Allert Pierson

Allert Pierson (formerly known as Alice Percy of Montengarde) is a fencer, research enthusiast, lover of fashion, period dance and music fan, and delights in historical cookery. Allert is an unrepentant fop and can usually be found at events fighting, having deep philosophical conversations, or enjoying a bottle of port with cheese. Protégé of Mistress Coryn of the Wode.

Persona
Name and Age Allert Pierson, age 34.

In what year does your persona exist? 1620. (Post-period but he was born in 1586 - it's not my fault time is linear.)

'''Where are you from? Country, region, area, city.''' The Spanish Netherlands, Duchy of Guelders, Upper Quarter, Venlo. Allert was only born and spent his first years there - he escaped as a small child with his wealthy merchant family and many other Dutch refugees to London in response to constant warfare, oppression and unrest.

'''What do you do every day? Morning, afternoon, evening.''' Allert is an apothecary who serves the merchant class, especially those in the Dutch community. While he is operating slightly outside of the law due to harsh rules by the new Company of Apothecaries against "alien" professionals operating in London, he is popular and well known in his local community for having access to excellent foreign medicine, including a small garden of medicinal plants. His unaccented and fluent English makes him popular with select English clients, and he has so far been successful in bribing officials when necessary to look the other way. He is infamous for his ostentatious mode of dress and behavior, direct speech, and impatient disposition. He has become an experienced duelist as a result, if not an especially good one. He fears the day that he crosses someone with formal training who is much better than he is. He wakes up early, has a plain breakfast brought to him by his housekeeper while he works on opening the shop, sees clients through the day and has lunch brought to the shop. He has an early supper and then retires to the alehouse to see friends, associates, and clients for his second mode of employment - as a cunning man. These clients, usually ladies, often approach Allert to help them find missing items, take revenge on unfaithful lovers, read the stars, undo curses, and contact spirits, among other services. He's only too happy to oblige, for a fee.

What type of abode do you live in? Allert lives in rooms (which are carefully and fashionably decorated) above his apothecary.

Who are your family and friends? Allert is currently unmarried, but grudgingly looking for a competent, well-educated wife to help him run his business. He lives with two domestic servants (a housekeeper and a manservant) and his apprentice, who he is teaching the apothecary trade.

What do you do for fun and entertainment? Reading, drinking, debating the issues of the day, and gaming.

Notes of Interest
Potential Class Topics - English cookery and foodways - Domesticity - Ways of knowing (science, magic, superstition and religion) - Cosmetics and home remedies - Research and formal writing - La Verdadera Destreza, a historical Spanish combat system

Service I Particularly Enjoy - Gate - Feast prep - Newcomer support - Judging competitions - DEIB advocacy, as appropriate

Tournaments & Competitions

Montengarde Arts & Sciences Championship – Twelfth Night, January 2014 Entered Trotula’s hair powder and distilled rose water for comment.

Montengarde Bardic Championship – Samhain, November 2014 Competed with storytelling entry “Tam Lin” and song entry “The Shepherd & The Nymph.” Awarded bardic championship, served as Montengarde Wild Rose November 2014 - November 2015.

Montengarde Arts & Sciences Championship - Twelfth Night, January 2017 Competed with conjectural Anglo-Saxon briw and pea flour bread based on textual sources and archeological findings from ovens in the English midlands. Awarded Arts & Sciences championship and served in that role from January 2017 - January 2018.

Officer & Administrative Roles

Montengarde Family Activities Coordinator - September 2014 – September 2016 Responsible for organizing, coordinating, and encouraging activities for families with children at Montengarde events.

The Montengarde Culinary Group - 2014 – 2018 Responsible for many aspects of organization, scheduling, and advertising for the Montengarde Culinary Group, a monthly non-hierarchical gathering of period food enthusiasts.

Avacal Social Media Deputy - 2017 – 2018 Helped to establish and spread awareness of Society-level social media guidelines.

Montengarde Captain of Rapier - 2022 – present Maintains equipment and helps to ensure all relevant safety protocols are followed, primary point of contact for fencing in Montengarde and responsible for all reporting to the Knight Marshal of the branch.

Formal Affiliations

Protégée of Mistress Coryn of the Wode, OP, OL - August 2016 – present Member of House Fines Lames - 2014 – present

Awards

 * Golden Link at Montengarde Samhain 2014
 * Award of Arms at Borealis Winter War 2015
 * Sable Cinquefoil of Montengarde at Montengarde Beltane 2015
 * Venusta at Montengarde Samhain 2015
 * Baron & Baroness's Favor at Montengarde Twelfth Night 2017
 * Champion of Arts and Science at Montengarde Twelfth Night 2018
 * Order of the Argent Flame at Avacal Summer Coronation 2017
 * Venusta at Montengarde Twelfth Night 2018
 * Sable Glove at Avacal Grand TUA 2023

Blog
Alice Percy of Montengarde

My blog about cooking and feast prep, sewing, service, and general SCA stuff.