Eleanor of Leycestershyre, OL

Eleanor of Leycestershyre OP#605 An Tir Wiki Entry Branch: Barony of Dragon’s Laire (An Tir) Also lived in: Barony of Gyldenholt (Caid) Barony of Aquaterra (An Tir)

The History of Eleanor of Leycestershyre

Eleanor of Leycestershyre is a wealthy matron and the widow of several noble husbands, who divides her time between attendance at the court of Her Grace’s Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I, and her own several country estates in the Midlands and South of England, where she produces needlework for the queen, textiles for her own use, and wines for her estates.

She was born in Warwickshire on 6th of August 1533, and was raised at court, owing much to the responsibilities of her father, who was both friend and legal counsel of the late king. Her mother is the Right Honourable Lady, Sofia Augusta da Livorno who was born in Italy, and was daughter to a wealthy merchant family of Tuscany.

Sofia’s ambitious father desired a more noble future for his heirs, so he sent Sofia as a young girl, to England, where she was educated and lived as the ward of an Earl, until she eventually met and married Eleanor's father. Eleanor’s fortunes were established by her late father, but her real wealth came later through a series of marriages. The first match, made for love, ended badly when her handsome but dissolute husband got caught out in an adulterous affair with the wife of an exceedingly jealous Scottish nobleman. The Scotsman killed the two lovers, and Eleanor was left a young and desirable widow. Her mother engineered her second match to a much older, titled and wealthy gentleman, who conveniently died in his sleep quite early into the marriage, leaving Eleanor possessed of two large manor houses and substantial financial assets. By this time, she had also inherited her maternal grandfather’s Mediterranean textile and seafaring trade enterprises in Italy, and actively managed the family businesses from England. As a very independent and well-educated young widow, she was still a highly desirable catch for another elder lord, who also subsequently died, adding considerably more to her land holdings, wealth, and position. Eleanor was born only a month before the Queen, and was raised in and around the royal court, where she and the young Princess Elizabeth grew up together; her position at court ofttimes following the turbulent path of the princess, to some extent. Now, in late middle life Eleanor lives the quiet existence of a widow, doing needlework, spinning, weaving, and occasionally sewing for the Queen, while attending her Grace’s Majesty’s court, continuing to serve her as a close friend and intimate of the Queen.

Alternate Personae On some occasions she will wear the garb of her Norse heritage in the guise of her alternate persona Ingeborg Synnove av Viken, a Viking lady hailing from her family's holdings in Hemne and the rural lands northeast of Trondheim, Norway.

Name and Device The name Eleanor of Leycestershyre is a properly researched, documented, and registered name in the SCA College of Heralds. Her name was registered May 1998, and device was registered October 1998.

The Arms and Device of Dame Eleanor of Leycestershyre Blazon: Purpure a Phoenix Or rising from Flames Gules in Chief Or three Suns in Splendour Purpure'

Affiliations Prior to Dame Eleanor’s elevation she was formerly apprenticed to Mistress Siné Gillian nic Pharlain (MacDonald), Companion of the Order of the Laurel (Trimaris and An Tir)

Siné, was in her turn, formerly apprenticed to H.E. Countess Enriqueta Isabel de Reyes y Mora, Countess Enriqueta, Companion of the Order of the Pelican, Companion of the Order of the Laurel, Baroness of the Court, an award winning theatrical costume designer on the west of Florida for several years, specializing in historical stage plays. Now she is an antiques dealer and appraiser, and a collector of 15th, 16th, and 17th Century art, objects and furniture.

Students:

Apprentices:

Francesca Ariana d'Onofrio (Porte de L'Eau)

Katheryn de Gonneville (Blatha an Oir)

Elizabeth Blackdane (Three Mountains) Elizabeth is shared between Eleanor and H.E. Countess Elizabeth de Rossignol.

Personal Badge Dame Eleanor’s personal badge 'Or a Sun in Splendour Purpure' is in the process of being submitted to be registered in the College of Heralds

Household Dame Eleanor is the founder and head of House Crone Henge. The household is currently in suspense and inactive.

Household Badge The badge of House Crone Henge 'Fieldless a Cauldron Proper within an Anulet of twelve Stars Or is in the process of being submitted to be registered in the College of Heralds

Interests English history, with especial emphasis on the Tudor dynasties of 16th century England Costuming, 15-16th century England, France and Italy Completely hand-stitched recreation in linen inspired by the Sture chemise. Gilt (23K gold leaf) wooden fan with ostrich feathers.

Historical cookery; recipe redaction, methods, recreation and ingredients, The crown of Elizabeth I, inspired by the Armada portrait of 1588, done in hand-made marzipan for a presentation to high table. Smoked fish.

including cheese making and charcuterie

Fiber processing, wool and flax Spinning, wool and linen yarn for weaving Hand-carded, and hand-spun, 2-ply Romney worsted.

Weaving, yardage and useable textiles Fine linen cloth woven for a suite of ruffs. Line cloth. Experiments in Shetland wool, diamond twill for a should bag, two different looks on one warp. Linen hand towels for handfasting, in the heraldic colors of both of the parties.

Natural dyeing, and dyestuffs

Embroidery and embellishment Viking inspired embroidery panels for applique. One of a set of two.

Vintning of fruit wines

Archery, both longbow and period crossbow Brewing The reign of Queen Elizabeth I, her court, and politics Haberdashery and recreation of period hats and head-wear Wiccan and pagan practices Historical biography Bobbin lace

Awards A&S Champion (Aquaterra) Jan 24, 1998 (AS XXXII) through Jan 23, 1999 (AS XXXIII) Award of Arms (An Tir) Jan 23, 1999 (AS XXXIII) by Aveloc the Younger, Laurellen de Brandevin Plate (Aquaterra) Jan 31, 1999 (AS XXXIII) by Julian Edward Farnsworth of Falconmoors, Arianne Farnsworth of Falconmoors Silver Dolphin (Aquaterra), Dec 11, 1999 (AS XXXIV) by Julian Edward Farnsworth of Falconmoors, Arianne Farnsworth of Falconmoors Jambe de Lion (An Tir) Jan 27 2001 (AS XXXV) by David Steingrimsson, Groa Golden Estoile (Aquaterra) Apr 27, 2002 (AS XXXVI) by Julian Edward Farnsworth of Falconmoors, Arianne Farnsworth of Falconmoors Goutte de Sang (An Tir) Jan 24, 2004 (AS XXXVIII) by Skapti Thorinsson, Asa Starradottir Blue Stag (Aquaterra) Jan 24, 2004 (AS XXXVIII) by Andreu Recheles, Fiamma the Unquenchable Baroness’s Favor (Aquaterra) Dec 2, 2005 (AS XL) by Fiamma the Unquenchable Kraken (Aquaterra) Jan 27, 2007 (AS XLI) by Wyll Hauk, Rosamund of the Misty Meadows Laurel (An Tir) Mar 3, 2007 (AS XLI) by Sven Fallgr Gunnarsson, Signy Oksendahl

Offices Held Minister, Costumer’s Guild, Aquaterra A&S Champion, Aquaterra, Jan 24, 1998 (AS XXXII) through Jan 23, 1999 (AS XXXIII)]]