ALBION PREPARATORY

ALBION PREPARATORY

Albion preparatory is a co-ed private boarding school located in the North-west of France within the region of Brittany (Breton). Albion prep. advertises itself like any other elite school does, through tradition, excellence, and class. Only the best of the best are allowed to attend, and thus the school population largely exists out of rich elites, smart bookworms, and even the few surviving nobles. With this promise many of the elite are eager to send off their offspring to the academy, hoping that it will help their sons and daughters get a headstart in life from the rest of their peers. However, what truly makes Albion prep. stand out from all the other elite preparatory schools is its rich history and many mysteries that dates back even way before the school was founded.

Situated within a former monastery Albion prep has a history that is rumoured to be linked to the legendary British leader; king Arthur. It is what inspired the name of the school as well, and the morals of the school it was founded on: justice, fairness, and equality. Albion prep doesn’t discriminate between backgrounds and ranks, and selects its students based on their own strive for excellence. Everyone stands an equal chance on Albion academy.

Built near the sea cliffs and surrounded by plenty of greenery the monastery is well-covered and hidden from public view. However, the large paved road betrays the significance of the place as an elite school. A short distance away the city of Quimper can be found, an ancient traditional city with heavy celtic influences. Most of the students’ life finds place within the school grounds, which exists out of laps of lands for p.e and leisurely activity, living quarters that serve as their dormitory, former workplaces repurposed into classrooms, and the main building, the old church where important events are held, and for the weekly communion.

Students aren’t required to live in on the school grounds, though it is prefered. By special permission from the school, and or explicit approval of the parents, students are also allowed to live in Quimper or surrounding. This provided that the students have the means to transport themselves to the school safely and timely. Usually this applies to students from the region, however, even then it is often highly suggested to move into the dormitory for easier integration into the student body. For the students that are from poorer backgrounds the academy has the Merlin foundation that relieves the burden of tuition for the families.

HISTORY

Albion prep’s history is one that dates far, far back, and that of the building even further. The former monastery that is used was a secluded place where monks and nuns lived and worked separately from each other. Like most monasteries the Saint [something] monastery was not open for public visits and the monks and nuns living there were expected to live their daily lives in total subjugation and dedication of the Lord. It was considered a holy and mysterious place for many of the common folk. None had an idea of what took place within the monastery grounds and few dared to disrespect the peace there. This resulted in many rumours and stories surrounding the monastery, some even linked to magic and otherbeings.

The conception of the monastery is hard to pinpoint. Certain is that the monastery has been around for almost as long as the celtic-influenced town Quimper. Rumour has it that the legendary King Arthur was the one who founded the monastery along with his knight Lancelot. It is why many believed that the reason the monastery was not open for public was because it housed magical beings and magic itself. Lancelot was, after all, believed to be a changeling. Several ancient documents from Quimper also make mention of the mysterious place, signifying its old age and unsure origins. However, there is no way to ensure the eligibility of these documents as some even speculate the monastery to be the hiding place of the Holy Grail.

It wasn’t until the mid-18th century that the people suddenly realised the place was abandoned. How and when that happened is unclear, but it is clear that the last monk who was maintaining the place died a lonely death at an old age. Believing the place to be haunted, or worse cursed, the people left the monastery alone, leaving the ghosts to wail and the valuables untouched. It was a strange mutual understanding, even amongst the bravest thieves not to get near the place, lest something bad was to happen.

The monastery would have fallen into ruins and decay if it wasn’t for a rich nobleman with a vision. He claimed the building and its grounds and renovated it. In the year 1835 Albion Academy opened its doors, welcoming its first students. The people were sceptical at first, believing that nothing good could come out of using the old monastery, and held their breaths. In the first year of Albion only a handful of students attended from twentiesh noble families that helped with the conception of Albion prep. It took years before the school became the elite academy it is today, mostly thanks to its connection with the Arthurian legends, but also through the constant dedication of the founding families, and the waning belief in superstition.

THE FOUNDING FAMILIES

Albion prep was born because one nobleman had a vision. He wanted to provide an education for his offspring that he could take pride in, but also to keep them safe from the rest of the world. A place where his sons would learn discipline and wield a sword, but at the same time could study the fine arts of poetry, languages, as well as sciences. Albion prep started out as an all-boys school with thirty students coming from twenty families that also shared the nobleman’s belief. At such a small scale and no fame they had plenty of room to experiment and to establish themselves an identity that they were comfortable with. Albion quickly grew in notice, both for its air of exclusivity, and the quality of the education offered. In a bout of solidarity the students started to call themselves the knights of the round table, after the infamous meetings from the Arthurian legends, which prompted the school to adopt the words: Justice, Fairness, and Equality as their morals. However, equality only meant for its students as they all had to be male and from nobility. It didn’t extend itself to females, or commoners as they weren’t allowed to the school.

It was only at the beginning of the twentieth century that Albion became a co-ed school, however, still only admitting students from wealthy backgrounds. Equality became one step closer to its realisation as female students started to attend classes and live on the campus. From there on the school changed quickly as it was hurled into two world wars that even a place as secluded as Albion couldn’t hide from. Opening its doors as a place of sanctuary commoners could be found amongst the students as well, living and attending the same classes as the Albion students did. It was in this time of emergency and solidarity that the vision of the school shifted once more. An aim for excellence instead of exclusivity came to be.

It was years after the world wars that Albion decided to officially open its doors to students from all backgrounds, if they could prove their excellency to the school. Suddenly Albion wasn’t a school for the nobility, but a school where talents could rise to the top. The emphasis was placed upon the talent and notice, rather than money and tradition. Anyone who had something to prove the world fit within the profile of Albion prep. Justice, fairness, and equality were more realised as everyone stands an equal chance at the prestigious academy.

At the time of the conception of Albion prep there were twenty families who shared the same vision as the nobleman. They all chipped into the beginnings of Albion prep and remained part of the school board in the generations to come. However, as the strict rules of etiquette the nobility started to wane, but also interest. Some of the families ran extinct, while others fell off their pedestal and were forced to part, and a few disagreed with the growth Albion was making. All in all, from the twenty noble families that once founded Albion prep only a few remain to carry on the tradition to send their offspring to Albion. All founding families will forever maintain a special place in the school, but as time has changed the organisation of it did as well. The school is no longer ran by the strict hierarchy from the past. The only remainder of that time is the principal, who is still one of the descendants of a founding family.

LEGENDS

According to the legends of King Arthur the Holy Grail is a magical artifact that holds miraculous powers. Some believe it to be the chalice from which Christ drank from at his last supper, and in which his blood was caught with his crucification. Others believe it to be a stone that fell from Lucifer’s crown when he was exiled from heaven.

There are many stories about what the Holy Grail looks like and what it exactly is, but none that confirm each other. What its powers exactly are is just as unknown. Some say that it grants eternal life, or youth, others believe that it gives endless powers, or the granting of happiness. All great powers, accompanied with even greater stories, but all shrouded in the unknown. Despite the many secrecies a great many have sought for the Holy Grail and its powers, King Arthur and his knights being one of them. It was one of the last described quests associated with the king before he went into a sleep, waiting for a time Albion needs him again. Whether he succeeded or not in finding the Grail is unknown.

Some believe that Arthur did find the Holy Grail and that the artifact has given him his legendary success. However, realising the endless power of the item and its potentially dangerous uses, Arthur hid the artifact again. Away from any prying eyes, and especially his enemies Arthur then put himself in a long slumber, sealing the location of the Holy Grail with him. Some say that the Holy Grail is needed to wake Arthur. Other sources claim that Arthur needs to be awakened first to find the Holy Grail.

Albion prep’s role in this story starts like most tales associated to the Grail with rumours and myths. Said to be founded by King Arthur the monastery is said to be called into existence in order to hide something. The mysteries surrounding the origins of the former monastery and its secluded locations all seem to suggest such, according to avid Arthur fans. What this something is, is unknown. There are many popular suggestions, such as the legendary sword Excalibur, the sleeping king himself, but by far the most popular rumour is that the Holy Grail finds it hiding place in the old monastery.

TRADITIONS

Due to it secluded location Albion prep notices very little of the tidings of the world. As such it has always managed to be in constant session, despite the wars raging on in the world outside. It could even be said that the only betrayal of the passing time are the constantly changing faces of the the students and its staff. However, undeniable is that Albion prep is surrounded by a mysterious aura that once covered the monastery. Strange incidents that no one can quite explain happen at random moments, as well as an eerie feeling of something more in the air that no one can quite put their finger on. It is the source of many rumours and stories amongst the students. Some based on incidents that have threatened the school, but also some merely based on hearsay. It has given way to some of Albion prep’s famous traditions, whether it is a custom amongst the students, or one required by the school.

Justice, fairness, and equality >>
Once a student starts at Albion prep they encounter the first tradition. In lieu to the legendary king Arthur all new students are formally ‘knighted’ into the school by the sword of Albion, popularly called the ‘replica of Excalibur’. The principal gives each of the new students the blessing to excel on Albion prep. Then the students round up in a circle and pass a cup of wine/grape juice while reciting the morals of the school. It is a symbolic tradition as each of the steps reflects one of the founding morals. The sword is justice, the sharing of the cup fairness, and the circle equality.

This tradition was birthed from the second generation of students from Albion, when they started to call themselves the ‘Knights of the Round Table’ after the fabled knights of King Arthur. They organised the first opening ceremony in secret amongst themselves, when swords were more common. The students continued to carry out this ceremony until the school board decided to make it official in its seventh year of existence.

Queen Guinevere >>>
Named after the wife of King Arthur this title is reserved for the most exemplary female student of Albion. Queen Guinevere was not only said to be fair and just, but also to be the most beautiful of all in Camelot, both in person and in heart. She was known for her wisdom and kindness, which is what the student that gets named after her all needs to encompass. The student that is selected as Queen Guinevere will be representing all of the girls in Albion prep, making sure that they all enjoy their time on Albion.

Back in the days it was simply a beauty contest, where the prettiest girl was selected as the Queen. However, nowadays there is an heavier responsibility attached to this role. She acts as a representative of the girls, but also as part of the student council, thus fighting for the wishes of all students in Albion. It is generally suggested that the Queen Guinevere is a senior at Albion prep as they have the experience and endurance to play the role, but exceptions have been made for juniors in the past. However, the school makes it a hard rule to ensure that no freshman will ever be selected as Queen Guinevere, no matter how exemplary.