Esa inghean Donnchaidh

LadyEsa

Arms

Introduction

Esa currently resides within the Barony of Caer Mear in the Kingdom of Atlantia. Esa specializes in women's studies, and is a researcher of women’s health from the ancient world to the middle ages with special emphasis on menstruation and sexual health. She is currently serving in the roles of Society Minister of Arts and Sciences Women's Studies Deputy, and was recently the Atlantian Persona Development Challenge Coordinator for the reign of Cuan IX and Adelhait III.

• Esa uses she/her/they/them pronouns.
• Esa's chosen Peerage title is Ollamh, pronounced like "olive"
• Esa uses a rescue inhaler, which she carries with her. She also has many food restrictions, so it is recommended that you do not attempt to feed the Esa.
• In case of court, Lord Rudiger knows her schedule and where to find her.

Helpful Links

Esa's SCAdian Blog

Esa on the OP

Persona

Esa is often found impersonating a broch-dwelling-peplos-wearing enemy of Rome, a brightly decorated Pict, or sometimes, a Romano-British lady about Londinium. Her primary persona is a late Iron Age Orcadian woman (ie, the Northern Scottish islands of Orkney from the turn of the common era through approx 600 CE). As such, she is rightly obsessed with Brochs, chambered cairns, seafaring and seafood, Shetland wool, and puffins. Esa is alternatively known as Venus of Atlantia. The persona of Venus is Roman; inspired by Aphrodite, the ocean, sapphic love, and living deliciously.

Heraldry

Azure, in pale a salmon and a loaf of bread, a bordure embattled argent.

Her heraldry is inspired by the persecution of women as witches in the middle ages; specifically, the food magic that was infamous for rendering men either helplessly in love or impotent. Your mileage may vary. “The desperate mistress was condemned for using magic to incite love. Successes were claimed to have been accomplished by her serving a man bread she had kneaded with her buttocks or a fish she had previously inserted into her vagina.” (From the Buchard of Worms)

Offices and Warrants

Current

• Women's Studies Deputy to the Society Minister of Arts and Sciences (June 2020 - Present)

Past

• Atlantian Persona Development Challenge Coordinator (Nov 2021 - Oct 2022/ for the reign of Cuán and Adelhait of Atlantia)
• Deputy Chancellor and Dean of Academics, Atlantian University (January 2020 – July 2021)
• Minster of Arts and Sciences, Barony of Stierbach (November 2018 – January 2020)
• Minister of Arts and Sciences, Atlantian Courtesans Guild (September 2018 – January 2020)
• Deputy Minister of Arts and Sciences, Barony of Stierbach (June 2017-November 2018)
• Canton of Abhainn Iarthair’s Thrown Weapons Marshal (Jan 2015-Dec 2016, Canton of Abhainn Iarthair)
• Chancellor of the Exchequer for the Canton of Abhainn Iarthair (February 2014-Dec. 2016/ Abhainn Iarthair, Stierbach, Atlantia)
• Thrown Weapons Marshal (September 2014-2016/Stierbach, Atlantia)
• Archery Marshal (November 2013-2016/ Stierbach, Atlantia)

A&S

• Tempore Atlantia (pre-1000 CE) Entry: “Something From Nothing: Developing the Persona of an Orcadian Woman within the Complex Atlantic Roundhouse Tradition of the Late British Iron Age” (May 2022; Spring Crown Tournament)
• Knowne World Arts & Sciences Entry: “Having a Period in Period: An Experimental Archaeological Approach to Medieval Menstruation Management” (July-August 2021; Virtual Pennsic)
• Ask Me Anything: Having a Period in Period (Q&A/ discussion forum on the history of menstruation management, self hosted virtual event, 25 July 2021)
• Special Guest and featured Medieval Menstruation Expert on the Lengberg Livestream "500 Year Old Panties? The Truth Revealed About the Lengberg Underpants" with Lengberg Research Team Rachel Case and Marion McNealy (YouTube, 11 June 2021)
• Italian Underwear A&S Competition Winner (three way tie!) for a recreated sixteenth century Camicia, Highland River Melees (10 May 2021)
• Where's the Midwife: An Interview for Virtual Atlantia (June 2020)
• Arts and Sciences Pennsic Champion, Kingdom of Atlantia, Pennsic 48 (August 2019)
• Open Display, Kingdom Arts and Sciences Festival, Kingdom of Atlantia (2 March 2019)
• Instructor's Deputy for Life Drawing, class taught at Courtesan College by Rudiger der Burgenfaust, Pennsic 47, 2018
• Displayed at Kingdom Arts and Sciences Festival (Kingdom of Atlantia, March 2018).
• Tournament of Love and Beauty’s A&S competition winner (Barony of Ponte Alto, February 2018)
• Displayed at the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Festival (Open Display, 5 March 2016, KASF, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Herbalism and Traditional Medicine Demo at the Wakefield School Demo including visual and tactile aids (herbs and grains, infused oils, etc.), period manuscript reproductions about traditional medicine, and facilitated discussion with Q&A about medieval medicine and “women’s work” in sustaining proper health of one’s family and household through herbal concoctions.   (May 19, 2015 Barony of Stierbach)
• Displayed, 28 March 2015, Defending the Gate, Canton of Sudentoore, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Authored article for the Stierbach Baronial Newsletter, The Bull: The Anglo-Saxon Nine Herbs Charm (Jan 2015/Barony of Stierbach)
• Authored article for the Stierbach Baronial Newsletter, The Bull: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure: Herbs for Cold and Flu Season (Dec 2014/Barony of Stierbach)

Classes Taught

• The Dead in Iron Age Northern Scotland (University of Atlantia, February 2023)
• Early Period Celt Capsule Wardrobe for Beginners at University of Atlantia, (June 2022)
• A Guided Tour of Iron Age Orkney (University of Atlantia, Feb 2022)
• Boundaries and Self Care for Volunteers (University of Atlantia, Feb 2022)
• Anatomy and Physiology of Medieval Gynecology E X P A N D E D E D I T I O N (University of Atlantia, Feb 2022)
• Anatomy and Physiology of Medieval Gynecology (Royal University of Trimaris, 10 July 2021)
• Anatomy and Physiology of Medieval Gynecology (Knowne World Sciences Symposium, 12 June 2021)
• A&S Video Documentation: Class and Panel Discussion (University of Atlantia, 12 June 2021)
• Lust and Lechery: Sex Taboos from a Medieval Physician's Perspective (University of Ithra, Kingdom of An Tir, 23 May 2021)
• Lust and Lechery: Sex Taboos from a Medieval Physician's Perspective (Highland River Melees, Kingdom of Atlantia, 8 May 2021)
• Iron Age Orkney: Creating a Regional Specific Celtic Persona (Atlantian University, #105, 12 September 2020, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Herbs for Gynecology and Obstetrics (Atlantian University, #103, 1 February 2020, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Abortion in Medieval Europe (Atlantian University, #101, 15 June 2019, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• But to Foule Lust and Likynge of Lecherye: Menstruation, Family Planning, and Women’s Bodily Autonomy (Atlantian University, #100, 2 February 2019, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Gynecology and Obstetrics in Medieval Europe (Atlantian University, #98, 3 February 2018, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Herbs of Northern Africa (Pennsic University, Pennsic 46 (2017), Known World)
• Be Dynamic! A Hafla Primer (Known World Dance and Music Symposium, 15-18 June 2017, Known World)
• Herbalism in Arabia (Atlantian University, #94, 16 September 2016, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Herb Preservation Methods (Atlantian University, #91, 19 September 2015, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Use What You Have! (Newcomer Track, Atlantian University, #91, 19 September 2015, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• There’s a Tea for That! Hydrosols in Traditional Herbalism (Atlantian University #90, 13 June 2015, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Magick or Medicine? Traditional Herbalism in the Middle Ages (Atlantian University #90, 13 June 2015, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Herbal Infusions for Beginners (Atlantian University #89, 7 February 2015, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Wise Woman as Witch (Peasant’s Revolt, 22-24 August 2014, Shire of Canthanar, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• A Beginner’s Guide to Growing a Medicinal Herb Garden (Peasant’s Revolt, 22-24 August 2014, Shire of Canthanar, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Herbal Infusions_ Medicinal Teas Vinegars oils (Peasant’s Revolt, 22-24 August 2014, Shire of Canthanar, Kingdom of Atlantia)

Service

Special Projects

Atlantian Persona Development Challenge Coordinator for the reign of TRMs Cuan and Adelhait (Nov 2021 - Oct 2022)

• Upon securing their position as heirs to the throne, Atlantian Royals Cuan and Adelhait approached Esa with the request to create an A&S challenge that would foster deeper persona and "kit" development for their upcoming reign. From November 2021 through October 2022, she project managed a multi-deliverable, tiered roll out of A&S challenges that would build upon each other to inspire and motivate participants to this end. As a value-add to the participants, Esa built an online (google based) platform for resource sharing, discussion, and announcements, as well as curated free virtual classes with guest teachers on persona development and documentation related topics. The Persona Challenge had a staggering 87 participants across the Knowne World.

Games Coordinator for the Coronation of TRMs Adelhait and Christophe, April 2019

• For the Shembart Carnival celebrating the Coronation of Queen Adelhait and King Christophe, Esa research and developed period inspired field games to foster greater engagement and merriment for the grand Coronation event, spanning game development, event staffing, equipment, and prizes. In an unexpected plot twist, game and set up equipment did not make it to the event, and Esa had the opportunity to stretch her improvisational skills with the generous service of fellow Atlantians. And a wonderful time was had by all.

Adult Display Coordinator, Kingdom Arts and Sciences Festival, March 2019

• The Adult Display at KASF 2019 was the culmination of a year of planning, urging, coordinating, etc. through multiple events, venues, advocates, and rejection in an effort to provide a responsible and reasonable venue for artisans to display work that is best experienced in an 18+ community. For more on this journey, check out Taboo Part I and Part II.

Founder of the Pennsic Children’s Fete Costumed Entertainers

• Esa founded the Pennsic Children's Fete costumed entertainers in 2014, serving the children of the Knowne World through photo ops, entertainment, and water bearing while our young gentles explore the Fete (and need a little entertainment and some water while waiting in long lines for activities). Esa appeared as Tinkerbelle years 2014, 2015, and 2016, serving as the costumed entertainers coordinator those three years before passing the baton to Baroness Ginevra Fiammetta di Silvestri as the new coordinator. Esa is very proud to see the costumed entertainers program still going strong at the time of this writing.

The Non Exhaustive Highlight Reel

• Social Media Liaison, War of the Wings (2023)
• Site Book Digitization Project, War of the Wings (2023)
• Period Heroes Coordinator, various events (2017-present)
• A&S Coordinator, Holiday Faire (November 2019)
• A&S Coordinator, Stierbach Baronial Birthday (September 2019)
• A&S Coordinator, Holiday Faire (November 2018)
• A&S Coordinator, Stierbach Baronial Birthday (September 2018)
• Staff, Knowne World A&S, Pennsic 47, 2018
• Sponsored the Persona Item Competition for Holiday Faire 2017 Arts and Sciences (Stierbach, Atlantia)
• Staff, Knowne World A&S, Pennsic 46, 2017
• Sponsored the Landsknecht Competition for Stierbach Baronial Birthday and Investiture Arts and Sciences (Stierbach, Atlantia)
• Administrator of the SCA Baltic Facebook group (2016-present)
• Staff, Known World A&S (Known World, Pennsic 45, 2016)
• Marshall and Hospitality Table, St. Sebastian’s Shoot, Pennsic 45 (Pennsic 45, 2016)
• Thrown Weapons Marshal-in-Charge for Holiday Faire (21 Nov 2015, Barony of Stierbach)
• Youth Archery Marshal for War of the Wings (Atlantia, October 2015)
• Line Marshal, Thrown Range, Pennsic 44 (July – August 2015, Pennsic 44/ Known World)
• Marshall and Hospitality Table, St. Sebastian’s Shoot, Pennsic 44 (July 2015, Pennsic 44/Atlantia).
• Stierbach Baronial Birthday Target Archery Marshal-in-Charge (June 2015, Stierbach Baronial Birthday, Barony of Stierbach)
• Organized, store, and grow the Canton of Abhainn Iarthair’s Gold Key (March 2015-2019)
• Defending the Gate Thrown Weapons Marshal-in-Charge (28 March 2015, Defending the Gate, Canton of Sudentorre)
• Canton of Abhainn Iarthair Thrown Weapon’s Marshal (February 2015-2016)
• Stierbach Baronial Thrown Weapons Champion (June 2015-2016)
• Autocrat, Holiday Faire X (co-Autocrat with Gunnora Grimm) (Event date: Nov 22, 2014/Stierbach, Atlantia).
• Marshal, Estogren and Axes Tournament, Pennsic 43 (July 2014, Pennsic 43/ Known World)
• Hosted “Dinner & Dance,” an afternoon of courtly dance instruction followed by a dinner and social gathering for the Barony of Stierbach and Canton of Abhainn Iarthair (June 1, 2014/Stierbach, Atlantia).
• Host Canton of Abhainn Iarthair Officer’s Meetings (April 2014-2015/ Abhainn Iarthair, Stierbach, Atlantia).
• Marshall and Hospitality Table, St. Sebastian’s Shoot, Pennsic 43  (July 2014, Pennsic 43/Atlantia)
• Canton Youth Archery Point of Contact (January 2014-present/SAbhainn Iarthair, teirbach, Atlantia)
• Marshall, St. Sebastian Shoot, Pennsic 42 (Pennsic 42, 2013/Atlantia).
• Marshall, Chalice of the Sun God (October 2013/Ponte Alto, Atlantia)
• Contributor, Atlantian Disability Education group: volunteering consultations regarding accessibility at events (mundane professional with this area of expertise). (2013-2014, Kingdom of Atlantia)
• Archery Targets, Gold Key, and Water Bearer, Stierbach’s Baronial Birthday (June 22, 2013/ Stierbach, Atlantia)
• Hosted “Twelfth Night Primer and Dinner,” a day of courtly dance instruction followed by a dinner and social gathering for the Barony of Stierbach and Canton of Abhainn Iarthair (November 3, 2013/Stierbach, Atlantia)
• Hosted weekly courtly dance practice (2013/ Stierbach, Atlantia)
• Hosted an in-home series of garb classes on Italian Ren style (January-February 2013/Stierbach & Sylvan Glen, Atlantia)
• Gold Key, Holiday Faire VIII (Nov 16-17, 2012/ Stierbach, Atlantia)
• Archery target painting/ construction for Chalice of the Sun God (October 2012/ Ponte Alto, Atlantia) Fun Fact! This was my first event!!