Knight of the week

[Sir William]

Didn't see it on AA, Lord Rodney.

[Sir Brian]

Excellent and fascinating stories Sir John! 

[Sir John of Felsenbau]

Well, I just pick a helm and use it with the surcoat. If I didn't, I'd have a lot of the same helmets, and all my helmets are different. Just bought an early (no tail) german sallet, so am looking into german knights. Plus, when I do my historical research, I can't always get exactly what was worn by that particular knight. I try to mpick a knight that has paintings done of him. Being early in heraldry, often the colors sometimes do not agree with the later heraldic laws.

[Sir John of Felsenbau]

This week's knight is: Sir Gregan Crawford. While originating in Denmark, his family settled in Scotland and inherited the Barony of Craufurd. He was born around 1105 and died 1170. He made his mark on the world in 1127 when he was hunting with King David I. A stag attacked the king and would have killed him, but Gregan saved him and killed the deer. King David, knighted him for his bravery and granted the deer's head for his coat of arms. He later was granted other lands in the area. Unfortunatley his heirs sided with William Wallace, and were executed, ending the line of the family.

[Sir James A]

That's a neat coat of arms and the story too. I especially like the helmet. Nice work, Sir John.

[Sir William]

Interesting story and one I've never heard before; thank you for sharing it, Sir John.

[Sir Patrick]

Yes, thanks for sharing.  I look forward to your weekly additions.

[Sir John of Felsenbau]

Thanks for all your interest...I have enough knight sets to go for quite a long time.

This week's knight: "Sir Pierre de Rochefort (Rieux)." He was born in 1389, the younger son of Jean de Rieux and Jeanne de Rochefort, Accoring to their marriage contract, their son took her last name. In 1403 Pierre was squire of Duke Jean V of Brittany and later was knighted.  In 1415 he became Governor of St, Marlo, and in 1417 his father died and he took over as Marshal of France and inherited the Castle of Rochefort. Pierre was in Paris when the city was captured by the Burgundians.

In 1419 he campaigned in Angoumois and tried to reach Normandy. But he was captured and taken prosioner and taken to England. After paying his ransom, he returned to France and continued fighting. He captured Avranches and helped lift the seige of Orleans in 1429, (Where he fought alongside "Joan of Arc".) In 1435 he defended Saint-Denis besieged by the English and assisted in the liberation of Paris in 1436. In 1437 he took  Dieppe and in 1438, forced the English to lift the seige of Harfleur, but on returning to Paris he was captured and thrown in prison,. where he died of an epidemic a few months later in 1439.

His titles were: Lords of Rochefort, Rieux, Acerac, Derval, Largouet, Herbignac and Yeux, as well as being Marshal of France.

[Sir William]

What would be the correct expression of his CoA?

[Sir Edward]

What would be the correct expression of his CoA?

What Sir John has painted looks like "Vairy of Or and Azure".

[Sir William]

Vairy...I like the look of it.  Like opposing bells.

[Sir John of Felsenbau]

Thanks...I'm not an expert in blazoning, but that sounds right.

Knight of the week: Sir Henry Bodrugan V. : The oldest record of the Bodrugan family was with Henry I (d. 1184.) The family sired a long list of knights until the 16th century, when they died out. Henry Bodrugan V was born in 1426. He supported the House of York during the war of the Roses. In 1476 he was finally knighted. In 1483, a rebellion arose at Cotchele. The plan was to dispose Richard III and place Edward V back on the throne. Sir Henry helped quell this rebellion. In 1485, Sir Henry was appointed comptroller of the King's household. Meanwhile Henry Tudor gathered allies abroad. They landed near Milford Haven in August of the same year. Richard and his followers took their position at Bosworth Field. At the battle of Stoke (June 16, 1487), Henry Tudor's forces won and he was crowned king. He proclaimed that all those who fought for King Richard III to be arrested for treason.  Sir Henry escaped by jumping off the cliff by his castle to a boat below and he escaped to France, where he finally died in 1502. (Henry Tudor married Elizabeth of York, thus uniting the two families. He created the Tudor Rose which ncombined the Tudor red rose with the White Rose of York.)

[Sir William]

Now there's a tale worth remembering...I am somewhat familiar with parts of the War of the Roses, but did not know about this particular participant.  Nicely done, Sir John!

[Sir James A]

Jumped off a cliff?? It seems his heraldry should have an eagle, or wings, or something on it. That's a feat few would dare undertake.

[Sir William]

I should be surprised if, given his circumstances, there were more people less inclined to do it.  Remember, he faced certain death, or at the very least, incarceration leading to death if he'd surrendered.

Certain death vs probable death- I think probable would win out every time.  I know I wouldn't have hesitated- but that's because I like livin'!  lol