First Person Survey for: Gerard Lyon (royal guard)

Name Given at Birth: Gerard Lyon

Nicknames: None I care for. A certan bull fighting incident earned me the name "Maniac Lyon". Also, when we were children my brother and I were sometimes called "Larry the Lyon" and "Gerry the Lyon". I almost suspect our father planned that when he named us.

Hometown or where you were born: York

Current Residence: London, in Whitehall specifically

Age: I was born in the year of our Lord 1572, which does make me now 24

Class:  Why, I should think my Tuathe de Dannan blood would mark me as more noble than any- ...that is, I mean to say, um, I am but a simple tradesman's son and soldier. Noble? Of course I am not of noble birth. However, I should think that as I act directly in the King's name, that should grant unto me some degree of... Nevermind.

What do you do, your main function in life/society: Why, the most important job I know, that being to ensure the safety of the Royal Family

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I am able to swim, somewhat. And I have never gone skinny-dipping. Well, not in England anyway.

Do you make fun of people: Only if they deserve it. (Bare in mind, however, drunkards and plebeians count not.)

Favorite Color: Black, for it is deep and mysterious, and looketh fine set against silver or gold

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Not by English law

Closest friends/How did you meet: That would be the master of the blade I did meet on the Isle of Skye. I was stopped there on a trip back from Ireland. In a pub I saw this master as he easily defeated several soldiers, the conduct of which had been an embarrassment to the crown. When the fight, if you can call it as much, was finished he asked if anyone else would wish to to try their luck against him. I could not help but to accept the challenge. Mind you, I had been watching and analyzing his technique the entire time, and for that reason alone I was able to defeat him. Afterward we became friends, and he agreed to apprentice me. I remained on the Isle, learning swordsmanship from him, until I received a missive inviting me to join the King's own personal guard. As much as I would have liked to stay and continue to train with him, I could not let slip such an offer.

One Pillow or two: None, actually. I once did have one, but it disappeared from my bed some time ago and I found I could do well enough without it. Doubtless, the missing article was snatched by some other guard wishing to entertain a lady-friend.

Pets: Only a falcon. I once had two hunting dogs, but I gave them to the crown prince as a gift, or moreover an apology for a certain ill-spoken comment which will (unfortunately) be mentioned later.

Favorite Type of Music: Celtic; its enchantment echoes in my very blood and bones

Hobbies/Pastimes: I actually have quite a fondness for the written word, and enjoy both prose and poetry. Aside from that, I enjoy fencing, archery, and hunting. Conversely, I have little patience for gaming.

Personal Hygiene: Quite meticulous. In truth, I did bathe not long before we left London on this trip to Canterbury.

Favorite Food: Wild boar, all the better if it is my own hunt. I also have somewhat of a sweet tooth for cherries and apples. When the season turns from those indulgences, I prefer carrots, turnips, and and a good hearty English style of cheese.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Aye indeed, although the distance separating us makes correspondence rare.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: I shall tell you when it happens, but until then I shall not tempt death with unneeded conjecture on the subject.

Favorite place to relax: Out in the wood, near a stream or waterfall if I can find one

Favorite Holy Day / Why: Actually, the harvest festival, as such an abundance of food has always impressed me.

Favorite Drink: Ale, spiced with nutmeg. The spice is expensive but well worth it on a special occasion.

What's your bedtime: When my duties are done. On some occasions this is rather early. All too often, it can be quite late.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Boots, which I would rather call "broken in" than "worn"

Are you married or single: Single, as it would seem being a second-born son with no hereditary title maketh me less than popular among ladies and their fathers.

Do you have a family / who are they: I have no children of my own. Of my parents, my father is a tradesman whom from York ventures regularly to Scotland and Ireland, and my mother is an Irish herbalist. My older brother shall become a tradesman as right quick as he can convince my father to settle in his home and cease with all his painstaking travels.

Favorite Entertainment: A skilled bard near an evening fire

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: The philosophy of Aristotle; 'tis actually quite fascinating

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Languages I quickly forgot and have no taste for, such as French

Favorite Sport: 

Most Humiliating Moment: That would be the last time I danced with a princess, in doing so proving her farthingale no match for my clumsy feet. Since then, all the princesses seem unnerved at being near me. Now, let us discuss this matter no further.

Proudest Moment: This took place in my eleventh year, while my father, brother, and I traveled through Scotland for trade. We were ambushed in the road by six armed bandits. We had a hired guard, who fled at sight of them. As my brother sat shaking with fear in the wagon and my father searched desperately through his trade goods for a weapon, I took the blade from one of them and charged the throng. I fought them all off, single-handedly, with nary a scratch toi show for it. Afterward my father said it was a foolish thing to do, as he would rather have a live coward for a son than a dead hero. I suppose I never was particularly good at following his advice. In any event, I teased my brother for years the afterward about whom is the braver son.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: Joseph Hyde, unfortunately. No matter how may times I remind him, the twit can never remember that my name is 'Gerard', not "Gerald".

What do you look for in the opposite sex: The musical talent I so admire but lack in myself. And my heart leaps to hear a sweet maiden's voice speaking in the most angelic language on the face of the earth: Irish Gaelic.

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord"  The Captain, Phoebus. Not only is he my captain, but also the future Duke of my family home, York.

Favorite Sport to watch: Fencing, particularly but not exclusively with the now antiquated heavy broadswords, Drunkards brawling; 'tis actually quite laughable

Do you remember your first kiss: Aye, but I shan't tell of it. If you must know, bare in mind that what of my life I can spend in Ireland bares little relation to the dreary guard you see before you. Something about the land of my ancestors ignites my blood. Think on this information, and be content you have it, as it is all you shall be getting from me on the subject. And she was quite lovely. Still is, I would assume.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: Only on the very rare visit to York.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: The Emerald Isle. Trips there for business seem like they are for pleasure.

Have you ever been overseas: On several occasions, as you must have gathered by this point. All have been to Ireland, and all in my father's service.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Stone. Whitehall. A castle. In London. Surely you have heard of it.

What is your bed made of: I care little, so long as it is comfortable, clean, and free of lice

How many people sleep in your bed:  I alone

1: When I was younger and much more foolish I was made by certain "friends" to engage in some "Spanish bullfighting". (I later learned the Spanish do it much differently.) I did split the animal's skull in twain with a bastard sword, but not before it could inflict a very painful reminder of my foolishness on my left leg. That was years ago, but I still walk with a limp and some pain to remember it by.

2: Last year I was promoted to left-tennant of the guard. That prestigious rank was revoked shortly thereafter when I accused the crown prince of being a changeling. (What? He IS.)

3: I suspect I also may have lost some favor with the Queen when I insulted her brother in public. Forunately, His Majesty seemed to take it in good humor. All the same, I have all but given up drink, the influence of which has led me to both those verbal blunders.

4:  For becoming personally acquainted with the Good King Richard, my faith in the Divine Will that did place him upon the throne has strengthened greatly. I know there to be none that would make a better king, and I serve him with pride and loyalty. My faith in the queen was earned more slowly, but it was earned. Of her gypsy relations, I still have my doubts.

5:  One of my father's first attempts to secure my future in the court was when I as a child served as a taster for the Duke of Northumberland. I was discharged from his service for failing to be sickened from some bad meat that had him bedridden for days.

6: After that, my father trained me to be a scholar. I took to it well enough, but my studies were halted when my talent with the blade became apparent, and I was then trained to be a soldier. My first duty as such was to guard his convoy in Ireland.

7: I have from time to time been accused of being a bit 'rough around the edges' (Or sometimes less polite phrases amounting to the same thing). I deny this not, as my father never expected that I would find employ in the king's court, and so never drilled me in such refined ettiquette.

8: Due to my scholarly background, I was for a time a tutor for the royal children in addition to my guardly duties. I was relieved of that duty because concern was raised that my lack of refinement may have been adversely affecting the children. All the same, they are without exception better readers and calligraphers for my efforts. Unfortunately, I had little time to teach them of philosophy or the sciences.

9: Although I have never fought in wars overseas, I have on numerous occasions distinguished myself against foes on English soil, and many of those occasions had me fending off multiple attackers single-handedly, just as I did as a lad in Scotland. One should expect this, as not just any soldier is chosen to be the personal guard of the Royal family. Still, none of my achievements in the field were as illustrious as the time I defeated that unseeming-looking blade master on the Isle of Skye.

10: As proficient as I am with a rapier, my first choice of arms is a broadsword, with which I am undefeated. Any man who would wish to duel me would be wise to do so under circumstances in which the choice of arms is not my own.