Bridget Lucia Mackenzie
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 Queen Bridget at Gyldenholt Anniversary 2014. Photo by Christine Foster, 6/28/2014 | ||||||||||
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 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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Countess 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.
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.
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, 73rd Crown of Caid Agrippa and Bridget, 06/07/2014-11/01/2014
- Companion to Sven III and Cassandra, 11/05/2011-06/02/2012
- Companion to Edward II and Mora II, 06/06/2009-11/7/2009
- 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 Edric IV and Faizah, 11/11/2006-06/02/2007
- Queen's Guard, Tomüki II and Luciana, 11/21/1998-06/12/1999
- Lady-in-Waiting to Alaric and Kissa, 06/02/2001-11/17/2001
- Lady-in-Waiting to Edric II and Battista, 11/20/1999-06/03/2000
- Queen's Guard, Francesc and Seanach, 06/12/1999-11/20/1999
- Kingdom Regalia Officer, current
- Deputy Minister of Youth Combat, 10/2010 to 2012
- Kingdom Media Liaison, 2009 to 2010
- Co-Event Steward, Pink Ribbon Tournament, 10/25/2009
- Deputy Arts & Sciences, GWW XII
- Minister of Youth Combat (aka "Bofficer"), 2001-2004
- Deputy Minister of Youth Combat under Mikhail of the Kuma, 1999-2001
Altavia
- Fourth Baroness of Altavia with Laertes McBride, 01/08/2005-05/10/2008
- Vicaress of Altavia with Laertes McBride, 10/25/2008-5/9/2009
- Chatelaine, Altavia, 2007-2013
- 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
- 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
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
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
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
Weaving Camelot - Tablet Woven Belt, Bridget's winning entry in 2012 Altavia Arts & Sciences Champion contest. Photo by Bridget, 5/12/2012
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
Bridget as Lady Caid. Photo by Drach, 02/22/2014
Agrippa and Bridget as Al Caid and Lady Caid. Photo by Kara, 02/22/2014
Agrippa and Bridget as Al Caid and Lady Caid. Photo by Drach, 02/22/2014
Agrippa and Bridget, King and Queen of Caid
Bridget as Baroness of Altavia
Bridget and Laertes as Baroness and Baron of Altavia
