Cataldo Querini

Photo
Cataldo (center) with members of the Atlantian 5 person melee team at Pennsic XLVIII.
Information
Resides: Shire of Isenfir, Kingdom of Atlantia Status: Active Awards: Order of Precedence Entry
Heraldry
Azure semy of caltrops, a bend cotised within a bordure argent.

Baron Cataldo Querini, OL, OD of Atlantia, currently resides in the Shire of Isenfir (Charlottesville, VA). He is an active fencer on both the heavy rapier and Cut and Thrust fields. He is also an artisan, focusing primarily on chasing and repoussé, blacksmithing, and armouring. Baron Cataldo generally portrays a 15th century retired Venetian condottiere during his time in the Society. His personal website can be found at The Sword and Caltrop.

SCA History

Baron Cataldo first encountered the SCA while serving in the United States Army in the Kingdom of Calontir. Initially drawn to the Society by an interest in making armour, he soon began fighting on the chivalric field. While in the Shire of Dun Ard, he served as the Knight Marshal for two years. Cataldo then moved to the Kingdom of Ansteorra at the request of his noble Uncle Samuel, his rightful Federal Lord. Upon arriving in the Kingdom of Ansteorra and attending a single fighter practice, Cataldo almost immediately sent once again on a second crusade to Mesopotamia. When he returned to Ansteorra, he began regularly attending practices in his home group, the Stronghold of Hellsgate. During his time there, he was honored to serve as the Stronghold’s Deputy Seneschal and joined Clan Macuredaig as a Squire to Sir Maelgyn Dda.

As he became more involved in the chivalric fighting community, Cataldo fought for the Barony of Bryn Gwlad in many melee engagements and was selected to serve as the Baronial War Company Commander. As one of his last great hurrahs before leaving the Kingdom of Ansteorra, Lord Cataldo fought in Crown Tourney; while he may not have won Crown Tourney, he did win the Arts & Sciences Tournament. This means that he can legitimately claim to have “fought in Crown and won the tournament that day”.

Baron Cataldo faces off against Master Caitilín Inghean Fheichín at a demo for the Virginia Renaissance Festival in 2019.

Due to injuries received from the enemies of his Federal Lord during Cataldo’s first crusade, he was forbidden from chivalric combat by several slightly surly chirurgeons. At the same time, Cataldo was also retired from the service of his Federal Lord, leaving him time to develop his skills as a scholar and practitioner of the art of the duello.

Arriving in the Kingdom of Atlantia, Cataldo began once again working on his artistic endeavors, being honored with the position of Baronial Arts & Sciences Champion of the Barony of Tir-y-Don. During his tenure as the Baronial Champion, he taught several classes on metalworking and medieval hunting. This would serve as a wonderful stepping stone in Cataldo’s artistic journey, placing him in position to later become the Arts & Sciences Champion for the Kingdom of Atlantia. As Kingdom Champion, he represented the Kingdom with his artwork at both Gulf Wars and The Great Pennsic War as well as sponsoring several competitions at various events.

Cataldo’s interests were not limited to merely artistic pursuits however, as he continued to expand his repertoire of fencing skills. Authorized in Cut and Thrust, Cataldo makes it a point to annoy each fencer he meets by asking them if (and when) they too will become Cut and Thrust authorized. He does not intend to stop doing this and has even successfully helped several fencers authorize in Cut and Thrust. As a member of The Company of the Dragoon Guards, Cataldo intends to take up arms against his Kingdom’s enemies and smite their ruin (safely) upon the field of battle. He is supported in this by Despotes Charimmos of Lakadaimonias, a fine gentleman whom Cataldo serves as Ensign and has betrayed several times. Cataldo has once again been cleared for heavy combat and took the field at both Gulf Wars and Pennsic.

Lord Cataldo prepares to strike Sir Maelgwyn Dda at a demo in the Kingdom of Ansteorra.

Offices & Positions

Position	Group	Kingdom
Minister of A&S	Shire of Isenfir	Atlantia
Rapier Warlord	Kingdom of Atlantia	Atlantia
Deputy MoAS for Sciences	Society	Inter-Kingdom
Deputy KMoAS for Historic Martial Arts	Kingdom of Atlantia	Atlantia
Kingdom Arts and Sciences Champion	Kingdom of Atlantia	Atlantia
Baronial Arts and Sciences Champion	Barony of Tir-y-Don	Atlantia
Deputy Seneschal	Stronghold of Hellsgate	Ansteorra
War Company Commander	Barony of Bryn Gwlad	Ansteorra
Queen's Champion of Arts and Sciences	Kingdom of Ansteorra	Ansteorra
Knight Marshal	Shire of Dun Ard	Calontir

Arts & Sciences Classes Taught

• SCA Metalworking 101
• SCA Beginner's Armor Repair
• Chasing and Repousse for Beginners
• Gulf Wars Chasing and Repousse Track (5 hour course)
• Blacksmithing 101/Seminar
• Medieval Hunting and Tracking
• Medieval Hunting and Game Processing (Advanced/Field Class)
• SCA Persona Development
• Cut and Thrust Longsword 101
• The Battle of Agincourt Re-imagined

Selected Arts and Sciences Projects

• 
  A coronet made for the Kingdom of Atlantia for largesse.
• 
  Pennsic XLVII A&S Champion's Entry.
• 
  Detail of the reliquary box.
• 
  Coronet of His Excellency Detleff von Marburg, Kingdom of Ansteorra.
• 
  First 14th Century breastplate made by Lord Cataldo.
• 
  A hammer and chisel engraved Sable Talon medallion.
• 
  A 15th century steel bevor.
• 
  Detail of a chased jeweler in copper.
• 
  Selection of Ansteorran award medallions.
• 
  First helmet made by Lord Cataldo.
• 
  Detail of a chased bestiary plate in nickel silver.