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List of minor off screen characters/Acquaintances of the Crawley Family

< List of minor off screen characters
Revision as of 04:01, 11 November 2015 by Ehj666 (talk | contribs) (→‎Bertie Pelham's Mother)
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Tom Belasis

Tom Belasis is another acquaintance of Sybil who was killed in the war in 1916. He made her laugh out loud.

Appearances
Mention
Isobel: "Sybil, my dear, what's the matter?"
Sybil: "Tom Belasis has been killed."
Isobel: "What a terrible thing."
Sybil: "I remember him at Imogen's ball. He made me laugh out loud just as her uncle was giving a speech. Sometimes it feels as if all the men I ever danced with are dead."
— Episode 2.01

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Viscount Branksome

Viscount Branksome was the husband of the late Viscountess Branksome and the father of Evelyn Napier. Lord and Lady Branksome were acquaintances of Robert Crawley and his wife Cora. Robert describes Lord Branksome as a "dull dog" that only ever talks about racing. Cora tells Mary Crawley that Evelyn's mother is a dear friend of hers although she was unaware that she had died.

Appearances

Mention

Robert: "Branksome's a dull dog, but I don't suppose that matters."
Cora: "Did you know his wife had died?"
Robert: "He only ever talks about racing."
— Robert and Cora Crawley talk about Viscount Branksome.[src]

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Mr Bryn

Mr Bryn is the contact for the printer used by the Sketch, the publication Edith inherited from Michael Gregson. Edith is forced to deal diectly with the printer after sacking her editor, Mr Skinner.

Appearances
Edith: "Put it into Mr Bryn's hands."
Currier: "Yes mame."
— Episode 6.03

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Anne Chamberlain

Anne Chamberlain, née de Vere Cole (1883 – 12 February 1967) was the wife of British Minister Neville Chamberlain. She was born to Major William Utting Cole, of West Woodhay House. Her mother, Jane de Vere, was Irish, and traced her descent to the 15th Earl of Oxford; she would inherit Issercleran, Craughwell, County Galway in 1914.[1]

Patrick Crawley, the 6th Earl became her Godfather after serving with her father in the Crimean War.

Appearances
Robert: "Why would he say the word, and why would he ever come to Downton?"
Violet: "Neville Chamberlain's wife was born Anne de Vere Cole. Guess who was her Godfather?"
Robert: "You guess for me."
Violet: "Your late papa, the 6th Earl of Grantham. He and her father served in the Crimea when they were young. I have known her since she was born."
— Episode 6.05

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Mrs Chetwood

Mrs Chetwood (née Strallan) is the sister of Sir Anthony Strallan who wrote a letter to Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, with the recipe for his favourite desert, apple charlotte, since he was invited to dine at Downton Abbey as a possible suitor for Cora's daughter, Mary Crawley.

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Anne Chamberlain's Father

Major William Utting Cole was the father of Anne de Vere Cole, who would go on to marry Neville Chamberlain. Patrick Crawley, the 6th Earl would serve with major Cole in the Crimea.

Appearances

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Marion Darnley

Lady Marion Darnley is the wife of John Darnley and mother of Tim Darnley whose estate was sold and property auctioned in 1925.

Mention
Cora: "How was John when you spoke to him?"
Robert: "In a state. They're throwing in the towell. He says once the debts are paid there won't be too much left. Tim is emigrating to Kenya."
Cora: "Poor Marion, to be separated from her only son. She'll hate that."
— Episode 6.01

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Tim Darnley

Tim Darnley is the son of John and Marion Darnley whose estate was sold and property auctioned in 1925. He emigrated to Kenya sometime later.

Mention

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John Foyle, Lord Gillingham

Lord Gillingham was mentioned in a conversation by Lord and Lady Grantham during their House party in 1922. His son is Anthony Foyle, who has since become Lord Gillingham after his father's death.

Mention

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Dr T. Goldman

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T. Goldman is a gynecologist in London whom Edith visits in 1922 when she suspects she might be pregnant following the night she had spent with her lover Michael Gregson before his departure for Germany.
EdithLetter
Goldman later writes back to Edith, informing her that her symptoms do indicate early signs of pregnancy, and he looks forward to being of further assisstance to her in the future.

Appearances

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Peter Gordon

Peter Gordon once worked in the Foreign Office, where he befriended Patrick Crawley, whose father was the heir to Downton Abbey and the title Earl of Grantham. Peter later immigrated to Montreal in 1913, a year after Patrick drowned on the Titanic.

During World War I, when a wounded officer claimed to be the presumed dead Patrick Crawley, it was thought that he might actually be Peter Gordon, which would explain how the officer knew certain details of the family. Shortly after however, the officer disappeared, and it was never proven if he was Patrick Crawley, Peter Gordon, or someone else entirely.

Appearances

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Adela Graham

Adela Graham is cousin to Lord Hexam and the woman Bertie Pelham says is expected by the family that he will eventually marry.

Appearances
Edith: "And he's never wanted to marry?"
Bertie Pelham: "I wouldn't quite say that. It's always been sort of understood that he and his cousin, Adela Graham, will marry eventually."
Edith: "Understood by whom?"
Bertie Pelham: "By the two sets of parents."
— Episode 6.05

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Ada Grey

Ada Grey (Lady Merton) is the deceased wife of Richard Grey (Lord Merton). Richard states to Isobel that it was not a happy marriage as they were not well suited. He also explains that both his sons, Larry and Tim, "take after their mother, in every possible way."

Appearances
Richard Grey: "Mama redid all of these rooms in the 80s. She had good taste I think. Is one allowed to brag about one's mother?"
Violet: "So the late Lady Merton didn't change it?"
Richard Grey: "Ada, no. She didn't use it much. She thought it was rather drafty being so near the front door."
— Episode 5.02

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Mrs Henderson

Mrs Henderson gave a wireless radio to the hospital for the benefit of the patients.

Appearances
"I was at the hospital today and Mrs. Henderson has done the most generous thing and given a wireless to the ward so that they can listen to music and the news, sometimes even a play. I can't tell you how it brightens things up."
—Isobel Crawley episode 5.02

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Lady Jervas

Lady Jervas is an acquaintance of Anthony Strallan known at least to Edith, whom they visit after a concert for "a bite".

Appearances
Mention
"Excellent. Well, it's quite a hike, so I'll pick you up around 6:00? Lady Jervas has asked us for a bite to eat afterwards, if that's all right with your mother?"
—Anthony Strallan, Episode 1.06

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Casandra Jones

Casandra Jones is an advice columnist that Edith Crawley and Laura Edmunds are considering engaging for a column in the Sketch. Casandra Jones turns out to be a nom de plume for Septimus Spratt.

Appearances
Edith: "I'm not really here. I'm racing at Brooklands tomorrow, and thought I would pop in and see what's new."
Laura Edmonds: "Not much, oh although, we have had an offer today. I was going to ask you what you thought. Her name is Miss Casandra Jones. She thinks we should have an advice column."
— Episode 6.07

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Lady Ann McNair

Lady Ann McNair throws a house party in season one, inviting Mary. Violet says it is a terrible idea because Lady Ann doesn't know anyone under a hunderd.

Appearances
Mention
Violet: "How about some house parties?"
Cora: "She’s been asked to one next month by Lady Ann McNair."
Violet: "That’s a terrible idea. She doesn’t know anyone under a hundred."
— Episode 1.04

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The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk

The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk (possibly Augusta Mary Minna Catherine Lyons[2]), was a "dear friend" of Violet Crawley and, according to her, a fervent observer of the Catholic faith; Violet claimed that she was "more Catholic than the Pope."

Appearances

Mention

Mary: "Well you and Granny are ganging up against Tom!"
Violet: "Not me! The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk is a dear friend... and she's more Catholic than the Pope!"
— Mary Crawley and Violet Crawley, during dinner at Downton Abbey with Reverend Travis, over Tom Branson's wish to baptize his daughter Catholic.[src]

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Bertie Pelham's Father

Bertie Pelham's Father is dead, making Bertie next in line following the death of his cousin, the Marquess of Hexham in 1925.

Appearances

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Bertie Pelham's Mother

Bertie Pelham's Mother, upon the death of his cousin, the Marquess of Hexham was said to not get the point of him.

Appearances
Bertie Pelham: "Its just me and mother."
Cora: "You were joking when you said she was cock-a-hoop, but she must feel a certain pride."
Bertie Pelham: "I wasn't joking, but you can judge for yourself when you meet her."
— Episode 6.08

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Peter Pelham, 6th Marquess of Hexham

Peter Pelham, the 6th Marquess of Hexham, was the owner of Brancaster Castle, rented by Lord Sinderby in 1924 for the grouse hunt. His second-cousin once-removed and heir, Bertie Pelham, says that he loved to paint and that he was fond of being in the cities.

He had at least one aunt[3] and one female cousin[4].

Sometime between July 20 and August 29, 1925, Lord Hexham dies of maleria in a Moroccan port city known as Tangier. He died at age 39. His death makes Bertie Pelham the new Marquess of Hexham. His grandfather, presumably the third Marquess of Hexham, is the brother to Bertie's great-grandfather.

Appearances
Stowell: "They'd rather be taking orders from their own butler."
Lord Sinderby: "But I'd rather be giving them to mine. Lord Hexham didn't think it would be a problem."
— 2014 Christmas Special

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Lady Portsmouth

Lady Portsmouth was the mother of Annabelle Portsmouth and agreed to cover for Mary when she intended to sleep with Anthony Foyle.

Appearances

Episode 5.02 (Mentioned only)

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Annabelle Portsmouth

Annabelle Portsmouth was the daughter of Lord and Lady Portsmouth; Mary used her as an excuse - claiming that they were going on a sketching trip - to avoid revealing her plans to sleep with Anthony Foyle.

Appearances

Episode 5.02 (Mentioned only)

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Billy Russell

Billy Russell was mentioned by Mary Crawley to Sir Richard Carlisle. He was the son of the Russells, who lived at Haxby Park. His death during the First World War caused his parents much distress, and they decided to quit their ancestral estate, Haxby Park, which was bought by Sir Richard Carlisle while he was engaged to Lady Mary Crawley.

Appearances

Mention

Mary: "It's so empty. I didn't know they'd gone."
Richard Carlisle: " [The Russells] 've given up."
Mary: "You can't blame them. When Billy was killed, it knocked the stuffing out of them completely."
— Mary and Sir Richard Carlisle talk about the Russells and Haxby Park.[src]

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Lord Savident

Lord Savident is known to Thomas and by inference to the Crawley's. Thomas writes to Lord Savident regarding the curious death of Kemal Pamuk and the association with Lady Mary.

Appearances
Mention
O'Brien: "Who did you write it to?"
Thomas: "Only a friend of mine, valet to Lord Savident."
O'Brien: "You know what they say about Old Savident. “Not so much an open mind as an open mouth.” No wonder it’s all ‘round London."
— Episode 1.05

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Mr & Mrs Schroeder (or Schröder)

Mr and Mrs Schroeder live in Geneva, Switzerland, and adopted the illegitimate daughter of Edith Crawley and Michael Gregson after birth. However no formal agreement of adoption was made between them.

Edith later returned to Switzerland and reclaimed her daughter. The Shroeders later adopted another baby.

Appearances

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Lady Shackleton's sister

Lady Shackleton's sister, more commonly known as Mrs Talbot, is the mother of Henry Talbot; he shows up unexpectedly with Lady Shackleton to purportedly support Violet in her attempt to retain control of the Downton Cottage Hospital.

Appearances
Robert: "Who is this man?"
Cora: "I don't know. Her sister's son."
— Episode 6.04

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Billy Skelton

Billy Skelton was mentioned by Robert Crawley as not allowing hunting on his land. The Skeltons were also said to be mad by Mary Crawley and presumably are associated with Skelton Park mentioned in episode 1.01, which already had electricity in the kitchens, and the Skelton estate mentioned in episode 1.05.

Appearances

Mary: "Families like ours are always hunting families."
Robert: "Not always. Billy Skelton won't have them on his land."
Mary: "But all the Skeltons are mad."
— Episode 1.02

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Lady Steward

Lady Steward is an elderly acquaintance of the Crawley's whom Sybil claimed to be visiting, when in reality she is taking Gwen for an interview to be a secretary.

Appearrances
Mention
"I thought I’d pop in on old Mrs Steward. Will you tell Mama if I forget?"
—Sybil to her father, Episode 1.05.

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Maud, Lady Strallan

Maud Strallan, Lady Strallan (d. 1910[5] ) was the late wife of Sir Anthony Strallan who died in 1910 and the couple had no children in their marriage. When Sir Anthony was about to marry Edith, Dowager Countess Violet remarks to Reverend Travis that he looked as if he was awaiting a beating from the head master. When Travis asks if he should talk to him, Violet says that it would do no good, as Strallan had gone through this before and was presumably aware of all the facts. They comment that perhaps the first Lady Strallan was a hard act to follow, or to repeat.

Appearances

Mention

"Maud? Oh, she was awfully funny. Some people couldn't see it, but she was."
—Sir Anthony Strallan to Lady Edith.

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Madame Swann

Madame Swann is the dress maker for the Crawley's. In season one she is tasked with making a frock for Lady Sybil.

Appearances
Mention
Sybil: "Poor old Madame Swann. I don’t know why we bother with fittings. She always makes the same frock."
Edith: "What do you want her to make?"
Sybil: "Something new and exciting."
— Episode 1.04

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Duchess of Truro

The Duchess of Truro was an acquaintance of Violet Crawley's, who had requested Sir Philip Tapsell's services sometime before 1920. Tapsell safely delivered her three sons, thus securing the Dukedom's heirs and earning him much praise.

Appearances

Mention

Violet Crawley: "The dear Duchess of Truro is full of your praises, Sir Philip. Then, of course, you know that."
Sir Philip Tapsell: "She had quite a time when she was first married, but I said to her, "Never fear, Duchess, I'll get a baby out of you one way or another.""
Violet Crawley: "And so you did."
Sir Philip Tapsell: "Three boys. And as a result, a secure dynasty, I'm glad to say."
— An exchange between the Violet Crawley, and Sir Philip Tapsell, over dinner in 1920.[src]

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Lady Winborne

Lady Winborne is a friend of the Crawley's, who in the 2013 Christmas Special feels obligated to attend a concert and dinner she is giving.

Appearances

Robert: "Do we have to go to this?"
Cora: "Of course we do. Lady Winborne is kind enough to give a concert and dinner, and we should be grateful."
— 2013 Christmas Special

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Lady Wren

Lady Wren is an acquaintance of both Anthony Strallan and the Crawleys. Anthony Strallan asked after Edith at one of her parties.

Appearances
Mention
"Sir Anthony Strallan was at Lady Wren's party. He asked after you."
—Violet to Edith, Episode 1.07

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  1. ↑ Anne Chamberlain
  2. ↑ Violet mentions the Duchess as "Dowager" and being a dear friend; Violet is in her 70s in Series 3, and the 15th Duke's widow, Gwendolyn Constable-Maxwell, was only 43 at the time, and thus unlikely to be a "dear friend of Violet, being more than a generation out.
  3. ↑ In the 2014 Christmas Special, Robert mentions that, in the 1880s, the Hexhams were trying to "unload a niece", who is presumably Peter's aunt.
  4. ↑ Bertie mentions that the arrangement for Peter to marry his cousin is "understood" by "both sets of parents".
  5. ↑ In the book, Downton Abbey The Complete Scripts: Season One, a portion of the dialogue in the script in the scene in which Cora and Robert discuss Mary's dilemma and Cora suggests Anthony Strallan as a potential suitor, Cora indicates that Strallan is probably over the grief of losing his first wife because it's been two years since Maud's death. Robert asks why Strallan and Cora replies: "He's got no children. He needs an heir." (246).
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