Mary Sidney, Queen's Maid Servant

Name Given at Birth: Mary Sidney

Nicknames: I am NOT to be called Mary in Her Majesty's presence. While it is a good Christian name, Her Majesty is not fond of Marys... In fact, when I was introduced to the Court by Robert Dudley, he merely referred to me as his niece, the young Sidney. Often, if one must speak with me, I am called Sidney, or, if we are particularly close, Sid.

Hometown or where you were born: I was born on the 27th of October, just after the harvest in Ticknall Place, Worcestershire.

Current Residence: With Her Majesty in Court.

Age: At the present, barely half the Lady Ashley's age, yet another reason that I am well looked-after in Her Majesty's service. If my Uncle does not have someone making certain I am not behaving inappropriately, the Lady Ashley or even Her Majesty herself do certainly know where I am and with whom.

Class: I am of Noble birth, yet serve Her Majesty... It leaves me rather befuddled as to where I belong, yet I AM QUITE PLEASED to be there. I will claim to be of decent standing within the higher class. My family on both my mother's and father's side have been within Her Majesty's good humors. It does help, however, that my mother's brother is Her Majesty's Favorite, Robert Dudley.

What do you do, your main function in life/society: I serve Her Majesty in matters of a more... practical nature than do her Ladies. She does tend to forget to seek nourishment when she has pressing matters of state at hand, and I tend to needs of that fashion. Her Majesty is much fond of chocolate, and most recently, has been rather fond of pheasant.

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: Ladies do not engage in such behavior. The deepest water I have ever seen must be Her Majesty's wash tub... And it be barely knee high when full.

Do you make fun of people: I do try not to, but Her majesty's page, John Harrington, does ever find a way to start it.

Favorite Color: Purple. Oh, and GOLD! I love the first for it represents the royalty I serve, yet can never myself obtain, and gold for it represents wealth, which Her Majesty does tell me I needn't worry for while I serve her. ('Besides,' Lady Throckmorton once said to me, "what do you NEED that Her Majesty does not care for?" I do think she has quite a sharp wit about her, that Lady Throckmorton. I admire and fear it at all the same time...)

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Never. It is my father's dishonor and my dear uncle's stern glare which I fear the most.

Closest friends/How did you meet:

• Lady Lettice Knollys - I did find myself in her company when I was lost in the SouthWest Wing of the palace... I was searching for the kitchen, for Her Majesty did send me to fetch some chocolate. Lady Knollys did find me not far from her own chamber, and did take but a moment to present to me a welcoming gift, a leather-bound journal. She did speak of a need to maintain good penmanship, this journal was a place to tell of my adventures. I have only a page or so filled, for my time is limited and my hand unsteady with a quill, but I do my best to honor her gift.
• Lady Katherine Ashley - Lady Ashley did spare me much embarrassment my first days in Her Majesty's service. Before I was properly introduced to the Court by my uncle, she did pull me aside and make note of something mighty important to be remembering: "You might wish to rethink your name. Her Majesty is not fond of Marys. The ones whom she has been close to have not all been kind, and it would save you the trouble of being regarded with suspicion." I never did get the chance to think of a another name for myself, so my uncle, Robert Dudley, merely introduced me as the young Sidney.
  Lady Ashley is also a tutor of mine, particularly on nice springtime days when Her Majesty is riding with another's company. It is with her that I make my attempts at creating poetry... a task I do not succeed in as well as the Ladies do. Perhaps it is for the best that I not spend much time in my writing lessons, for I have little present need for such things, but oh, how I love it so.
• Lady Margaret Radcliffe - This Lady did teach me much in the ways of Courtly survival. She does ever seek adventure, and deep within her, she does long for something a bit more exciting than courtly functions. If ever I could learn to sleep with my eyes open! truly an art she has mastered. She is an excellent lacer, and is teaching me finer needlework than I ever learned on my own. I did accidentally meet her one late night, while I was attempting to find a chamberpot. It seems she was returning to the castle from somewhere outside... I still suspect she often leaves the castle at night, but if she does, I have yet to catch her, save for that one night...

One Pillow or two: Most nights, my arms do well enough for me, however, on a good night, Lady Ashley will share with me one of her own...

Pets: I have none of my own, but there is a terribly lonely, almost furless cat that does sneak its way into the kitchen... I am one of the few whom do not toss it outside again, instead I pet it and it licks my hand. It makes me feel appreciated.

Favorite Type of Music: I much prefer the music of Church, but, truly, all music does fascinate me.

Hobbies/Pastimes: I play the lute, though it is something I rarely have time for.

Personal Hygiene: I keep my hands clean at all times. It is the wisest of things to do in service to anyone. After all, who would want the misfortune of not having clean hands and face the accusations of being responsible for Her Majesty falling ill? Certainly not something I would care to chance. I do -try- to keep my face clean and my hair kept tucked under my hat, but of course it has to spite me by falling out of place...

Favorite Food: Strawberries dipped in Almond Milk. Oh, and Marzipan! Her Majesty does often have a bit left that she does not partake of, and if it is a good day, perchance she will give me permission to sample a morsel. Oh, I am very fond of almonds, and with strawberries... Very few things could make me happier.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Oh yes, my parents are very much alive. Father and Mother do miss me dearly, yet my young sister, Ambrosia, is very ill. They haven't much time for visiting, yet I do recieve missives often.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: I suppose in quite some fashion you could claim my parents dead... They did disappear from Her Majesty's court shortly after my sister, Ambrosia's, was born into this world, and have yet to be seen by anyone save for myself and my mother's brother, Lord Dudley. Mother does, however, send missive to Her Majesty inquiring about my well-being.

Favorite place to relax: Her Majesty's private garden. The sun does appear warmer there, and the magnificence of the place does astound me.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: April 27th, St. Zita's Day. Saint Zita, I have been told, was a remarkable woman of Italy whom later became the Patron Saint of servants. She was a holy spirited woman, one I strive to be very much likended to.

Favorite Drink: I am quite content with watered Perry. The Perry that Her Majesty sometimes partakes of she oft gives to her ladies, and they water it down so everyone can sample some. I prefer it this way.

What's your bedtime: It is whenever Her Majesty has retired for the night and I can find myself a comfortable place to lay my head.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I try not to wear dainty shoes. They are not practical for one whom spends much of the day running about. However, for special occasions, I do wear shoes which do match the clothing Her Majesty has chosen for us.

Are you married or single: Single. There is little time in Her Majesty's service for mcuh else, though I must admit, marriage would make my father much more pleased with me.

Do you have a family / who are they: I have an average-sized family.

My father is Sir Henry Sidney.

My mother is :cough: Mary :cough: Dudley Sidney, Lord Robert Dudley's sister. She, too, served the Queen when she was younger.
My older brother is Phillip; my younger brothers are Robert and Thomas.

My sisters are Margaret, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, who did pass of a cold a few winters past; and Ambrosia, whom is at the present very ill. She is only nine, almost ten full years

My mother's brother is Robert Dudley, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth's favorite.

Favorite Entertainment: The court poet. He has much a way with words that make my heart thud in my chest.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I was always fond of learning my scriptures, my oldest brother Phillip and I would often translate them ourselves to help make meaning of them. We both were told we did quite duitifully capture the LORD's words... I do miss moments like that with my brother.

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I was never fond of my dance lessons, but I never was tardy. It did take me many months to learn the right steps... I feel as though I move with two left feet.

Favorite Sport: Tennis. You hit the ball with your hand across a net. I play the game with John Harrington, Her Majesty's Page, when either of us can spare a moment's time... I always win against him. Just ask! His face does redden when it is mentioned. I always carry my tennis ball with me, for luck, and on the off chance I will pass someone willing to play.

Most Humiliating Moment: Can you keep a secret? Do you promise not to tell? One day, I did sneak back to the chamber in which the Ladies and I do rest at night, I did think I might have a moment to spare for a quick rest.... There I did find on the bed I share a missive, addressed to one's "secret love" and signed "an admirer." The missive made arrangements to meet in secret in the middle of the night out in Her Majesty's garden. I snuck out late that night after all my errands were done, and Her majesty was sound asleep. It was much difficult tip-toeing past the guard, Sir Westmoreland, but looking back on it now, I think he must've mastered the art of sleeping with his eyes open, much like Lady Radcliff... In any case, I did manage to get past him without incident, and find my way down into the garden. There, I did overhear a gentleman reciting compliments and poetry about his 'secret love.' I did reveal myself, only to find the man I thought was in love with me turned out to be Lord Raleigh, whom did look quite red in the face as I must have. I did inquire about the missive, and it appears it was never intended for me, but for the Lady Throckmorton. He to this day supplies me with strawberries on nights that he and Lady Throckmorton do meet in secret. Oh, it is the grandest of secrets to be keeping, but, if I must confess, I would not tell a soul if he were not gifting me with strawberries. I still turn red when I think about that secret meeting, and am glad he does not tell anyone either.

Proudest Moment: The day I received a missive from Her Majesty, formally inviting me to attend her in her Court. Secretly, I do believe this was a plan made by my father and uncle Dudley to get me away from my sister Ambrosia's illness, and that Uncle Dudley did beg this boon of Her majesty, but it is still an honor I hold in highest regard.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: Lady Radcliff. She does manage to come up with the grandest schemes for gathering gossip. Why, I must find time another day to tell you of the time we learned that Sir Westmoreland was fond of asparagus!

What do you look for in the opposite sex: Strong arms to wrap me up in on cold nights...

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord?"

During my time in court, my overlord is Her majesty, Queen Elizabeth. If she is not present, then my Uncle, Robert Dudley is my overlord.
Before I joined Her Majesty's Court, my overlord was my father.

Favorite Sport to watch: Bear baiting. It surely fascinates me, the size of these beasts. And their teeth! Sakerson, one of the most known-of bears in all of England, did fell six hounds just 4 days past, I hear.

Do you remember your first kiss: Truly, I have never been kissed. For quite some time the men of my life were only family, and now that I am in Her Majesty's Court, I see men aplenty. Uncle Dudley does say he must encourage Her Majesty to tether me by my wrist to her so as to keep me from wandering off in search of men... I believe my mother would be much overcome at how much I have changed in Her Majesty's presence!

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: Not a single one of them. And, truthfully, it does not bother me much at all, for they are all married, and raising families. Being around them does put me in such a foul mood, for they chastise me for being unmarried at my age. I do tell them it is best not to be married while in service to Her Majesty, for my duties take most of my time, but they often chide me nonetheless.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: I honestly prefer just being outside the palace walls, preferably at night. The air feels cleaner, calmer. And the stars amaze me. If I were ever to have more than a few moments to myself, I would spend all of it outdoors. Her Majesty's garden has the loveliest view.

Have you ever been overseas: Never. And, it is good that it is so, for the deepest water I have ever been in is no higher than my knees.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Stone. And it does ger remarkably cold standing on them. Truly, I sleep in my shoes to help keep warm. Besides, one never knows when she will be summoned in the dead of night to attend to Her Majesty.

What is your bed made of: I do not have one of my own, but Lady Ashley's is a wonderous reddened wood. It is much more comfortable than sleeping on the floor.

How many people sleep in your bed: Last night, I slept at Her Majesty's feet. Often, I do share a bed with the Lady Ashley. Truth be told, either with Her Majesty at her feet or trying to share half a pillow with the Lady Ashley does suit me well, because, just betwixt you and I, I am dreadfully afraid of the dark, and it helps to have company.

10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:

1. Never am I referred to by name in Her Majesty's presence.

2. I do not speak often, for I have learned if your mouth is open you have but closed your ears. And ears are a mighty important attribute.

3. Do not believe I do not speak, for if you do ask me a question, I do answer. And I tend to repay the the time I've spent in silence. Lady Elizabeth Throckmorton does tell me it is better suited for me to silence myself again. Much like all these inquirings here, I tend to have much to say, because no one does take the time to ask. I do fear, now, that I did tell much of this, in twice as many words, to Lady Ashley late into the night not two days past... She was not pleased with me, and I did spend last even with Her Majesty, at the foot of her bed, with no pillow.

4. I have never spent a night alone. Before entering Her Majesty's Court, I did share a bed with my youngest sister Ambrosia. It was a comfort, for both she and I do fear the dark, and would huddle together for comfort. I know, it is most un-becoming for a young woman of my age to indulge in such childish fears, but if my sister was always there, there was left no time for me to face the world on my own.

5. If a gentleman wants to win my favor, he would be wise to challenge me to a game of hand tennis. I am rather talented, and always looking for someone to play against to learn to better myself.

6. Mother used to chide me that 'a servant is not holy if she is not busy; lazy people of our position is fake holiness.' I vowed to never say such things myself, but just last eventide, I did say it. And, I must admit, there is truth to those words.

7. The title 'Queen' seems rather plain to be applied to someone as charming and powerful as Her Majesty, so I prefer to call her Her Majesty.

8. I have recently been introduced to a most enchanting man named Sir Henry Herbert. He is unmarried, and interested in pursuing courtship with myself. I have yet to speak with Her Majesty, and fear such things will have to wait until we have returned to the palace. Which, truly, does work for the best for me, as I do get more time to myself during our travels. Local gentry do care for Her Majesty's every whim, leaving me little to do.

9. While many of Her Majesty's Ladies do enjoy a good joust, or perhaps a ride out in the fields, I have never ridden a horse, and, truly, their sheer size does frighten me a tiny bit. I try my best not to let it show. It must take some talent, to mount such animals and ride such as the jousters do...

10. I carry a leather tennis ball with me, hidden somewhere in the folds of my skirt. It brings me luck, for I have never lost a game with it.

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