Sir Thomas Deveraux, Captain of the Royal Guard

Titles       

Fourth Baron Ferrers of Chartley
Captain of The Body of His Majesty's Royal Guard
Privy Councillor to King Philippe Valois
Gentleman of the House of Sydney

Honors   

The Most Noble Order of the Garter (England)
The Most Noble Order of the Golden Fleece (France)   
The Order of St. Jacob (Netherlands)

Born    

6 August, 1529

Parents    

Unknown to most; rumored to be the son of Jonathan Devereux (executed for treason in the year 1556)

Biography

There are few who know from where Thomas Deveraux came. Some believe he was raised by brigands or pirates, others think he was an page in the Armies of England. It is known that he spent two years as a squire to William Wodsworth, Captain of His Majesty's Royal Guard. Thomas then became a soldier in the mysterious First Regiment of London. The campaigns and missions undertaken by the First are secrets known only to His Majesty, fueling even more rumors about Deveraux and his life.

At the age of twenty-two, the First returned from the Thirteen Provinces of the Netherlands. More than half their number had been killed, and none of the survivors would speak of what happened. But whatever the details of that final battle, it resulted in knightood for Deveraux. Sir Thomas Deveraux joined the Royal Guard under Captain Wodsworth, and became captain himself when his former mentor was killed in battle.

As the protector of the king's court, Thomas became close friends with William Sydney, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector of England. He is often found at the Duke's side, both as his bodyguard and as a gentleman of the House of Sydney.

As a Christmas gift from King Philippe, Thomas was created Baron of Ferrers in 1554. The new Lord Ferrers was granted five hundred acres of land in Staffordshire, including Chartley Hall.

Sir Thomas is known for shunning most aspects of his noble life, and is rumored to use his money and influence only to travel to distant battlefields. Among knights and soldiers, Deveraux is known as one of the finest warriors in England. Young squires and pages look up to him for guidance and instruction. Many noblemen, however, consider Deveraux to be dangerous and unpredictable.