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Most people recall that my father was Henry VIII, if they happen to recognize my name. They rarely recall that my mother was Elizabeth Blount, Maid of Honor to the rightful queen, Catherine of Aragon. Her affair with the king had lasted for two years when I was born. Shortly thereafter, my father's attentions shifted to Mary Boleyn, and three years later, my mother was married to Sir Gilbert Talboys, a match which left her in comfortable means. She would give birth to six other children, remarry once, and serve as a Lady-in-Waiting before she succumbed to consumption in 1540. I hardly knew her.
By the time I was seven-years old, I was a knight, an earl, a duke, lieutenant-general north of Trent, keeper of the city and castle of Carlisle, warden-general of the marches of Scotland, and lord high admiral of England, Wales, Ireland, Normandy, Gascony, and Aquitaine. Other titles would come later, and efforts were made to have me declared the king of Ireland. I was the only illegitimate child my father chose to recognize, and until Edward was born, his only hope of giving the throne to a male heir. My father placed me under the tutelage of Richard Croke and John Palgrave, both noted English scholars, who would have preferred my education focus more on books than on hunting and jousting. His Majesty was never satisfied with my skills in the latter realm.
Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was often my companion in childhood, and until my supposed death in 1536, my closest friend. His sister was my wife for three short years, and content enough to overlook her husband's dalliances with another noblewoman. Their father was a good friend to me as well, and the man to whom I owe my continued existence. Without his intervention, the king would have ensured that no child of his became a vampire.
I don't regret leaving that life. I never have, and I don't believe that I ever will.
[OOC: Seth started asking an affected Henry about his life and habits, etc., so have a quick, sketchy bio!]
By the time I was seven-years old, I was a knight, an earl, a duke, lieutenant-general north of Trent, keeper of the city and castle of Carlisle, warden-general of the marches of Scotland, and lord high admiral of England, Wales, Ireland, Normandy, Gascony, and Aquitaine. Other titles would come later, and efforts were made to have me declared the king of Ireland. I was the only illegitimate child my father chose to recognize, and until Edward was born, his only hope of giving the throne to a male heir. My father placed me under the tutelage of Richard Croke and John Palgrave, both noted English scholars, who would have preferred my education focus more on books than on hunting and jousting. His Majesty was never satisfied with my skills in the latter realm.
Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was often my companion in childhood, and until my supposed death in 1536, my closest friend. His sister was my wife for three short years, and content enough to overlook her husband's dalliances with another noblewoman. Their father was a good friend to me as well, and the man to whom I owe my continued existence. Without his intervention, the king would have ensured that no child of his became a vampire.
I don't regret leaving that life. I never have, and I don't believe that I ever will.
[OOC: Seth started asking an affected Henry about his life and habits, etc., so have a quick, sketchy bio!]