Lara Croft

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Remark: This article describes the fictional character Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider video game series. For information on the Comic or Movie Lara Croft, see Lara Croft (Comic) or Lara Croft (Movie). For information on the development of the character, see Lara Croft (Development).
Lara Croft

Lady Lara Croft (born 14 February 1968) is a British archaeologist and treasure hunter, most commonly known for her discovery of several noted artefacts, including Excalibur, the fabled sword of King Arthur.

Biography (Original Storyline)

Early Life

Lara Croft was born and raised in Wimbledon, London, in a world of aristocracy. From age 3 to 11 she had private tutoring. From age 11 to 16 Lara attended the Wimbledon High School for Girls. [1]

Ireland Adventure

In 1984, when Lara was 16, she had to stay with Winston and his wife in their small house in Connussie, off the coast of Ireland, for a while, while repairs were being carried out in Croft Manor. One evening she overheard a talk between Father Patrick Dunstan and Winston and being intrigued, followed the Father to his boat. Sneaking aboard she accompanied him undetected to the Black Isle, where strange things were happening and the demon Verdilet, who was imprisoned between running water, which he - being a demon - could not cross, was trying to escape.

Introduction to Archaeology

Later in 1984, after finishing High School, young Lara requested to accompany renowned archaeologist Werner von Croy, whom she had previously met when he'd lectured at her school, on an expedition to Cambodia, to search for the Iris. Her parents agreed and it was her first of many expeditions around the globe.

Lara in Cambodia
The daughter of Lord Henshingly Croft, Lara was brought up in the secure world of aristocracy - wanting for nothing she was surrounded by servants, social events and high society.

Having attended Wimbledon High School for Girls from the age of 11 years, Lara's parents decided that now she was 16, she should broaden her education by studying for her A'levels at one of England's most prominent boarding schools. An adventurous soul, Lara found the idea of being sent away from home an exciting prospect. By chance one day Lara came across a copy of National Geographic on the hall table. The front cover featured a familiar name - Professor Werner Von Croy. A respected archaeologist, Von Croy had once lectured at Lara's school to pupils and parents alike. The experience had a profound effect on Lara, triggering a desire to travel to remote locations in search of adventure. In some ways Von Croy had become an inspirational figure for Lara.

As Lara read further, she learned that Von Croy was currently preparing for an archaeological tour across Asia, culminating in a potential new discovery to be made in Cambodia. Unable to contain herself, Lara burst into the room, thrust the article in front of her parents and without hesitation demanded she accompany Von Croy on his expedition. Lord Croft could hardly disagree that travel was an education in itself. As Lara argued the case further, he found himself walking over to the desk and penning a letter to Von Croy, introducing himself as an influential society figure and offering financial assistance in exchange for his daughter's place on the expedition.

Von Croy's reply assured the Henshingly Crofts that the territories were friendly and that he had ample experience to look after both his and Lara's well being. Lara's company as an assistant would be welcome, as was the offer of such a generous cheque. He remembered Lara from his lecture - her incessant yet insightful questions had made quite an impression upon him.

And so it was agreed by all that Lara would accompany Von Croy for the duration of the tour...
Tomb Raider IV The Last Revelation booklet, pages 6 & 7

Resumed Studies

After her expedition she resumed her studies, attending Gordonstoun Boarding School, in Scotland, where she discovered her love for climbing, water sports, horse back riding and archery.

Plane Crash (Age 21)

After finishing her education in 1991, at the age of 21, Lara went on a skiing trip, but on her way home her plane crashed in the Himalayas and Lara had to survive in the wilderness alone. This event had a big influence on her character and changed her life forever. As a result she did not marry the Earl of Farrington, as intended, but was instead disowned by her parents. [2]


Lara Croft, daughter of Lord Henshingly Croft, was raised to be an aristocrat from birth. After attending finishing school at the age of 21, Lara's marriage into wealth has seem assured, but on her way home from a skiing trip her chartered plane had crashed deep in the heart of the Himalayas. The only survivor, Lara learned how to depend on her wits to stay alive in hostile conditions a world away from her sheltered upbringing. 2 weeks later, when she walked into the village of Tokakeriby her experience had had a profound effect on her. Unable to stand the claustrophobic suffocating atmosphere of upper-class British society, she realised that she was only truly alive when she was travelling alone. Over the 8 following years she acquired an intimate knowledge of ancient civilisations across the globe. Her family disowned their prodigal daughter, and she turned to writing to fund her trips. Famed for discovering several ancient sites of profound archaeological interest she made a name for herself by publishing travel books and detailed journals of her exploits.
Tomb Raider I booklet, page 1

After being disowned by her family Lara moved into a manor house left to her by an aunt. She started financing her trips by selling travel books.

Tomb Raiding

From 1991 to 1996 Lara made many important archaeological and histological discoveries. Among others she found the Ark of the Covenant, which can be seen displayed in the hall of Croft Manor in 1996. [3] She also had a run in with the creature know as Big Foot before 1996. [4]

Vilcabamba and the Atlantean Scion

In 1996 Lara discovered the lost City of Vilcabama in the Andes mountain region in Peru, resulting the the find of one part of the Atlantean Scion. Looking for the two remaining parts Lara travelled to Greece, where she explored a giant ruined monastery called St. Francis' Folly and an amphitheatre, as well as a Palace devoted to King Midas, before obtaining the second Scion part. Visiting Egypt and the Sphinx Lara discovered the third and final part of the Scion. Following her adversary Jacqueline Natla Lara finally managed to get to the lost continent Atlantis, whose secrets she would finally uncover.

Dagger of Xian

In 1997 Lara travels to China in search of an artefact called the Dagger of Xian. During her search she will come across the sunken Maria Doria. From the wreck she claims the Seraph, an artefact with the power to unlock a door in a Tibetan monastery. Another artefact she discovers, before finally finding the Dagger of Xian is the Talion.

Meteorite Artefacts

[Tomb Raider III Story]

Missing in Egypt, Presumed Dead

[Tomb Raider IV Story]

It is a cold, dark, rainy day. With the memorial service for Lara Croft over, her old friends retire to the Croft Mansion. Lara's friends gather to reminisce about her little known past exploits. Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Werner Von Croy co-ordinates the frantic dig-searching for answers buried deep beneath the Egyptian desert...
Tomb Raider Chronicles booklet

Return to the Living

Under mysterious circumstances Lara returned to her Manor in Surrey. How she escaped her 'tomb' underneath the Temple of Horus is unknown. According to rumours she spend her time recovering among North African tribes, with a female African shaman helping her to overcome her 'wounds'.


Events in recent times have cast a shadow over Lara's life. She went missing presumed dead after a disastrous field trip to the Egyptian tombs with Von Croy. She refuses to confirm or deny rumors about time spent amongst obscure North African tribes but whatever happened after Egypt she has become almost a recluse since her return to the Croft ancestral home in Surrey.
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness biography excerpt, Official Website

Death of a Mentor

Main article: Lara Croft (The Angel of Darkness)

When asked to come to Paris by her former mentor Werner von Croy Lara set out to find what he wanted, slightly resentful that Werner left her for dead back in Egypt. When speaking to Werner the two argued. During the argument Lara lost conciousness, only to awaken over Werner's dead body. Uncertain what happened Lara fled the scene to escape the police - who would immediately suspect her - to uncover the mystery behind the occurrence herself. This whole episode placed Lara in a new situation, one she has never been in before, being suspected of murder and being on the run, trying to clear her name at the same time.

Biography (Legend, Anniversary, Underworld Storyline)

Early Life

Lara Croft was born in Surrey's Parkside hospital and raised in Surrey, England. From age 3 to 6 Lara attended the Abbingdon Girls School. [5]

Lara Croft was born in Surrey's Parkside hospital to Lady Amelia Croft and the notorious archeologist Lord Richard Croft, the late Earl of Abbingdon. Between the ages of three and six, she attended the Abbingdon Girls School, where it quickly became clear that she was an exceptionally gifted child.
Tomb Raider Legend biography Excerpt, Official Website

Plane Crash (Age 9)

At the age of nine, Lara and her mother here in the Crofts private yet, over the Himalayas, when lightning struck the engines and caused the plane to crash land. Her mother and Lara were the only survivors at the time. When exploring a nearby temple, Lara inadvertently triggered a mysterious portal, to - as we later find out - the past, by touching a sword. Lara's mother, misunderstanding the person on the other side - Amanda Evert, who was, in the future, talking to Lara - pulled out the sword and vanished to supposedly Avalon. Lara, then alone, walked to Katmandu, to escape the horrors of the plane crash.

At the age of nine she survived a plane crash in the Himalayas that took the life of her mother. In perhaps the first story of her prodigious indomitability, she somehow survived a solo ten-day trek across the Himalayan mountains, one of the most hostile environments on the planet. The story goes that when she arrived in Katmandu she went to the nearest bar and made a polite telephone call to her father asking if it would be convenient for him to come and pick her up.
Tomb Raider Legend biography Excerpt, Official Website

After the loss of her mother, Lara received private tutoring, part of it from her father, who took her on some of his expeditions.

For six years following the plane crash, Lara rarely left her father's side, traveling around the world from one archeological dig site to another. During this period she was ostensibly given a standard education from private tutors, but it would probably be more accurate to say she was her father's full time apprentice.
Tomb Raider Legend biography Excerpt, Official Website

Father's Death

Lara suffered another tragic loss at the age of 15, when her father went missing, presumed dead.

When Lara was fifteen, her father went missing in Cambodia. Extensive searches by the authorities and Lara herself turned up human remains that could not definitively be identified. Since Lord Croft's body was not officially recovered, Lara could not directly inherit the Croft title and Lara was thrust into a bitter family feud over control of the Abbingdon estates with her uncle Lord Errol Croft. Lara eventually won the legal battle, and took possession of her inheritance but at the cost of a deep rift in the Croft family that left her estranged from her living relatives.
Tomb Raider Legend biography Excerpt, Official Website


Vilcabamba and Atlantean Scion

[Tomb Raider Anniversary Story]

Lara Croft is an adventurer, world traveler, and archaeologist who seeks out tombs and relics, fuelled by an obsession to uncover the secrets of the great, ancient civilizations. She is a superb athlete, fluent in a dozen languages, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Tomb Raider Anniversary


Revisiting the Past

Main article: Lara Croft (Tomb Raider Legend)

[Tomb Raider Legend Story]

The Lost Mother

[Tomb Raider Underworld Story]

Biographical Overview

Original StoryRevised StoryRebooted Story
Name:Lara Croft
Title:/Countess of AbbingdonN/A
Nationality:British
Date of Birth:February 14th 1968N/A
Place of Birth:Wimbledon, London Surrey's Parkside hospital N/A
Current Residence:Croft Manor, Surrey, EnglandN/A
Marital Status:Single (once engaged to the, now deceased, Earl of Farringdon)/N/A
Family:Henshingley Croft (father)Richard James Croft (Jr.), 10th Earl of Abbingdon (father); Amelia Croft, Countess of Abbingdon (mother)N/A
Blood Type:AB-N/A
Height:1.80m5ft 9inch / 1.75 mN/A
Weight:9st. 4lb / 59.7 kilo/N/A
Vital Stats:34D-24-35 / 86-60-89N/AN/A
Dress Size:8N/AN/A
Hair Colour:Brunette/Auburn
Eye Colour:Brown
Favourite Weapon:9-mm Twin Colt 45s
Favourite Movies:Deliverance, Aguirre, Wrath of God
Favourite Music:Classical, U2, Nine Inch Nails
Favourite Food:Beans on toast
Favourite Transport: Norton Streetfighter Motorbike
Distinguishing Features:Dual 9 mm pistols.45 Heckler & Koch USPs (Match Variant)/
Sports:Freeclimbing, Shooting, Riding, Canoeing
Education:
Private Tutoring (Age 3-11)Abbingdon Girls School (Age 3-6)
Wimbledon High School for Girls (Age 11-16)Private Tutoring (Age 9-15)
Gordonstoun Boarding School (Age 16-18)
Swiss Finishing School (Age 18-21)

Family Background

Portrait of Lara's Parents

Lara Croft is the daughter of Lord Richard James Croft (originally Henshingly Croft), the 10th Earl of Abbingdon and Lady Amelia Croft (née DeMornay). The Croft family was granted their title in 1547 by King Edward VI. Lara's grandfather, who was also named Richard James Croft, was, according to his tombstone, born in 1902 and died in 1965.

Lady Lara Croft is an 11th generation Countess. The Croft family was granted the title and rights to Abbingdon, Surrey by King Edward VI in 1547. The Croft Estates are comprised of three separate manor houses, two of which are maintained by the National Trust, and the third is home to Lady Croft.
Tomb Raider Legend biography Excerpt, Official Website

Friends and Enemies

Her longest friend is Lara's butler Winston Smith who has been serving the Croft family since young age. His family has been in the Croft's employment for generations.

Another of Lara's long time friends is the computer genius Zip. He first helped her in 1997, when she invaded the Von Croy Industries headquarters in New York via the roof.

Another close friend is her research assistant Alister. He was killed by Lara's doppelganger in 2008.

Discoveries

The following discoveries have been made by Lara according to the story lines of Tomb Raiders 1 to 8. The timeline assumed in this article is according to the game releases connected with the finds.

  • Bestiary (1984), (Tomb Raider: Chronicles; on Black Isle, Ireland)
  • Iris (1984), (Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation; in Cambodia with Werner von Croy)
  • Ark of the Covenant (1993), (before the events of Tomb Raider I)
  • Bigfoot (1995), (before the events of Tomb Raider I)
  • Philosopher's Stone (1995), (Tomb Raider Chronicles; in Rome, Italy)
  • Atlantean Scion (1996), (Tomb Raider I; in Peru, Greece and Egypt)
  • Dagger of Xian (1997), (Tomb Raider II; in The Great Wall, China)
  • The Golden Mask of Tornarsuk (1997), (Tomb Raider II: The Golden Mask; in Alaska)
  • The Meteorite Idols (1998) (Infada Stone, Element 115, Ora Dagger, Eye of Isis and Hand of Rathmore) (1998), (Tomb Raider III; in India, Nevada - Area 51, South Pacific Islands, London and France respectively)
  • The Spear Of Destiny (1998), (Tomb Raider: Chronicles; in Russia)
  • The Armour of Horus and Amulet of Horus (1999), (Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation; in The Valley of the Kings, Egypt)
  • The Obscura Paintings, Sanglyph and Periapt Shards (2003), (Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness; in Paris and Prague)
  • Excalibur, Lancelot's Shield and Ghalali Key (2006), (Tomb Raider: Legend; in Japan, Ghana, Kazakhstan, England and Nepal)
  • King Arthur's tomb (2006), (Tomb Raider: Legend; in England)
  • Thor's Gauntlets (2008), (Tomb Raider: Underworld, in the Mediterranean and underneath Croft Manor - relocated there from Thailand by Lord Croft)
  • Thor's Belt (2008), (Tomb Raider: Underworld, in Mexico)
  • Thor's Hammer (2008), (Tomb Raider: Underworld, on Jan Mayen Island, Norway)
  • The Underworlds (Bohgavati, Xibalba, Avalon/Helheim) (2008), (Tomb Raider: Underworld; Arctic Sea)
  • Thrall Artifact (2008), (Tomb Raider: Underworld - Beneath the Ashes, underneath Croft Manor)

Photos

  • Lara in Tomb Raider

  • Lara in Tomb Raider II

  • Lara in Tomb Raider III

  • Lara in The Last Revelation

  • Lara in Tomb Raider Chronicles

  • Teenage Lara in TR IV and TR V

  • Lara in The Angel of Darkness

  • Lara in Anniversary

  • Lara in Tomb Raider Underworld

  • Lara in Tomb Raider 9



  1. ↑ Lara Croft Magazine
  2. ↑ Lara Croft Magazine & Tomb Raider I booklet
  3. ↑ Croft Manor Level in Tomb Raider I
  4. ↑ Magazine shown in-game in the into of Tomb Raider I
  5. ↑ Tomb Raider Legend biography, official website
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