Sir Julian Wolfe, First Baron of Northallerton
Name Given at Birth: Julian Wolfe
Nicknames: "Northallerton", for my realm. I cold write a book on all the names I have herd based on the fact that ‘tis a land of sheep and my surname is Wolfe. That aside, I’ve a few more based on my habit of wearing armour more often than not. ‘Tis better to wear it when not needing it than to need it when not wearing it.
Hometown or where you were born: Bradford, far south of where I now reside. South Yorkshire, that is.
Current Residence: I make my home in mine own realm of Northallerton, a wee town in northern Yorkshire.
Age: Having been born in the year of our Lord 1503, I have now seen score and ten years.
Class: I am a baron; landed nobility at its lowest tier.
What do you do, your main function in life/society: What indeed is the purpose of any noble? My duty is to the people of my realm, to guide them in peace and defend them in war.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I've a technique for swimming that works as well with armour as without; that being to grab the side of the ship and hang on to it for dear life. As for what you call 'skinny dipping', I see little difference betwixt that and bathing.
Do you make fun of people: ‘Tis a habit I am trying to shake, as o’er the last few years a loose tongue has cost me much.
Favorite Color: White and green; the white of Yorkshire’s unblemished rose and the green of her beautiful fields.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: To whom dost thou think thou addressest? I've certainly not, and find the notion offensive!
Closest friends/How did you meet: I am a stranger to this town and although affable I endeavor to be, in truth there is not a soul I would dare call a true friend. Of my home, I must speak of the clergyman John Fisher, a humble and insightful soul who before my time was the vicar of Northallerton.
One Pillow or two: Not a one. I wear armour most of the day. Think you that I need something soft to rest my head upon in the evening?
Pets: I believe in moderation, and thus only keep working animals. I’ve a large hunting dog, half greyhound and half wolf, a swift and powerful hound I did name 'Argus' after Odysseus's loyal hound. No thief sets eyes upon mine estate whilst Argus is about. Unfortunately, he and my last squire did make adversaries of one another. Oft the boy would threaten to cook Argus and eat him, and from the number of times he was bitten I venture to say Argus had similar thoughts. One day the squire was simply gone, and I've no clue as to whether he did abandon his duties or was eaten. He was a lackluster lad, so I mourn not his loss.
Aside from Argus I’ve no animals, but the suggestion has been raised that I take a flock of sheep. I think I am the only man in Northallerton who has not done so already. Argus hath a quick wit and I think would make a fine sheepdog, if he could be trained not to eat his flock.
Favorite Type of Music: A pretty song by a comely lass with a pleasant voice. Every man has a weakness or two.
Hobbies/Pastimes: Prose, as I've not the greatest talent for poetry. Also chess.
Personal Hygiene: Quite well I should think. I bathe far more often than most, as mine armour must be clean, and for such to happen, so must the man under it.
Favorite Food: A good parkin; mine other weakness is sweet pastries. E’en the food is better in Yorkshire.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: They are not.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My father did meet his fate facing the Scots on Flodden Field under the Duke of Norfolk, where first I saw battle. And my mother I knew not, for 'twas my birth that sent her to heaven.
Favorite place to relax: The heather moors.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: That would be the feaste day of St. Brigit of Kildare.
Favorite Drink: Ale spiced with nutmeg
What's your bedtime: On most evens I sleep at sundown, or shortly after. Oft in winter, if I've a candle or two handy, I stay up into the wee hours with a good book.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I wear only the finest boots. These are not for show; a warrior knows ne'er to accept any but the finest of foot-wear.
Are you married or single: Wed once but no longer. ‘Tis not a thing on which I enjoy speaking.
Do you have a family / who are they: If you must know, my dear wife was mayhap the fairest jewel e’er the kingdom has seen, but she was a fair lass who withstood not the rigors of childbirth. The son she bore fared no better, so I’ve no family now.
Favorite Entertainment: The tourney.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I do enjoy Aristotle's metaphysics, for where is it written that a warrior may not also be a scholar? All the better for a baron who doth preside o’er a grammar school.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Cleaning stables, a task I still perform. Good squires are most difficult to find.
Favorite Sport: Fencing. I've not been defeated in a long while.
Most Humiliating Moment: I have had my disagreements with Thomas Howard, third Duke of Norfolk and son of the man that led us to victory on Flodden Field. Norfolk seemeth to be a stranger to good Christian compassion, especially where Scots are concerned. After one of our disagreements Norfolk did threaten to see I never did inherit my father’s realm, the Viscounty of Bradford. I thought it not serious at the time, but the next day I did realize that, with no support from the Duke of York, a foreign duke may well make good his claims. After marshaling some support from my peers I was created first Baron of Northallerton in Bradford’s stead, and much closer to Scotland. ‘Tis a much lower station, doubtless where Norfolk hopes I shall gather no support.
Proudest Moment: 'Twould be slaying a full-grown Scot on Flodden Field. True the slaying of one insignificant foe may not be the greatest of accomplishments, but at the time I was a lad of naught but ten years. The lesson here is not to underestimate thy foe.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Were I to answer that in earnest I might be accused of treason. Think on that and keep thy conclusions close to thy breast.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: I am not in the habit of looking at all, as I spent years in mourning for my dear wife and expect not to find another as rare as her. If something I must say on the matter, ‘twould be that I favor lasses of enchanting eyes and voices.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord"? Such would be the Duke of York. This title is now held by His Royal Majesty, King Henry VIII.
Favorite Sport to watch: Again, 'twould be fencing. For in seeing another's technique I may discern much about that person.
Do you remember your first kiss: Must I again remind thee that I prefer to speak not on these matters? If you must know, ‘twas with the woman that later I would call ‘wife’, and ‘twas one of the most enduringly charming moments of my life. Thus thou canst understand why reciting such doth cloud mine eyes.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: Those friends live in Bradford, and I do no longer.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: "Vacation" you say? If by ill fate I had to vacate my lands, such as in war, I would go to where I could defeat the invading force and regain it. The city of York would be an obvious place, although the strategic value of Whitby as a seaport should be not overlooked.
Have you ever been overseas: Recall you my preference of raiments? I think that were I to travel over seas, I would in stead find myself under them.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Stone is what they build castles of these days, you do understand.
What is your bed made of: At home you mean? I know not, but 'tis quite comfortable. My wife did select it, and she was far more particular than myself. On the road, I would be content to sleep on whate’er cover I could gather for the night.
How many people sleep in your bed: I’ve not shared my bed in many a year.
10 or so Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. In my father’s memory I wear the belt of the Order of the Garter, bestowed upon him by Elizabeth of York for his unfailing loyalty. Before his death my father did arrange to make certain that I would be knighted when I came of age, and I do try to make good on my vows of knighthood.
2. King Henry created me a Baron, but God Almighty created me a Yorkshireman. From this ‘tis plain to see who doth love me more. If you can tell not, then obviously ne’er have you seen Yorkshire. ‘Tis not for no reason that ‘tis called God’s Own Country.
3. I am rightful heir to the viscounty of Bradford, but Duke Thomas Howard of Norfolk, uncle to Anne Boelyn, saw to it that I did inherit a far smaller realm to the north, where my voice would not be heard. He did say that if I am so fond of the Scots I should be put in lands in their path.
4. Mine appointment to Northallerton did cost me much; when I did drop from heir of a viscounty to Baron I lost all I was to rightly claim and the station any son I might have would inherit.
5. Despite Norfolk and his ally, Thomas Manners, first Earl of Rutland, I am not lost. I’ve still title and inheritance, lower though it may be. If I did have a living son, he would at least have that to his name.
6. Northallerton is a fine little town. We’ve a grammar school with a two hundred year history. Aside from that, we have sheep. And the other thing for which Northallerton is known: more sheep.
7. Since becoming lord of Northallerton I’ve instituted a peasant militia to guard against invasion by Scots, or anyone else. A foe that doth set eyes upon my realm does so at his own peril. Were I able to train sheep to fight, we would have an army that could conquer all of Scotland.
8. ‘Tis true that my lands have been slow to embrace Henry’s church of Annulmentism, or whate’er he does call it, o’er traditional Catholicism. Most of Yorkshire is that way, yet still they say this is due to a personal lack of enthusiasm on my part for Henry’s break with Europe’s church.
9. I’ve not met King Henry VIII, but have heard much about him, little of it good. I did meet Anne Boelyn on one or two occasions and find her a reasonable person; certainly better than her uncle Norfolk. I’ve nothing against her as a person but condone not her recent marriage. This is an opinion I like to keep to myself. All the same I thought ‘twould be prudent to travel to Canterbury to offer them my well-wishings. If the new queen does remember me, then mayhap I may find support with her if Norfolk chooseth to move against me again. I have gotten along better with her than her uncle.
10. It does seem to perplex many that I’ve slain my share of Scots in the line of duty, yet I’ve no quarrel with them as a people. In fact I have known several, and find some to be better folk than many Englishmen. *Norfolk!*
11. Your pardon. I had to clear my throat.
12. ‘Tis also true, but seemingly counterintuitive, that I follow an Irish saint, St. Brigit of Kildare. Saint Brigit has watched o’er my family for generations, and I am proud to follow her. I would like to visit Kildare at some point in my life.