Rene Damours

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Information
Registered Name: Rene Damours Resides: Bryn Gwlad Status: Active Joined SCA: 1992
Order of Precedence
Rene Damours
Heraldry
Per pale embattled azure and argent, in fess a quill and a rapier counterchanged.

Magister René Damours, OL, WSA XCVIII

Previously Known As:
Nickname(s):
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Additional Registered Heraldry:

Coat of Arms: (Registered) Per pale embattled azure and argent, in fess a quill and a rapier counterchanged.
Achievement: Mantling 1: Azure; Mantling 2: Or
Helm: 16th Century Burgonet, Or, facing Dexter
Crest: Laurel wreath azure
Motto: Cum pinniculo aut gladio Translation: With pen or sword (Latin)
Dexter Supporter: Lynx Rampant Guardant Or Ermine Spotted Azure
Sinister Supporter: Lynx Rampant Guardant Or Ermine Spotted Azure
Registered: 04/05/2018

Offices:

• Local Offices Held
  • Bryn Gwlad Rapier Marshal: May 2012 to August to July 2013
  • Bryn Gwlad Minister of Arts and Sciences: February 2019 - February 2021
  • Member, Bryn Gwlad's Newcomer's Academy Committee 2021 - present
  • Chronicler, Barony of Bryn Gwlad, June 2023 - Present

• Regional Offices Held
  • Southern Region Rapier Marshal: July 2013 - July 2015

• Kingdom Offices Held
  • Kingdom Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (DEI), January 2020 - February 2022
  • Programs Deputy to Kingdom Minister of Arts & Sciences, September 2023 - Present

Persona History:

My name is René Damours, the second son of Jacques and Madeleine Damours. Born on the 18th day of July in 1578, in the Norman port city of Dieppe. After Catholics massacred followers of the true faith six years prior, my father sold everything he had and fled Paris with my mother, then pregnant with my older brother Marc.

Arriving in Dieppe, my father spent all the money he had left, purchasing a boat, upon which he began shipping items across the channel to England. In a few years, his business grew, making back his money, plus enough to purchase a new home large enough for his growing family, as my mother was soon to give birth to me. My brother, six years my senior, and I enjoyed a comfortable life, full of books, stories, and music. My father sang us songs and told us stories of Paris and its grandeur. He taught us to speak the way the English did, and encouraged us to use it as often as we could. My mother made us clothing and toys to play with. She made us fresh pillows and new socks. She cooked simple, but delicious meals, and we wanted for little. We met travelers and merchants from all over, and were exposed to different clothing and fabrics. Anytime my brother was not in grammar school, he and I played games and explored the docks, ever in sight of my father’s keen eye. Wherever he went, he allowed me to tag along. As years passed, and despite us both being in school, we remained inseparable, fulfilling our household duties together, playing, climbing trees, swimming together. Our lives were good and happy. I was a playful boy with a vivid imagination, encouraged to play and read and learn.

The year I was to turn twelve years old, though, life changed. A dark cloud came over our home. The happiness I knew as a boy was no longer, and our home became a sullen and dreary place. My older brother, barely eighteen years of age was killed near Ivry, courageously fighting with our blessed King to claim what was rightfully his, by the Grace of our Lord, the thrown of France. After hearing this news, my usually happy father withdrew. He sang no more songs. He laughed rarely. My mother, trying to maintain her happiness, did much the same. They had lost their first-born son, and in a moment of terror for my life, and his line, my father sent me to live with a Scottish Baron called Conor Drummond. My father had done extensive business with a wool trader, the father of Baron Conor’s wife, Lady Robin Anderson of Ross, and so my father arranged to send me to live with Baron Conor, and become his valet.

I left my home, my friends, my family. I left all that I knew, and while I acted as if I knew why, I didn’t. I knew my brother had been killed, and that saddened me to no end, but I did not, at the time, understand why I had to leave. Arriving in Scotland, I was surrounded by strangers, save Baron Conor and Lady Robin, whom I’d met before. I struggled to understand their words, and to learn their customs. As time passed, I became more comfortable there. Baron Conor ensured that I continued my education. His estate was near the border, which was regularly harassed by border reivers, and so Baron Conor taught me the art of defense with a sword. He instructed me, mentored me, and taught me how to defend myself and his home. Lady Robin treated me as one of her own, caring for me, regularly ensuring that I was able to write letters home. I became part of the family.

After a few years, Baron Conor became the Captain of the Baronial Guard in a Barony called Bryn Gwlad. I traveled with the family, to this new home, excited and ready to explore another place. While I missed my family greatly, I was able stay in contact with them via letters and occasional visits to Dieppe. I was able to see my younger sister Geneviève marry a man called David Guyot and I was able to visit my nephews, Isaac and André, at least once a year. I had grown accustom to life in Scotland, but looked forward to a new life in Bryn Gwlad, as I was set to begin my university education there, thanks to Baron Conor, who had managed me a place there, and agreed to support me while I attended. University life was full of amazing new knowledge for me. I loved it. I met so many different people. I was no longer employed by Baron Conor, but was still treated as part of his family. He had become like an older brother to me, being only eleven years by senior, and I was glad to see him and Lady Robin have two sons of their own.

During a trip to London, Baron Conor and I heard a play. I had never heard anything like that before. I had heard that one could visit a theatre and hear a play, but I had never been to one. I was in awe. A far cry from the small festival plays arranged by our local aldermen. These actors were professional actors, and their words moved me. I hung on every word they said. My heart lifted. I cried. I laughed. Upon leaving the theatre, I pulled a broadside from the wall. The poet, a man called William Shakespeare, had written the play we had just heard. What a man he must be to have such words at his disposal. I heard as many of his plays as I could in my all too infrequent trips to London.

I am grown now. I have no issues of my own, as I’ve never married, but I have a comfortable life. I teach Rhetoric at the same university at which I was educated, and have exceled in ways I never thought possible. I have obtained the title of Master. I have proven my proficiency with a blade. I have published some of my sonnets and poetry, as well as pamphlets on poetic forms.

I visit with Baron Conor, Lady Robin, and their two sons, as often as I can. I travel to Dieppe, when able, to visit my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and my two nephews. I still hear as many plays written by William Shakespeare as I can, and still enjoy a good story and song.

Interests:

"I enjoy the SCA a great deal, and what drives me is the camaraderie, the sharing of knowledge both on the rapier field and in the arena of Arts and Sciences."

I enjoy period fighting styles, particularly Rapier. Being a lover of the written word, I enjoy writing sonnets (Please see The Collected Poems of Rene Damours), researching and writing papers on period poetry. I enjoy teaching classes on research, writing documentation, and developing a persona.

Timeline of Activity:

My First Event:

My very first event was an event in the Barony of Wiesenfeuer, near Oklahoma City, OK. I was hooked already...I had seen a demo a couple of months before, but this was my first event, and I loved it. I loved the whole thing...the fighting, the feasting, the friendships everyone had, Court, the pageantry. I loved it! That was in high school, then I wasn't able to play for a while, then college happened, and I reconnected to the SCA after that, remembering why I fell in love with it before, and have been active ever sense. I still love the pageantry, the friendships, the fighting, the art, the feasting, Court...all of it!

Prior Groups:

When I first started, in 1992 or 1993 or so, I was with a group called Turris Aquilae (Borger, TX), but that group no longer exists. I stopped playing SCA in 1995 and didn't play SCA again until 2003. I've been a part of Bryn Gwlad since 2003.

Notable Contributions or Accomplishments:

• Former Seawinds Rapier Defender
• Former Seawinds Arts and Sciences Defender
• Former Arts and Sciences Champion for the Barony of Loch Soilleir
• Chosen as Arts and Sciences Gulf War Champion 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, as an alternate, and 2018.
• Finalist, Queen's Champion for Gwen III
• Premiere of the Order of the Golden Bridge of Ansteorra

Wiki Mentions:

• Event Review: Spring Coronation 2019 by René Damours

Affiliations:

• Member of House Domus Amicorum
• Former Cadet to HE Conor Drummond, WSA
• Former Apprentice to Mistress Rhiannon verch Bryan
• Member of the Atelier Amati

Mundane Information:

Personal website: https://renedamourspoetry.wordpress.com

Special Needs:

Health Related: I have a syndrome called Brugada Syndrome, which is a heart condition that causes Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib or VF). I have an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) for it, but when I have a V-fib attack, I pass out. Emergency contact information is in my phone.

My husband is allergic to nuts and mushrooms, so if you'd please pass on a warning of anything that may have either of those as ingredients.