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 “Teleri
Talgellawg” is my main persona in the Society
for Creative Anachronism. She was born around 440 CE and lives on
the island of Mon (Anglesey, Wales). She reincarnates with the same name
and from the same place in every era the Welsh try to retain their independence
until the end of the era of Owain Glyndwr. After that time, I have developed
such alternate personas as Rosalia Elisabetta Aldobrandini (a lady-in-waiting
for the Duchess of Milan, 1480s), Rosalia Isabella Tristao (ship’s
captain’s widow from Portugal, 1570s) and Sister Marguerite (a
Sister of the Common Life, Flanders, 1420s). I also have created two
versions of Caroline Rose Berkeley, one “flourishing” in
the reign of Charles I and the other in the reign of Charles II, both
for 17th century living history. Lately I find myself mostly interested
in 15th century Northern European life, especially that of Flanders,
so anyone seeing me at an event will probably see me in 15th century
clothing.
Some people excel at the character-creation and improv work demanded
by “staying in persona”; others do not and tend to inhabit
their SCA-oriented world. I am one of the latter. I am not a particularly
good actor, so it is easier for me to be Dame Teleri Talgellawg who lives
in the Barony of Ponte Alto in the Kingdom of Atlantia and who has a
history of offices held, skills learned and taught, and events autocratted.
- My first SCA Encounter with folks from the Barony of “Muurqwoud” at
the Cavalier Days Festival in Prince Frederick, MD, 1973.
- I joined the SCA in the (then) Shire of Marinus [Tidewater Virginia],
Principality of Atlantia, Kindgom of the East in 1979. Shortly thereafter, The
Kingdom of Atlantia became a kingdom itself.
- I moved to the Barony of Storvik [then Washington, D.C. metropolitan
area], became Baronial Chronicler, was awarded an Award of Arms in
October, 81.
- While in Storvik, I developed interests in costuming, eventually
running the Ladies’ Sewing Circle and Terrorist Society for 13
years. Around May, 1988, I was elevated to the Order of the Laurel.
Research and historiography of costume became my primary foci. After
being chronicler, I became the Baronial Minister of Arts and Sciences,
then the Minister of Arts and Sciences for the Canton of Ponte Alto
[Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, VA] .
- The Barony of Storvik waxed mightily. It got so large that it broke
asunder and the The Barony
of Ponte Alto was formed in 1992. My lord, Niall McKennett, and
I were honored to be selected the Founding Baron and Baroness of Ponte
Alto.
Medieval/Early Modern Period Interests
- Historic costuming, especially clothing
of the 15th century, men’s clothing, body-shaping through clothing,
and what people wore in everyday life
- Historical research methods and historiography
- 15th century everything...
- Period etiquette and manners
- Servant hierarchy and life
- Family and kinship structures
- Domestic technology
- Gender relations
- 15th century lay spirituality
- Women mystics, monastics, and third orders
- Arthurian literature and legend
Current Article
As often as possible, I hope to present an article on one of these topics
or an essay on some aspect of SCA life. This month’s article is Term
Limits for Territorial Barons and Baronesses. Previous articles can
be found on the Archive page. I would love
to hear your comments on these, so e-mail me through our feedback
form with any responses you have.
Other Periods
When I have time, I also indulge in the 17th century as well. Charles
II is my favorite English monarch and I find Restoration life as fascinating
as that of the late Middle Ages.
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