Lerald of Norwick
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Lerald of Norwick (7th of the First Seed, 1500 – 26th of the Grand Harvest, 1572) was a Hansetian soldier, craftsman, and noble serving in the Dukes' War, Eighteen Years' War, and Riga War. Originally from the peasantry, Lerald had risen through the ranks from his petty serfdom to nobility through his feats as a freerider and soldier. He is the founder of the minor noble House of Vyronov.
Biography
Lerald of Norwick was born to Hansetian horse breeders in the town of Siegrad, growing up in a life of poverty. He grew up with a minimal education, and did not know how to read or write till much later in his life, but instead was reared towards animal husbandry like his family. When Lerald was aged 7, his family made the first trip with the young boy to the Orenian capital, to which Lerald recorded later in his memoirs:[...] bustling with activity, it was a marvelous sight to behold. Never before had I seen such a crowd, and the noises which banged my ears, the smells which barraged my nose, and the working girl which made my eyes gaze in wonder.
On the outbreak of the Dukes' War, Lerald was drafted into the host of Duke Siguine of Haense as a footman, and served primarily under the command of Count Tarcell of Valles, the serving regent of the Duchy of Haense and leader of the Northern Army. Both Siguine and Tarcell had thrown their lot in with Duke Hugh of Adria in support for his kingship over King Olivier of Savoie. Lerald would serve in the bloodiest battle of the conflict, the Battle of the Blackwald, which saw the rebel army crushed by the royalists. Lerald barely escaped when the retreat horns were called, and he joined the remainder of the army in Barrowyk under the command of Lord Kazimir Vladov. Lerald was transferred to the defense of Brelus before the siege, and so survived the onslaught that was the Siege of Barrowyk.
When Brelus fell in 1521, Lerald joined the company of Leon of Amaury and Baldwin de Bar, where he served in the Tarchar Crusade against Aryat Bey. He later returned to Carnatia to take up his family pastures after hearing of the death of his fellow brothers from the brotherhood of the Golden Crow. He pleaded to John, Baron of Valwyk, who lead the battle against them and was awarded the Barony of Valwyk for that, to let him bury them. John, gave his permission under the circumstance that Lerald swore fealty to him. Lerald did and buried his brothers, creating a small graveyard on top of a hill. John, who was elevated to Count of Kvasz, would later hire him as a steward. He also served as a military officer and advisor underneath John, Count of Kvasz, Duke Otto II of Carnatia and Duke Stefan of Carnatia, where he furthered his fame in the Eighteen Years' War and as commander of the cavalry during the Riga War.
Lerald grew an outstanding loyalty to Lord John, which he continued to serve through the majority of his life. He became the Master of Horses for the Duchy of Carnatia under Duke John, and was later raised as Baron of Astfield.
Lerald would die fighting during the journey from Vailor to Axios, having sired two sons and one daughter.
Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Marriage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rudolph Vyronov | 13th of the Deep Cold, 1535 | 1590 | Marjorie Ruthern | Successor of Lerald, Baron of Rytsburg. |
| Lothor Vyronov | 28th of Malin's Welcome, 1538 | 1621 | Unwed | Commander of the Vyronov household guard |
| Margareth Vyronov | 16th of the Grand Harvest, 1540 | Unknown | Unwed | Missing, presumed dead |
