Dom Antonio d'Almeida, Count de Lavradio 1880 - 1965

The announcement earlier this year of the death of Dom Antonio d'Almeida, Count de Lavradio, in Lisbon at the age of 85, will recall to many older fencers a skilful épéeist and a charming and distinguished personality.

When King Manuel Il was forced to abdicate the throne of Portugal in 1910, Count de Lavradio, a young cavalry officer, went into voluntary exile with him as a Gentleman of the ex-King's household. He and his family lived in Richmond where Manuel had set up his court and he became a director of city companies. He was a member of the Salle Bertrand and frequently fought in Bertrand's teams and was in the winning Savage Shield team, in 1925. He also joined the Landsdowne Club in 1936. He was a regular participant in Epée Club pools at Hurlingham and Ranelagh, and in 1939 presented the Lavradio Cup which is still contested for annually by members of the club. He also captained a victorious team of foreign fencers of 5 different nationalities, resident in this country in 1932, against the Epée club at Ranelagh.

In addition to being a noted swordsman he was an expert horseman. Lavradio always wore a black velvet collar on his fencing jackets and with his monocle, carnation and long cigarette holder and his handsome immaculate figure seemed to belong to a more leisured and elegant age. He was an épéeist in the classical tradition and it was always a pleasure to fence with him, and when he returned to Portugal after the last war, he was greatly missed by many of us who had crossed blades with him and benefited from his great experience and skill.

T.E.B