Guilhem d’Ussel, Knight and Troubadour (13th century)

Guilhem d’Ussel is fictional character created by Jean d’Aillon in his novels. He is a former routier who fought with Mercadier ( Richard the Lionheart’s mercenary captain). He learned poetry and music, then was knighted by Mercadier himself, who became Lord of Beynac in 1194. Later he joined Lambert Cadoc, Lord of Gaillon who served the king of France. In his adventures, in France and England, he met Robert de Locksley, earl of Huntingdon and became a good friend.

Jean d’Aillon wrote the first three novels of a serie of six. He mixes History and actual characters with conspiracies and treachery.

Marseille, 1198
Paris, 1199
Londres, 1200
Montségur, 1201

Another novel De taille et d’estoc narrates the youth of Guilhem, how he became a mercenary and a minstrel.

I used a Curteys miniatures mini and I painted it as a battle hardened mercenary.

Here are the armories that I imagined for Guilhem, Azur for France, Gueules for Toulouse and his "chifonie", a 12th century hurdy-gurdy.