¤ Sainte Leonidas of Myrmidia, Patron Saint of Navarre

“Amongst them there was one woman, known as Leonidas, who was touched by the courage and strength of Myrmidia. This Leonidas came to the men of Navarre, and led them against the foe, even though she was a woman, for there were none who could stand before the power of the goddess. With Leonidas at their head and Myrmidia’s blessing upon them, nothing but death could await the despised enemy. They were slain, all, and the land was cleansed of their impure blood.”
From the Chronicle of Albert de Brionne, c.1550 IC

Cult

The cult of Ste Leonidas is popular throughout Bretonnia, but is especially entrenched in Navarre, which likes to see Leonidas as its own patron. Albert de Brionne’ s mention of Leonidas is perhaps the first, and it is much clearer than most; yet even so he still doesn’ t say when Leonidas lived and which enemies she fought. Much energy has been expended upon trying to trace the origins of Sainte Leonidas, and some believe that she is a combination of several figures ranging widely in date, with the latest being active during the Wars with Estalia in the 23rd century, and the first in a distant, barely remembered tribal war before the time of Sigmar. All the stories, however, do agree that she was a simple, pretty maiden who was inspired by Myrmidia to lead the chastened menfolk back into battle against some hated invader.

One of the most extreme beliefs, recently ventured by a Navarrese academic at Louisienne College in the Guisonne University, is that Ste Leonidas is more of a spirit or goddess which has come down to help the kingdom of Bretonnia (and more especially Navarre) on a number of occasions, taking on the same form every time. Conservative clerics are aghast at such a suggestion, for none of them would countenance sharing the glory of the saint with others.

Whatever the truth behind Sainte Leonidas, she is worshipped far and wide, especially by soldiers and knights who see her as a kind of substitute sweetheart and guardian watching over them at all times. She stands for fortitude and defiance in the face of adversity, particularly in a military context. Many people in and outside Bretonnia associate her closely with the chivalric ideal, which is ironic given the limitations the code of chivalry puts on women.

Principal Shrine

Leonidas’ main shrine is the Cathedral dedicated to her in Brionne. This large, gothic building - the largest temple in the city - is eagerly patronised by the martial nobility of Navarre, and it is full of memorials to knights killed in dozens of wars, feuds and skirmishes over the centuries.

But it is not the only important temple of Ste Leonidas in Navarre: that of Blaye-Leonine is the site of a major festival which takes place at the beginning of summer. Traders, pilgrims and fashionable nobles of Navarre all convene in this small, extremely well-defended town for a week of feasting, praying and celebrating. Much trade in wine is done, especially with merchants from Tilea (who love the party atmosphere), for the most prestigious vineyard in Navarre, 'Côtes de Blaye', is situated in the valley below the town. Blaye-Leonine's motto is 'Numquam polluta' (never polluted) which refers to the town's distinction of being the only place in Navarre never taken by the enemy. According to many versions of Ste Leonidas's history, she was born in this town and set out from here to save the rest of the province. Most important towns and cities in Bretonnia, especially those with a large knightly or aristocratic presence, have a shrine to Ste Leonidas. There is a large temple to her in Quenelles. Many military chaplains worship her, and portable shrines to her are sometimes taken on campaign.

Relics

The Cathedral of Ste Leonidas in Brionne has the sword of Ste Leonidas as one of its major attractions for pilgrims. It is a beautiful, keen-edged blade which exudes an air of sanctity, and although it may indeed be a magical blade of great potency, swordsmiths who have seen it believe it to be only three or four hundred years old.

Because of her nation-wide popularity, supposed relics of Leonidas are relatively common. The temple to her in Quenelles has a skull said to be hers in its collection, and another temple in Navarre attracts pilgrims to see the shield of Ste Leonidas. The temple of Ste Leonidas in Blaye-Leonine has a helmet and a standard said to have belonged to the saint; the standard, though dazzlingly beautiful, is unquestionably of later date, although the helmet is convincingly austere and of ancient work, and has many stories of miracles attached to it. These relics are placed at the head of the grand procession that marks the start of the great festival in Blaye-Leonine every summer.Due to the haziness surrounding Leonidas' life (or lives), no one can conclusively say that these relics are the genuine article or not - although the faithful have no doubts whatsoever and are willing to argue the point with cold steel.