First Person Survey for: I am Lady Mary Radcliffe

Name Given at Birth:  I was born Mary Stanley.

Nicknames:  I accept "Honeypot" but only from my "Bear."

Hometown or where you were born: I was born in central Sussex,at Stanley Estate, near Radcliffe Hall

Current Residence: I live at Whitehall, London, or wherever Her Majesty is.

Age:  I am 36, but a lady does not tell; a gentleman does not ask.

Class:  I am noble in birth and marriage, by the grace of God.

What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am a Maid of Honor to the Queen of England. I serve Queen Eleanor.

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I do not swim. I serve Her Majesty in court, not in His Majesty's navy.

Do you make fun of people: I do not make fun of people. Why would I? There are so many other, much more amusing things to do.

Favorite Color: I favor the dark green that reminds me of the trees of my birthplace. Gold, the color and the metal, goes with everything.

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime:  I am guilty only of the crime of love at first sight.

Closest friends/How did you meet:  Lady Edith Leeds, Mistress of the Maids, is one of my closest friends at court. We met in service to Her Majesty. She tells the most delightful French tales; one never knows if they are true or no. She does often what I dare not.

One Pillow or two: I prefer two pillows; three if I can get them. Several bedmates have told me I snore dreadfully and do so less if my head is raised.

Pets: I "enjoy" the Queen's lemur far too much to have a pet of my own at this time.

Favorite Type of Music: Ballads of heroics and enduring love are my favorites.

Hobbies/Pastimes: I love to do needlework and sing. I also enjoy walking in the gardens.

Personal Hygiene: Clean hands, clean face, and a clean heart. Need I say more?

Favorite Food: I adore marzipan in any form but it is hard to come by except on feast days.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Both Mother and Father have earned their heavenly rewards. May God rest their souls.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: Mother died of childbed fever shortly after the birth of my sister; they are buried together. Several years later, Father was seized by a fit and fell from his horse, clutching his chest. He never opened his eyes again.

Favorite place to relax: The Royal Gardens, outside the church, are most relaxing.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: My favorite holy day is Easter. Not only is the celebration grand, but the gardens and fields are awakening to Spring.

Favorite Drink: I really enjoy warm mint and chamomile tea. It is relaxing and pleasant in the stomach.

What's your bedtime: I retire after Her Majesty and as quickly as my duties are completed.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: I prefer stout English leather shoes, black usually. They are sturdy and good for standing or walking for extended periods.

Are you married or single: I am very married, happily so.

Do you have a family / who are they: I am married to Lord Radcliffe and have five children by him: Matthew, Mark, Luke, Christopher, and Eleanor.

Favorite Entertainment: I enjoy listening to tales of other places. The gypsies tell the best ones.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My favorite household chore growing up was learning needlework. Taking a bit of thread, a piece of cloth, and joining them with a needle to make a piece of useful art. That is a skill well worth learning.

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My tutor and I despaired of my learning any skill with numbers. They give me a headache.

Favorite Sport: I enjoy walking in the gardens and riding in the countryside.

Most Humiliating Moment: At the first royal party after I joined the court, I tripped over my dress during a reverence and fell flat on my face on the floor. Luckily, I was uninjured, except my pride, and Their Majesties were gently amused.

Proudest Moment: I am most proud of being accepted into Her Majesty's service when my father, God rest his soul, did bring me to court and present me to Their Majesties as our family's New Year's Day gift for a lifetime of service.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: The court jester is the silliest person I know. His Majesty finds him very amusing.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: In men, I look for stability of character....and a well turned leg.

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" I owe allegiance to Lord Radcliffe, Their Majesties, and God, in reverse order.

Favorite Sport to watch:  I love to watch a spirited game of Blind Man's Bluff.

Do you remember your first kiss: I bestowed my first kiss on Egremont Radcliffe, Lord John Radcliffe's late elder brother, in the shade of an apple tree next to Radcliffe Hall. Egremont was quite handsome, although a little thin. His father kept Egremont close at hand, unlike his younger son, training him to be the next Lord. Unhappily, both father and elder son were dead of consumption within 2 years. The younger son became Lord Radcliffe by default. He came to court to pledge his allegiance and it was love at first sight. Shortly after our wedding, Lord Radcliffe wrote to tell me that the apple tree had been struck by lightning during a storm and reduced to firewood.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: My duties at court, unhappily, do not allow me time to do so.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: There is a reflecting pool in the heart of the Radcliffe gardens, with a bench next to it and clumps of lavender around it. I sit there at twilight and watch the pool glow as the last rays of sunlight stroke the water.

Have you ever been overseas: Once, my father took me briefly with him to France. The culture was livelier than he expected and he sent me quickly home.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone:  I usually tread on stone.

What is your bed made of:  I usually sleep on feathers in a wooden frame.

How many people sleep in your bed: There are usually two in my bed-either another maid or Lord Radcliffe.

1. The Queen is about ready to take away Lord Radcliffe's court visits. Every time he visits me at court, I have to spend a month at home nine months later.

2. I wear my heart on my sleeves-actually six of them:o ne for Lord Radcliffe and one for each of our children.

3. I really do enjoy playing with children.

4. I am a big soft romantic at heart but like to pretend otherwise because I believe romance is undignified.

5. I have no problems with the gypsies. Father always let them camp in our fields and said they were an excellent source of information and other trade goods.

6. I love a good festival and want to see everything at the Faire.

7. I knew my husband's father and elder brother, but we did not meet until he came to court after their deaths. It was love at first sight.

8. My only daughter, Eleanor, is named after the Queen because she graciously allowed me to wed.

9. My great-aunt, Mary, whom I am named for, was, like myself, presented to her Queen for a lifetime of service by her father. I believe that is where Father got the idea.

10. I suspect Her Majesty is blessed with child again. She has such a beautiful bloom to her person....again.