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{{Template:Infobox character
+
{{Infobox character
|name = Ethel Parks
+
|name = Ethel Parks
 
|title =
 
|title =
|image = [[File:S2-amy-nuttall-as-housemaid-edith_595.jpg|250px]]
+
|image = [[File:S2-amy-nuttall-as-housemaid-edith_595.jpg|200px]]
|born =
+
|born =
|marital = Single
+
|marital = Single
|address = Downton Abbey, Yorkshire (formerly)<br />A small hut (currently)
+
|address = [[Downton Abbey]], [[Yorkshire]] (formerly)<br>A small hut (formerly)<br>[[Crawley House]] (formerly)<br>Mrs Watson's residence
|gender = Female
+
|gender = Female
|hair = Red
+
|height = 5'5" (1,65 m)
|eyes = Brown
+
|hair = Red
  +
|eyes = Brown
|family = [[Major Bryant]] (lover)<br />[[Charlie Parks]] (son)<br />
 
|loyalty = Charlie Parks<br />Herself<br />
+
|family = [[Charles Parks|Charlie Parks]] (illegitimate son)
  +
|loyalty = [[Charles Parks]]<br>[[Daphne Bryant]]<br>[[Horace Bryant]] (reluctantly)<br>[[Charles Bryant]] (formerly)
|portrayedby = [[wikipedia:Amy Nuttall|Amy Nuttall]]}}
+
|portrayedby = [[Amy Nuttall]]
  +
|job = Housemaid at Downton Abbey (formerly)<br>Housekeeper/ Cook at Crawley House (formerly)<br>Housekeeper/Cook for Mrs Watson (currently)
  +
|showbts = Yes
  +
}}'''Ethel Parks''' was a housemaid at [[Downton Abbey]] who started working there in 1916, but was dismissed in 1918 by Mrs. Hughes.
   
  +
== Biography ==
'''Ethel Parks''' is a new housemaid who makes her first appearance in the second series, replacing the person who, possibly, replaced [[Gwen]].<ref> It is unlikely, given that Gwen left Downton in 1914 and Ethel joined in 1916, that she is the ONLY person to have replaced Gwen; it is likely that Ethel replaced the person who replaced Gwen, like Jane later did with her.</ref> Ethel is portrayed by [[Amy Nuttall]].
 
  +
<tabber>
  +
|-|Series 2=
  +
=== [[Series 2|1916-19]] ===
 
Ethel was formerly head maid - though out of only two maids - in a much smaller household and resents her lower position at Downton. She did not like being told what to do, especially by [[Anna Bates|Anna]], and frequently had to be prodded to do her work. She thought that the others looked down on her, and that she needed to gain power over them. She was a modern woman who was independent and was reluctant to be instructed on how to perform certain tasks. She did not want to be in service, and would rather have spent her time reading Hollywood magazines and gossiping, and did not make light of her perceived sufferings. As such, she is the butt of several pranks from lady's maid [[Sarah O'Brien]].
   
 
Wanting more than she had in her position at Downton, she began an affair with [[Charles Bryant|Major Charles Bryant]] while he was being treated at Downton. She was dismissed by [[Elsie Carson|Mrs Hughes]] when they are discovered together naked in a storage room. However, she returned later when she discovered she was pregnant by the Major, because she had nowhere else to go. Luckily, Mrs Hughes assists her and secretly watches over her. She found out later that Major Bryant died in one of the last battles of World War I. Ethel does not express great sadness at this, because she had written to him multiple times asking him to help her and he had ignored it. After Ethel had her son, [[Charles Parks|Charlie]], she discovered that the Major's parents were coming, and thought they may be able to help her. Mrs Hughes and Ethel plan to tell the Major's mother and ask her for help. Ethel burst into the luncheon they were having and told the Major's parents that Charlie was their grandson. The Major's father immediately rejected the idea, believing that if his son had had a baby he would have told them. Later the Major's parents returned, having had time to digest and believe the story Ethel told them. They wanted to raise Charlie as their grandson and send him to the best schools. However, their offer was that Ethel could only have him back when he was old enough to know what happened. Ethel asked if she could be his nursemaid but the Major's father vetoed the idea, saying that Ethel would tell Charlie about his parentage. They gave Ethel some time to think it over, and she decided to keep Charlie because he was what mattered most to her.
She was formerly head maid - though out of only two maids - in a much smaller household and resents her lower position at Downton. She did not like being told what to do, especially by [[Anna]], and frequently had to be prodded to do her work. She thought that the others looked down on her, and that she needed to gain power over them. She was a highly modern woman, independent and her own girl. She had her ways. She was reluctant and fiery, and would not tolerate being instructed on how to preform certain tasks. She did not want to be in service, and would rather have spent her time reading Hollywood magazines and gossiping, and did not make light of her perceived sufferings.
 
   
  +
|-|Series 3=
Wanting more than she has at present she began an affair with [http://downtonabbey.wikia.com/wiki/Major_Charles_Bryant Major Charles Bryant] while he was being treated at Downton and is dismissed by [[Mrs. Hughes]] when they are discovered together. However, she returns later when she discovers she is pregnant, because she has nowhere else to go. Luckily, Mrs. Hughes assists her and secretly watches over her. She found out later that the major who is her baby's father died in one of the last battles of World War I. Ethel does not express great sadness at this, because she had written to him telling him to help her and he had ignored it.
 
  +
=== [[Series 3|1920]] ===
 
[[File:Ethel-on-the-street.jpg|left|thumb|Ethel stands on the street and watches Isobel Crawley walk by. ]]In 1920, [[Isobel Grey|Isobel Crawley]] took up the cause of helping prostitutes break away from their old lives. She discovered Ethel had taken up prostitution after seeing her in [[York]]. Later, Ethel came to seek help from Isobel, but kept barely beginning to ask for her help before repeatedly changing her mind and running away. Isobel got Ethel's address from Mrs Hughes and when Isobel found Ethel's apartment, she came face to face with one of her customers at the door. Ethel insisted that she was never looking for help for herself, insisting (despite Isobel's beliefs) that she is past help. A child's cry coming from inside reveals exactly [[Charles Parks|who she was seeking help for]]. Nevertheless, Ethel closed her door on Isobel once again. 
   
 
[[File:Downton-abbey-season-3-ethel-charlie-1-.jpg|right|thumb|Ethel says goodbye to her son.]]Eventually, Ethel made the heart-wrenching decision to let her son's grandparents take him back with them. Isobel had contacted the Bryants on her behalf. Mr Bryant had been having Ethel watched and he knew how she had been living. He offered her money so that she would not need to earn money this way, and Charlie would not be exposed to it. Mr Bryant insulted Ethel by questioning if she enjoyed her work and didn't want to give it up. Ethel did not think that Mr Bryant was a kind man, but she believed that he loves Charlie. She told him that she didn't want his money. She had realized that, when she decided to refuse their offer to adopt him and to keep him herself, it was for selfish reasons, and that they could give him the best life with the best upbringing and the best schools. Ethel is told by Mrs Bryant that she will write and send news about Charlie, but as they drive away Ethel watched him go and cried as if her heart was breaking. Isobel disagreed with her giving up her child, but supported her.
When Ethel bears her baby son, Charlie, she discovers that the major's parents are coming, she thinks they may be able to help her. Mrs. Hughes and her plan to tell the major's mother and ask her for help. Ethel bursts into the luncheon they were having and tells the major's parents that Charlie is their grandson. The major's father immediately rejects the idea, believing that if his son had had a baby he would have told them. Later the major's parents return, having had time to digest and believe the story Ethel told them. They want to raise Charlie as their wealthy grandson and send him to the best schools. However, their policy is that Ethel can only have him back when he is old enough to know what happened. Ethel asks if she could be his nursemaid but the major's father vetoes the idea, saying that Ethel would tell Charlie about his parentage. They give Ethel some time to think it over, and she decides to keep Charlie because he is what matters most to her.
 
   
 
Ethel gave up prostitution as she had only been doing it to provide for Charlie, but he is now gone and she didn't care if she survived. Isobel then decided to hire Ethel at [[Crawley House]] as a maid. [[May Bird|Mrs Bird]], Mrs Crawley's cook and housemaid of long standing, resigned in protest against the decision to hire Ethel. Ethel was still treated as a fallen woman by many people in Downton village who knew her history. She was left crying in the street one day when the grocer's wife refused to serve her. Because of Ethel's past, [[Charles Carson|Mr Carson]] forbade all downstairs personnel employed at Downton from visiting Crawley House. Defying this ban, [[Beryl Patmore|Mrs Patmore]] agreed to give help to Ethel in the form of recipes when Ethel had to cook for Isobel, [[Violet Crawley|Violet]], [[Mary Talbot|Mary]], [[Edith Pelham|Edith]], and [[Cora Crawley|Cora]]. She revealed herself to have learned well. Carson told [[Robert Crawley]] about the situation and he was angered enough that she was cooking for the ladies, that he burst in on their lunch demanding that they leave at once. They stay put and continue eating, whereupon Robert left.
[[File:Ethel-on-the-street.jpg|left|thumb|Ethel stands on the street and watches Isobel Crawley walk by. ]]In 1920, Isobel Crawley has taken up the cause of helping prostitutes break away from their old lives. She discovers Ethel has taken up prostitution after seeing her in York. Later, Ethel comes to seek help from Isobel, but keeps barely beginning to ask for her help before repeatedly changing her mind and running away. Isobel gets Ethel's address from Mrs. Hughes. When Isobel finds Ethel's apartment, she comes face to face with one of her customers at the door. Ethel insists she was never looking for help for herself, insisting (despite Isobel's beliefs) that she is past help. A child's cry coming from inside reveals exactly [[Charlie Parks|who she was seeking help for]]. Nevertheless, she closes her door once again. 
 
   
 
In spite of her part in defending Ethel at the lunch, Violet insisted Ethel's past had touched the entire Crawley family in scandal, and without telling Ethel or Isobel, had [[Edith Pelham|Edith Crawley]] place an advertisement for Ethel in the paper. Even Mrs Hughes agreed this was an opportunity for Ethel to start her life over, without her past clouding her. Ethel looked over many responses, but none appealed to her, except one with a Mrs Watson, who lived in Cheadle, near where the Bryants live. She did not accept this position because she and Isobel agreed it would defeat the purpose of leaving her past behind her. Isobel told Violet about this and how she suspected the close proximity to Charlie was probably why Ethel was interested, but that the Bryants would find out sooner or later. Violet wrote to Isobel inviting her and Ethel to lunch and to Ethel's surprise, she found Mrs Bryant there. Violet had written to Mrs Bryant explaining the situation to her. Mrs Bryant told Ethel to accept the job with Mrs Watson. She said that she had always thought it wrong to keep a mother from her son, as long as he does not get confused at least until he is older. She also assured Ethel she would deal with Mr Bryant. Ethel, now a very changed woman, was happy to get to see her son. She put forward the idea that they will tell him that she used to work for them and was his former nanny. She said that as long as she could see and talk to him sometimes she would be happy.
[[File:Downton-abbey-season-3-ethel-charlie-1-.jpg|right|thumb|Ethel says goodbye to her son.]]Eventually, Ethel makes the heart-wrenching decision to let her son's grandparents take him back with them. Isobel has contacted the Bryants on her behalf. Mr. Bryant has been having Ethel watched and he knows how she has been living. He offers her money so that she will not need to earn money this way, and Charlie will not be exposed to it. Mr. Bryant insults Ethel by questioning if she enjoys her work and doesn't want to give it up. Ethel does not think that Mr. Bryant is a kind man, but she believes that he loves Charlie. She tells him that she doesn't want his money. She has realized that, when she decided to refuse their offer to adopt him and to keep him herself, it was for selfish reasons, and that they could give him the best life with the best upbringing and the best schools. Ethel is told by Mrs. Bryant that she will write and send her news about Charlie, but as they drive away Ethel watches him and cries as if her heart is breaking. Isobel's disagrees with her giving up her child, but supports her.
 
  +
</tabber>
   
  +
==Appearances==
Ethel gives up prostitution as she had only been doing it to provide for Charlie, but he is now gone and she doesn't care if she survives. Isobel then decides to hire Ethel at Crawley House as a maid. Mrs. Bird, Mrs. Crawley's cook and housemaid of long standing, resigns in protest against the decision to hire Ethel. Ethel is still treated as a fallen woman by many people in Downton village who know her history. She is left crying in the street one day when the grocer's wife refuses to serve her. Because of Ethel's past, Carson forbids all downstairs personnel employed at Downton to visit Crawley House. Defying this ban, Mrs. Patmore agrees to give help to Ethel in the form of recipes when Ethel has to cook for Isobel, Violet, and Cora. She reveals herself to have learned well. Carson tells Lord Grantham about the situation and he is angered enough that she is cooking for the ladies, that he bursts in on their lunch demanding that they leave at once. They stay put and continue eating, whereupon Robert leaves.
 
  +
{{Appearances and Mentions
  +
|hideseries1=
  +
|hideseries4=
  +
|hideseries5=
  +
|hideseries6=
  +
|s2e01appeared = Yes
  +
|s2e02appeared = Yes
  +
|s2e03appeared = Yes
  +
|s2e04appeared = Yes
  +
|s2e05appeared = Yes
  +
|s2e06appeared = Yes
  +
|s2e07appeared = Yes
  +
|s2e08appeared = Yes
  +
|s3e02appeared = Yes
  +
|s3e03appeared = Yes
  +
|s3e04appeared = Yes
  +
|s3e05appeared = Yes
  +
|s3e06appeared = Yes
  +
|s3e07appeared = Yes
  +
|s3e08appeared = Yes
  +
}}
   
  +
==Notes==
In spite of her part in defending Ethel at the lunch, Violet feels the girl should leave Downton and without asking either Ethel or Mrs. Crawley she puts an advertisement in a newspaper seeking a new job for her. Violet insists Ethel's past has touched the entire Crawley family in scandal, and has Edith place an advertisement for Ethel in the paper. Even Mrs. Hughes agrees this is an opportunity for Ethel to start her life over, without her past clouding her. Ethel looks over many responses, but none appeal to her, except one with a Mrs. Watson, who lives in Cheadle, near where the Bryants live. Isobel tells the dowager countess about this and how the close proximity to Charlie is probably why Ethel was interested, but that the Bryants would find out sooner or later and it could mean trouble. Violet writes to Isobel inviting her and Ethel to lunch and to Ethel's surprise, she finds Mrs. Bryant there. Violet has written to Mrs. Bryant explaining the situation to her. Mrs. Bryant tells Ethel to accept the job with Mrs. Watson. She says that she has always thought it wrong to keep a mother from her son, as long as he does not get confused at least until he is older.  She also assures Ethel she will deal with Mr. Bryant. Ethel, now a very changed woman, is happy to get to see her son. She puts forward the idea that they will tell him that she used to work for them and was his former nanny. She says that as long as she can see and talk to him sometimes she will be happy.
 
  +
*When she first began working at Downton it is possible that Ethel was taking the same position that [[Gwen Harding|Gwen Dawson]] formerly held. It is unlikely, given that Gwen left Downton in 1914 and Ethel joined in 1916, that she is the only person to have replaced Gwen.
  +
*Ethel decides to give Charlie to his grandparents to raise in May 1920 as she had ended up turning to prostitution to feed herself and Charlie and realised she couldn't give him the life he deserved.
  +
*After helping Ethel get in touch with Charlie's grandparents, Isobel Crawley hires Ethel as a cook in her household, much to the ire of her existing cook, Mrs Bird, who promptly quits her post due to Ethel's presence.
  +
*The Dowager Countess helps Ethel get in touch with Mrs Bryant to ask if she can see Charlie. Mrs Bryant agrees and Ethel leaves Mrs Crawley's employment.
   
Ethel will not be returning in Series 4<ref>[[File:299870_416567088437121_1787798463_n.jpg]]</ref>
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
  +
{{Reflist}}
<references/>
 
  +
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parks, Ethel}}
 
[[Category:Characters|Parks, Ethel]]
 
[[Category:Characters|Parks, Ethel]]
 
[[Category:Servants|Parks, Ethel]]
 
[[Category:Servants|Parks, Ethel]]
 
[[Category:Parks family members]]
 
[[Category:Parks family members]]
  +
[[Category:Maids]]
  +
[[Category:Cooks]]

Revision as of 20:36, 10 October 2019

Ethel Parks was a housemaid at Downton Abbey who started working there in 1916, but was dismissed in 1918 by Mrs. Hughes.

Biography

1916-19

Ethel was formerly head maid - though out of only two maids - in a much smaller household and resents her lower position at Downton. She did not like being told what to do, especially by Anna, and frequently had to be prodded to do her work. She thought that the others looked down on her, and that she needed to gain power over them. She was a modern woman who was independent and was reluctant to be instructed on how to perform certain tasks. She did not want to be in service, and would rather have spent her time reading Hollywood magazines and gossiping, and did not make light of her perceived sufferings. As such, she is the butt of several pranks from lady's maid Sarah O'Brien.

Wanting more than she had in her position at Downton, she began an affair with Major Charles Bryant while he was being treated at Downton. She was dismissed by Mrs Hughes when they are discovered together naked in a storage room. However, she returned later when she discovered she was pregnant by the Major, because she had nowhere else to go. Luckily, Mrs Hughes assists her and secretly watches over her. She found out later that Major Bryant died in one of the last battles of World War I. Ethel does not express great sadness at this, because she had written to him multiple times asking him to help her and he had ignored it. After Ethel had her son, Charlie, she discovered that the Major's parents were coming, and thought they may be able to help her. Mrs Hughes and Ethel plan to tell the Major's mother and ask her for help. Ethel burst into the luncheon they were having and told the Major's parents that Charlie was their grandson. The Major's father immediately rejected the idea, believing that if his son had had a baby he would have told them. Later the Major's parents returned, having had time to digest and believe the story Ethel told them. They wanted to raise Charlie as their grandson and send him to the best schools. However, their offer was that Ethel could only have him back when he was old enough to know what happened. Ethel asked if she could be his nursemaid but the Major's father vetoed the idea, saying that Ethel would tell Charlie about his parentage. They gave Ethel some time to think it over, and she decided to keep Charlie because he was what mattered most to her.

1920

Ethel-on-the-street

Ethel stands on the street and watches Isobel Crawley walk by.

In 1920, Isobel Crawley took up the cause of helping prostitutes break away from their old lives. She discovered Ethel had taken up prostitution after seeing her in York. Later, Ethel came to seek help from Isobel, but kept barely beginning to ask for her help before repeatedly changing her mind and running away. Isobel got Ethel's address from Mrs Hughes and when Isobel found Ethel's apartment, she came face to face with one of her customers at the door. Ethel insisted that she was never looking for help for herself, insisting (despite Isobel's beliefs) that she is past help. A child's cry coming from inside reveals exactly who she was seeking help for. Nevertheless, Ethel closed her door on Isobel once again. 
Downton-abbey-season-3-ethel-charlie-1-

Ethel says goodbye to her son.

Eventually, Ethel made the heart-wrenching decision to let her son's grandparents take him back with them. Isobel had contacted the Bryants on her behalf. Mr Bryant had been having Ethel watched and he knew how she had been living. He offered her money so that she would not need to earn money this way, and Charlie would not be exposed to it. Mr Bryant insulted Ethel by questioning if she enjoyed her work and didn't want to give it up. Ethel did not think that Mr Bryant was a kind man, but she believed that he loves Charlie. She told him that she didn't want his money. She had realized that, when she decided to refuse their offer to adopt him and to keep him herself, it was for selfish reasons, and that they could give him the best life with the best upbringing and the best schools. Ethel is told by Mrs Bryant that she will write and send news about Charlie, but as they drive away Ethel watched him go and cried as if her heart was breaking. Isobel disagreed with her giving up her child, but supported her.

Ethel gave up prostitution as she had only been doing it to provide for Charlie, but he is now gone and she didn't care if she survived. Isobel then decided to hire Ethel at Crawley House as a maid. Mrs Bird, Mrs Crawley's cook and housemaid of long standing, resigned in protest against the decision to hire Ethel. Ethel was still treated as a fallen woman by many people in Downton village who knew her history. She was left crying in the street one day when the grocer's wife refused to serve her. Because of Ethel's past, Mr Carson forbade all downstairs personnel employed at Downton from visiting Crawley House. Defying this ban, Mrs Patmore agreed to give help to Ethel in the form of recipes when Ethel had to cook for Isobel, Violet, Mary, Edith, and Cora. She revealed herself to have learned well. Carson told Robert Crawley about the situation and he was angered enough that she was cooking for the ladies, that he burst in on their lunch demanding that they leave at once. They stay put and continue eating, whereupon Robert left.

In spite of her part in defending Ethel at the lunch, Violet insisted Ethel's past had touched the entire Crawley family in scandal, and without telling Ethel or Isobel, had Edith Crawley place an advertisement for Ethel in the paper. Even Mrs Hughes agreed this was an opportunity for Ethel to start her life over, without her past clouding her. Ethel looked over many responses, but none appealed to her, except one with a Mrs Watson, who lived in Cheadle, near where the Bryants live. She did not accept this position because she and Isobel agreed it would defeat the purpose of leaving her past behind her. Isobel told Violet about this and how she suspected the close proximity to Charlie was probably why Ethel was interested, but that the Bryants would find out sooner or later. Violet wrote to Isobel inviting her and Ethel to lunch and to Ethel's surprise, she found Mrs Bryant there. Violet had written to Mrs Bryant explaining the situation to her. Mrs Bryant told Ethel to accept the job with Mrs Watson. She said that she had always thought it wrong to keep a mother from her son, as long as he does not get confused at least until he is older. She also assured Ethel she would deal with Mr Bryant. Ethel, now a very changed woman, was happy to get to see her son. She put forward the idea that they will tell him that she used to work for them and was his former nanny. She said that as long as she could see and talk to him sometimes she would be happy.

Appearances

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

Notes

  • When she first began working at Downton it is possible that Ethel was taking the same position that Gwen Dawson formerly held. It is unlikely, given that Gwen left Downton in 1914 and Ethel joined in 1916, that she is the only person to have replaced Gwen.
  • Ethel decides to give Charlie to his grandparents to raise in May 1920 as she had ended up turning to prostitution to feed herself and Charlie and realised she couldn't give him the life he deserved.
  • After helping Ethel get in touch with Charlie's grandparents, Isobel Crawley hires Ethel as a cook in her household, much to the ire of her existing cook, Mrs Bird, who promptly quits her post due to Ethel's presence.
  • The Dowager Countess helps Ethel get in touch with Mrs Bryant to ask if she can see Charlie. Mrs Bryant agrees and Ethel leaves Mrs Crawley's employment.

References