George Haverleigh

George Haverleigh

Portrayed by Matthew Rhys
Full Name	George Haverleigh
Title	Mr Haverleigh
Associated Noble House(s)	none
Date of Birth	29th October 1770
Father	Henry Haverleigh
Father's Rank	Gentleman
Mother	Elizabeth Haverleigh
Mother's Rank	Gentry
Town Residence	18 St. James Square
Income
School
University
Year of Marriage	1799
Spouse	Frederica Haverleigh
Spouse's Rank	Gentry
Issue	George Arthur, Margaret, Elizabeth, Henry, Catherine

George Haverleigh is played by Nikki

Family

• Father: Henry Haverleigh (b. 1730)
• Mother: Elizabeth Haverleigh (b. 1746)
• Sister: Catherine Blackmore, nee Haverleigh (b. 1773)
• Brother: Phillip Haverliegh(b. 1777)
• Wife: Frederica Haverleigh, nee Bexley (b. 1778)
• Children:
  • George Arthur Haverleigh (b. 1799), son
  • Margaret Haverleigh (b. 1802), daughter
  • Elizabeth Haverleigh (b. 1805), daughter
  • Henry Haverleigh (b. 1808), son
  • Catherine Haverleigh (b. 1810), daughter
• Brother-in-law: Perry Bexley

Background

George was born on a cold October night, where his cries and shrieks battled the winds howling outside until he was bundled up tight and fed. Because Mrs. Haverleigh had so insistently thought that George was going to be a girl, he went on as nameless baby Haverleigh for two days before his father decided a child with no name was ridiculous and picked the first proper boy’s name he could think of. George grew up happy and loved, his parents doing their best to make sure his needs were met and most of his wants as well, but was always well reminded he was blessed to have a life they had.

He learned to love books and stories, often times getting his siblings and the two Bexley children next door to join in on recreations of the stories he had read that night or something he just thought up off the top of his head. He liked playing the hero best, but would let the other’s take their turn fighting off evil and coming home the victor.

Shooting was something introduced to George at a young age, and grew excited every time the season came around. Shooting always meant time with the men, hanging out in the woods and not worrying about anything except having fun and getting a prize. George had never felt more grown up than when his father let him have his own gun and told him teach Perry and Phillip the ropes.

George eventually grew to be a young man and at his parents' urging, decided to attend Cambridge University. University was fun; he made new friends, got drunk for the first time, and learned how to sew crudely. When he came home from his first year, his mother had listened patiently with a small smile on her lips as he gushed about all his new experiences and finally when he settled her one question was, “And did you meet any nice ladies?”

George had always noticed women, especially if one was pretty or had a nice voice or could make him laugh, but he had never really found anyone that truly made him feel anything other than a small crush. It wasn’t until a few years later, when George was visiting home did he realize one of his childhood friend had grown up quite noticeably, and rather well at that. Freddie, or Miss. Bexley as he now had to call her, was no longer the small child who would run behind him and laugh without control while her hems became caked in mud. No. She had grown into a very stunning woman, who had one of the most charming smiles that made George almost choke on his tea the first time he saw it.

To his astonishment, they easily were able to slide back into the friendly chatter and teasing they had held as children, his nerves gone when he noticed she was still the same girl he had been friends with all those years ago. George had thought he has been obvious with his affections and was surprised when his mother told him he needed to make a true claim on the girl otherwise he might be left in the dust when some other gentleman came to sweep Miss. Bexely off her feet.

George kept his mother’s advice in the back of his mind, continuing his easy friendship with Miss. Bexley until the Christmas ball when Miss. Bexley suddenly placed her hand in the crook of his arm. When he turned a smile towards her, he was surprised to see her looking a bit worried and when she whispered rather pleadingly that if he did not ask her, someone else would.

"Oh? Of course, Miss Bexley--what is the next dance? I should be happy to--"

"Not the dance, George."

To his credit he only froze for a few moments, unsure whether she was implying what he thought she was and then took her off to the side to make sure it was what she truly wanted. It was only after her reassurances that he was what she wanted that he felt confident enough to ask for her hand that night, the two of them keeping close until they could share the news with his family. George could not stop grinning as his mother wrapped her arms around Miss Bexley and told her she was now officially her daughter.

Their engagement was long, due to them needing to wait until she turned twenty-one so she could make her own choice, and completely secret except from his family and her younger brother. Many times when they would walk along the grounds together, her hand just brushing his, George thought he would go out of his mind from not being able to even hold the hand of his fiancée. But soon three years passed and George could hardly believe how bravely Freddie walked into her father’s study to let him know that she was going to get married to George and that there was nothing he could do to stop her.

They were married on a warm midsummer's day and nine months later had the pleasure of welcoming their first child George Arthur into the world.

The Haverleighs have now come to town for the season and are staying on St. James Square.