Edward Courtenay

Edward Courtenay
Biographical information
Died	April, 1917
Marital status	Single
Military career	Army Lieutenant
Physical information
Gender	Male
Height	6'2" (1,88 m)
Hair colour	Dark Brown
Eye colour	Blue
Family information
Family	Jack Courtenay (younger brother)
Affiliation
Occupation	Army Lieutenant
Loyalty	England
Behind the scenes
Portrayed by	Lachlan Nieboer

“I was up at Oxford. But I only ever planned to farm. Farm and shoot... and hunt and fish. And everything I'll never do again.”

—Edward answering Thomas's question about what he did before the war

Edward Courtenay was a lieutenant who became blind from mustard gas. He was sent from the battlefield to the hospital in the Yorkshire village of Downton. While recovering, he befriended Nurse Sybil Crawley and Corporal Thomas Barrow. He formed a strong attachment to them and Thomas became romantically attracted to him.

Dr Clarkson informed him that he must be moved from Downton to a convalescent home at Farley Hall despite both Thomas and Sybil warning that Edward was depressed. On the eve of his transfer to the convalescent home, Edward committed suicide in his hospital bed by slitting his wrists. His death pushes Sybil and Isobel Crawley to ask Sybil's mother, Cora Crawley, to convert Downton Abbey into a convalescent home.

Quick Answers

What activities did Edward Courtenay enjoy before the war?

Edward Courtenay, before his military service, was an Oxford student with a deep interest in farming. He also relished outdoor pursuits like shooting, hunting, and fishing. His life took a turn when he was blinded by mustard gas in the war.

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What was Edward Courtenay's role in the Yorkshire village of Downton?

Lieutenant Edward Courtenay, affected by mustard gas, was sent to recover in a hospital in Downton, Yorkshire. There, he built strong relationships with Nurse Sybil Crawley and Corporal Thomas Barrow.

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Who portrayed Edward Courtenay in the series?

British actor Lachlan Nieboer, born on September 11th, 1981 in Epsom, England, portrayed the character Edward Courtenay in Downton Abbey. Prior to his acting career, Nieboer studied Classics at Oxford University and attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

Provided by: Fandom

Background

Edward told Thomas that he studied at Oxford even though he ultimately wanted to farm. He had one younger brother named Jack, whom Edward did not have a very good relationship with; he told Thomas that Jack means to "replace [Edward]" and "It's what [Jack's] always wanted."

Appearances

Appearances and Mentions
Series 2	Episode 1	Episode 2 Appears	Episode 3	Episode 4	Episode 5	Episode 6	Episode 7	Episode 8	Christmas Special