Lara Croft

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).

---

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

Early Life

Lara Croft was born and raised in Southern England, in the world of aristocracy. In the original storyline it was said that she was born in Wimbledon, London. In the revised biography introduced with Tomb Raider Legend her birthplace became Surrey's Parkside hospital and she was raised in Surrey.

She had private tutoring from age 3 to 11 - although, according to the revised storyline she attended the Abbingdon Girls School from age 3 to 6.

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 (Version 2)

Notice: This story bit was originally not a part of Lara Crofts biography. It partially incorporates elements of the events that happened to Lara at the age of 21.

At the age of nine, Lara and her mother where in the Crofts private yet, over the Himalayas, when lightning strikes the engines and causes the plane to crash land. Her mother and Lara were the only survivors at the time. When exploring a nearby temple, Lara inadvertently triggers 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 - pulls out the sword and vanishes 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

Later Childhood

According to the original story line, which did not include the plane crash resulting in the loss of her mother, Lara attended Wimbledon High School for Girls from age 11 to 16.

The revised story differs a little. 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

According to the revised story 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

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, while repairs wee being carried out in Croft Manor. One evening she overheared a talk between Father Patrick Dunstan and Winston and being intrigued, followed him to his boat. Sneaking aboard she accompanieed the Father undetected to the Black Isle, where strange things were happening and the demon Verdilet was trying to escape his imprisonment between running water he cannot cross.

Introduction to Archaeology

Notice: This story bit was part of Lara's original biography and assumes that her parents are still alive and with her at the time.

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. It was her first of many expeditions around the globe.

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 (Version 1)

Notice: This story bit was part of Lara's original biography. At the time it was assumed that this was the only plane crash Lara endured and that it was an event that shaped her character considerably.

After finishing her education at the age of 21 Lara 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.

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

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

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. Laras friends gather to reminisce about her little known past exploits. Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Werner Von Croy co-ordintes the frantic dig-searching for answers buried deep beneath the Egyptian desert...

Tomb Raider Chronicles booklet

Death of a Mentor

[Tomb Raider The Angel of Darkness Story]

Revisiting the Past

[Tomb Raider Legend Story]

Biographical Overview

Name: Lara Croft
Title: Countess of Abbingdon
Nationality: British
Date of Birth: February 14th 1968
Place of Birth: Wimbledon, London (original version) / Surrey's Parkside hospital (revised version)
Current Residence: Croft Manor, Surrey, England
Marital Status: Single (once engaged to the, now deceased, Earl of Farringdon)
Family: Richard Croft, 10th Earl of Abbingdon (father); Amelia Croft, Countess of Abbingdon (mother)
Blood Type: AB-
Height: 5ft 9inch / 1.75 m
Weight: 9st. 4lb / 59 kilo
Vital Stats: 34D-24-35 / 86-60-89
Dress Size: 8
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/ .357 Desert Eagles/ .45 Heckler & Koch USPs (Match Variant)
Sports: Freeclimbing, Shooting, Riding, Canoeing

Education:
Private Tutoring (Age 3-11)
Wimbledon High School for Girls (Age 11-16)
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 Laras 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 invated the Von Croy Industries headquarter in New York via the roof.

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

Discoveries

The following discoveries have been made by Lara according to the original story line 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