Who We Are

A very brief intro to the Society

Who are you? And why are you dressed that way? Here’s a summary.

And another summary from the SCA itself.

New: A Glossary of all the slang and jargon of the SCA

Here’s a local newcomers FAQ.

Thamesreach Shire Populace in rough Order of Precedence (by award)

The SCA has an award structure based on the actual learned skills and service of the members themselves. These have been earned to a certain standard depending on the skill or role fulfilled. For example someone who holds the Order of the Laurel has been recognised for their skill, research and talent in a particular art or craft such as mastering period food and banqueting, the capability of reproducing artworks and items using period techniques, and so on.

His Grace Elffin O’Mona

enjoys fighting and socialising, and beating his unruly squires into shape.

Mark Lawson originates from Australia but has spent years in Europe, particularly Sweden.

Device: Vert, an annulet rayonny on the outer edge argent and in chief a sword fesswise proper, and as an augmentation, on a chief Or a dragon passant coward sable ducally crowned gules.

Vita portens Väktare (1999), Sigillum Coronae – King (1999), Companion of the Lindquistringes (1999), King’s Order of the Companions of Albion (1998), Duke Drachenwald (1997), Augmentation of Arms (1997), Count (1994), Rowan (Lochac, 1992), Pied d’Argent (West, 1990), Princess Cypher (Lochac, 1989), Order of Chivalry (1989), Patent of Arms (1989), Viscount (Lochac, 1988), Award of Arms (1986).

Her Grace Signy Halfdanardottir

is a 10th century Viking with an interest in acquiring gold and loot from all over the civilized world.

Tanya is Bohemian, and works as a translator & interpreter and part-time Shiatsu therapist.

Device: Per fess azure and Or, three suns counterchanged.

Duchess (2004), Countess (2002), Patent of Arms (2002), Order of the Rose (2002).

Her Grace Mistress Nerissa de Saye

Nerissa de Saye, Companion of the Laurel, is a 14th century French noblewoman who has on occasion been known to dabble in portraiture and the scribal arts. Her interests include: scribal arts, madrigal singing, harp playing, and pavilions.

Jen Fraser is a Graphic Designer, and had lived in Brisbane, Australia until moving to Thamesreach mid 2006.

Website: www.raisedgold.com

Device: Per pale gules and purpure, a unicorn passant regardant argent crined between three crowns Or.

Panache (2011), Court Barony (2010), Company of Merit for Excellence and Example (2008), Order of Ffraid (2008), Duchess (2008), Countess & Rose (2004), Queen’s Cypher (West, 2002), Order of the Laurel (2001), Patent of Arms (2001), Rose Leaf (Lochac, 1998), Bridged Towers (approx ’98/9), Viscountess (Lochac, 1997), Lily (1996), Pierced Anvil (Lochac, 1990s), Award of Arms (1994), Prince’s Cypher (Lochac, 1994).

His Grace Sir Alaric of Bangor

Sir Alaric of Bangor is a loyal supporter of Richard III, and has been keeping a low profile since the demise of Good King Richard. His interests include: fighting, dance, cooking, and occasional woodwork.

Stephen Parsons is a Cisco Engineer, and had lived in Brisbane, Australia until moving to Thamesreach mid 2006.

Device: Per bend sinister vert and sable, a griffin sejant erect sustaining a sword proper Or.

Order of the Laurel (2010), Court Barony (2010), Company of Merit for Artists and Scientists (2009), Silver Guard (2009), Order of the Fox (2009), Company of Merit for Excellence and Example (2008), Duke (2008), Golden Lily (Lochac, 2004), Count (2004), Golden Tear (Lochac, 2002), Lily (Lochac, 2001), Order of Saint Florian (aka Puppet Master, Lochac, 2001), Silver Tear (Lochac, 2000), Legion of Courtesy (Caid, 1998), Order of Chivalry (1997), Patent of Arms (1997), Royal Cypher (Lochac, 1997), Viscount (West, 1997), Prince’s Cypher (Lochac, 1994), Leaf of Merit (West, 1992), Bridged Towers (Lochac, approx ’92/3), Award of Arms (1992, 2003).

Pan Vitus Polonius

Vitus Polonius is the younger son of a 12th century Polish noble man.

He took service with the town militia of the City of Wroclaw. Later he took part in the crusade of the German emperor Frederick. After a long journey he arrived at Acre and took service first with the French and then with the English with whom he is associated until today.

Device: Per bend gules and sable, a rogacina doubly crossed and fourchy argent.
Badge: A rogacina doubly crossed and fourchy argent.

Count (2011), Order of the Fox (2009), Order of Chivalry (2009), Patent of Arms (2009), Court Barony (2008), Grant of Arms (2008), Vita Portens Väktare (2005), Silver Guard (2004), Award of Arms (2002).

His Excellency Robert of Canterbury

Lord Bishop of Long Whitney, Master of the Pelican, is an Englishman of the 1350s. He will on occasion act as a Herald.

Dan Towse lurks on the fringes of the Legal Profession. Born in Bedfordshire, raised in New Zealand, and much travelled elsewhere. Interests are combat, music, pewter casting, and pomp and ceremony. Then there is all the mundane stuff…

Device: Gules, three fleeces argent.

Viscount (2012), Dragon’s Tear (2010), Order of the Pelican (2009), Patent of Arms (2009), Company of Merit for Artists and Scientists (2009), Company of Merit for Excellence and Example (2009), Companion of the Lindquistringes (2007), Order of the Silver Guard (2007), Grant of Arms (2006), Dragon’s Bowle (2006), Order of the Fox (2005), Founding member, Order of Ffraid (2005), Sigillum Coronae – King & Queen (2004), Dragon’s Tear (2004), Panache (2002), Award of Arms (2002).

Mistress Melisende FitzWalter

is the late C.14th daughter of an English knight who was killed in the Hundred Years War. She lives in Bodiam Castle in Sussex in the household of her father’s patron, as maid-companion to his wife. She enjoys shirking her duties while trying to avoid being married off to a suitable “yeoman”.

Fiona Scerri is a Maltese on self-imposed exile, working in the fashion retail industry. In her spare time she enjoys music, embroidery, sewing, illumination, cookery, writing and reading, travelling and fun with friends.

Company of Merit for Excellence and Example (2011), Dragon’s Tear (2010), Order of the Laurel (2010), Patent of Arms (2010), Orden des Lindquistringes (2008), Company of Merit for Artists and Scientists (2008), Panache (2002), Award of Arms (2001).

Her Excellency Genevieve la flechière

is a Norman lady, raised on the northern borders of England under the rule of William Rufus, son of the Conqueror. As a young widow, she answered God’s call to voyage to the Holy Lands. Awkwardly, she ran short of funds in Constantinople, and had to eke out a living as chatelaine for a minor noble Rhomanoi, saving for the return passage. Now pausing in north east London, she’s in no hurry to return home, because she didn’t get her nieces and nephews any souvenirs. She has recently taken up with a handsome young man with a fine pavilion. Her interests include many textile arts, calligraphy, armoured combat and target archery, and running events.

E. Brown is a writer and editor, looking for a new job.

Device: Argent crusilly sable, a bend gules.

Viscountess (2012), Grant of Arms (2011), Panache (2011), Company of Merit for Artists and Scientists (2010), Company of Merit for Excellence and Example (2009), Orden des Lindquistringes (2008), Order of Ffraid (2008), Sigillum Coronae – King & Queen (2004), King’s Order of the Companions of Albion (2005), Sigillum Coronae – King & Queen (2004), Dragon’s Tear (2004), Order of the Wain (Ealdormere, 2002), Grant of Arms (2002), Maiden’s Heart (Ealdormere, 2000), Purple Fret (Midrealm, 1998), Award of Arms (1993).

Her Excellency Baronessa Lucrezia-Isabella di Freccia

is a C.15th Venetian lady who enjoys painting, eating & drinking well, and the traditional Renaissance pursuits of acquiring jewelry, clothing, and the new-fangled printed books.

The lady Lucretia Sabella Frauci lives in Imperial Rome, and is daughter to Q. Lucretius Sabellius and wife to L. Marius Fraucus. And for a proper Roman matron, that’s all it’s polite for you to know.

Tina Nevin is a writer who grew up in New Zealand, although she was born in London. Her major hobbies are jewellery making, enameling, shopping, cooking, painting, shopping, reading, embroidery and shopping; her interests include practically everything except sports, politics and religion.

Device: Sable, a decrescent pierced by an arrow argent and on a chief Or, three roses sable, barbed and seeded proper.

SCA Website:The Thorngrove Athenaeum

Court Barony (2004), Grant of Arms (2004), Panache (2000), Harp Argent (Caid 1996), Award of Arms (1996)..

Leonet Lady Leonet de Covenham

is the widow of an English baron. She has survived much of the calamitous 14th Century, and is the proud owner of some of the worst farmland in Surrey. She divides her time between her estates where she is an uneasy neighbour of the d’Abernon family, her house in the market town of Guildford where she is an uneasy neighbour of the Dominican friary, and her rooms in the Tabard Inn, Southwark, where she is an uneasy neighbour of her landlord the Bishop of Winchester. She also spends much time at Court intriguing against her uneasy neighbours.

Lynette is a historian of food and violence. She is currently the Seneschal of the Shire.

Device: Paly gules and argent, two bendlets counterchanged.

Dragon’s Tear (2010), Queen’s Order of Courtesy (2010), Doe’s Grace (Middle, 1990), Purple Fret (Middle, 1988), Willow (Middle, 1986), Award of Arms (1985).

Lord Ozbeg Mangudai

He is currently the Exchequer of the Shire.

Device: Argent, a chevron inverted Azure indented on the lower edge and in chief four yak’s tails in cross Sable.

Award of Arms (1996).

Doña Ynes de Toledo

avows she is only anywhere for the frocks. Hailing from the Spanish kingdom of Castile, she enjoys her city’s Andalusi origins for the learning, the food and the fabrics (it’s all about the trade routes). Educated young before she knew what was happening, she can read and write, which is useful in enquiring about new fashions. She has spent years studying the minutiae of dress in many different lands and times and despite her best efforts has picked up some history and languages in her constant quest for accessories. Rumour has it that she is married to an itinerant musician from the wild Muscovy borders but he’s not yet well-dressed enough to appear regularly in public. Ynes likes wearing clothes, thinking about clothes, accessorising, doing her hair, sewing and all the textile arts, dancing, eating, drinking and making apothecarial remedies. Ask her about recipes using tarantulas.

Award of Arms (1998).

Lady Emoni de la Fère

Device: Per bend sable and barry argent and purpure, the sinister half of a fleur-de-lys bendwise issuant from the line of division argent.

Gyllene Bandet (2004), Award of Arms (2003)

Lady Katherine of Great Chesterford

She is currently the Marshal of the Shire.

Device: Sable, three mascles Argent.

Panache (2001), Award of Arms (2001).

Lady Nesta ferch Wyn

Device: Sable semy of cinquefoils, a chief Or.

Royal Cypher (Lochac, 2010), Lochac Order of Grace (2008), King’s Cypher (Lochac, 2008), Award of Arms (2007)

Lord Arnaut Guilhem de Najac

is the son of a priest from Najac in southern France. He was sent away to the university of Paris in 1355, fleeing the English forces and the Black Death. Once there, he fell in with the merchants’ revolt to curb royal power, but found himself at loose ends after the royalist forces retook the city in 1358 – his father had died in the meantime, leaving him with no source of income. Since then, he has made a living for himself as an itinerant herald, joglar and scholar.

Björn Sandberg is an expatriate Swedish freelancing programmer-at-arms at large in London. Besides medieval history, he has an interest in astronomy and space exploration, music and various games. Within the society, he focuses on music, dance, calligraphy & illumination, heraldry, archery, heavy fighting, costuming and woodworking (among other things), and is a lapsed scribe trying to redeem himself. He is currently serving as the Herald and Webmaster of the Shire.

Device: Azure, a fess engrailed between three cross crosslets Or.

Award of Arms (2007)

Guy de Dinan, Seigneur of Trevarouac

is a Breton mercenary who has ended up in London following injuries sustained at the Battle of Myriokephalon. He is currently acting as the London agent for his more established cousins from Dinan, as well as recruiting for the illustrious Roman Empire of Manuel Comnenus. When not dodging the latest fall out between the Plantagenets, he now occupies his time re-fighting old battles, corresponding with far-off friends, collecting tomes and treatises, and brewing mead.

Adam Edwards is a Brit in between jobs, usually of a PR or campaigning nature in the public sector.

Device: Per fess embattled Or and gules, three fountains and a legless bee proper.

Award of Arms (2009), Order of Ffraid (2010)

Lady Constanza of Thamesreach

Device: Per saltire Or and Azure, a mascle counterchanged.

Award of Arms (2009), Order of Ffraid (2010)

Lady Catherine Weaver

Company of Merit for Artists & Scientists (2011), Award of Arms (2010)

Lady Amphelise de Wodeham

Amphelise de Wodeham is a minor English noblewoman of the 14th century. She sings, plays instruments, fences, embroiders, and never passes up the opportunity to dance.

Christine Woodhams is a primary school teacher originally hailing from Perth in Western Australia. When not working or doing something for the SCA (a very rare event indeed) she can be seen holding a computer, a camera or a drink. All three at once is not recommended.

Award of Arms (2011)

Basilia Bruce Lady Basilia Bruce

Basil is interested in cooking, singing, playing recorder inexpertly and knitting very inexpertly. She is a very reluctant costumer and is steadfastly opposed to the idea of dancing, though she doesn’t mind if others do it in her vicinity.

Jenni Bartlett is a qualified safety officer with a particular interest in fire and food safety. She has a naughty sense of humour, which may explain her choice of SCA name. She is the Chirurgeon of the Shire.

Award of Arms(2011)

Sorcha de Lenche Lady Sorcha de Lenche

is a 13th century Irish Norman lady from the area of Gallway.

Sarah Lynch is dabbling in the arts and sciences, currently playing with leather mask-making, hand-sewing garb and medieval choral singing. She is the Chatelaine of Thamesreach.

Device: Vert, a tree erased and on a chief wavy Argent a dragon passant.

Order of the Silver Martlet (2012), Award of Arms (2011)

William of Barnet

William of Barnet is an Englishman of low birth, who has risen to minor nobility by performing various unspecified and probably deeply dubious acts on behalf of a number of higher nobles. Keeping a low profile is very much his forte.

Nick Jordan is a programmer and web developer with a powerful love of gadgets. He has been known to sing and play guitar on occasions.

Damosel Angelica de Covenham

Damosel Angelica de Covenham lives near Hampton Court Palace during the reign of Henry VIII. She likes to visit the palace, loves dancing the Official Bransle, wishes she could ride more and walk less, and copes with a younger sister.

Abigail is a schoolgirl in Surrey. She plays the ‘cello and loves singing, hip-hop dancing and musical theatre.

Johan of Essex

Device: Quarterly Argent and Azure, a cross formy within a bordure Sable.

Friends and neighbours in (approximate) Order of Precedence, who once lived in Thamesreach but are no longer active

HG Sir Havordh Ætarbani

Viking guy.

Brian Martin is an English teacher who has been teaching for over 12 years. He was born and raised in the Northern VA area, except for two years he spent teaching in Guam.

Device: Ermine, a chevron within a bordure vert.

Duke (2006) Count (2001), Augmentation of Arms (1997), Order of Chivalry (1993), Patent of Arms (1993), Companion of the Shark’s Tooth (Atlantia, 1994), Court Baron (West, 1992), Award of Arms (1992).

Duchess Mary-Grace of Gatland

is an Elizabethan English Lady born to a noble house, and is living on her family’s lands in Ireland.

Nancy-Ellen Martin was born in Georgia, USA, raised in New Orleans, and has been living in the Washington DC area for the past 4 years, where she met and married Brian. Mommy of Grace Elizabeth Martin who celebrated her First Birthday in Thamesreach on Sept. 18th!

Duchess (2006) Grant of Arms (2003), Companion of the Golden Nonpareil (Atlantia, 2003), Award of the Fountain (Atlantia, 2003), King’s Award of Excellence (Atlantia, 2002), Dolphin (Atlantia, 2002), Countess (2001), Lady of the Rose (2001), Patent of Arms (2001), Companion of the Undine (Atlantia, 2000), Award of Arms (2000).

Mistress Ariel of Lindisfarne

is a late 14th-century lady. Her parents married secretly due to their mixed religions; her father was Christian, her mother was Jewish. After her bastard Percy father was killed at war, her mother fled the Percy family and worked as a laundress for the monks on Lindisfarne.

Ellen Rawson was born in Philadelphia and spent the greater part of her adult life in Colorado, but she now resides permanently in southern England. She has taught secondary English for twenty years and is a folk music aficionado. She helps save money on CDs and concerts by writing reviews for several webzines.

Device: Argent, a pale sable crescenty argent between two estoiles sable.

Lindquistringes (2007), Augmentation of Arms (1992), Order of the Pelican (1989), Patent of Arms (1989), Stag’s Heart (Outlands, 1987), Order of the Aspen of Caerthe (Outlands, 1985), Award of Arms (1983). .

Mistress Keilyn FitzWarin

is a late-C.14th English lady. Beth Tanner is currently on sojourn from Thamesreach in the wilds of Atlantia.

Device: Azure, two tilting lances in saltire and on a chief embattled argent, a lion passant sable.

Sigillium Coronae – King & Queen (2001), Order of the Pelican (1999), Order of the Laurel (1994), Baroness of the Court with Grant of Arms (1993), Golden Dolphin (Atlantia 1990), Companion of the Pearl (Atlantia 1991), Award of Arms (1984) .

Master Thomas Flamanc of Kelsale

is a 15th Century English Nobleman with estates in Wiltshire and Suffolk, known to be a keen dancer and horseman.

John Sawyer has many interests – costuming, cooking, brewing, heraldry, medieval naming practices, singing, dancing, heavy fighting, music and generally having fun. He has recently become interested in shoe making.

Device: Azure a fess argent between three marlets argent.

Order of the Laurel (2012), Patent of Arms (2012), Dragon’s Bowl (2010), King’s Sigil (2010), Panache (2008), Dragon’s tear (2005), Dragon’s tear (2004), Grant of Arms (2002), Leaf Of Merit (West, 2001), Award of Arms (1991)

Her Excellency Giuliette de Fonte

Court Barony (2008), Grant of Arms (2008), Award of Arms (2008).

Lady Edith of Heddingham

is a 14th Century lady in the house of Thomas De Vere, 8th Earl of Oxford. Previously a lady in waiting to the Earl’s wife Maud. Born and raised in Heddingham in North Essex, Edith now resides in the village of Walthamstow north of the great city of London. She enjoys sewing, embroirery, and singing.

Jenny Emson is orginally from Cambridge and has lived in London for over 8 years, she is a keen historian and is also a City of London tour guide with a real passion for the history and the pubs of the capital.

Dragon’s Tear (2011), Order of Ffraid (2010), Company of Merit for Artists and Scientists (2009), Award of Arms (2008).

Lady Sibán nic Ghiolla Phádraig

is interested in tablet weaving, costuming and embroidery.

Fiona Sawyer hails from Australia.

Device: Per pale argent and azure, a chevron inverted and in chief a Latin cross counterchanged.

PCS (2007), Panache (2005), ID’s founding member, Company of Merit for Artists and Scientists (2005), Dragon’s Tear (2004), Award of Arms (1996).

Cynewulf of Wintancaestre

is a 10th Century Saxon Ceorl from Wessex, who makes his way as a travelling Scop (bard). He also indulges in cooking, gardening (when home), cordwaining (shoemaking), brewing, and jewellery making.

John Dauncy of Winchester is an early Tudor Earl’s son in the reign of Henry VII (and a very, very distant relative of Cynewulf). He enjoys music, dancing, clothes, fencing, archery, cordwaining, eating, drinking & generally poncing around.

Jon Addison is an Australian currently working in Scotland as a museum curator.

PCS (2008), Panache (2006), ID’s founding member, Order of the Fox (2005), Order of the Lily (Lochac 2002), Order of the Silver Rondel (Lochac 2002), Golden Swans of Aneala (Lochac, 2000), Order of the Shining Helm (Lochac, 1998), Award of Arms (1998).

Lady Meesha de Valence

is a member of the powerful (but notorious) de Valence family.

Misha Horowitz is a school teacher and native Londoner, now living in Meridies.

PCS (2005), Queen’s Order of Courtesy (2004), Award of Arms (1999).

Lord Svein Aelfricson

is a 10th c. Viking from Norway who follows the old ways and loves to fight, feast, fight, drink and then fight some more.

Steve Diamond is originally from London, but spent 9 years in the USA where he discovered the SCA and became a subject of the Kingdom of the East until his return to Drachenwald in January 2002. He, like his persona, loves to fight, drink and feast.

Award of Arms (1999).

Lord Eric Kyle McGuinniss

is a poor misunderstood Irish lad, on his own and moving a bit since a dispute with the Lord of the estate where his mother worked (and he lived) that was concerning the Lords daughter. That was about 15 years ago or so. He does the best that he can, at times shipping out with some Captains that he knows.

Kent Mitchell has been in the SCA for over a decade and has been playing with rapiers since day one. He also enjoys drumming and Gypsy dancing, brewing and venting.

Device: Per bend sinister argent and vert, a lizard rampant and a mug counterchanged.

Keystone (AEthelmearc 2001), Golden Alce with Award of Arms (AEthelmearc 1999).

Lord Vallius Silvercrown

is a 9th c.Viking Rus from Norway who has travelled down through the Volga and the steppes of Russia trading, and is now serving a stint in the Varangian Guard in Constantinople.

Mike Leberman comes from Alabama where he works as a deputy sheriff. He has almost completed a PhD in Medieval History. He loves fighting in the SCA (where he is a member of House Darkmoon), hunting, kayaking and caving. He also creates carved leatherwork and is a skilled scribe.

PCS (2005), Panache (2004), Sigillum Corona – King (2004), Member of the Silver Guard (2002), Award of Arms (2002).

Lord Peregrine Flamstead

Rowan (Lochac, 2008), Golden Tear (Lochac, 2008), Lily (Lochac, 2006), Queen’s Cypher (Lochac, 2006), Tour d’Or (Lochac, 2006), Silver Helm (Lochac, 2004), Award of Arms (2003).

Lucien d’Artois

Award of Arms (2003).

Lord Gyles Rochester

Gyles Rochester aka Gyles the Black is the younger son of an Elizabethan country squire. He made a living by becoming a mercenary in various continental wars including aiding the Knights of St.John during the Siege of Malta in 1565. Now back in England, he is attempting to earn his keep by honest means…

John Scerri-Headley is a Scot/Irishman living in Cambridge and working in London. His interests include chain-maille making, cooking, combat and looking spiffy!

Orden des Lindquistringes (2010), Order of Ffraid (2007), Award of Arms (2004)

Juliane de Vivonne

Award of Arms (2003).

Lady Katherine of Glastonbury

Catherine Emmas-Wright

Award of Arms (2004).

Lord Sebastian of Florence

is an Italian Renaissance gentleman.

Terry Spencer is a computer programmer from New Zealand.

Award of Arms (2004)

Pomestnitsa Marina Olganova vlyeThoting Gravenel

was born in Russia to an English noblewoman, and has returned to England to seek out her mother’s old friends and, more importantly, her old enemies. When she’s not wreaking revenge, she enjoys sewing (both fanciwork and tailoring), drinking and carousing.

Marina Thonus works in the City, and lives on the Essex coastline. Her life is dedicated to finding new people to worship Rufus the cat.

Company of Merit for Artists and Scientists (2007), Order of Ffraid (2006), Award of Arms (2004).

Ivan Ivanovich vlyeKiev

Marina’s father hired Ivan Ivanovich vlyeKiev as Captain of her Guard, as protector and chaperon on her journey to England. Unfortunately for his job spec, Marina had other ideas, and seduced Ivan into neglecting the chaperoning part of his duties. He enjoys fencing, carpentry, brewing/vintning and cooking.

John Thothoth is an ICT teacher in Essex by profession and a home brewer/vintner by hobby.

Award of Arms (2004).

Lord Alric d’Averc

is a 15th century gentleman.

Alan Hardwick originates from New Zealand. He works as a computer programmer.

Award of Arms (2004)

Lady Emayn de Whytacre

Rowan (Lochac, 2008), Lily (Lochac, 2006), Award of Arms (2006).

Lord Ásbiorn inn eyverski

is a tenth century Norseman from Orkney. He is taken periodically by the urge to travel, and in the recent past has spent time in the Highlands of the Barony of Southron Gaard, in Lochac, and additionally in the central areas of the the Kingdom of Meridies. His interests range from fighting and archery through to cooking and dance, and he is generally willing to try most things at least once.

David Cordes is (yet another) New Zealander in London, in his case doing postdoctoral research in chemistry. Before London, he spent most of a year in central Alabama and is now taking advantage of a chance to live in a less crazy climate.

Device: Azure, a bear rampant, in chief three Thor’s Hammers argent.

Order of Ffraid (2010), Award of Arms (2009)

asbiorn device
Lady Tamara Melniklieva

is a 12th Century Bulgarian, the daughter of a vintner from Melnik. Having sailed west from Thessaloniki with a cargo of her father’s best red wine, she now spends her free time in London.

Lydia has many interests — embroidery, costuming, cooking, Slavic history, camping, singing, and generally having a good time.

Device: Argent, five linden leaves in saltire vert within a bordure gules.

Award of Arms (2010)

Julian de Merton

is a late 14th century woman whose merchant husband has left her to take Holy Orders at the local Priory. Julian is thus seeking to make a new life for herself amongst the good gentles of Thamesreach, and hopes to find a means of support that will enable her to live in the manner to which she would like to become accustomed.

Deb Anderson is an American who’s made her home in the London Borough of Merton. Her desire is to learn, have fun, and prove to her family that she’s not as daft as they think she is.

Guthrothr of Colanhamm

is a late 11th c. Anglo-Saxon in service with the Varangian Guards in Byzantium after being dispossessed by the Norman invasion of England in 1066. He enjoys fighting, feasting and game-playing and relishes any chance to kill Normans.

Pete James is a Londoner born and bred who works in finance. His major hobby is late C.11th re-enactment, but he spends much of his spare time buying and reading books (both fiction & non-fiction) related to the Early Medieval period. He is also very fond of real Ale.

Sarra Asshton of York

Sarra is the only daughter of a wealthy cattle breeder. During one of her father’s many trips to buy new cattle, their prize cow got sick and Sara learned that she has an aptitude toward healing animals. Upon her father’s return, he decided that she should set her mind on other things, like finding a suitable husband. To further this plan, he sent her to London to join the social scene there. Sara plans to make full use of her time in London by learning more about how to heal animals.

Sara Mast from Indiana studied Veterinary Medicine in London, and is now practising in the land of Ansteorra.

Brygyt Strangewayes

is an Anglo-Irish matron who, having fallen ill, has moved in with her parents in London where her father is serving in the employ of Sir Francis Walsingham. Her husband is rarely to be seen as he is usually voyaging as a Merchant Adventurer and sea captain. Coming from a bookish family, Brygyt reads obsessively and has finally taken up such wifely pursuits as needlework — mostly out of boredom. She is often seen in her wheeled chair and is not shy of accepting assistance for a pleasant turn around the garden.

Juliann Krute is originally American but has “gone native” in London. A former lawyer, her health no longer permits such work and she has retuned to university as a “mature” student to study her true love: English history. Her passions include beading and disability advocacy and her interests range far and wide including most forms of craft, heraldry and historic cookery. She has recently returned to the US, and now resides in the Kingdom of Atlantia.

Device: Per pale sable and argent, a fleur-de-lys within a bordure counterchanged.

Annora Cavel

is the daughter of an English spice merchant. She was born in Old Sarum in the 13th century, but, dismayed by the town’s continuing decline, she moved recently to the shire of Thamesreach, which she praises as a place of good company and good cheer. She particularly enjoys singing, dancing and cooking.

Kelly is a teaching assistant at a primary school. She loves historical novels, science fiction, and drinking tea. She is also the Arts and Sciences Minister for the Shire.

Thomas of Monmouth

Gilette of York

Julia Strueber

Catherine of Glastonbury the Younger