Eleanor Clare
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| Portrayed by Felicity Jones | |
| Full Name | Eleanor Catherine Clare |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | Marquessate of Avening |
| Date of Birth | 4th January 1795 |
| Father | Edward Clare |
| Father's Rank | Gentry |
| Mother | Catherine Clare (nee Bentley) |
| Mother's Rank | Gentry |
| Town Residence | Avening House, 18 Hanover Square |
| Year of Debut | 1812 |
| Dowry | £15,000 |
Eleanor Clare is the only daughter of Edward and Catherine Clare. She is sixteen years old, has a fortune of £15,000 and is not yet out. Since her father remarried Miss Selina MacAlistair Eleanor has been at boarding school near Bath. She has recently joined her step-mother in London where she has met her guardian, Lord Avening. Eleanor's reserve and painful shyness conceals a keenly intelligent observer.
Eleanor is played by Rose.
Family
Edward Clare (deceased) - father
Catherine Clare (deceased) - mother
Selina Clare - step-mother
Oscar Moncrieff, Marquess of Avening - guardian and paternal second-cousin
Lady Gwendolyn Moncrieff - paternal first cousin once removed
Background
Childhood: 1795-1806
Eleanor was born into a happy family, a long desired child. Her father, though ten years older than his wife, was a kind man though not especially clever and his wife all that was sweet and lovely. Mr. Clare was one of the wealthiest men in Somerset, owning Shotley Park, an estate just outside Bath, and his wife the only child of Sir Roland Bentley of Clifton Hall in Kent. When Eleanor was only 4, however, Mrs. Clare died in complications surrounding the birth of Eleanor's younger brother. The boy died a week later as well. From that time on, Eleanor and her father, equally heartbroken, devoted themselves to each other. As Mr. Clare's health worsened and he became afflicted with gout, Eleanor was a source of comfort to him.
As time went on, however, and the Clares visited Bath more often and Eleanor grew older, Mr. Clare began to think of remarrying. His daughter would need a mother when she became a young lady and he began to long for some more grown up companionship. In the Autumn of 1805 he married Miss Selina MacAlistair, a young, pretty and apparently modest young woman who had shown a suitable devotion to his daughter. Eleanor instinctively hated her new step-mother and Mr. Clare was soon persuaded to send her to school.
School: 1806-1811
Eleanor has been at Miss Pirbright's, a select seminary for young ladies just outside Bristol since the age of 11. At school she learned all the feminine accomplishments, including dancing, drawing and music. However, her excessive shyness meant that she never became more than competent at anything involving performance. She plays the pianoforte nicely but despite having a tolerable voice, sings very badly. Her drawing again is pretty but nothing extraordinary. She enjoys reading poetry and improving books and has a strong religious conviction. She is also physically tough and rather stronger than her demeanor would suggest. She enjoys outdoor sports such as pall mall.
Eleanor made a few friends with like-minded girls but she was not wildly popular. Her best friend was Becky Pickwell.
1810 to the present
Mr. Clare died in 1810 while Eleanor was at school. In his will, he left her guardianship to his cousin Lord Avening but he was content to leave her in school and her care to Mrs. Clare. This would have continued at least until summer 1811 and possibly longer depending on how long she spend at school if the seminary had not been struck by an outbreak of diphtheria and forced to close. All healthy girls were sent home and in April 1811 Eleanor was abruptly sent to London to her step-mother.
Since arriving in London she has met her guardian Lord Avening and his sister, Lady Gwendolyn Moncrieff. Despite not being out, Eleanor found herself included in an invitation to the Brixton House Party because of her connection to Lord Avening. There he proposed that she came and lived with him.
Eleanor did not decide immediately whether to accept Lord Avening's offer, but the decision was forced on her on Wednesday 24th April 1811 when she found Captain Sterne in her step-mother's apartments. Unable to endure living in such circumstances, she ran away and subsequently lived with her guardian and Lady Gwendolyn.
She has quickly settled into like with the Moncrieffs and become friends with Lady Gwendolyn. She has also reprised her childhood friendship with Elise Hampton and become friends also with Lady Elizabeth Dunford and her brother The Duke of Claitonborough. This has led to her name even being mentioned in the Society News in connection to his, which has caused Eleanor some consternation, as she is developing strong feelings for him. Following their meeting at the Ridotto, she is convinced that he wants nothing to do with her.
Eleanor still remains very shy but as the season progresses and she meets more people, she is starting to exert herself more in conversation. This was particularly apparent when she covered up for Dr. Meredith at the Ridotto when he seemed particularly embarrassed.
Relationships
Friends
Elise Hampton: Best friend from childhood. Her estate, Jubilee Court was close to Eleanor's grandparents' estate, Clifton Hall. They have not seen each other for many years.
Lady Gwendolyn Moncrieff: Eleanor doesn't know her guardian's sister very well yet but she is inclined to like her and looks forward to spending more time with her.
Becky Pickwell: Eleanor's closest friend from her boarding school.
Lady Imogen Rathbone: Lady Imogen always seemed a friend of her step-mother's in Bath but here in London, Eleanor finds her quiet good humour very pleasing.
Lady Elizabeth Dunford: Eleanor doesn't know her well yet but wants to like her because she likes her brother.
Harriet Fforde: Eleanor likes Miss Fforde but is subconsciously envious of her flirtation with the Duke of Claitonborough.
Lord Wyck: Eleanor met Lord Wyck at Brixton and found him a very gentlemanly man, almost paternal.
Evander Whinging: Eleanor spoke to Mr. Whinging briefly at the Brixton masquerade and despite both being very shy, they got along well.
Susannah Hutchinson: Eleanor met Miss Hutchinson when walking in the park and though they did not speak much, Eleanor liked her.
Georgiana, Lady Louth: Eleanor met Lady Louth with Miss Hutchinson and was very grateful to her common sense in sorting out a dispute between her step-mother's maid and Miss Hutchinson's.
Sybilla Grenfell: They both went to the same school in Bath
Emma Vickery: Another young lady from the same school though they do not know each other very well
Anne Gibson: Met her through Lady Louth and they get on well
Theodore Meredith: When Eleanor fainted at the opera, Dr. Meredith was on hand and she liked him very much
Crushes
Anthony Dunford, the Duke of Claitonborough: Eleanor met him in church where they shared a strangely intimate conversation. She doesn't know what a crush is, but she definitely has one.
Enemies
Selina Clare: Eleanor's relationship with her step-mother is strained. Eleanor thinks she is responsible for sending her away to school and separating her from her father.
Captain Sterne: Eleanor always distrusted Captain Sterne, but after seeing him in a state of undress with Selina, this dislike has boiled over into absolute loathing.
Diana Osbourne: A thoroughly horrible young woman
Thread Tracking
Tuesday 9th April
Wednesday 10th April
- A Walk around the Park[3]: Selina and Eleanor meet Pandora in the park
Thursday 11th April
- Morning Calls on Mrs Clare[4]: Oscar calls on Selina and Eleanor
- The Art of Observing[5]: Oscar and Eleanor meet Lady Newburry and St John at the art gallery
- In Search of the Enchantress[6]: Eleanor escapes from Selina and Thomas in Hyde Park
- A Prettyish Kind of Wilderness[7]: Eleanor runs into Lord Sylvester
- Teatime Manners[8]: Tea at the Duchess of Beaumont's. Eleanor meets Lady Natalie.
Sunday 14th April (Easter Sunday)
- St George's: Easter Sunday[9]: Eleanor realises who the Duke is
- St George's: Music and Merit[10]: Conversation with Lizzie, Harriet, and Imogen
- St George's: After the Service[11]: Eleanor is introduced to Lady Gwendolyn
Tuesday 16th April
- Spring Has Sprung[12]: Meeting Georgiana, Sukey, and Polly in Hyde Park
Wednesday 17th April
- A Letter to Miss Clare[13]: Correspondence between Eleanor and Elise
Friday 19th April (Brixton)
- Now that we're here...[14]: Eleanor arrives at Brixton with Lord Avening, Lady Gwendolyn, and Lady Sylvia
- To Guard an Heiress[15]: Lord Avening invites Eleanor to live with him
- On The Terrace[16]: Eleanor meets Lord Wyck on the terrace
- Old Friend, New Situation[17]: Eleanor talks to her old friend, Elise Hampton, after dinner
- Late Night Bonding[18]: Eleanor talks to Gwen in her bedroom
Saturday 20th April (Brixton)
- Passing on Morgana[19]: Gwen gives Eleanor her Morgana costume for the Masquerade
- When the soul is touched with passion's flame, we look around and ask - who burns the same?[20]: Lord Wyck mistakes Eleanor for Gwen
- Quiet Corners[21]: Eleanor meets Evander Whinging at the masquerade
Wednesday 24th April
- An Irreligious Awakening[22]: Eleanor sees Selina and Captain Sterne together in the morning
- Lost in London[23]: Eleanor runs away from Selina's and bumps into James and Polly Tibbord
- Brotherly Duties[24]: The Duke of Claitonborough and Lady Lizzie deliver Eleanor to Oscar's house
Monday 29th April
- Satisfying One's Curiosity[25]: Lizzie calls on Eleanor at Oscar's
Friday 3rd May
- Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life[26]: Eleanor sees her own portrait at Basil's exhibition and talks to Lady Imogen
- No more than were I painted I would wish this youth should say 'twere well...[27]: Lady Louth introduces Eleanor to Mrs. Armstrong and Miss Gibson
Sunday 5th May
- Church Crush[28]: With Tony after church
- Let's All Give Thanks[29]: Meets Olivia and Lizzie with Tony after church
Monday 6th May
- Dissecting the Party[30]: With Gwen in the early morning
Tuesday 7th May
- A Common or Garden Call[31]: Calls on Anne Gibson and meets Sukey Hutchinson
- "You might like Miss Clare"[32]: Meets Kit Carlisle and his sister at the opera
- There is a Doctor in the House[33]: Eleanor faints at the opera and is brought round by Teddy Meredith
Wednesday 8th May
- Ordinarily not in these pages[34]: Eleanor finds out about her mention in the Society News
- Crumpets and conversation[35]: Calls on Elise with Gwen
Thursday 9th May
- Filled to the brim with girlish glee[36]: The Duchess of Beaumont and Lady Natalie call
Friday 10th May
- A Call on a Friend[37]: Calls on Lady Louth
Saturday 11th May
- Listen, do you want to know a secret?[38]: With Gwen in her bedroom
Sunday 12th May
- The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations[39]: Meeting Aubrey Sayre with Gwen at church
Monday 13th May
- Luck and Opportunity[40]: Meeting Frederick Moncrieff at Avening House
- Astronomy at Midafternoon[41]: Eleanor and Gwen see Ralph Stiles and Basil Brett's studio and run into Stella Gray
Tuesday 14th May
- But soft! what light through yonder window breaks?[42]: Eleanor can't sleep in the early hours and is observed by James Osbourne
- Luck and Opportunity[43]: Meeting Frederick at Avening House
- The Flowers of Youth[44]: Meeting Natalie Relmsey in Hyde Park
- A large delivery to Avening House[45]: Aubrey sends Eleanor a birdcage
- RA: Pictures at an Exhibition[46]: Meeting John Bartram after the Turner Lecture
The Ridotto
- Hello, little girl[47]: Getting separated from Lady Sylvia at the Ridotto, Eleanor ends up with James, Diana and Thomas
- I Got Chills... They're Multiplying...[48]: With Tony, Lizzie and Teddy at the Ridotto
Wednesday 15th May
- The conference of the sheepdog and the greyhound[49]: Eleanor talks to Oscar about the Ridotto
- To Miss Eleanor Clare[50]: Becky writes to Eleanor
- Notions of Friendship[51]: Becky arrives and calls
Thursday 16th May
- Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love[52]: Eleanor calls on Lizzie and Tony
Friday 17th May
- I see your Jack, and raise you a Queen[53]: Eleanor is invited to a card party at Emerson House and sees Elise