Lady Katerina da Brescia (AoA, OoL, ORL, OST, ogo, ofg, okn)

I am a member of the scribes College in Innilgard and have been for approx 5- 6 years. I have been dabbling in art for many years, with a preference for pencil and ink work, and found the Scribes a good way to channel my artist urges in the SCA.

I have done several AOA scrolls but love doing original scrolls (don't we all?). I prefer the illumination but am trying hard to master calligraphy. It takes me twice as long to do the calligraphy! My preference is for later styles, especially Italian or Bastarde - with all those curly bits! I find blackletter the most difficult calligraphy form to master.

What inspires me is trying to find and make a scroll that is in a different style to others commonly done. I enjoy the satisfaction of finishing that piece of art - I did that!?! To date, probably my most fulfilling projects have been an Italian scroll, with naked boys, for my good friend and household member Viscountessa Lucezia Lorenz (if you know her persona you will understand this!) which she loved, and a matching pair of Viscounty scrolls for the now Count Cornelius and Countess Morwynna. They were Prince and Princess when I recieved my AoA and were King and Queen when I stepped up as Kingdom A&S Minister and I gave my very first oath of fealty to them. They have been involved in a lot of SCA firsts for me and have a special place in my heart.

I am currently working on a AoA blank for Giles, a present for my husband and, of course, a preprinted AoA. I hope to find time to find more challenging scrolls to do, especially originals, and to create that one piece I will be 100% happy with (as if!) while still continuing my many other interests in the SCA. I am currently also a member of the Painters and Limners Guild and the Embroiderers' Guild.

My personal website can be found at http://home.iprimus.com.au/adeptus/kat

Mistress Yseult de Lacy

Shortly after I joined the SCA, I saw one of Master Richard de la Croix's scrolls (actually the one for Duchess Juana featured in Gallery 1), and I thought I'd never seen anything so beautiful in my life.  At this stage I hadn't actually seen any medieval manuscripts, something which was quickly remedied.  And I found there were even more beautiful illuminations among the works of medieval artists (sorry, Richard :-).

Although my calligraphy is reasonable, I am happiest doing illumination, for which I primarily received my laurel.   My favourite time is from 1350 to about 1500 for illumination styles, although I can do more-or-less anything and have even done knotwork.  (Once.  Under protest.  That stuff just ain't natcheral!)

I've been a member of the College since around 1994, but most of my work has not actually been award scrolls, but other things such as books and single pages.   I also do mundane commissioned work, which can be seen here.  I spend more time these days teaching than actually scribing, alas.   I have been trying to organize myself up to try period pigments, so far without much success.

My current ambition is to develop of CD of scribal resources, both pictures and lessons, to be available at low cost.

Other SCA interests include pavilions, spinning, poetry, and singing.

Lady Morag Freyser

Lady Morag  is Warden for the Barony of Politarchopolis.  As a calligrapher with a very average uncial hand, she makes a better administrator.   Once drawn to calligraphy to have pretty event announcements for the then shire of Innes Mawr (now Barony of Ynys Fawr), many years and a family later,
she wishes she had time to actually put nib to paper without a child around to upset the inkpot (as happened at a Po]itarchopo]in Newcomer's recently).  Inspiration is found in the wonderful work of the beginner and experienced scribes in the Barony, who meet at regular Scriptoria and encourage Morag to not just talk about scribing (or nag about deadlines), but actually do it!

 Lord Piers of Malmesbury

What first drew you to the scribal arts?
I was introduced to calligraphy as part of my Graphic Design training (lettering by hand, etc, back in the days when illustration was a skill, not a program) then the SCA gave me a context in which to use this wonderful, beautiful-looking writing other than greeting cards and invitations, which aren't my scene anyway.

What aspects do you enjoy most/least?
Strangely enough, one in the same! When starting a new piece I am always struck by anxiety over whether I know enough about the styles and decoration to suit this particular assignment, especially as I live in a place with few resources and no money to get there. The enjoyment is pulling together what I have got into something I think works, when the thing is finally done!

What styles do you like or prefer to work in?
I like the anglican and gothic cursive scripts because they cover a huge time frame, allow a wide scope for personal style, and are very pretty forms.

How long have you been involved with the College?
I was with the College many years ago and did one assignment (I still have the assignment sheet, dated June 1984). I returned to the College in February of 1998 and have been active since.

In what capacity?
Scribe and illuminator.

What do you enjoy most about it?
Being able to research a major piece from any time or culture and actually try to do it.

What keeps you inspired and motivtated?
I look at works done in period;  both by scribes and illuminators and miniaturists and painters and sculptors and jewellers, and I know the basics of all these occupations, but if I can just get to be half as good as they were I could die happy.  That's the motivation, to see these beautiful things and try to acquire the skills to approach them.

Mistress Branwen of Werchesvorde

What first drew you to the scribal arts? What aspects do you enjoy most/least? What styles do you like or prefer to work in?
An area where I could use my talents to be of service.  I love doing designing, illuminating and calligraphy, reading lots of hooks, collecting lots of books.  Least:  parting with a scroll.  I can work in all styles and don't seem to have a preference.

How long have you been involved with the College?  In what capacity?
I have been involved with the College for some  years.  I served as Provost for one year before I went overseas. My rank within the college is Master Scribe.  I am also a Laurel in Calligraphy and Illumination.

What do you enjoy most about it?
I enjoy illuminating and calligraphy, designing, heraldry and the comradeship of scribes.

What keeps you inspired and motivated?
My motivation is to be a better scribe and I love teaching and seeing the wonderful work of beginning scribes and their development.

What do you consider your greatest achievement or most interesting/fulfiling experience to date?
Writing two Scribal Handbooks, which are usually out of date by the time they are printed. Taking an almost non-existent College of Scribes and building it to a self-sustaining force of very talented scribes in the Kingdom of Atenveldt.

What are you currently working on?  What are your plans/hopes/challenges for the future in your scribal endeavours?
Currently working on assignments for Lochac and Atenveldt,  Atenveldt being phased out as scrolls are completed.  I would like to keep teaching, keep illuminating and keep calligraphing so my next scroll will be better than my last.