Who is this Bjartmárr?

(SCA Persona) – A Jute, born in the great and fine lands of Jótland, I was raised to be a metalsmith but learned to wage battle to protect my home lands. As life went on I saw a need to go forth and engage those that would someday try to take our lands. Now I live by my sword and get paid in plunder. It is a fitting life.. May the gods look down on me with favor.

Hearing news of an army from the south advancing north, I and fellow kinsmen took to the ships. We sailed south and west along the coast and up the Elbe. We joined with the armies to push back the advancing Romans. For many years I fought as a mercenary against Rome. With plenty of gold, weapons and armor taken from my enemies I took back to the ship. Sailing from Gaul I made my way north to the island of Britannia. One day I may find myself in my homelands but for now life is good. I have even married a fine celtic woman of Anglesey. Now I fight by her side and with members of Anglesey.

I work as a smith and armorer, a woodworker and metal caster. This is what occupies my time and keeps my family well fed and clothed.

I started doing the SCA thing in 2000 with Pennsic being my first event. I wanted to do an early period persona and received a lot of flack from my local group in Atlantia at the time. So, I decided to take my toys and play elsewhere. I have played with a couple early period groups and finally found myself with the Free Company of Anglesey. I feel I finally found my place within a group. At Pennsic 42 I was elected Warlord of Anglesey. I was not really sure how to feel about it since it has in the past been a training test for Swordbrothers and mostly a figure head position. But, I decided to run with it and make it work for me.

As for my place in the SCA, that is a whole other story. I avoided the SCA regulars. I only went to events where there was melee fighting and not much else. About 2009 I decided to get my device and a badge registered. I tried for years to get help from the local heralds and was met with very little support. Then I found out a friend (Lady Sabine Berard), I met outside the SCA, was a herald and I asked her for some guidance. At the time she was not warranted and could not sign off and submit my paperwork. I tried for another 8 months to get a warranted herald to sign off on the paperwork and get it submitted. Finally I ended up going to Heralds Point at Pennsic 41 to get my stuff submitted.

Finally that was done. The passing of my badge overturned precedent. Which was interesting. So, now I have an official name and device in the SCA. I believe it was March 2013 that it was finally passed.

Up until this point I had kept a low profile so I managed to never receive any awards because that is there thing and I am doing my thing. My early period Germanic persona has gone from generic to me trying to get to a fully period fourth century CE, Juthungi from the area of Jotland. It has not been easy since the documentation is limited and the fact that clothing styles for the area did not change much for hundreds of years. People in the SCA generally refer to me as a Viking. I do not care except the Viking age started 300 years later and Viking is a profession and not a nationality of people. So, I am doing my thing and working on my kit all for my own satisfaction. 

Then at Highland River Melees in June 2013, I was shocked when I was called into court of Their Royal Atlantian Majesties, Amos and Ysabella, where I received my Award of Arms. No one really knew if I would be at HRM that year and there was some talk between Llyr of Anglesey and His Majesty Amos about something a member of Anglesey had done. Llyr knowing the details pointed me out to his Majesty at which point Amos asked "why do I not know this person". At least that was how it was told to me. Then his Majesty had someone do some information gathering and by the time court rolled around that evening it was decided that I was getting my first award in the SCA. Now I feel obligated to live up to the award. 

It is listed in the Order of Precedence as  Bjartmarr Hornabrjotr Juzki, AKA Andreadan, Ondraedan Eldjorson. Ondraedan Eldjorson being the name I use on my Facebook page.