User talk:Greenshield

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Persona History:

In 1166 Diarmaid Mac Murchadha was ousted as King of Leinster for a number of reasons, one of which was for making off with the High Kings wife, or so the story goes. Around 1167-68 Diarmaid or Dermott found his way to Henry II who was warring in France and begged him for assistance in regaining his lands. Henry had no time for such matters but granted Dermott permission to recruit men from England.

Dermott found men willing to fight for him along the English/Welsh border. These Marcher Lords as they were sometimes known were well suited for what Dermott needed. In addition to being in a constant state of conflict with the Welsh they were also accustomed to fighting in terrain similar to that of Ireland. It was also a poor area with little opportunity for upward mobility.

Dermott found a Cambro-Norman lord named Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare called Strong Bow. Richard was the son of Gilbert fitz Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, and Isabel de Beaumont, sister to Waleran Count of Meulan and Robert Earl of Leicester. Dermott asked Richard, whose lands were currently forfeit due to his and his father’s support of Stephen over Henry during the succession, to aid him in his endeavor to regain his lands. In return Dermott offered Strong Bow all of his lands upon his death and his daughter Aoife to sweeten the pot.

Richard agreed and with the help of several vassals began the Norman invasion into Ireland. In 1169 Richard sent Robert Fitz-Stephen and Raymond FitzGerald and a contingent of armored knights to Irleand. In August 1170 Richard arrived in Ireland and met Dermott and the rest of his Norman knights, who were already there, with 200 men-at-arms and over one thousand archers. They took Waterford on St. Bartholomew's Eve [August 28, 1170], and a day later, he and Aoife (Eve) MacMurchada were married in the cathedral in Waterford.

Among those sworn men who followed Richard to Ireland was the youngest son of Hughe de Cambria, known to most simply as Greenshield for the lack of device upon his shield. He would make his mark in Richard’s Conroi and among the Irish where he won his bride, Onora inghean mhic Cathain, an Irish beauty from Luimneach . In time he would come to be known by his full name, William fitz Hughe de Cambria called Green Shield.

Much of this story can be found in the "Expugnatio Hibernica" (ISBN 9780901714114) written by Giraldis Cambrensis' as a record of Henry II's travels in Ireland circa 1188/89. Some scholars claim there was some trouble between the two that was never recorded and Giraldis chose to leave William out of his writings . . .

SCA History:

During his travels through the Barony of Axemoor, William, known to his friends as Camric, swore oath and became squire to Sir Manfred von Rothenburg, a Hospitaler knight of Meridies serving in Outremer. His lineage is short but filled with men of great word fame. In time he became affiliated with House Dragon Or headed by the great matriarch Mistress Rhiannon of the Isles. In the year A.S. 33 he was granted the accolade of Knighthood by the hand of King Gareth and Queen Sabine of Meridies. The elevation took place during the Principality Investiture of Gleann Abhann at the Great Abby and reported home of St. Bogdatious.

Since that time, Sir William has had the privilege to serve the Principality of Gleann Abhann as 6th Prince with Viscountess Rainilt le Dering and 13th Prince with Countess Onora inghean mhic Cathain. Since the founding of the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann in A.S. 40 he has served as 6th and 9th Crown with his lovely lady, Onora inghean mhic Cathain. He has three squires:

• THL Blaec le Dering a 12th century Norman
• Lord Griffin fitz Wyse an 11th century Norman
• Lord Olaf Bristlebeard Erikson, a 10th century Anglo-Dane.

Lineage:

• Sir William fitz Hughe de Cambria, squired to Sir Manfred von Rothenburg.
• Sir Manfred von Rothenburg, squired to Syr Phaelan Cathaoir-Mor.
• Syr Phaelan Cathaoir-Mor, squired to Sir Beorn Collen-Ferth.
• Sir Beorn Collen-ferth, squired to Sir Francois Duvant.
• Sir Francois Duvant was not squired but sprang fully formed from the head of Zeus.

Household:

Household Information:

Conroi fitz HugheItalic text is the chosen name of Sir Williams hearth-sworn. In ‘period’ a conroi is a small cavalry unit made up of knights or sworn men who follow a unit leader. The household is small and select but its members are well known for their skill in battle and service to the Kingdom.

Motto:

Personal: Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat - Fortune Favors The Brave

Conroi: Fortius Quo Fidelius - Strength Through Loyalty