Who is Mariana Ruiz de Medina?

A bit about Mariana…

Where was she born?

Mariana was born in the year 1456, at her family’s home in Laguna de Duero- just outside of Valladolid in Northern Spain. The family’s historic origin is in Medina del Campo.

What does her family look like?

Her family consists of her husband, her father, Rodrigo Yniguez de Medina (called Ruy by his family), her mother Dulce, several brothers and sisters, and any living grandparents. Her husband and father both work at the university in Valladolid, teaching law.

How does she spend her time?

As a newly married woman, Mariana would be involved in the running of the household. Her primary residence is on an estate outside of Valladolid, where her family raises sheep and works with tenants. Her native language is Castilian, but Mariana would have also learned Latin, Greek, French, Italian, possibly some amounts of English, and (secretly) Ladino.

What is happening in her world?

In the late 1400’s the talk of the town in Spain is Fernando and Isabella’s Reconquista. In 1469, their marriage took place in Valladolid, and Mariana would have been old enough to remember it. Towards the end of the century, the Reconquista is completed with the fall of Granada and Mariana’s life will possibly drastically change with the onset of La Expulsión.

How does she relate to religion?

In Mariana’s world, it pays to be Catholic. Overtly, her entire family is, through both sides come from conversos. Mariana, Dulce, and her own mother Asera, secretly continued Jewish practices so as to keep the religion alive for a time that it would be safe to practice openly. None of the men in her family are aware of this. Mundanely, I am a practicing (though not strict) Jew. I try to incorporate Judaism into my SCA, as well as balance modern Judaism with the Catholic influences on my persona.

What does she do in the SCA?

My big thing in the SCA is persona development. I want to be the best example of a 15th-16th century Castilian woman of some means I possibly can. At events, I can generally be found browsing arts and sciences displays, attending and teaching classes, at the MOL table, or in the kitchens. Some of my SCA goals include wanting to learn more period appropriate dances and games.