Viscount Sir Schawn of Sterling Called the Leopard
Crusader Persona

In the year of our Lord 1048 did the Great Lord Hubert and his Lady wife Sandra did bear forth their eldest son Schawn. The Land of Wales had been for many years under attack by the Saxon Lords of Central and Northern England. During these raids did they destroy our Keep and bring the ruin of our Family Name. My father fell in the ensuing battles to reclaim our ancestral lands. Being only nine when this did occur I was unable to take my revenge.

There, for many centuries’ members of our family have lived in Normandy and we did depart for the safety and shelter of our family. There did I enter into training in the Chivalry. My liege was His Grace Mann and thru his training and many of his court did my steady progress from boy to God-fearing man did happen. After years of hardening training and peril of Quest did the Great Lord William the Conqueror did put forth a call to all able Knights, Squires and Men-at-Arms to bring Justice to the Saxon.

Giving no care for myself, but only seeing opportunity to seek revenge on those that had been the source of great pain unto my Family, did I join them on this Quest? At the Battle of Hasting in the year of our Lord 1066 did we meet the Saxons? Thou, the Saxon held the high ground we held our resolve knowing that our cause is right and just. In the afternoon our line did begin to falter and many of the Saxon did break into our ranks. In that moment did Our Great Lord William, call for a counter charge. Answering the call this young Squire did distinguish himself and by the valor of his arm did he drive many of the Saxons to the here after. The battle was won by our host of Knights. Shortly there after did I receive my Knighthood. Given the new lands of England, and the need of many able body Normans to administer it did I find myself protecting our Northern Border As the Lord Sterling Castle. Many Skirmishes with the Northern Scots did give me a reputation for War and the skill to lead men.

Many a year did pass and I found myself in France paying homage to our King. There I did come to a great calling from Pope Urban II, Deus vult! ("Gods wills it!"). Those with a great host did I take to the Crusade. Because of my journey home, providing a proper trained and skill fighting force did I miss the Peoples Crusade but did follow with a great force. We made our way to Constantinople and them to the occupied lands that the Seljuk Turks held. We had several victories when we made our way to the Fortified City of Antioch. We prepared to lay siege but by the Grace of our Lord oh Mighty our forces did gain access and took the city in a night. We then to the long, hot, dry road to Jerusalem. We where often harassed by Saladin’s quick moving Horse Archers.

Once with in site of The Holy City did we see that the Devils had whipped the valleys clean of all manor of food, water and even every twig to make shelter from? Urgent Messages where sent to bring supplies in order for Gods work to be done quickly and a decisive victory, Deus vult! ("Gods wills it!"). Months pasted before those supplies could be delivered and we languished out side the walls of our most Holiest of Cities. As the Devils did bate us to come within archer range with a wide variety of temptations. Shortly before my 52 birthdays did we take the Holy City in the year of our Lord 1100. There where many of those that would have been Just Nobles did fall upon its inhabitance with such furry that the streets did run knee deep is blood. The shame of that still weighs deep upon my soul even though the Pope did give us leave of that Sin. The Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem was established by the Grace of God. On the route home I did stop in Rome to do penance for my part. There I did pass from this Earth and join our Farther in his Kingdom. May God save you all.

Viscount Sir Sterling Persona

In the year of our Lord 1542 I was born to the Noble House of Sterling. Being of the Welsh descent and the only son, I was afforded an education of both of scholars and Nautical. After the death of my parents in a raid by French Pirate, (May the Devil have their souls), I was fostered to Duke Sir Mann McAlpine from the Isle of Mann. Being a great and honorable Lord he squired me along with many others. We served him well on many campaigns. It was our pleasure to found the Barony of Twin Moons for his Majesty and Duke Mann became its founding Baron (Glory to our Blood line).

On my many travels for His Graces, on several vessels, I made many friends. To mention a few, Dona Mistress Angela Sara Maria Diaz de Valdes a Spanish cactus in fine feathers, whom is a teacher of war and arts. A Venison well to do merchant, Lord Marco Andrea Vendramin Veneziano, who prove helpful in the training of the finer arts. Baron Master Uko D’Aosta, another fine gentlemen from Italy quick with the sword and teacher of politics. His mentor Master Mark the Immoral (a more appropriate nickname could not be found) and a great teacher of philosophy and debauchery (say no more). There are many others of note but this is a brief history.

Now it comes to my Bloodline. That being an iatrical part of the social, political and economic assent of any young Lord. My Sire as mention before is Duke Sir Mann McAlpine. From him I have several brother squires from many generations. He is referred to as the first generation. I come from the second generation boasting a host of Knights. The First is Baron Sir Dietrich Kurneck von Hammerstein a great and noble warrior. I was the second to reach knighthood and the first to become royalty. Then Sir Michael of Mylynith, a gentle giant with a crushing off side. Lastly of the second generation to reach Knighthood was Sir Leo Alejandro. Just recently Tristan, a former squire of mine now Duke Mann squire, just stepped up a Baron of Twin Moons and was Knighted at Estrella XX. There are several other squire to Duke Mann that are now considered the third generation. In the Third generation, Baron Dietrich has had two squires reach knighthood. Sir Gregory Winterson and Sir William Xanthos. There are several in the third and forth generation. For my part I have five squires. Lord Quire David Nicholas is my senior squire followed by Lord John Edward, Lord Maghnus, Lord Donegal and Lord Wilham. I have Three Men-at-Arms Lord Johanus, Lord Timothy, and Lord Michel. Hopefully many more to follow.

When I was of age I became master of my own vessel, the Sea Mistress. When Queen Elizabeth 1st granted letters of marquee against Spain and France I converted my 100 ton eighteen gun Braque (a English sleek Galley) to take my crew to glory and riches as privateers. We took many Spanish Galleons off the Canary isle and Mediterranean. During these raids I made a name for myself and my crew as well as the Queen wealthy. Her Majesty found it suitable to knight me and all was well.

It was on one of my Voyages in the Mediterranean we saved a Venetian Merchant ship being plunder by the Corsairs. The Sea Mistress suffers heavy damage and had to make port. We made our way to Venice. On board the merchant ship was a wealthy Wine Merchant from Pergola in the Lombard region of Italy. He invited several of my crew and myself to join him while The Sea Mistress was in dry dock. There I met his most beautiful daughter Diana Della Rosa di Pergola. It took months for the repairs to complete and in that time (well spent) Diana and I fell deeply in love. Her Father made the arrangements for a normal courtship (damn the niceties). Some time passed before we were wed. In that time I fought for the local Prince and was rewarded with a Viscounty for capturing those opposed to him (sweet deal). Her Excellency Diana my loving wife bore me three Daughters (God hates me, their dowries will bankrupt me) in the years to come. Knowing that they each need dowries (at least that’s what I told Diana) I returned to my business of shipping and acquisition (booty gold gold gold…). I also fought against my life long enemies the French. They had several engagements with the Swiss (frog legs for everyone).