Mathias Hakonan
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Mathias Hakonan
Persona
"Harp or Halbard, battlefield or ballad.... That man is an Artist."
~Edric IV upon the Caidan victory at Prado Hill, A.S XLII
A Norwegian mercenary and Skald in 1195ad., Mathias held farmlands in Ireland for a time before taking an inherited position among the Varangian Guard in Constantinople.
It was there in the East Roman Empire that he became enamored of the Muse and began to study and perform the music of Eastern harps and lutes. Poetry and music soon took up most of his time, and to his fellow mercenaries disdain he was often requested to perform in Court.
Political and religious tensions within the Varangian Guard soon reared their heads, and Mathias chose to leave his position among them. Though now devoted to art and music, his military exploits were by no means finished, nor would he remain in the West very long. His half Irish son Olaf was now of age and sought to make a new life abroad with his father.
In 1190 Mathias returned to Ireland to settle the question of inheritance of the farmstead. Olaf left his inherited holdings to his mother and half sister, choosing the sword over the plow. Together they traveled to Trondheim and the original farmsteads of the Hakonan. Here they commissioned a ship and hired a crew, joined by the notable Sightsman (and rumored half brother to Mathias), Seamus. In the spring of 1191 they set sail for Iberia, lured by the prospect of gold and glory.
After multiple raids on the coast of Moorish Spain, they joined the Caidan Army under King Edric IV. Mathias fought in many battles, most notably the Caidan victories at Prado Hill and Highland Plains. He was also appointed as Royal Bard during this reign, and continued his studies of music and poetry under Royal patronage.
After the peaceful end of King Edric's reign they returned to Constantinople. Mathias, Olaf and Seamus soon found there was easy gold to be made by protecting caravans bound for Kiev. The three joined House Romani, long time friends from the early years in the East, and travelled by river next to the caravans.
Their ship Hronslítr came to be known as Floating Wagon among their gypsy brethren, and provided swift protection and control of local waterways. Mathias also found a warm welcome in many Courts and Revels he attended, and was often called to perform for Noble and Commoner alike.
His reputation as an Artist continued to grow, and in 1195 (A.S. 52) was appointed Queen's Guard and Gladius Musicorum, Sword of Music. He can be found to this day sharing his joy in the Muse up and down the coasts of our fair Caid.....
Offices & Positions
Harp Argent -- Caid (music) 2007-05-12
Chanson (aka L'Honneur de la Chanson) -- Caid 2017-07-16
Order of Apollo --Barony of Angels {Music} 2017-09-09
Signum Regni -- Caid {Edric & Faizeh} (AM)2007-06-02
Queen's Champion {Arts & Sciences}{Tahira} 2017-08-12