Resources for help in creating a persona

[DonaCatalina]

I'm sure there are a lot;
but here are some to start with;

Want an English noble title? http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/History/Barons/extinct1index.html

Want to be a Spanish Grandee? http://grandesp.org.uk/

Need help coming up with a period name? http://www.s-gabriel.org/

[angusmacinnes]

Here is one that was written by an SCAer and I think it very well done.

http://hospitaler.ansteorra.org/GuidingHand/personna.htm

Most may have seen it already but I always like to revisit it on occassion.

[McGuinness]

I like good ole Wikipedia as a starting point. I look at the Today in History almost every day before work and have gotten some good ideas off of leads from there. They have categories like "Tudor Women" or "Earls/Countess of England" and the like.

For notable English nobles, I like Tudorplace too (http://www.tudorplace.com.ar/). Bio's of some of the more prominent nobility and genealogy for almost all of them, at least in family trees.

[groomporter]

Apparently this woman recently conducted an SCA symposium style class on "How to Build an Elizabethan Persona"; all class materials are available on CD for $8 (with S&H) and cover a series of classes that are set to last all day on all aspects of life as an Elizabethan person.

I don't know her, but I found it mention on a Renfair "history snobs" forum and they seem to think she knows her stuff.

http://attack-laurel.livejournal.com/166030.html

[DonaCatalina]

has the passion for creating a Faire persona died out?

[Magpie Flynn]

Not for me! I've got quite a few different personas when it comes to faire, I have a bad habit of creating a new character for each piece of garb. The trouble is keeping them all separate, especially the Aussie from everything.

[ShpepperKat]

I hope it has not died out. I have to create a persona for faire this year. I am volunteering for the first time and I have to at least get a start on her.

[Captain Teague]

Not died out, methinks. The current economy has certainly put a damper on a full change of personae for me, costs wise. I'm sure it's the same for many others.

But you Dona, lucky girl got to be one of the first to see my latest at Scarby, "Tradewinds Trent Greensleeves." 

Not sure how it was received overall, however. I suppose with the latest POTC movie, pirates are soaking the market at the moment.
(Well, that and the fact I am spoiled. My "Dark Lord Dragon" personae gets ALL the attention all the time.  )

[Lady Gryphon]

Not your Dark Lord, Lord Dragon.  I think it's Nogard who sits on your shoulder and is your alter-ego.  All you have to do is play to him and the crowd it hooked.

[Captain Dungcaster]

I am always working on this it seems. I have a rough outline of who I am and am always working in some details of backstory. I would like to see some workshops or presentations of this very topic.

[markste]

angusmacinnes has good share, Bcz i also shaw this before some time..!!

[Prima]

Ah... finally the resources I've been looking for (wasnt looking that hard apparently!)   My husband and I have come across a dilemma that I am a bit ashamed to admit.  Because of our recent garb purchases we seem to have stepped into a need of higher etiquette as new playtrons.  For years we have visited faires as patrons in garb, but we would really like to be comfortable in the playtron role.  It seems like the first step is that we create characters around our existing garb and then move onto the appropriate dialogue.  Neither one of us are super comfortable being outgoing characters, but it would make life much less embarrassing to visit faires if we knew how to act as lesser nobility.   I've looked for the conversational elizabethan books but have come up short.  Is there a good courtly etiquette resource and doesnt get too complicated on me?

Many thanks for your help!

[DonaCatalina]

Until you get a little more practice; a few simple rules will help.

m'lord or m'lady works in a pinch if you are unsure of a noble's rank.
Treat strangers as your equal, your equals as your betters and deference to the crown.

[Aderin]

Until you get a little more practice; a few simple rules will help.

m'lord or m'lady works in a pinch if you are unsure of a noble's rank.
Treat strangers as your equal, your equals as your betters and deference to the crown.

Indeed! Wise words!