I first became involved with the SCA in 1980 CE, as a druidic non-combatant (I was only 15) book herald in the Midrealm’s Shire of the Great Crossing. In 1983 CE I moved to the Midrealm’s Royal Burg of Cynnabar (whence my name), and became a Teutonic hardsuit armorer, then a featherweight (115 lbs) fighter when I turned 18. In 1986 CE I moved to Atenveldt’s Barony of Tir Ysgithr, where again I dabbled in hardsuit with the ill-fated Krieghund Landsknecht & Chez Noir households, but did mostly bardic and field heraldry. I wanted to fence, especially after studying olympic foil with Maestra Yvonne Gallego, but Atenveldt didn’t fence in those days, so I joined the Empire of Chivalry & Steel (a local live-steel reenactment group) where I practiced shinai with aspirations of progressing to schlager, but again had better luck with bardic (Banner War Bardic Champion, in 1991 CE I think, the year one of the live-steel hardsuiters lost an eye). In 1997 CE I came back to the SCA & finally started rapier fencing! I devised my current persona, and my name and device were approved that year. I’ve attended many Estrella Wars, but only fought melees in three (1998-2000 CE). Mundane responsibilities then took over all my weekends for the next five years until I moved to the EK Barony of Iron Bog late last year, and while I feel like I’m starting from scratch again, I’m having so much fun it really doesn’t matter. It’s so good to be back in the Known World, and my thanks to all for the welcome I’ve received.

Monsieur Robert (with a silent "t") was born at Chateau Josselin in Bretagne (Brittany) in 1600 CE (which as far as I’m concerned shall satisfy any question of whether my persona is period), the son of King Henri IV’s Master of Hounds, but has chosen a nom de guerre until he can make a name for himself independent of his family (particularly his notorious sister). An ardent traveller, he’s been all over France and Her environs (including Quebec) as a lieutenant of King Louis XIII’s Royal Dragoons, as well as getting lost in the Midrealm, Galendor, Atenveldt, and the East Kingdom, with visits back to France between. He was nearly disowned for picking up a lute and singing, but he does openly enjoy the noble pursuits of fencing, musketry, heraldry, dancing, and continually upgrading his kit.