German Saxony Gowns

Wanted to show some German Saxony Renaissance Portraits that inspire me, they may not being exactly the time and coutry my SCA persona is located, this was her adopted home. Though I love well tailored gowns, hats and hairstyles of the 1540-1550 German. I wanted to share these jewels of clothing mastery with my readers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

English Tudor Gowns

Wanted to show some Tudor Renaissance Portraits that inspire me, they may not being exactly the time and coutry my SCA persona is located, this was her adopted home. Though I love well tailored gowns, hats and hairstyles of the 1540-1550 English. I wanted to share these jewels of clothing mastery with my readers.

 

Veni, Vidi, Vici!

Well last week I came in fourth in the wacky sealed deck tournament, it was a mix of some old and standard cards from the current block of Magic the Gathering. Waiting for the next shipment of the new set. Last week I won got prizes and did almost the same the weekend before. This week only made it to the third round in the losers bracket. Its very interesting how things change when you have an influx of people with different deck stradegies. At least I held my own for a few rounds, thugh I am going to see how I can improve the speed and more so the lethalness of my Elf Centaur Green White Return to Ravnica Deck. I also have a vicious Dragon Drake Blue Red Izzet Return to Ravnica Deck. Just have to come up with better stradgedy to make this all the more interesting. Though for me and stradegy this is great improvement.

Roleplayging is turning out interesting with Winter Court in L5R Rokugan, its a pretty gathering but full of danger and pit falls. We are looking at changing our game on Tuesdays to Promethean the Created, a White Wolf System game that works with created humans to discover more about humanity. Not sure the type of character I am thinking of this, will have to see.

Right now I have made an Elizabethan Loose Gown. Still in progress of adding frogs buttons and trim. Will post photos soon. I finally used the majority of the wool crewel embroidered fabric I had at home. Wondering if I want to make foresleeves with the rest of the fabric left. Not sure right not but I think could be fun, though not totally period correct. I will ask my costume group and pick some brains to find out ;-)

Lost my embroidred gloves and one set of sleeves done for my jacket, I think I misplaced them when I packed up from the Taber Museum Demo. I have an idea where they may have gotten, will check when I get home, this is what happens when I rush to pack things up. Heres to hoping I find them.

I have been daydreaming of making garb alot lately, though I don't know if I have the time to get what I want done. I think right now I will work on the skirts for both gowns and get them all squared away, then agonize over bodices when I have more concentration.

Well waiting for the lute, lol. Should be in the mail now, just have to see how long it will be till it gets here. Coming UPS, hope the neighbor can get it. Looking at making a set up to cardweave myself some belts and garters. Wondering if some of the silk floss I have may be used to make some neat pieces, I have lots of the stuff.  I leave you with a picture of me from the Taber Museum Demo, I am talking about my Tudor Dolls and how they look like real people from the era, I have a picture of a painting in my hand, besides my embroidery.

Regards,

Lady Mairin

Quit Hitting Yourself...Quit Hitting Yourself!!!

I pinned on all the lovely trim on the Turquiose gown yesterday, oh my it looks rich. Posting pics when its all sewed down, which will be a while. I am finally running low on some of my gold trim, but that is expected that I have trimmed 5 gowns now. Still have to rework the black doublet gowm, the coral fabric is going to look smart against the black and gold. Oh so excited to get it done, but patience will make it work out, no rushing!  Also have to figure out a plan for the billoughy sleeved black gown, though I have time to ponder.

On a modern note, I love sun dresses! Its been humidly warm and I have been uncomfortable, silk sundresses are the best keeping cool and comfy. Plus they look good too ;-), the husband says.  Oh wedding announcement is in the newspaper today, May 13th.

http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/578161/Benfer-Plotts.html?nav=5018

Though on a life note, our roleplaying gaming store is back in the area! Our good friend reopened his store now that life and his personal econmy have worked themselves out. Yay! We have visited twice and just amazed with the selection of vintage gaming books, supplies and all over cheer we feel with hanging with our good friend.

I bought some big dice for my card games as life counters and for roleplaying. Picked up two cards for Magic the Gathering. I still have 4 decks from my college days back in 2005. I am reworking them since they are older just to get some older rares in them for spice. Been playing against myself and kicking my own butt, lol. They are all pre 10th edition but hey that is fine, the whole name of the game for me is theme decks. So the newest cards I could really careless about. I might get some newer decks down the road, but I am just happy playing my revamped older decks. Afterall don't want to blow alot of cash getting back into it. Only spent $7 at the store, so nothing earth shattering. I found cards online to work up my decks without going broke, nice when no one wants the older stuff. Never been a tournament junky, just not my thing.

So that is how I have been beating myself, lol. Though I am sure more trips to White Knight Game Room are in our future. Well that is all the crafty and gaming things for now, updates as things get done. Looking forward to somemore gaming fun.

Busy as a Bee,

Maureen