Mateus Brasefort

Mateus Brasefort (Mateus Strong-arms) was a Brezondian knight and a hero of the Brunanter war of independence. Much of his life is shrouded in mystery.

Biography
Brasefort was born in Niesburg some time between 1385 and 1395. Brasefort, who's surname is not known, was believed to be of mixed Spanish-Arab origin. He was an outspoken critic of the Venetian authorities in Brunant and was known for taking up arms. Brasefort was known for being very tall, fierce and having legendary strength. Around 1414-15, the authorities sent 25 soldiers to take down the mosque at Niesburg. The townspeople would not cooperate and that night Mateus decimated the Venetians. The authorities later sent 200 soldiers to arrest him, but he assembled a force of nine men who defeated the Venetians. For the next 10 years he would fight the Venetians to defend his town and his liberty. During the Brunanter war of independence he allied himself with the independence movement after Niesburg was beseiged and destroyed by the Venetians, and his family was killed. He was involved in sieges of several castles and with a band of 1000 men harassed the Venetians at will. After Brunanter independence he became displeased with the Brunanter Republic's efforts at taking over Niesburg. Brasefort became known for single-handedly defeating assassins and invasion forces. Wielding a zweihander in left and a scimitar in his right, he became a near-invincible figure. He was known for attacking noblemens' caravans laden with gold, food and other valuables.

Brasefort would die in 1442, when he was poisoned by his second wife in order to claim the bounty offered by the government. His wife was later burned at the stake for this.

Legacy
Though being an enemy of the Venetians and Brunanters and being known as an outlaw and criminal in his day, he is highly regarded by the Barzuna as champion of their rights and an early supporter of Barzuna nationalism. He forms part of a triad of legendary soldiers of the 15th and 16th century, including Mohamed Reis (ca. 1420-1477) and Adrianus Graf (1506-1588).

Brasefort's sword has been depicted in the Barzuna flag since 1892. A scimitar believed to be Brasefort's is located in the Niesburg Town Hall, though it has been dated to about 20-40 years after his death.

Today, the surname "Brasefort" and "Brassefort" can be found among Barzuna; in 2008 there were 302 people bearing it.