Bardholt I

Bardholt and Sabran VI by stormravenart

Bardholt I Battlebold was the beloved first king of Hróth, the founder of the house of Hraustr and he who united the twelve domains of Hróth after the War of Twelve Shields. He converted his country to the Six Virtues of Knighthood by wedding the then princess Sabran VI of Inys, bringing Hróth into Virtudom. He was also king of Mentendon, due to the Hróthi man Heryon Vattenvarg seizing Mentondon as his own, then pledging alligience to the Hammer of the North.

## Physical description

According to Sabran VI:s first impression of him in CE 483, he was muscular, very tall and as broad and sturdy as a dowry chest, with thick blonde hair reaching to his waist and a face etched by war. She couldn't determine his exact age, because although she suspected him to be around 18, he could also have been in his early twenties, weathered by war as he was. Bardholt was also said to have a tanned, well-boned face crossed by two scars, one from his left temple to the corner of his mouth, another marking his right cheekbone. He had a deep, somewhat coarse voice and a piercing gaze.

## History

Bardholt was born as the second son to a poor boneworker in Bringard. He sided with Hefna/Hafrid of Fellsgerd when she declared war during CE 480 on Verthing of Geldruth for murdering Skiri Longstride, the beloved chieftain of Askrdal and Hafrid's close friend, Bardholt sided with her. Two years later, Hefna had chosen the young Bardholt as commander. Verthing recognised the threat of him and tried to force him into surrender by capturing his adopted brother, Hýrri, and seven year old nephew, Einlek Ólrunsbarn. Hýrri was murdered while Einlek managed to escape. After he defeated and killed Verthing, Bardholt was declared as the first king of an unified Hróth CE 483.

The same year, he chose to visit Inys, wishing to obtain a friendly relation to the neighbouring country. He caught the eye of princess Sabran, who planned to expand Virtudom beyond it's current borders. She proposed an alliance by marriage, which later became a marriage of love as the two came to love each other dearly. To marry her, Bardholt had to convert him and his country to the Virtues of knighthood, which he did.

Bardholt became king of Mentendon when Heryon Vattenvarg pledged him loyalty (by so becoming Steward of Mentendon) in exchange for the betrothal of his daughter Brenna and the heir of Hróth, Einlek.

The Hammer of the North lost his life on the Ashen sea, burned to death by Fýredel. In his last moments, he reached for his Sabran and they died in each other's arms.

## Personality

Bardholt was known for his sharp mind and tremendous strength. He was a man of the people and slept among them in his Silver Hall. He was very loyal and was caring and loving to his family. His daughter, Glorian III, thought of him a great father. Though, due to Hróthi traditions and ideals, he could also be fierce, violent and vengeful, but seldom cruel. He was deeply religious, punishing anyone who questioned the faith of the Six Virtues.

## Trivia

* His hróthi has a deep rural accent to it.

## References

1. ↑ A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon, pages 13-14.
2. ↑ A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon, pages 865-866
3. ↑ A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon, pages 17-18.
4. ↑ A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon, page 866.
5. ↑ A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon, page 347.
6. ↑ A Day of Fallen Night, page 59.