Henrietta Freye
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| Portrayed by (Gwyneth Paltrow) | |
| Full Name | Henrietta Freye |
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| Associated Noble House(s) | Earldom of Bridgeton Earldom of Rotherham |
| Date of Birth | 25th November 1790 |
| Father | Simon Freye |
| Father's Rank | Baronet |
| Mother | Anna Freye |
| Mother's Rank | Lady |
| Town Residence | Cavisham House, 120 Mount Street |
| Year of Debut | 1808 |
| Dowry | £2000 (if she's lucky) |
Miss Henrietta Freye is the only daughter of Sir Simon Freye and sister to Julian and Gregory. She is the great-grand-daughter of the fourth Earl of Bridgeton and niece of the Countess of Rotherham. She is staying with her aunt Mrs. Greystone for the 1811 season.
Henrietta was created by Rose and may be played upon request.
Contents
Family
Father: Sir Simon Freye
Mother: Anna Freye née Morrison
Aunts: Dorothy Greystone and Lady Rotherham
Cousins: Richard, Robert, Viola and Olivia Fitzgerald
Background
Childhood
Henrietta Freye was born the 25th November 1790 in Suffolk as the only daughter and second child to Sir Simon Freye and his wife Anna. Her early childhood was happy but with the death of her mother in 1799 Hettys whole life changed. Henrietta was 9 at this time and missed her beloved mother very much and the once very vivid girl turned to a crestfallen teenager.
1799-1805: London
Her widowed aunt Mrs. Greystone helped the family by taking the girl with her to London and Hetty stayed there and got educated until she was 12. From 12-15 she was half a year with her aunt and half a year with her father and brothers. At first Henrietta was very unhappy about the fact that she had to leave her brothers and father at home and was very homesick. She felt she did not fit into the big city. But it was then when she and her aunt got very close. Henrietta sees a mother figure in her. Although Mrs. Greystone tried to fix Hettys shyness she did not succeed.
1805-1808: Taking care of her father
In the autumn of 1805 she was sent back to take care of her father and to help him with the household. In the next three years she learned how to manage a household and showed talent in managing money.
1808: Debut
Henrietta made her debut in 1808 in London. It was not easy for her to be out in society. She was crying nearly every evening at her bedroom because she was so stressed out by all the people and duties. But somehow the shy girl formed an attachment. Everyone - especially her aunt Mrs.Greystone - thought that there would be a wedding soon. However, before an engagement could be finalized, she was called back to the country due to the illness of her father.
1808-1811: Taking care of her father II
The next years she stayed with her father and tried to fix the family's finances.
1811: Trying to make a match
She is returning to town in 1811 for the first time since then and is staying with her aunt Mrs. Greystone in an effort to make a much needed match, due to the poor state of the family coffers. Henrietta knows she needs to be engaged soon or she will be to old to merry well. Also her small dowry gets her in the way. She is often with her cousins Viola and Olivia and the Devenish brothers who also stay at Mrs. Greystone's house.
Personality
The ones who know her would describe her as caring, idealistic, straight forward. But strangers or acquaintances would say she is a rather shy and awkward girl who is uncomfortable in society and often appears younger than she is. If she is with her loved ones she is the complete opposite of what she appears at social events. This is because she feel safe. But - because of her social awkwardness - she has not a lot of friends. To be honest, she has no friends at all. Her shyness and her very distanced attitude kept away any friends she could have made over the times. She loves horse riding and is very skilled at archery. She loves the outside but has to stay a lot of time with her ill father, which keeps her from the things she loves. But she loves her family more and she would never leave one of them behind. The girl tries to overcome her weaknesses but it is very hard for her. She is a very conscientious young woman who knows her duties and does the best to fulfil them. This is why she tries to be a more enjoyable company this season.
