Michael de Champagne

Photo
Michael Maximillien de Champagne
Information
Resides: Barony of Aquaterra Pronouns: he/him Date Started: September 9, 2023 - Aquaterra Banner War 2023 Awards: Order of Precedence Name pronunciation: Not specified Prefered Title: Lord Offices: Current: Aquaterra Chatelaine Former: Aquaterra Herald
Heraldry
Per chevron inverted, sable and ermine

‘’’Michael from Aquaterra‘’’

Who I Am

My SCA name is Michael Maximillian de Champagne’’’. I live in Aquaterra, in the Western Region of An Tir. I am the proud founder of Maison de Champagne.

I went to my first event in Fall of 2023 and became a member by the end of the year.

Michael de Champagne co-stewarding Banner War 2024 with Jaida al-Sharawiyya

What I Do

In the SCA, I mostly do service with a drizzle of arts and sciences. However, my arts are a little more modern with my main hobbies/work in digital graphics and photography. However, I leverage my digital arts knowledge to help with scribal tasks like creating and printing charter blanks which, in turn, help me with bettering my painting skills.

I have been very service minded since discovering that it’s always nice to have a reason to be somewhere. I have a long history of leadership and volunteering with other organizations. Volunteering can be tough but it is rewarding work and you get to meet a lot of people through service. I did not know anyone in the SCA when I joined, so service has been a boon to opening my social circle.

In general, I'd say my SCA interests include:

• Service
• Scribal arts, creating & painting charters
• Games, like Aquaterra’s favorite pastime, bocce
• Book Heraldry
• Cooking for feasts

Where You Can Find Me

The lands of Aquaterra are my hearth and home, but I also attend many Madrone events. I try to make Kingdom events when I can, but being newer, I haven’t traveled out of my area much just yet. When I attend Kingdom events, you can find me taking photos or at the Chatelaine’s table.

My Heraldry

<gallery> Image:MicahelMaximilliendeChampagne.png|left|thumb|160px|Arms: Per chevron inverted, sable and ermine.’’ File:MichaelMaximilliendeChampagne Badge1.png|thumb|Badge: ‘’Or, a chevron fractured and inverted sable.’’ File:MichaelMaximilliendeChampagne Badge2.png|thumb|Badge: Sable, issuant to chief from a cup argent a rainbow throughout proper, a bordure argent.

Motto:

Des actes, non des paroles. Deeds, not words.

My Persona

Personna:

Born the son of a modest vintner in the rolling hills of the Champagne region of France in the year 1432, Michael Maximillien de Champagne grew up around the scent of crushed grapes and oak casks. Though his family had produced wine for generations, they had never risen beyond the status of respected artisans. From a young age, Michael wanted for more. Not just prosperity, but recognition, refinement, and rank.

Gifted with charisma and a keen mind for trade, Michael expanded his family’s modest holdings into a thriving wine business. Eventually, his barrels graced the tables of merchants in Paris and even reached the courts of Burgundy. He cultivated not only vines, but relationships with guilds, knights, and minor nobles, trading fine vintages for favors, access, and influence.

He dressed better than his station, painted in the evenings, and sponsored many a tournament, bettering his Barony. Though not of noble blood, he purchased land, learned the etiquette of the court, and dreamed of a future where his name would not merely be signed on contracts but attached to a coat of arms.

The world of the nobility was not easily breached. With each harvest, each cask aged to perfection, each coin earned and carefully placed, he builds a legacy, determined that the de Champagne name would one day stand proudly alongside the oldest houses of France.

Sabina di Zorzi, Michael Maximillien de Champagne, and Sigbjorg Kaladottir in Froda at Athenaeum 2025 📸: Aaron Merritt.

Accomplishments

First Event

• Aquaterra Banner War 2023

Aquaterra Officer / Championship

• Branch Pursuivant - Aquaterra 2024-2025
• Games Champion - Aquaterra 2024-2025
• Chatelaine - Aquaterra May 2025-Current

Retinue / Guard work

• Retinue for Mar Skal and Tabitta 2025-Current
• Guard/Attendant for her royal majesty Ana at Athenaeum 2025

Awards & Tokens

Armigerous

• Sanguine Thorn at Ursulmas LIX/2025 (AoA level for service)

Non-Armigerous and Tokens

• Personal token from Baroness Zahra Bint al-Rammah at Good Yule 2023.
• Silver Dolphin at Boar’s Hunt 2024 (Barony of Aquaterra first level service award).
• Games Champion of Aquaterra at Aquaterra Champions 2024.
• Personal token from Baron Mar Skal at Athenaeum 2025.

My OP entry

My SCA Timeline

September 9 2023 - First event, Banner War - Aquaterra

December 2 2023 - Good Yule - Aquaterra Kitchen Volunteer (made 120 orange mousse cups) Received Aquaterra Baroness’ Personal Token 10am-7pm

January 14 2024 - 12th Night - An Tir (in Madrone/Bellevue) Gate Volunteer (Prereg/CC) 8am-5pm

January 27 2024 - Ursulmas - Aquaterra 24x30” paper Fight posters donated (heavy, rapier, youth, archery/thrown) Photography

Feb 6 2024 - Raging Rogue Tavern - Madrone Kitchen Volunteer (made 90 hand-twisted soft pretzels), washed dishes, event cleanup. 10am-7pm

March 16 2024 - Spring Colloquium - Madrone - Attendee Made a lyripipe hood pattern. Traded a hat for a hat at the gear swap.

March 26 2024 - Stepped Up as Baronial Herald - Aquaterra March 26 2024 - Stepped up as Financial Committee Member - Aquaterra

April 11 2024 - Submitted for first SCA Name - Michael Maximilien de Champagne

May 4, 2024 - Lionhearts in the Park (Martial Championship) - Madrone Lists Master Volunteer 9am-4pm

June 1, 2024 - Boar’s Hunt - Aquaterra - Instructor: Heraldry Class (Field Divisions), Town Cry, Photography 9am-9pm. Received Baronial Award: Silver Dolphin

June 29, 2024 - Athenaeum - Madrone - Gate Volunteer (Cash/Check) 8am-10am

June 30, 2024 - Mt. Vernon Art & Garden Fair Demo - Aquaterra - Made & gave away heraldry coloring packs for kids & teardown - 10am-3pm

July 13, 2024 - Peasant’s Revel - Madrone - Attendee - Cheese Donation $20

August 10, 2024 - Aquaterra Champions - Created 7 letters of intent for competitors and latecomers. Won games tournament and claimed title Aquaterra Games Champion. Swore fealty, friendship and service to current and future coronets.

September 20-22, 2024 - Aquaterra Banner War - Co-Steward under Jaida Coordinated, ran, and judged event content. Advertised via social and print media. Helped with setup and teardown. Learned how to run a weekend camping event. Created 2 letters of intent. Took a lot of photos. Acted as town crier. First time camping.

October 19, 2024 - Baronial Pre-Polling Meet & Greet Live-streamed for absent attendees and took photos. Photos used for new coronets on barony website.

December 7, 2024 - Aquaterra Good Yule - Made printed flyers. Kitchen Volunteer: cooked falafel for 100, made baklava for 100 and also a vegan, nut-free version, pistachio pudding for gf

January 25-26, 2025 - Aquaterra Ursulmas Head Herald: Recruited & organized heralds for field & cry. Advertising Lead: created and ordered printed banner signage, created & printed wristband art, created updated revision of event collateral, created, printed and sold event shirts as fundraiser for next coronets’ reign - raised 1k. Advertised event on local event sites & social media. Responsible for organizing return of lost & found. Award received: Sanguine Thorn (Service Award that includes an AOA)

“We have heard amazing things about your tenure as a herald. We have heard that your tenure might possibly be one of the most successful that your barony has seen.” - Queen Ana de la Sara, An Tir Reign 84 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb8vMenFlb8&t=2776s timestamp 44:30)

February 8 2025 - Madrone Rogue’s Tavern Kitchen Volunteer (made 120 hand-twisted soft pretzels), washed dishes, event cleanup. Returned Ursulmas lost & found. 10am-7pm

February 22, 2025 Tir Righ February Investiture Aquaterra Retinue Returned Ursulmas Lost & Found

March 8, 2025 - Wyewood Kingdom A&S/Queen’s Rapier Championship Aquaterra Retinue & Event Photography - Photo selected for An Tir Crier Cover

March 25, 2025 - Aquaterra Created new starter set of 5 charters for Aquaterra’s 7th coronets.

April 1, 2025 - Aquaterra Spearheaded task to revamp barony eric flags. Got bids, presented options, and worked with volunteers to get new flag sets made to replace old set.

April 5, 2025 - Vulcanfeldt Baroness’ War Aquaterra Retinue Photography - Used photos to refresh Aquaterra website & social media banners for new coronets.

April 17, 2025 - Aquaterra Made business cards for seneschal

May 1, 2025 - Aquaterra Left Herald office. Took Chatelaine office.

June 6-8 2025 - Aquaterra Boars Hunt, Event Steward Photography. Sponsored all tournaments. Contributed foundation of dayboard food. Event coordination & setup. First point of contact for site. Newcomers site walk & picnic.

June 28, 2025 - Madrone Athenaeum, volunteer Exhibitor load-in 8-10, gate (pre-reg, cash, & cc) 10am-1pm, royal guard/attendant 3pm-5pm Received Aquaterra Baron’s Personal Token