Barony of Endless Hills

Failend Brecc O’Conail

TIME PERIOD: Early-mid 12th century Irish/Celt

PERSONA BIO: Born (March the 29 th , 1111) and bred in Eire, milady Failend Brecc married at 17 at the behest of her father and became an O'Conaill in 1128. Her most ”honorable” husband, heeding the call to the Crusades, made a place – and an earldom – in the Kingdom of Acre in the year of our Lord 1129 under the rule of Baldwin de Le Bourg, the Defender of the Holy Sepulcher and his daughter, Melisende.

Feeling no need to return to Ireland, he sent for his wife, and, with her humble assistance, they grew his holdings to a quite respectable size.

Failend adapted to her new home much better than many of her European contemporaries by integrating the ways of the peoples of the Holy Land with her own. Rather than passing out in the high summer temperatures because she was wearing the heavy woolen garments required of European courts, Failend clothed herself in the loose fitting styles of the desert. Her homes were kept cool with fans and midday naps were a rule. She even served a course of ice treats when she happily entertained, which runners brought all the way from the mountaintops. So, despite what many viewed as outrageous behavior in “going native”, invitations to her home were quite sought after.

In 1132, Failend Brecc gave birth to a beautiful daughter: Cael. Cael grew as Failend's lands and wealth grew: steadily, healthily and lovingly.

When Cael was but a wee lass (sorry but it was bound to happen) of 3, her father was killed in battle. Always the optimist, Failend Brecc took the brute's death in stride and took the opportunity – and the wealth – to finally show Cael the land of her ancestors: Eire.

Come the late spring of 1135, Failend Brecc and Cael reached the shores of their beloved Eire, greeted by their clan.

By year's end, Failend and Cael were suffering from a bad case of wanderlust. Not ones to sit about living the life of ease the wealth amassed in the Holy Lands could afford them, Failend and Cael embarked on yet another adventure: merchanting.

Though female merchants were unusual, this life would allow them to satisfy their wanderlust, meet new and exciting peoples (not to mention a possible husband of her own choosing) and often presented the opportunity to purchase unusual items at incredibly low prices before anyone at home even knew of their existence! Not to mention being surrounded by those lovely caravan guards day and, well, night…

SCADIAN LIFE:   Although present at the first Barony Birthday Party, I was unable to be active within the Barony until the past year due to a job that had me traveling quite a bit and living at a distance from the Barony's ‘center' of activities.

ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS: Pyrography, illuminations, calligraphy, basic sewing, horses & equestrian, youth activities & combat. Baronial retainer for House RedWolf.

SCA AWARDS/HONORS: Order of the Zule

OFFICES: Baronial Chancelor of Youth

MUNDANE BIO: Originally born in Atlanta, GA due to my father’s work my family moved frequently allowing me to see and live in many areas of this country as well as Mexico. Pennsylvania I call home as I have lived my adult life in this state more than any other. The light of my life, Cael – my daughter of 12 years – and I moved to Scranton in 2004, which enabled us to become active in the Barony. My time is split between home schooling Cael, playing with the Barony and helping out at my daughter’s dance school as she is there a great deal of our afternoons.

NATAL DAY: March 29

CONTACT INFO: shelaar at Verizon dot net

POSTING PERMISSION: Email November 27, 2007