Audny Refsdottir
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| https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1017413_10152159597559774_1449065837_n.jpg?oh=5abc6ef5d9e777c9535a2d1886454e39&oe=5751D41D Autumn War 2013, retinue step-up garb | ||||||
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| http://rollofarms.antirheralds.org/arms/AudnyRefsdottir.gif Argent, a clew of yarn purpure, and on a chief vert three goats statant, regardant, argent. |
Persona:
Audny is the daughter of Refr (Raef), a Danish tradesman who lives north of Hedeby on the Jutland peninsula. She was born in the second decade of the 10th century during the "Viking" era. As the middle of the century comes round, a time of change as much of Scandinavia starts converting to Christianity, she is married to a successful farmer who lives north of her birthplace (closer to Jelling) and still follows the old religion.
She doesn't have any children of her own (yet), but as she is her husband's third wife (he her second husband), and he has several children from his first two, children aren't as important in their relationship as her social connections through her father, who provides a market for the goods the farm produces that they wouldn't normally have access to.
She dwells with him and his extended family on their farm where they grow everything they need for day-to-day living, including flax, wheat, cows, goats, sheep, and chickens. Like so many other people of Scandinavia they also supplement their diets with fish and local game. They produce enough extra cloth and goods to sell through her father's trading endeavors. She is a skilled spinner and weaver, and with her husband's mother, sisters, sister-in-laws, and daughters, (as well as the occasional foster child that other families send to her for training), she creates linen and wool cloth and card woven trims that fetch a good price. Her duties as her husband's wife include taking care of his children, directing slaves and thralls to maintain the farm, welcoming guests and being a proper hostess, and keeping accounts and caring for the farm when her husband travels.
(He also makes certain she washes and dresses his hair before he leaves to show her how much he regards her.)
SCA Service:
Retinue for Their Excellencies Hengist Helgason and Marike Sigrunasdotter starting the summer of A.S. XLVIII (September 2013) to A.S. LI (August 2016).
Assistant head of retinue starting July 1, 2015 to August 21, 2016.
Part of the clothier team for Their Royal Majesties Styrkarr Jarlsskald and Dagrun Stjarna A.S. XLIX (June-December 2014).
Gate and volunteer for Embers and Ambrosia 2014
Event Steward for Embers and Ambrosia 2015
Created embroidered retinue sash for Their Royal Majesties Eirik Daegarsson and Drifinna Ulfgarsdottir
Event Steward for Embers and Ambrosia 2016
Created embroidered Black Lion Sash for His Majesty Eirik Daegarsson's retinue
Volunteer coordinator for Elizabeth FittzWilliam of Carlisle's Vigil and step-up ceremony
SCA awards and acheivements:
Awarded the Golden Blossom by HE Hengist Helgason and HE Marike Sigrunasdotter at BAO Lord Defenders 2013 (A.S. XLVIII).
Awarded an Award of Arms by Their Royal Majesties Eirik Daegarsson and Drifinna Ulfgarsdottir at June Faire XLVIX/2014.
Awarded a Forget-Me-Not and a Bountiful Hand by Her Royal Majesty Dagrun Stjarna at Twelfth Night Coronation XLIX/2015 for her work on the royal clothier team.
Accepted and elevated into the Order of the Jambe de Lion by Their Royal Majesties Havordh Ættarbani and Mary Grace of Gatland on August 15th at Autumn War L/2015.
Accepted and elevated into the Order of the Panther's Torch by HE Hengist Helgason and HE Marike Sigrunasdotter on August 16th at Autumn War L/2015
Arts and Sciences Champion 19 September 2015-Present
Courtier of Blatha An Oir 03 October 2015 at Blatha an Oir Sergeants Trials L/2015. Received patches for her cloak from one of the original Sergeant's cloaks. Received her belt and buckle from Dame Melusine d'Argent, Gallant of Blatha An Oir. Received her Sergeant's pin from HL Angharad ver' Reynulf, Sergeant Major at the time.
Awarded a Bountiful Hand by His Royal Majesty Eirik Daegarsson at evening court of Kingdom A&S/Bardic Championship L 2016 for her work on the embroidered sashes made for the royal retinue team.
Awarded the Briar by HE Hengist Helgason and HE Marike Sigrunasdotter at Embers and Ambrosia 2016
Awarded a Baron and Baroness Favor by HE Hengist Helgason and HE Marike Sigrunasdotter at Autumn War LI/2016
Added to the Daughters of Loki by HE Marike Sigrunasdotter at her final court as Baroness of Blatha An Oir
SCA/Mundane History:
I started in the SCA at a Fort Lewis Demo with friends 4th of July 2002. Lord Defender 2002 was my first camping event. I was hooked, but I was without higher education and funds to continue school, so I was stuck in a dead-end job and couldn't make any headway. I decided to change my fate and join the military. I left the Land of the Golden Blossom for several years early in 2004. I didn't find any other lands to my liking, so I returned home late 2007 and returned to the SCA in 2008. I started putting together armor for heavy fighting that year, but after deploying to Iraq and returning I acquired chronic pain in the shoulder and arm which forced me to concentrate on the Arts and Sciences instead (My favorite hobbies anyways!).
I have been a continuous member of the SCA since June 2013, I had paid for membership a couple times before but had allowed it to lapse until Their Excellences Marike and Hengist asked my better half and I to be a part of their Retinue. I decided to maintain a paid membership from then on, no matter what, because I have grown to love the society and I want to be able to hold officer positions and be an event steward.
I created a Norse persona once I returned in 2008, but I'm also a big fan of the Tudor era and 14th century France, so I may create personas for them in the future. (And I will link them here when/if that happens). Currently I'm studying to become a Courtier of Blatha An Oir.
My name and Device were passed and added to the An Tir Roll of Arms in June of 2015. The Blazoning is "Argent, A clew of yarn purpure and on a chief vert three goats statant, regardant, argent."
I became a Courtier of Blatha An Oir at Sergeant's Trials AS L (2015). It was a long and rewarding challenge filled with months of studying and work. This coupled with becoming Blatha An Oir's Arts and Sciences champion just a month earlier spurs on my goals of helping to improve my barony and my over-all goals of self-improvement.
Classes I can teach or have taught:
- Embroidery (couching, basic stitches, etc.)
- Norse Seam treatments
- Beginning Naalbinding
- Tablet Weaving
- Knitting: Beginning, Double-Knitting, colorwork, lace
- Sewing, both machine and hand
- I'm comfortable teaching and taking care of children as well, I volunteered to help teach a couple youth classes at Autumn War 2014 and a class at Autumn War 2015 and had great fun.