Crispin de la Rochefoucauld

Photo
Midrealm Crown Tournament, 2022.
Heraldry
Sable, a lion statant within an orle of chain Or.

While on campaign in Flanders in 1317-18 Guy VII Baron de la Rochefoucauld sired a child his mother named Crispin before she was sent to Couvent des Carmes de La Rochefoucauld for her maintenance. Guy gave him the de la Rochefoucauld name, but since the boy was a bastard, he could not give him an inheritance. The child was raised at the monastery in Hospitael Flanders. This open admission of infidelity began the pathway to his excommunication by Aiguelin de Blaye the Bishop of Angoulême. While in service to the King of France (Jean II) Guy died at his side at the Battle of Poitiers (1356). Crispin was never to be officially recognized by his nine legitimate siblings. Crispin studied with the priests and was learning to make his way as a clerk when in 1332 members of the order of St John visited the monastery for a month or so and Crispin, who was liked by some of the monks, was taught to handle a sword as much as his other duties allowed. The orders duties brought them through the area frequently after that and Crispin sought training when there was time. In April of 1337 Phillip the King of France proclaimed an arrière-ban, a call to war and in the two years following trade began to dry up as England shut off the wool supply that fed Flanders textile economy and Crispin left in pursuit of employment.

Sör Crispin de la Rochefoucauld began his career as a rapier combatant before picking up armored combat, eventually becoming squired to Count Alaric le Fevre. Over the years, he has worn a number of hats within the Society including event steward, mead maker, illuminator, quartermaster, and woodworker. He was an armored champion of the Cleftlands and served as their standard bearer after which he was the Northern Oaken regional commander for a run of three years. Although he later adopted a 12th century Turkish noble persona, taking the surname "al-Rumi" (of Rome), he later returned to his wayward Flemmish ways. He was elevated to the order of Chivalry in AS 48 by his Majesty Lucien Phillip de Bordeaux, becoming the 227th Knight of the Middle Kingdom. In the summer of AS 52, Crispin and Gianna Vettori became the 5th fief holders of the Barony of the Cleftlands in service to the crown of the Middle kingdom.

Awards

• Order of Chivalry (01 Aug, 2013)
• Court Baron (09 Apr, 2022)
• Order of the Gold Mace (17 Aug, 2006)
• Order of the Evergreen (29 Feb, 2020)
• Order of the Silver Oak (13 Jun, 2009)
• Award of the Purple Fret (25 Sep, 2002)
• Order of the Red Company (19 Aug, 2005)
• Award of the Dragon's Tooth (12 Aug, 2010)
• Award of Arms (07 Jun, 1997)
• Order of the Royal Vanguard (04 May, 2013)
• Territorial Baron (R) Cleftlands (10 Jun, 2017 to 09 Apr, 2022)
• Award of Saint Alfred (10 Jun, 2023)
• Baroness' Favor

Offices & Positions

• Middle Kingdom Rattan (Armored) General - Fall 2023 to present
• Baron of the Cleftlands - June 10, 2017 to April 9, 2022
• Minister of Arts & Sciences - February 25, 2015 to January 18, 2017
• Queen's Champion, Dag VII and AnnMarie III - September 2012 to May 2013
• Quartermaster - Fall 2004 to September 2007
• Standard Bearer - Standard Bearers 2003 XI

Guilds

• Armored Combat Guild
• Brewer's Guild
• Fellowship of the Oaken Blade
• Schola Petrae
• Scribe's Guild
• Woodworker's Guild

Households

• Næturauði

Stewardship

• Event Steward - Northern Oaken War Maneuvers 2002 VI
• Event Steward - Northern Oaken War Maneuvers 2001 V