Welcome to the Order of Saint Brigit!

The Order of St. Brigit of Celts is a group of like-minded friends interested in the Renaissance period of history. The cast of Historical Interpreters choose to explain life in 16th and 17th century England and Scotland, with occasional side trips to Ireland, Wales and the Continent. We do not portray actual historical persons, other than our own not-so-famous ancestors, with the exception of the noble Tyndale family… and they pretty much disown us! Our purpose is to welcome, entertain and teach about the newly developing, upwardly mobile, merchant, landed gentry and “lower nobility” classes and their households which were changing the face of Renaissance society. Our members are of Christian, Pagan and "no particular" persuasions. We honor and appreciate each other, while interpreting the religious upheaval in Britain during our performance period (1500 ~ 1603) from a Christian (secret Roman Catholic) perspective.

The Order of St. Brigit of Celts derives its name from the old, disbanded abbey still located on the lands of the Clan MacMichael. The lands, farm holdings, sheep, and wool mercantile are our main source of legal business, while our ancient family nobility gives us entry, though no real power, at court, both Scots and English. Our allegiance is, of course, to our monarch (as so loosely stated, gives us freedom to be as irritating as possible to the English). Most members of the household can read, write and number, make music, dance, play period games, do handiwork, and naturally, some are skilled at weapons.

We speak the educated (though accented) language of the English people in order to do business, keep our heads and survive. We use a slight courtly flavored version of the tongue, vaguely reminiscent of Privateers. We dress and behave in a friendly-snooty manner as befits our station (this includes the lesser members of the household, as they are better off than the much lower class peasants)… though we are much more warm than the noble court to whom we shamelessly, (albeit falsely).

Our gentlemen demonstrate and teach sword “play” as well as manners, defense of Queen, women and clan. Our women demonstrate hospitality, charm, skills of the distaff nature, along with certain more martial skills, as fits women of the Highland free clans, subservient only to their actual husband or clan Chief.

We each develop our persona (name, identity, costume, back-story,) within the Guilde and create costuming, props and “gig” to flesh it out. Our persona INTERPRETS a part of life in the centuries of Britain which we visit, and requires significant and on-going research for accuracy to support our “hobby” (obsession?). We have chosen to live above the peasant level and below Royal noble station, although we do have contacts and friends at that level, including HRM (Her Royal Majesty) Elizabeth I.