Demelza Quartermaine
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| Portrayed by Maggie Smith | |
| Full Name | Demelza Quartermaine |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | Barony of Thornley |
| Date of Birth | 2nd February 1754 |
| Father | Mr. Earnshaw |
| Father's Rank | Unknown |
| Mother | Mrs. Earnshaw |
| Mother's Rank | Unknown |
| Town Residence | 1 Cavendish Square |
| Year of Debut | 1771 |
| Dowry | Unknown |
| Year of Marriage | Unknown |
| Spouse | 1. Robert, Baron Thornley; 2. George Quartmaine |
| Spouse's Rank | Rear-Admiral |
| Issue | Louisa, Baroness Candleford, Caroline Lattisley, Andrew Quartermaine |
Demelza Quartermaine, née Earnshaw, formerly Thornley, is a former character. She is fifty-seven years old, and currently living on Cavendish Square.
Demelza was played by Vix
Family
- Husband: Rear Admiral George Quartermaine (63)
- Son: Lieutenant Commander Andrew Quartermaine (26)
- Ex-husband: Robert, Baron Thornley (deceased)
- Daughter: Louisa, Baroness Candleford (38)
- Daughter: Caroline, Lady Lattisley (35)
- One son died in infancy
- Sister: Lady Clementina Boden, née Earnshaw (56)
- Great-niece: Felicity Staunton (18)
History
Miss Demelza Earnshaw was born in Hampshire in 1754 and had, by all accounts, a very old-fashioned but perfectly happy upbringing. She made a successful debut in 1771 and promptly married Baron Thornley, a wealthy landowner. The pair were married for ten years and had two daughters before Baron Thornley was killed by a fall from his horse. After the requisite mourning period had passed, Demelza married then-Commodore Quartermaine and had one son, who has followed his father into the Navy.
Personality
Demelza was once a popular debutante and society hostess, and remains popular among her own age group. Although she has not played the harpsichord in many years, or practiced any of her girlhood accomplishments for a long time, for that matter, she remembers her younger days well... and through rather rose-tinted glasses. Nothing these days is quite as good as it was back then. Part of what is to blame for this is, in her opinion, the increasing tendency of young people to do as they please. What are elders for if not to ensure that young people, with their lack of life experience and so forth, make the right decisions? Young people nowadays seem to think they know better than their parents and elders.
Her social success and long life have led her to be supremely confident; coupled with a naturally critical nature and the aforementioned rose-tinted glasses, this means she has a tendency to find fault. Given that she has, in her opinion, earned the right to do as she pleases by now, she is often extremely blunt, even rude, when she sees something she dislikes. Likewise, she can be equally blunt when she approves of something, and if she does like you, she will put herself out on your behalf.
Rather set in her ways, she is more likely to approve of people with conservative attitudes and behaviour, but will just occasionally take a contrary liking to someone if they amuse her.
Demelza has been a faithful wife to both husbands, but has never been in love with either of them. To her, marriage is a matter of convenience and politics, a social requirement and duty. This is how it should be among the upper classes - how else are they to keep standards up after all? The 'luxury' of marrying for love is distinctly lower class, in her opinion. However, she is contented in her marriage and has respected and felt some friendly affection towards both husbands.