 |
| Photo by Master Eirik Andersen. |
When did you first join the
SCA?
I first learned of the SCA when I was in
highschool. My boyfriend at the time (eventual Baron of Septentria -
Ieuan) had been to Pennsic the year before and convinced me into
going. Pennsic was my first and second SCA event. It was
significantly smaller then. It was very humid my first Pennsic and we had to
sleep in a VW Rabbit as the tent we had collapsed instantly in one of Pennsic's
famous torrential downpours. We didn't know the SCA existed at all in Ontario
What activities do you enjoy
most?
Hm, depends who you ask, my husband would say
politics :) Other than that I'd say the social-ness of
it. I love the diversity of persons it has and the friendships I've made
- through the SCA I have met so many friends who have become very important in
my life - first and foremost Nigel. I've been lucky enough to travel all
over the world and meet people who I have developed real and lasting meaningful
friendships with. I am continually inspired by the people I meet - by
their talents and generosity of skills and spirit.
You are now a triple peer (a Laurel, a Pelican and a
Royal Peer). How has becoming a Peer changed the game for you, for good or ill?
Not sure it has changed the game for me but I'm sure
others would say it has. I have always participated in the SCA for my own
amusement first and foremost - perhaps that is selfish. I refused long
ago to jump through hoops, preferring to set fire to them if need be. I
am aware that as a Peer I need to be mindful of my actions and how they can be
perceived and I also try not to knowingly rain on others' fun. Some
aspects of becoming a peer have been incredibly painful for me on a personal
level and have made me question myself and others, but ultimately I prefer to
see being a Peer is a gift, especially a Royal Peer. One thing I think
all persons in the SCA have in common is a childhood vision of what a King and
Queen or Knight is. As a Crown you are given the privilege of embodying
someone's childhood vision - you can either bring their childhood dream to life
or crush it. I try to be a good example but my mischievous tendencies
sometimes subvert that (ok often subvert that)
Were you ever a dependant to someone (an apprentice,
protégée or squire)?
Yes, I was apprenticed to Mistress Dulcinea Maria
Magdalena von Muhlberg y Aguilar, Baronesa. We had a long distance
student - peer relationship based soundly in friendship but she taught me a
great deal about having fun and following your bliss as well as the arts.
We remain friends to this day and she continues to be an active
inspiration in the SCA.
I was also a student to Meriel de Blackwoode, called
Myrra, who is a Mistress of the Pelican (and Laurel
You have several dependants of your own. What are your
thoughts and traditions when it comes to taking on a dependant?
Hm what I thought when I first became a peer and what has
actually transpired are somewhat different. I was sure when I became a
peer that I would not have many folks who would want to be my dependant.
However, I have been humbled to have multiple students and apprentices, more
than I planned in fact :) I think we all are learning
as we go. As far as traditions go, I am a fan of not rushing
into a relationship. For me the student - peer relationship is a serious
commitment and not to be entered into lightly. I encourage folks to ask
allot of questions of me and others and to define what they want from a
student-peer relationship, including seeking out opinions from those they have
no interest in being an associate of. All of my dependants have been my
student first for a period of time to make sure things work and that our
expectations of each other are in line. If the time comes that we both
agree that an apprenticeship is appropriate, we enter into a formal
contract. I would like to hope that my relationship with my
dependants is one of mutual respect and affection and the willingness to bail
one another out should the need arrise. The Arrochar crew is pretty
awesome and I am humbled and proud of the household that has developed.
Have you and your dependants formed a household?
Loaded question. The joke is that I don't have
household, but a household has me. I have mixed feelings about households
and feel they can undermine the fabric of a Kingdom/Barony/Group, something
Master Pavel from Calontir taught me. That being said, we (Nigel and I)
have ended up with a household, Arrochar - we try to be mindful that the
household's number one goal is to support the Canton/Barony/Kingdom first
before the household. This has been evident in the rolls and offices the
members of Arrochar continue to take on - everything from local officers,
autocrats, feastocrats, to landed Baronage, Kingdom Officers and Crown.
What is your proudest moment in the SCA?
I am blessed to have a ton of such
moments...............first is being a Knights lady and seeing Nigel elevated
to the Chivalry and the day he won his first Crown.
Second would be the first QPT, the memory of which still
brings tears to my eyes. I was so proud to see how the Kingdom accepted
the idea and has run with it
Third being Baroness of Septentria and my first Pennsic
as Baroness. Somehow Ieuan and I were blessed with having the support and
affection of not just our Barony but the Kingdom and it resulted in a magical
moment on the battlefield that I will never forget.
Fourth being on the BoD and knowing I helped make the
game better by helping remove some ugly parts and playing a part in the
creation of equestrian armoured combat.
I've been lucky and proud to beg the boons for friends,
to be granted foreign honours and earn the affection of others including those in
our household.
You are a former Baroness of Septentria. How has the
barony changed since that time? And what traditions did you begin that are
still followed today?
It has changed in that as Ealdormere became a Kingdom,
Septentria is not as 'grand' as it once was. That's not a bad thing, just a
fact as prior to there being a Principality or Kingdom the Barony was the focus
and the Baron and Baroness were the 'royalty' most of the populace had contact
with. The Crown of our parent Kingdom, the Middle, did not often make it
to the Barony so its roll was different. The Barony has gotten smaller
over time with shires and other Baronies being split off her, folks are used to
having a King and Queen and Prince and Princess they see often as well as their
Baron and Baroness. I like to think that the Barony continues to be
the Heart of Ealdormere. As far as traditions go, Kaffa once
called me her 'true daughter'. With that comes a respect and appreciation of
the old traditions - we carried on with our own Cup and the one we helped
create was the giving of rings. I have always liked the minimal number of
awards Septentria has but that does not mean folks do not deserver
recognition. Ieuan and I felt that it was just as important for people to
publically recognize one another and as such we encouraged folks to give rings
in recognition of one another in our court. I am thrilled that the
practice has continued and there are countless 'legacy rings' in
circulation.
How invested are you with Septentria today?
Very much so. If I wasn't I would not participate
in each and every Baronial selection. I like to keep up to date on the
officers, cantons and happenings - good and bad. If possible I help where
I can and try to encourage and be a cheerleader. I've had great fun
hosting Baronial events including 12th night and the recent Baronial
Investiture. I love the Barony in its entirety
What about the kingdom?
Again I would say very much so. I have been
part of the Kingdom since the beginning and was the 2nd Kingdom
Seneschal. I was proud to be a Midrealmer and I am proud to be
Ealdormerian and as with the Barony I try to help where I can, encourage and be
a cheerleader for all activities. I am very proud to have started several
'traditions' in the Kingdom including Rose Tourney and QPT. One of my
biggest joys while being Crown was being able to show off the people Ealdormere
and their amazing talents to the Known World.
How important are traditions to you?
Very as they provide much of the continuity. That being
said, I also strongly believe that there also needs to be the freedom to allow
new traditions to develop and grow so long as they do so 'organically' and are
not imposed.
You once served on the Board of Directors. Would you care
to comment on your experiences during that time, especially for our readers who
may not have much knowledge of the BoD or exactly what it does?
I loved my time on the Board and would do it again in a
heartbeat. For me it was an opportunity to give back to the SCA and to
help make it a better place - a chance to get rid of those who would crush
other's dreams. I got to see the birth of a new Kingdom, travelled to
Drachenwald and made incredible deep and lasting friendships in my time on the
Board. It is a far more difficult job then many know, there are
hard decisions to be made and folks are far quick to judge what the BoD does.
I wish there was better communication from the current Board with its decisions
and thought process but it is what it is. I try to seek answers, try not
to complain without a suggestion for resolution and share the information
I am able to obtain.
You are well known for your sense of humour. What is one
of the funniest moments you can recall?
Wow that is tough. Humour can be very subjective so
what I find amusing may not be so for others. I am proud to be an OAF of
Calontir - fun generators for lack of a better phrase. In that capacity
there have been some pretty awesome shenanigans here at home, and in other
Kingdoms - the taco bar, fireworks at Lilies, chalk drawings at the Green
Dragon, omelettes at Pennsic. Prior to that there was the tale of Spot,
quests for baby knights, the fez brigade, a tablero games and classic golf cart
safaris and shenanigans.
Do you have any plans in the works you’d like to talk
about?
World domination? No really, I have no plans other
than to keep enjoying the SCA with my friends and family. I love what
Arrochar as a group has become and look forward to what we can
achieve. I want to continue to be an active part of Ealdormere and
Septentria in whatever capacity they will have me. I am hopeful to help add to
and improve the Kingdom's regalia. I'd happily serve as an Officer again
and Crown should the gods deem it just. I will continue to travel
to other Kingdoms and drag anyone who shows interest along with me. One
of the greatest gifts the SCA provides is that of friendship and camaraderie
beyond our Kingdom
No comments:
Post a Comment