Laurelen Darksbane
From MiddleWiki
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 King Laurelen in September 1979 | ||||||||||
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Nineteenth and twenty-second King of the Middle Kingdom.
The Ninteenth and twenty-second King of the Middle Kingdom, Duke Laurelen Darksbane is a man with a good deal of mirth and myth surrounding him. He was instrumental in seeing that the Marche of the Cleftlands became a Barony, and reigned as Baron Cleftlands for over 23 years since its founding in 1978 with his wife Duchess Ithrilliel of Silverlake joining him as Baroness two years later.
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Persona
Welsh, no, really...
Offices & Positions
Founding Baron Cleftlands, retired.
Former Earl Marshal of the Midrealm
Chivalric Lineage
Laurelen was never a squire
He has had the following squires elevated to the Chivalry: Grod Grondis, Emrys of Gwyntarian
He has no current squires.
Interests and SCA-related hobbies
Known for many things including prowess at arms, skill in metal work (Did you know he made the ducal coronet he sometimes wears? He also crafted the Midrealm Sword of State, Oathbinder which he gave to the Kingdom when he was King in May 1979.), a stunning Conan impression, and a love of history, tales and Tolkien. He is also credited with coining the Middle Kingdom battle cry "Draco Invictus", originating (with Sir Talymar) the Knight's vigil in the Middle Kingdom, setting the minimum age to authorize in combat to 18 and writing the Middle Kingdom Earl Marshal's handbook in the format still used today. In particular His Grace has taken pains to make certain we all remember our history as a society while we recreate that of the middle ages. After all, he was there for a lot of it!
Reign details
19th Reign of the Middle Kingdom
22nd Reign of the Middle Kingdom
Biography
The following is from Duke Laurelen's autobiography as written in the records of the MidRealm Chivalry -- A biography? I have been asked by various of my Brethren in the Order, "why haven't you written your Bio"? So -- I have now done so.
I Joined the SCA in March, 1972 while in college; which was 6 months before the FIRST Pennsic War. I was very active but didn't become a fighter until 5+ years later on July 2, 1977 (college and life , etc got in the way of that particular SCA activity). I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to start my training in the way of the sword in 1966 in classical Fencing and Sword under Oscar Kolambatovitch (one of the pre-eminent sword-masters of the 20th century).
Authorized on 7/2/1977. Fern de la Foret (then Squire to Duke Merowald) was my authorizing-opponent. Authorizing marshals were Duke Andrew of SeldomRest, Duke Merowald de Sylveastan, and Duke Dagan du Darregonne. They said I fought like Prince Valiant but they'd let me authorize anyway.
Was invited to fight in Crown Tournament in the ancient days of the Invitational Crown's. It was an incredible honor just to see you name on the list and didn't even know if you would be one of the 32 combatants allowed in the double-elim tournament that day. First Crown I was invited to: November 1977 by King Merowald. I still remember that I was # 22 on the list. I fought for Ithriliel, as I still do today, and became a semi-finalist in that Crown. Outclassed and defeated twice by Sir Polidor, it was wonderful to lose to such a warrior. Master Moonwulf, however, defeated Sir Polidor in the finals.
I was invited to fight in King Moonwulf's Crown in May, 1978, and fought to the semifinals again. Alen Elegil and Nathan von Daritz fought in the finals -- Alen yielded due to heatstroke. Nathan became King.
I was invited to fight in King Nathan's Crown on October 28, 1978. Alen and I fought to the finals and we were admitted to the Order of Chivalry in between the two fights of the Crown Tournament Finals. Nathan was an unbelted King so Duke Dagan and Duke Andrew held two separate swords and the King's hands and gave the accolades to Alen and I simultaneously. It had never happened before nor has it happened since in all of SCA history. Two Knights dubbed simultaneously. I went on, then Syr Laurelen, to Defeat then Sir Alen and win the Crown. I was King and led the MidRealm army at the 8th Pennsic War.
I became Earl Marshal following Duke Fionnvar in October, 1979.
I fought in and won one more Crown Tournament for Ithriliel in May, 1980, becoming Prince to Talymar and Valmai. i was King with Queen Ithriliel that winter and came off the Thrones in May, 1981, just before the 10th Pennsic War.
I resumed duties as Earl Marshal of the MidRealm in May, 1981, published the 5th Edition of the Marshallate Handbook, and remained in that Office until May, 1985, having served for about 6 years.
I was marshal in Charge of Pennsic 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15 and devised the Marshal-ID-numbered-sticker and painted-weapon inspection system first used at Pennsic 10 and then ever since.
I have been blessed by the powers that made me with a remarkable constitution and I do my utmost to take care of it since it is a precious gift. I have thus been continuously active and fighting every week, training myself and students, and at events and wars ever since those ancient days. I believe that the journey we Knights undertake lasts a lifetime and we should revel in the discoveries about ourselves that we make along the way.
This year, 2018CE, I have had the privilege of serving as a MidRelam Knight for 40 years, and I am proud to remain steadfast in my belief in our MidRelam Oath as a living thing that binds us in a profound and intimate truth. In believing so, I continuously strive to remain, as that oath requires, and inspired by my Brethren in this Order to ever be a Good Knight and True, ... Shield of the weak, ... and ... Foremost in battle.
| 19th Midrealm Crown ( 05/1979–10/1979 ) | ||
| Preceded by Nathan and Kirsten II | Reigned with Ithriliel of Silverlake | Succeeded by Alen and Emmelyne |
| 22nd Midrealm Crown ( 10/1980–05/1981 ) | ||
| Preceded by Talymar and Valmai | Reigned with Ithriliel of Silverlake | Succeeded by Hugo and Caitlin |
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