Giles de Bois Guilbert

Previously known as Rognvaldr Bassi, second Baron of Stromgard (Jan 11, 2003 to Oct 2, 2005)

Photographs on this page ©2007, J. Levi Keith.

Giles de Bois Guilbert, a 14th century Englishman

Giles enjoys working with leather and metal in various ways such as casting, shoemaking, piercework and his current passion, 14th century armour.

His biography follows . . .

MAKING 14TH CENTURY GAUNTLETS - BATTLE OF WISBY STYLE

Making finger parts

Fingers & knuckles coming along

Leather base

Finger parts jointed and riveted to leather base

Forming the back of the hand

Inside plates and outer leather of gauntlet wrist

Starting to get there

MAKING CRUCIBLES AND MOLDS WITH POOP & CLAY - FOR MELTING/POURING/CASTING METALS:

Clay, horse poop, charmotte, hair/wool and organic matter ready to mix

Forming the Crucibles

A variety of Crucibles ready for use in the forge

Crucibles with molten brass in the forge

Poop/clay molds being made (for Norse pieces)

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GILES DE BOIS GUILBERT

Giles was born in the Year of Our Lord 1288, on the Feast of his namesake, at Gilbert’s Wood in Gloucestershire. As second son - in a family long of nobility but short on cash - there was rare likelihood that Giles would ever come into possession of his family’s estate. He therefore took service with the De Clare family, through Eleanor and her husband Hugh de la Spencer the Younger.

This happenstance would be a significant factor during Giles’ lifetime, but became bittersweet with equal parts bane and benefit. However it was through this new relationship with Hugh that he would learn and profit much, and stand in good graces with King Edward.

De Bois Guilbert’s diligent and faithful service was rewarded with a baronage in 1317. He was also charged by Hugh to be Custos of Gloucester Castle, and to arrest disturbers of the peace in both Gloucester and Worchester. Unfortunately, in 1322, Giles' fortunes quickly began to change.

The barony that had been granted to him was brokered by Hugh from lands that Edward had illegally confiscated in Gower. This - coupled with Hugh’s changing nature and seeming insatiable lust for power - led to a continually widening rift between the two men. That split came to an end in the fall of 1326 when Edwards’s wife, Queen Isabella, and Roger de Mortimer arrived in England with the force of the Hainaulter family. Their aim was to depose Edward and install Isabella's son as king in his place.

Though called to support Edward II, de Bois Guilbert would not raise arms against the Prince of Wales. Nor could he, in all good conscience, support De Spenser and Edward II any longer because of their recent misdeeds. Giles therefore renounced his baronage. But fate had not turned her back on Giles, for it was this decision (along with his ties to the De Clare family) that saved his life. In the blink of an eye, fierce attitudes and bloody reprisals ensued toward the De Spensers and their confederates, and England raged.

Since then De Bois Guilbert has managed to support himself through the tournament, however it proves an unpredictable existence fraught with hazard. Most especially, Giles had grown accustomed to the especial privileges accompanying a baronage. He now actively plots to recover this lost lifestyle, even to the extent of pursuing marriage with the willful Isolda Throkmorton de Foxley.

Marriage to such a woman would be true sacrifice on Giles' part, but would gain him access to the rich Foxley estates - and thus a return to luxurious living. Sir Simon Throkmorton, with no sons to inherit, has thus far been open to Giles’ suit.

Unfortunately Isolda remains aloof, unyielding, and highly opinionated on the matter.

The year is now 1327 and, with the Feast of Candlemass behind us, we enter the Holy Lenten season of fasting and prayer. Giles is at Foxley Manor pursuing his bid for Isolda’s hand and, most especially, protecting his interests from any other wolves who may choose to style themselves her suitors. He hopes the following Pascal season will include marriage to his intended.

In Isolda’s book, he will be praying for a miracle.

Project blog & more photos on MySpace at: Gilbert's Wood

Giles SCA background

• Award of Arms (Atenveldt) - Jan 31 AS 25 / 1991
• Fanged Wolf (Atenveldt combat award) - Jan 1 AS 27 / 1993
• Hawk's Lure (Atenveldt combat award) - Jan 1 AS 29 / 1995
• Bell & Chain (Stromgard) - June 24 AS 34 / 1999
• Seneschal - Stromgard - Feb 2000 to Feb 2002
• Goutte de Sang - July 29 AS 35 / 2000
• Sergeant (Stromgard) - Aug 26 AS 35 / 2000
• Lancer (Stromgard) - Sept 22 AS 36 / 2001
• A&S Champion of Stromgard - Feb AS 36 / 2002
• Seamair (Stromgard) - Feb 2 AS 36 / 2002
• Jambe de Lion - June 29 AS 37 / 2002
• Forget-me-not - June 29 AS 37 / 2002
• A&S Champion of Dragon’s Mist - Summer AS 36 / 2002
• Ordo Musarum (Stromgard) – Dec. 14 AS 37 / 2002
• Territorial Baron - Stromgard - Jan 11 AS 37 / 2003 to Oct 2 AS 40 / 2005
• Magistrae Ithra (University of Ithra, An Tir) - Feb 22 AS 37 / 2003
• Potissimus Hippocampus (Stromgard) - Dec 3 AS 40 / 2005
• Seamair (Baroness' Favour, Stromgard) - Dec 3 AS 40 / 2005