Jane Seymour
Name Given at Birth: I be Jane Seymour, just as I was named at birth by my mother.
Nicknames: There were none needed. My first name was short enough for my family to remember, even with seven other siblings.
Hometown or where you were born: I was born at my father's family estate at Wolf Hall in Wiltshire, England.
Current Residence: I live wherever Mistress Anne, our future queen, resides at the time, with the exception of when I am on holiday.
Age: I am 21 years of age, the eldest of my brothers and sisters.
Class: I am a member of the Gentry, as most of Mistress Anne's ladies are.
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I, first and foremost, bend my will to my father's wishes as I know that he wants what is best for the family. As part of this instruction, he was able, as he has the ear of the king, to get me a post at court so as to attend Henry's lady, originally Queen Katherine of Aragon. Now I shall attend, and be companion to, Anne Boleyn.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: Oh heavens, no! Me? In the open without apparel? That would be highly improper. Surely the question is in jest.
Do you make fun of people: No, of course not! Everyone has their faults. Those that make fun of others for theirs are open to the same. I am certainly not one to judge. I would rather look to myself to see if there is anything I could humanly improve about myself. However, if one says something that does leave onesself open. . .
Favorite Color: There are so many wonderful colors that God has created, who could truly choose just one?
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: A crime? Perish the thought! I would never do anything to embarrass or disgrace my family.
Closest friends/How did you meet: My closest friend would probably be my sister, Elizabeth. I do miss seeing her, and haven't since coming to court. Another very close associate is Anne Stanhope who originally came to court with me. I think that she rather fancies my brother, Edward, though she would never admit it to me.
One Pillow or two: Two at the very least. Occasionally, and often depending on where we are staying at the time, one of the other ladies may be my bedfellow for the night, so we always make sure to have several pillows to each bed.
Pets: I have a horse of my own back at Wolf Hall, a dapple by the name of Cornelius.
Favorite Type of Music: I appreciate most the magnificent contrapuntal hymns. They truly lift my spirits.
Hobbies/Pastimes: I enjoy embroidery and needle work and persevere in making the sturdiest clothes for the indigent that I possibly can.
Personal Hygiene: I wash my face and scrape my teeth every morning and every evening. I bathe once every month or so.
Favorite Food: I greatly enjoy strawberries and cream once in a great while. I also really enjoy eating red deer and quail, which I have to send to Calais for.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Yes, both my parents are alive and well, thank you. My father be Sir John Seymour and my mother be Margaret Wentworth. daughter of Sir John Wentworth of Nettlestead in Suffolk.
My father, Sir John, was made a knight of the body by Henry during one of his campaigns in France and was also a gentleman to the King's bedchamber. He was made Lord High Sheriff of Somerset from 1515 to 1516.
My mother is a descendent from the blood-royal by an intermarriage with a Wentworth and a daughter of Hotspur and Lady Elizabeth Mortimer, grand-daughter to Lionel Duke of Clarence.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die:
Favorite place to relax: My favorite place for a respite is the garden, enjoying the gentle beauty that God creates.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: My favorite Holy Day is Ascension Day. It lends such an air of hope in rising above the mortal coil to heavenly perfection.
Favorite Drink: Almost any kind of juice, but most especially orange or pomegranate. They are so refreshing to drink, it replenishes me to carry on with my day.
What's your bedtime: I go to bed after my lady has retired and dismissed me.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I wear leather slippers when the weather is good and leather ankle boots when it's wet outside.
Are you married or single: I am, as of yet, single. There was an attempt at a marriage contract with William Dormer, but the Dormers decided against the union. I don't really talk about this occasion in my life very often.
Do you have a family / who are they: My own? No. I have only my birth family thus far.
Favorite Entertainment: I enjoy music and very much like dancing when I get the chance to. Masques are something that I look forward to every season.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: We didn't go to school. We had private instruction at our family home. At a young age I was sent to the French court to finish my education. Of the things we were taught or practiced, I would say that I appreciated household management the most. I look to be a very dutiful and competent wife someday.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My least favorite area of study would have to be eastern geography. I really don’t plan on going farther east than Italy, so I don’t see the necessity of learning it.
Favorite Sport: My favorite sport would have to be archery. It takes such patience and precision. I do enjoy trying to perfect these virtues.
Most Humiliating Moment: If I’ve ever had a truly humiliating moment I certainly wouldn’t wish to bring it up.
Proudest Moment: I’m not sure that I should have a proudest moment. Pride, after all, is one of the seven deadly sins, and we should all be looking to avoid those things which will taint us in the eyes of God. However, if I were to pick a moment that would compare to such a thing, I would say that I feel best about the first time I was presented as a companion to Henry’s sister, Mary, connecting finally from the French court to the court of my birth country.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Will Sommers would most definitely qualify as the silliest person that I have the fortune to acquaint with. As the King’s jester, he would need to be at the top of his profession.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: I look for a gentleness of spirit that, unfortunately, men of truly high rank are not want to show very often in public settings. Wit is a must, for I must be able to hold conversations with him. For my father, he must be of sufficient rank, preferably of noble birth, with status or wealth enough to help appoint my brothers to good posts.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" My immediate overlord is my father.
Favorite Sport to watch: My favorite sport to watch would be the jousts of skill. Again, patience and precision, but much more active on horseback, something I could never do.
Do you remember your first kiss: I will once I have it. But that must wait for my future husband.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: I am usually so busy attending my lady that I hardly ever have time to write.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: My favorite place to holiday is near Tuscany and the winery fields. It’s so peaceful and quiet there. It allows me time to reflect and enjoy the beauty of the countryside.
Have you ever been overseas: Yes. I was sent to serve at the French court and I’ve been to Italy several times with my brothers.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: The places that I have stayed usually have polished stone or marble floors.
What is your bed made of: The bed I sleep in is made from linen stuffed with goose down.
How many people sleep in your bed: It is usually just me, though sometimes I’ll have a bedfellow of one of the other ladies that attend our lady.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I enjoy sweet things, especially strawberries and cream.
2. I am the eldest of eight siblings, four of which are still living: Edward, Thomas, Henry, and Elizabeth.
3. I am still a supporter of Queen Katherine, but am adjusting to the thought of a new mistress in Lady Anne.
4. I was raised Catholic and still believe in the Catholic faith.
5. Being the unmarried daughter of a knight, those not in my familiar circle usually address me as Mistress Jane or, when my parents are not present, Mistress Seymour.
6. Choose your words wisely around me. After what happened to my last mistress, I have learned the value of information. Either that, or you may have a whitcracker broken upon you.
7. Though I may chide my acquaintances with such whitcrackers, I mean no harm with them. I mean only to entertain. I do have a strong sense of gallows humour as well.
8. I believe in the protocol that we have all grown up with in dealing with our betters and lessers. I follow these practices to the best of my ability, especially since debuting at court ten years ago. The English are nothing if not civilized.
9. My badge and symbol is the phoenix.
10. I continue to wear the English hood, though going out of style now, out of respect for my former mistress, Katherine of Aragon, as I hold her in continuing high esteem.
11. I love to work in the garden, to help God's beautiful creations.