The Maids of Honor
Her Majesty’s Maids of Honor are the daughters of the Queen’s subjects that she has taken into her care to cultivate into the future Ladies of her Court. Some are the high-born daughters of the peerage while others are the daughters of Knights, and High Officials brought to the Queen’s attention by the service of their parent. It is as much a sign of Royal Favor as it is a privilege and great responsibility for those chosen as a Maid of Honor.
A Maid of Honor’s life is not just a privileged lifestyle of education and entertainment but one of service and responsibility to her Majesty. Each day the Maids are roused from their slumber by Mistress Blanche Parry whom like a mother oversees their dressing, feeding, and brings them before her Grace to assist any way necessary. The Maids learn at the very hands of her Majesty and of those of the Great Ladies of Court to whom they aspire to be and will one day take their duties upon themselves. It is not a burden but an honor to be in her Majesty’s service.
It is not all work and no play as the Maids of Honor find the time in their busy schedules of attendance upon the Queen, their education, and other responsibilities to enjoy the entertainments of courtly life. From court dancing, the arts of music, sewing, and painting, shopping, and various games such as towers, hoops, hoodman’s blind, and even the elicit “numbers” game. It is the accomplished Maid that finds the balance of service to her Majesty, her attention to her studies, and her enjoyment of entertainments.
As the young Maids of Honor blossom into the accomplished young Ladies of Court it is with great honor that her Majesty advises a suitable marriage. A marriage beneficial and suitable for not only the young Lady, the families involved, but always for the greater good of the Realm. For all it is the achievement of their life to become wife, mother, and Lady of the Court as their station dictates. For some it is only the arrangement of their family or the realm. For others there may be the bonus of a love match. While others whom take it upon themselves to marry without the advice or consent of her Majesty, typically for love find anger and even fury of her Majesty.
It is progress and like the rest of the Court the Maids of Honor are in attendance with her Majesty performing their duties and enjoying the delights, spectacles, and entertainments...