Lady Jocatta Sandino Caminante

It surely was not the most pleasant weather in Selobrena when my eldest and only surviving brother, Ferdinand, told my father, Antonia Miguel Caminante, that he was denouncing the Christian faith and traveling back to Morocco to live with my mother’s family. My brother was more concerned with pleasing Allah than pleasing my father. Ferdinand gave up his title to the Castle, the family name and everything that could have been his. He is now known as Shehin and has plans to marry in the Muslim faith and tradition.

My name is Jocatta. Sandino is a nickname I inherited, as like my father’s father, I have always stayed on the path. Sandino means path. Caminante is our family name from the very first of our ancestors who served as Ambassadors for Spain

I had had another brother who died only a few short months after his birth. I however, had not come into this world yet. I was born in 1502.

My father’s ancestry dates back to the Visigoths who traveled from the Germanic lands here to Spain. They first settled near Madrid but eventually settled in other parts of Spain as well, including here in Andalusia. My father comes from a long line of Ambassadors for Spain.

My mother’s family is Moorish and dedicated to the Muslim faith. The majority of them returned to Morocco in 1492 when they were driven out of Spain, two of my mother’s cousins who refused to leave and convert to the Christian faith were executed. My mother converted to Christianity in 1490 in order to wed my father and because they knew that, the expelling of the Muslims and the Jews was not far off. My mother did not want to leave her home of Selobrena and by converting to Christianity and marrying my father the title of the Castle and the surrounding lands were awarded to him. My father has served as an Ambassador, primarily to Morocco but to other lands as well, for the Spanish court.

I spent some time in Cordova and Seville in studies. I have gained the knowledge to read, to write and have acquired some education in the literary arts. My father insisted I have the skills to read and study the Christian bible. My mother has secretly taught me some aspects of the Muslim faith as well. She has taught me much about tailoring and embroidering, as that is where her talent lies. She has produced many garments for subjects of the Spanish court and the Royalty. When my father was away on prolonged trips, he would occasionally take us to Alcazar de Segovia to stay with relatives. That is where my mother began teaching me her fine arts.

I have spent the majority of my life here in Selobrena. Much like my mother, I cannot fathom the idea of ever leaving this land I love so dearly. I must eventually wed in order to stay at sweet Selobrena or at least in the area once my mother and father leave this world.

I have not had the best of luck in love. I had a possible suitor in Germany and traveled there with my father to meet this suitor. My father refused my marriage to this man and I was grateful. The details need not be spoken of.

I had been told that my parents had arranged a marriage for me by the time I was three years of age. Unfortunately, this contract was dissolved, upon the death of my betrothed. There is also someone in Morocco in which a relationship could have been justified. However, because my brother denounced the Christian faith and returned to Morocco, I would not under any circumstances do the same and break my father’s heart.

I have come to believe that currently arrangements have been or are being made with an Andalusia Nobleman, whom is deeply involved with the trade market and lives just beyond the mountains to the Northwest.

Part 2 JOCATTA’S JOURNEY

The air was crisp, but the sky was blue and the sun shone so brightly through the morning mist, one might say it was almost blinding.

We have been traveling for several days now, through Granada and now westward toward Cordoba. God willing that our journey hold no despair; tomorrow I will meet my betrothed, face to face. My heart is filled with joy, anxiety, and fear. I have a wonderful feeling about this arrangement. My anticipation is overwhelming.

He is a man of noble birth, became a merchant and tradesman, breeding and raising the best horses for the King, his knights and other nobleman. His family has worked very closely with the Carthusian Monks to breed, raise and train these horses. His vineyard is renowned for making some favorable wines and I have heard that there are olive groves and fruit trees there. He is also known to deal in an array of other fine items.

He has no children though he was wed once before. His first wife died a few years ago. From the information I‘ve overheard, she was accused of an adulterous relationship but became ill and died before she could be tried for her sins.

My father tells me that I have been promised the best of everything. Although, I know my dowry holds riches and items of great wealth and importance, it is still reassuring that my needs will be met.

I gather that he is somewhat older than I, but an educated and just man. I’ve also heard he is an attractive and loving, caring man. I have gained a great deal of knowledge from the escorts he has sent to accompany us and make sure we arrive, even though my father knows the way and we have our own escorts. My father tells me it is lovely there, though I will not be able to see the ocean. I will miss Selobrena, strolling along the rocky beach, running through the green fields, the people and Selobrena itself, my home for so long. I will have a new home now, a husband and a new life.

My mother is very happy for me and of course has repeated the words of marriage, wifely duties and the marriage knowledge for women only. I do not despair the eve of my wedding I anticipate it with a feeling I cannot explain, some fear, some excitement.

We are nearing my new homeland, it is beautiful, and we have stopped to prepare as my mother insists I arrive properly attired, clean and riding in the carriage as a proper bride wound appear to her betrothed upon arrival and prepared for formal introductions. We will stay here the night to clean and prepare. My mother will ride with me in the carriage tomorrow, as my escort.

We have just received word from a messenger that he will be awaiting our arrival tomorrow.
What a glorious morning. The sun is shining the air is cool and clean not the salty air like that of Selobrena. We have eaten, washed, prepared and dressed for the activities of the day. Off we go, my heart is beating so fast and strong I feel it may burst.

We have crested the last hill what I see is glorious. Manor houses, a large estate, vineyards,olive groves, stables, pasture land, horses and palm trees. They call to me that I am truly home at last.

Oh, it is glorious, the pageantry the banners and the gathering of what must be a hundred or more. All this for our arrival? That must be him and his escorts riding out to meet us. What does destiny hold for me now!

Part 3 JOCATTA’S EVENTS OF LIFE

Many years have passed and much has happened.

I still look back on my wedding day as the beginning of my life, the beginning of love and the end of my childhood.

My mother had surprised me with the most beautiful blue gown I had ever seen, made by her own hands. It was embroidered with thread of gold, beads, and pearls. My father had brought back shoes from Fez in Morocco to accompany the dress on my wedding day. The wedding was a glorious celebration, which lasted for days. Entertainers, jugglers and musicians added to the festivities. There was a feast, as I had never seen before. Many of my favorite dishes were served. My new husband had obviously done his research to welcome me. My husband lavished me with gifts upon our marriage just I had been told he would. The finniest linens, silks and cloth that shone like the sun, everything that I could imagine except for one thing that was completely unexpected. Upon the completion of the festivities and a successful union, he presented me with one of his finniest Andalusian horses. He is a pale gray, almost white, stallion. We have made a special bond over the years, we have been many places together and seen many things.

My union has been a happy one I could not have asked for a more loving and compassionate man. I traveled a lot with my husband before the children came. I have seen many new lands and many lands I had seen long ago with my father when I was very young. We have had four children, first a son, he is a fine and proud young man; a daughter who died at thirteen months of age, she was extremely ill and it broke our hearts when she left this world. We have since been blessed with the arrival of twin girls. They do not look like one another but often their thoughts are near the same. The girls both have blue eyes like their father and like my mother.

I often sit out among the palm trees with the sun upon my face and write about my life, my sorrows and my blessings. I sometimes sing softly to myself, arranging words to match my life experiences. Some days I feel as young as the new sprung flowers and some days I feel very old as old and rugged as the mountains, but some days I am just happy that I feel!

The End

How I See the SCA

Before I joined the SCA I had heard of it a couple of times and was curious about it but did not know what it really was, or if it was something too Off-the-Wall for me. I saw an ad in the Medicine Hat news and a phone number. I figured I had nothing to lose by finding out more about it. To date it has been one of the best things I’ve done. It is not a bunch of weird people doing weird things. It is a bunch of fun people doing fun things, many of which have the same interests as I do. These people have become my friends, my teachers, my students and to a degree, my family. There is no judgment here, you are accepted as you are, but likewise it becomes your duty also not to judge others and to be fair and chivalrous at all times.

Everyone has something to gain and in return something to offer – even if you don’t know what either is.

The SCA has something for everyone of every age, it is not just fighting. As a female who does not fight, I have so many new interests. I am sort of an Arts and Crafts type of person, I have learned many new skills and found many new hobbies, there is still so much more that I would like to learn and this is the place that I can do it.

I really enjoy the atmosphere of dressing up in medieval/renaissance clothing and taking part or just watching the different activities that take place.

IT’S A BLAST!

I serve as the Minister of Arts and Sciences. It has taught me to teach and to learn. At one time, in my life, LEARNING was a profane word but it became fun with the S.C.A. it became so much fun I didn’t even realize how much I was learning.

I have served as the Champion of Arts and Sciences for the Barony of MyrganWood and have received my Award of Arms.