Prince Richard Jeremiah Plantagenet
Name Given at Birth: Richard Jeremiah Plantagenet of the House of Warwick
Nicknames: I share my father’s middle name and when my closest sisters were little and they heard our dear mother calling my full name (which meant I was in trouble of some sort) they would mimic her, but could not pronounce Jeremiah, so they called me “yiyah.” Its not spoken much anymore except during nostalgic/endearing moments with my mother and siblings. I also have an alter ego of Italian persuasion named Roberto.
Hometown or where you were born: I was born in the fall of 1528 at Conway Castle in Aberconwy, north of Wales, just before my parents returned to their winter residence.
Current Residence: Whitehall Palace in London, England with my family.
Age: 19
Class: I am the crown prince of England.
What do you do, your main function in life/society: To prepare to someday take my father’s place as King of England. This means continuing my education, taking part in social and political affairs, and finding a suitable bride to provide me with an heir.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: My father taught me to swim at our country estate’s lake, so yes. It was a common summertime activity to cool off for my siblings and friends. I like to think of myself as a fish in the water.
Do you make fun of people: It’s improper for an English gentleman to make fun of lesser people. However from time to time members of the court can take themselves too seriously.
Favorite Color: Blue, for it is the color that matches my eyes.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Only that of stealing hearts and captive audiences.
Closest friends/How did you meet:
- John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick – John is a childhood friend as we share the same birth year and grew up together near each other’s lands. After my father ascended to the throne, he became the next Earl of Warwick. John’s father (John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland) and my father conferred frequently when we were young, so we naturally struck up a friendship while our fathers discussed politics and the affairs of the kingdom.
- Princess Catherine – My sister (directly after me) is one of my closest friends since we share the burden of being the eldest children in a large royal family. She understands the pressures and duties of our crowns and also provides me with an ear to listen.
One Pillow or two: Two made of goose down, the fluffier the better.
Pets: I have a stallion named Alfred. That is the only pet I claim as my own, however there are many more in the family.
Favorite Type of Music: I enjoy dancing a Volta, as it is done in couples.
Hobbies/Pastimes: Escaping court life and acting on stage in plays. No one can know, so I wear a disguise. I also enjoy playing tennis and other sports against the suitors that come to call on my sisters. I like to entertain the ladies of the court as well. Of the fine arts, I enjoy painting, drawing, and writing poetry.
Personal Hygiene: I bath as often as acceptable and keep up my appearance, as I have yet to find a woman to steal my heart.
Favorite Food: Dried fruits and berries of all varieties.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Long live the King and Queen! I desire to make proud, but worry they will find out about my theatrics.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: If they were dead I would be King, but it is not something I wish for, as I love them very much.
Favorite place to relax: In the countryside at Conway Castle. I like to escape to the woods on my horse, enjoy nature, reading, and drawing/painting.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: I like the week in October that starts with St Crispin’s Day, then The Lord Mayors Show, Halloween, and ending with All Saints Day, basically because it’s a full week of celebrations, feasts, parties, and masques.
Favorite Drink: My favorite drinks are squeezed juices from fruits. I drink wine and ale when fruit is out of season.
What's your bedtime: Usually I am up late, as I love the nighttime because it is cooler for activity than the hot summer day and I enjoy late mornings.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I wear leather boots most of the time as I find them to be mildly comfortable and appropriate for activity and my status. In my palace chambers I prefer to be barefoot on the cool stone floors as a way to unwind and feel less restricted.
Are you married or single: I am single and looking for my future queen.
Do you have a family / who are they:
- • King Edward, my father and I are close, as he has taught me most of what I know as a young man. I look up to him and do the best I can to make him proud. I feel bad for the secret I am keeping from him and mother, I don’t think they’d understand.
- • Queen Isabella, my lovely mother who is the most caring person I know. I seek her advice often for her nurturing encouragement.
- I have 7 younger siblings:
- • Catherine: I enjoy lighthearted times with my closest sibling. She understands the duties and pressures of being the eldest in the family and thus we have a greater bond than that of my younger siblings
- • Jane: I taught her to draw and paint, though don’t mistake my talent for hers.
- • Anne: She tends to follow the boys around a lot, but she needs to settle down and be a lady.
- • John: He is most like our father, and perhaps shows a little too much ambition to one day be King after me. I sleep with one eye open when John is around. He is always eager to help his big brother though in whatever adventure comes our way.
- • Margret & Mary: “The Twins,” are each unique, though as my responsibilities increase, the less time I have to spend being the older brother. I am aware of their fascination of fairies, which they say they can see. While I would not go so far as to say I don’t believe them, I cannot see any fairies and find the thought to just be childhood innocence.
- • Lucy: She is quite the little charmer and very hard to keep up with. I’ve never seen anything so small with so much energy that never sits still! I enjoy the long-winded stories of her adventures.
Favorite Entertainment: Chess with my Father. He thinks I cheat from time to time, but I am just getting better with the resourcefulness of my tactics. I also enjoy the plays (performing in them when I can).
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My favorite subjects in school were art and writing. I am lucky to have had an education and upbringing that allowed me to explore those subjects.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Unlike my father, I detest math. It does not make much sense to me. Instead, I rely on common sense and that which I can see.
Favorite Sport: I enjoy riding and tennis. I like the challenge the visiting princes to tennis matches for fun.
Most Humiliating Moment: Losing to visiting Prince Phillip during a tennis match. A rematch in the works.
Proudest Moment: Watching my mother and father become the King and Queen of England. They have worked so hard to provide the best for our family. My family is the true royal bloodline and I admire my parent’s bravery and determination during all these years of waiting for the right moment to reclaim what is divinely ours.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Probably my sister Catherine, though the youngest, Lucy wins for being the silliest.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: Loyalty, a kind heart, and selflessness. I also have an affinity for ladies with red/strawberry blonde hair.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" The King and Queen, my mother and father, are directly over me.
Favorite Sport to watch: The jousts. I love a good death scene.
Do you remember your first kiss: I do. Her name was Elizabeth and I think we were 12 or 13. It was innocent enough.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: I am not prompt at letter writing. We moved around a lot when I was young, but I have a few close friends I try to see as often as I can.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Going out to Conway Castle, our summer estate. For me it is the place I go to most when the hustle and bustle of court life vexes me.
Have you ever been overseas: I have not been overseas but I have asked father to take me sometime. I wish to see Spain above all, where my mother is from. I hear the beaches there are breath-taking.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Our floors are either stone or wood with tapestries to make them soft and easy on the feet.
What is your bed made of: My bed is made of goose down, fine silks and linens for sheets. It is a four-post bed made from cedar with ornate carvings that depict my interest in historic battles of England.
How many people sleep in your bed: As I am not yet married, I sleep alone. On occasion a sibling has shared with me on account that 8 kids cannot fit in mother and father’s bed on a stormy night.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. Many people observe that I am quiet or distracted at times, which leads them to talk even more openly. Be careful, because I am listening and digesting most of what comes out of thy mouth.
2. While I am grateful for my life and position, I can’t help enjoying the times when I can sneak away and be someone else. Most often I become my alter ego Roberto.
3. I can hold a tune very well. Mother and father have had our family singing together for as long as I can remember. I enjoy those times where we can get together, sing, laugh, and enjoy our blessings.
4. Don’t tell the King and Queen, but in my adventures as Roberto, I have met a woman. Her name is Cheryl and she plays Elspeth in Shakespeare’s new play. Her hair captivates me! It is red/strawberry blond and most curly. Sometimes I think she is mean to me, but I don’t care as long as I get to be near.
5. I am very protective of my younger sisters. There seem to be a lot of prince fellows roaming about the kingdom flirting with my siblings and I do not like it. So help me if any of them break my sister’s hearts, I will rip theirs out!
6. Someday I would like to have a family as large as my parents’, except with more boys than girls. The women of my family tend to be high maintenance and shrill screamers.
7. I have a thing for capes. As Roberto I always wear one to help in keeping my identity secret.
8. My blue eyes are my most prized feature. Compliment them and you will most likely be on my good side for a very long time.
9. I am an accomplished archer and swordsman.
10. In my leisure time I enjoy building models of England’s famous castles and I have an affinity for architecture. I hope to someday oversee the design and construction of a new palace when I am King.