Anthony Dunford
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| Portrayed by Heath Ledger | |
| Full Name | Anthony Simon William Dunford |
|---|---|
| Title | Duke of Claitonborough |
| Associated Noble House(s) | Dukedom of Claitonborough, Marquess of Pangbourne, Earl of Pangbourne, Viscount Whitchurch, Baron Dunford of Pangbourne |
| Date of Birth | 17 August, 1784 |
| Father | Geoffrey Simon George Dunford |
| Father's Rank | Duke of Claitonborough |
| Mother | Jane Elizabeth Dunford (neé Agnew) |
| Mother's Rank | Duchess of Claitonborough |
| Town Residence | Dunford House, 33 Upper Brook Street |
| Income | |
| School | Eton |
| University | |
Anthony Dunford is played by Liz
Family
- Geoffrey Simon George Dunford, 10th Duke of Claitonborough (father, born 1751, died September 1809)
- Jane Elizabeth Dunford (neé Agnew), Duchess of Claitonborough (mother, born 1759)
- George "Pangbourne" Geoffrey Paul Dunford, 11th Duke of Claitonborough (brother, born 1782, died October 1809)
- Lady Elizabeth Clarice Dunford (sister, born 1793)
- Alice Agnew, Marchioness of Abingdon (maternal aunt)
- Louis Agnew, Marquess of Abingdon (cousin)
- Lady Philippa Agnew (cousin)
- Lady Augustina Agnew (great aunt)
Background
Tony never expected to be a duke. His father and older brother were strong, healthy men of good character. Neither drank beyond their limits, gambled with money they didn't have, nor dallied with women they shouldn't. In short, Tony had no cause to believe that he would be anything more than Lord Anthony Dunford, second son.
Though some more cynical members of Society would have referred to George and Anthony as 'the heir and the spare', the duke and duchess never gave the boys any reason to think that they were both well loved and respected inside the family. True, they might have been a bit more strict with Pangbourne (as the future duke was known), allowing Tony to get away with more as a boy, but both accepted it as perfectly reasonable. After all, Pangbourne, as his named suggested, was, since the time he was born, the Marquess of Pangbourne and was to become the next duke, while Tony was to be...Tony.
The Dunford boys spent a delightful childhood at Claitonborough Hall and could often be found playing in the ruins of a Gothic abbey that lay on the property. With the arrival of younger sister, Elizabeth, Pangbourne and Tony easily adapted to the role of protective older brother, though Tony more so as he and Lizzie were kindred spirits.
Both boys attended Eton, and after leaving, Pangbourne attended Oxford University in preparation for his future role. Tony, however, who had never been particularly attentive to his studies, elected to join the Royal Navy at age 18. Rising quickly through the ranks to captain of HMS Adratta, he spent the last five years patrolling the waters near Jamaica, gaining experience. He had a verbal promise from his superior to eventual promotion to post-captain, which would have put him on the track to the admiralty in a few decades. Tony enjoyed his life in the West Indies and likely would have remained there for the rest of his days, buying a house, taking a colonial wife, and starting a family, had that terrible missive not arrived from his family's solicitors.
In December of 1809, Tony was summoned by his superior. When he arrived, he was greeted by a somber man dressed in black. To Anthony's horror, he was informed that there had been a terrible carriage accident that had taken the life of his father three months prior, in September. When the solicitor had set sail, Tony's older brother was in grave condition, but he had no information beyond that. Anthony requested, and promptly received, permission to return to England. Upon his arrival in March of 1810, he discovered that not only had his father died, but Pangbourne had succumbed to his injuries nearly six weeks after their father's death. A letter had been sent, but because of the rapidness of Tony's departure, the ship with the letter had missed the ship carrying Tony. Thus in the period of six months, Lord Anthony Dunford, consummate second son, found himself bereft of a father and a brother and had become Anthony, Duke of Claitonborough. Though he has adapted, though not very well, to this role, he would give it up in a heartbeat to have his father and brother back.
Trivia
Anthony is right-handed.