Gracia Abrabanel
Gracia’s mundane name is Grace Amundsen Barnkow. She has previously used the name Kat Ginere when she first started in the SCA in late 2019 in Blatha an Oir. She now lives in Crown Lands in Pacific County. Grace’s passions include costuming (particularly accessories and architectural hats), casting, fiber crafts (especially related to her Angora goats), and in general doing All the Things.
Persona
Gracia’s first persona in the society was Tudor. She also frequently plays as a Roman matriarch of the Flavian era, AD 69–79, in the patrician ranks.
Gracia’s primary persona is an Iberian expatriate, a scion of a wealthy and prominent Jewish family. Her immediate family was involved with lobbying against the Inquisition, which involved traveling to the noble courts of Europe & the Vatican between 1470 and 1530, spending lavishly, and making personal connections. After the imposition of the Portuguese Inquisition in 1536, Gracia helps operate a network of human smugglers to move Jewish people and wealth out of Iberian countries to Ferrara in Italy and various regions of the Ottoman Empire. This persona would have worn clothing typical for the courts, patricians and wealthy merchant classes through which she travelled, from Turkey to Burgundy. She particularly loves the garb of Venice (1530s) and Burgundy (1480s). Gracia’s persona is based on actual historic people including Gracia Mendes Nasi, Ginevra Blanis, and Benvenida Abrabanel.
Classes
Grace taught classes on pottages at 2 events. Her class presentation is available here.
Gracia has taught classes on 3D printing for the SCA at three events. Her class presentation is available here.
Grace teaches a clay whistles class occasionally, but this class does not have printed materials.
Grace has a purse creation class she has taught at Collegium and small baronial A&S events. Her class handout is available here.
Stewardship and Officer Roles
Grace has been the event Steward for Harvest Feast (BAO), Honey War (GM), and Celtic Bardic (BAO). She served on the staff of a variety of events, from helping with cooking for Yule 2022, to serving on gate staff for a variety of events, to creating event tokens for half a dozen events. She has served as Chronicler for BAO from 2020 to 2022, passing the baton to Mycol Reamer after she moved to Pacific County. An example of an edition of the Blatherings she produced is available here.
Research
Gracia’s research on Transitional Hennin was presented at Athenaeum 2020, and is available here.
Gracia’s research on Gracia Abrabanel was presented at Kingdom A&S 2021, and is available here.
Competitions
Gracia unsuccessfully competed for Blatha an Oir A&S Champion in 2020, and Glymm Mere A&S Champion in 2022. Gracia was on the Shirazi Lykoi team that won the Iron Needle Sable Coutier competition at Kingdom A&S 2023.
Awards Received
Gratia Coronae (West) Sep 5, 2021 (AS LVI)
Briar (Blatha An Oir) By: Yusuf Ja'bar al Timbuktuwwi el qalot, Angharat verch Reynulf Nov 6, 2021 (AS LVI)
Golden Blossom (Blatha An Oir) By: Yusuf Ja'bar al Timbuktuwwi el qalot, Angharat verch Reynulf Dec 31, 2021 (AS LVI)
Award of Arms (An Tir) By: Hélène d'Anjou Jan 7, 2022 (AS LVI)
Crystal of Glymm Mere (Glymm Mere) By: Alasdair Mac Roibeirt, Disa i Birkilundi Aug 13, 2022 (AS LVII)
Jambe de Lion (An Tir) By: Octamasades Skuthikos, Achaxe Ek Auchatae Dec 3, 2022 (AS LVII)