Gillian de Ravely
Knight of The Society (Atenveldt, 1996) Huscarl of the Iren Hirth (Calontir, 1993)
Gillian began his travels in the Society in the Middle Kingdom at the College of St. Carol on the Moor, learning about the SCA from two gentle souls, Baron Carlo de la Casa and Mistress Myrrah de Blackwoode. He spent most of his early formative years however, in the Canton of Axed Root (northern Calontir) while at university. A noble and generous man, quick to smile, deft with both sword and craftsmen's tools, and as eager to learn as he was to teach, he made fast friends with the citizens of the canton and kingdom. It was in Calontir that Gillian learned the basic tennants of armed combat, service to the society, appreciation for the arts and the joy of standing shoulder to shoulder with one's companions in the shield wall at Pennsic while receiving dead sprint Tu'chuk charge.
Realizing that natural prowess was not enough, he became squire to Sir Alexandre Blackstone of Yorkshire (now a former Baron of Windhaven, Kingdom of Northshield) whose teaching and training aided Gillian in honing his skill at arms and understanding of chivalry and duty to Crown and Kingdom.
Gillian's university studies complete, he journeyed westward to the sun-bleached lands of the Principality of Artemisia in the Kingdom of Atenveldt. Where he had for so many Estrella Wars opposed the Aten army, he would now stand as a soldier in the line. (O.K., it's Artemisia... there really aren't any "lines"... just kind of a hooting, rolicking mob of death. - GdR) Soon thereafter, he would ride into battle as a knight. One of Gillian's great joys was to see the creation of the Kingdom of Artemisa before his time in that place had ended. Gillian's first squire was made in Artemisia, his dear friend and long-time trainee, Baldwin.
Gillian then moved to the Barony of Glymm Mere in the verdant Lands of An Tir where he made many friends, two squires (Aric & Leif McBride), a companion and two babies (it was a busy time). The richness of AnTir's artistic culture allowed Gillian to explore his "inner craftsman" and he medieval belts for fun and profit as well as teaching what he knew to others.
The Order of The Pell - In the days of his youth, Gillian and his good friend the Honorable Lord Coinneach Aindrias MacLeod (Calontir), set themselves to the task of bettering their martial prowess. As an inspiration (and with typical humor and joie de vivre) Gillian and Coinneach formed the noble Order of The Pell. The concept was simple and noble: celebrate all new fighters and encourage them mightily for they, more than any other fighter, have the greatest potential for growth. Once a new fighter had authorized in 3 weapons systems and won a tournament bout at an official SCA event, they were drummed out of the Order to continue their studies. (In truth the entire Canton of Axed Root was involved in the invention of the order... writing, editing, etc. A scroll was presented to the Crown on the day of the order's "creation" but it was never official... just out little thing. I have a beautifully illuminated copy of the original text that I was given as a gift on the occasion of my knighting. - GdR)
Gillian currently resides in the Kingdom of Northshield, where after many years hiatus it is rumored that he's ordering armor again...