Sir Christopher Armestronge

The only son of William Armestronge, Sir Christopher is his heir and a childhood friend to Richard and Brendan Austhwaite. He is tolerant of John's wizard "guests" but puts more faith in forged steel wielded by God-fearing men of noble birth. He is Patrick's companion character.

Sir Christopher Armestronge "Five Scot"
Strength (broad shoulders)
+2
Dexterity (fluid motions)
+2
Stamina (long-winded)
+1
Quickness
0
Intelligence
0
Presence (striking face)
+1
Perception
0
Communication
0
Virtues & Flaws: Knight +2, Heir +1, Inspirational +1, Common Fear (fire) -2, Sensitive to Disrespect -1, Oath of Fealty -1
Abilities: Speak English (poetry) 5, Speak Latin (Church Latin) 2, Scribe Latin (signature) 2, Speak French (courtly terms) 2, Speak Welsh (songs) 3, Awareness (money) 2, Folk Ken (nobles) 3, Carouse (wine) 1, Etiquette (ladies) 3, Faerie Lore (Eildon Hills), Intrigue (alliances) 3, Leadership (nobles) 3, Ride (joust) 2, Hunt (tracking) 2, Cumria Lore (politics) 2, Common Law 1, Legend Lore (beasts) 1, Charm (ladies) 2, Strategy (use of terrain) 1, Swim (lakes) 2, Templar Lore (England) 1, Wales Lore (nobles) 1
Sir Christopher
Year Born
1193
Age (in 1231 A.D.)
38
Decrepitude
0
Gender
Male
Size
0
Height
5'9"
Weight
162 lbs.
Hair
Black
Eyes
Gray
Handedness
Right
Twilight Points
0
Physical Description: Christopher possesses a well-chiseled face, with strong features and bright gray eyes. His black hair is worn in a military bowl cut. He wears fine clothes at all times.
Personality Traits: Greedy (attention) +2, Joking (friends) +2, Naïve (money) +1, Energetic (mornings) +3, Outgoing (strangers) +2, Trash-Talker (Scots) +1, Loyal (kinsmen) +4
Reputations: Fierce Warrior (Cumbria) 3, Indestructable (Corona Montis) 2
                   
Soak: +18 Armor Worn: chain mail on body and limbs, mail coif, great helm, and gauntlets (superior quality), kite shield
Skill
Weapon
Scr
Init
Atk
Dfn
Dam
Fat
Single weapon & shield
longsword
6
+8/+9
+10/+11
+14/+15
+6
+0/+1
Longshaft weapon
lance
5
+10/+11
+13/+14
+6/+7
+8
-1/+0
Brawling
fist/kick
3
+4/+5
+5/+6
+3/+4
+2
-3/-2
Number before slash is score on foot, while that after the slash is score while mounted or unarmored. These numbers were calculated using the optional rules in Ordo Nobilis.

Background: Christopher was born in 1193 to noble parents, Lord Wlliam of Banggarth and Lady Guenevere of Wales. Christopher was their first-born; his siblings included Gwendolyn (born 1196), Elaine (born 1199) and Margaret (born 1201). The family holds the freehold of Banggarth - located on the low fells between Miterdale and Eskdale in Cumbria - in the service of Baron William Boyuill, Lord of Millom.

A somber youth, Christopher's father impressed upon him at an early age the heavy responsibilities of lordship. Christopher spent much time as a boy training not only for warfare, but learning to ride, hunt, and manage the small estate. While always dutifully-minded, the lad did find time to play with other sons of noblemen in the area: in particular, Christopher spent much time with the children of John and Edward at nearby Austhwaite Manor.

Christopher spent his early years harassing his sister Gwendolyn, then fawning over her. She was married in 1214 to Robert, Lord of Dalston, in a coup for the Armestronge clan, as Lord Robert's family was very powerful. However, Robert was killed at Damietta in the Fifth Crusade. Their first child, Guenevere, was stillborn, and their son Richard was now without a father. Richard Austhwaite had always had an eye for Gwendolyn, and with Robert's passing, he was finally able to wed Gwendolyn in 1219, further strengthening the ties between the two families. Their first son, Nicholas, was born in December of 1219.

In 1217, Christopher's sister Elaine married Tower Allysonn, giving birth the next year to a baby boy, named after his father. Now living in far-off Pardsey Hall, Christopher sees Elaine but once a year, on average.

Christopher is particularly protective of his youngest sister, Margaret. The two siblings were very close, and this led to friction between Christopher and the youngest of Edward Austhwaite's sons, Stephen. Rumors began to circulate that Stephen was engaged in a dalliance with young Margaret, even while she was being courted by a powerful young noble from Penrith. This caused a scandal and ended the courtship; Christopher had never been overly fond of Stephen, and ever since he has been angry with the rogue. Her brief attention to Sir Aeddan confused Christopher, but he considered him the next in the long line of bad choices Margaret had made. Sir Roland then declared his attentions and likewise agitated the overprotective brother, but his resources and ties won Christopher over. He and his father consented to the marriage of Sir Roland and Margaret in 1224. In truth, no man will be good enough for her in Christopher's eyes.

Christopher is mindful of his position as heir to the Armestronge lands and sergeant of the Austhwaite garrison, as well as the need for him to take a wife. While he is sensitive to the need to marry well and to further strengthen his line, he can be something of a romantic and may be given to errors in judgement where women are concerned. He gained the honor and amorous attentions of Adrienne, Lord Strickland's sister and a widower, and after weighing the advantages and disadvantages of wedding her (for she possessed much land and power but was older and therefore a poor choice for bearing children), he married her in the spring of 1225. As luck would have it, the couple was expecting a child almost immediately, but tragically, Adrienne died giving birth to a daughter that winter. A deeply saddened Christopher named the girl after her departed mother.

With his wife's death, Christopherthrew himself into his duties, which at least gave him something else to think about. His appellation stems from a battle at the Strickland estate where five Scottish footmen succumbed to his lance, as related in the story Look Who's Coming to Dinner. He won the local tournament his first year, and again the following, and again in 1231, and has since always been one of the top five participants. Further, he also took two mighty blows from the Dragon of Man during the story The Perils of the Isle of Man, adding to his reputation. His men are convinced he cannot be killed.

Sir Christopher married again in the spring of 1228, to the youthful and radiant Sedille Thwaites, whom he met at Michael Merrick's estate while in pursuit of Marcellus. They are the proud parents of three sons, Michael, Patrick and Sean.

Illustration by Patrick Murphy.

This page last modified August 26, 2011 10:55 PM

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