Richard Sterne

Richard Sterne

Portrayed by Douglas Hodge
Full Name	Richard Bartholomew Sterne
Title	Earl of Essex
Associated Noble House(s)	Earldom of Essex
Date of Birth	December 3rd, 1773
Father	Henry Sterne (deceased)
Father's Rank	Earl of Essex
Mother	Margaret Sterne
Mother's Rank	Dowager Countess of Essex
Town Residence	{{{residence}}}
Income	£10,000 p.a.
School	some European school (in reality nowhere)
University	some European university (in reality nowhere)
Year Attained Title	1793

NPC - played by Aida

Richard is the 8th Earl of Essex, nearing thirty nine, wealthy and single; however, he has a secret: he is mentally challenged. His condition has been kept a secret by his family, and it is assumed that he is terribly reclusive and spends most of his time travelling to exotic locations. Nevertheless, as no secret stays hidden forever, at least not entirely, there is rumour that he has or is going mad, for a variety of odd reasons which help rendering this rumour rather unbelievable. He has a valet who has been attending to him since he was a child and who accompanies him everywhere. Currently he spends most of his time at Essex Manor, although the person who truly runs the estate and the affairs of the Earl's lands is his sister, Lady Jane Middleton with the help of her husband. Richard also has a younger brother, Thomas, whom he is very fond of.

Family

Father: Henry Sterne, 7th Earl of Essex, (1744-1793).
Mother: Margaret Sterne née Bertram, Dowager Countess of Essex, (1754-).
Sister: Jane Middleton née Sterne, (1776-), married to Percival Middleton.
Brother: Thomas Sterne, (1784-).

Niece: Rebecca Middleton, (1797-).
Nephew: Sebastian Middleton, (1799-).

Aunt: Gertrude Bertram, (1755-).
Aunt: Matilda Wriothesley née Bertram, Viscountess Delamere, (1756-), married to James Wriothesley.
Cousin: Helena Wriothesley, (1793-).

Half-grand-uncle: Alfred Sterne, Colonel, (1744-).