Baronessa Gula
Name Given at Birth: Baronessa Amata Giovanna Gula
Nicknames: My friends call me Ama, my father calls me Bella (meaning beautiful)
Hometown or where you were born: Lucca, Kingdom of Naples, Italy
Current Residence: Firenze, Repubblica of Firenze, Italy (Florence, Italy)
Age: 25
Class: I am of the Italian nobility
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am a known lady around Florence and most of Italy. Entertaining is one of my specialties. Planning vast feasts and dances, I will use anything as an excuse to do this. At this time my father has decided I should take up another husband since the death of my first one. On holiday, I have ventured to Canterbury with my friends in hopes of finding a young Englishman (or two) to suit my likings and take part in the feasts all around.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I am fortunate to know how to swim and occasionally indulge in going ‘au natural’ when the chance arises.
Do you make fun of people: I have been known to poke a stick or two…or 100. But I always do it out of fun, and normally get a good poke back.
Favorite Color: All colors of the fair rainbow. How can any person choose just one, for the world is far better with many? My eyes enjoy the sight of colors as black as the midnight sky to those that shine like the fresh fallen snow.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Crime! My be, NO! Unless one considers indulging in food and wine all day long, engaging in dance and merriment are a crime, then I am guilty.
Closest friends/How did you meet: Why, my Italian friends of course. As young children we all came together in thanks to our parents. Since then we have always traveled together and kept in close contact. But closer yet is Viscontessa Superbia, or Lia. Our fathers, being business partners, were always together and therefore gave us more opportunity to spend time with one another.
One Pillow or two: Two pillows? One of my station needs more than two tiny pillows. My bed is laden with pillows of every shape and size! Large fluffy ones, delicate small ones, some made of silk, others of lace, ones that smell of sweet flowers, pillows for my feet, my head and even hands!
Pets: I have many pets! I just adore them and the amount seems to get larger each day as I come across something that catches my eye. My first pet was my little cane (dog), Fredo. He is of the finest Italian Greyhounds in Florence. I also have his brother, Papito, his sister, Camela, a few gatti (cats), to keep the dogs company, and a herd of cavalli (horses), ranging from Fresians to simple carriage ponies for my pleasure riding days. Not forgetting the working animals that I convinced father to purchase for the estates.
Favorite Type of Music: Sweet voices mixed with a soft harp being plucked with affection, maybe even a pipe being softly blown into as the winds sweep through the halls. This kind of music can go around all hours of the sun and moon for me. I have started to learn to favor the joyful beats of the gypsies as I stay in Canterbury. The music just makes my feet and heart dance. It also makes for a fine time while dining. In any sense, music of all types will keep me going and merry!
Hobbies/Pastimes: Sewing and painting are by far my more relaxing past times. But I enjoy most having my stable boys hitching up multiple horses for me to just ride until they want to drop, or me, which ever falls first. Even just taking out a small slew of my carriage ponies to the country with a great basket of meats, hard bread, cheeses, wine and grapes. Just drive along and enjoy the feast beside me. Of course another favorite pastime is traveling with my fine friends. We all compliment each other so well, wouldn’t you say?
Personal Hygiene: A long, hot bath on a regular basis to keep up my soft skin and pleasant aroma. To continue smelling sweet I will be caught wearing scented necklaces. Mostly I tend to my hands, hair and face with the utmost importance. They must always look perfecto!
Favorite Food: One favorite? You do tease. Lasagnas, hard breads, cheese, sweet cakes, pastas, meats, olives, and grapes…I could just go on! I could never pick just one.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My father, Baron Gula, is still living among this world, but my mother died a long time ago. Father tells me that she danced for a whole night and contracted water filled bumps on her feet which caused her to become ill and pass along. He then remarried another young woman, Angelica. She was my mother for 10 years and gave my father 2 sons. She then sadly passed to the heavens when one night she had drank too much wine and accidentally wandered into the vineyards. The vineyards got to cold that evening and she froze. He then married Celia. She has been wed to him for 10 glorious years and she is just a few years older than me, so it was like having an older sister.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My mother died of an ailment to her feet and my first step-mother died from freezing to death.
Favorite place to relax: Favorite place to relax? Where ever you can find great food, flowing drink, lively entertainment and company for all to enjoy! That is someplace to be!
Favorite Holy Day / Why: Holidays that I enjoy are the raising of the saints and Buon Natale (Christmas), and who could ignore the Carnevale Ogni Scherzo Vale (a party to prepare for Lent)! These are all wonderful festivals filled with food and drink, not to forget company and laughter! But how can one be chosen when so many are there to attend!
Favorite Drink: why sweet wine…no mead…I mean, chocolate drink…oh! I will take a goblet full of each!
What's your bedtime? I will rest once the food and wine are gone or when my feet deny me the ability to dance another dance. Only then will I allow my head upon my hundreds of pillows just to continue dreaming of eating, drinking and being merry.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: It is not uncommon to see me in shoes of every color to match my dresses, but I do enjoy my leather slippers. I am sometimes out wearing my riding boots or even a pair of comfy wool slippers. My father says that 20 pairs of shoes (some still together, some needing a touch from a tailor) are too many for a woman to keep, but I just smile and tell him I need more.
Are you married or single: I was married at the age of 15 to my first husband. He was 20 years older than me and I was not his first wife, but his second. We had only one child, Enzo, aged 8 years. When I was 23, due to some war in our country he was sent away to fight. He survived the war, but died during his celebration once he returned home. The doctor said he had stuffed himself too much with the stuffed goose. I mourned for 2 years before my father decided, at 25, I should be married again. So while he looks at the Italian prospects for my dowry, I have decided to venture with my sisters in search of an English man who knows how to please me with food, wine and passion! *blush*
Do you have a family / who are they:
My dear compania along with;
Baron Gula – My dear father whom I love very much. He is so lively and full of energy, even as he ages. He still acts like a child some days, but it a true businessman when it comes to his investments.
Enzo – my 8 year old son who was just sent off for his first year in boarding school. While there he will continue to work on his language skills and other classes. He will come home to visit, on holidays. He is a wonderful child, full of life and joy just like his father was. He has always been a happy child and has a way with the animals around the house. My only concerns about my dear son is that he is thin as a stick. No matter how much he eats, he stays thin. I would like to see him as a full filled strapping gentleman.
Favorite Entertainment: Dancing. To watch as people spin and twirl, prancing around with joy is just so delightful to the eyes and heart.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I enjoyed art, music and language. Cooking was also a joy for me! Even though it was cooks job, I would sneak to the cucina (kitchen) and be caught sticking my fingers in all her work! Eventually she let me work with her, but I was always eating before the dish was done. Heavens, I was eating while we worked to prepare the meal!
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I did not have a dislike in chores or school, I always seemed to be able to enjoy even the most miserable things. In part because I would make my school mistress miserable instead.
Favorite Sport: Archery is a new sport I have seen and tried. I also adore horseback riding. It is more fun when a challenger takes to a friendly competition and races with me.
Most Humiliating Moment: I would not want to share that! Only those who were there that day know and I know they will keep their voices hidden.
Proudest Moment: Why the day I had my dear Enzo! That would have to be my proudest moment. But another time would be when I won a riding contest between all of the finest male riders in Italy. Those who bet against me lost misero, because I bet for myself, just with my friends being the betters. Sly that I am.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Why Enzo and Purgatorio! Both seem to have such life. Purgatorio has this certain air about him that always makes me giggle, especially when he keeps my glass full of vino. I do get entertainment watching him carry my 20 bottles everywhere we go too!
What do you look for in the opposite sex? Strength, kindness and being a true Italian businessman. But those of the English court have started to show me that maybe Italian is not always the way to follow. But only God himself can lead me to that.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, who is your immediate "overlord": First the Almighty, followed by my father.
Favorite Sport to watch: Tennis is entertaining, as is archery. But I will always prefer a good hunt or watching gentlemen in a good debate.
Do you remember your first kiss? That I do. My first husband, before we were engaged to wed, had taken me out for a ride to the country. As the sun set with all its purples, oranges and reds he just stopped, rode over to my horse and took my hand. As he looked into my eyes my heart skipped like a rock on water. Slowly he leaned in to give me a kiss that only an Italian man could give a woman. One that takes your breathe away and leaves your body floating in the clouds.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends? Of course! They attend feasts and festivities at my home all the time. They are also my compania! We are inseparable for most of the year!
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot? Everyday seems to be holiday for me. Dancing, feasting and just being happy. I do not think I have ever been otherwise.
Have you ever been overseas? That I have. It is a long journey, but I know it is all worth it to meet the new people and to also enjoy the happenings from another country. And heavens if I were to forget the fine food and drink!
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone? Stone! Dirt and mud, oh my, no. Only the finest stone floors money can buy. The cool stone feels wonderful on your feet in the summer days and holds heat during the bitter winters.
What is your bed made of? Made of the finest wood, with a soft curtain to pull around when I get to bed late. The mattress is made of goose feathers and soft silk coverings for my comfort. I can just lay down and sink into all my pillows and soft bedding then drift into dreams that let my soul continue to dance and eat to my hearts content.
How many people sleep in your bed: At the moment my dogs and I share the bed. Occasionally a bottle of wine and some ‘crumbs’ from the meal before bed seem to appear too.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I enjoy everything. I can not get enough of anything. Such things as great meals, fine wines, wild dancing, heated debates, wild races, fabulous gowns and jewels, shoes of the finest materials and so much more, there will never be enough.
2. All you need to do to find me is either check for a woman speeding by on a horse or find a festival. I shall be there enjoying the merriment and fun.
3. I am flirtatious, as is the life of an Italian.
4. I enjoy debates. I find they entertaining to watch and by far more entertaining when I am allowed to enter into the conversation myself.
5. I am a competitive lady. Though not many look upon that as a good virtue, I still had suitors who would want to ride and see if I would lose. I am one of the fastest side saddle riders in Florence.
6. I enjoy traveling very much and when I am not helping my father, I am normally off to see a new place. Mainly I travel with my compania of sisters to see all the new sites around!
7. I am normally the one that when out, I will encourage and convince you that you need something, whether it is actually practical or for materialistic gain. No matter in my mind! The more you have of any one thing the better. The best is when you have a lot of many things!
8. I am almost always found with a piece of bread, some fine wine or a perishable item of some sorts in my pockets. If not a perishable item, then some money to do a little shopping and add to my collections of clothes, jewels and shoes. Maybe invest in another horse or two.
9. Secretly I enjoy dancing to the gypsies drums. They hypnotize me and let my feet take the lead as my head just spins with the gentle beat.
10. I find it suiting for a woman to know how to use a sword or bow, even if it is not looked at as lady like in some other areas.