Emma Randall

Name/Blazonry

Emma Randall, formerly known as Emma inn Draumspaka

Sable, three open books Or.

[[File:http://rollofarms.antirheralds.org/arms/Emmaindraumspaka.gif]

Persona History

Emma Randall is a middle aged woman, born in Haugesund, Norway in 1042. Her father, Olav Red Beard, was one of several war lords for Harald Hardada. She married at age 14, to Annbjorn the Silent. She had four children, all stillborn. She went with her husband to the Battle of Fulford, where her husband lost his life. It was there that she had the first of many dreams, this one foretelling of a great loss at Stamford Bridge. Being of small stature and little importance, she was unable to convey her warning to Harald. However, word of this and other dreams made its way through the Norman army, and eventually she became known as Emma inn Draumspaka (Emma the Dreamspeaker).

She remained with the army, having nowhere else to go -- no family, no land, no riches -- and traveled to Hastings, where she found great favor among many of the ladies of court after William's victory and coronation, by interpreting their dreams. Undoubtedly most of her "interpretations" were simply the promise of fulfillment of love-struck young ladies of court, but it earned her some coin and a place in the lower courts. Finally, one of William's courtiers noticed her and settled her on a small piece of land near Kent, where she married William Randall of Kent, a prosperous landowner and minor noble whose loyalty to William was above suspicion. When William died of a hunting accident in 1074, Emma Randall inherited his lands and his servants. She turned to her neighbor, John Kane of Kent, for assistance in maintaining the lands and keeping the accounts. They lived a long and happy life.

SCA History

I attended the first party in 1966. At the time I was a young single mother, working full time as a graduate student and teacher. So my participation for many years, all in Caid, was very much on the fringes. My girls and I attended with a small group of friends, would make our own encampment, and generally use events as an escape from a very stressful real life -- and afterall, isn't that what we are about in large part?

In 1999 Duke Steingrimm and Mistress Ellesif helped me set up for the first time as a bookseller, opening Books From Bree at An Tir's July Coronation that year. Their Graces, Davin and Groa, were stepping up for the first time, and Aveloc and Laurellin were stepping down. It was a grand weekend, made all the better by the discovery of AN EXPRESSO VENDOR. Who couldn't love that?

In 2000 Lord John Kane of Kent and I were married at Honey War. We had moved to Blatha an Oir, playing both as members of the Barony and of Baron Haakan's troup. As I increased my heraldic training, Ciaran Cluana Fuerta took me under his wing and taught me voice heraldry -- specifically field. I had a new love. I heralded at least 8 crown tourneys, the last being at the end of Aveloc's second reign; I also heralded 2 grand processionals, and several portions of royal court, mostly for Davin and Groa. I joined the Kingdom Commenting Group, and met with the local commenting group regularly. I attended Ithras, Heraldic Symposia, and devoured as much heraldry as I could stuff into my brain. In 2002 it was my great honor to attend Pennsic War where I worked side by side with Duke Frederick and other heraldic notables in the consulting tent. It was also in that year that I became the Pursuivant for Blatha an Oir.

In 2004 we moved to Iowa, and I became pursuivant for the Shire of Herald's Hill. It was during my stay in Iowa that I received the Torse from their majesties Susannah and Valens of Calontir.

We sat out for several years due to personal issues, but have now renewed our membership and are happy to be back in An Tir. We currently reside in the Barony of Dragon's Mist, where I was recently honored with the title Ringmaker. I have discovered a love for all things largesse, and my current passion is making veils and haversacks. I am so humbled and honored to have been asked to be the coordinator for the award necklaces for the reign of Havordh and Mary Grace.

So happy to be back in an Tir.

Awards

I can be found on the An Tir Roll of Arms

• Golden Blossom (Blatha An Oir) By: Yusuf Ja'bar al Timbuktuwwi el galot, Isabeau de Lis Noir Nov 25, 2000 (AS XXXV)
• Award of Arms (An Tir) By: Davin Steingrimsson, Groa Jan 27, 2001 (AS XXXV)
• Bardic Champion (Aquaterra) By: Julian Edward Farnsworth of Falconmoors, Arianne Farnsworth of Falconmoors Mar 31, 2001 (AS XXXV) through Apr 6, 2002 (AS XXXVI)
• Goutte de Sang (An Tir) By: William Tjorkillsson, Siobhan McClure, Jan 12, 2002 (AS XXXVI)
• Briar (Blatha An Oir) By: Sven Red Beard Einarson, Anne of BearsHaven Jun 15, 2002 (AS XXXVII)
• Torse (Calontir) By: None listed for this time period Aug 23, 2003 (AS XXXVIII)