Village Matchmaker, Matrimonia Marrywell
Name Given at Birth: Galinda Cathleen, a feminine form of my father’s given name, Galen, and my mother’s first name. For reasons known to only one other person, I choose to never use the first as it brings much pain but those close to me know me by my middle name.
Nicknames: some call me "Mona", shortening the Professional moniker I employ, the one thought to be whispered behind my back is "Catty Matty", but in truth it was I who encouraged its use.
Hometown or where you were born: My hometown is Canterbury, though I was born in London and lived there for much of my babyhood.
Current Residence: The Manor house of Leopold Bloom, in Canterbury
Age: I was born in the year of our Lord 1500, just as the New Year was starting, so I am as old as this century, 33 years, 9 months and some days.
Class: I was born of both noble and lower class blood, by my service to his Grace, I would call my self middle class.
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am, proudly, the caretaker, keeper of the keys for Master Leopold’s manor house in Canterbury. Though he has other much finer houses, he cannot part with the home in which he was raised. I also dabble in a little assistance finding mates for those who might be inclined to ask, by making introductions, I teach etiquette to the children of the village, and ones who may suddenly find themselves brought before their betters and are lacking in the social graces, and I have also found that I have quite a head for investments.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I know not how to swim, though my only fond memory of my father is an afternoon picnic by a pond, wherein he coaxed me into the water and held me afloat encouraging feet kicking and arm waving, whilst he walked ‘round the water for a time. I remember the coolness of the water on my face and the fear in my mother’s. It was this last that kept me out of the water until she passed. After that I was simply past an age where venturing into the water would have been seemly.
Do you make fun of people: Lord, yes. Teasing is the only way to get many to break out of their chains and see others who will make them a wonderful match.
Favorite Color: The deep red of garnets and the clear strong green of spring.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: I swear by the hair on Master Leopold’s head, that I have never committed a crime. Though there was that long ago night, when I sat by the campfire of the gypsies when, in high spirits, some did return with "treasures" given as payment for guidance in finding their destination. I was sure by their tone that they had extorted the payment from those poor travelers. Does that make me an accomplice?/
Closest friends/How did you meet: I have none that I would call close, but I am friendly with most everyone who lives in Canterbury, I have certainly helped most with a match or two. It surprised me to find I am fond of Lady Highgate, what with her gypsy heritage. But she is a gentle woman, smart and friendly and generous. Lady Shelton, and Rose McGwin have shared tea with me more than a time or two. Nick Bottom the Weaver, makes the best cloth and I have become friendly through our business dealings.
One Pillow or two: Just one at a time. Occasionally, one grateful for an introduction I have made, ‘gifts’ me with a fine feather pillow covered with finest silk or soft cottoned wool, even a rare brocade. To that end I have a dozen or more in a cupboard . I no longer accept these for "gifts"
Pets: The sweetest Yorkshire terrier, name of Winston assists me in introductions. His countenance is one of avid attention, bright curiosity and e’en those with an avowed aversion to dogs will come many steps to pet his silky hair and ask after his health. Thus I can learn the identity and some small amount of information of a person of interest to one of the opposite sex.
Favorite Type of Music: The lively gypsy drums bring a less than proper feeling to my soul. So I only listen once the sun has retired and there is no one to see me in the court yard, dancing. Much more to my sense of propriety is any of the music heard at court.
Hobbies/Pastimes: I sew a little, am able to knit, like to read, and garden a bit. Gathering news
From all sources is my most passionate hobby. I have a mind that remembers some of the silliest details of personal information.
Personal Hygiene: Master Leopold insists on cleanliness of his home and so have I kept myself.
Favorite Food: When they are in season, the ripest, juiciest peach.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: Neither of my parents are alive, but I did love them both well, at least for a time.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My mother died of consumption when I was but twelve. My father became dead to me shortly after I was fourteen, and he may yet live, but it is of no matter to me.
Favorite place to relax: The parlor in the manor house is the most comforting room and makes me feel like home.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: The Harvest Festival, while not a "holy day" exactly is the best day of the year for me, as we have many visitors with news and information, the monarchs generally visit, more bits of court goings on, and I am quite happily occupied with introductions. My patron saint, His Grace, Leopold Bloom , is in residence. I can show him my worth at this time and return some small measure of the comfort he has given my life.
Favorite Drink: Sweet currant wine, taken for medicinal purposes only, Honey mead makes a wonderful night cap, a hearty ale goes well for dinner, and those Scots know how to make whiskey, a small bit can sometimes ease dowry negotiations.
What's your bedtime: "Tis early, once the sun sets and darkness falls, we bank the fires and retire to our rooms, so as not to waste fuel or candles.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Sturdy leather shoes with a thick sole assists with all the walking I do.
Are you married or single: Though I assist others to marry, I have remained single.
Do you have a family / who are they: Master Leopold is the only family that I have. Surely, I do not need to describe Master Leopold?
Favorite Entertainment: Gossip relay. This is a game I play wherein I see how long it takes for a piece of information to travel from the front gate across the village to the feasting hall.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Once my mother was ill, ‘twas my chore to bring her the news of the world and I minded not leaving the cottage to find the information she desired.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I liked not the cleaning of the hearth and fireplace. The soot and dust from the ashes was seemingly everywhere. Latin confounded me for much of my tutotring.
Favorite Sport: I do like lawn tennis. It tis an invigorating time which leaves me with much energy for the remainder of the day.
Most Humiliating Moment: Following the death of my mother, my sire, a nobleman, did continue to support my being, allowing my tutoring to expand. He did finally fall in love with one whom the King did approve of and bless. Upon learning of my mother’s baseborn heritage, she did convince my father to "distance" himself, to the point of disavowing me as his daughter.
My then so called guardian did summarily strip me of my few possessions, for payment owed, and left me at a crossroads without food, shelter, or coin with which to travel. I have ne’er been so scared nor humiliated. Had not a friendly gypsy girl taken me in , I may not have survived the week.
Proudest Moment: The day my ship came in, quite literally. An excursion financed by myself returned quite laden making me a rich woman.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Nick Bottom shows so many different personas that I know not if I have e’er met the real man. He is pompous and arrogant, fun and can be very sweet.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: My interest in the opposite sex rests wholly upon having the best information to make the best match. But if you mean for myself, a friendly visage, a hearty laugh, and a desire to finish a good days’ work.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" That would be my employer, friend, mentor, and very distant cousin, Leopold Bloom, Duke of Middlesex. He is a fair man and makes few demands upon me, so I am truly blessed to serve as my own counsel most of the time.
Favorite Sport to watch: Wrestling. My only interest is, of course, only professional, to add to the body of information I keep on eligible men, as some ladies are interested only in one’s comeliness. It has absolutely nothing to do with broad shoulders, deep chests, and well turned legs.
Do you remember your first kiss: O, ‘tis an enchanting memory. Following the worst days of my life I did find myself in dire straits, lost, alone, cold, and hungry, with no where to turn. A gypsy girl took me to her camp and fed me. Her brother was a charming rogue, not much older than I. He did make me laugh for the first time in a very long time and then he kissed me. The shock of another’s lips on mine, did take my breath away. I have ne’er forgot that feeling and long for it’s repeat.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: Those few friends I remember from my childhood would no longer know me, as I have rebuilt a life, changed the name they would know me by, and remained far away from my old life.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: There is a small inn beside a brook on the road to London, that offers a vista of rolling pastures, jumping trout and water bubbling o’er rocks, and in the spring boasts many lovely blooming plants, all of which offers a symphony of experience for the senses.
Have you ever been overseas: I have never e’en been to the shore of our good England, much less past the seas.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: The manor house has wooden floors throughout, a few with fine rugs made in the orient.
What is your bed made of: ‘Tis one of the finest examples of simple elegance, made of well joined maple with a few highly skilled carvings, a thick feather mattress lies atop with my pillow, and lovely silk hangings.
How many people sleep in your bed: There is room but for one, though my terrier and two cats join me often.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I be very rich, through investing in trading ship voyages. Being a mere woman, though, I must have Master Leopold put forth my money in his name and then hold all profits for my future.
2. My mother was part gypsy, a secret she kept all her life and only told me in a missive left to read only upon her death.
3. I am told there are fairies in the shire. Occaissonally, I believe I glimpse the shadow or essence of one or two beings, especially whilst odd happenings be noticed, though I have ne'er seen any fae.
4. Laughing out loud does mush to raise my spirits immensly.
5. I do love the dances,and am fairly skilled at many, the polka and Karabushka make my heart beat a little faster and are favored more than others.
6. I do not much care for the putting off of our former Queen Catherine, she was a good and constant soul who loved our King well. But I shall endeavor to be polite and happy, ever respectful at least, if I shall be honored enough to meet our new Queen. Indeed, who can ever have too many weddings to observe and enjoy?
7. I am undone by the smell of fresh baked . . . anything!! I spend much time by the pie shop.
8. I have little respect for those puffed up poppinjays surrounding the King and Queen -- All that backstabbing and lying, to advance in life, rather than making their own way, morally befeft the lot of them! Save perhaps that sister of Anne, she seems to have come to her senses and wishes only to leave court for a quiet country life, at least that is the news I do hear.
9 There is but one person I truly loathe in this world and it would be the "lady" who did give my mother employment, at my father's request where we were settled for many years. She did dote on me as a child, insisted that I call her Auntie, e'en. .When my mother did become ill, her attitude did change some, but brightened again, following her death, calling me her little lost lamb, and poor child. The heartless wretch did throw me out, once my father disavowed me. "Twas my first lesson in the love of coin, e'en if they profess to love you.
10. I do keep records of both men and women, known to be unmarried, many with important bits of the information I gather, so if asked, I may facilitate a match. There be bits of writings about a personage that I suppose some may take offense to if they were to read it about themselves. But I keep it in a secret book, that I keep on my personage at all times. It is only for mine eyes, 'twould not do for others to see,