Eleanor of Leycestershyre, OL

Eleanor of Leycestershyre, OP#605 An Tir Wiki Entry Branch: Barony of Dragon’s Laire (An Tir) Media:http://dragonslaire.org/ Also lived in: Barony of Gyldenholt (Caid), and Barony of Aquaterra (An Tir)

History of Dame Eleanor of Leycestershyre

Eleanor of Leycestershyre is a wealthy matron and the widow of several noble husbands, who divides her time between attendance at the court of Her Grace’s Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I, and her own several country estates in the Midlands and South of England, where she produces needlework for the queen, textiles for her own use, and wines for her estates.

Eleanor was born in Warwickshire on 6 August 1533, and was raised at court, owing much to the responsibilities of her father, who was both friend and legal counsel of the late king. Her mother is the Right Honourable Lady, Sofia Augusta da Livorno, who was born in Italy, and was daughter to a wealthy merchant family of Tuscany. Sofia’s ambitious father wanted a more noble future for his heirs, so he sent her as a young girl, to England, where she was educated and lived as the ward of an Earl, where she eventually met and married Eleanor's father.

Eleanor’s fortunes were established by her late father. But her real wealth came later through a series of marriages. The first match, which she made for love, ended badly when her handsome, but dissolute young husband got caught out in an adulterous affair with the wife of an exceedingly jealous Scottish nobleman. The Scotsman killed the two lovers with his great claymore, and Eleanor was left a young and desirable widow.

Her mother engineered her second match, to a much older, titled and wealthy gentleman, who conveniently died in his sleep quite early into the marriage, leaving Eleanor possessed of two large manor houses and substantial financial assets. By this time, she had also inherited her maternal grandfather’s Mediterranean textile and seafaring trade enterprises in Italy, and actively managed the family business.

Though a very independent and well-educated young widow, she was still a highly desirable catch for another elder lord, who also subsequently died, adding considerably more to her land holdings, wealth, and position.

Eleanor was born only a month before the Queen, and was raised in and around the royal court, where she and the young Princess Elizabeth grew up together; her position at court following the turbulent path of the princess to some extent.

Now, in her late middle life Eleanor lives the quiet existence of a widow, doing needlework, spinning, weaving, and occasionally sewing for the Queen, while attending her Grace’s Majesty’s court, continuing to serve her as a close friend and intimate of the Queen.

Alternate Personae On some occasions she will wear the garb of her Norse heritage in the guise of her alternate persona Ingeborg, a Viking lady from her family holdings in Hemne and the rural lands northeast of Trondheim.

Name and Device The name Eleanor of Leycestershyre is a properly researched, documented, and registered name in the SCA College of Heralds. Her name was registered May 1998, and device was registered October 1998.

The Arms and Device of Dame Eleanor of Leycestershyre

Blazon Purpure a Phoenix Or rising from Flames Gules in Chief Or three Suns in Splendour Purpure

Affiliations Prior to Dame Eleanor’s elevation she was formerly apprenticed to Mistress Siné Gillian nic Pharlain (MacDonald), Companion of the Order of the Laurel (Trimaris and An Tir) who was in her turn formerly, apprenticed to H.E. Countess Enriqueta Isabel de Reyes y Mora, Companion of the Order of the Laurel and Companion of the Order of the Pelican (Trimaris) Students: none currently Apprentices: none currently

Personal Badge Dame Eleanor’s personal badge

Or a Sun in Splendour Purpure is in the process of being submitted to be registered in the College of Heralds

Household Dame Eleanor is the head and founder of House Crone Henge

Household Badge The badge of House Crone Henge

Fieldless a Cauldron Proper within an Anulet of twelve Stars Or is in the process of being submitted to be registered in the College of Heralds

Interests English history, with especial emphasis on the Tudor dynasty of 16th century England Costuming, 15-16th century England, France and Italy Historical cookery, recipe redaction, methods, recreation and ingredients, including cheese making and charcuterie Archery, both longbow and crossbow Fiber processing, wool and flax Spinning, wool and linen yarn for weaving Weaving, yardage and useable textiles Natural dyeing, and dyestuffs Embroidery and embellishment Vintning of fruit wines Brewing The reign of Queen Elizabeth I, her court, and politics Haberdashery and recreation of period hats and head-wear Wiccan and pagan practices Historical biography Bobbin lace

Awards A&S Champion (Aquaterra) Jan 24, 1998 (AS XXXII) through Jan 23, 1999 (AS XXXIII) Award of Arms (An Tir) Jan 23, 1999 (AS XXXIII) by Aveloc the Younger, Laurellen de Brandevin Plate (Aquaterra) Jan 31, 1999 (AS XXXIII) by Julian Edward Farnsworth of Falconmoors, Arianne Farnsworth of Falconmoors Silver Dolphin (Aquaterra), Dec 11, 1999 (AS XXXIV) by Julian Edward Farnsworth of Falconmoors, Arianne Farnsworth of Falconmoors Jambe de Lion (An Tir) Jan 27 2001 (AS XXXV) by David Steingrimsson, Groa Golden Estoile (Aquaterra) Apr 27, 2002 (AS XXXVI) by Julian Edward Farnsworth of Falconmoors, Arianne Farnsworth of Falconmoors Goutte de Sang (An Tir) Jan 24, 2004 (AS XXXVIII) by Skapti Thorinsson, Asa Starradottir Blue Stag (Aquaterra) Jan 24, 2004 (AS XXXVIII) by Andreu Recheles, Fiamma the Unquenchable Baroness’s Favor (Aquaterra) Dec 2, 2005 (AS XL) by Fiamma the Unquenchable Kraken (Aquaterra) Jan 27, 2007 (AS XLI) by Wyll Hauk, Rosamund of the Misty Meadows Laurel (An Tir) Mar 3, 2007 (AS XLI) by Sven Fallgr Gunnarsson, Signy Oksendahl

Offices Held Minister, Costumer’s Guild, Aquaterra A&S Champion, Aquaterra, Jan 24, 1998 (AS XXXII) through Jan 23, 1999 (AS XXXIII)