Name Given at Birth:
Anna ElizabethAnna Shelton
Name Given at Birth:
Anna Elizabeth
Nicknames: Most people simply call me Anna. My siblings, none of whom will be in Canterbury during the Harvest Festival, call me Nan.
Hometown or where you were born:
Current Residence: Canterbury
Age: I am 25 years of age.
Class: Countess. More specifically, the wife of an Earl.
What do you do, your main function in life/society: It is my purpose to ensure that my lord husband’s household is well organized and runs efficiently. I enjoy the time I spend working around the home. Also, I am responsible for training all the girls in the household (his three daughters and his ward) in all things they will need to know when they are married.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I would never disgrace myself by removing my raiment out of doors. I have never learned how to swim. There has never been a need for I do not reside near any significant bodies of water.
Do you make fun of people: That would be cruel. I strive to do my best to be friendly to everyone I meet. Although I do enjoy hearing all the court gossip.
Favorite Color: My favorite color is green. That is the color of the land when spring finally breaks through the cold winter snows.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Never. What sort of person would feel the need to go against the laws of His Majesty King Henry?
Closest friends/How did you meet: My closest friend is my stepdaughter Hermia. We met after my marriage to her father. Her older sister, Madge, refused to even speak to me for a while after the marriage. I confided my feelings and worries with Hermia and we have been boon companions ever since.
One Pillow or two: I only sleep with one pillow, but the town’s pillow makers always make sure the Lord Mayor has a great supply of pillows. As such, 28 pillows adorn the bed I share with my lord husband.
Pets: There is a mare in our stables which is my particular favorite to take on canters throughout the countryside. I call her Ginger, so named for her coloring.
Favorite Type of Music: Although I would never admit to it in public, I enjoy the high spirits and fast pace of the gypsy music. There is a reason I encouraged my lord husband to hire the gypsy family Boleyn to entertain at our Harvest festivities this year.
Hobbies/Pastimes: After all the chores are done for the day, I enjoy sitting and embroidering while the daylight lasts.
Personal Hygiene: I bathe once every month or two. It would be impractical and a waste of time and water to bathe more often than that.
Favorite Food: I must admit I have a strong sweet tooth and love every form of treats. If I was forced to choose one favorite it would have to be marzipan.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Both of my parents are still living. My father is an intimidating man whom I respect and love dearly. My mother and I do not agree on many things, including religion, and so our relationship is strained.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: N/A
Favorite place to relax: When I need some time away from my lord husband and the hectic household, I go to the guildmaster’s home and spend some time with his wife. We discuss our husbands and all the misconceptions they seem to be suffering under. Many times we play card games or embroider while we talk.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: My favorite feast day is April 23rd, the Feast of Saint George. He was such a strong example of what a true Christian should be. You will notice a statue of St George killing the dragon in the northeast corner of Canterbury.
Favorite Drink: My favorite drink is the mead that we brew in our household.
What's your bedtime: During the summer months I usually retire an hour or two after sundown. I do not wish to be wasteful of candles.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I have a pair of soft leather slippers that I am very fond of wearing. They are comfortable on my feet during a long day of festival activities.
Are you married or single: I am married quite recently. About a year ago my father arranged the marriage between myself and the Lord Mayor of Canterbury.
Do you have a family / who are they: While my lord husband has three daughters from his first marriage, I have not yet given him any children of our own.
Favorite Entertainment: My favorite entertainment is organizing and participating in a masque. I do not have many opportunities to do this during the year, usually only during the Christmas celebrations. However, I understand King Henry enjoys masques quite heartily. Mayhap we may have an opportunity while he is visiting our fair town.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My favorite lessons were my dancing lessons. I enjoyed several of my lessons, including languages, reading, and sewing, but I feel most elegant when dancing.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My mother was of the belief that every wife should know her way around the kitchen, even if she did not do the everyday cooking herself. I do not share that belief with her, especially since I always burnt everything I was set to cook. I feel quite competent in deciding what should be served at each meal without needing to know how it is prepared.
Favorite Sport: When there is time during the long summer days, I find great enjoyment in playing shuttlecock. My younger sister and I played many times together growing up, but I have not played it yet this season.
Most Humiliating Moment: When I was quite young, mayhap 6 or 7, my mother decided it was time for me to begin dressing like a proper lady. I was dressed appropriately for a grand dinner my parents were hosting. When I was presented to the company, I tripped upon my farthingale as I moved towards my parents. I fell onto the floor, cut my cheek upon the hard stone, and my underthings were shown to everyone. I felt like I had shamed my entire family in that one moment.
Proudest Moment: After a month in my husband’s household, Hermia came to speak to me about her love of Lysander. She implored me to help her sway her father to see all of the good in Lysander that he is blind to. The fact that she trusted me such truly made me feel like I was wanted and accepted in this household.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Lysander is probably the silliest person I know. He is always quick with a quip and he is never afraid to appear foolish when displaying his love for Hermia. I admire him greatly for just how silly he is.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: I am most attracted to power. I could never love and respect a man who did not control his own life. However, I also need my husband to be compassionate to those under him in station.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody 'over' them, Who is your immediate 'overlord' My lord husband, the Lord Mayor John Shelton, is my immediate overlord.
Favorite Sport to watch: I enjoy watching wrestling greatly. Of course, it depends upon who is participating.
Do you remember your first kiss: My first kiss was during my nuptials to my first husband. He was older than I by many years. I was quite unsure as to how to proceed when his lips touched mine. By the time it was finished, my mouth was quite wet from his lips.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: My truest and dearest friend from childhood is my dear sister. She and I still correspond with letters.
Where is your favorite 'Vacation' spot: Going to the court is the greatest vacation I could ever experience, wherever the court may be. I have only been a part of court a few times in my life, so I am quite excited that King Henry has included Canterbury in his summer progressing.
Have you ever been overseas: I have never been overseas. My father has been to France on business once or twice, but he has never taken me with him.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Of course the manor of the Lord Mayor has stone floors. I strive to keep them clean for the arrival of their Majesties.
What is your bed made of: My bed is made from soft down feathers.
How many people sleep in your bed: Two people sleep in my bed, myself and my lord husband.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I am compassionate of Hermia’s plea to be with her love, Lysander.
2. I have been married once before. When I was 15 my father wed me to an elderly earl who then died of consumption five years later. After a proper period of mourning, my father again set out to wed me to an earl, this time choosing John Shelton.
3. My mother is a catholic and raised all of her children in the Old Religion. I am currently a member of the Church of England, no longer following my mother’s beliefs.
4. While neither of my marriages have been for love, my hope is that John will grow to love me as his wife, not merely respect me for what I can offer to our marriage.
5. I worry that I have not yet conceived with my lord husband. I wish to produce a male heir who will inherit his title so it will not have to go to Madge’s husband, whenever that match is made.
6. It concerns me that, although his youngest daughter is already 16, my lord husband has not yet married any of his daughters off. While it is true he has arranged a marriage for Hermia with Demetrius, this is a recent development. I hope to remedy this oversight and find proper matches for Madge and Emma shortly.
7. I have two older brothers: Edward who will inherit my father’s titles and George who has joined the clergy, following our mother’s religion.
8. My younger sister, Roselyn, is to be wed during the Christmas festivals to an earl of her own.
9. I feel awful being hated by Madge. I am not trying to take her mother’s place and I do all in my power to try to be friends with her. It should be easy to find common ground as we are the same age, but that seems to make her hate me more.
10. Lady Esmerelda Highgate has been a great comfort since I have come to Canterbury. She was friends with my lord husband’s first wife and she is one whom I can go to when I am unsure as to what to do.