First Person Survey for: Helen Throckmorton

Name Given at Birth: Amelie Wells -It was a different name, my mother was French.

Nicknames:  Songbird

Hometown or where you were born: the village of Wells in Somerset

Current Residence: Canterbury

Age: 28 years of age

Class: I was born middle. I married Sir John Throckmorton. Now I am upper.

What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am lady in waiting to Her Majesty, the Queen.

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: No, I have not had the good fortune to learn to swim. I have only ridden in the Royal Barge, which at present is moored. The Canterbury River has dried up. I would not dare to comment upon skinny-dipping. I am a lady.

Do you make fun of people: I try not to do so. The common practice at court is to jest and poke fun. Sometimes I do laugh so as not to provoke the King's anger, but I certainly do not wish to cause injurious feelings to anyone.

Favorite Color: Poppinjay is the color I admire. It is the color of the peacock's plumage and reminds me of Wells in Somerset where peacocks abound.

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Never, I would not dare to do such a thing as commit a crime.

Closest friends/How did you meet: My close childhood friend was a girl who name is Beatrice Morrow. I have not seen her in years. She is probably very happy in her station. Beatrice married the tax collector in Wells and there she resides still. We lived one cottage away from each other when we were children and were inseparable until my husband took me away to court.

One Pillow or two: Two, if you please. I find that two pillows keep my neck lovely like a swan's.

Pets:  I did have one, but he is gone. His name was Noddy. He was my beloved wolfhound.

Favorite Type of Music:I prefer a ballad or verse while a courtier plays the lute.

Hobbies/Pastimes: I write verse when time permits. I also do enjoy playing cards with the Queen and the other ladies in waiting.

Personal Hygiene: I bathe weekly; I know it seems often. But the Queen requires it of each of the ladies in waiting. She says that cleanliness is next to Godliness. It is also learned from my mother who was French.

Favorite Food: Pheasant with turnips. Gooseberries, too with lots of honey.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My father is no longer living. He died of gout. My mother is still living, but she returned to France. We had a falling out and we do not exchange letters. I miss my daughter exceedingly.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: As I said, my father died of gout. He was the mayor of Wells and he constantly was invited to the homes of all of the villagers. He drank too much claret and ate too much pork.

Favorite place to relax: In the palace gardens amongst the roses. My favorite spot is the bench near the fountain of cherubs.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: October 31 - St. Wolfgang's Day. He gave to the poor and affirmed.

Favorite Drink: Warmed cider.

What's your bedtime: Whatever time her Majesty the Queen decides, since I must retire only after she retires and my duties are over.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I prefer silk or velvet slippers with pretty beads and satin lining. They usually match my gowns.

Are you married or single: I am widowed. My husband John Throckmorton was killed by being thrown by a horse the week my daughter was born. He was a good man and I have grieved for him for a number of years. Lately I have begun to feel myself again.

Do you have a family / who are they: I have a daughter, Elizabeth Throckmorton, who is living at present with my mother near Orleans in France.

Favorite Entertainment: I enjoy singing and dancing. The masques are pleasurable indeed, as well.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I enjoyed learning French from my mother.

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I found embroidery to be exceedingly difficult to learn. My fingers are not very nimble.

Favorite Sport: Archery is my favorite sport; however, I have to be careful. I almost outshone the Queen last week.

Most Humiliating Moment: It was when the King flirted with me and I was unable to reply.

Proudest Moment: That was the day my darling daughter Elizabeth was born. My husband John and I felt complete. Unfortunately, that very week, as I said, my husband died of the accident.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: The court jester. He is always making some silly nonsense about just about anything in order to make the King laugh.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: A vigorous man with manners and good character (and, I might add, a bit of a lusty disposition and a handsome purse).

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" His Majesty, the King, is my "overlord."

Favorite Sport to watch: Jousting, although it is so very daring and dangerous.

Do you remember your first kiss: Yes, I do remember it, but further, you must not implore me. I may not speak of it to you or anyone else.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: No, I am not able to accomplish this; most of my chilldhood friends neither read nor write. I came from a village far to the west, the village of Wells. It is very different from my life at court.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Folkestone, by the sea. There it is possible to breathe the salt air and walk near the sea, make wishes upon the flying gulls and sleep well at night.

Have you ever been overseas: Twice, once when I was ten years of age. My mother and father traveled back to Orleans in France where my father had met my mother. The second time was when I traveled with the Royal Family on the visit to the French court.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: I live in the Queen's rooms; the floors are made of stone.

What is your bed made of: The bedframe is made of oak, carved with acorns & leaves, the mattresses filled with feathers and down, covered with linen bedclothes and silk and velvet coverlets.

How many people sleep in your bed:  Two in total; I share with one of the other ladies in waiting.

1. I help the Queen dress each day. The stomacher that she wears takes two of us to tighten.

2. I put flowers on her bedside each morning -- I know this pleases her Majesty.

3. I am presently having a flirtation with the Duke of Northumberland; I am not sure where I wish the flirtation to go as yet.

4. I am truly kindhearted.

5. My mother is still living; but has returned to live in France near Orleans. We do not correspond. My daughter Elizabeth is with her. I do not write to my mother because she took my daughter there to live. That is why we have had the falling out.

6. I am not so young. But I am still vain and coquettish in my own way.

7. Sometimes I have to be careful not to dress too prettily. I do not wish to anger the Queen, nor be in her disfavor.

8. My husband Sir John Throckmorton was killed the week my daughter was born. He was thrown from a horse during a hunting party with the King. The King has always felt badly for me. I have grieved many years for my husband, but lately am feeling myself again.

9. I have served her Majesty the Queen since I was 14 years of age. My husband brought me to court right after we married. I was only 13 when we married.

10. My husband was on a journey for the King when he stopped at the village of Wells. There he was smitten with me. I being the daughter of the village mayor, waited on him during his visit. Then we married and he brought me to court.