Isabella de Boyce is the only surviving daughter of a shop keep. The shop is in the thriving San Giovanni quarter of Florence about 2-3 blocks from del Duomo. These shops "rigattieri" were basically 2nd hand shops that sold not only somewhat used clothing much like today's consignment shops, but a variety of accessories and things to make them. A sizable chunk of profits came from carbage (the excess fabric tailors were entitled to after a commissions) that these shops purchased. As well as fine accessories made from these leftovers. So Isabella grew up with interacting with the artisans that served the wealthy, persons of the middle class developing under Cosimo Medici I government. At a younger age, Isabella was betrothed to an up and coming foreign armourer in Milan, but the engagement is still on hold as there are many up and coming actual Florentine men now. So Isabella flits about creating garments and accessories in the dynamic world of Florence on the cusp of the Renaissance, torn between the Franciscan/Catholic ideals she cherishes and the heady novelty of humanism while looking for the best possible mate to secure a better future.
“Arsis” (original name) went to her first SCA event under great protest and was not overly impressed -until she danced. Since then the SCA has served as an outlet and focus for my copious scholastic and artistic interests. I have been the perpetual A&S officer for20 odd years taking only brief breaks to take on kingdom level A&S lesser offices. Perhaps my favorite activity is teaching classes that make people realize a higher level of authenticity is easier to achieve than they previously believed. Other favorite activities include making things more authentically grand. As a 15th century Florentine, Isabella is very much about proving how advanced and wonderful being a 15th C Florentine can be. This includes society “accessories” such as subtleties at feasts, livery, and the inclusion of horses for where ever possible. For this efforts I have been recognized for Service in 2 of the 3 Kingdoms/Principalities I have been active in, and I have Kingdom/Principality level A&S awards in 2 of 3 also.
Ann is a retired military weather forecaster, a Registered Veterinary Technician, works as a Aquaculture Specialist at the Georgia Center for Aquaculture Development at Fort Valley State University and is a member of St Luke Episcopal Church in Hawkinsville. She is finishing her masters in Animal Science. She enjoys purebred dogs, English riding, water color painting, traveling, and her husband of many many years. She has also successfully proved you can be a clothes horse and accessory monger for more than one century.
