Brother Ruadrí de Pacy
Sergeant-Brother of the Knights Hospitaller
Basic Information
Name: Brother Ruadrí de Pacy
Birth: January 1171, Scotland
Family: Second son of a minor Norman knightly family (de Pacy), granted lands in Scotland in the early 12th century
Order: Knights Hospitaller
Languages: French (family), Gaelic (upbringing)
Role: Sergeant-Brother; proven frontline fighter
Timeline
1171 (Birth)
Born in Scotland to the Norman de Pacy family, the second son without inheritance prospects.
1179 (Age 8) — Novitiate & Training
Presented at Torphichen Preceptory, then sent east to the Holy Land. Trains at Castle Margat; Gaelic fluency proves of little use, but martial aptitude is prized.
1185 (Age 14) — Service as a Squire
Squires to a battle‑hardened castellan at Margat; gains experience on frontier patrols and skirmishes with Saracen raiders.
1189–1191 — The Siege of Acre
Frontline combatant throughout the siege; participates in assaults and in defending the siege lines. Earns a reputation for reliability and fearlessness. As a Sergeant‑Brother, advancement rests on battlefield distinction.
Detailed Narrative
Origins & Calling
As the second son of a minor Norman house settled in Scotland, Ruadrí’s path lay in service. His father’s vow and the family’s ties to the Order of St. John led to his placement with the Hospitallers, where his toughness and discipline quickly marked him for soldierly duty.
Formed on the Frontier
At Castle Margat, a crucial Hospitaller stronghold, Ruadrí’s formative years were spent under veteran captains. Patrols along the frontier honed his endurance and close‑quarters skill. Though his Gaelic tongue set him apart, his sword‑arm needed no translation.
Acre: Trial by Fire
During the long Siege of Acre, Ruadrí served in the foremost ranks—hauling mantlets, storming breaches, and holding lines under counter‑attack. His reliability under pressure earned him respect among the Sergeant‑Brethren, with future advancement dependent on continued distinction in the field.