Lady Lettice Knollys, Countess of Essex

Name Given At Birth: Lettice Knollys

Nicknames: Mumsy. And then Lettuce.

Is there a reason for your nickname? Yes, it is a name given to me by my most cherished treasures; my children. For the rest of humanity, may they call me Lady Lettice.

The name Lettuce is given to me from the Vulgarians for some strange, unseen reason. I believe they do not know how to form certain vowels in my given name, and therefore, cannot say it correctly.

Hometown or where you were born: I twas’ bore at Rothersfield Greys, England.

Current Residence: I do reside currently with her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth as she is on progress to Hampton Court Palace. After we reach Hampton, I shall progress back to Staffordshire to be with my family.

Age: 40 summers

Class: I am of noble birth and by marriage to my late Walter Devereux, I am also Countess of Essex.

What do you do, your main function in life/society? The Queen has ordered me to use my judgment, humor and courtly experience to negotiate this matter with the Vulgarians out of her life as casting a fly from soup. I also act as an advisor for my son, Robert, as he is now in attendance to her Majesty, in court.

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim? Nay, I’ve never bothered with skinny dipping but I do enjoy bathing which requires me to unclothe my person.

Do you make fun of people: When the moment does call for jesting and a tease, I do make quips.

Favorite color: Twould be red, of course. I wear it as often as I can. And I have been told by a secret admirer that I look radiant with the color upon my person and should wear it as much as possible.

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime? I was recently cleared of gossip charges that stated I poisoned my dear, sweet Walter! He did pass in Ireland as a shock to me. I do miss him.

 

 

Closest Friends / how did you meet?

Lady Margret Radcliffe is not only a dear friend of mine, in court, but of my son Robert as well! She is quite cheerful and happy to experience life to its fullest. We have enjoyed many outings in the past and hopefully, many more in the future.

Lady Throckmorton is also a close court friend. She has the ability to create a joke in the worst of situations. Her humor has helped me throughout the gossip of my late Walter’s death.

Lady Troncin is a beloved friend of mine and a close aunt to my children. We did meet long before my time at court, as we were a tender seven years…such time and events have passed for us both! She is my personal seamstress and I hear that she is in Canterbury at the same time we are on progress. I hope to find her during the day’s activities!

Lady Boisen, I did meet in London, at a feast for one of my Walter’s homecomings. Her husband did progress with Walter to Ireland two years past and was the bearer of news regarding his death. I cherish her dearly as she was my close confidante during these hard months.

One Pillow or Two: Two of course! Many after my daughters Penelope and Dorothy sleep with me or giggle with stories of adventures they have during the day.

Pets: Goodness, we do have many! Robert and Walter (my handsome sons) both fancy the fastest of horses and have two a piece. Penelope and Dorothy (my fair daughters) has collected betwixt them: four dogs, three cats, a gaggle of geese, a goat, two ponies, and a six rabbits that we keep pinned separately in fear of producing more. Both Robert and Walter keep the geese population down with their hunting skills. They do tease poor Dorothy about the rabbits needing a good thinning as well.

Favorite Type of Music: I do enjoy listening to many types of music, especially Celtic or the Scottish pipes.

Hobbies / Pastimes: Mainly I keep my household in order and watch over my children. I also fill my day with making my way back into her Majesty’s favor as I am in scrutiny with her now regarding my husband’s passing and rumors of my friendship with Sir Robert Dudley.

Personal Hygiene: I revel in my beauty so I do keep myself as neat as possible and my odor limited. When I am at home in Staffordshire, I like to take a bath at least twice a month to keep away pests or illness.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My father is Sir Francis Knollys and who is very much alive. He is a very devoted man to her Majesty and to the Protestant church. He does look after me well, now that my Walter has passed on.

 

If you parents are dead, when and how did they die: My mother, Catherine Carey, died in the year of our Lord, 1568. She was a kind woman and was daughter of Anne Boleyn’s sister (Mary). Thus, she and our Queen were cousins as I am once removed from our Majesty, herself as a cousin. She was her Majesty’s Lady of the Chamber until her death. I do miss her smile and quiet, gentle disposition.

Favorite place to relax: I enjoy my estate’s reading room. A soft chair, warm window and a good book are very relaxing to me.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: I enjoy Easter holidays for the welcoming of rebirth and knowing that the almighty does have a plan for all of us.

Favorite Drink: Warm, spiced mead. Or the chocolate mixture that her Majesty treats us to!

What's your bedtime: I retire whenever the Queen dismisses me. There are nights when she has the ladies sit with her until late to discuss various topics!

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: At the castle and Staffordshire, I wear slippers. However, if we are on an outing, I do wear boots.

Are you married or single: I am a widow. I was married to Walter Devereux, Viscount Hereford and the first Earl of Essex. After my Walter’s death; her Majesty assigned his duties to my son, Robert.

Do you have a family / who are they: I do have four children from my marriage:

· Penelope: my eldest daughter and shining star.

· Dorothy: Studious and careful with her words, she is smart.

· Robert: Dashing and very handsome, I believe he inherited my good looks and charm!

· Walter: Practically like his father, he can be a tad boring but I do love him.

Favorite Entertainment: I would have to say the theatre antics by Master Shakespeare or hosting an event and bringing in musicians since my lovely daughters and I enjoy dancing.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I did like cleaning my mother’s room for I would find her jewels and wear them, pretending to be a Lady in Court. I guess that dreams do come true!

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: That would be practicing prayers with my father. He is deeply religious and kept my brothers and sisters and I meditating and praying. Of course, these prayers did help my emotional state with losing my husband.

Favorite Sport: The joust or a good wrestling match. Having sons have taught me to enjoy these types of sports. They do look up to the men on horseback but I insist they look for adventure a far different way than sitting up top of a horse and playing with sticks. I lecture them that jousting will require them to be on the road and ne’r having the time to enjoy properties they will own.

Most Humiliating Moment: I remember the first day that I met Sir Dudley in the hallway as I arrived to be presented to her Majesty. I smiled at him and complimented about the color of his eyes and the Queen didn’t take to well to my admiration. I was told that Sir Dudley was only to be gazed upon by her eyes and no other.

Proudest Moment: I am proud to have assisted her Majesty escape marrying the French King! Of course there is talk that the Vulgarians are threatening war and this is due to a prior agreement that her Majesty had no affairs in! This situation is far more challenging that stealing a necklace for my Queen, because; my own son is on progress with us and I would rather him stay far from war as possible.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: I would not say crazy but I would be careful around the Lady Catherine Ashley. She is full of life and zest and then at a moments notice she shall defend her Majesty with a dagger along with the guards! I fear the time she spent with her Majesty, during the dark years, has baffled her soul. I will never forget the way this brilliant woman wrestled a would be assassin to the ground and stayed him until a guard shackled him! Brilliant, but dangerous! Do NOT toil with her Majesty while Lady Kat resides near by…unless you like being on the ground with a dagger to your throat!

What do you look for in the opposite sex: Around six feet tall, the brightest of blue eyes that shimmer as the light reflects on the ocean, a disarming smile that makes my very soul sing, dark hair, and strongest of arms. He is gentle and kind but stands for what he believes in and will fight against the wrongs of the world. Find him and you will most certainly find me.

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

First my father, Francis Knollys. He is still alive and thus, is my overlord. My father is very busy with matters of state and kingdom so I seldom see or speak with him. Whenever I do meet with him, I am reminded of my womanly duty of finding a husband and being a good mother to my children.

And then, there is her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth who is, indeed, a powerful woman. We have entered into a disappointing part of our relationship as rumors have whipped through court, of an affair I’ve been having with Sir Dudley, who has been banned to Scotland. I will not deny that I do have feelings of affection for Dudley, he has been very close to my family and was a confidante of my departed husband. However, I have not stolen his affections from the Queen. She will not marry him and remains steadfast in being married to her duty of country and her people. I am deeply troubled by the way that she treats him and has cast him from her. At times, I feel she toys with him; as she toys with so many others. Frankly, it feeds my anger as heat does a welt. I do like Robert, so much, that I chose my first born son’s name in his wake. During conversations with her Majesty, I have stood up for Dudley and have lost my place as favorite in her court. I notice that, at times, I am not asked to go on progress and remain at Staffordshire with my family.

Favorite Sport to watch: This I have already answered previously!

Do you remember your first kiss: Of course, but I must say it wasn’t as capturing as the one that I will tell you about that spawned my troubles with her Majesty. The pirates of the Revenge had stolen the French King’s necklace and I watched a gallant sword fight betwixt the pirates and the gentlemen of court. I did flirt with the gentlemen and stole the necklace, myself, so that I may give it to her Majesty. As I was about to make way for tea, my arm was captured in a firm grasp of Dudley who did spin me round and kissed me passionately upon my mouth! My senses did lose track of time and space as the world itself seemed to stay within his arms. He did leave with a tip of his hat. I must confess that most my heart did go with him that very moment.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: No. As soon as I was introduced at court and married, I’ve lost track of many old friends of mine. Some moved and some have died due to illness.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Anywhere there is feasting, dancing and revelry!

Have you ever been overseas: Aye, I did travel to Ireland to spend a short holiday with my husband near his death. During that time I met a daring lady named Grace O’Malley! She turned out to be a pirate! Lady Margaret pouted for a week that she wished she had went.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Stone and wood whilst I stay with her Majesty.

What is your bed made of: Walter gave me an oak framed bed with an etched headboard for our 10^th Anniversary! The mattress was made of hay and feathers of all sorts! He was a thoughtful man, God rest his sweet soul.

How many people sleep in your bed: Just myself, unless there is a storm and my sweet daughters run, squealing, into the room.

 

10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:

1. I am a Countess of Essex as my dead husband, Walter, was the 1^st Earl of Essex. He died of mysterious causes but no charges were brought against me as the autopsy proved that no foul behavior harmed him mortally.

2. I have four children: Penelope, Dorothy, Robert and Walter. They reside in Staffordshire. My son, Robert Devereux is attending court as well.

3. I flirt and am always looking for adventure. At times I dare travel without an escort!

4. The Queen is my cousin, once removed, and at times, I am mistaken for her. She is not happy with me due to rumors of a love interest with Robert Dudley, whom she has banned to Scotland.

5. Her Majesty expects me to settle the Vulgarian matter as, in her words, "like casting a fly out of soup."

6. My anger is nothing to toy with.

7. I most certainly love gifts!

8. I enjoy dancing, feasting and looking my best.

9. I cherish my faith and make sure to help those of lower station than I. We are all placed on this good earth to serve.

10. I adore my son and plan to have him be the best favored gentleman at court.

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