Satiera of GrandChester Meadows

AS XIV, Satiera as a lady in waiting to HRH Dorthea.

Satiera is a nice Jewish girl, although I am now 'of a certain age'. Rescued by travelers during the darkest winter months of AS XIII, I was given sanctuary in Madrone by House Shadygrove and its diverse inhabitants. This was in the long ago before times when An Tir was still a principality of the West.

The AS XIII, 12th Night Coronation of TRH Manfred and Koressa was my first court event and here it became apparent I would need help to fit into Society. Much to the horror of bystanders, I raced across the great hall calling out to the one person I recognized from earlier times - using a name this gentle woman did Not use in our Society! Only the intercession of this Kind and Incredibly Gracious Lady spared me; and I was allowed to stay in the hall for Her Coronation as Princess of An Tir!

To the great amazement of all, in AS XIV I was asked to serve as a lady in waiting to HRH Dorthea of the Dunes. In an image of a court scene from the reign of Sir Edward Zifran of Gendy and Dorthea of the Dunes, I am one of the 'unknown' retinue members; the others being Robert MacFlandry, and the lady known as JoAnna the dancer. Thanks Be to TRH Edward and Dorthea for allowing me this opportunity to show that I 'do clean up nicely'.

Living at the Shadygrove, I was busy during my first years in the Society - Crier collation parties at the Barque, fighting practices and armor workshops, costuming and dance classes, and traveling throughout the West for events, Ithra courses and demonstration tournaments. I became "old guard", learned to fight and came of age with Torgul Bahadur (Torgul Steingrimsson), Garan Darkwof (Garan Steingrimson), Valtorr (Valtorr of Oslo), Dak (Dak Ulfredsson) and several other nobles during this apex of Madrone fighters. With Daniel Shadygrove, I also roamed far beyond An Tir to see wondrous new places. From one coast to the other, some distance into the North and deep into the fiery Southern desert regions - I met nobles and folks of many diverse cultures. From AS XIV - AS XVI, I fought as a mercenary in the Pennsic Wars along side my lord Shadygrove. Always we returned to An Tir with diverse goods from the East and Middle Kingdoms and many stories. I would like to think others were encouraged to make the trip to this incredible event after hearing tales of our adventures.

At the Edward/Aonghais/Gerhard War of AS XV, I swore my fealty to Sir Seamus MacChluraidh of Glenrochaidh, also known as Sir Seamus the Peacemaker.

My squiring ceremony to Sir Seamus in Juli AS XV

I was accepted as his first squire and welcomed into House Peaceful by Lady Bolverk of Momchilovich.

Lady Bolverk helps me into my squire's belt

Following the ceremony, we all fought in this annual conflict - which has come to be called the An Tir/West War.

Now a squire, I worked hard to improve myself. From Baroness Amanda Kendal of Westmoreland and others I took a variety of Ithra classes in courtly love, social mores and customs. I also attended numerous war workshops and fighting classes taught by my Knight, Baron Sir Gerhard Kendal of Westmoreland and Duke Paul of Bellatrix. The kindness and devotion of my Knight, Lady Bolverk and these good Nobles helped smooth many rough edges. I began my assimilation into a Norse-like person, while holding onto the Jewish culture. On 06 Sept AS XVI, I was given my Award of Arms (one of the last from the West Kingdom before An Tir separated). This honor was presented by Their Royal Highnesses Ulfred and Sumingo while I was still in absentia for the annual Pennsic tour. During this time I briefly served as the Master of Stables for the Barony of Madrone until health concerns necessitated resigning the office. I was awarded the Green Leaf of Madrone in the year AS XVII.

Reluctantly giving up fighting for research and education, I absorbed all that others were willing to teach. I learned the manners and customs of peoples far from An Tir, and acquired knowledge in those subjects of which all gentlewomen should be well versed.

My friend Torgul Bahadur (acknowledged as Torgul Steingrimsson) long encouraged my interest in northern cultures and his passion for knowledge and sharing what he learned has greatly inspired my efforts. Sir Torgul most graciously and formally introduced me to his squire Dak, who further helped my understanding the northern trade routes and the people of these regions. Sir Dak (now known as Jarl Dak Ulfredsson) even carried my favor in the Crown event, known as " July Crownation" Juli AS XVIII. Knighted before the Lists began that day; Sir Dak was additionally honored by TRM Ulfred and Adara for his valor on the field.

Sir Dak is honored with the Silver Rose by TRM Ulfred and Adara; HRM Adara presents me with a rose for being his inspiration on the field, Crownation July ASXVIII

Adrift following the dissolution of House Peaceful, I wandered throughout the Kingdom of An Tir. My studies continued, unfortunately the events I could attend became few and far between. I received the Forget-me-not from HRM Erin while still roaming the wilds of An Tir, for the help which Lord Guillaume d' Vin Vert and I offered Their Royal Majesties during Their reign. This was in the year AS XX, when Duke Torgul and Erin did serve as our King and Queen. From AS XXXI until AS XXXVII, I resided in the Shire of Briaroak, in the Principality of the Summits. There I met Thomas DaVain Direwolf, who encouraged me to attend several local events. At two Egils tourneys while living in Briaroak, I was ecstatic to find kith and kin; thus heartened, I braved great mountain peaks for the momentous occasion of the 25th An Tir/ West War. There, for the first time in many long years, I was joyfully albeit briefly reunited with my Knight and Liege Lord, now known as Duke Thorin Njalsson. AS XXXVIII found me living in the Middle Kingdom, very near the site of the Pennsic Wars. At Pennsic in XLIII, I was found and rescued from a sea of strangers by my Lady Bolverk of Momchilovich. I began making plans to come home with the encouragement and help of Torgul, Valtorr, Bolverk and Thorin.

With the support of Many dear friends, I returned to An Tir in AS XLIV and have settled in the Shire of Midhaven. My efforts are on-going to improve myself as a human being and a squire. I continue to learn about trade cultures in the northern regions, Judaism and Jewish travelers in far and distant lands, the art of war, baking and cooking techniques, herbs, gardening and an eclectic mix of other interests.

I remain, as ever - -Lady Satiera of GrandChester Meadows -