Helena Wriothesley
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| Portrayed by Kate Winslet | |
| Full Name | Helena Caroline Wriothesley |
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| Associated Noble House(s) | Viscounty of Delamere |
| Date of Birth | March 21, 1793 |
| Father | James Wriothesley |
| Father's Rank | Viscount Delamere |
| Mother | Matilda Wriothesley née Bertram |
| Mother's Rank | Viscountess Delamere |
| Town Residence | Middleton House, 113 Park Street |
| Year of Debut | 1810 |
| Dowry | £55,000 |
By nature passionate and extremely fond of romantic stories, Helena has the tendency naivite and overt sentimentalism. Every day she believes she is in love with a different person (imaginary or real) and she probably would have eloped by now (with some of the opportunists that surround her from time to time) if it weren’t for her father’s judicious actions and promises of better sorts of entertainment in order to set her mind off the beau du jour.
While Helena isn’t particularly intelligent, she benefits from a singular courage that often drives her to take desperate measures when it comes to getting what she wants, when she wants it and in what condition. Even so, thanks to her mother’s constant reproaches she is well aware of the social consequences of inconvenient boldness; hence she has developed a habit of scheming and relying on tricks, if she finds them necessary in order to carry out her daring plans. This attitude of hers has often resulted in a temporarily loss of her friends, though she tends to reconcile with them rather quickly by showering them with seemingly infinite kindness and confessing her frequently genuine regret.
Helena's most beloved companion is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Croquembouche.
Family
Father: James Wriothesley, Viscount Delamere, (1750-).
Mother: Matilda Wriothesley née Bertram, Viscountess Delamere, (1756-).
Aunt (maternal): Margaret Sterne née Bertram, Dowager Countess of Essex, (1754-).
Aunt (maternal): Gertrude Bertram, (1755-).
Cousin: Richard Sterne, 8th Earl of Essex, (1773-).
Cousin: Jane Middleton née Sterne, (1776-), married to Percival Middleton.
Cousin: Thomas Sterne, (1784-).
Aunt (paternal): Regina Beacham née Wriothesley, Countess of Petherton, (1758-), married to Henry Beacham.
Background
The news of Helena’s conception occurred to the Viscount and the Viscountess of Delamere as a most delightful surprise, for the couple had quite given up any hopes of having any children. Upon her birth, the fact that she was a girl displeased her mother who preferred her only child to be a boy; yet the Viscount couldn’t have been more delighted. With the latter’s happiness lasting throughout the coming years, Helena grew up in the midst of his father’s unlimited affection and attention, never lacking anything that a lady of her stance should have or desire: from neatly embroidered baby aprons, to a white pony and the best singing instructors.
Whatever idea Helena has of a proper behavior and discipline was attained through her mother’s care; who although disappointed in not being able to raise a proper gentleman, tried her best to at least bring up an admirable lady. Thus, Helena received an excellent education – at home, because her father simply wouldn’t accept parting with her by sending her to a boarding school – and although she was rather unfocused and light-headed she managed to acquire a proper schooling in French, social conduct and general knowledge; though her grasp on none of these were as impressive as the talent she showed in baking pastries which she obtained as a result of her sneaking into the kitchen all the time and pestering the cooks to get extra cookies and sweets.
Helena had her debut in London when she was seventeen; however once they had returned to their country estate at the end of the season, her elderly parents announced their decision to stay at their estate in Cheshire from then on due to the extreme fatigue they suffered throughout the journey and their stay in London. Nonetheless, being determined to be present at London for her second season, Helena undertook a series of rebellious strategies such as refusing to eat her dessert or sing for her father after suppers, which resulted in the Viscount’s allowing his precious daughter to go to London and stay with her cousin Lady Jane Middleton, on the grounds that she would be entirely obedient to the said lady – whose integrity they trust fully – and take the utmost care to write to her parents at least every other day.
Relationships
Family
Friends
Imaginary Suitors
Hammond Poore
Christiaan Van Devere, Bavarian Prince: