Robert Vickery

Robert Vickery

Portrayed by Kevin Zegers
Full Name	Robert William Vickery
Title	The Honourable Robert Vickery
Associated Noble House(s)	Viscountcy of Saltash
Date of Birth	20th October 1782
Father	James Vickery
Father's Rank	Viscount Saltash
Mother	Charlotte Vickery (nee von Alfeld)
Mother's Rank	Viscountess Saltash
Town Residence	Saltash House
Income	£5000 allowance (+ income of Linwood Park)
School	Winchester
University	Cambridge (Gonville and Caius College)

Robert Vickery is the eldest son, and the heir, to James and Charlotte Vickery, the Viscount and Viscountess Saltash. His younger brother John is currently serving in Lord Wellington's army in Spain as a Captain in the 60th Rifles. Robert is played by Sharpie

Family

See also Vickery Family

Father: James Vickery, third Viscount Saltash (b. 1756, acceded to the title in 1783. Fought in America.)

Mother: Charlotte Vickery (nee von Alfeld) (b. 1763)

Brother, John (b. 1785) (currently serving in the Army in Spain with the 60th Rifles)

Sister, Emma (b. 1790)

Sister, Laura, (b 1787, d 1788)

Sister, Elizabeth (b 1793, d 1795)

Uncles: Edward (b. 1744, d. 1781), George, John Asquith, James Reynell

Aunt: Ariadne, Laura, Anne

Cousins: David (b. 1768), St John (b. 1770), Edward (b. 1776), Richard (b 1776), Charlotte, nee Asquith (b. 1781), Kit (b. 1782), Lucinda (b. 1786), Jonty (b. 1791), Georgiana (b. 1793), William (b. 1795), Laura (b. 1797), Miranda (b. 1800), Edward (b 1803)

Appearance and Personality

Robert Vickery, dressed for an evening out

Robert stands a stately five feet nine inches tall, and has grey eyes and dark brown hair, which he wears perhaps a shade longer than is strictly fashionable, although not remarkably so. He dresses neatly but not showily, preferring to show his wealth and status in the fabric and cut of his clothing. In common with other gentlemen of the period, he wears tastefully (but not gaudily) patterned waistcoats in silk or satin.

He is more of an outdoors type than a stay-at-home scholar, but does not have the adventurous streak his younger brother has which led to John's taking a commission in the Army. He is, however, a keen rider and hunter, but prefers fishing to shooting. He is far too much enamoured of the comforts of life to willingly give them up. Robert is good-humoured and easy-going, preferring to look on the bright side of things. He is polite and tactful – or tries to be, although sometimes he can be a little brash. He is confident in his position in society, a little demanding at times because of his upbringing, but not to the point of being rude. While neither staid nor dull, he is nevertheless more serious than either of his younger siblings, in part because he is the heir and feels the responsibility of his position, and in part because it is a natural part of his character. When he shows a flash of wit, it tends to the drier side of humour, and it is possible to mistake a joke for a serious comment as he keeps a straight face during the delivery of such flashes of inspiration.

Schooldays

Robert went to school at Winchester, where he boarded despite the school's relative proximity to the family home. He was not a particularly distinguished scholar, although he was not a complete dunce. Despite this, he went to Cambridge University where he attained his degree in Classics at Gonville and Caius College.

While at school, he made friends with Leander Grenfell and Henry Layton, the latter of whom also went up to Cambridge (albeit to King's College rather than Caius).

Attempted Grand Tour 1802-03

In 1802, three things happened that would change Robert's life: His brother John joined the Army as an Ensign in the 45th Foot; his sister Emma went away to school in Bath, and peace was declared between Britain and France. With the advent of peace (the first time Britain had not been at war since Robert's childhood), Robert determined to go on a Grand Tour of Europe as his father had. Taking a tutor, and with the advantage of his fluency in German, his planned route lay through Hanover, Prussia, Saxony, then into Austria and on into Italy. Traditionally, a gentleman would go on his Grand Tour after completing his degree, but Lord Saltash did not expect the peace to last and persuaded Robert to take his tour earlier.

Lord Saltash was proved right before Robert and his tutor had reached Saxony, and they were forced to retrace their step northwards, heading for the coast to try to find a vessel willing to take them back to England. It was during this period of travelling through what was rapidly becoming enemy territory that Robert discovered he had no real taste for adventure and was quite willing to leave all that sort of excitement to his younger brother.

University Years

Despite not being the most studious of young men, Robert went up to Gonville and Caius College (more commonly known as Caius College), Cambridge, where he studied Classics, graduating in 1806

Present Day

Robert Vickery by Sir Thomas Lawrence, c. 1804

Robert has settled down to become a gentleman of leisure and a man about Town, having not much more to recommend him other than his degree and being the heir to the Saltash title and the Hampshire estate. He is hoping to marry this season, and to marry well. Or rather, he doesn't much mind if he marries this year, but feels he ought to make the effort to look for a suitable bride because it will get his mother off his back.

On Saturday 11th May, he was driving in the vicinity when Mr and Miss Hutchinson were unfortunate enough to take a tumble into the Serpentine in Hyde Park. He then conveyed them home in his curricle.

At the ridotto in Vauxhall, he and his sister came upon Elise Hampton who had just concluded a conversation with the Duke of Leighton. Robert and Elise talked together and the conversation culminated in a proposal of marriage, although Elise asked for a week's grace in which to consider her reply.

Engagement

Robert's engagement gift for Elise; the stones are L-R diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz, the initial letters spelling 'DEAREST'

Robert had known Elise for several years, thanks to visits to Jubilee Court, the Marquess of Emerson's home, and his acquaintance with Elise deepened as they moved in the same circles, 1811 being the year of her debut. Things culminated at the Ridotto in Vauxhall Gardens on Tuesday the 14th May, when Robert and Emma came across Elise, in a private conversation with the Duke of Leighton. Intending to pass by and not interrupt, they were unable to withdraw before being seen, and Elise requested that Robert walk with her a little. The conversation came round to his deepening feelings for her and culminated in a proposal of marriage, which Elise answered with a request that he give her a week in which to consider her response.

On Thursday morning, Robert called to take Elise for a drive, or a walk, having declared his intention at Almack's to renew his proposal the following week. During their walk in Hyde Park, Elise mentioned her desire to answer his question and he went to one knee to renew his proposal there and then.. They returned to Emerson House to break the news to Lady Emerson and for Robert to ask Lord Emerson's permission for the match, after which they went to Saltash House to inform Robert's family. While there, he presented her with a 'dearest' locket - inlaid with diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire and topaz, the initial letters of the stones spell 'dearest' - as a token of his affection and a sign of their engagement

Odds and Ends

He is a member of Boodle's (as are his father and brother).

His gelding is named Phrixus.

He is a keen hunter and angler.

There are rumours he once challenged a man to a duel.

Currently has a regular bit-on-the-side called Valeria Raworth, an opera dancer.

Drinks tea and coffee with milk/cream but without sugar.

He sings baritone.

Friends, Enemies and Other Acquaintances

Friends

Henry Layton, Earl Parry

Other Acquaintances

Captain Benjamin Blackwood

Miss Sybilla Grenfell

George Hackett, Lord Selwyn

Miss Elise Hampton

Lord Gabriel Pritchard

Miss Katherine Winter

Miss Caroline Gardiner

Blake Pritchard, Lord Emerson

Threads

Monday 6th May

Hyde Park Horseplay Riding in Hyde Park, Robert and Emma meet Matilda and Sybilla Grenfell

Riding in Rotten Row Robert and Emma meet Henry Layton and his sister Catherine McAvoy

Monday Morning You Sure Look Fine Calling on the Cranes

To Call Upon a Friend Robert, Emma and Lady Saltash call on the Grenfells

Tuesday 7th May

A Delivery of Flowers to de Grave House Robert sends flowers to Sybilla after their meeting in Hyde Park

An idea of good company Robert and Emma call on Elise Hampton

Wednesday 8th May

We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once First dance at Almack's, with Elise Hampton
To Dance by Candlelight Robert dances with Katie Winter at Almack's
Custom Has Made Dancing Sometimes Necessary for a Young Man Robert dances with Caroline Gardner at Almack's

Thursday 9th May

An Afternoon Call A friend of Captain Vickery's, Captain Blackwood, comes to call
Billiards for Two After Blackwood's call, Robert heads to his club where he meets George Hackett, newly returned to Town

Friday 10th May

And Without Thorn, the Rose Robert calls on Elise Hampton

Saturday 11th May

All Your Ducks in a Row Robert rescues the Hutchinsons from the depths of the Serpentine and gives them a lift home

Monday 13th May

Just Another Manic Monday Robert calls on the Hutchinsons after their ordeal on Saturday
Fripperies and Further Fun While out in Bond Street, Robert meets Lady Olivia Fitzgerald and her mother Lady Rotherham
Once Upon a Time in Fair London Town The receiving line for Emma's birthday ball
And Now I'm Shining Bright First dance, with Elise Hampton
Shall We Dance? Second dance of the evening, with Sybilla Grenfell
Our Moonlight Revels Third dance, with Henrietta Freye

Tuesday 14th May

Sing a Song of Sixpence, A Pocket Full of Rye Elise talks with Nicholas Gosling the Duke of Leighton; Robert and Emma come across them
Four and Twenty Blackbirds A chat with Elise and a surprise proposal

Wednesday 15th May

Sweet Treats for Three Trip to Gunter's with Elise, Emma and Drusilla Mortemain
People Fall in Love in Mysterious Ways Courting continues at Almack's

Thursday 16th May

• Six impossible things before breakfast Robert has a conversation with Drusilla Mortemain
• Counting the Steps to the Door of Your Heart Robert takes Elise for a walk in Hyde Park
• My Happiness Hangs in This Balance Robert's interview with Lord Emerson and Gabriel Pritchard
• I vow to make you happy now and forever Robert and Elise break the news to Robert's family
• Make a house a home Robert returns home to discuss the much needed repairs of Linwood Park with his father's confidential secretary

Fitzgerald Ball

They have their exits and their entrances Arriving at Rotherham House

• First Dance: She doth teach the torches to shine bright (with Elise Hampton)
• Second Dance: If you will patiently dance in our round (with Lady Julianne)
• Third Dance:
• Fourth Dance: Dance Like Nobody is Watching (with Lady Olivia)
• Fifth Dance:
• Sixth Dance: Casus Bellum (with Miss Pritchard)

Friday, 17th May

• Try to Catch the Deluge in a Paper Cup Robert sees Dr Adam Faulkner in Hyde Park when returning from running an errand

Referenced Threads

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