Brígiða Vadesbana

Brígiða Vadesbana (AKA Brighid Anraith, Brighid of the Blue Hands)

Persona Bio

Brígiða Vadesbana (once known as Brighid Anraith) is a mid-9th cen Irish woman from the area between Kildare and the Norse settlement of Dubh Linn.

Her father's family did not approve of the match with her mother and when her mother died while she was still young, her family placed her in the abbey at Kildare. Having no vocation for the church but considerable skill with textiles, she left when she was able, and has made her way since as a weaver and dyer.

After travelling on Norse trade ships for a period of time she found welcoming kinfolk she had not realized she had in Yorvik, including a couple who promptly adopted her, to her surprise. Shortly thereafter she found herself even more astonished by becoming betrothed to a minor baron (Baron James Douglas) she met at an inn. She's still not sure how this happened, but suspects plotting on the part of her kinfolk. Being not unsatisfied with the match she has decided she will most likely go through with the marriage. Someday. It will make her mother happy.

SCA Bio

I have been in the SCA for 11 years, during which I've lived in 1 Shire, 2 Baronies, 3 Principalities and 3 Kingdoms. I have served as co-event steward for a few events, served as Skeldergate's Chatelaine for a year, and occasionally taught someone how to do something cool I've learned.

I started in the College of Skeldergate, which shortly thereafter became the Canton of Skeldergate, in the Barony of Septentria, in the Principality of Ealdormere, which shortly thereafter became the Kingdom of Ealdormere, in the Middle Kingdom. I then moved to the Barony of Lions Gate in the Region of the North, which shortly thereafter became the Principality of Tir Righ (it's a coincidence, honest), in An Tir. I recently moved to the Shire of Vinjar, in the Principality of Avacal (An Tir).

I have been a member of or associated with several households over my career. The only one I am currently involved in is Holly House, which is located primarily in Lions Gate/Eisenmarche terrritory, but has members and associates scattered across the Knowne Worlde. I am an apprentice to Mistress Seiglynda of Thyrisdotter of Elphinstone, head of Holly House.

Areas of interest:

Textiles: weaving (cloth, inkle, tablet, tapestry, pile and flat rug), early medieval embroidery, costuming ('Celtic', Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon, Japanese, Indian, Bronze Age European), dyeing (especially indigo/woad), felt, hand-sewing

Sociology and History: textile and textile industry history, kinship structures, rulership, pagan religion in period, mythology of Northern Europe, early Christian theology, court life in Heian Japan, world-view of the Middle Ages, SCA culture

Early period poetry: Irish, Welsh, Anglo-Saxon, Scandinavian, Japanese

Carving: bone, antler, (so far just textile tools)

Random minor interests: masks, puppetry, drama, illumination, jewellery construction, beads, games, hairstyling, nalbinding, spinning, temari balls, cooking period sweets

Upcoming interests: bookbinding, early period toy-making, cheese-making, painted and printed cloth, sprang, lace-making, period wire jewellery, furniture and large tool making (pole lathe, warp-weighted loom), viking sail making, basketry, cord making

You can find photos of some of my projects [here]

Pronunciation

Brighid is pronounced "Breed", or more precisely "Bre'ed" as there's a bit of a catch in the "ee" sound. I also answer to the pronunciation "BREEG-ed" (hard 'g'). Bridgit (BRIDGE-et) is right out. I'll answer to it, but only to tell you that's not my name.

Anraith is pronounced "AHN-raid".

I do NOT use the title "Lady" as Lady Breed just sounds dumb. I prefer Bantiarna, which, as far as I can tell, is actually pronounced like it's spelled, despite being Irish.

Brígiða is pronounced "Bree-GEE-tha" or "Bree-GEE-da" (hard 'g').

Vadesbana is pronounced "WAH-dess-Bah-na".

I don't know the appropriate alternate title to "lady" in Old Norse.

I am in the process of trying to change my persona to be known as Brígiða Vadesbana, rather than Brighid, but most people just call me Bree anyway.