The Swords of
Chivalry came into being in 1993 when the aptly named Paul Battleday
(Sir Richard Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk) broached the idea for a Medieval
Tournament Group to friends Andy Prior (Sir Malias de Brac), his brother
Bob (Sir Edmund de Montmercy) and Paul Brewer (Sir Otto von Strasburg).
The guys, steeped
in the Arthurian ideals of honour and chivalry took the field, performing
at fetes and small festivals, gaining experience - and purchasing
more arms and armour - with every show.
From these small
beginnings where each Knight, armed only with a sword and surcoat,
performed at local fetes and attractions, the Swords of Chivalry is
now a fully functioning professional Medieval Entertainment Society
calling on upwards of Eight Knights, all fully armed and armoured
and each with their own full compliment of Men at Arms, Squires and
Pages - and of course their own dear Ladies.
Asis
normal over the years, not all original members have stayed the course.
However this has been more than compensated by new members, all of
whom have brought to the Group their own indiviual talents.
Our Entertainments
are a riot of colour and pagentry - the gaily striped medieval tents,
along with the flags, banners and shields denoting the attention to
detail and love of the period, shown by our members.
Within our Group,
we number:
Insurance &
Mortgage specialist - Sir
Malias de Brac - who is a Director of his own company.
A specialised
Engineer helping to keep Stansted Airport on track - Sir
Edmund de Montmercy, Our highly skilled Armourer who
makes most of the Group's armour, including gauntlets, helms and Coat
of Plates.
A topflight
Hatton Garden Craftsman - Sir
Percival of York who is also our Training Master (and
an ex ballet dancer and Herts archery champion)
A veteran London
cab driver - Sir
Ralph de Montfichet - who broadcast regularly on behalf
of the cab trade on radio and television . Also our Herald who designs
and paints our beautiful shields and flags.
A painter &
decorator - Sir
Otto von Strasborg - Our Chef, whose passion is researching
new recipes based on old medieval themes. His bread pudding is legendary
Travelling
the country digging bore holes for engineers, Sir
William of Ely - A handsome fellow who has the female
members of the audience sighing for his favours.
An
estate worker on a large estate - Sir
Áengus of Lothian,
The
Retainers:
Pierre
of Calais, Sargent
at Arms and Esquire
to Sir Malias de Brac. A Detainee Custody Officer.
Wilf
of Broxbourne, Esquire.
Humphrey
of Fakenham, in training to Sir
William of Ely. Squire Humphrey also serves a national museum as a
data analyst and strategic planner.
Alys
of March, to Sir
Ralph de Montfichet. Alys works in child care.
William
of Cornwall, to
Sir Percival of York. A driving profesional.
James
of Waltham, in
training to Sir William of Ely.
Logan
of Dumbar, in
training to Sir Áengus
of Lothian.
Richard
of Ulster, in
training to Sir Otto Von Strasburg
The
Ladies of the Group:
Lady
Eleanor: wife to Sir Malias, a keen
seamstress, Lady Eleanor is a dab hand at making a great many of our
beautiful costumes.
Lady
Elizabeth: wife to Sir Ralph, Lady Elizabeth
runs a well known Liver Centre at one of London's top hospitals.
Lady
Victoria: wife to Sir Percy, Lady Victoria
works parttime and spends the rest running around looking after their
young son Elvey.
Lady
Josephine: wife to William of Cornwall, Lady Josephine
works for a well known supermarket.
Ladys
in Waiting -
Rhiannon
of Löf : A student teacher currently
studying for a degree in teaching and history.
Evelin
of Tallinn : A master baker.
