Name Given at Birth: Katherine ChampernowneKatherine "Kat" Ashley
Name Given at Birth: Katherine Champernowne
Nicknames: "Kat"
Hometown or where you were born: Modbury, Devon, not far from Plymouth.
Current Residence: In court, wherever Her Majesty is.
Age: 46
Class: I am Nobel by birth, marriage, and by the grace of God
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I have served as the Queen’s governess throughout her growing years. I have brought her up in a learning and honest atmosphere. Currently I serve Her Majesty as the First Lady of the Bedchamber. I am usually close to the Queen in case I am needed for information or discussion.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I have never gone skinny-dipping. I do not know how to swim but do enjoy putting my feet into the cool stream that ran close to my home as a child.
Do you make fun of people: I do not make fun of people. I have had the honored responsibility of attending Her Majesty through her formidable years and would not have liked her to learn such a lowly sport.
Favorite Color: I favor the color of the morning sky, light blue, with a touch of white, soft, and gentle.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: I have been imprisoned in the Tower and Fleet Prison. Although I served the Queen through my imprisonment I have never committed a crime or been convicted of one.
Closest friends/How did you meet: My closest friend is Lady Throckmorton. She came into service just a few years after I did. We bonded, and help each other to keep the Queen’s needs met.
One Pillow or two: I require three pillows, two for my head and one for my feet.
Pets: At the time Her Majesty was learning the art of riding I was presented with a beautiful grey stallion. I use the horse when we ride together in the countryside.
Favorite Type of Music: Ballads played masterfully on a lute.
Hobbies/Pastimes: I so enjoy creating beautiful needlework designs. I do take time to gather herbs and flowers in the gardens. I keep myself young in both mind and spirit through their aromatics.
Personal Hygiene: I find that clean hands are a must when caring for yourself and others. As for bathing I do so as the seasons permit.
Favorite Food: Pheasant, Manchet and Perry
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Both my parents have passed.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My mother died in childbirth with my younger sister, Anna. My father died when he was on a journey to London. They say that his arm became rigid, and carried to his chest. He could not breathe and passed in the carriage.
Favorite place to relax: In the gardens near the monastery. The colors are delightful, and reasonably calming.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: The Feast day of St. Demetrius, 9th day of October. We celebrated this day in our family because it is the date that my great-grandfather was knighted.
Favorite Drink: Warm Perry.
What's your bedtime: Shortly after Her Majesty has retired, and I have checked that the duties of the maids of the bedchamber have been completed.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I prefer soft shoes, made of fine kid leather. The color is usually light, depending on the time of the year the shoe was made. I prefer few buckles, as age prevents me from the time it takes each day to maintain them.
Are you married or single: I am married to Sir John Ashley, who is a cousin to the Queen’s mother, Anne Boleyn. At the time of our marriage my husband serves as Her Majesty’s senior gentleman attendant.
Do you have a family / who are they: I do not have a family at this time. My husband and I take great pride in our service to the Queen and have decided to wait until she gives us leave to start a family.
Favorite Entertainment: I so enjoy the Court Jester. He is a favorite of mine and Her Majesty.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My favorite subject was the art of dance. Besides the tutor that lived with our family who taught us language, mathematics, geography and astronomy, we also employed a woman who taught the finer arts of dancing and needlework. I studied everyday, sometimes 6 hours, and enjoyed the time that I could spend expressing myself through dance.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My least favorite subject was language. I did not see why I need to learn languages of far away lands when I had never visited them. I struggled to keep my head in my studies most of the time, but learning Italian was the worst.
Favorite Sport: As I have aged I am cautious with my participation in physical activities. I still love to ride, and find comfort in a leisurely ride along the trails in the countryside.
Most Humiliating Moment: My most humiliating moment was when I was taken to the Tower over the Thomas Seymour incident. It was a trying eight months of captivity.
Proudest Moment: My proudest moment was when I entered the service of Her Majesty when I was 6 years of age.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: The silliest person I know is the Lady Elizabeth Throckmorton. Her quick whit and pleasant personality always bring a smile to my face.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: A pleasant face, warm hands, and stamina (need I say more?).
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth
Favorite Sport to watch: The Joust. When the Jousting time is upon us there is much revelry in the air. Moods are high and my heart jumps to see the sport played well.
Do you remember your first kiss: Aye, it was as if I was carried away on the wings of angels, singing a beautifully heaven-sent melody.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: I mostly remember friends that I have made while I have been in service to the Queen. These friends still surround me today.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: I do enjoy Canterbury at Harvest Time. The shopping is divine and everyone is merry. It is good when God gives us a plentiful harvest. Our people prosper through out the coming year which makes my Queen delighted.
Have you ever been overseas: No, we have not.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: We have Stone floors. Her Majesty demands it.
What is your bed made of: My bed is made of a beautiful dark red wood with four posts. We keep heavy drapes around the bed for warmth. At this time I sleep with the Queen’s Maid. She is very young and has not been away from home for long. I do enjoy my bed and its privacy. There are times that I will sleep at the foot of the Queen’s bed when she requires it.
How many people sleep in your bed: Two, I and a maid or other Lady. I have earned the right to choose who is in my bed and when. Sir John Sleeps in another part of the castle. We rarely speed time in each-others privy.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. Very few people are allowed to call me "Kat". It is a name that her Majesty has given me from our earlier year’s together when I first became her governess.
2. I became Her Majesty’s governess when she was but only four years old and have been in her service since then.
3. Her Majesty relies on me to make sure that all is right with her Lady’s and bedchamber. On many occasions I have had conversations with her Majesty well into the morning hours. I then make my rounds to check that all has been done to end the day and settle in for a good night’s sleep.
4. I am married to Sir John Ashley. We are without children but take pleasure in the company of a child. My husband makes much merriment when he can sit and play a game with one of the little gentlemen of court. We feel that we would like to have children some day, but right now we are needed by Her Majesty in her service.
5. Is still love to sew and make many of my own garments as a pastime. Idle hands are in service for the devil.
6. I enjoy going to the Joust. It is my favorite sport.
7. On a days when the sun is warm, you can find me walking in the royal gardens, or down by the church picking flowers. I enjoy the calming effect of the different aromatics and usually leave finding myself in a more relaxed state.
8. I am an accomplished rider and will sometime ride with her Majesty if she asks.
9. On nights when we host a masque like to enjoy the show with a bit of warm Perry. It does warm my soul and make the night most enjoyable.
10. I am a God fearing woman and attend chapel every day. A woman without God in her life is not a woman who should not be in service to the Queen. I take our religion seriously so that I might be a rock for her Majesty if need be.