Elizabeth Wingrave
 |
|
| Portrayed by (Sally Hawkins) | |
| Full Name | Elizabeth Wingrave, Baroness Comfield |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | Earldom of Morven, Barony of Comfield |
| Date of Birth | 1782-1807 |
| Father | George Hackett |
| Father's Rank | Earl of Morven |
| Mother | Elinor Hackett |
| Mother's Rank | Countess of Morven |
| Town Residence | {{{residence}}} |
| Year of Debut | 1800 |
| Dowry | £30,000 |
| Year of Marriage | 1800 |
| Spouse | Simon Wingrave |
| Spouse's Rank | Baron Comfield |
| Issue | Alexander Wingrave (1803-1809) |
Elizabeth, Baroness Comfield was born Lady Elizabeth Hackett, the younger daughter of the Earl of Morven and his wife Elinor. She is the sister of Augusta, Duchess of Leicester and Lord Selwyn. She married Lord Comfield in 1800 during her first season, bore him one son, who subsequently died, and died herself in childbirth in 1807.
In temperament, she was closer to her brother than to her sister. Lacking his education and intellect, she nevertheless shared qualities of a serious approach to her duty, a strong sense of justice and a discomfort in large social situations.
Early Years
Lady Eliza Hackett was brought up with her two siblings at Morven Castle. Her mother died when she was a young child and life in Dorset was isolated. Along with her elder sister, Eliza grew up with all the necessary accomplishments and a great desire to please and make a success of herself, in other words, make a good marriage. She took her position in life seriously and looked forward to a time when she could make her family proud.
After Augusta married the Duke of Leicester in 1797, Eliza felt a great deal of pressure to make an equally good marriage, something both she and her critical father thought unlikely to come to pass. Eliza was less handsome and much shyer than her sister. When the widowed Lord Comfield proposed to her in her first season, she jumped at the chance to marry an agreeable man of rank, even if he did have a daughter already, was somewhat older than her and was not quite on the same level of a Duke. She was happy simply to devote her life to being a good wife and mother, pleased to be taken away from the pressure of being on display during the season.