Sunday, July 21, 2013

Lady Mairin O'Cadhla Persona Background

           Over my 8 years in the SCA, I been working on the details of my persona. Wasn't sure in the beginning what I wanted to be, other than Irish in the 16th Century. When I started I also wanted a derivitive of my legal name, I like it so much I didn't mind having a version of it for the SCA.  I find that some of the research is good to show why I do certain things for my persona. After years of reasearching Ireland when Mairin was living there from 1509 to 1530. I discovered details about the invasion of Ireland by HenryVII and knew this was away to get my persona to England. So here is the story of Mairn and her family:

            Born 1509 the border of what is now Claire and Limerick counties, Ireland. Mairin O'Cadhla is an Irish shepardess aged 21 years. Coming from a large family of Irish Shepards, she knows how to dye, wash, spin, and knit wool to make clothing and thread. Mairin was taken from all she knew, during the invasion of Ireland by the English in 1530.

 Separated from her family and thought dead from the war, Mairin was captured and kept to be sold as a servant woman. Mairin was relocated in a large ship along with many strangers with odd accents and language going back to England. She was acquired and placed in the noble household De Vere’s of Warwickshire, who were prominent in the Tudor court.

 Over time as she worked in the household, Mairin showed her skills with wool in all its forms. Growing the favor of the lady of the house, Mairin was rewarded for her patience, diligence and knowledge, which was profitable for the household. Lady De Vere was pleased, and handpicked Mairin to be taught the skills to be a lady's maid. She eventually lost some of her Irish accent as she became accustomed to her new noble home.

 In exchange for her confidences, Mairin accompanied Lady De Vere to court on several occasions for many years. While attending her lady at court, Mairin learned many fine pursuits. She was expected to be mannerly, gain knowledge, and be devout just like many a fine woman. Mairin learned: prayer and devotion to the word of God, courtly dances, embroidery, sewing, playing the lute, care of fine clothing, care of fine jeweled accessories, keeping the company of children at court and keeping cheerful company to her lady and household.

She eventually wed to fine gentleman similar to her station, to a wonderful household master of horse Lord Justin du Plott. The couple had 6 children 3 of which made it to adulthood. Her husband passed in 1558 due to a bad bout with the pocks. Mairin passed in 1560 of illness due to old age, though it is said more to be of a lonliness for her husband. Their issue Mistress Marie Patrica du Plott,  Master Thomas Larue du Plott and Master Michael Joshua du Plott.

Her eldest daughter Marie Patricia grew up in the De Vere household and also followed in the footsteps of her mother plying her knowledges to gain postion. Spending time under her mothers tutilidge as a young girl. Eventually she went to court with the household with a comission to work as a lady in waiting in the English court.  Gaining more at court Marie eventually wed to a minor noble son, a 4th son of an Duke.

Her son Thomas Larue took on the family trade with becoming a Master of Horse. To which he became known throughout as an excellent breeder of hunting horses. A hearty breed of English horse mixed with some distant lines of the stockier breeds of Irish native horses. He married similar to his station with the lute teacher from the De Vere household.

Her youngest son, Michael Joshua also stayed with the De Vere household, but chose to become a master gardner. He had apprenticed with another household of Lord Cecil and was renoun for creating complex designed knot gardens and certain varieties of fruit trees. After the apprenticeship he came back to work for the De Veres providing gardens to set off the grandness of the De Vere Manor. He also married similar to his station to a well known court lace maker and embroideress.

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Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Tudor Q and A

What is a Tudorosity?

A mashed combination of the words Tudor and Curiosity to create the word Tudorosity. Tudorosities is the plural form and the deffinition is as follows.

Tudorosity- an desire to learn or know anything about the Tudor dynasty associated with years 1405 through 1603.

Most people ask my why I make the Tudor garb ?

I find the clothing of this era not only beautiful but also challenging to sew. There is much more care and purpose put into making garments and wearing garments in the Tudor Era. I love the look of Tudor so much I wanted to explore the way clothes were made back then and the subtle changes in fashion and styles of time.

How did you get started in this interesting hobby?

I started with art first, I love to draw, paint, and sculpt all the traditional fine arts. So being able to draw helps me visualize the looks I want to create in my garb. History has always been a huge interest of mine and I've had a knack for sewing since I was 7 years old. It all started with doll clothes and I learned cross stitch embroidery from my grandmother when I was little. I am self taught sewer, crochet, knitting, embroidery and tatting. My methods are learned from books mainly and there is still so much more to learn.

What is my favorite outfit and why?

It would be like picking a favorite out of one of my future children, its impossible. I love all my gown creations and really like the distinct differences in all the styles clothing I make for the Tudor Era.

Do you make the whole outfit including hat, shoes, and undergarments?

I do have a goal of making a complete Tudor from the skin out. As of right now I make 90% of my gowns and accessories. The shoes and stockings, are bought online and the petticoats are a close reproduction but not made by me. .

How long does it take to make a gown?

It all depends on the type of gown. The making relies on the time period and class of the design. Generally if I work on it 8 hours a day on a sewing machine it will take 3 days to get the basics and another 5 days to do finish hand-sewing details and beading. So a week to a week and a half if working on it steady for that amount of time. I work a full-time job so it does take longer than a week to complete. I put over 40-100 hours per outfit depending on its complexity, its like its own full time job of sorts.

Do you make renaissance clothing for sale or custom orders?

No, due to new employment and changes in my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I have no time to support sewing for others. Though I recommend sewing lessons for those adventurous few. There are many fine folks who make and sell historical clothing. I suggest guidance with sew from many fine historical enthusiastic costumers out on the internet.

How long have you been making these elaborate costumes?

I have been in the Society of Creative Anachronism coming up on my 18th year. Active since 2004 working at demonstrations and volunteering when I could between working and other life's distractions. I really concentrated on Tudor sewing in 2007 and worked with patterns to learn proper fabrics, techniques, fit, and silhouette. I really enjoy the eras transition from a medieval form fitting layered cotterdie to the boned Tudor kirtle and then to structured Elizabethan clothing.

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll
Based on art by Giovanni Ambrogio

O’Kealy Heraldry

O’Kealy Heraldry