Catherine Willoughby, Lord Mayor’s Wife
Name Given at Birth: Catherine Jane Willoughby
Nicknames: Katie, by many; my lord husband calls me Jane
Hometown or where you were born: I was born at my parents’ estate near London, and have lived much of my life there or at Court, wherever, that is at the time.
Current residence: I now call Canterbury home, but for how long I know not. I live in the Lord Mayor’s manor house, which is quite nice. I own several other homes, by rights of my titles. My favorite is my country home, but you should see Suffolk house in London, what a grand place.
Age: I was born March 19th, in the year of our Lord, 1519.
Class : Upper nobility.
What do you do/ Main function in life/society: At present my main job is Lady Mayor of Canterbury, but with the burdens of governing this shire left entirely to me with my husband’s prolonged, and unnecessary absence, I should be called Lord Mayor. There are too many duties and tasks to describe in short, but there is peacekeeping and judicial matters, ledgers to be reviewed and decisions that affect our entire village.
Do you make fun of people: It has been said of me that my sharp wit doth both offend (as was meant) and entertain. It is not really my intent to speak ill of others, but the opinions I hold are forceful and strong, and I tolerate not candlewasters nor buffoons.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping/ do you know how to swim: The constraints of my raiment hinder, nay prevent, the pursuit of cool water flowing o’er my skin in other than a proper bath. Thankfully on hot summer days there are ponds in which I have been known to indulge after the noon hour! I do know how to swim for I fell into a pond once when I was a child and alone and it was time to learn or go to my maker – I chose the former.
Favorite color: The softest yellow of cream churned to butter and the blue of a robin’s egg.
Have you committed or been convicted of a crime: During Her Majesty Mary’s (mercifully) short reign, had I remained on English soil, I would have absolutely been convicted of heresy and forfeit my life. But barely forewarned I was able to escape to the continent. So, the answer you seek is NO.
Closest friends:
Queen Elizabeth - I have watched her grow up, and our lives have been entwined for many years now. There was a time when I saw her almost daily, as she was living with my good Queen Catherine Parr, God rest her soul, who was also watching o’er my step grand-daughter the Lady Jane Grey, that poor dear girl. We share the sorrows of those times and losses of good friends, believers in the true Protestant faith, the anxiety of our lives having once been in danger, and the pure joy in the peaceful times Our Lady has now brought to this land. She shares more and more of her father’s traits as she matures, but there is a more balanced hand, and she has well kept her solemn promises.
Lady Esmerelda Highgate - This is the biggest surprise of my life, for I met this good Lady as a Duchess and knew not of her gypsy heritage. She was and still is a devoted wife, with an easy laugh and ready smile. Wisdom also enjoys a place in her soul and her council has been carefully weighed and given with concern save for one matter. It was she who promoted her son Martin to me, she who pushed him to woo me. This was all well and good until I met the man and found I did know the gypsy Maestro! You can imagine my great horror at the thought of being connected to one so baseborn, whom I thought to be high bred and gentle born. And the thought of a gypsy husband, unheard of. She was understandably one sided in her thinking about the pairing. I was horrified. We were able to come to a peace with our relationship, without Martin in the picture. So imagine how it was I felt when it became known to me I was falling in love with the gypsy! No matter, they were thoughts shared with no one, none were the wiser. Then my good Queen turned my world upside down and commanded we marry. But she has proved a true friend and good mother-in-law, even scolding Martin for his recent treatment of me!
The Lady Kat Ashley - We are closer in age and as I said watched o’er our good Queen since a child. There is much we can say to one another with a look
The Lady Beatrice – left in a nunnery most of her life, she came to my service with a naivete that was profound. She wanted most to experience all that she had not in as quick a time as possible, which was frightening. I was most anxious for her safety, fearing she would move head long into some disaster but we navigated those waters, and she is now my most constant companion.
One pillow or two: Four lie upon the bed but two have seen no head laid upon them for these last nine months.
Pets: My Yorkshire terrier, Winston (teasingly called the Duke of York by my good sovereign) accompanies me where e’er I go. There are numerous cats and several wolfhounds at my country home.
Favorite type of music: Most any music played well that is lively soothes my soul. Do not even think of telling Maestro that I am even becoming fond of his blessed gypsy violin.
Hobbies/pastimes: Reading is the true passion in my life. ‘Tis the way my good husband, did woo this duchess. Though I had known of Martin Boleyn, it was not until a visit to Canterbury, where we found ourselves in the same spot pursuing the written word, that I “noticed” him. I also enjoy needle point, and have tried my hand at painting since Master DaVinci arrived.
Personal Hygiene: I have been told I will make myself unwell with the frequent washings I partake in. I confess I bathe at least once a week and more often if tis hot.
Favorite Food: I confess to a weakness for French sweet pastry, which I crave, but indulge in rarely. Pheasant well cooked in cream -- delicious.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Sadly, they are not. But I think my father loved me, I was quite young when he died, and my mother and I were able to enjoy each other until I was 20.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: Quite frankly, I know not how they died. I was but 7 when my mother informed me, her only child, I was now Baroness Willoughby of Eresbry. My mother ne’er truly adjusted to our English weather, being Spanish born, and her lungs became weaker, until a winter cold just ne’er left her. It is well she died when she did, for my thoughts were turning to the Protestant faith and it would have caused her very Catholic self much bitterness to have a daughter who thought such as me. She also was spared the losses of her bonny grandsons, and the Queen Mary, a babe she cared greatly for, too short into her reign.
Favorite place to relax: Here in Canterbury ‘tis in the cool shade of the lovely pond by the waterfall. It is the place I lost my heart to a gypsy man.
Favorite Holy Day / why: Easter, truly the most holiest of days where we give Thanks for the sacrifice our Lord made for us. For pure enjoyment, the Yule season, made much more lively this year by my new gypsy family. I have ne’er been a part of such a large family, who so obviously enjoy teasing, singing, dancing, laughing, and loving one another. My head was quite unaccustomed to the noise and constant goings on, and just as I thought we were to have a more docile Twelfth night, we had an even larger revel for Luciana’s birth celebration. I was not sorry to have the majority of the family leave three days later
Favorite Drink - Something new to this country, a gift from my husband’s family, leaves that you brew with boiling water. It is called tea and is especially good with some honey added to it.
What is your bedtime: Once all are bedded down, ledgers are finalized, correspondence answered, and the house is put to rest for the night, I then retire to my empty chamber for a worrisome slumber. I am anxious over my lord’s welfare, the monumental tasks of putting the Harvest Faire together, and the welfare of those in my charge. For a short time I slept well, curled securely in the strong arms of my lord husband, but alas it seems to have been but a brief chapter.
What if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: soft kid leather slippers in the manor, and finely crafted boots out-of-doors.
Are you married or single: I believe that I am married still, but know not for how long. Once widowed, with children dead, but titled, I led a satisfying and independent life. I had never taken a lover, nor had the desire to wed, but that all changed just eighteen months ago. My Queen, and friend, had need of services that could not be done out in the open. She went to her two most trusted servants, and commanded that they wed and work together but in secret to rid her of a great plague in Canterbury. Once the task was completed and the marriage public, it seems most who knew us had wished for this pairing. We spent just months with each other and tragedy struck, sending my good lord husband away from my side for what I thought was a short time. It has been nine months. What would that tell you?
Do you have family/who are they:
I feel as though I have had two lives, there is the one before and the one now. I have lost many including my first husband, two sons, a step granddaughter and my country for a time. But that is all in the past and my little family pleases me well.
Maestro -- He is the lowest born in the land and yet he is my husband. In truth, I had fallen in love with the man, who has clawed and fought his way out of his birth constraints, with good humor, high honor, hard work and a love of learning that matches my own. His bright blue eyes dance with mischief every time he teases me out of my melancholia or when my sense of righteous brings out my prejudices. He is a handsome gypsy with just the temples of his hair turning silver which I have always found to be a distinguishingly comely trait. He is curious, and a rake, faithful and an incorrigible flirt. His love of family is so strong that it has kept him from me for most of our wedded life. His eldest was in dire circumstances and understandably he had to go. Howe’er when the missive came to tell me he was out of danger, but he was not coming back but taking over the vardo and its meanderings, I tell you I was just as hurt as I was angry. ‘Tis good he came not in person, for I fear he would have been thrown in the fire along with the missive. Our missives became less and less frequent as time has worn on and he is late in returning to Canterbury. I am not happy to have been left alone with the arrangements for this most high honor of the Queen’s visit, I miss our talks and the comfort of his warmth in my bed, not to mention those kisses. He says he cannot work in his “gadje” raiment and will instead comport himself in his gypsy “finery”, yet another affront to my status. But if he will show his love by dancing with me at the end of the day I shall wish to work out our problems. But can I travel the road for part of the year? There is much to think about.
Maestro’s many children still confound me. I cannot keep their names straight and they are so boisterous! It has been my great frustration to not know them, but they are never here only 2-3 at a time so that I may talk and form my own opinions of them all. I have found one theme they share in common, while they love their papa, each one craves the attention of a mother in some small way. If Martin and I can work things out, I will spend whatever time is needed to love them as I can.
I have two wards who joined my house just months ago. They are bright girls with eyes to the future. Their education has been sparse and I feel with no discipline, but that is changing under my tutelage. Their needle work has improved, both are developing better study skills and are learning at their chores. Both have honey blond hair, darkened with age, one blue eyed and the other the darkest of brown. An impish smile and dimples light up the face of the younger, while a hearty laugh and love of life explodes from the elder.
We also have a young lad placed in our house for advantage and education as well. He has dark eyes and dark hair. He is somewhat shy with me still, but a good boy whom I like to pamper a bit. He is a quick learner and his tutor tells me he is progressing rapidly. There is something mysterious about him, but no matter. The girls like to pamper him as well, but there is a price! They tease and torment him with extra requests and errands.
My long time companion and friend Lady Caroline is attending to her health for the time but I hope, if the weather is fair, will join us for the Harvest.
Lady Beatrice, my newest lady in waiting is a constant joy to me. She is quiet, but quick witted and taken to gossip, which I enjoy immensely though I may outwardly frown a bit. She is kind hearted, skilled with a needle, and just married the love of her life. She is an immense help and good companion.
Favorite Entertainment: I share the love of dance of my Queen. If I am not dancing, her great joy in mastering the steps with a handsome courtier brings me joy.
Favorite subject in school or chore growing up: I found early I was a good reader and rare though they were books were my treasure. Once I got a taste of the Holy book, my whole world opened up and my questioning and curiosity were awakened. My favorite chore as a child is still one I enjoy today and that is polishing the silver plate. It soothes me and satisfies me to see the tarnish disappear.
Least favorite subject in school or chore growing up: It has been deemed proper for a well bred lady to know how to play an instrument. It has been impossible to teach me anything, but I have an adequate voice to sing, redeeming myself a bit.
Favorite sport: Riding, I have a magnificent gelding, Peregrine, who flies o’er the grounds.
Most humiliating moment: When I had to literally sneak out of the country to keep my head. Whilst I had known my lady Mary, when she became Queen she became a danger to me. I still think she was poorly counseled, but her love of her faith was as strong as my conviction that it was wrong.
Proudest Moment: Telling that evil Magistrate that all his game playing and maneuvering was for naught, I had out maneuvered and out played him, and he lost his life for it.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: We have a woman in Canterbury who thinks she is the “Duchess of Tea”, but she is truly crazy and it is not well to speak of an unfortunate badly. I would say that Leopold, the Duke of Middlesex, is the silliest, but he amuses me greatly!
What do you look for in the opposite sex: Intelligence, humor, and a well turned leg!
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody “over” them, who is your immediate “overlord”: Why , My good husband, when he is here!
How do you feel about that person? He is a good man, and knows how to make a woman feel beautiful. But I fear he knows not what he is missing, for given a chance he could be the most loved and cared for man in the country.
Favorite sport to watch: Jousting games. A well matched knight and his charger displaying the skill and strength of their craft is most exciting.
Do you remember your first kiss: It was nothing note worthy.
Where is your favorite “vacation” spot: It would be my country estate, there is nothing more relaxing than sitting by the river on a sunny summer day with an outside luncheon and good book.
Have you ever been overseas: I was forced to flee to save my life and traveled some on the continent, but my heart was always here.
Do you have dirt/mud floors or stone: The lower floors of the manor house are stone, the upper floors are wood, polished with beeswax to a beautiful luster.
What is your bed made of: Maestro has the most beautiful rosewood framed bed with the softest of goose down in his vardo, which I admired greatly. For my Yule present from his children, they combined their resources to purchase the wood and fittings and had Evgeny recreate that bed, in a larger and more stately version, Luciana to sew the curtain, and everyone else to stuff the mattress.. It made Maestro feel more at home and I had a beautiful new bed. It was very touching that they all went to so much effort.
How many people sleep in your bed: Too many nights it has just been I.
Ten things Everybody should know about me:
1. I fear that my husband’s long absence means he loves me no more, or at the very least, less than he loves life on the road. Mayhap he has all ready seen fit to request an annulment during his audience with our Lady, the Queen, as he did to her side go e’en prior to informing me of his return to our shores. In truth, if such a request had been made, my despair and sorrow would be greater than the mountains, and much harder to bear than the humiliation of being summarily set aside by one of his station. The undeniable truth is, I love him more than I had thought possible to love anyone, and worse still, I feel I need him.
2. The girl Elizabeth has grown into a magnificent Queen, and I am most proud to be counted amongst her true friends.
3. There has been much sorrow in my life, but I have survived with my sanity and health, Bless the Lord, and lived to see the imp of a girl fulfill her destiny as England’s finest monarch.
4. I, as Maestro, am a hard worker and expect much the same from my family and household. As stated before I tolerate no laziness, candlewasters, nor fools.
5. ‘Tis a secret wish of mine to retire from my Lady’s service, though I would remain a loyal and true servant, and travel a bit, just for the adventure of it. A handsome gypsy to show me the way would not be unwelcome.
6. Upon our marriage, it was a dream fulfilled that I would be able to enjoy grandchildren through Martin’s family. I have always been fond of infants and wee ones and did look forward to the spoiling of such.
7. Many years ago, my dearest friend Catherine Parr Seymour, did bring forth a beautiful baby girl named Mary. Poor babe lost her mother to childbed fever and her father lost his head for intolerable behavior toward the Lady Elizabeth. The child’s welfare was turned over to me. Most now believe this dear baby lived not past her second birthday. But her life and existence were ever much in danger, so I devised a plan where she would still be under my watch, be part of a loving and strong family, but able to escape the restraints and danger of her birth. It is a secret burden that none but myself know, as her adoptive parents are also unaware of her heritage. I would be happy to report that she is a healthy, kind, beautiful, guileless, intelligent, young woman if I knew where she was or if she was still alive.
8. The Queen Elizabeth, doth love me almost as an aunt, and will be staying at the manor house during her visit to Canterbury.
9. I am most proud of our little village of Canterbury, it is one of the jewels in my Lady’s Crown and this year I take full credit for that. 10. As a sign to my husband and his family, that I still wish to be counted amongst them, I will wear their family cloth upon my raiment. I hope that this will please him and tell him of my desire.