Mundane Name: Dennis Nichol
Persona: 12th Century English
Date of Birth: October 1979
SCA Member since: 1994
With the Vanguard since: 1998
Achievements: Award of arms, Goute de Sang, Arcarius to Signore Giovanni Dell'Arco OGGS.
Current Affiliations: None
Vanguard Rank: Captain
History
His Lordship Stephen of Ropsley is a 12th Century Englishman from Ropsley Manor in the town of Hastings, in southern England.
In 1187, His Lordship Stephen was requested to accompany the armies of King Richard I (The Lion-Hearted), on the Third Crusade against Saladin the Upstart. After surviving the Crusade, and rejoicing in the truce made in 1189, His Lordship Stephen was returning home on a route through Northern Italy, where he met the Noble Italian war veteran Signore Giovanni dell’ Arco OGGS. Signore Giovanni saw great potential within the young Lord, and invited him to join his ranks of Arcarius on their way to the Great Kingdom of An Tir…. far west across the Atlantic Ocean, and over strange and foreign lands.
Accepting Signore Giovanni’s offer, but needing to return home first, His Lordship Stephen continued towards England though Castille, where he found his life-long partner Lady Sarah Appleton. Once reaching Ropsley Manor in Hastings (Along the Strait of Dover), and gaining the support of a few of his fellow Crusaders, they all formed The Vanguard, and opted to travel together on this great adventure. Together, The Vanguard followed Signore Giovanni across the sea and lands to the west, to settle in the Glorious Kingdom of An Tir. Holding lands in the Shire of Wyewood, (The Vanguard Keep), His Lordship Stephen and Lady Sarah lead The Vanguard in great adventures of battle, learning, and living.
The rest is…. well… future history!
View His Lordship's resume here or download it here.