Hous Amberherthe

Our Research and Service Unlock'd

Hous Amberherthe is an SCA household with an unquenchable passion for creating historical fashion, cooking historical food, and stewarding events at which to enjoy them.

Join our journey as we explore persona development for use at SCA events.


A woman looking out a neo-gothic window, a sideboard laden with dessert, a table set up in a tent with a linen cloth partially covering the table rug

Isabel Maria at the Night in Granada event, the dessert sideboard at Festa de Natale,
a dining table in a household tent at Canterbury Faire.


This website is a place for us to share what we have learned through research and practical experience while developing our personas, designing limited focus events, and finding ways to engage in meaningful 'persona play' at events. We have a focus on creating items of material culture to support our individual personas.

We also hope to introduce you to some of our favourite sources of inspiration and share our enthusiasm for the SCA. Keep scrolling for a glimpse into our SCA lives.




Arts & Sciences Challenges

Southron Gaard has a long and excellent tradition of Arts and Sciences Challenges.

Challenges are not competitions. The only person you are challenging is yourself; challenging yourself to set aside time to make and craft, and to follow your passions. And then to share the wonders with the Barony.


A selection of Arts and Sciences completed by members of Hous Amberherthe

The following are challenges that we have sponsored in the Barony of Southron Gaard.


Event Embellishment, Elaboration, and Edification Challenge

"Practising our Arts and our Sciences for use at Events."

We were much inspired by our own post-Faire to-do list, but more especially by the enthusiasm and excitement of many newcomers as they thought upon what they had beheld and experienced at Faire this year, and planned for next year.

A collage of images showing a range of the entries in the Event Embellishment, Elaboration, and Edification A&S Challenge


Persona Gubbins Challenge

"The object of art is to give life a shape."

We know that sometimes people find it hard to 'use' their persona at events, or to make their persona relevant to their SCA 'game play'. In this challenge we invited you to use your persona (or someone else's) to investigate that persona’s world, in order to create small items that you might carry to or use at events to enhance our SCA 'game'. The Southron Gaard A&S Blog showcases the entries received.

A collage of 18 images showing a range of different entries in the Persona Gubbins Challenge




Events and Stewarding

"Sharing our enjoyment through stewarding"

Hous Amberherthe has run numerous feasts, balls, tournaments, and encampments over the years, with a pronounced preference for 'limited focus' and 'high end' events. Not only do these events offer a more detailed scope for research and recreation of a specific culture, social event, time and location, but also for in persona explorations.


A Night in Granada, The Feast of the Quest of Sir Percival, Venetian Carnival Ball (Events stewarded by Hous Amberherthe)

A Night in Granada, The Feast of the Quest of Sir Percival, Venetian Carnival Ball;
a selection of limited focus, high end events stewarded by Hous Amberherthe


Event Articles and Documents

Nice Little Touches

Event Galleries

Gallery of Ancient and Venerable Events
The Feast of Sir Percival and the Quest for the Holy Grail (Flickr gallery)
Carnival Ball (Flickr gallery)
Flickr Galleries



Food and Drink

"We do not eat to live"

As far as we are concerned, eating and food is an important part of the whole persona experience. Getting to know the popular foods, as well as common flavour profiles or methods of a time and place can lend valuable insights into a persona. Therefore great care and attention is given to presentation, eating and especially food preparation.


Sugarpaste pomegranate soteltie, Scappi dessert course, Roman meal - all made by members of Hous Amberherthe)

A sugarpaste pomegranate soteltie, a dessert course on a sideboard, a Roman dinner;
Food made by members of Hous Amberherthe.


Articles and Galleries regarding Food and Drink

Apple and Raisin Pies
Festa de Natale menu and thoughts
Genovese Tart
Spiced Water
Marchpane
Moorish Chicken


Clothing and Accessories

"Dressing well is its own reward"

Quality, well-researched clothing (along with the appropriate accessories) is something of a passion for residents of the household. Not only do such garments help your persona development, but they also lend fascinating insights into historical practices and period skills.

An early 16th century German gown of velvet and brocade, an early 16th century Portuguese gown of scarlet satin, a late 16th century Spanish gown of black satin

Garments made by members of Hous Amberherthe
Saxon gown, a Portuguese dress, and a Spanish ensemble.

The following articles are designed to share what we have learned in our endeavours, so far.

Costume Resources

Pearled Brustfleck
Saxon Dress (from an image of Maria and Margareta)
Pearl and Garnet Goldhaub
Katharina von Bura ensemble
Landsknecht Shirt
Skjondehamn Hood
Portuguese Hat
Portuguese Silk Dress
Pleated Silk Hat




Encampment and Schmutter

"We enjoy our comforts"

We aim to be as authentic and accurate as we can given our available resources (be that time, money, or energy etc). Items of material culture do wonders for helping us to explore our personas. Consequently, developing our encampment and individual tents is an ongoing project.

Past household projects include the sunshade, household gonfalon, encampment walls, gate, camp kitchen, silk standard, and ongoing maintenance in addition to individual projects for our personal pavilions.

Personal projects may include items like beds, tables, shelves, collections of games or pass-times, and even tents, that suit our persona and desire for comfort.

Three pictures: Isabel Maria's tent, a games box, Angus & Joana's tent

Isabel Maria's tent, the contents of a household games box, Angus and Joana's tent.

Relevant resources:

Alquerque Board
Games Box
Collapsible Tent Shelf
Spice Box



About Us

Hous Amberherthe was first formed in 1991, by a group of friends who enjoyed going to events and working together. Since then, residents of the household have continued to develop a penchant for creating spectacular clothing, good food, and 'high end' events.

Amberherthe is a private household based in the Barony of Southron Gaard, part of the Crescent Isles of Lochac.

Three images of Hous Amberherthe taken at camping events over 20 years

Hous Amberherthe encampment over the years.

Personal Websites

If you would like to know more about individual residents of the household, or their areas of interest and expertise, follow the links to their personal websites and blogs.

Per Mano Isabel Maria
Joana de Bairros
Cozinha da Joana
Elisabetta Foscari - Le mie avventure in cucina e cucire




Recent Updates:

May 2024
Oct 2023
Nov 2019
May 2019
Jul 2018
Mar 2016

EEEEC image added
Galleries and resources re-linked
Links to Persona Gubbins Challenge added
Articles re-added, links tidied
Entire site redeveloped
Removed out of date pages

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We hope you enjoy your visits with us.