Carol of Bellatrix
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Duchess Carol of Bellatrix, OP, was Queen of the West six times.
She is the author of Queen Carol's Guide to the Current Middle Ages.
Death
Duchess Carol of Bellatrix, passed away early in the morning on January 24, 2010 surrounded by her immediate family.
Offices and Positions
- 20th Queen of the West with Paul of Bellatrix, 1972/01/08-1972/05/06
- 22nd Queen of the West with Paul of Bellatrix, 1972/07/29-1973/01/06
- 24th Queen of the West with Paul of Bellatrix, 1973/05/05-1973/07/28
- 29th Queen of the West with Paul of Bellatrix, 1975/01/04-1975/05/03
- 33rd Queen of the West with Paul of Bellatrix, 1976/05/01-1976/07/31
- 37th Queen of the West with Paul of Bellatrix, 1977/07/30-1978/01/07
Publications
Duchess Carol is the author of Queen Carol's Guide to the Current Middle Ages a newcomers guide to the SCA.
Editions
- First published approx 1976. Definitely prior to May 1977 when it was referenced in the [Rotarian magazine]
- Updated for SCA's 20 Year Anniversary [online copy of 20 Annv Edition]
- Updated again for the SCA's 42nd Year Anniversary
Memories
Please leave your memories of Duchess Carol.
From Jenny, Daughter of Duke Douglas Longshanks and Dutchess Lorna of Leeds
As my mother's best friend for 37 years, I have known Dutchess Carol of Bellatrix since I was 2 years old when she was pregnant with Brion. She was my Godmother, family, friend and mentor. It has been an honor and blessing to have had her in my life and I will miss her dearly. My love and thoughts go to those she leaves behind: her husband Michael, her sons Brion and Stephan (& his wife Cym), her grandchildren, her sister, brother, nephew and all the many others whose lives she has touched. She was a beautiful lady through and through, whose presence made this world a better place.
From Master Thin Robert of Lawrence
By sheer coincidence, I found out about her death by checking this section the day she died. Carol of Bellatrix was a colossus in the SCA when I was at my most active. Queen Carol's Guide was the bible for people who were trying to get oriented into the SCA. By virtue of that, she might have been the most influential person of her generation in the SCA. She and her lord, Paul of Bellatrix, were effectively the arch duke and arch duchess of the West and possibly the entire society. Despite this, she was totally down to earth, never put on airs or acted as though anyone was beneath her. She was a lovely lady and a lot of fun.
When I met her again, by happenstance, about ten years ago after a long lapse, it was clear that something had happened. I never found out the nature of her illness but, no matter how bad her physical problems were, she faced them courageously and never lost her spirit. Her passing is the end of an era.
From Duchess Natalya de Foix
Duchess Carol was my first queen and set a standard for kindness and courtesy that is unparalleled in my SCA experience over the past 35 years. It was my honor to serve her as a Lady-in-Waiting and an even deeper honor to call her mentor and friend. When we talk about shining lights, she was definitely one of the most radiant. I have so many memories of her and all of them are good ones. She knew how to give advice without judgment, and how to bring much-needed reality to a situation that had gone too far into the realm of drama. When we talk about ideals of courtesy and chivalry, Duchess Carol was that and more. I am confident that her spirit will continue to watch over us and remind us, with her characteristic grace and humor, to be kind and gentle with each other.
From Lynnette de Sandoval del Valle de los Unicornios
Queen Carol's Guide was one of the first SCA publications I owned. To me she was a name out of legend. It was a great honor and pleasure to meet her at an Altavia event a few years ago, and dinner with her that evening was great fun.
Photos
Princess Lorissa du Griffin, Prince Balin of Tor, Queen Carol of Bellatrix and King Paul of Bellatrix
