic”, and “The Ballad of Big Bad Jehan”. Both are staples of the campfire music I like.
Maggie Rue: So, I took a number of courses in college that were medieval in nature and “Chaucer” was one of them. The teacher insisted we learn a number of lines in Middle English, taking out his personal recordings from the library to learn the lilts and rhythms. Seventeen years later, I still hear his voice. What I performed for the competition was longer than what he had us memorize, though, so I had to go find some recordings on which to base my own performance.
How did it feel to do a performance via the online community versus doing a live performance at an event?
Morien: I loved it! I liked that I got to strike and vanish like Zorro and could just focus on what I was doing. The competitive side with all its nasty thoughts and lust to win did not make an appearance!
Maggie Rue: It was actually pretty comfortable.
Did you face any challenges with performing in the sylvan bard competition?
Morien: Yep! I am a goofball at tech, and my performance of “Big Bad Jehan” kept turning out badly because I didn’t understand how to make my phone work, so I wound up just sending in “Green Fields of Pennsic” by itself.
Maggie Rue: None
Being one of the sylvan bards within the kingdom, can you share your plans / ideas for keeping the bardic arts alive in the kingdom during your tenure?
Morien: Heck yeah! We are looking at maintaining the practice of monthly online bardic hangouts on the first Tuesday of each month of the year starting at 8 in the evenings. Rue will be handling the tech, rest assured, although I will try to learn it as well. We’re also looking at starting a sort of “Bardic Boot Camp”, an ongoing series of classes (both online and in person) on subjects like vocal training, storytelling, playing instruments, poetic composition, and so on. We’ve already started reaching out to teachers from across the kingdom and the known world, and people seem enthusiastic! Also, I plan to start a FB group that should be an ongoing poetry writing workshop combined with a book study circle on various forms and skills from beginner to advanced. I’m working up a syllabus for it, and reaching out to established poets to participate, although the focus will be on bringing new aspiring poets into the field. So, COVID or not, we’ll be helping people along! We will also be working to ensure that live bardic circles and performances happen at in-person events, never fear!
Maggie Rue: So, there’s been talk of having a Novice Day like the one they had in the East Kingdom, which I attended, and one of the biggest beefs was that there was no Novice Bardic competition. So, we’re changing that. In addition, I’m going to incorporate Bardic Arts in my other A&S specialties, researching and performing songs that would also be of interest to the Herbal and Apothecary Guild as well as the Assassins’ Guild. Master Morien and I will continue the Bardic Competitions and we’ve got plans to get the Bardic Arts everywhere.
What advice would you give to other populace who would like to pursue the quest to be involved in bardic arts and perform in bardic arts competitions?
Morien: Come join us for the First Tuesday Onlines! Join in! If you aren’t ready, just listen for a while, and then pipe in! Join the FB groups for “AEthelmearc College of Bards”, “SCA Bardic Arts”, “AEthelmearc Arts & Sciences”, and the FB group for “Bardic Boot Camp” and “AEthelmearc Poetry Workshop”, once I get them running! Perform anywhere you can. Make a playlist of songs you want to learn and sing along with them in the car at high volume! Do NOT worry about what you sound or look like. Don’t listen to the haters. Read, listen, and watch good performances not just as an audience, but as a crafter, see what they are doing, and how they are doing it. Remember that you can learn as much from a bad performance as from a good one. A poet is one on whom NOTHING is wasted. I have a FAT list of books for you to get into if you like! LET’S DO THIS!!
More advice! Remember, your performance begins from the moment you are called, and doesn’t end until you are off the stage. Entrances and exits matter! Also, when in doubt, pretend to be slightly drunk, or more drunk than you in fact are. People like a drunken bard, and if you mess up, they will forgive you and enjoy it. Schadenfreude!
Oh, and one more piece of advice: When composing, even if you aren’t working in a purely alliterative form like Anglos-Saxon or 14th-century Alliterative Revival or something, get that alliteration in there. It’s like salt in cooking. People may not notice it, but they WILL like it!
Maggie Rue: Just do it. Get involved with everything sooner or later. I have been on a tear these past few years of just reaching out and getting involved. Look where it landed me. I don’t care if all you know are nursery rhymes: give it a try. Can’t sing? Me, neither. Let’s go learn stuff together.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
How did you find out about the SCA? I went to High School with someone that was very active in our local group and then after High School, I dated someone that was also active in the local group and they introduced me to Adriana Ramstar, who was my SCA mom.
