The Gypsy Maestro

Name Given at Birth: Martin Edward Victor Christian George Boleyn

Nicknames: The Maestro

Hometown or where you were born: Canterbury

Current Residence: Gypsy Encampment, outside of the Barbarian encampment.

Age: 49 wonderful years

Class: I am the leader of our greatest Gypsy Band in the world.

What do you do, your main function in life/society: As far as the world is concerned I provide all forms of music and entertainment for the rich and powerful. I also indulge in trade with many different exotic countries. But my main function is to do "business" in places and situations when it would be impossible for a soldier or a statesman to succeed. I travel across the world providing entertainment and merriment and seeing to the "the family "business".

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I have been known to indulge myself with a cool swim. I am a strong swimmer and have proved it by swimming across the moats of many strongholds in record time.

Do you make fun of people: No, Why would I want to make enemies when a gypsy needs all the friends he can get?

Favorite Color: Purple, it is the color of Royal power. Lord Highgate will leave me his estate at his passing since he has no heirs. But I want to earn a title on my own, not inherit it. Though I am not fool enough to turn down his most generous offer.

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: I am Gypsy, but I have not been convicted. I may not be faster, but I am much more clever that most guards even at the Bastille.

Closest Friends:

• My Mother; we are very close and she has given me good advice over the years. We share the gift of second sight. And we discuss everything. She has always told me I was her reckless child but I have much to do and don’t have time to do everything the conventional way. I think I have been her greatest challenge, but I am certain that I am her favorite child. She is the only living person who understands entirely the nature of my "business" both as a provider of great gypsy entertainment and as well as Europe’s greatest spy. Though I think she has spent too many nights on too soft a bed, I am looking forward to dancing and playing with her at the Revel. She was a famous dancer in her day. That is how she caught Lord Highgate’s eye. I have been away from her for over a year and I miss her terribly. My children seem to be her greatest pleasure.
• My Sister Leonora is my favorite sister. She has worked for me as a musician, singer and an accomplished dancer. Of all the instruments she plays, her gypsy violin is my favorite. Though, I must admit that I love to listen to her play the harp as well. Many nights I have read until I slept with the sound of her harp playing outside by the fire. She too has helped with the family business much to my mother’s displeasure. In fact most recently she has dressed as a man and join the French court so that we could find out the plans of the French King for the "Strawberry Lass". She is the one who found out the secret of the Necklace. I took quite a bit of convincing to have her put the necklace back and let Strawberry Lass decide what to do with this "French problem".
• Belladonna is my youngest sister, whom I adore. I trust her with one of my largest caravans. I am proud that she has been so successful in our business. I think it is time for her to take a husband. I can’t believe how indulgent our mother has been with her. I suppose it is up to me to find her a husband. But after introducing her to 3 of the oldest, fattest men in England and there was that really old rich man from Callais who she spent 3 hours with, and the poor man died of a heart ailment that very even, I don’t think the church is ready for her but I can’t find a match that she will approve of. All she is interested in are the penniless poor fair faced boys.
• Rosa Lee has been a good friend since the death of my brother, her husband in the great gypsy fire of 1554. She was the lead dancer in "Angelus de Maestro’ " when we first began. As she got older she became very instrumental in my "business" for the king and has booked the theatricals all over the courts of Europe. They performed on and off the stage as the need arises. We were often seeking after information for our many customers. As the years went by Rosa and I discovered that the best distraction of them all was Esmeralda, so I ask her to train Esmeralda as a dancer. Rosa met her second husband while she was a dancer in Angelus de Maestro, who took her away from "all of this" But that didn’t last long and several husband’s later she is still involved in much "information gathering" as there is need. Having a women of means in your employ has its advantages. There was a time when I would have offered my suite for her but she is known now as the Merry Widow and I think that finishes any romantic possibilities for me.
• Sir William Highgate has been a good friend and has given me some useful advice when I first began in the King Henry’s service. He helped me out of a situation with Queen Mary. She had no love for Gypsies. I have always found him not only a trustworthy business associate but charming and entertaining enough to find him a suitable husband for my mother. He seems to make her happy and indulges her in all of the strange adventures that we take him on. He seems happy to be apart of our large boisterous family and is always supportive of whatever schemes we are up to at the time.

One Pillow or two: 1 small one, we are gypsies and should not get soft.

Pets: Only the horses that pull the vardos and goats to provide milk for my strapping family. The boys complain enough about taking care of the working animals. I see no reason one should make pets of creatures that can’t work for their keep.

Favorite Type of Music: Gypsy Violin

Hobbies/Pastimes: Dancing, reading, meddling in the affairs of others, trying to find good matches for my children and my sisters; they are all so particular, especially my sons.

Personal Hygiene: I keep my hands and face clean and endeavor not to smell worse than my sons. I only bathe when it is necessary to escape through a moat.

Favorite Food: Meat pies prepared by a beautiful gypsy girl.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My Mother is very much alive and married to a wonderful man. I introduced them after the death of my father in the Great Gypsy Fire of 1554

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My father died 20 years ago in an unusual fire, Rosa Lee was dancing the gypsy dance of passion for my twin brother Angelo (her first husband) and things got out of control and the caravan burned to the ground. In fact, 2 caravans, a small forest, and half of a nearby village were destroyed. I think it goes unsaid that gypsies are not allowed in that region of France anymore.

Favorite place to relax: By the pond with the waterfall in Canterbury with a good book.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: Yule, it is my only time off and we spend a whole week in celebration. But what I celebrate most is my family. Since my Metri has been married to Sir William we go to Highgate Manor to celebrate. It is the time when my children get to rest and revel without all of the work to be done. My Metri always finds interesting entertainments to occupy their hands and their minds. It is my favorite time for it is a time when my children get to act like children again and I have opportunity to be a father. Between my self and my Metri they are showered with gifts, practical gifts but artfully crafted. There is always much singing and much dancing about the Yule fire as well as much planning for the season to come.

Favorite Drink: Hipocriss and Strawberry Mead

What's your bedtime: As soon as all the work is done, I have inquired after my children, I say goodnight to Lucianna and make certain that all is well with them both and then I am off to my vardo and will fall asleep reading listening to the quiet noises of our gypsy camp.

What if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: leather boots, soft slippers or sandals.

Are you married or single?: I am a Widower, I have been married 11 times, all to women that I love.

Do you have a family/who are they:

My children are very important to me. I have 13 children all together. They are my greatest challenge and my greatest pleasure. Each one’s mother died in childbirth. I have raised them all pretty much by myself and am very much the proud papa.

• Martino is my eldest son and heir. He has become my pride and joy. He has taken on the work of the caravan and as well has helped me several times in the "family business". He is at an age where he is very interested in the ladies; I worry that a pretty face will turn his head and he will not be as attentive to my business as I would have him be. As he grew into manhood he has become as much a trusted friend as well as my son. For the last year he has been taking care of our newest Caravan and has not traveled with us. I am not certain that he will make it to Canterbury for the Harvest Festival and if he doesn’t it my break my heart. Martino was born in 1570 and his mother’s name was Alexandra.
• Santiago was born one minute after Martino and has never stopped complaining about it since. They are alike in many ways but the differences are as vast as the sea. While Martino is single minded about the "business" of the caravan Santiago is a very clever about avoiding the work. He seems to be ruled by his belly. I am not certain there is anything he wouldn’t do for a good meal or the right wench. His prowess with the ladies is legendary in his own mind. Belladonna has invited him to join her caravan. I am not certain if that arrangement is a success. If the boy hasn’t straightened up, I may gift him to the church. His voice could be an asset to the choir at the chapel of Blessed Mercy. His Mother Alexandra died moments after Santiago’s birth but his howling I am certain has troubled all of heaven.
• Lucianna is a driven woman. She was wonderful at keeping the fires burning, the family fed and the costumes clean and skillfully sewn. As Martino has gotten busy with the responsibilities of the newest caravan he has not been around. She came to me and said that she has watched and helped Martino at his tasks in our caravan and would like to take his place I our caravan. Though I was skeptical of her abilites being a young woman she is very much Martino’s equal. She takes good care of her brothers and supervises them as well. She is gentle but firm with them. They respect her and work for her because she loves them so much. She is the most beautiful and exquisite creature god ever created. She will be a dream come true for the deserving man I will match her with. I hope we will be able to find such a god deserving enough to be her husband. But if not, I am sure she will be just as happy in the caravan caring for her aging father and many brothers. Her mother was Valentina.
• Nikolai is considered most handsome by many of the gypsies girls and the girls of the villages. He is not vain just confident. He has problems getting to his responsibilities because of all the female interruptions. I don?t think I will have any problems finding him a wife. His skill as an archer and as astromer serves us well. His skill an assassin knows impresses even me. He is a strong climber and seems to know no fear. His mother was called Stefania and has her eyes and a genuine love of people.
• Alfio is shy but hard working. You can depend on him to be where he needs to be when he needs to be there. He is a little bit vain however. He is always asking for more money to buy him a new costume. He very much wants to join Esmerelda as a dancer in Troupe Festivale. His mother was Dika
• Evgeny is my artistically and athletically talented son. He can't keep the pencil of the page and his body out of the trees. He also is quick witted and quick tongued. He is the one who we can count on to make us laugh. He could convince you to buy fog. He is our wheelwright and our blacksmith. He is hard working and very popular with the girls of the village. He is also one of our best hunters. His mother was the beauty know as Antoinette.
• Guiseppe is the strong athletic son. He is always up for a wrestling match which he usually wins. His strength and dedication is a great asset to Lucianna. He worships her. There is nothing he won’t do for her. Another son it won’t be hard find a wife for, Even though he quiet, (a trait I found most pleasant) he is quite inteligent. His mother’s name was Liliana
• Radu is my wild son. He always seems to have a scheme to get rich. He is often trying to get his brothers to help him in his all too often illegal affairs. He is a handful and I have to watch him very closely. His mother was named Mimi. He is currently at the church at White Hall studying. I hope he comes back a much more serious son.
• Benvolio is the quietest of my children. You don?t always know what he is thinking but you can be certain it is some new scheme to make us money. He will be a rich man someday. He also is a hard worker but I can't seem to interest him in any of the heavy sweaty rich widows I have offered him in the past. He is the most self conscious of my offspring. He is a climber like his brother. He has taken over the cooking duties for his sister and except for the clatter of pots and pans at dawn he is not a bad cook. His mother was Afina.
• Tobar is a slave I found in Egypt. He was being abused by a hard man who he could not please. After watching this humiliating display for an hour or so I purchased him and made him part of our Kumpania. He is a hard worker but we have to make certain he shows up and have to keep an eye on him at all times. His heart is in the right place and works hard when I can find him. He seems to get all of the dirty disgusting jobs that my children do not want to do and he seems to do them happily.
• Mario is a slave to the Boleyn family. Evgeny discovered in hungry and dirty in the streets of Paris. He is quiet and seems to be off chasing butterflies instead of getting his work done. He can lose things so very easily. He can make Lucianna crazy but she has a soft spot for his unique sprit, so she is quick to forgive. He will need a strong wife who will keep him working hard.
• Djali is my youngest child. She has shown great talent in dance and voice and is loved by all. I have sent her to the church to be educated in letters. Esmerelda wants to take her with the Troupe Festivale as her dance apprentice, Lucianna wants her to come back to the caravan to cook and clean for them, I am certain that God will send me a sign about her future. She has a special place in my heart and I miss her very much. She was born in to Luna
• Esmerelda was orphaned very young and we have taken her and Xavier into our family. Esmerelda proved very early on to be quite a talented dancer. Rosa and I have involved her in many of our encounters when we needed a beautiful diversion. Xavier is quite an accomplished carpenter. And has built many of our newest vardos and gifted me with my rosewood bed. They are much like my children. I haven’t seen them since our family Christmas revel and I am looking forward to seeing them again. Rosa has become Esmeralda’s patron and has allowed her to start her own troupe. Troupe Festivale has in the last couple of years become the foremost Gypsy dance troupe in Europe.

Favorite Entertainment: My children working quietly and with great cooperation. Getting a lot accomplished in a short amount of time.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Learning to read & write

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Caring for the horses; which is why my sons do it now.

Favorite Sport: Riding, a rare treat gifted to me by my Lord Highgate.

Most Humiliating Moment: involved a number of strawberries, several bottles of honey mead, a large bowl of heavy cream and a beautiful court lady who was most entertaining and very solicitous of my affections. The afternoon seemed to be going well, but as the sun started to set, a court gentleman came looking for her. This upstart Robert Dudley was quick to dispatch me with several insults involving my disrespect for the Crown. Though it was most humiliating I have been called upon often since, to find information, locate jewels or to carry missives for the Strawberry Lass. In fact when she needs me she will have a ripe strawberry delivered in a mug of honey meade.

Proudest Moment: When I realized that all of my children could read and write.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: Adonis, he is both crazy and silly. He seems to be thinking he is the prettiest gypsy in the land and his gypsy dance has no rival. Well, in truth he is amusing.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: Childbearing hips.

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, who is your immediate "overlord": The Monarch I happen to be working for at the time. The lord Mayor of Canterbury has hired me to prepare the Entertainments of the Harvest Festival, so I suppose today it is the Lord Mayor of Canterbury.

How Do You Feel about that person?: I don’t know a lot about him but he has grand taste in wives.

Favorite Sport to watch: My children working quietly together getting a great deal done in a short amount of time.

Do you remember your first kiss: Yes, it was after a gypsy revel in my 16th year…her name was Alexandra, she had the most mysterious eyes. We were married the next day and she was with child the a few hours later.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: I do not have time for holiday, ‘entertaining" the Courts of the world is a never-ending job.

Have you ever been overseas: Yes, many times. I have found some of my more unusual performers in foreign lands.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: My bedroom has wooden floors, and my living room has dirt floors. It is always such when you sleep in a vardo in the largest gypsy caravan in the world.

What is your bed made of: Goose down filled mattress in a rosewood frame and ruby damasked curtains.

How many people sleep in your bed: On a dry night it is just me on a rainy evening I seem to have lots of loving family in my vardo.

10 Things Everybody Should Know About

I am the most respected/feared gypsy in the land.

I am very close to my mother. I have inherited her second sight

I provide all the entertainment for many of the Balls and Festivals attended by the crowned heads of the world.

I am a very hard worker, and I expect all my kumpania to be the same way.

I am always trying to arrange marriages for my sons, daughter, and sisters. They never seem to be interested in the wonderful nuptial opportunities I offer them.

I travel all year long to find the best entertainment, but each fall return to Canterbury for the Harvest Festival.

I throw the best Gypsy revels; people travel for days to attend. You would be shocked if you knew the faces behind the masques.

I work often for Strawberry Lass but I am not certain I trust her. I have seen her turn on her other gentleman. She is beautiful, powerful and dangerous. When she is displeased her passions are much greater than when she is.

I spend a great deal of time by the fireside when Sapphira is cooking.

I have 13 children and am hoping for 100 grand children.

(Home) (Cast List)