I was born in a small Hampshire village to a skilled carpenter who had achieved a good station in life. At the age of seventeen I had the fortune to go into service at Basing House and, within a year, had the honour of becoming a maid to Lady Honora de Burghe the second wife of John Paulet, the 5th Marquis of Winchester, due in part to my Lady's fondness for my music.                                                                  

 When the house was finally overcome by Parliamentarians and burned to the ground in 1645, I fled in the chaos with my few belongings and set out for the border lands where I knew my family had moved to. Making what little money I could along the way with my music and my crafts I proceeded very slowly west, lacking all sense of direction. I happened first upon a curious character, posing as a spy (very ineptly), who took it upon himself to protect me. To be honest I do sometimes think it is he that needs looking after rather than I, but none the less I have become fond of Master Halfbuckle. At least his sense of direction and familiarity of travelling were much superior to mine and we made much faster progress, eventually reaching the border lands and a travelling band named the Marcher Stuarts who took us in. I provide what little merriment I can with my music to keep spirits up and earn the odd penny, and in secret I am putting my hand to learning the skill of flint knapping to provide the men with gun flints. Let us hope I do not have a mishap and cut off one of my fingers in the learning process, else I shall be able to provide no more music !


In real life Julia is a PhD Archaeologist.