Bess Throckmorton
Name Given at Birth: Elizabeth Throckmorton
Nicknames: My nickname is Bethie or Anne depending on the intimacy of our relationship.
Hometown or where you were born: My birthplace is Aldgate, England where my father was laid to rest but I was never concerned as to having a hometown as my travels with the Queen are more pleasurable.
Current Residence: My duty to the queen is to travel with her and make rest at her side. We are currently On Progress and are staying at Hampton Court Palace.
Age: 29
Class: Nobility
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am a Lady in waiting to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. I provide to Her Majesty a balance of humor, suspicion, intellectual challenge, and flirtatious fun as required for the pleasure of my Sovereign.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I am of nobility! One would not embark on such a scandalous affair plus I can’t swim.
Do you make fun of people: One might find a degree of pleasure in the chatter associated with other’s misfortune and the cruelty associated with such banter is most unpleasant.
Favorite Color: All the colors of green that a fresh spring day of a cooling fall day can provide. Green is the vision of life even in the darkest and coldest of winters.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: It would not dishonor the Queen with such unsavory acts and therefore I have no crimes against her laws or by my own thoughts against such acts.
Closest friends/How did you meet: Her Majesty, the Queen, is my closest friend and I have a warming of my thoughts in regards to the other ladies in waiting of the Queen. We meet in service to the crown and that crown binds our friendship closer.
One Pillow or two: I find pleasure in many pillows all gifts from the Queen and all of soft down and the smoothest of coverings but not as elegant as the Queen’s own pillows she uses at this time.
Pets: The pleasures of a pet are not for all nobility. I take enjoyment in the various animals that pass amongst the Queen’s favor but none that occupy my affections.
Favorite Type of Music: The beat of those Tartanic drums and the sweet melodies of ballads and comedies that do entice my ear to enjoyment.
Hobbies/Pastimes: I find pleasures in many pastimes available to nobility such as embroidery, lute, the formal dances of Royal Court, and conversations with Her Majesty.
Personal Hygiene: I bathe as often as the Queen prescribes and wash my face and hands as often as possible when away from the palaces.
Favorite Food: I find the many dishes available throughout the travels with the Queen most enjoyable. Many fresh fruits and sweets are also a pleasure one wishes to enjoy more often.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Regrettable my father has passed away and mother’s heart went with him. My parents were of my deepest comfort in childhood.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My father, Sir Nicolas Throckmorton, died in 1571. During Elizabeth's rein, he was made chamberlain of the exchequer and an advisor to the Queen and a little later was made Ambassador to France and Scotland. At his death, he also held the posts of keeper of Brigstock Park, Northamptonshire, Justice of the Peace in Northamptonshire, and Chief Butler of England and Wales. My mother was his closest friend and bore him 10 children. His death took with him, her heart. I miss them both deeply.
Favorite place to relax: Relaxation is found most comforting in the embrace of a full library or the cool breezes of a shaded garden in full bloom.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: My favorite holy day is Ascension Day. The day when God and his angels look upon each soul and places a kiss upon the brow of those worthy.
Favorite Drink: I find a soothing tea or a spirited wine to be most enjoyable but it really depends on the situation.
What's your bedtime: One retires at night after the wishes of the Queen are satisfied for that day and after reverent prayers are sent in blessing and thanks.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I usually wear leather slippers.
Are you married or single: I am unwed at this time for Her Majesty has not betrothed me to a man of noble birth. When My Queen wishes my betrothal, I will gladly accept the task appointed.
Do you have a family / who are they: I have several siblings and enjoy the company of my brother Arthur in the Queen’s court. I have no children as my virginity is sacred to me and only a husband appointed by the Queen should alter that status.
Favorite Entertainment: I love masques and balls.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I enjoyed the languages of noble society; French, Spanish and Italian are my most enjoyed.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Arithmetic is not my forte. One’s play with the arrangements of numbers can be most exhausting.
Favorite Sport: Falconing and Archery are pleasures not often indulged upon but greatly enjoyed when appropriate.
Most Humiliating Moment: Only a fool would confess such a thing and I am not a fool! In this regard, I take a lesson from Her Majesty and shall speak no further of this matter.
Proudest Moment: When I was appointed as Her Majesty’s Lady in Waiting. My service to Her Majesty outshines all other events in my life.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: The Queen's jester does make one laugh most agreeably.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: A good sense of humor, sharp wit, courtly manners, and handsome as many of the Queen’s own courtiers fit this station but I shall wait for Her Majesty’s advice on a betrothal.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, who is your immediate "overlord". Her most Majestic Grace, the Queen. She was appoint by God and is his beacon of faith on earth that we might better serve God through her leadership and grace.
Favorite Sport to watch: The excitement of fencing does rouse my attention. You never know which knight might fall from honor or lose his life.
Do you remember your first kiss: One would not speak openly of such scandalous behavior but my thoughts are not naive of the subject.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: I do indeed. My father having held such high titles, as well as having blood ties to some of the most influential people at court, I am well within grace to keep in touch with whomever I wish.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: I enjoy many outings with the Queen and The Loire Valley in France has beauty that envisions a heaven on earth.
Have you ever been overseas: My travels with the Queen take me many places and my childhood was filled with enjoyable entertainment not found in Canterbury but I have not in my travels every sailed from England’s shores.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: In residence with the Queen, one would not have dirt floors found within a palace. What a silly question. Our current residency at the palace of Hampton Court has splendid floors with vast intricacy only fitting for Her Majesty’s comfort.
What is your bed made of: The bed is made of the finest linen and filled with down feathers. It has heavily carved wooded posts and a headboard of the finest red oak. The immense bed with enormous sheets and coverlets and hanging curtains, all richly embroidered make it easy to forget the bed is shared with others during our progress with the Queen.
How many people sleep in your bed: Depending on which palace we are visiting, two to three of us might share one bedchamber. The Ladies in Waiting always, excepting Lady Lettice who has her own bedchamber, find the arrangement most pleasant.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I flirt quite a bit, and enjoy being flirted with but with discretion as I am a Lady of noble birth.
2. I am not serious in finding a husband through my flirting. I enjoy my precedence among the Court being the Queen's lady and would not particularly want to be lowered when I take my husband's rank.
3. I don't have a tolerance for those that gratuitously waste the Queen's time.
4. I am the Queen's servant and want to perform these services in the best fashion possible to Her Majesty. I know that she will reward me, as her Mistress, for my steadfast endeavors. My conduct reflects on the Queen as much as she reflects on me.
5. I like pretty things and enjoy spending money. Give me gifts of these pleasures if you want an audience with the Queen. Do not forget a gift for the Queen as well.
6. Lady Kat loves shopping. Lady Margaret loves pirates. Lady Lettice loves the joust. Me? My downfall is sweets. One can enjoy chocolate but a deep and richly dark chocolate is better then a milky chocolate*grin* Let another wise gift for me should you wish an audience with the Queen. This gift we might need to keep secret from Her Majesty as I would be hard pressed to share my chocolates.
7. I love entertainment of many sorts and to have a joyously uproarious time in honor of the Queen.
8. I like to try new things. Life is dull without new experiences.
9. I am a staunch supporter of the Protestant religion.
10. I am the Queen's "Silver Lining" for nothing can be found on Earth that does not have a brighter side. Even in death there is the reunion of our soul with God; now if that is not the bright side of a tragedy, what is?