My current premise... "Vikings are scary, but I haven't met one yet." 

So far, my persona is mostly in my head - I have a well documented name, but very little good garb or accouterments. This is my starting point, I have so much to learn.

The Book of Kells is my favorite medieval thing. I want my SCA persona to always be anchored by the book. If I "time travel" ie try out different personas as a SCAdian, or just wear other garb for themed events, I want her to be aware of the book. It was at Kells or Iona, except for a brief time when it was stolen for its cover, from its creation around 800 until 1650. 

Fíne ingen Tomaltaig is a lay person at the Abbey of Kells in County Meath Ireland, living just after the turn of the ninth century, at the time the Book of Kells is in production. Vikings are already raiding the coast, but not inland. It's thought that the book was moved from Iona to Kells to protect it after Iona was sacked. I want her to be involved in some way in the production - maybe her family helped to provide materials. 

I chose her name from the Irish Annals, the Abbess of Killdare was named Fíne around the same time as my Fíne. ingen means "daughter of" & Tomaltaig is similar to my own father's name Thomas. These components fit my small time window. I wanted an Irish name that was fairly easy to pronounce, I did not succeed - I teach people how to say it at every event. (After talking to a few Irish speakers, I'm going with: FEE-na in-gen TUM-al-tak.)

Turn of the ninth century Irish is not an easy time to recreate. Images of women in manuscripts and other art are scarce. We have the portrait of Mary in Kells - she seems to be wearing many layers and simple narrow trim. Early Christian women didn't get buried with all their stuff like Vikings. 

I'm Linda Anthony Sears. I live in Youngsville North Carolina with my husband Brian and our cat, Java.

Professionally, I'm a Project Engineer using SolidWorks, Draftsight & Creo (and sometimes a pencil, triangles and lettering guide) & SME in Windchill PLM and Smartsheet.

We participate in the SCA in the Barony of Windmasters' Hill, Kingdom of Atlantia.

The Book of Kells

Index of Names in Irish Annals by Mari Elspeth nic Bryan (Kathleen M. O'Brien)

Early Gaelic Dress by Finnacan Dub

An Irish Virgin by Mark Calderwood