It's almost time...

[Celtic Rune Stones]

We were saving this announcement, but you have forced our hand, LD.  Subject to change, of course, the Baroness and I WILL be returning to the cast this season -- but NOT as the Baron and Baroness.  We will be playing the roles of Thomas and Elizabeth Howard, Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.  As such, I will be the Goode Queen Anne's uncle, the Earl of Surrey's father, and Prince Edward's godfather(which was rather a big deal during Tudor times).  The Duchess will be Surrey's mother, and godmother to Princess Elizabeth.

We do earnestly and cordially request the assistance of all of our RF friends in making this change a success.  We interact with many of you during the Festival day, and if you would work your knowledge of our characters and the relationships noted above into those interactions for the entertainment of the patrons, we would be most grateful.  Hint:  The proper salutation for a Duke or Duchess is NOT "my lord" or "my lady", it is "your grace".

Thanks to all in advance!

Your Grace,

     Would I be correct in assuming that your new station at court will bring not only title, lands, and purse, but a journey to the court tailor to acquire regal garments befitting your higher status?

     I would be most honoured to immortalise thee on canvas in your new appointments, if be the case...

Click, click, huzzsah!

[Earl of Surrey]

Father,

You hath clearly misunderstood myne intent, and make suggestion that I have not been frugal with thyne funds.  Those 50 marks were used to further the King's and your interest and not myne own.  Surely, you wouldn't have wished that I use them otherwise. 

I beseech you to not allow the name of Howard to be travelled through the mire, because you hath failed to support not just your son, but your King.  Please send 60 marks as soon as can be arranged - small denominations preferred.


Your loving and supportive son,

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

[Adriana Rose]

Time permitting, the Baroness/Duchess and I will stop by your shop to say hi this coming weekend, AR.  We walked by your shop last weekend and saw no obvious damage.

Thank you :-) we are going to be there mid morning to afternoon, so I hope to see you guys.

[Zoë]

Fair Zoe, by all means come to the Festival to play for a change.  Great fun, I promise.  BTW, will you be coming to Santa Fe this year?

Possible, but not likely. The wedding is the first weekend of October, which makes Santa Fe run a little too close for comfort with all we'll no doubt be scrambling to finish. So we'll see, but more than likely not.

Happily, though, my manager has agreed to let me have Sundays off during the faire run, so I should be able to attend faire at will this season. Huzzah!

[Blushing]

My good Baron and Baroness, Are Thee going to be cast or will thee be there to play this year?

We were saving this announcement, but you have forced our hand, LD.  Subject to change, of course, the Baroness and I WILL be returning to the cast this season -- but NOT as the Baron and Baroness.  We will be playing the roles of Thomas and Elizabeth Howard, Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.  As such, I will be the Goode Queen Anne's uncle, the Earl of Surrey's father, and Prince Edward's godfather(which was rather a big deal during Tudor times).  The Duchess will be Surrey's mother, and godmother to Princess Elizabeth.

We do earnestly and cordially request the assistance of all of our RF friends in making this change a success.  We interact with many of you during the Festival day, and if you would work your knowledge of our characters and the relationships noted above into those interactions for the entertainment of the patrons, we would be most grateful.  Hint:  The proper salutation for a Duke or Duchess is NOT "my lord" or "my lady", it is "your grace".

Thanks to all in advance!

Congratulations to you both!

I've been delving into the life of Bess of Hardwick (fascinating!) and now I find I'll have to go off and delve into yet another branch ...

[Norfolk]

Your Grace,

     Would I be correct in assuming that your new station at court will bring not only title, lands, and purse, but a journey to the court tailor to acquire regal garments befitting your higher status?

Nay, Goode Pixiemeister.  The Duchess and I shall endeavor to persevere dressed our traditional blue outfits -- unless, of course, Her Grace finds something in Lady Leslie's shop which she cannot resist.

[Norfolk]

Father,

You hath clearly misunderstood myne intent, and make suggestion that I have not been frugal with thyne funds.  Those 50 marks were used to further the King's and your interest and not myne own.  Surely, you wouldn't have wished that I use them otherwise.  

I beseech you to not allow the name of Howard to be travelled through the mire, because you hath failed to support not just your son, but your King.  Please send 60 marks as soon as can be arranged - small denominations preferred.


Your loving and supportive son,

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

My Son,

Methinks thou doth protest too much!  Search as I may, I search in vain to find any interest of myne which hath been furthered since the last 50 marks took flight, though I do note that thine doublet hath undergone considerable improvement.  Why, a Marquess wouldst find the garment meet!

And thou doth utter concern for the goode Howard name when thou spendeth thy evenings gambolling in the tavern like a peasant?  Fye, my son, fye!  Thou shalt see not another farthing until thyne ways be mendeth.

Norfolk

[Norfolk]

I've been delving into the life of Bess of Hardwick ...

And will you be wearing Countess garb this season?

[Norfolk]

And might thee grace's have use for a shy and innocent courtesan? I might be able to get thee information that might help thee further ~Wink, Wink, nod, nod~ For a small fee of silks, furniture, a spacious manor and a few gold coins

A shy and innocent courtesan? 

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

And might thee grace's have use for a shy and innocent courtesan? I might be able to get thee information that might help thee further ~Wink, Wink, nod, nod~ For a small fee of silks, furniture, a spacious manor and a few gold coins

A shy and innocent courtesan? 

Well this courtigiana  must profess your grace, I am not as shy nor innocent as some mayst think  ~Wink, Wink, Nod, Nod~ But, whilst thee humble courtigina can act as such if thee ever needs thee to be, Or she can be as vocal as the songbird in the morn break of day. Thou your grace, I do not claim to sing, nor would thee ever wants thee to sing for thee.

[Merlin the Elder]

Shy and innocent?!? Even this great wizard, master of his craft, cannot possibly spell Lady de Laney to be shy and innocent! 

[Norfolk]

Shy and innocent?!? Even this great wizard, master of his craft, cannot possibly spell Lady de Laney to be shy and innocent! 

As my legal colleagues are wont to say, the prosecution rests!

[Blushing]

I've been delving into the life of Bess of Hardwick ...

And will you be wearing Countess garb this season?

Nay, your grace, but there are plans in the works ... just time seems to be slipping away entirely too fast to accomplish anything of note!

[Earl of Surrey]

Father,

Verily those assembled here wouldst from your note begin to believe me a knave, but nothing is further from the truth.

Indeed those particular 50 marks were used to outfit men and equipment for our forthcoming adventure in France this season.  Such is an effort fully endorsed and supported by His Majesty.  Mine new doublet was simply a gift from the merchants of Horsham who so appreciated your willingness to fund the Kings defense of Boulogne that they wished to show their thanks.

And I canst think of when you might be speaking, when you talk of gambling.  I am not in the habit of frequenting such low brow establishments no squandering our hard gained earnings at games of chance.

Please send 70 marks, if you wish me to continue his Majesty's Goode work. 


Your humble son,

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

Shy and innocent?!? Even this great wizard, master of his craft, cannot possibly spell Lady de Laney to be shy and innocent!  

AHHHH, Then I wilts say for the defense of thy self that neither your grace or thee good wizard truly know thee courtigiana onesta. For a word she speaks only when dost feels thee need or when pressed to in such manors dost required. But trust thee my grace and good wizard, dost is as shy as thee Wild Blue tit or in Latin your grace, as it is a more fitting language Parus major. Dost she is as quite as a feather falling upon thee newly fallen snow, or as loud as a raging storm that topples thee highest tower of thy kingdom to the ground below. Thee courtigiana onesta that is so humble to be in escort by his Lord Bloodaxe, the Earl of Basswood, dost chose most often to be seen and speak when spoken to. For thee smile or action speaks  more than any spoken word that thou can ever dost speak.