Marguerite Honoree d'Cheneau
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 Marguerite d'Cheneau in a self-sewn Venetian Gown at Atlantian 12th Night, 2018 | ||||||
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 Gules, on a chevron between two spearheads and issuant from base a phoenix argent flammant proper a crescent gules. |
Website
For the most complete information on this gentle, please visit her website: https://atelier.herokuapp.com
Introduction
Marguerite Honoree d'Cheneau (she/her) first began playing in the SCA in 2017, though her exposure to Renaissance garments really began in 2011 when she was employed as a performer at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Her initial focus was in deepening her understanding of the Henrican Tudor garments worn at the Festival, but as she spent more time in the SCA that scope broadened to accommodate Renaissance Italian clothing. She has also been known to don Roman togs on occasion, especially during the heat of the summer and at Pennsic.
Since joining, she found a calling in Service to her local Barony. She became Deputy Webminister of Storvik shortly after joining the Society, and in 2018 was named Seneschal of Storvik, a position she holds to this day.
She has attended 3 Pennsics so far, in 2018 and 2019, camping with Southwind as part of the contingent from the Barony of Storvik and then with the shared Ponte Alto-Storvik encampment.
Along with Celric d'Ravelle, she is an organizer of the Barony of Storvik's yearly demonstration and booth at AwesomeCon in Washington, DC.
Persona
Between Service and Sewing, Marguerite has not yet developed her persona though she generally shifts between Italian Renaissance (with a focus on Venetian styles), Henrican Tudor, and Roman (because the summer is too warm for clothing made for a mini ice age). Expect more details to follow!
Heraldry
Crest: Gules, on a chevron between two spearheads and issuant from base a phoenix argent flammant proper a crescent gules.
Mark: Per fess lozengy Or and gules and Or, a point pointed gules.
Relationships & Household Affiliations
Associates
- Student of Magistra Beatriz Aluares de la Oya
Guilds and Groups
Offices & Positions
Current
- Seneschal of the Barony of Storvik (2018 - present)
- Aetherial Champion of Storvik (2021 - present)
Previous
- Digital Court Liaison for Their Majesties Eckehard and Jane (2021 - 2022)
- Deputy Webminister for Virtual Courts (2021)
- Deputy Webminister for the Barony of Storvik (2017-2018)
Projects & Publications
Garments & Garb
A selection of projects... only a selection.
Captain Marvel X Italian Renaissance Ensemble
In Progress
An ensemble inspired by portraits of Italian women in 'doublet gowns' during the mid-late 1500's. These garments will use traditional drafting techniques and proportions, but with a mundane twist of seamwork and other detail and decoration based on the costumes from Captain Marvel's costume. These garments will be an exploration of the historical style as well as something which can be worn at conventions and other similar events.
A hand-sewn and mostly period-accurate mockup of the overgown was displayed at Highland Havoc 2022 and Kingdom Arts and Sciences 2023.
Black Henrican Tudor Ensemble a la Anne Boleyn
A black and red silk gown, kirtle, and sleeves with accompanying French Hood, emulating the portrait of Anne Boleyn held by the National Portrait Gallery.
First worn at Lochmere's 2023 event, King Henry's Holiday Huzzah. Displayed at Kingdom Arts & Sciences Festival 2023.
Pale Blue Henrican Tudor Court Gown
Part of the Calontir Clothing Challenge.
An ensemble based on portraits from 1530's England, borrowing the portraits' structure and drawing on data from wills and the sewer/wearer's preferences for colors. Ensemble will consists of a smock, silk petticoat, silk kirtle, silk gown, and accessories.
First worn at the Coronation of Cuan and Adelheit, 2022.
Red Silk Venetian Gown
An ensemble based on portraits from ~1570's Venice, drawing on portraits by Francesco Montemezzano, Paolo Xaliari, and Ludovico Pozzoserrato. Consisted of a shift, a structured under-dress in deep blue silk, and a gown in red silk with a white placket to conceal the under-dress and provide the many tiny pleats seen beneath the lacing. The gown has yellow-gold trim on the bodice. All seams except the long seams in the skirts were sewn by hand, and all seams were hand-finished.
Ensemble debuted at Atlantian 12th Night 2018, where it was the winner of the Guild of St. Anne's yearly garb competition.
Ensemble was displayed at AwesomeCon 2019, 2021, & 202, Storvik Novice Tournament 2019, and Kingdom Arts & Sciences 2023.
Bookbinding
Marguerite is just beginning her exploration of bookbinding and has two projects under her belt so far, both gothic bound books. She intends to continue this exploration, with a long-term goal of reproducing some Shakespearean quartos and eventually a Shakespearean First Folio, as well as collaborating with other artists to produce illuminated and bound texts.
Scrolls & Illumination
Shield of Storvik for Sonya Flicker, called Patches (2023)
Awarded by the Theigns of Storvik to Sonya Flicker at the Coronation of Afshin and Yasmin in Spring 2023, in recognition of her long work for the Barony especially in Social Media, Dance, Archery, and as Chatelaine.
Classes Taught
Tailoring a Supportive Kirtle for 1500's Europe
An approach to how to think about and write documentation when you are ready to move beyond EZ Documentation. Taught: Roxbury Milled 2023, University of Atlantia Winter Session 2024
Documentation: An Audience-based Approach
An overview of tailoring techniques that might be used to construct a women's kirtle appropriate for multiple regions of 16th Century Europe. Taught: Pennsic War 50, 2023, University of Atlantia Winter Session 2024
Speak the Speech
A dive into how to break down and analyze Shakespearean text for performance, with focuses on Scansion, Rhetoric, and Phrasing. Taught: Pennsic War 50, 2023; University of Atlantia Winter Session 2021
Trippingly on the Tongue
Modern theatrical vocal techniques for the Creative Anachronist... because sometimes we all struggle to be heard in a crowd. Taught: Pennsic War 50, 2023; University of Atlantia Winter Session 2021
Courting Technology to Improve the SCA Experience
Technical discussion of how we ran the tech portion of transmitting virtual Court events during the COVID in-person shutdown. Taught: University of Atlantia Winter Session 2021; Caid Virtual Tech Symposium Spring 2021
Supportive Kirtles without Stiffeners
A pad-stitching method for building supportive garments with just wool, linen canvas, and thread. Creates a robust yet soft support, very comfortable for everyday wear. Taught: in Storvik in 2019
Awards & Achievements
- Companion of the Pearl, 2023
- Baron's Award of Excellence (Storvik), 2023
- Companion of the Owl (Storvik), 2023
- Augmentation of Arms, 2022
- Companion of the Golden Dolphin, 2022
- King's Award of Excellence, 2022
- Award of the Undine, 2022
- Award of the Fountain, 2021
- Augmentation of Arms: a Narwhal Haurient, 2021
- Baron's Award of Excellence (Storvik), 2020
- Companion of the Coral Branch, 2019
- Companion of the Opal, 2018
- Companion of the Lozulet (Storvik), 2018
Mundanely
Marguerite is a software engineer (Ruby/Rails primarily with some React thrown in for fun), and professional actress with a focus on classical and Shakespearean work. She also spent time as a video & design specialist for a Committee in the US House of Representatives. She lives in the District of Columbia with her amazing goddess of a pup, Athena.