First Person Survey for: Queen Eleanor

Name Given at Birth: Lenora Boleyn

Nicknames: Your Majesty

Hometown or where you were born: Greece

Current Residence: Whitehall Palace in London, or wherever the King is.

Age:  42

Class: Royalty

What do you do, your main function in life/society: Queen of England--main function is to keep the King happy!

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I was born a gypsy close to the sea--I could swim as soon as I could walk. As for skinny-dipping, does it really count when you're one year old?

Do you make fun of people: Never. It would be rude and unkind.

Favorite Color: Burgundy, the color of blood, both gypsy and royal.

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: No. Whatever you may think about gypsies, my mother brought me up well.

Closest friends/How did you meet: The king and my mother are my dearest friends. My brother Martin (known as the Maestro) keeps me on my toes. My ladies-in-waiting spend the most time with me and know my secrets--Edith Leeds has my greatest confidence. Helen Throckmorton has been with me since she was only 14. Mary Radcliffe came to me as a New Year's "present" from her father! Lucy Wylde and Helen's sister Anita are the newest members of my court, dear girls the both of them. Aside from my ladies, my beloved florist and dressmaker, Leopod and Fraydrich, give me a great deal of joy. I selected them for my service because of their impeccable taste and delicacy.

One Pillow or two: Three pillows besides the King when he is available. One pillow goes under my head, one tucks under my neck. The third is in my arms when I sleep alone, between my legs when I am with child, and when the King is with me--do you know, I think that is far too much information already.

Pets: I have several pets, mostly cats, but the one that receives the most notice (and complaint) is my lemur, Coriander. He is a red ruffed lemur from Madagascar, a gift from the Empress conveyed by my brother Martin on one of his voyages.

Favorite Type of Music: Singing in harmony.

Hobbies/Pastimes: Reading, painting, music, embroidery, calligraphy, seeing to my children.

Personal Hygiene: Cleanliness is next to godliness, and who must represent this but the Queen?

Favorite Food: Asparagus, good beef, and chocolate bananas.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My father died many years ago in a fiery accident. My mother, Esmerelda, is a dear friend as is her second husband, the Duke of Oxford.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: If you truly want to know, my father died when Gypsy Rosalee's Dance of Passion was given a boost by one of my mother's potions and ignited a huge fire in the gypsy camp. One of my brothers died as well.

Favorite place to relax: By the sea or in a tree. I do not get to relax often.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: The Feast of Christmas, as it has the best music and the children look so beautiful playing in the snow.

Favorite Drink: My new favorite is tea, brought from afar by my gypsy relatives.

What's your bedtime: At the hour of 9:00, or as soon as possible after the children are seen to for the night.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Slippers of velvet or dyed leather, usually ornamented with jewels or embroidery. When we shall be walking on dirt lanes I often wear small leather boots.

Are you married or single: Married to the first and only man I have ever loved.

Do you have a family / who are they: I have, essentially, three families. The first is the royal family, consisting of my husband the King, ten assorted Princes and Princesses, and cousin Jane. The next is my gypsy family which could number in the hundreds but centers upon my mother, my siblings, and my brother's many children; my stepfather, Sir William, is not a gypsy but belongs to this part of my family. The third is the people of England who look to the King and Queen as their caretakers and guardians.

Favorite Entertainment: Singing or theatrical revels with the court.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Music, learned from my mother and some older gypsies.

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Giving the other children their baths. If we were camped near a large enough body of water, sometimes I would just push Martin in, clothes and all.

Favorite Sport: Hunting four-leaf clovers.

Most Humiliating Moment: When King Edward and Queen Jane (Richard's parents) initially refused to let me marry their son because I was of gypsy blood.

Proudest Moment: When Richard was ready to give up the throne to marry me. Thankfully, he did not have to--otherwise, the Scottish King might be ruling England by now.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: Giacomo, our court jester. Though he is crazy like a fox.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: Intelligence, kindness, and humor.

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

Favorite Sport to watch: Jousting.

Do you remember your first kiss: Yes. I was sixteen, it was a midsummer night at a gypsy revel. I did not know he was a prince.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: Being a gypsy, my childhood friends traveled with me for many years. Now that I am Queen, I can see them only rarely. The Harvest Faire in Canterbury gives me a chance to see many friends, and my brother Martin carries news of those far away.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Anywhere by the sea. We have some lovely castles in Wales, though they are a bit medieval.

Have you ever been overseas: Many times in my childhood traveling with my gypsy family, and on state visits with His Majesty.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone:  Marble with lovely carpets, and some of wood.

What is your bed made of: Carved mahogany with mother-of-pearl and gold inlay. Several featherbeds with fine damask covers, brocade coverlet and curtains.

How many people sleep in your bed: Often only me, sometimes the King, and more during a thunderstorm.

1. Yes, the Queen was born a gypsy.

2. My mother, Esmerelda, saved King Edward's life with a gypsy remedy. Sixteen years later, in payment for that debt she asked that I be allowed to marry Prince Richard.

3. His Majesty and I are shockingly happy together--unheard of in royal marriages.

4. I am a few months pregnant with twin boys.

5. I have a bit of second sight inherited from my mother; however, it seems to be disrupted whenever I am with child.

6. I am a very caring and conscientious wife and mother.

7. I give my brother Martin (known as the Maestro) a four-leaf clover every Harvest Faire day.

8. I rarely get to see my gypsy relatives, so the Harvest Faire in Canterbury is a very special time for me.

9. Music is my biggest passion--while the King enjoys singing, even he tires of my enthusiasm at times. I instruct my sons and daughters, the court, and selected noble children in music whenever my duties allow.

10. The things that make me angry are unkindness (to anyone, not just myself); untruthfulness, especially from my children; and keeping secrets--what is this about Jane being married?