What is a Cavalier?

Main Entry: cav·a·lier
Pronunciation: "ka-v&-'lir
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Old Italian cavaliere, from Old Provençal cavalier, from Late Latin caballarius horseman, from Latin caballus
Date: 1589
1 : a gentleman trained in arms and horsemanship
2 : a mounted soldier : KNIGHT
3 capitalized : an adherent of Charles I of England
4 : GALLANT

Romantically, and at Ren Fests, the word Cavalier conjures up images of a dashing, attractive gentleman (or lady), with a fine looking hat and any semblance of fine clothing. It is a freedom of spirit and also an adherence to honor that has attracted me to the cavaliers of fact and fiction.

Judging by the above definition, it may become easier to understand just how my site is developing into one as varied as it has become. Fortunately, most people visit my site either to learn about those debonair and heroic men in tabards, rapiers in hand (rescuing the women, dueling the fiend, etc...) or to get more details on the conflict between the Cavaliers and Roundheads in the English Civil War.

Truthfully, the above associations do make my site easier to organize in some respects (by country), but downright impossible in others! I hope that you will find my navigation helpful in locating the information you are most interested in.