Zindelo Boleyn
Name Given at Birth: Zindelo Xavier Boleyn
Nicknames: Z
Hometown or where you were born: I claim all the world as my hometown since I have visited many lands and cherish the variety that each has to offer. I am told that I was born upon the sea. Mayhaps this explains my reluctance to call any one place my home town.
Current Residence: In the gypsy encampment outside the Barbarian encampment at Canterbury.
Age: 39 years
Class: Gypsy. Some would call this scum, but I see our band as being more noble than most of those whose lands we pass through.
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am Gypsy, need I say more? I like to view myself as an ambassador and a gentleman. I have friends in a great many lands and have facilitated many trades and missions between those who could not well afford to be caught in each others company. I also take the role of loyal assistant to the Maestro and help to watch over and protect all those over whom he presides.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: Of course. I would not want to ruin some of my better garments by swimming in them, but I do not hesitate to travel through the water clothed if it will facilitate my coming or going as I desire.
Do you make fun of people: I tease my gypsy relatives at times, but know better than to tease those people who might take offence and cause difficulties for me in one land or another.
Favorite Color: Gold and silver are among my favorites, but green and red make for beautiful clothes.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: I do not fear the laws other than gypsy but do have a respect for the consequences of being caught trespassing the statutes of the lands that I visit.
Closest friends/How did you meet: I consider all of our extended family to be my friends. Why else would I choose to spend time with them? I have much respect for my oldest brother the Maestro. He has taught me much and his experiences are rich and varied with many important lessons to be learned. Even I cannot lay claim to having the contacts and interactions with so many of the important and influential people of the world. My youngest sister, Belladonna is also a close friend. She is always there to help me understand what the Maestro is trying to teach me and her kind ways and clever advice prevent difficulties within the family. I know that the Maestro is trying to marry her off, but I believe her role in the family is more important to her than a husband. My closest friend of all of course is my lovely wife Miranda with whom I do not spend nearly enough time. She cares for our child and supports me in my efforts to locate my children who were given up for their protection. Her arms are always open when I return to her from a current adventure. I try to let her know of my appreciation by bringing her the very best of the treasures I come across in my dealings. She may not be of gypsy blood, but she understands and accepts my way of life.
One Pillow or two: One pillow is sufficient for my needs, although it is probably stuffed fuller than most.
Pets: I do not have need of pets. I have a family I do not spend nearly enough time with, although my wife is fond of her dogs.
Favorite Type of Music: I like any kind of music, especially if it has a good beat and can be danced to. Lenora’s music and songs are a great comfort to me, especially when I rejoin the family after a long trading voyage or adventure.
Hobbies/Pastimes: Trading and collecting are hobbies of mine. Gold and silver or jewels are of greatest interest to me.
Personal Hygiene: I keep myself presentable, much more so around my wife than when I am traveling. So much time can be wasted paying too much attention to these matters. It does keep my wife happy, so I indulge in this activity when I am in her company.
Favorite Food: Do I have to pick one? Anything that puts meat on the bones and stimulates the senses is good enough for me. Our band has no shortage of women who know how to bring the men to their knees with the wonders that they cook for us.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My mother is alive and well, but my father was killed in the great gypsy fire. I can almost accept Lord Highgate as my father, but there is still something missing in his lack of gypsy blood. He does make an excellent friend and advisor with great patience and understanding.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: I was a young man and did not spend much time with the caravan when my father was killed in the great fire of 1554. Maestro tells the story with all who care to listen. I often wonder how much of what he explains is actually to be believed.
Favorite place to relax: In the evening on the beach after a long voyage across the sea or along the river. The water, the breeze and the stars remind me of all that I have in all the places that I have visited. The brightest light in the sky always making me think of my Miranda back in England.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: I am of the opinion that Yule is the favorite season for everyone. I enjoy the time to relax and be with family. It also gives me an excuse to share of the treasures that I have collected with those that I care about. It doesn’t hurt that there is a great deal of excellent trading going on in the days immediately following. I get some of my best bargains at this time of year.
Favorite Drink: My one weakness in trade is for the juices of the amazing tropical fruit that grow in the warm and wet regions of the world. What I would not give for a way to carry these with me! I plan on speaking with the royal gardener to see if he has any ideas on keeping such plants alive in England if I bring his some saplings. If anyone can accomplish such a feat it would be him!
What's your bedtime: My bedtime is when I get tired. That is unless I am with Maestro and he has given me work to do. At such times (Harvest Fest is a good example) I am only able to go to bed after my work is done and my assigned area of the camp is clean and secure.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Leather shoes from the finest cobblers. Boots or sandals may come in handy, but I prefer the look and feel of fine shoes.
Are you married or single: Married, see best friends…
Do you have a family / who are they: My wife Miranda and my daughter Lillian. They live in England not far from Canterbury in a manor my wife inherited. I also have my gypsy family with the Maestro at the head.
Favorite Entertainment: I love to watch the nobles try to show each other up with their skills with the blade or other weapons. I personally value intelligence and cleverness, but am entertained by their antics.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I loved to read of the world and plan of all the places that I would visit some day.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Horses. Need I say more?
Favorite Sport: The joust. What a silly contest to take part in, but an exciting one to watch.
Most Humiliating Moment: The day I came back to the Maestro with an exceptionally valuable trade that I had made and he explained that I was a step behind. It was an elaborate setup for the townspeople and I thought I had made the best of them, but was tricked by the trap set up by my own band. I always paid more attention to family meetings after that day.
Proudest Moment: The birth of my daughter. Or was it my son? Or…. Well we’ll just leave it at one child or another.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Gunner the Barbarian. His dress is so interesting and to fight like he does. I would never risk life and limb the way that he does! His fights are often comparable to the jousts in excitement.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: Patience, kindness and understanding,tolerance to my being gone so much, and a warm smile.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" The Maestro is my immediate overlord, at least when I am traveling with his caravan.
Favorite Sport to watch: The joust
Do you remember your first kiss: No for I was very young and extremely foolish with my affections.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: If you mean family, yes. If you mean other friends, if they have things to trade I keep in touch.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: The sea and the shore are my favorite no matter to what place I travel.
Have you ever been overseas: Many times.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Where I sleep has wood floors. The fields and beaches make great floors when the weather is nice.
What is your bed made of: I have a down mattress that cost me much. My bed is simple since I was made an offer I could not refuse for my ornately carved bed of mahogany
How many people sleep in your bed: My bed, 1 except when I am with my wife, then 2 (ok, occasionally 3 since my daughter is small)
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I love the finer things in life
2. I feel close to my wife and children although I do not know where they all are.
3. I may not always agree with Maestro, but I am fiercely loyal to him.
4. I believe that I may have a son living as an orphan in Canterbury
5. My wife is meeting me at the Harvest Faire. It has been too long!
6. I am very quiet… for a gypsy
7. If you have gold, silver or jewels, come to me to talk trade!
8. I can probably get you the thing you want most. If the price is right!
9. I don’t drink ale or wine. Often.
10. I can almost always be trusted. Trust me.