In the June 22, 2012, edition of The Observer a story of a knight from Quebec, Vincent Gabriel Kirouac who was crossing the country to promote chivalry, appeared.
This knight dressed in shining armour travelling with his horse, Coeur de Lion or Lion Heart, across the country, following 13 Highway had many along his route discussing him. The 22-year-old from Quebec City had been travelling for two-and-a-half months. Now on Aug. 24, about four and a half months later, he is home in Quebec having surprised his girlfriend with his return.
His adventure began when he felt a calling by God to travel and promote chivalry across the country. God asked Kirouac "to be good to people, chivalrous, polite, and to hold good manners," as the knight explained.
Choosing to travel as a knight for they are a symbol of chivalry and incorruptibility to Kirouac, he rode and led his horse across the country. Needing to trailer Coeur de Lion over parts of northern Ontario and through the Rocky Mountains he made it to an area south of Spruce Meadow, British Columbia.
"It went very well and the people have been perfect," Kirouac explained.
Coeur de Lion, a nine-year-old mare, began showing signs of discomfort towards the end of their journey. Kirouac was very worried for her health and decided to stop near Spruce Meadow. She is now living in Griffin, SK., with a family who had fallen in love with her the first time Kirouac passed by the town.
"They are a good family for my horse and they were willing to let me change their barn, nothing has been in here for about 20 years and the wood was somewhat rotted, so I was a good carpenter for the job I think," Kirouac said referring to the Van Staveren family and their offer to take care of the retired horse.
On Aug. 18, a day inviting anyone to come visit the knight and his mare was held. They could meet the knight in shining armour who crossed the country with a mission and his companion, Coeur de Lion.
"The overall experience has been grand, it has been something in my faith with God, with people, and just with learning new things about life and new people and steps in life and now I can just use everything I've learned in life," Kirouac explained, "I will keep going as a knight, even if not in my costume. Right now I'm in jeans and a jacket, but I hope to continue to help and change people's lives."
Throughout his travels across the country Kirouac has found that Saskatchewan has embraced him and that he now has a great love of the province.
"I'd like to move to Saskatchewan, I don't know when or where, but eventually I would like to live here. Out of all of the pieces of the country I've seen, I've fallen in love with Saskatchewan," stated Kirouac.
