Nicol mac Donnachaidh has hailed from many corners of the Province of Malagentia, and is a far traveled scribe, bard, and general rabble rouser in the truest tradition of the East Kingdom. Long squired to Syr Matthew des Arden, he is a proud member of the House of the Crucible, of the Duchy von Drakenklaue. While his sword and his helm have long been hung up for the silly reason of "being too old for this shit", he still proudly takes pen to paper, extolling the deeds of the East Kingdom populace when they have been recognized by Their Majesties.
He has been a writer of classical forms for as long as he can remember, and takes great pride in his ability to emulate poems and songs from a variety of periods and cultures. A lover of a well placed joke, he considers the stories he tells about his friends to be the sparkling jewels of his repertoire, and has written several stories of prowess and "prowess" about his beloved housemates. Rumors abound that he has been known to tell many big fish stories about the number of combatants he has slain on the field of Pennsic.
In the SCA, as in his modern life, he loves teaching. He has taught classes on music, poetry, the art of wordcraft, the craft of wordart, and everything in between. He has presented original works at bardic circles throughout the kingdom, and failed to deliver on promises to not make Mistress Camille cry for several years now. Awarded his Silver Tyger from Kennric and Avelina, and his Silver Brooch from Ivan and Natavia, he brings his ferocity for life to everything that he does, and would love to write his next song for, or about, you!
The Rise of the Castrati in EarlyOpera
An examination into the way Castratti were employed throughout the Renaissance period, including the history of the practice and the social attitudes surrounding it
Walkthrough of a Late Period Grant
Here is a walk through of the research, deconstruction, and assembly processes that I went through when creating a Court Barony based on Late Period documents sourced from the English Chancery
I also worked with this scroll on my 2022 A&S Championships entry!
Walkthrough of a Poetry based scroll text
Here is a walk through of how to create a scroll text based on a period poetical form that is tailored to the persona
A model for modifying a period text into the scroll text format.
A model for marrying music-derived text and the scroll text format
A model for using the Laxdæla Saga as a source for scroll texts.
A model building a scroll text from Byzantine Ceremonial sources
Here is a sampling of some of the classes that I have taught througout the kingdom. When they are still available, handouts and class notes are available for download. Any of these classes are available to be presented in person or virtually by request.
Scroll Texts in the Time of Pandemic
How have texts pivoted to reflect current procedure? "Is is seldom possible to say of the medievals that they *always* did one thing and never another; they were marvelously inconsistent." Thomas Cahill
Language Analysis and Modification
This may be the driest title for a slide deck ever. But, in this presentation and the accompanying 1 hour long class, I can show you the technique of taking period texts, finding the useful pieces, and reconstructing them into a scroll for an award. And don't let the fact that the exemplar in this class is in a different language!
How to create the shortest scroll text possible
It can be said that all my classes were born from a challenge presented before me, and this is no exception. In looking at the scroll text requirements, while given an exceptionally tight window, I started thinking about how long a text has to be to hit all the bullet points. Analysis ensues!
All my class documentation is available here, even if those classes are not currently in rotation
At the end of the day, I have always styled myself as a performer. That comes from my long history as a musician before I joined the SCA, and my love of specifically the spoken word of poetry, stories, and theater. Here are some original bardic works that I have created and performed
The Crowning of the Winter Witch
What folly, what hubris, do we who seek the warmth of the sun employ when the snows of winter begin to fall. But, be careful what you wish for, the gods in their humor may just grant it after all.
The Ballad of Peter the Red
An erstwhile squire takes the field, and runs a foul of his dread bow!
The Day when Gregor Broke his Guitar
The best stories have a hint of truth to them. This one is no exception
There are plenty more where that came from too! Join me around a fire, keep your mug filled, and maybe I will introduce you to my friend Henry, tell you the story of The Red Veil, or tell you about the feared Admiral of the Armies!
Awards of Precedence
Award of Arms, Great Northeast War XXIX, Malagentia. July 11, 2014
Order of the Silver Tyger, Coronation of Kennric III and Avelina III, Quintavia. April 9, 2016
Order of the Silver Brooch, East Kindgom Twelfth Night, Endewearde. January 6, 2018
Other Honors
Most Chivalrous, Tourney on a Summer's Day, Hadchester, June 7, 2014
Runner-up, Golden Sword Tournament, The Palio of the Barony of Stonemarche, June 15, 2014
Champion, Newcomers Tournament, Panteria XX, Panther Vale May 23, 2015
Squired to Syr Matthew des Arden, Great Northeast War XXIX, Malagentia, July 10, 2015.
Queen's Guard to Avelina III, Coronation of Kennric III and Avelina III, Quintavia, April 9, 2016.
Inducted to the Order of the Buccelari (VDK Haus Order), Pennsic XLV.
Queen's Guard to Honig, Coronation of Ioannes and Honig, Dragonship Haven, April 1, 2017.
Bardic Champion of Malagentia, Autumn's Inspirations, October 20, 2018.
Recipient of The Flame, for service to the Barony of Bhakail, July 2019.
Queen's Guard to Fortune, Coronation of Ozurr and Fortune, April 2019.