Bridget Lucia Mackenzie

Photo
Queen Bridget at Gyldenholt Anniversary 2014. Photo by Christine Foster, 6/28/2014
Information
Preferred title: Not specified Their Pronouns: Not specified Resides: Altavia Status: Active Awards: Visit the Caid Order of Precedence
Heraldry
Per bend purpure and Or, a cross of St. Brigid and a castle counterchanged and for augmentation, flying from the dexter tower a banner azure charged with four crescents conjoined in saltire horns outward argent
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Duchess Bridget Lucia MacKenzie attended her first SCA event, Great Western War I in 1997. She was retainer to Countess Albra Katerine Marie Isabelle Bautiste, under whose tutelage she learned about garb making, and the traditions and operations of life in Caid. She has served on numerous Baronial Royal courts and is a member of the Griffin Freehold household.

When not at war, Bridget enjoys all manner of fiber arts, especially spinning and weaving. She makes much of her own garb, as well as clothing for her Corvus Brethren. She has won awards for her spinning, knitting, weaving and cordial-making entries at several Pentathlons, as well as regional Arts & Sciences competitions. She has taught lantern-making, embroidery and drop-spinning to kids at Collegium, and takes her antique spinning wheel to school demos all over Caid.

As a Romanized Celt from the 6th century, Bridget loves the gentler, homey arts of making clothing. But when called upon by her King, she takes up arms and joins her Corvus brethren with the fierceness of her idol, Queen Bodicca of the Iceni. Though she admits that she does not have many spectacular kills to her credit, she believes that her biggest asset on the battlefield is being fearless and throwing herself at the enemy lines with such abandon as to cause dismay, allowing her Brothers to step in and crush her foes. She is proud to die gloriously, many times, for her King.

In 1999, Bridget volunteered to assist Lord Mikhail of the Kuma with running Boffer Tourneys. When Kuma stepped down as Minister of Boffers (a position he started) Bridget stepped up. She has worked hard to maintain a safe and fun environment for children and their families to enjoy in the SCA. She has promoted safe children's sword-play in Caid, attending events all over Caid (about 30 per year!) to run tourneys and train Deputies. Bridget has also submitted a heraldic device that should soon be acknowledged as the Society Boffers/Youth Combat device. She relinquished this office at Great Western War 2004, having served for 3 years.

In 2005, Bridget stepped up with Laertes McBride to be the 4th Baron and Baroness of the Barony of Altavia. They retired in 2008, whereupon she became the Chatelaine of Altavia, a role she held until she became Princess in 2014.

Fighting with sword and shield in Heavy Weapons combat since 1999, Bridget has entered in tournaments and fought in many wars, including Great Western Wars, Potrero, Estrella and Pennsic. At Pennsic XXX (2001), she was the ONLY Caidan fighting in the Women's Only Tourney. After fighting for many wars with Corvus Warband, she was invited in 2004 by this bloodthirsty band to become a Brother (yes, they call her "Brother Bridget"). In 2006 she was one quarter of the Army of Caid at Gulf Wars.

Her Corvus Brothers Mikhail of the Kuma and Sir Valrik MacIan have fought as her Champions. Also a Corvus Brother, Agrippa Morris won Spring Crown Tourney 2014, making Bridget Princess of Caid, and she ruled as Queen at his side. Agrippa won again for Bridget in 2016, where they enjoyed a Spring reign.

Bridget is fond of feathers, fur and things purple. She is an avid spinner, weaver and seamstress, and is fond of interesting fibers, cords/yarns and fabrics. She is not allergic to anything that she so far aware of (except mean people!), and enjoys an occasional "spirited" beverage.

Offices & Positions

Kingdom

• Queen's Guard, Tomüki II and Luciana, 11/21/1998-06/12/1999
• Deputy Minister of Youth Combat under Mikhail of the Kuma, 1999-2001
• Queen's Guard, Francesc and Seanach, 06/12/1999-11/20/1999
• Lady-in-Waiting to Edric II and Battista, 11/20/1999-06/03/2000
• Minister of Youth Combat (aka "Bofficer"), 2001-2004
• Lady-in-Waiting to Alaric and Kissa, 06/02/2001-11/17/2001
• Companion to Edric IV and Faizah, 11/11/2006-06/02/2007
• Companion to Edward and Mora, 06/07/2008-11/08/2008
• Companion to Edric V and Faizah II, 11/10/2007-06/072008
• Companion to Edward II and Mora II, 06/06/2009-11/7/2009
• Deputy Arts & Sciences, GWW XII
• Co-Event Steward, Pink Ribbon Tournament, 10/25/2009
• Kingdom Media Liaison, 2009 to 2010
• Deputy Minister of Youth Combat, 10/2010 to 2012
• Companion to Sven III and Cassandra, 11/05/2011-06/02/2012
• Queen, 73rd Crown of Caid Agrippa and Bridget, 06/07/2014-11/01/2014
• Queen, 78th Crown of Caid Agrippa II and Bridget II, 1/8/2017-07/15/2017
• Kingdom Regalia Officer, 1/11/2014-01/07-2017-01-07

Altavia

• Fourth Baroness of Altavia with Laertes McBride, 01/08/2005-05/10/2008
• Chatelaine, Altavia, 2007-2013
• Vicaress of Altavia with Laertes McBride, 10/25/2008-5/9/2009
• Event Steward, Walter Reed School Demo, 04/12-13/2013

Angels

• Co-Chief-Lady-in-Waiting, Robert and Therese, 1997-2003

Corvus

• Druid of Corvus Warband, 10/2010 to 10/2012

Classes Taught

• How to Run a Boffer Tourney, Collegium Caidis Spring 2001
• Make and Take Groin Protection for Boffer Fighting, Collegium Caidis Spring 2001
• Leather Boffer Armor, Collegium Caidis Fall 2001
• Viking Shield, Collegium Caidis Fall 2001
• Boffer Armor, Collegium Caidis Spring 2002
• Youth Boffer Roundtable, Collegium Caidis Spring 2002
• Boffer Marshalling, Collegium Caidis Fall 2002
• Candle Lantern, Collegium Caidis Fall 2002
• Lists and Marshalling for Boffer Field, Collegium Caidis Spring 2003, Collegium Caidis Fall 2003, Collegium Caidis Spring 2004
• Caidan Cross Embroidery, Collegium Caidis Spring 2003
• Drop Spindle, making your own Yarn, Collegium Caidis Spring 2003
• Boffer Fighter Practice, Collegium Caidis Spring 2004
• Warping an Inkle Loom, Collegium Caidis Fall 2004
• Caidan Cross Stitch, Collegium Caidis Fall 2004
• Fiber Workshop - Spin In, Collegium Caidis Spring 2005
• Warp an Inkle Loom for Teens, Collegium Caidis Spring 2005
• Sew a Bead Decorated Pouch - Sewing Chatelaine, Collegium Caidis Fall 2005
• Spin In, Collegium Caidis Fall 2005, Collegium Caidis Spring 2006
• Viking Whipcord Braid, Collegium Caidis Fall 2006
• Fiber Spin-in Workshop, Collegium Caidis Fall 2006
• Warp an Inkle Loom, Collegium Caidis Spring 2007
• Fiber Spin-in Workshop, Collegium Caidis Spring 2007
• Beginning Felting, Collegium Caidis Fall 2008
• Beginning Spinning, Collegium Caidis 2009
• Card Weaving Rams Horn Pattern, Collegium Caidis 2009
• Serving on Court & Guard, Collegium Caidis 2010
• Card Weaving 101 & Open Workshop, Collegium Caidis 2010 taught with Aldgytha of Ashwood, & Meliora Deverel
• Advanced Spinning, Collegium Caidis 2011
• Advanced Cardweaving, Collegium Caidis 2013
• Basic Tablet Weaving, Hallstatt 3/1 Twill Tablet Weaving, Ram’s Horn pattern Tablet Weaving, Talon Crescent 2014
• Weaving Roundtable and Meet & Greet, Talon Crescent War 2015
• Basic Card/Tablet Weaving, Talon Crescent War 2015, Great Western War 2015
• Tablet/Card Weaving-Simple Viking Osberg Pattern, Great Western War 2015
• Viking Whipcord Braid, Talon Crescent War 2016
• Card Weaving Oseberg Narrow Band, Talon Crescent War 2016
• Weaving Workshop, Starkhafn Anniversary 2016
• Drop Spinning and Spinning on a Spinning Wheel, Potrero War 2016
• Tablet Weaving Meet & Greet, Potrero War 2016
• Tablet Weaving Words and Pictures, Potrero War 2016

Competitions

• Altavia Arts & Sciences Champion, Stained Glass of Baronial devices, 5/10/2008
• Angels Arts & Sciences Champion, 9/12/2008
• Altavia Arts & Sciences Champion, A Vanguard of Ponies - Tablet Woven Vanguard of Honor armband, 5/7/2011
• Altavia Bardic Champion, "Odin Baby", 12/10/2011
• Altavia Arts & Sciences Champion, Weaving Camelot - Tablet Woven Belt, 5/12/2012

Caidian Arts and Sciences and Pentathlon 2009

• Entered 5 items, received 2 first places and 2 second places
• 2nd Place Apprentice, Brewing: Medicinal
• 2nd Place Journeyman, Spinning
• 1st Place Apprentice, Tools: Fiber Arts Tools
• 1st Place Apprentice, Glasswork: Leaded or Stained

Caidian Arts and Sciences and Pentathlon 2011

• 2nd Place Journeyman, Fiber Arts: Weaving: Tablet or Card Weaving
• 1st Place Artisan, Fiber Arts: Spinning (entered as Journeyman, bumped up to Artisan)

GWW XIV -- Brewers' Guild of Caid Multi-Kingdom Brewing Contest 2011

• 1st Place Varietal, "Peachy Peach Brandy"

Caidian Arts and Sciences and Pentathlon 2013

• 2nd Place Journeyman, Brewing: Medicinal
• 1st Place Journeyman, Weaving

GWW XVI -- Brewers' Guild of Caid Multi-Kingdom Brewing Contest 2013

• 1st place Varietal, "Apricot Peach Plum Blueberry Jam (made from the leavings of her cordial below)"
• 3rd Place Varietal, "Apricot Peach Plum Blueberry Cordial"

Pentathlon 2015

• Weaving: Tablet/Card: 2nd place Journeyman
• Brewing: Varietals: 1st place Journeyman

Artwork Gallery

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  Spinning on her 150 year old Great Walking Wheel at school and museum demos.

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  Stained Glass of Baronial devices, Bridget's winning entry in 2008 Altavia Arts & Sciences Champion contest and 2008 Pentathlon (Apprentice). Photo by Bridget, 5/10/2008

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  Showing that spinning and plying S (counter-clockwise) and Z (clockwise) direction causes the band woven from these yarns to slant due to the twist. 2009

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  The Blue Bonnet Baby (Original) was buried with her family in a grave along the Silk Road over 3,000 years ago.

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  The Blue Bonnet Baby (Recreation) Bridget recreated the burial clothing of this 3 month old baby girl: her bonnet, swaddling blanket, receiving blanket and felted cording that matched those her father was wrapped in. 2010

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  Bridget loves to teach! Here she teaches a young lady how to spin with a drops spindle. 2010

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  Participated in Sheep to Shawl group project at Great Western War 2010.

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  A Vanguard of Ponies - Tablet Woven Vanguard of Honor armband, Bridget's winning entry in 2011 Altavia Arts & Sciences Champion contest. Photo by Bridget, 5/7/2011

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  Weaving Camelot - Tablet Woven Belt, Bridget's winning entry in 2012 Altavia Arts & Sciences Champion contest. Photo by Bridget, 5/12/2012

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  Natural Dyeing of handspun yarns with Cochineal (red/pink), Dodder (gold/yellow) and Indogo (blue) with overdyeing to create orange and green. 2013

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  Recreating the 10th century Viking Mammen band woven in 3/1 twill of wool green and red and white linen thread. 2013

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  Recreating the 10th century Viking Mammen band woven in 3/1 twill of wool green and red and white linen thread. 2013

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  Double-faced woven Knight’s chain belt. 2015

Associates

• Member of Griffin Freehold
• Druid of Corvus Warband

More Information

• bridget at blazingsword dot com (use this address to find me on MySpace and Facebook)
• http://www.blazingsword.com
• A Unicorn Fiber Arts artist, making hand-molded beeswax buds, selling Queen Carol's Guide, and alpaca.

Photos

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  Bridget as Lady Caid. Photo by Drach, 02/22/2014

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  Agrippa and Bridget as Al Caid and Lady Caid. Photo by Kara, 02/22/2014

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  Agrippa and Bridget as Al Caid and Lady Caid. Photo by Drach, 02/22/2014

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  Agrippa and Bridget, King and Queen of Caid

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  Bridget as Baroness of Altavia

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  Bridget and Laertes as Baroness and Baron of Altavia