Born to Rule
Authors: Kathryn Lasky
Kathryn Lasky
Born to Rule
A Camp Princess Novel
Contents
A Royal Procession
New Arrivals
Homesick
Turretmates
The Grand Banquet Royale
A Mystery in Stitches
Prayers and Whispers
An Ample Lady
The Forest of Chimes
The Duchess of Bagglesnort and Other Annoyances
Testing One, Two, Three—Glub!
The Princess Parlor
A Rustling in the Night
Those Cheating Crimsons!
Castled!
Bird, Book, and Spirit
Chimes in a Snowy Night
A Ghost Princess
Uncastled!
The Songbird Contest
Stitches in a Long Night
About the Author
Credits
Copyright
About the Publisher
CAMP PRINCESS SCHEDULE
8:15 | | Rise and be splendid | |
8:30 | | Breakfast in bed | |
10:00 | | Swimming (weather dependent), songbird catching, falconry, lawn tennis, or (in case of poor weather) needlepoint | |
11:00 | | Snacks in the Princess Parlor | |
11:45 | | Makeup in Salon de Beauté, canoeing, sailing, riding, or archery | |
1:00 | | Luncheon (midday tiaras required) | |
2:30 | | Jewel crafts (bring your favorite family gems) | |
3:30 | | Quiet time in the turrets | |
4:00 | | High tea (tea gowns and tea tiaras required) | |
5:00 | | Free time | |
6:15 | | Ladies’ maids report to turrets for dressing of princesses for dinner | |
8:00 | | Dinner | |
9:30 | | Evening activities | |
10:15 | | Candles snuffed. Princess taps. |
CAMP PRINCESS STAFF
CAMP MISTRESS:
Queen Mother Adelia Elsinore Louisa of Palacyndra
MISTRESS OF THE AVIARY & SONGBIRD COUNSELOR:
Princess Roseanna
MAKEUP & COSMETICS COUNSELOR:
The Duchess of Bagglesnort
TAPESTRY COUNSELOR:
Lady Merry von Schleppenspiel
MASTER OF THE HAWKS & FALCONRY COUNSELOR:
Gamphery of Lochlin
WATERFRONT COUNSELORS:
Lady Gustavia, Princess Lily Padinsky
MASTER OF THE STABLES:
Moncrieff of Sullamore
DANCE COUNSELOR:
Luigi Pippinia
LORE AND MORE COUNSELOR:
Lady Elaine
RIDING COUNSELOR & HEAD UNICORN WRANGLER:
Lady Frances (“Frankie”)
CAMP NURSE:
Nurse Bodkin
ARCHERY MASTER:
Hawkins of Sherwood
CAMP PRINCESS CHECKLIST
Each princess camper is required to bring the following:
GOWNS
- 6 morning gowns suitable for indoor activities
- 6 morning gowns suitable for outdoor activities, two of which should be all-white for tennis
- 6 tea gowns
- 12 evening-wear gowns suitable for banquets and evening light entertainments
- 12 ball gowns for major balls, dances, and more formal activities
SMALLCLOTHES
- 8 under-kirtles
- 5 over-kirtles
- 6 under-tunics
- 18 pairs of hose (6 cotton, 6 silk, 6 wool)
- 9 chemises or smocks
- 3 dozen shifts
- 18 petticoats
- 24 pantalettes
- night rails for sleeping—simple cambric preferred rather than silk
SPORTS COSTUMES
- 20 overtunics for outdoor sports. These may be worn over kirtles or sports pantaloons.
- Bathing costumes and tiaras shall be provided.
- Riding skirts
- Riding boots
- Falconry gloves shall be provided.
HEADGEAR
- 6 short veils—we ask that veils of the modern design be sent. They should be no longer than 12 inches and flow off the back of the head and not cover the face. This is crucial for safety during outdoor sports.
- Broad-brimmed hats made from rushes to protect from the sun (available at a steep discount in the
Royal Campers’ Equipment Catalogue) - 1 coronet bearing the heraldic seal of the princess’s country
- 2 lightweight sports tiaras (no heraldry required)
- 3 jeweled hairnets for dress
SHOES
- Ballet slippers
- Ballroom dancing slippers (no buckles please, only ribbons for fastening)
- High suede, leather, or calfskin fleece-lined boots for outdoor activites in winter
OUTERWEAR
- 2 cloaks
- 3 mantles or pelisses
- 4 shawls
- oiled sheepskin cape for rainwear
- 10 pairs of gloves (4 lace, 2 pigskin, 3 silk, 1 heavy leather)
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
- Toilet articles (perfume, bath salts, toothbrushes)
- Bed linens
- Blankets
- Towels
- Prayer book
- Heraldic stamp and wax for sealing letters
OPTIONAL PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
- Paint sets
- Dolls, teddy dragons, family pictures, etc.
- Jewelry
- Writing materials
- Books
- Bows and arrows (although we do provide them for archery, some campers prefer their own)
Please make sure that your camping princess has received a copy of the
Camp Princess Handbook
and has read it thoroughly before her arrival.
Parents are encouraged to send a modest amount of gold that shall be deposited in the Camp Princess coffers and can be used for small purchses at the camp store—candy, perfumes, fletching materials for those who prefer to fletch their own arrows, sealing wax, etc.
A ROYAL PROCESSION
It was Gilly, the lady’s maid, who saw them first. “Here they come!” she called, and nudged Mary, the chambermaid, who stood next to her on the watchtower. Gilly squinted at the bright ribbon of color winding down the high road. Forty of the most royal princesses on earth were coming to Camp Princess, riding on horses and in carriages. Their splendid banners snapped in the wind and their jeweled tiaras flashed in the sun as they rode toward the castle. Servants—from the chambermaids and the footmen to the mistresses of the wardrobe and the gamekeepers—tried to get a glimpse. Gilly sighed happily. The procession seemed to grow richer and more beautiful every year.
Here were the daughters from some of the most splendid kingdoms of the world, and they had come for summer camp. They had come to learn more—more about being a princess, more about being supremely royal—and, of course, to have fun of the most royal variety.
A tremor of excitement passed through the servants as they heard the creak and clank of the drawbridge being lowered. Even the fish jumped from the sparkling waters of the moat as if trying to catch a peek at the new royal campers. Gilly stuck her hand in her apron and touched her lucky stone.
Please! Please! Please, lucky stone, bring nice princesses, lovely princesses, kind princesses to the South Turret. Not snotty ones like last summer
.
NEW ARRIVALS