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 Allert Pierson at Quad War 2023 | ||||||||
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 Argent, a snail vert and on a chief azure three roses Or. "Slow, yet steady" |
Allert Pierson (formerly known as Alice Percy of Montengarde) is a fencer and student of La Verdadera Destreza, research enthusiast, lover of fashion, period dance and music fan, and delights in historical cookery. Allert is an unrepentant fop and can usually be found at events fighting on the rapier field, having deep philosophical conversations, or enjoying a bottle of port with cheese. Protégé of Mistress Coryn of the Wode. Compañero (provost) of don Rodrigo dela Vihuela de Navarra. Member of House Fine Lames.
Persona
Name, Gender and Age
Allert Pierson. Allert's pronouns are he/him. Age 34.
In what year does your persona exist?
1620. (Post-period, but he was born in 1586 - it's not my fault time is linear. If that upsets you, pretend it's December 31, 1599, at 11:59pm.)
Where are you from? Country, region, area, city.
The Spanish Netherlands, Duchy of Guelders, Upper Quarter, Venlo. Allert was only born and spent his first years there - he escaped as a small child with his wealthy merchant family and many other Dutch refugees to London in response to constant warfare, oppression and unrest.
What do you do every day? Morning, afternoon, evening.
Allert is an apothecary who serves the merchant class, especially those in the Dutch community.
While he is operating slightly outside of the law due to harsh rules by the new Company of Apothecaries against "alien" professionals operating in London, he is popular and well known in his local community for having access to excellent foreign medicine, including a small garden of medicinal plants. His unaccented and fluent English makes him popular with select English clients, and he has so far been successful in bribing officials when necessary to look the other way.
He is infamous for his ostentatious mode of dress and behavior, direct speech, and impatient disposition. He has become an experienced duelist as a result, if not an especially good one. He fears the day that he crosses someone with formal training who is much better than he is.
He wakes up early, has a plain breakfast brought to him by his housekeeper while he works on opening the shop, sees clients through the day and has lunch brought to the shop. He has an early supper and then retires to the alehouse to see friends, associates, and clients for his second mode of employment - as a cunning man. These clients, usually ladies, often approach Allert to help them find missing items, take revenge on unfaithful lovers, read the stars, undo curses, and contact spirits, among other services. He's only too happy to oblige, for a fee.
Allert has recently left London for adventures abroad, having left his apothecary in the hands of his highly competent assistant. He was last seen in the service of a Spanish nobleman of some renown, don Rodrigo dela Vihuela de Navarra.
What type of abode do you live in?
Allert lived in rooms (which are carefully and fashionably decorated) above his apothecary. He now follows the instructions of his master, who often sends him on assignments across the world - sometimes taking up residence in various noble houses and courts in far-flung kingdoms, or sleeping rough on the road, as required of him.
Who are your family and friends?
Allert is currently unmarried. His apothecary in London is staffed by two domestic servants (a housekeeper, Meg, and a manservant, Siegfried) and his English assistant, Andrew. Allert is very loyal to his master, don Rodrigo, and his family. He has many friends across the world he has gained on his travels - including a household of flamboyant French mercenaries he was inducted into as a youth. He has great affection for his sensible and talented mentor, Coryn of the Wode, who employed him in her shop and cookhouse as a young man and continues to teach him nearly everything he knows about contributing positively to the community.
What do you do for fun and entertainment?
Reading, drinking, debating the issues of the day, and gaming.
Notes of Interest
Interests
- Period cookery and foodways
- Period music, poetry, drama and literature
- Domesticity
- English cunning craft (magic)
- Cosmetics and home remedies
- Research and formal writing
- La Verdadera Destreza, a historical Spanish combat system
Service I Particularly Enjoy
- Gate
- Feast prep
- Newcomer support
- Judging competitions
- Professional writing/communication
- Documentation assistance
- Marshalling
- DEIB advocacy, as appropriate
Tournaments & Competitions
Montengarde Arts & Sciences Championship – Twelfth Night, January 2014
Entered Trotula’s hair powder and distilled rose water for comment.
Montengarde Bardic Championship – Samhain, November 2014
Competed with storytelling entry “Tam Lin” and song entry “The Shepherd & The Nymph.” Awarded bardic championship, served as Montengarde Wild Rose November 2014 - November 2015.
Montengarde Arts & Sciences Championship - Twelfth Night, January 2017
Competed with conjectural Anglo-Saxon briw and pea flour bread based on textual sources and archeological findings from ovens in the English midlands. Awarded Arts & Sciences championship and served in that role from January 2017 - January 2018.
Montengarde Rapier Championship - Twelfth Night, January 2023
My first ever tournament! Vied for Champion of Rapier. Placed last and had an absolutely wonderful time.
Officer & Administrative Roles
Montengarde Family Activities Coordinator - September 2014 – September 2016
Responsible for organizing, coordinating, and encouraging activities for families with children at Montengarde events.
The Montengarde Culinary Group - 2014 – 2018
Responsible for many aspects of organization, scheduling, and advertising for the Montengarde Culinary Group, a monthly non-hierarchical gathering of period food enthusiasts.
Avacal Social Media Deputy - 2017 – 2018
Helped to establish and spread awareness of Society-level social media guidelines.
Montengarde Captain of Rapier - 2023 – present
Maintains equipment and helps to ensure all relevant safety protocols are followed, primary point of contact for fencing in Montengarde and responsible for all reporting to the Knight Marshal of the branch.
"Music Boss" of Polyphonia - 2023 – present
Elected by attending members of Polyphonia to assist in advertising and guiding group meetings and selecting pieces of music for the newly reformed singing group.
Formal Affiliations
Compañero (provost) of don Rodrigo dela Vihuela de Navarra, WS, MOD - September 2023 - present
Protégé of Mistress Coryn of the Wode, OP, OL - August 2016 – present
Member of House Fine Lames - 2014 – present
Awards
- Golden Link at Montengarde Samhain 2014
- Wild Rose (Champion of Bardic) at Montengarde Samhain 2014
- Award of Arms at Borealis Winter War 2015
- Sable Cinquefoil of Montengarde at Montengarde Beltane 2015
- Ordine de Venusta at Montengarde Samhain 2015
- Baron & Baroness's Favor at Montengarde Twelfth Night 2017
- Emerald Rose (Champion of Arts and Science) at Montengarde Twelfth Night 2017
- Order of the Argent Flame at Avacal Summer Coronation 2017
- Ordine de Venusta at Montengarde Twelfth Night 2018
- Sable Glove at Avacal Grand TUA 2023
Blog
Allert Pierson's Commonplace Book
My blog about fighting, research, cooking, sewing, service, and general SCA stuff.