Name Given at Birth:
Alexandre-Édouard of the Valois DynastyLa Roi de France
Name Given at Birth:
Alexandre-Édouard of the Valois Dynasty
Nicknames: Well, seeing as I have very few nicknames so to speak, one could easily merit my titles as such, therefor leaving quite a lengthy list for one to list and remember. In short, for years I was simply called the Duke of Anjou. Or as my full list of titles does merit, His Most Royal Majesty, Le Roi Henri Valois le Trois de France and King of the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Archduke of Calais, Duke of Anjou, Duke of Angouleme, Leader of the Royal Army, Hero of the battles of Jarnac and Moncountour, and Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
Hometown or where you were born: I was born in the Royal Château of Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France on the 19th of September, 1551. The largest of the French Royal Châteaux, and personal project of my grandfather, Francis I.
Current Residence: Being on tour, our residence changes about every two weeks or so. But when not on tour I prefer to stay at the palace at the Royal Château of Fontainebleau
Age: At this time I am but twenty-five years of age, but have seen much for my age. The Wars of Religion sweeping across my country leaving it in a near state of Civil War when I took the crown; the careful politics of nations in this time of constant strife amongst England and its Isles, France, Spain, and the skirmishes throughout Europe.
Class: In the careful notion that you did miss the fact that I am King, then you could logically deduct that I am of Royal Birth, therefore placing me at the top of the chain of life for mortal men.
What do you do, your main function in life/society: As the King of France, it is my sworn obligation to protect, defend, and support my country, to do that which is right for my country and its peoples, my peoples. Also as part of my function to my country I must find a suitable wife and produce an heir to continue the Valois Dynasty.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I do much enjoy swimming in the summer heat, enjoying the freedom of water and relaxation in these difficult times. As to the first part of the question, I find it unsuitable for a gentleman to answer that question in the open, for the fine line between ones personal life and political life is of much importance for one in my position.
Do you make fun of people: Language is an art, and as such, many enjoy using said art in the mediums of poetry and literature, others do use it with a keen wit as their quill to form comebacks or insults, whether meant to strike like a rapier or to jest with close friends. When the insult is well
played, like an epic piece of literature, then it deserves its due credit, and as such, I do so enjoy these games of word and wit. If you warrant said jest then I shall swiftly deliver.
Favorite Color: The Most Royal of Blues. The color of both the sacred sky and water, both with their majestic beauty. That and the color of eyes on a woman that I am most attracted to, with the alluring gaze of a sky sent angel.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: That would be most unsuitable of a Gentleman and King as I. The only crime I could ever be associated with is of that when a beautiful woman thus steal my heart with her beauty and charms.
Closest friends/How did you meet: The Closest members of my court are much like family to me. They mean the world to me and I trust them with my confidence, loyalty, country, and my very life. Jean-Paul I do trust with my political affairs, being my adviser and trusted friend. Etienne my most close friend and confidant is an excellent swordsman I do trust with my very life being the Captain of my guard. All of the members of my court I hold dear but Jean-Paul and Etienne are the closest to me and will be the two that travel with me to Canterbury this harvest. Also, I hold dear my alliances with the Vulgarians and their truly wonderful King and Queen, and of my dear friend Prince Vladamir of Wallachia.
One Pillow or two: As many as it may take to lead my mind and head to rest.
Pets: While on tour we care to not travel with animals for the most part.
Favorite Type of Music: The sweet sounds of music, melody, both instrumental and vocal are nearly always welcome in my life. Music is such a soft escape for me, especially when accompanied with dance and company. Nearly all types of music interest me, from the pipes of the north, the latest composition from Italy, the unique sounds of Eastern Europe, or the widely popular gypsy troupe that has managed to make a name for themselves through the courts of
the west.
Hobbies/Pastimes: Through training with some of the finest French swordsman, I do enjoy a well structured duel for practice, a gentleman's duel amongst men of stature. I also enjoy good literature of philosophy from our ancestors from Greece and Rome.
Personal Hygiene: Being the figurehead of my nation, I feel that maintaining a well groomed appearance is critical to helping portray the image of my country.
Favorite Food: Oh, so many I could list, I am a strong supporter of a well prepared meal. The finest chefs of my country feed my court and staff, preparing for us more then just food, but a fine manner of art, in both taste and presentation. I have brought one of my chefs with me to prepare the feast this year that I am going to host in the honor of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, at the harvest festival.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My mother, Cathrine de' Medici, is still alive. But my father, Henri II has taken his leave of this world. My mother has long been an adviser to my brothers, who sat the throne before me, and still holds sway in many politics, but in my time as the crowned King, I have swiftly forged a name for myself and as many have told me, have become more influencal than my mother. We do have our fights, and I do not fully agree with her influence in some of the decisions I was forced to make in my youth, she is still my mother, and I do love her dearly as such, seeing those great memories of my father in her eyes, always remembering those sweet days as a child, spent with my family.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My Father, Henri II was an avid hunter and did often participate in the jousting tournaments. On the first of July, 1559, in a match to celebrate the Peace Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis with the Austrian Habsburgs, and to celebrate the marriage of his daughter, Elizabeth of Valois to Philip II of Spain, my father was struck by a sliver of debris from the lance of Gabriel Montgomery, captain of the Scottish Guard, to the eye and then into the brain. The royal surgeon could do nothing to save my father, who fought to stay in this world until his death on the tenth of July, 1559. Those last days with him were hard times, knowing the certain fate that he would soon face, but his memory still lives on in my mother and I, the last of his family.
Favorite place to relax: Now, if I tell you, you would then know where to find me?... Well, for the sake of inquiry, there is a special place hidden in the Royal Forests near the palace that I do escape to. Only one other person knows of this place, and their secrecy is a blood oath between us as brothers of France. But it is a place of much beauty, tranquility, and my place of inner peace.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: Asking my favorite of things is difficult, just as most things, I enjoy nearly all of the Holy Days as days where the world can put their conflicts behind and just live as one for but a moment in the blink of time. Christmas does hold a special place in my heart for the
beautiful memories of my youth and family before nearly all of their passings, the sweet memories of a snow covered landscape around the Château of Fontainebleau, when the white of our world reflects with the white of the clouds and it feels as if the world has but come to a standstill to showcase its wonderment to us.
Favorite Drink: Domaine de La Romanee Conti, a wine of none-other-than France.
What's your bedtime: Whenever I do so please, typically being fairly late into the night.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: In the Château and while in Court I do prefer my soft leather laced shoes, but while on tour and out in the world I prefer my boots, being more practical for everyday usage.
Are you married or single: Ah, the question that has come to light for this harvest festival. My expectations to unite England and France at last is quite high, and with my plans to present to her Majesty a family heirloom, how could she resist a Kingly Gentleman as I?
Do you have a family / who are they: As was stated before, the last of my family is but my mother, Catherine De' Medici and myself. I have many siblings though, the eldest being Francis II, crowned King of France after my father, Francis married Mary Stuart, crowned Queen of Scotland, but he took his leave of this world at the age of 16 in 1560; next is my sister Elisabeth of Valois, whom married Philip II of Spain, but she passed in childbirth in 1568; my next sister, Claude of Valois married the Duke of Lorraine, Charles III, sadly she passed in November of 1575; next is my brother, Louis of Valois; Charles-Maximilien XI, my older brother, held the throne of France for nearly 14 years, was a member of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, he also married Elisabeth of Austria, upon his death in 1574, I took the throne; my younger sister, Marguerite de Valois, or Margot as we called her, she loved Henri Duc de Guise, but mother would never allow the relationship, but was forced into marriage with Henri de Bourbon; lastly is my youngest brother, Hercule François changed his name to just François after being scarred by smallpox at the age of eight, and while I sit on the throne without an heir of my own, he does stand as heir to the throne upon my death.
Favorite Entertainment: Ah, I do so greatly enjoy a fine presentation by many of the world's renowned troupes that present at the palace. As of late, I am most pleased with the Maestro's recommendation to hire the Troupe Festival to perform, and they did put on one of the greatest presentations to grace my ballroom floor, I do hope that the young Djali does make it, she is filled with the energy and ability that that show does allow. Also I do enjoy a night of entertainment when hosting a Royal Ball at the Royal Château of Fontainebleau.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Philosophy has always been my principle choice of study, along with swordsmanship. Through the Meditations by Marcus Aurillius I have found a greater understanding and glory to life, the book is but my favorite.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Unlike my most vocal brothers, I honestly enjoyed everything I was taught as a child, finding it as an opportunity to learn of the world around me.
Favorite Sport: The Joust, a true competition of Gentlemen and an age old ceremony. Albeit the death of my father to the joust, I do recognize the dangers it does present to its competitors.
Most Humiliating Moment: Ah, the Ballroom disaster of 1568..Oh such a long story, oh I do remember her beautiful green eyes, how could I ever forget those wonderful eyes... oh how sweet young love can turn so foul over the smallest of things...
Proudest Moment: Although the sadness of the death of my brother, King Charles IX, I was proud to return to France from Poland to claim the crown of France. The ceremony was magnificent, and I was but nearly breathless at the honor presented to me. I am proud every moment to be the King of France, and hope to marry Queen Elizabeth I to finally unite France and England, and to hopefully, proudly, produce an heir to the throne.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: That Don Quixote of Spain has been an enjoyment to have known. I do not jest at him as many others do, but see him for what he is, and try to understand this fabulous world he does believe in. That Sancho Panza does have his hands full with this one, I hope he can find time away from his governorship to travel with the good Don Quixote to help keep him in check through his travels once again.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: What every romantic does so desire, beauty of the mind, body, and soul. A woman that completes me in every way, a woman that is but my angel of destiny and love. A woman that is soft to the touch, and warm to the kiss. A woman that believes that the greatest thing one can ever learn is just to love and be loved in return, a wise man once told me this.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" That would be our God, the watchful Father teaching his children to be shepherds to the weak, and shelter them from the darkness. As a devout follower I take these teachings and apply them to my stature as a gentleman, being a watchful father to my countrymen and Nation.
Do you remember your first kiss: Do you remember your first breath of air? The First drop of rain to run down your face in a sweet spring storm? As such, the first may but become a distant memory, but every chance moment that follows in our life is a reminder of the beauty and glory of those moments in life where we but feel like a youthful child with the world in their arms.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: As often as I do warrant, if they are not already in my court, I do welcome them all in the palace to stay.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Same as my favorite place to relax, for to me a "Vacation" is but time to relax for when I travel it is nearly always for politics...
Have you ever been overseas: Many times, I do enjoy to travel, sometimes to my courts despair. I enjoy seeing the world and the people that fill it.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Ah, I have neither, well there are a few stone floors in the palace, but much is done in marble and/or a wonderful wood floor beset with Fleur-di-lis design.
What is your bed made of: The finest of Woods from Romanian, a gift from General Bruno of Wallachia; the mattress, sheets, and pillows are made of the finest stuffings and fabrics that money could buy.
How many people sleep in your bed: Politically, just me, for I am the King and do merit as such. And we will leave it at just that political standpoint, fair enough?
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I am a true romantic, in heart and soul.
2. In my time as the Duke of Anjou, and then the King of France and Poland, I have forged a strong reputation as a gentleman, statesman, and speaker; said to surpass even that of my mother, Catherine De' Medici
3. There a few things greater than that of a woman in my opinion. All woman possess a beauty to them that, at times, I have difficulty even finding the mortal words to compare to.
4. I am to travel to the Harvest Festival in Canterbury to propose the unity of Queen Elizabeth and I, being also the unity of France and England.
5. In my time as the Duke of Anjou I did earn the reputation of being a romantic lover to the woman that did find their place in my heart, and the rumors that did follow...
6. The secrets of my gift to the Queen have been well guarded, and I know she will fall in love with what I have to offer her.
7. I am a War Hero, and am very proud of my abilities with a blade. In the Battle of Jarnac I did take a bit of shrapnel to the right leg, and at times still feel that pain when I walk, or sit for too long.
8. I have done my best to help calm the Wars of Religion in my country, and in the two years I have been on the throne I have calmed down the fires of difference to prevent the outbreak of a Religious Civil War.
9. I never travel far from either Jean-Paul or Etienne, being my two closest friends and confidants. Nearly all of the worldly secrets I possess has been shared with them both.
10. Many may have a negative opinion of me in England for being the King of France, and I hope to change that with its countryman, and show them what a gentleman I am, and form the trust and support of its people.