Jane Dunford
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| Portrayed by Nicole Kidman | |
| Full Name | Jane Dunford |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | Duchy of Claitonborough, Marquessate of Abingdon |
| Date of Birth | 1759 |
| Father | Fitzwilliam Agnew |
| Father's Rank | Marquess of Abingdon |
| Mother | Alice Prescott |
| Mother's Rank | |
| Town Residence | Dunford House |
| Year of Debut | |
| Dowry | |
| Year of Marriage | |
| Spouse | Geoffrey Dunford (d. 1809) |
| Spouse's Rank | Duke |
| Issue | George (d. 1809), Anthony, Elizabeth |
Jane Dunford, neé Agnew, is the daughter of the late William Agnew, the 10th Marquess of Abingdon and his wife Catherine St. James Agnew. She is the wife to the late 11th Duke of Claitonborough, and mother to Anthony, Duke of Claitonborough and Lady Elizabeth Dunford.
Born in 1759 as the third and final child of the Marquess of Abingdon, Jane was raised to become an accomplished young lady. She succeeded magnificently and debuted in London in 1776. Although somewhat proud in bearing, or perhaps because of it, she attracted the attention of the affable Duke of Claitonborough, and the two were married in August of that year. The new duchess suffered two miscarriages before successfully carrying a son and heir to term: George Dunford, born 1782 and more commonly known as "Pang" (an abbreviation of his title, Lord Pangbourne). A second son, Anthony, followed two years in 1784. Having done her duty to her husband, Jane considered her task finished. She and her husband lived largely separate, but friendly, lives. They traveled to London annually and were a well known and well liked couple. Though not a love match, Jane grew fond of the duke, particularly because of his undisguised adoration of their children. Geoffrey was the warm, loving parent; Jane, the disciplinarian.
It was no small surprise, to both of them, that in 1792, some eight years after the birth of their last child, Jane fell pregnant once again. This time, a daughter joined the household. Jane's opinion (that she had done her duty and was quite finished being a mother) did not change, though she was not neglectful or disinterested in her daughter's upbringing. The boys flourished and went off two school, with Tony ultimately joining the navy. Lizzie proved to be a rather trying child; despite her parents' and governess's best efforts to mold her into a young lady, she grew increasingly hoydenish. The decision was made to send her away to school for further education and refinement. Their efforts met with limited success, and Lizzie was brought him in 1807 where she finished her education.
In 1809, tragedy struck the family when a carriage accident claimed the lives of both His Grace and Lord Pangbourne. Despite her personal devastation at the loss of her husband and child, Jane held strong as she and Lizzie awaited Anthony's return. The family has spent the last year grieving the loss and relearning how to function together in a single household. Now back in London, Jane has thrown herself in guiding Elizabeth through the social season. She has largely resigned herself to the fact that Lizzie meant it when she said she did not plan to marry this year, though she still holds out some hope.
Jane is a prominent member of the Ladies' Architectural Preservation Society, which aims to protect and preserve architecturally significant buildings in and around London. Her particular interest is in friezes, both interior and exterior.