Lady Ela

registered as Elenor de La Rochelle alias Ela
aka Ela de La Rochelle; Ela of Roxbury Mill
(she/her)

Shire of Roxbury Mill, Kingdom of Atlantia
Member since June 2017

About Ela

Hi, I’m an educator, musician, artist, and general sheep enthusiast with a PhD in Medieval Studies. Finding myself on an enjoyable alt-ac career path, I decided to join the SCA to keep my hand in the medieval game without the pressure of publish-or-perish.
 
Through reenactment/recreation, I can explore the material cultures from my doctoral work hands-on, which nicely complements my years of amateur interest in knitting, fiber arts, and folk dance. Because of this, I have expanded out of my doctoral niche into areas that I touched upon along the way as well as new areas. This site tracks my varied pursuits.
 
In the SCA, I’m known as Ela; outside, I’m Elysse, and I also have a blog and gallery for my non-medieval and anachronistic fiber art.
 

Periods & Regions

I focus on three areas of research:

500-1100 in England and Scotland, with a particular interest in Northumbria and its interactions with Gododdin, Rheged, and other neighbors.

1350-1425 in France, England, and Scotland, with a particular interest in literature and clothing.

1450-1600 in the Ottoman Empire. This is the area that I am currently least knowledgeable in.

In all of the areas that I study, I am particularly interested in cultural exchange and connections. The diversity of the Middle Ages–ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and otherwise–are what make it such a compelling period. ᚠᚢᚳ ᚾᚪᛏᛋᛁᛋ.

Subjects of Interest

My interests are myriad! Here is a sampling:

Fiber arts, especially the wool industry and transforming fleeces into finished items. I am interested in spinning, natural dyeing, and weaving, especially unbalanced weaves such as tapestry, inkle, and tablet. I also adore handsewing.

Music! I am learning the Germanic lyre and Ottoman music. I enjoy singing in multiple languages.

Translation, especially Old English, Middle English, and Middle French.

Literature and narrative poetry, especially Arthuriana.

Manuscripts and illumination.

Classes Taught

Ænglisc Is Wyrd: A History of the English Language
University of Atlantia — February 2020 — 19 participants

Butted Chain Mail
Shire of Roxbury Mill — December 2019 — 3 participants

Hwaet saegst thu? An Introduction to Old English 
Pennsic — August 2019 — 22 participants

Historical Knitting (lecture) 
Shire of Roxbury Mill — January 2019 — 8 participants

Handsewing Review & Flat-Felling Seams
Shire of Roxbury Mill — September 2018 — 5 participants

Research 101 & Research 102 
Shire of Roxbury Mill — August 2018 — 7 participants
Pennsic — August 2018 

Introduction to Spindle Spinning
Shire of Roxbury Mill — June 2018 — 6 participants
Shire of Roxbury Mill — July 2017

Newcomer Garb the Period(ish) Way 
Shire of Roxbury Mill — May 2018 — 4 participants

Not included: moderated and facilitated discussions and open A&S once or twice a month at Roxbury Mill weekly practices from 2018 through present. Participants varied from 4 to 16.

Arts & Sciences Competitions

Royal Bard Competition
Atlantian Twelfth Night, Barony of Black Diamond — January 2020
King’s Bard

Garb Runway Competition
Atlantian Twelfth Night, Barony of Black Diamond — January 2020
First Place as part of the Fates with Adelaide Half Pint and Kaaren Valravn

“Epona”-Inspired Competition
Battle on the Bay, Baronies of Lochmere and Storvik — September 2019

New-To-You Skills Competition
King’s Assessment, Barony of Black Diamond — June 2019

Poeta Atlantiae Competition
Ruby Joust, Barony of Caer Mear — May 2019
Received Silver Nautilus for entry

Revenge of the Stitch Competition — Roxbury Mill Team lead
Revenge of the Stitch, Shire of Spiaggia Levantina — April 2019

Pilgrim Bag Competition
Midwinters, Barony of Lochmere — January 2019
Second Place

Garb Runway Competition
Atlantian Twelfth Night — January 2019
Best Themed Garb (first solo garb competition)

Scroll Competition
Atlantian Twelfth Night — January 2019

Poetry Competition
Trial By Fire, Barony of Bright Hills — September 2018
First Place (first poetry competition)

Bardic Competition
Trial By Fire, Barony of Bright Hills — September 2018
First Place (first bardic competition)

Revenge of the Stitch Competition (Roxbury Mill Team member)
Revenge of the Stitch, Shire of Spiaggia Levantina — April 2018

Scroll Competition
Atlantian Twelfth Night — January 2018 
Best Beginner Scroll (first scribal competition; first A&S competition)

Service

Minister of Arts and Sciences
Shire of Roxbury Mill — May 2018 to Present 

A&S Coordinator, Competitions & Classes
Skewered! 2, Shire of Roxbury Mill — June 2019
Skewered!, Shire of Roxbury Mill — June 2018

Stage Manager, Middle Eastern & World Dance Expo
Pennsic — August 2018
Pennsic — August 2017

Other Arts & Sciences Participation

Osmanlı Mehter Takımı (Janissary Band) — A&S Display Coordinator and Kazan Bearer
Pennsic — August 2019

Field Trip to the Textile Museum — Coordinator
Atlantian Madrasa – Washington, D.C. — September 2018

Osmanlı Mehter Takımı (Janissary Band) — Kazan Bearer
Pennsic — August 2018

Company of the Silver Spindle — Queen’s Shawl Contributor
Presented at Pennsic — August 2018

Awards & Honors

Onbaşı (Corporal) of the Osmanlı Mehter Takımı (Janissary Band)
September 2019

Order of the Opal (AoA-level Service Award)
Battle on the Bay, Baronies of Lochmere and Storvik — September 2019

Silver Nautilus (non-armigerous award for extraordinary achievement in A&S)
Ruby Joust, Barony of Caer Mear — May 2019

Order of the Coral Branch (AoA-level A&S Award)
Pennsic — August 2018

Fountain (non-armigerous award for acts of service)
Pennsic — August 2018
Presented by Dietrich II to all Atlantian waterbearers at Pennsic

Red Tassel (representing excellence in specific areas of knowledge)
Honor from the Atlantian Madrasa — October 2017