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Description

Name: Countess Francesca du Grenoble

Age: 23

Gender: Female

Time/Place of Origin: 1592, England

Appearance: Francesca has long, dark, brown hair that is most often elegantly braided into a head piece of some sort, and equally dark eyes. Her skin is fashionably pale, and her figure is trim and dress accommodating. Francesca favours red, though all her gowns are fashionable, and made of fine fabrics. She is however, quite sparring with jewellery in her wardrobe except for special occasions, but despite that, she is considered a very fashionable figure in Grenoble, with a natural loveliness that offsets her lack of public opulence. The day she is taken from the time stream, she is wearing a more durable red velvet gown, with her dark hair braided with a golden strand head piece.

Personality

Witty and cutting, Francesca is a woman who can spin the most honeyed political exchanges, or cut you to the quick. She is very intelligent and independent, and insists on taking care of her own. She can be a loyal ally, or the fiercest of enemies, though that greatly depends upon the person in question.

Equipment

Wits, political savvy, and a whole lot of money. Francesca is also an adept horse rider, and it is rumoured she exchanges letters with Queen Elizabeth of England upon the shared hobby, only fuelling the mystique that surrounds her.

History

Bio: Despite her very Italian name, Francesca was born of English stock, from one Lady Margret Pennington, and Lord Charles Pennington, well to do aristocrats who unfashionably worked deeply in trade. While this career choice did not garner much respect in England, Lord Pennington gained many friends and allies throughout the continent, and amassing a rather impressive fortune to the Pennington family name, and in this day an age, money was freedom. As the sole heiress, Francesca was to receive everything upon his death.

She also had an impressive dowry, and had many suitors from numerous countries and stations. A fiercely independent woman, she chose to marry Count Vincent du Grenoble, a rather old and mellow friend of her father’s from France. Flattered by her proposal Vincent accepted the marriage with good natured humour. The charming sixty three year old proved a savvy intellectual match to the witty 17 year old, and he treated her very well. While their marriage may not have been based on love, there was no lack of friendship between the two. Vincent died only three years later, leaving Francesca without an heir, a storm of rumours speculating if the marriage was even consummated (on the grounds of the Count’s long term deteriorating health), and in a unique situation of both freedom and privilege many woman of her time could not begin to fathom.

With such a lofty title as Countess, and a large fortune to her name, the widowed Francesca was both the most sought after, and most untouchable women in France. With this power, she has opened up her estate as a sanctuary to accused witches, feeling sympathy and righteous indignation at the seeming epidemic of witch hunting fanaticism sweeping through France. For her actions, she has been black listed by many French bishops, and created enemies of several witch hunters, having them forcibly removed from her lands. She has so far escaped retribution through her wits, wealth, and political savvy, though when other lords become involved, there is no telling what could happen.

Sample post:

What was the world coming to when midwives and healers, women who should be respected and valued, could be burnt at the stake with little more than a jealous accusation? Germany, Switzerland, even Geneva; they’d all gone mad with this witch hunting nonsense. The trials themselves were also complete bullocks. Torturing confessions out of people, circumstantial evidence, it was all crazy; and yet the entire country seemed ablaze with this fevered frenzy to destroy witches. The Church had vehemently joined the cause as well, targeting not just witches, but Jews and Protestants as well as a means of conversion. The obvious politics of it all was especially appalling.

“My Lady, Bishop Julian has arrived for an audience. He has seated himself in your solar.” Anne, Countess Francesca’s maid servant timidly relayed to her mistress. Francesca stood sourly from her seat in her chambers at the news. Bishop Julian was a power seeking status climber, and was exploiting the witch trials as a way to garner attention and favour from the Pope and his Cardinals. “Tell Madame Russou the blankets I ordered have arrived as well. Her charges and their families should be well alleviated by the news.” Francesca ordered, before making her way to the west wing to face the Bishop.

Countess Francesca du Grenoble's Story