Gracia Abrabanel

Gracia in a plum Venetia, circa 1530, incl. accessories.

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 in Roman with two friends, wearing a violet palla over a teal chiton, with a Flavian style hairstyle.

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 the lives of actual historic people including Gracia Mendes Nasi, Ginevra Blanis, and Benvenida Abrabanel.

Classes

Gracia’s most frequently taught class is scroll design and scribal basics, which takes attendees through the steps of blank page through finished scroll. She’s taught this class in 3 online events, and at least five in person events.

Gracia 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.

Gracia has taught a variety of hat classes at several events, and some of the materials she uses for these classes are available here and here.

Gracia 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.

Gracie’s research on Angora Moire is ongoing in preparation for Kingdom A&S 2023, and is available in draft form here.

Christina Bisesto in Persian. Gracia was on the team that created this outfit in 2023.

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.

Gracia is also an active scribe. She placed first in the Novice division in 2021 (documentation) and second in the Novice division in 2022 (documentation) for the 48 hour challenge.

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)

Scribal Portfolio

Black scroll with Gold Lacework, created for the 2022 48 hour challenge.
Gracia's 2021 48 hour challenge competition entry.
Letter of Marque created as a gift for the An Tir Largesse exchange. Linework, painting, calligraphy, and seal are all Gracia’s work.
Sable bonnet. Only design is Gracia’s work; painting and calligraphy by others.
Gigi’s Elevation Scroll. Portrait by Baroness Maricka, translation review by Federico Marangoni. Painting, calligraphy, translation, wording, and line work by Gracia.
Card design by Gracia for the Glymm Mere Baron & Baroness.
Card design by Gracia for the Glymm Mere Baron & Baroness.