Jacquetta Lazoy

**Jacquetta Lazoy** is a main character in *War.* She first appeared as a featured character in the 2020 Christmas special, "Hollow Crown."

In terms of the series narrative, Jacquetta Lazoy is the Madonna (Dowager Queen) of Felexa and mother of Queen Roxanne II during the War.

## Appearances

### "Hollow Crown"

Jacquetta Lazoy made her first appearance in "Hollow Crown," shortly before Christmas in the year 700. Her husband, King Siam, had been a member of the Great Plot, a secret attempt between Siam, Poultrus III of Gallix, Horatio V of Equine Isle, and Cottontail IX of Leprolia to investigate the potential illegal militarization of Vulpus and take action against Queen Vixen VII, who was soon to be coronated under the Harmonious Crown. Jacquetta replaced her husband in the Great Plot after his death the same year. She had previously also lost her eldest son, Lorenzo Lazoy, to suicide. The double-deaths in the Lazoy royal family caused Jacquetta's second child, Roxanne, to be elevated to Queen of Felexa. The conspirators of the Great Plot were unable to uncover anything suspicious and did not intervene with the Harmonious Coronation of Vixen VII in Vulpus on January 1, 701, which Jacquetta attended as Madonna of Felexa.

### *War*

Jacquetta returned in "Suddenly the Skies Darkened" during the invasion of Gallix in November 709. She watched on live television as Vixen VII and Stag Ellis murdered Poultrus III and other members of the Galligasque Royal Family. Jacquetta, who had been opposed to the war from the start--especially Felexa's alliance with the Summer Sun--was critical of her daughter's hardened approach to the situation in Gallix. Poultrus had sent his brother, Alexander Petukinau, and his family to Felexa ahead of the broadcast should anything happen. Jacquetta took it upon herself, in partnership with her son Lionel Lazoy, to spirit the Petukinaus out of Felexa. She sent them to Leprolia, where she hoped they would find protection with Cottontail IX. Unfortunately, Cottontail feared the dangers of harboring the royal family and had them killed.

By 712, Felexa's position in the war was tenuous. The Summer Sun had become dissatisfied with Felexa's defenses of the northern border and Roxanne's leadership. They were furthermore suspicious of Jacquetta and her son, Lionel. In "Infamy," after being castigated by Roxanne for their transgressions, Jacquetta went to the countryside with Lionel and her other daughter, Zamora Lazoy. Days later, Talonclaw Castle fell siege to the Summer Sun in a sudden betrayal. Jacquetta immediately took her children and fled over the border into Leprolia. They were greeted by the Leprolian trenches and a kind soldier named Trent Mallon who took the family to Azure Oldman, the General of the trenches. Azure arranged for their transport to the Leprolian capital. Fearful that this would result in her family's death in a manner similar to Alexander Petukinau's, Jacquetta pleaded with Trent Mallon to send a telegram to Bentley Connelly. This he did, and Canis agreed to sponsor the Lazoy family's exile. During a brief stay in Sylvia, Leprolia, Jacquetta confronted Cottontail IX about what happened to the Petukinaus. He admitted to their murder, to the horror of Jacquetta. She and her family, reunited with Roxanne II, traveled on to West Terrier, Canis. The Lazoys established a government-in-exile and became permanent residents of Highland Castle.

During a conversation with Queen Libby Connelly in "Infamy," Jacquetta revealed her eldest son Lorenzo Lazoy had died by suicide as a result of his being forbidden to enter into a same-sex relationship. Jacquetta and her husband, King Siam, vehemently prohibited it. She consequently felt enormous remorse and guilt for her actions and pursued a personal policy of acceptance and tolerance. She therefore supported Bentley and Victoria during their relationship and was an advocate for interspecies marriage. She would later serve as a bridesmaid at the first interspecies marriage ordained in Canis between a dog and a cat.

In "Something Wicked," Jacquetta and her family were informed of "something wicked" being conducted in Talonclaw Castle.

Jacquetta watched the arrivals of the foreign dignitaries at the 719 Granite Bloc summit in "Two Moths Drawn to the Flame," and later participated in a few of the proceedings. When the 720 Cervidian edict about BioFreaks was released in "Requiem Aeternum," she did not believe the charges but worried for the safety of BioFreaks, should they exist. She reunited with Trent Mallon for the first time since "Infamy" when he fled to Canis with Azure Oldman after the edict. She noticed that the color of his eyes had changed--a byproduct of his BioFreak affliction.

In 723 in "No Matter What," Thumper Connelly came out as gay to Jacquetta. She immediately rushed to support him and inwardly sought redemption for how she handled her own son's coming out. She vowed to be an ally to Thumper and champion his rights. She helped him come out to Evangelina Connelly.

Jacquetta was perturbed by the 725 announcement in "Pro Patria Mori" that Cervidium was reorganizing into the Union of Cervidian Centralized States, which included Felexa. She feared that the perceived autonomy would indoctrinate the cats and stave off a potential uprising. Her troubles continued months later when she witnessed on live television the execution of her sister as well as dozens of other members of the Granite Bloc's royal families.

It was revealed in "In the Meadows of Sorrow" that Jacquetta had helped Vora Vixen and Brock West escape the capital with baby Victoria Vixen in 687. She knew they were alive throughout their absence, and continued to correspond with her through the War. She sent a letter to Vora in 725 asking for Matthew Palmer's help in ensuring the success of the escape from Cartonia. Jacquetta disclosed her relationship with Vora and the fact that was still alive in "The Good Must Associate," shocking Bentley Connelly. She and her family were all guaranteed positions on the expedition south, and Lionel was one of the organizers.

Jacquetta and her family left Canis on November 3, 725, in "Bless My Homeland." They traveled through miles of enemy territory, including former Felexa. To Jacquetta's delightful surprise, the passengers reached the Vulpus Dam unmolested on November 11. The Dam was quickly commandeered and the passengers prepared to flee Cartonia. However, the Vixen Queen arrived to thwart the ongoing escape attempt. One of the two waste receptacles was destroyed by a bazooka rocket. As the foxes slaughtered the passengers, all of Jacquetta's children were injured in the carnage. Jacquetta saved the life of Thumper Connelly by pushing him toward the departing waste receptacle. Jacquetta was unable to save herself or any of her children, and all four perished in the collapse of the Dam.

## Character

### Namesake

Jacquetta is named after Jacquetta of Luxembourg, a prominent figure in the Wars of the Roses. Jacquetta was the mother of Elizabeth Woodville, who married King Edward IV of England. Jacquetta is often overlooked in history despite playing a significant role in the Wars of the Roses drama. The author was inspired to create a character in her likeness after watching *The White Queen*.

Her surname is Lazoy, based on the Italian House of Savoy. Her maiden name is Wood, after Elizabeth Woodville.

## Trivia

* Jacquetta bears the title Madonna, which is in essence the Queen Mother. In medieval Italy, "*ma donna*" meant "my Lady" and was bestowed upon noble women.
* Jacquetta is one of the author's favorite characters from *War*.