Priory of Saint Catherine
Website: [ http://thepriory.art.blog]
Founded in A.S. LII, the Priory of Saint Catherine is a household composed of members who participate in various historical Arts & Sciences as well as Martial Activities in the SCA.
The Priory is involved in a variety of different research-based activities including:
- Historical clothing / sewing
- Historical headwear and accessories
- Posament
- Thrown weapons
- Historical martial arts
- Calligraphy and illumination
- Sociocultural anthropology
- Italian Peninsula
- Sweden
- England
- France
- Scotland
- Welsh
- Finnish
- Woodworking
- Culinary
- Intarsia
- Translating primary source documentation
- Historical apothecaries
- Women’s lives
- Historical theatre and costuming
- Antler work & wirework
- Blacksmithing
- Service
Origin
The Priory is named after a 4th-century Roman Catholic named Saint Catherine of Alexandria, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and the patron of philosophers and scholars. According to legend she was an extremely learned young person of noble birth who protested the persecution of an early minority group and who was able to defeat the most eminent scholars summoned to oppose her. Sentenced to death for converting to Christianity, the spiked wheel by which she was to be killed broke when she touched it. She is a notable virgin martyr and St. Joan of Arc claimed that Catherine was among the heavenly voices that guided her.
On September 23, 2017 a group of friends met to form a household that included their apprentices and students, working together to decide on the name: The Priory of Saint Catherine. The Priory maintains a strong emphasis on arts & sciences, immersive camping, historical research, and being a safe space for all members. The Priory is widely known for arts and service as well as martial activities.
