Order of the Laurel
Order of the Pelican
Order of the Boga-Hirth
Order of the Silver Hammer
Order of the Cross of Calontir
Grant of Arms (Meridies)
Court Baronage (Meridies)
Order of the Torse
Order of the Boga-Fyrd
Order of the Leather Mallet
Order of the Golden Calon Swan
Award of Arms (Meridies)
Meridian Cross (Meridies)
Meridian Broken Bow (Meridies)
Queen's Endorsement of Distinction
Queens Yeoman (Meridies)
Sanguine Mountain (Meridies)
Jon Tristram was born the 6th of August, A.D. 1153, in Devon, England,
during the reign of Stephen of Blois, the last true Norman King of England.
His father was of Norman descent and was an under sheriff of Devon, as had
been his father before him. His mother was of Saxon descent and the daughter
of a master woodwright and boat builder. Jon spent his early life on his
father's small estate in Devon with frequent trips to his maternal grandfather's
shop near Exeter.
By age 15 he was spending much of his time with
the yeomen and archers in the employ of the local Baron and the Constabulary.
The following year (1169),he participated in the invasion of Ireland, lead
by Richard FitzGilbert (known as Strongbow), Earl of Pembroke, in Wales,
and did not return home until 1171. He spent the next year and a half studying
at Glastonbury in Somerset.
At age 20 (1173) he fought alongside
his father to help subdue a rebellion against King Henry II, the first Plantagenet
King (who began his reign in 1154). In 1183, at age 30, leading a small
force of yeomen and archers, he again answered the call of his King to assist
in putting down a rebellion. Upon his return home, he was given the position
of administrator over the township and shire where his father was undersheriff.
In 1189, Richard became King of England, but within 6 months had
left for the crusades. Within the year, Prince John, Richard's brother, was
in control of England, backed by their mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Jon
was continually at odds with some of the Norman nobility over the treatment
of the Saxon people. He continued in his position as administrator until
King Richard's return in 1194. He has spent his time since then traveling,
studying, and developing his skills as an archer.