(Current Year: 225) In this series I present the story of each of my High Nobility houses (see index after article), each representing one district (=world). Originally the current Region 12 had ten High Nobility peerages; 4 dukes, 5 barons and even 1 lord. Duke de Cavalier was the forth and last dukedom to be introduced by King Wizar I in Year 98. At this time the three dukes of Windenburg, Rossie and Meadows had been reigning for nearly a full century. The new dukedom was the smallest geographically, covering only the expanded land of Brindleton, today's Sable Square and Cavalier Cove. A high nobility lord was already answering to Whiskerman's Wharf and the Deadgrass Isle - and still is.
Dukedom de Cavalier is currently a well run peerage, with the region's most traditional castle including a highly awarded castle garden. Despite being only 127 years old, the house has an interesting story involving the myth of merfolk.
Coat of arms
Their shield (which is the only coat of arms element that I focus on) has changed three times, for each and every Peer. This is rather special, as a new peerage would be expected to at least keep its centered element which would help branding the peerage.
Duke Leopold Demitris de Cavalier (Y142) replaced the orange stripes by turquoise stripes, probably reflecting his Duchess Mera's unconfirmed merfolk origin.
History
Today's Duke de Cavalier is only the 3rd in a line going from Duke Clauss Nicolai Ross to current Duke Aquess Benedict de Cavalier. The wide family is quite limited, as each generation had only one son growing up. The new generation counts two sons and a daughter, so there is hope the family will get better established in the region. Here is their interactive family tree.
Duke de Cavalier Y98-142
He was raised by Duke Benedict Demitris Ross of Rossie as the 3rd of 5 children. Oldest brother Clemet Augustin Ross became the next Duke of Rossie, 2nd brother Sophus George disappeared as a young adult, and was later suggested dead, but much later there were unconfirmed rumors that he had been turned by a vampire and was hiding. Sister Sunneva married to King Wizar I and became Queen of SimNation aged 36. Finally, sister Saphira Louise married to the Duke von Windenburg. In other words - Clauss Nicolai was surrounded by elite!
Aged 40 (Y98) he founded the dukedom in Brindleton Bay, on request from his brother-in-law, King Wizar I. This was the last high nobility peerage, and completed the royal initiative of having one high nobility peer in each district of the area. The dukedom de Cavalier was assigned Military as the expected career, while Politician would be accepted.
Duke Clauss built the Chateau Cavalier at Cavalier Cove. The very old style can be explained by the construction being based on a long abandoned convent. They chose to keep the rough rocks, and copied the style, but much bigger, of course. The huge castle garden is said to have been part of the convent garden, filled with old herbs.
Duke Clauss married Agnéz Brienda von Klasse, and they had 3 sons, all aiming for military success. The two oldest were killed at war and there was actually a chance the House de Cavalier would expire after just one generation.
When the Great Revolution struck (Y120) the Cavalier dukedom was not as badly affected as the other high nobility houses, probably because Clauss had never been a member of the Royal Chamber. The revolutionists' main goal was to harm the Royal institution.
Duke de Cavalier Y142-176.
Because his two older brothers were both killed at war, Leopold Demitris de Cavalier became successor to the dukedom, despite being the youngest.
Duke Leopold was crowned at age 40 (Y142). The same year he bought some crafting rights in Brindleton Bay, so the finances must have been satisfying. He lead a successful Military career and aged 81 he was awarded the "High Order of Warriors".
Duke Leopold married Mera Deepdop, a beautiful woman who was rumored to descend from merfolk. Historians never succeeded to trace her ancestors, and her medical journal brought fuel to those rumors - Duchess Mera had major problems related to her legs, she ended her life in a wheelchair and died early, aged 56. Her health issues are the origin to the rumored curse, suggesting that she and any woman descending from her will face the same faith after giving birth to a baby girl. Duke Leopold had a pool built in the castle garden, most likely as an attempt to keep his wife's mermaid body vital. Medical experts can not to this day explain - nor understand - what actually happened.
Duke Leopold and Duchess Mera had only two children, son Aquess Benedict got this dukedom, while daughter Arléna Marina married to Lord Edward August de Sür-Blyth.
Duke Leopold was Patron of Brindleton Horticultural Society for 10 years.
Duke de Cavalier Y176-
Aged 29 Aquess became sovereign of the dukedom, that means he was already Duke while he studied for a History degree at University of Britechester.
Duke Aquess Benedict married Claudine Beatrix Roxenfox, Lady of Lunderclam. Aquess and Claudine are still head of this peerage, but are planning to step back shortly.
Aquess has numerous directorships. He is or has been board member of Landgraab Institutes, Inc., Reg12 Transport, Inc., Sür-Blyth Agriculture, Inc., Reg12 EDU, Inc., and The Rossie Trust. He is Patron of The Historical Society and Brindleton Horticultural Society.
Duchess Claudine is board member of Gloom Peerage Trust, and Patron of Brindleton Pawspital and Brindleton Horticultural Society. Aged 71 she was awarded "The National Sprout" for her ten years work with botanical tables.
Their three children are now all young adult University students. Oldest son, Baron Charlopold Demitris is preparing to get crowned Duke de Cavalier as soon as he has earned his History degree. Lord Leon Demitris has decided to develop his acting talent, in conflict with family traditions. Lady Merielle just got engaged to the future Baron Gloom.
Politics
The Dukes de Cavalier never were bold when it comes to politics. They actually had a difficult position in the district as the central hood, Whiskerman's Wharf, was not controlled by them but the Lord of Deadgrass.
Both Duke Aquess and his late father, Duke Leopold, has done good things for the school system. When they gave the Sür-Blyth peerage to a Farmer and Scientist, it was with the common understanding that the farm should serve as an agricultural school for future farmers. Several young farm workers spent a few years serving the farm, before they returned to their home district to run their own farm.
Duke Aquess also initiated the Noble Student Trust, together with Duke Jarret of Rossie. The student trust aims to help students staying at Mossy Lane Dorm at Gibbs Hill in Rossie.
Professions
This peerage's expected career is Military, but also Politician is accepted, and this far all Cavalier sovereigns had a Military career. The upcoming Duke Charlopold is planning to do the same.
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| Duke Leopold & Duchess Mera. |
Possessions
The Brindleton Trust is the formal owner of the large Chateau Cavalier as well as valuable jewelries and rugs. The most expensive single item is the XVIIth Century Wool Rug worth §122 000.
In addition the Duke owns many stocks on private hand, as well as two lots in Cavalier Cove. Hindquarter Manor is a well equipped secondary home where the Duke and Duchess now prepare to move, but the manor is also used occasionally by relatives or a place to accommodate foreign guests.
Among the jewelries the old Coldine Emely parure is probably the most valuable, containing tiara (with investiture extension), necklace and earrings. The parure is one of four similar sets all commissioned year 61 by the Baron of Verde, Victor August von Donnersmalt for his four children. Duchess Claudine's favorite is said to be the moderate Mera Pearl Necklace with a turquoise center gem - an heirloom from late Duchess Mera, and assumingly a wedding gift from the merfolk.
Among the jewelry is the Brindleton Coronation Crown, an investiture gift from King Wizar I. All dukedoms have such a crown with gems responding to the colors of their Coat of Arms, but it is more of a ritual than something a Duke would wear besides on Coronation Day. There is also a Coronation Ring, which is used at specific formal events, and in particular when knighting new members for the Brindleton District Order. Because this peerage was established so much later than Windenburg, Rossie and Meadows, the Cavalier dukedom's Coronation Ring is quite different and unique. Also the 4 Duchesses got a ring each from King Wizar (Y99) to celebrate that the high nobility network was completed, and Duchess de Cavalier can wear a turquoise gem variant.
Cavalier Jewelry box and The Rugs Catalog for details.
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| Wedding of Duke Aquess Benedict de Cavalier & Lady Claudine Beatrix Roxenfox. Groom's sister Lady Arléne Marina (green dress). Bride's sister Lady Gloria Roxenfox (blue dress) future Duchess of Meadows. |
The Brindleton Trust board members are currently Duke Aquess Benedict (double sovereign vote),
Duke Victus Amador of Meadows (single vote) and Duke Jarret of Rossie (single vote). The norm is that the 2 additional board members can not be replaced during their first 25 years, unless there is a legit reason to dismiss them, of course, meaning only Duke Victus might get replaced when the dukedom now is set to get a new sovereign.
Economics
Brindleton is 1 of 8 high nobility districts of the old area (today's Region 12 and beyond). Financially this district started as the least valuable of them all, back when Deadgrass was the only peerage. With the Cavalier dukedom, and later also the Sür-Blyth peerage, Brindleton has climbed mid range.
Breaking it down per peerage, the Cavalier dukedom itself was naturally the wealthiest part of Brindleton, but has lost values along the way and from Y150 was surpassed by the Deadgrass peerage. It's pretty obvious that Duke's son, Baron Charlopold, will be facing a few challenges financially.
Running such a huge castle based on the income from an elderly couple is hard. There has not been a regular income in many many years. Allowances and dividend of stocks is not enough, especially not when having multiple servants on the pay roll. It will be interesting seeing how the next Duke will solve this all.
Descendants
House de Cavalier is not very well spread in the region. As mentioned, the first two generations were just one son, so it's probably legit to suggest that this house had an unsuccessful start, genealogically.
House de Cavalier is not very well spread in the region. As mentioned, the first two generations were just one son, so it's probably legit to suggest that this house had an unsuccessful start, genealogically.
The new generation just became young adults, and none of them are yet married. Baron Charlopold Demitris (34) is dating a commoner, who was not accepted by his parents. He is still at University so there might still be time for the romance to fade. Lady Merielle (32) is engaged to Lord Edward Ba. von Kaching, future Baron Gloom. And Lord Leon Demitris (30) is reportedly single, said to be less interested in nobility.
The only relative not directly connected to Chateau Cavalier, is current Duke Aquess' late sister, Arléna Marina. She married to Lord Edward de Sür-Blyth, and they resided the Sür-Blyth Farm, not far away from Chateau Cavalier. Their only daughter, Lady Elvira Leonora de Sür-Blyth, recently married but had no children yet. She is the only one who might be carrying the Mera curse, meaning if she gives birth to a girl she will most likely face a few years in a wheelchair, like her mother and grandmother, before dying way too young. Lady Elvira is Duke Aquess' Niece and the current Hood Contact of Cavalier Cove.
Most recent household
The current Cavalier household is counting 2 persons, only. Duke Aquess Benedict (79) and Duchess Claudine Beatrix (75). The castle is still the formal address of all their three children, but it is not likely that Lady Merielle and Lord Leon will return. In addition a Butler (Mehdi Mandir, 67) and a Cook (Emma H. Sherwood, 79) resides at Chateau Cavalier. The latter will probably retire shortly, and has been offered to move with the retired duke and duchess to their Hindquarter Manor.
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| Left to right: Lady Merielle, Duchess Claudine Beatrix, Baron Charlopold Demitris, Duke Aquess Benedict, and Lord Leon demitris. |
Duke Aquess is a retired Military Officer, but has been writing books for a few years besides managing the castle's farm activities. Duchess Claudine is not working, but maintains the big castle garden, including opening it to the public in Summer.
If the next generation manages to raise enough funds, this peerage should be going strong for years to come.
Index:
1. Duke von Windenburg - Windenburg, Region 28
2. Duke of Rossie - Rossie (incl. Britechester), Region 11
3. Duke of Meadows - half of San Myshuno, Region 12
4. Duke de Cavalier - half of Brindleton Bay, Region 12
5. Baron of Myshuno - half of San Myshuno, Region 12
6. Baron of Gloom - Gloomville (Willow Creek + Evergreen Harbor) Region 12
7. Baron of Verde - Oasis Springs (incl. StrangerVille) Region 12
10. Lord of Deagrass - half of Brindleton Bay, Region 12
High nobility peerage 8 and 9 are expired, and will not be covered.
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