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 and 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, after that they served as Vicar and Vicaress of Altavia. They retired in 2009, whereupon she became the Chatelaine of Altavia, a role she held until she became Princess in 2014.

She now calls the Barony of Gyldenholt home, where she currently serves as Arts & Sciences Officer.

She and Sir Mikhail of the Kuma are currently Co-Chamberlains for the Royal Court of Valrik and Drada.

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. She now calls the Barony of Gyldenholt home, where she currently serves as Arts & Sciences Officer.

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

First Reign, Her Queen's Champions:

AC: Valgard Stonecleaver & Sven Örfhendur
TAH: Roberto Orsini
EQ: Guene Annwyll (on Octavius)
R: Nathaniel Longbow
TAC: none
UC: Avenel Kellough
TW: Nikolaos Phaistios
A&S: none
YC (6 & under): Preston of House Valentine
YC (7-9): Nicholai Stagghorn
YC (10-13): Rhys
YA: none

Second Reign Her Queen's Champions:

AC: Sven Örfhendur
TAH: Miguel de Granada
EQ: Guene Annwyll & Courtney of the White Meadow (Both on Angel)
R: Laertes McBride
TAC: none
UC: Lot Ramirez
TW: Eiríkr inn hárgrái
A&S: none
YC (6 & under): Inara Kyri of Darach
YC (7-9): Xena
YC (10-12): Andrew the Drake
YC (13-15): Serefina de Zati
YA: none
YTW: none

Kingdom Regalia Officer, 1/11/2014-01/07-2017-01-07
Co-Chamberlain for TRMs Valrik and Drada, 10/2021-07/2022

Gyldenholt

Arts & Sciences officer, 2018 to 2023

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
Tablet Weaving for Beginners / Basic Tablet Weaving Tablet Weaving - Oseberg Diamond Pattern Collegium 2016
Basic Card/Tablet Weaving Spinning for the Yarn You Want Collegium 2018

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
Starkhafn Brewing Champion (titled Flame Brewer), Starkhafn Anniversary - Tasty Beverage, 04/23/2022

Caidan 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

Caidan 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"

Caidan 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

Spinning on her 150 year old Great Walking Wheel at school and museum demos.
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
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
The Blue Bonnet Baby (Original) was buried with her family in a grave along the Silk Road over 3,000 years ago.
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
Bridget loves to teach! Here she teaches a young lady how to spin with a drops spindle. 2010
Participated in Sheep to Shawl group project at Great Western War 2010.
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
Natural Dyeing of handspun yarns with Cochineal (red/pink), Dodder (gold/yellow) and Indogo (blue) with overdyeing to create orange and green. 2013
Recreating the 10th century Viking Mammen band woven in 3/1 twill of wool green and red and white linen thread. 2013
The original Hallstatt 123 band was found in an Austrian salt mine and is thousands of years old. The 3/1 twill band woven in red and yellow. 2015
Double-faced woven Knight’s chain belt. 2015

Associates

Member of Griffin Freehold
Fighting Brother of Corvus Warband

More Information

bridget at blazingsword dot com (use this address to find me on Facebook)
http://www.blazingsword.com (If it asks for a password, just hit cancel and it will let you in)
A Unicorn Fiber Arts artist, making hand-molded beeswax buds, selling Queen Carol's Guide, and alpaca.