Bristol Academy

The Bristol Academy for boys, along with its counterpart Vargrend Academy for girls, was one of the most prestigious finishing schools in the Kingdom of Clairmont. Both academies were located in the Bristol Manor, although in different wings. They also shared the library and the dining facilities.

Many of the noble families sent their sons there. There were also scholarship students from less affluent families.

Combat training was a significant component of education there, and success in combat competition was a very large part of social standing in the school.

Curriculum
The subjects taught at the academy included
 * Advanced Mathematics
 * Athletics/Combat:
 * Jousting
 * Archery:
 * Crossbow
 * Longbow
 * Fencing:
 * Longsword/Rapier
 * Broadsword
 * Two-handed sword
 * Axe Tossing
 * Wrestling
 * Flail

Funding
In addition to presumably high tuition, the academy counted on significant donations. The Jordells were perhaps the most significant donors.

Competitions
A significant part of the academy life were competition in combat disciplines. Good performance there contributed to standing of both the school and the individual athletes. Socially prominent families often sponsored outstanding athletes to improve their own prestige. The tournaments were social occasions, followed by balls.

The Bristol Academy faced competition from the following schools:
 * The Rosehaven School for Boys (first tournament in Autumn 724)
 * Unnamed school in the Barony of Bostwick (September, 724)
 * Academy in the Barony of Gransward (October 2, 724)
 * Academy of The Rose
 * Unnamed school in the Barony of Carnarvon away
 * Unnamed school in the Barony of Jordell away
 * The Academy of Spring Dell on the northeast side of the Barony of Jordell (Barony?)
 * Brickner Academy
 * Academy in the Barony of Bostwick away
 * The Bostwick School for Boys
 * The Southern Brickner Academy (December 4, 724)
 * The Chantry of Chadwick (April 2, 725)
 * Academy of Yeiraun (end of April, 725)
 * Hartmoor Preparatory Academy away in Hartmoor (May 14, 725)
 * The Liaern Academy (May 28, 725)
 * Inter-school Championship Tournament (June 3, 725)

Staff
Some of the students also worked part-time.
 * The academy was managed by Headmaster Bristol; he also taught advanced mathematics
 * Jon Dunstable, the watchman

Pupils

 * Lord Charles Norwit, crossbow champion and captain
 * Lord James Jordell, an honor student, and rapier champion
 * Lawrence Eagan, son of the mayor of Town of Vargrend
 * Sir Abraham Steefl, an honor student, a jousting competitor
 * Vernon Saint Varlans, the youngest grandson of Baron Saint Varlans, an honor student
 * Lord George Gransward
 * Lord Loyd Carnarvon, grandson of Baron Carnarvon, a jousting competitor
 * Paul Patel, son of Peter Patel
 * Lord Bradley Bostwick, son of Baron Bostwick
 * Erol Fobs, a crossbow competitor, an honor student
 * Robert Welsh, a crossbow competitor
 * Hal Jimes, a crossbow competitor
 * Robert May, a crossbow competitor
 * Brennon Stark, "class goof-off"
 * Ryan Ludlow, an axe tosser competitor, sponsored by the Rose family
 * Ed Marvik, homely, unkempt and awkward
 * Ben Arvis, class braggart
 * Timothy Evin, a librarian's assistant
 * Bart Blaxton, an athlete on the merit roll, captain of two-handed sword team
 * Leaf Windwhisper, an athlete on the merit roll
 * Daniel Dudak, an athlete on the merit roll
 * Brand Brickner, a wrestling competitor
 * Gary Steadman, helped get food during a storm
 * Clarence Larson, helped get food during a storm
 * Mark Thurman, helped get food during a storm
 * Dean Clark, helped get food during a storm
 * Richard Boyer, helped get food during a storm
 * Ron Bennett, lent snowshoes to get food during a storm
 * Brianna Barter disguised as Lady Bellany Norwit, was officially enrolled in order to take advanced mathematics, and later as a secondary for the rapier team