House Deschamps

The House of Deschamps ( La Maison de Deschamps ) is one of the founding dynasties of Cleyr and current holder of the Marchionate of Bernicia, the second largest and most prominent province of the Kingdom of Cleyr and one of the first marches of the Cleyr Marches. The current leader of the family is the Marquess of Bernicia, Henry Deschamps. It is important to note that not everyone bearing the surname Deschamps belongs to the House Deschamps as the surname was one of the more common in the times before the establishment of a Cleyran state, referring variously to families who were historically field workers or were particularly noted to camp alone in open fields. The House Deschamps was founded by Garlaunde Deschamps, the companion and longtime friend of Richard Legrande. Legends have arisen among the Deschamps and their admirers that the practice of camping alone in open fields was a sign of the family's distinctive courage and independent spirit, which presaged the impressive military achievements of Garlaunde and his successors. One popular idiom in Bernicia describes the fields ("champs") that give rise to the name as battlefields.