Sir William "Thrust" Homes

Sir William “Thrust” Homes was born the third son of Baron Robbert Homes of Rutland. With two hearty brothers ahead of him he was not likely to inherit any form of landed title, even though he was father’s favorite. His father’s advice was to join the king’s army as an ensign. Though his position was bought, William turned out to be well suited for the job. Being the “baby” brother of two pompous bullies he not only learned to be to be a skilled scrapper and swordsman, but more importantly he learned to outsmart a larger, stronger enemy.

William served under Captain Nicolas Carew. Carew was war hardened and an insanely regimented officer. Captain Carew did not care for slackers; all of his officers would train even harder than their troops. Through this over the next four years William’s fighting skills were further honed and tempered. The problem was William’s nature had always leaned “by two sheets or more” to a more unorthodox life. “I’m to pretty to be a career soldier,” was commonly heard being muttered under his breath. The wenches at the pubs that he often snuck off to very firmly agreed with him.

William’s military career ended in a heroic yet odd twist of fate. On the way back from a 5 day furlough he heard the screams of a young woman coming from a small abandoned cottage. Robert ran in to the cottage where he found a young woman tied to a bed and guarded by 6 highway men. “I drew my weapon and put my sword to work, Thrusting and parrying, parrying and thrusting. And just before the last one could cry out for mercy, I thrust home!” Well that’s the story he told the Duke, and father, of the young maiden who had been kidnapped three days prior. She referred to him as “my thrusting hero.” The Duke was so pleased that this young noble and lieutenant in service to the king had rescued his daughter, he threw a big banquet at which he knighted young William Homes and granted him a modest recompense. With this event William now Sir William “Thrust” Homes, was able to honorably leave the kings service and make his way in the world as a roving blade, a hero for hire.

The roving blade thing did not work out financially as well for Sir “Thrust” as he had expected. The women and wine flowed great, but the purse was running a little light. Just as desperation was about to set in, Thrust rode into a small sea town that was having some trouble with a certain pirate and his crew. The town mayor offered to pay him handsomely if he could “take care” of this problem for them.

Johnathan Stout

John Stout was born on June 5, 1968 in a Gemini convergence. The son of a "Bandito" and a hippy (mom was the hippy if you were wondering). His life was destined to be a twisting changing road. John started collage as a graphic artist. But in 1990 through a twist of fate found himself on the cast at Scarborough Fair. The acting skills came slowly, but the physical training came fast and easy.

Roy Cox (director of the American Academy of Stage and Screen Combat Choreographers (AASSCC)) was hired that year to run "chess match." Roy saw John’s potential intensified his training and buy opening weekend granted him a double fight position in the performance. This is where John met Shane Richmond and was introduced to the American Renaissance Rapier Guild (A.R.R.G.) where he furthered his studies in historic and theatrical fencing. In ’91 Roy Cox invited John to the AASSCC seminars to train for hand to hand, staff, sword and rapier courses. 

On the side Roy started training him in horse back riding. In ’92 John was invited to join Roy’s joust troupe "The Free Lancers" as a squire, and the training intensified. By the end of ’93 john was a rider in the show, and in ’94 John was Knighted and armored up and was touring the country as a jouster. Also in ’94 John had become an instructor for the AASSCC.

A bad fall in ’95 was the beginning of another tern of events that found John in ’96 co-managing Starfire Sword booths with Paul Dubro. Even though John was now learning the art of blade smithing he kept up with his training with ARRG and still competed in the Gaff of Baal Memorial Jousting Tournament held at Scarborough Fair every memorial weekend. And managed to maintain a top 5 ranking. John and Paul eventually founded Legacy Forge in which you can find booths at Florida, Scarborough, Colorado, and Ohio Ren. Fairs

In 2001 John was approached by Allen Dudley of Rumors Of War about forming a new joust troupe. At the end of the 2003 season the two took a look at the heavy competition and the rising cost of living and up keep of a horse herd and decided too dissolve the venture. So back to the forge.

So ’06 when C-TAR fond that they would soon be needing a new performer, Bill Riddle had announced that he was wanting to further pursue fight directing, the group had unanimously chose John Stout to fill Bills large shoes.

Back / Next