Golden Swan Tournament

The Tournament of the Golden Swan is held annually on the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in Appledore.

Golden Swan is a persona development challenge for female personas. It is sponsored by the Shire of Appledore in the Kingdom of An Tir within the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a world-wide historical recreationist group. The first Golden Swan was held in Kelowna, B.C. in 1984.

The purpose of Golden Swan is to foster knowledge of the lives of women in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Its aim is not merely to confine itself to women's history and women's issues, although these will, of necessity, form part of the research most candidates will do. A successful Golden Swan has acquired a level and depth of understanding of what a woman's life was like in a given time period that may be unequalled even in the highest academic circles.

In addition, the candidate will have a certain amount of acting ability, to stay in persona for a period of 36 hours. The judges and event organizers try to create a supportive atmosphere during the event for those undergoing the Golden Swan competition.

Golden Swan is held on the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in south-central BC.

Applicants must submit an application to the Shire of Appledore by June 30 of the year in which they wish to compete. This will consist of a general persona introduction (name, age, date and place of birth, marital status, occupation or occupation of father or husband, social standing, and any other relevant information), and a general bibliography. Applicants should also indicate which categories they intend to compete in (see the links to the left). A more detailed application will be required by August 15 if the applicant has been accepted. Candidates enter 10 categories. Eight are mandatory: Persona Development, Skills and Technologies, Costuming, Needlework, Correspondence, Everyday Life, Habitat and Food. The candidate must also choose 2 of the 3 following: Games and Pastimes, Performance, Survival Skills.

Personas must be historically based, not just SCA. Documentation is expected for the persona in general, as well as some minimal level for each category. Educate the judges by providing them with as much information as you can. Please note that all categories are open to anyone as individual contests.

Website: http://www.goldenswan.org/

Golden Swans

   Kyrsteen ap Sennann du Saone
   Thyri Eriksdottir (Kelinda Garrett)
   Elspeth Aylena of Alnwick
   Gyelle Spence
   Janet Marie nic Alaster McBain
   Eileen Falconer
   Madelein de Vos (Gudrun)
   Mother Abbess Megan
   Anthea de Northeton
   Ilana Cordonero di Firenze (Aelana Cordovera)
   Helene von Gruner
   Adriana Juliet Francesca Maria della Cassa della Sangomano
   Meresigha Stonegatta
   Aloise de Pont du Fosse
   Eloise de Montagne
   Vigdis Bjornsdottir
   Osulbayajin
   Nadjeszka
   Walburga of Liege
   Agnes Cresewyke
   Meryell Kennet
   Alis Talairan de Perigord
   Rose Vanden Burge
   Saikhan Naranaimorin
   Julia Aurelia (Julia Sempronia)
   Lucy Pogge
   Anya the Gypsy
   Samira al Waddi
   Marguerite FitzWilliam
   Meresigha Stonegatta (second time)
   Alicia de Wilford