REMEMBER ME

[ursulcs-blog]

— FRANCES AYLMER .

ladies in waiting had to adequately represent their lady while away from her service. gowns had to be spotless, hair had to be pristine, and jewels must remain intact. eyes move from the looking glass to her hair as she makes certain that she can present her best self. glancing up into the looking glass, she gives a soft smile to the person who has appeared behind her. to some, it may be odd that she did not start; as if she had been expected someone to show up. frances never let her guard down. not once.   “   may i be of assistance?  ”

               ❛  Assistance ? ❜  Ursula repeated, while mulling over the options which were suddenly presented to her. The poor woman was forced into a life of servitude, wearing bland gowns and wiping peoples feet. She lived only for her own pleasure, not for bowing and scraping. ❛  How many times a day do you ask that question ? Are you allowed to voice an opinion or will your mouth get sewn up ?  ❜

[the-write-ideas]

Ask my character "How do you feel about ______?" Can be an idea, person(s), place, or thing, and they'll have to answer honestly.

Ⓦ

[the-write-ideas]

Ask my character "How do you feel about ______?" Can be an idea, person(s), place, or thing, and they'll have to answer honestly.

Ⓦ

[ursulcs-blog]

— MARY FITZROY .

                Courtiers huddled in close groups sharing pleasantries and laughing between their front teeth. It was tiresome to listen to the same story be repeated on different lips, as though they were revealing something new and exciting. The nobility proclaimed to have a profound knowledge of the world yet their narrow-minded views meant that they sounded completely out of touch from the truth. There were far too many people in the castle, yet she could barely name any that held any true spirit or knowledge. All they care about was scandal and derision. But someone who seemed above such things was Mary Fitzroy,   ❛  You look wonderful today, my lady. Are you enjoying the coronation or have the flocking of squawking birds forced an ache upon your head ?  ❜  the baroness enquired, motioning to the group of ladies dressed in fine silks and painted with rouge. 

@cfnorfolk​

[ursulcs-blog]

— MARY TUDOR .

              Lifting the sweet piece of marzipan to her lips, Ursula sighed in contentment. While everyone seemed to be desperate to impress their fellow courtiers, she simply observed and spoke when she felt it was required. Never in all of her young years had she felt inclined to please another with forced flattery or sweetened words, there were enough of those already. In a strange way, the lady felt sorry for her relatives. As the granddaughter of George Plantagenet, she had heard enough of peoples opinions on royalty past and present. Spotting Mary in the crowd, Ursula decided to make her way over to her.  ❛  Are you not partaking in the food, Princess Mary ?  All of this marzipan will ruin my figure if I eat alone. Whatever will my husband do. ❜  If Henry Stafford knew what was good for him, nothing !

@maryofengland

[ursulcs-blog]

— ELEANOR BRANDON .

               Fingers grappled the golden candelabra, Ursula attempting to hold her form up as she struggled to staunch the laughter. It could have been cruel for her to laugh at the misfortune of the ruby cheeked man who passed beside her, but she did not truly care. Watching the young maidens flit about the court like mayflies was entertaining, although she did think longingly of her own youth. Then again, she still had all her teeth so she was not dead yet.  ❛   All these young girls making themselves look pretty for the king,  ❜  she laughed, grasping a goblet from a serving boy. Turning to the golden haired lady that she recognised as a Brandon, Ursula raised a dark brow.  ❛   As I’m sure his chambermaid can attest, he doesn’t shit gold. What do you say dear Eleanor, do we pity the poor maidens ?  ❜

@eleanorbrandon

[ursulcs-blog]

modern day queen of thorns, ursula stafford + instagram. 

[ursulcs-blog]

like or comment for a personalised starter from my queen of thorns. 

[ursulcs-blog]

— MARGOT DOUGLAS .

              Her eyelashes batted slowly, languid posture favored by the warmth residing in that chamber. The privy bakehouse was her vestal cloister, though withholding none of the sacraments and all of the solitude - noblesse oblige was one thing, but to endure the incipient adulation for a cousin she’d never commended was another matter. Oh, she had donned a crown of tears for old Harry, who had been the first man to sit her on his knee ( and what strapping knees, as if a kingdom could be potentiated by flesh alone! ). But she would not unassumingly extend the same courtesy to his son. For a long time rising now, this had been their court, hers and her friends’, Wolsely in one era, Cromwell and Seymour in another, puissance fragmented in patchworks and names. They would not knuckle under Wales and his coterie. “ Well? ” The king’s niece queried, words mellow and tentative and spiraling like steam. “ Were you sent off to seek me, or should I not flatter myself too deeply? ”

               Lips pressed together in a straight line, unamused by the lengthiness of the day. Boredom had long taken over her mood, and she was forced to accept that while Henry had hosted a marvelous and riveting court, his funeral left much to be desired. She imagined that he would have been disappointed by the affair, for she certainly was. Her relationship to the crown meant that Ursula was comfortable enough to not always hold her tongue. Among thee stuffy upper class, it caused many frownds.  The alcove which she entered was well lit and rather private, giving an essence of solitude to a popular occasion. ❛   If that is what it takes for you to feel flattery then we need to raise your standards.  ❜

[ursulcs-blog]

— EDWARD SEYMOUR .

             –   “I trust you were escorted here by one of my attendants?” Edward stepped into the stiff quarters of his office, brows making for his hairline as he registered the presence of another court figure. By the bye, Edward was known to entertain a myriad of callers throughout the day, though those visits were usually of a political nature and this, this seemed to bear the fruit of a personal call. He was thankful that he had thought to organize the paperwork once strewn haphazardly across the ornate desk dominating the centre of the space. Brushing a fingertip along the edge of the table, he lifted his gaze to the trespasser. “And that you did not take the liberty of prying through my work, too?”

               One of the many dreary things about life at court was how dark and dusty it could be, public figures pushed into small chambers where they bend over their desks with their ink pots, attempting to catch the last remnants of sunlight before they had to rely solely on the burning wax candles. Ursula had always pitied the men who sought the king’s favour so earnestly, when she had seen just how fickle it could be. How she found herself in Edward Seymours chambers was questionable, but she saw no need in limping away like a wounded lady.  ❛   For what reason would I need an escort, your grace ? I have spent far more many years here than you have.  ❜  Ursula clucked her tongue, fingers tracing over undoubtedly important documents. ❛ I was taught to read, my lord. Therefore, i cannot help but glance over the documents. But should I reveal anything, not a soul would believe me. I am, after all, a woman,  ❜  she responded, smile curling up deviously. 

[ursulcs-blog]

— ADELASIA VALENCIA .

to say she felt out of place would have been a gross understatement. clad in black, as all polite mourners were, this was one instance where adelasia must grow up and play the part her father had chosen for her. she was the official ambassador of the holy roman empire, and she must act the part. her firey red curls were pulled back into a chic updo, and she curtsied low at the person who had just approached her. “the empire offers it’s sincerest condolences to the crown. he was a good king and a good man.” she said, a sad, polite smile on her lips.

               Laughter tugged at her bottom lip, threatening to spill heartily. For many hours the same lines had been uttered and Ursula had been subjected to each and every one. It seemed that in death, everyone had chosen to forget how idiotic the King of England had been.  ❛  How pragmatic of you, my dear. I must say the tales of our king have been watered by the sea as they travelled to our allies. Good is one way to describe what he was,  ❜  she commented, folding her hands together. They shared blood, Henry and her, it was known. Her grandfather had been a brother to King Edward, who was declared a usurper by the Tudors. Poor Lizzie of York had been stuck in a time of male ego. The years had not improved the situation. 

[ursulcs-blog]

— THOMAS CROMWELL .

     Cromwell wasn’t unaccustomed to wearing such dark and demure colors. Indeed, it seemed the whole of the kingdom were in equal to him this day, his brethren, dressed in mourning black, figures modest, faces solemn. Some ladies’ faces were swollen, eyes red from tears–delicate creatures, those. Others were the pillar of poise and dignity. Others, well–they simply wanted to get out of this stiff garb, noses twisted, glancing at their fellow women in desperation. 

     Men were different. Men were indifferent. Slim fingers traced the rim of the goblet before him, though Cromwell was not a drinking man. It would remain full this night, as any other, as he was dressed down, in black… as any other.

     “I cannot decide whether our king would be delighted at the out-pour of love from his kingdom, or coarse at such lack of… pomp.”

               It was farcical, the very outcry of love and devotion sweeping over the people. All the nobility cared about was remaining in power and the peasantry simply wished to be fed and left in peace. She wondered if anyone truly ever loved a monarch and she supposed that King Henry was certainly a difficult man to love. Serving under the Queen had given her plentiful of opportunities to see her distant relation strutting about the place, proclaiming that he was the head of the Church. His ego far surpassed the size of his codpiece. ❛   Indiscion does not suit you !   Were you not a key player in his privy council, my lord Cromwell ?  I am sure that you have stroked his ego enough to know that he would always want more.  ❜

[ursulcs-blog]

— JOANNA OF YORK .

“I apologise. I must have spoken out of turn.” Joanna glanced to her nearest companion as the assembled company quieted in unison. She wasn’t certain if she had uttered something unsavory or if another member of their party had, but those words had wielded their intended effect – apparently – and one could hear a pin drop in the silence. Dim chatter began to rise again, returning to its previous intensity within a moment’s time. “I often forget that humor is the most subjective of all arts; perhaps more so than beauty.”

                It was a pitiful occasion. Everyone wore solem expressions and varying materials of the same shade of black, each and everyone professing to love the king. In truth, Ursula had always thought him a complete pig !  Her adoration for Queen Catherine had not stretched grumbling man who ate too many pies and chased too many skirts. Therefore, any comment slightly out of the ordinary was considered amusing to her as she stood in the silent room. ❛  Oh hush now ! It was not that bad. These noble lords would not know humour if it were staring them in the face.  ❜

[ursulcs-blog]

☆ ━ ━ OUT OF THE WAY ! can’t you see URSULA STAFFORD ( nee pole ), the BARONESS of STAFFORD coming this way ? I hear SHE is PASSIONATE, but also OBSTINATE. SHE seems to remind everyone of SCORNFUL LOOKS, FINE SILKS .&. POMEGRANATES. hopefully one day SHE will succeed in HER ambition to SECURE HER PLACE AT COURT, but then again, the court is a dangerous place. one can only hope SHE will keep HER head… ( JENNA COLEMAN ) ━ ━ ☆

These are simply a few basics so you know a bit about her. More of her will come as we go along. 

The only daughter of Richard and Margaret Pole was a wealthy heiress, which naturally attracted many. Through her mother, Ursula does have a weak claim to the throne since her grandfather was George Plantagenet.

Ursula is exceptionally well read and poised. In her teenage years she was a lady in waiting to Queen Catherine and formed a close bond with the Spanish regina. 

She is said to be a symbol of poise and beauty, although she has often sent harsh glances towards those who dared to be too forward with her.

At the age of fifteen, Ursula was married to Henry Stafford. She was rather fortunate that he was only three years her senior, since she had seen marriages with far greater age gaps than her own. She’s thirty years old now and loves her husband. 

Her relationship with her mother has often been strained and they do not often speak now. Margaret’s position in court has often been a fickle one, but Ursula hopes that her own will be more steady.

She has an intimate relationship with her husband and thus far they have six children ( Henry ( deceased ), Dorothy, Henry, Thomas, Edward, Anne )  *they have fourteen in total by the time they’ve finished in real life*

[wishfulromancing]