Kale Kourtikina

Photo
Northkeep Castellan, 2019
Information
Registered Name: Catin de Mortain Resides: Northkeep Status: Active Joined SCA: 1996
Order of Precedence
Catin de Mortain
Heraldry
Vert, a dragon passant and on a chief doubly-enarched argent three hearts azure.

Kouria (Lady) Kale Kourtikina

Previously Known As: Catin de Mortain, Lea du Lac
Nickname(s):
Pronouns:
Pronounced: "Callie"

Offices:

• Local Offices Held
  • Prior Chirurgeon, Barony of Northkeep

Persona History:

1052 Byzantine.

Interests:

• Weaving
• Cording
• Service
• Embroidery

Timeline of Activity:

First event - Shire of Mooneschadowe's Triumphe of the Eclipse, 1996, at Camp Cimmaron.

Populace Provided Information:

Kale receives her Sable Crane

Sheika Zubeydah

So I am one who *REALLY REALLY* does poorly at *Unexpected* Public Speaking... so when I was asked to speak (at Crown Tournament Evening Court) about the work that Kale has done, I pretty much defaulted to "She's Awesome!" and fled the scene. That did not do her proper justice. So here goes: Kale, or Kat, as I knew her then, was one of the first people in the SCA to be kind to me - right up there with Sigen Fridriksdottir and Thorgrim Northkeep. She has been kind in ways that she didn't even realize touched me deeply. She has been generous with advice, company, and a safe place to hang out. She has been thoughtful and taken gently forceful care of me when I wasn't taking care of myself.

But I didn't recommend her for all that she has done for me, and the welcome she has given to me and my Beloved. I nominated her for the Sable Crane of Ansteorra because for as long as i have been in the SCA in Northkeep, this woman has *WORKED*. She has been the one fetching pillows for their Excellencies of Northkeep. She has been the one who skillfully eases their path in hundreds of little ways. She has been in the kitchen, scrubbing pots and pans. She has been waterbearing in 100 degree heat. She has NEVER been 'too good' for a task that needed doing - no, she has pushed up her sleeves and done it. Sometimes, even wearing a knee brace. She has worked, heart and soul, for the Barony, for the Region, and for the Kingdom. She is one of the people who is *foundational* to my enjoyment and experience in the SCA. People in the Northern Region talk in tones of respect of Kendra Kenmare - I never met Kendra. She passed before I joined. But that's how I see Kale. She *IS* that kind of person.


And on a personal note - my husband doesn't play much. He is Not A People Person. But before events, nowadays, he asks me, 'Is Shanna or Kale gonna be there?' Because he knows these delightful and wonderful women are worth talking to, spending time with, for their down-to-earth real-ness and kindess. So Kale has also given me the gift of a happier husband when he comes to events.

So. Yes. __She is AWESOME__.

Now. If you're still reading this -- think about the people who you see at events all the time. Not the bright, glittery, important people that you see in the front. Think about the quiet, worker bees in the back. The folks with mess up to their elbows, or carrying a roll of toilet paper to restock, or washing dishes, or toting the thing... NOW GO CHECK THEIR OP LISTING. GO WRITE AN AWARD RECOMMENDATION. DO NOT MAKE THEM WAIT SIXTEEN YEARS TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR ALL THAT THEY DO.

Notable Contributions or Accomplishments:

• Head of Entourage for Their Excellencies of Northkeep, Beorhlic Folcwineson and Elisaveta af Isefjord, 2016 - Present
• Autocrat, Northkeep wInterKingdom x2
• Sister of the Fox's Tail

Non-Armigerous Awards and Recognitions:

• Crimson Star of Northkeep, granted by Ainar Magnusson and Ana Mercedes de Cerdanya.

Trivia:

Kale is the only member of the Order of the Lion's Paw of Kenmare who's polling was specifically requested by a seated Crown of Ansteorra.

Affiliations:

• Lady of Wynfrith of Mooneschadowe
• Sister of the Fox's Tail