Margaret Sterne
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| Portrayed by Claire Skinner | |
| Full Name | Margaret Jane Sterne |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | Earldom of Essex |
| Date of Birth | September 19th, 1754 |
| Father | Charles Bertram |
| Father's Rank | ? |
| Mother | Jane Bertram née Atkins |
| Mother's Rank | ? |
| Town Residence | {{{residence}}} |
| Year of Debut | 1771 |
| Dowry | £? |
| Year of Marriage | 1771 |
| Spouse | Henry Sterne |
| Spouse's Rank | Earl of Essex |
| Year of Widowhood | 1793 |
| Issue | Richard (1773), Jane (1776), Thomas (1784) |
NPC - played by Aida
Margaret is the eldest daughter of Charles and Jane Bertram and is the Countess of Essex. Her two younger sisters are Gertrude, a rigid spinster, and Matilda, Viscountess Delamere.
Though quite beautiful and very polite, Margaret was never known for her willpower or the ability to express her opinion, and she spent most of her life obeying the will of first her parents, then her husband, and now her daughter. The only two instances in which she has proved to possess an ounce of willpower were when she firmly demanded that the condition of her first son, Richard, should be kept secret; and when she sent her younger son, Thomas, to live with his half-grand-uncle, Colonel Sterne, instead of being brought up under the influence of the only sane man around: Percival Middleton, Jane's wealthy - merchant of a - husband.
Currently, Margaret spends most of her time at Essex Manor with her son, Richard. She does not have many friends and avoids most social events, fearing that if she does her secret will be revealed one way or the other.
Family
Husband: Henry Sterne, 7th Earl of Essex, (1744-).
Son: Richard Sterne, 8th Earl of Essex, (1773-).
Daughter: Jane Middleton née Sterne, (1776-), married to Percival Middleton.
Son: Thomas Sterne, (1784-).
Father: Charles Bertram, ?, (1725-1788).
Mother: Jane Bertram née Atkins, ?, (1730-1756).
Sister: Gertrude Atkins, (1755-).
Sister: Matilda Wriothesley née Atkins, Viscountess Delamere, (1756-), married to James Wriothesley.
Granddaughter: Rebecca Middleton, (1797-).
Grandson: Sebastian Middleton, (1799-).
Brother-in-law: James Wriothesley, Viscount Delamere, (1750-).
Niece: Helena Wriothesley, (1793-).
