José Cabrera de Castilla

Name

José Cabrera de Castilla is mundanely known as Ryan Davidson.

The name José Cabrera de Castilla is a properly researched, documented, and approved SCA name (March 2008). It is historically accurate to 16th century Spain. The name José is the equivalent of the English name "Joseph". Cabrera is a familial surname, and de Castilla is a locative byname. In combination, the compound surname represents José's origin. See the Persona History section for more information.

Interests

José pursues a number of SCA-related interests.

Tailoring

José studies the cut and construction of mid-to-late 16th century clothing for both men and women. In men's clothing, he has learned to draft patterns for doublets, hose, trunkhose (slops, pantaloons), shirts and capes. One of his primary resources has been the website of The Renaissance Tailor, as well as the well-known Janet Arnold book Patterns of Fashion.

Millinery

Independent of any instruction or step-by-step guides, José has learned to make durable and authentic-looking hats of various kinds. He has made a number of bonnets and tall hats. One practical feature of these has been to use an artificial stiffener that is capable of springing back to shape after being crushed, making his hats able to stand up under the often rough treatment that SCAdians give.

Woodworking

In 2006, José created a set of 8 wooden benches for the Iron Ring. One of these has since fallen victim to a drunken pirate crushing it, but the others have held up very well, having been stained and sealed against the weather (and various forms of alcohol that have been spilled on them).

SCA History

• The Gathering, May 2005.
• Gypsy Days, Seadog Nights, July 2005.
• Acorn War, September 2005.
• Pacific University Demo (now Faire in the Grove), April 2006.
• The Gathering, May 2006.
• Gypsy Days, Seadog Nights, July 2006.
• Acorn War, September 2006. First war event. Was asked by Duke Sir Amalric Blackhart to fight on his side in the war.
• Faire in the Grove, April 2007.
• The Gathering, May 2007.
• Gypsy Days, Seadog Nights, July 2007.
• Blackthorne Revel, August 2007.
• Sport of Kings, August 2007.
• Beaverton Farmer's Market Demo, September 2007. Fought in the heavy fighting demonstration.

Persona History

José is the son of Tomas Cabrera, a wealthy tailor, and Analucia de Castilla, a member of a minor branch of a larger noble family. He was born in Barcelona. The marriage was arranged to both bolster the fortunes of Analucia's ailing noble family and provide Tomas' children with a station above his own. Despite being an arranged marriage, the couple were relatively happy with each other as spouses.

José learned his father's trade of tailoring from a young age. At his mother's insistence, he was trained in a gentlemanly form of swordfighting. After his father fell ill, José took over the tailoring trade despite his mother's many protests. He continued this business for nearly two years before his father recovered sufficiently to attend his own affairs again.

Shortly thereafter, José was summoned to Milan to protect the family's interest in a woodworking and turning guild. At this time, the Spanish Habsburgs had recently come in control of Milan, so it was an opportunity for the family to seize some power and influence. In addition to learning something of the woodworking trade while there, José became attached to a unit of rodeleros in defense of Milan against neighboring states.

Once his term of service ended, José remained enamored of his experience in war. He sought out a company with which he could continue his military training, and encountered the Iron Ring on one of it's many maneuvers into Italy. Abandoning his concern for his family's growing wealth and power, José took up with the mercenaries and quickly gained rank, becoming a sergeant.

Affiliation

José Cabrera de Castilla is a member of the Iron Ring.

The Iron Ring device

Rank and Station

• Sergeant of the Iron Ring
• Camp Master of the Iron Ring