Emma Godwif
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 September 2013 | ||||||||
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 Per bend azure and sable, a bull rampant argent maintaining a lute all within an orle Or. |
The daughter of a wealthier English family, Emma showed early aptitude for music and much of her young life was spent in Italy, devoted to the study and pursuit of the art. A favorite pastime of hers was to take her lute outside to practice, and it was on one such fine day in 1549 that she met her husband, James Elwic, as he was traveling to purchase textiles for his family's sail-making business. After a secret, whirlwind courtship, he swept her (and her zoo of musical instruments!) off back to England where they married in 1550. Emma wholeheartedly adopted her new life as a merchant's wife and hostess, and her husband bestowed her with the nickname "Godwif" ('goodwife') during their first year of marriage.
Later, their small family fell subject to intense scrutiny during the later part of the Marian Persecutions. They avoided true persecution due to Emma's quick thinking to hide their English Bible (and other items suggestive of their Protestant beliefs) under a loose floorboard in their supply warehouse. Unfortunately, the stress of the situation cost them the life of their first child who died at birth in 1558.
Activities
Emma is a bard (often found with an instrument in hand around the campfire). Other pursuits include hand embroidery, music composition, and target archery. She dabbles in rapier at the encouragement of her husband.
Rank
Artisan (of Music) of Wastekeep. Pledged to Baroness Dagrun Stjarna, August 3, 2013. She carries the first Artisan's medallion, formerly of Arthur Greene of Deerhurst.
Notable Achievements
- "Bunny Slayer" archery winner; Honor War, Lyonsmarche (April 2012)
- A&S Populace Choice and Best Documentation for a handmade reproduction Anglo Saxon hearpe; Border War, Wealdsmere (September 2012)
- A&S Champion for a handmade reproduction Anglo Saxon hearpe; As You Like It, Akornebir (November 2012)
- Award of Arms; May Crown, Vulkanfeldt (May 2013)
- Bardic Populace Choice, Border War (September 2013)
- Bardic Champion of Wastekeep; Baron's Ball (October 2013)
- Final Four in the "Known World's Got Talent" Society-wide competition (November 2013)
- Judges Choice for "Three Ravens"; Kingdom Arts & Sciences, Stromgard (March 2014)
- Populace Choice for audience appeal piece, "Abbot Bromley's Horn Dance"; Kingdom Arts & Sciences, Stromgard (March 2014)
- Kingdom Bardic Champion (March 2014 to March 2015)
- Sable Brush Award; Springfest, Wastekeep (June 2014)
- Founding member, the Bardic Company of An Tir (BoAT); July Coronation, Three Mountains (July 2014)
- Jambe de Lion; Baron's Ball, Wastekeep (October 2014)
Mundane
Emma often blogs about her SCA activities on her website: http://moderndaybard.net/category/my-medieval-life-or-fun-in-the-sca/