King Henry VIII
Name Given at Birth: Henry Tudor
Nicknames: Harry
Hometown or where you were born: Born in Palace of Placentia on the banks of the sovereign river Thames twixt the 11 and 12 of the clock.
Current Residence: I reside in the Palace of Whitehall situated most near the banks of Northumberland neighbors.
Age: 24
Class: A precocious question to be sure. Royalty of course.
What do you do, your main function in life/society: Although too broad a query we shall attempt to address it wholly. I am the supreme monarch and spiritual architect of sovereign England. It is our greatest pleasure to represent mother England In all affairs of state and diplomacy.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: Does his majesty know how to swim? I would simply bid thee ask my good friend Charles Brandon, often victimized by his majesties fleetness of fin. As for skinny-dipping, I was unaware of any other way to enjoy the water.
Do you make fun of people: It is a most unenviable quality that a man must belittle others for his own enjoyment? Mayhap if said unfortunate target was French, he would deserve it. Although I do enjoy my sister Mary’s musings, she has a sharp tongue and a sharp wit to match.
Favorite Color: While I believe richness in the world is most adequately provided through the passionate works of great men, a most royal shade of purple does please the visual palette.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Of course not. My actions are beyond reproach or contestation, let alone conviction or punishment.
Closest friends/How did you meet:
- Anne; I make no secret of the abundance of perfection that is she. One of the qualities above all I value, and that is trust. She strikes me as one of the most excellently capable women I have ever met. It is rare a King may find anyone whose consul is certainly sound. Even more rarely does any man find that in a wife. Such trust fosters the most dear of friendships.
- Sir Charles Brandon; Duke of Suffolk. He is my closest companion and best oponent. No more capable sparring partner exists in the land. I look to him for steady advice and unwavering loyalty when the wide world holds no companions. He was the closest of friends with my elder brother arthur. I believe the loss pains him to this day, yet through this loss our friendship has grown.
- Lysander; The boy is clearly affected. Recently he has not been himself, as I believe him to be heartily struck with loves sweet call, in his case sour. His actions of late however do not permit me to forget years of faithful and selfless service. As a man of the royal body we have been forcibly close through many years. I have grown to find him endearingly flighty, and heartily selfless.
- Mary & Catherine; My two sisters. So different, yet so alike. They have led quite different lives yet, their tudor blood ties us all together. We are all strong willed and passionate. Without their companionship and love I would be want of strength.
One Pillow or two: Although the maids of the royal chamber seem fixated on providing us with many, I am first a man, then a king. One pillow will do splendidly.
Pets: My hounds of course. Bred from fine stock, noble large headed beasts, they suit my needs nicely.
Favorite Type of Music: Being an accomplished musician myself I enjoy any educated pursuits of sound. I am quite fond of a six stringed lute I was recently presented. It was a gift from the Spanish King and has a quite brilliant sound. I have been known to tolerate the sounds of a gypsy revel as well.
Hobbies/Pastimes: Of course I am very fond of the hunt and a game of bowls, as well as a game of tennis. I believe I must add that my two most keen hunting partners are my dearest Anne, and my young sister rose. They are so tenacious in their pursuits that they easily ride among men, a testament to the company I chose, as well as my bloodline. I do also love quite heartily a good wrestling match. Singing, playing and composing music, and dancing are also passionate interests of mine.
Personal Hygiene: Cleanliness is next to godliness, as they say. I make sure I am scrubbed head to toe as often as royally possible.
Favorite Food: A succulent roast boar serves. Although it’s taste is most pleasing after killing the beast yourself.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: I am preceded by my father, Henry VII. The prolific monarch he was, he persists to Influence my hand and mind through memory. My mother, god rest her soul, was Elizabeth of York. She was a dear and kind woman of the most resounding beauty.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My mother died while giving birth to my late sister Katherine. She was late into her years and Ill prepared for the process of birth though took herself to task to heal the heart of my father…grievous as he was for the death of my elder brother Arthur. My father, consumed with the grief from the loss of his love and chosen successor died shortly thereafter, of a broken heart.
Favorite place to relax: The inner chamber is nearly the final place of solace for a once free duke, now king of England. A place to read, write and meet with the most trusted of my consul. The Inner chamber of a king is a place of passionate pursuits to be sure.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: Why the Yule of course. The merriest time of the year, and a time where the heavy of heart may hearken back to a time of lesser responsibility and office.
Favorite Drink: A rich wine from the valley's of the French coast. While I do not regard the people of France In any particularly high regard, their grapes are of the most exquisite variety we have ever tasted.
What's your bedtime: My night ends when my pursuits are ended. A king is always busy, but never satiated.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I usually wear slippers of the most decadent variety. One learns to appreciate the finer things in life. Although I am my time is usually consumed with travel of one sort or another. During such transit riding boot serve.
Are you married or single: I am betrothed most fortunately to the fairest and most fascinating maiden I have yet had the pleasure of meeting. I am now in the glow and excitement of planning our coming wedding day.
Do you have a family / who are they:
- Mary "Rose" Tudor, Dowager Queen of France. She is my sister four years my junior. She is married to my closest friend, Sir Charles Brandon. A fiery and strong willed maiden to be sure, and a loyal and loving sister.
- Margaret Tudor, Dowager Queen of Scotland. My elder sister. She was yet a woman and royal power when I was but a lad. She offers me consul having such valuable experience and loyalty to her young brother.
Favorite Entertainment: Without question, a song from the lips of my page. A nightingale he is, all ears are on him whilst a song is in the air.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Music, unequivocally. I was always a passionate student of song and melody.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Protocol! I found it a disdainful subject. I have always found the posturing of a man to be unimportant; actions are the measure of a man, not manners of the table.
Favorite Sport: The Joust. I have long been an admirer of the subtle art of the mounted joust. When I was but a boy, my father would not allow me to participate for the danger involved. I now partake regularly and with great vigor. Unfortunately it is hard to find riders willing to tilt against the King.
Most Humiliating Moment: I was once interrupted during a most personal meeting with my…my servants of the royal body. Obviously a private moment I was startled when a gypsy fell through my ceiling and into my bath. It was most certainly even more starling for the poor girrr.…with the poor servant of the royal body who happened to be in the bath at the time. Do not trouble me with an explanation; my memory of the evening is foggy at best. Nevertheless before I could beckon the royal guard the knave had flown. One must admire the gall, as he left with one of my company in tow.
Proudest Moment: My coronation. Although bitter-sweet. It marked the death of a fine man, and a dear sibling, my elder brother Arthur. I sincerely hope it will also mark a day of greatness in English history.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: I try not to surround myself with crazy people although I find I attract a multitude of them. My royal florist, Leopold, usually found in the company of my betrothed recently, I would mark as a silly one, to be sure; although in an endearing way I must admit.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: Most simply, everything I have found in my dearest Anne. Intelligence, confidence, humility, grace, beauty…everything there is to find in another. I have never before happened upon one so seemingly in tune with my mind, she is as frighteningly clairvoyant as she is hauntingly beautiful.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord": No man can claim dominion over I. I answer only to god himself.
Favorite Sport to watch: I enjoy watching my love partake in a game of bowls. The glow of her face is enough to light a gray world.
Do you remember your first kiss: I was 6, she was 14. She said I was the most skilled kisser in the land. Did you expect a different tale?
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: I am fortunate to have kept a close eye upon my lifelong friends. They now comprise a large portion of my diplomats and envoys.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: I do enjoy a holiday to the furthest western shores of mother England herself. Upon the cliffs I gaze as wave after wave crash on to the rocks below. I watch as the sea herself throws her might against the ramparts our sovereign shores. It reminds us that a King must be as unshakable, and unflinchingly strong.
Have you ever been overseas: Certainly. I have sailed with the royal navy to the far reaches of the kingdom and beyond.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: I reside in the royal palace. Obviously it is not constructed of mud and straw.
What is your bed made of: I sleep in a bed of the finest goose feather. I fine linen sheet filled with the down from fine English geese. All perched upon an ornate oaken frame carved from the bows and trunk of a once proud English oak.
How many people sleep in your bed: Sleep is usually only obtained when I am alone within it. Although mayhap a busy night could include a few close friends.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I am betrothed, and in love with the most wonderful woman in the whole of the world.
2. I am supremely competitive. Offer a challenge, and you shall receive it.
3. I always have a song in my heart. I would love to hear yours.
4. The quickest way to a man’s heart id through his stomach, this hold absolutely true for kings.
5. I am deeply spiritual. I am loyal firstly to my god, then to mother England.
6. I am enamored in the company of wee ones. If perchance you catch me in the glow of smiling children’s faces, I may be most easily swayed.
7. I long most heartily for a son. To carry my name, blood, and continue to rule over England with a firm hand and sound judgment when I am gone.
8. The King sleeps with one eye open.
9. I am foremost concerned with the welfare on prosperity of Mother England. Her future stability and happiness consumes my every thought.
10. Don’t mess with Harry