Gotfrid is my persona, or alter ego (mka: Jeff Diaz) within the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).  I am currently the Pursuivant (Herald) for the Shire of Dun Ard in the Kingdom of Calontir.

Around 950 AD, Herzog (Duke) Liudolf von Schwaben founded an equestrian learning center and breeding farm in Swabia (Schwaben) along the banks of the Neckar river, in what is today the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany.  The city of Stuttgart (incorporated as a city around 1261) derives its name from the Stutengarten, or Garden of the Studs, which Herzog Liudolf founded.  [*Note:  The following history from this point on, while written around factual information, is a fictitious "could-of-been" historical account for Gotfrid.]

Gotfrid's Great-great-...Grandfather, Walther der Rotkopf, was a rather gifted and very loyal retainer of Liudolf.  At the ripe age of 20, he helped the Duke found the center and became the Equestrian Headmaster.  As reward for his loyalty and skill, Walther was deeded a moderate tract of land and some horses of his own.  The office of Headmaster has been handed down from father to eldest son since.

Gotfrid is the third son of Anshelm zem Stuotgarten.  His eldest brother Wilhelm is well on his way to be the 11th Headmaster. His sister, Chunegund fell in love with and married Ricard of York, a knight returning to England from the 3rd Crusade.  His other brother Heinric entered into the Dominican order cloister in nearby Eßlingen, where all four learned to read and write when they were children.

Remembering the tales Ricard wove, Gotfrid decided to see England for himself and visit Chunegund and Ricard.  However, upon his arrival in Catfield, what should have been a joyous reunion became a tragic occasion, for Chunegund had died during labor giving birth to Gotfrid's nephew, Arthur.  Ricard, so overcome with grief, entrusted Gotfrid with Arthur's well being and departed for the 4th Crusade.

Onkel Gotfrid with his nephew Arthur Catfield