In spite of the turmoil that tends to shadow the Yorks en masse, Joanna proudly claims to have had a ‘happy’ childhood. She would beg to differ against the philosophy that all happy families are alike, however, as hers was known to go against the grain of Tudor customs in both tradition and order. Her father was frequently summoned to France on business expeditions, and the family but seldom followed him – remaining rooted to Bedfordshire where they were tended to by an attentive, but distanced mother, and a slew of all too willing servants. So, on account of her father’s prolonged absences, Lady Bedford ruled the roost of the household and few were exempt from taking direction from her. She was known throughout the county for her sagacity in both politics and matters of the heart, and Joanna has taken a great deal of inspiration from her mother in her approaches toward both motherhood and the nobility. She proudly emulates Lady Bedford’s code of conduct and strives to positively represent the household she once expertly managed.
