Name Given at Birth: François Alexandre Claudel Bourbon Lorraine
Nicknames: François, Duc de Guise, "The Pretty One". I was called Frank once, and only once.
Hometown or where you were born: I normally reside at Le Roi’s palace in Fontainebleu, or at my chateau in Lorraine, but for now we are visiting Canterbury.
Age: I have lived seven and twenty summers.
Class: Why, French nobility of course, the only true nobility!
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am Le Roi Henri’s primary financial advisor. It is a very important position, as Le Roi has unfortunately inherited a very chaotic country from his brothers and mother. I am working very hard to fill the coffers and make France what it should be, the greatest kingdom in the world.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I have bathed, unlike the English, if that answers your question. Yes, I can swim, and did as a boy, but now I do not prefer it.
Do you make fun of people: Only out of their hearing, of course, and only if they are insulting to look upon or smell.
Favorite Color: The deep burgundy of the wine of my homeland.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Of course I have not! It is outrageous that you ask such a question!
Closest friends/How did you meet:
- First I shall speak of Henri, my most Good and Noble King. We were childhood friends when he would visit my family in Lorraine or I Fontainebleu. Regretfully we lost touch for some years as he was fighting wars and trying to make France even more magnificent. I have been most impressed at his efforts to break away from his insane mother’s regime, and wanted very much to join him at court. On his way home from Poland he stopped and brought me with him to become his financial advisor.
- My very best friend is Etienne, Le Roi’s Guard. He does not saymuch, but is very amusing when he wants to be! He is also the most dedicated and loyal man I have ever met, ready at a moment’s notice to fight and even die for his king. He is also actually a relative of my mother’s, though a distant one. I am also close to Jean-Paul, as he is newly my brother-in-law, but he is quite a bit older and more settled in his ways. I would trust him with my life now, but I was quite suspicious at first as he was a strong supporter of Charles, Henri’s older brother, and I did not care for Charles at all. I am also becoming friends with the men who are best known as The Three Musketeers. They are traveling with us to Canterbury. I have had many conversations with Athos and Porthos and find them to be likeable gentlemen..
One Pillow or two: Why, two of course, and embroidered with the finest silk, and scented with French Lavender to give me a peaceful rest.
Pets: I do not own pets myself at this time, though I, like HRM, am very fond of dogs, especially poodles and hunting dogs.
Favorite Type of Music: Les chansons of France. I know they are often peasant songs but they are quite beautiful in their simplicity. I must also profess a liking for the music of the gypsies when I am too far in my cups, but that is not common knowledge.
Hobbies/Pastimes: I adore to flirt with the ladies more than any other thing. I also enjoy chess and discussing philosophy.
Personal Hygiene: I bathe très often, thank you, and I smell much better than these English. Even my hairis perfumed.
Favorite Food: French cheese, aged to perfection, and fresh warm bread. I have simple tastes when it comes to food. I actually dislike veal but am fond of pheasant. I enjoy sweets a little too much, and I adore le chocolat Suisse.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My father, Claude, died when I was but a child, and my mother, Antoinette, passed away two summers ago. I did of course have a most loving relationship with them both.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My father died from a wound in battle when I was very young, and my mother passed from consumption.
Favorite place to relax: I did have the honor of vacationing in Rome once, and it was marvelous. But I also enjoy the French countryside in Bourbon, where my mother was from.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: I love all of Eastertide, from Carnival to Easter Day, because it allows us to sacrifice a part of ourselves as Christ did. I am also fond of All Saints Day.
Favorite Drink: Deep red wine, of course.
What's your bedtime: When HRM Le Roi no longer requires my assistance for the evening. On nights that I have to myself, it is when my lady of choice no longer requires my assistance.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Soft, supple leather boots folded at the knee, or, when dancing, embroidered shoes with a nice sole.
Are you married or single: Currently I am single, but I am looking for a wife.
Do you have a family / who are they: I have various uncles and aunts of course, but my favorite relatives are my dear younger sisters Mary and Marisol. Marisol is only one year younger than I and is Jean-Paul’s new bride, while Mary is back at home in Lorraine.
Favorite Entertainment: Watching Etienne duel.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Philosophy, mathematics, and anything to do with strategy.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Ironically, it was my English lesson.
Favorite Sport: Chess is my personal favorite sport, but I also keep score during Le Roi Henri’s and Jean-Paul’s tennis matches. I always make sure my king wins. I am also fond of the dance.
Most Humiliating Moment: Losing in a duel for a woman’s love at the age of sixteen. Not just anywoman. The most beautiful woman in France, and therefore the world. With eyes like deep brown velvet, and hair of spun gold. Ah, l’amour.
Proudest Moment: Later that evening when that same woman came to my rooms to…make sure I was not injured.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Craziest would be the Dowager Queen Catherine De’Medici, and not in a flattering way. Silliest would be Etienne when he has had too much wine.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: Sultry eyes and a flirtatious smile. I prefer bold women to dainty flowers. However, for my future wife I am looking for a woman who is kind and patient, intelligent and gentle. That way I do not have to give up my freedoms.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord": In Heaven there is God Almighty, his Son our Savior Jesus Christ, Mary, the Blessed Virgin, and the saints. On Earth there is my king, Henri, Le Roi.
Favorite Sport to watch: Dueling, in true French fashion.
Do you remember your first kiss: Of course I do, the first and every one since. I was eleven years old. But I will not disgrace the name of the lady involved by divulging it here.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: Oui, I am in service to my oldest childhood friend now.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: I do enjoy Rome, but the vineyards in the Loire are the most beautiful on the earth.
Have you ever been overseas: I have traveled across the water to England and Scotland before, but I have never been farther, not to the New World or any other barbarian land.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Why, stone, and often marble. My feet never touch bare dirt.
What is your bed made of: My bed at my chateau is made of oak and carved with a grape vine and leaf pattern. The bedding is filled with down and covered in burgundy silk, with a curtain of cream and gold.
How many people sleep in your bed: Just moi….usually.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I do not hate the English per se…they cannot help that they are inferior to the French. Instead it is my goal to understand them. After all, my cher ami et Roi Henri will soon be their king, so I should know as much about them as possible.
2. I am a lover, not a fighter, but will do whatever it takes to defend my king…or impress a lady.
3. I am considered a very intelligent man and love to read. I have many favorite philosophers including Plato and Aristotle, and am always willing to debate.
4. Although I am searching for a proper noblewoman to marry, dangerous women such as the Gypsies are my weakness. As long as I secure all of my valuables before-hand, that is.
5. Secretly I enjoy teasing Jean-Paul about his obsession to always be on the Left hand of Le Roi. Sometimes I try to stand there just to make him angry.
6. I view HRM Henri to be like a brother to me, although he, as my God-ordained king, will always have my devotion and respect. Etienne is also like a younger brother to me. In some ways Jean-Paul is like the father that I lost in childhood as well as a true brother.
7. My coronation gift to my King was a chess set that I hand-carved, and all of the little pawns are dogs, mostly poodles.
8. Yes, for fun, there have been times that we have dressed in clothing of les femmes. What can I say? We are French! But I prefer the love of ladies and have little taste for men.
9. My red hair comes from a family alliance to Scotland. We are closely related to Scottish nobility, though if any Englishman mentions it I will deny it.
10. While in Canterbury I am not only seeking a wife for myself, but also a possible husband for Mary, my younger sister. She is very beautiful and vivacious…I would prefer for her to marry a Frenchman, of course, but since my King will soon be the King of England as well, an Englishman will be fitting, I suppose. Provided he smells better than most.
Bonus! 11. My handkerchief is used for many things…to express my emotions or to hide them, to annoy my enemies, but mostly to block out the pungent smells around me. It is scented with French Lavender, my favorite scent. It was embroidered by my sister Marisol, and she made a matching one for Jean-Paul..