The De Cabourg family
also hail from Armorique, and like the Knights of the Holy Blood they
represent the proud, entrenched and landed aristocracy of the north,
including many members aligned to Ulric. While they place great value
on blood ties, they are not really concerned about knighthood; the De
Cabourg clan are direct descendants of the Norse nobles (hence the
Ulrican connection) who settled on the rocky northern coast of
Armorique centuries ago. For a long time they remained unchallenged as
masters of the shore, displaying an especial love of sailing and
fighting. Neither of these aptitudes have disappeared; the De Cabourg
are as proud, belligerent and skilled at sailing as ever. In fact, it
is due to these abilities that they possess some sort of influence in
Bretonnia, for their leader, Guillaume De Cabourg, is an important
officer in the Bretonnian army, with power over many garrison troops in
Armorique. Thanks to his power, the De Cabourg are able to voice their
hatred and fear of the Granvelle faction, whom they see as a direct
menace to their ancestral honour and power; any entrepreneurial
encroachments on their lands are bitterly opposed, sometimes violently.
Another occasional supporter of the De Cabourg is Alf-Andre De Negrepelisse, Cardinal of Ulric. The Cardinal, however, is somewhat unhinged and cannot be counted upon in any way; often he declares instead for the Knights of the Holy Blood, and at other times he simply withdraws for months on end, apparently engaging in evangelical missions to the countryside. Although they are a naturally individualistic breed and almost obscenely arrogant, the De Cabourg usually support the De Semblancy faction at court, seeing them as kindred spirits in the fight for tradition and noble liberty. In spite of the advances of François De Semblancy, Guillaume De Cabourg and his relatives have refused to enter into any firm alliance, partly due to religious reasons, but also because they prefer to maintain the idea of equals rather than patrons and clients (thought everyone else can see the relationship between these factions for what it really is).