Edward Hackett

Edward Hackett

Portrayed by Tom Hughes
Full Name	Edward Hackett
Title	Mr Hackett
Associated Noble House(s)	Earldom of Morven
Date of Birth	1786
Father	Hector Hackett
Father's Rank	Clergyman
Mother	Rachel Hackett
Mother's Rank	Widow
Town Residence	4 St. James Square
School	Salisbury
University	Oxford
Profession	Clergyman
Income	A suitable salary

Edward Hackett is a young clergyman of twenty-five who lives with his mother and two younger sisters, Susan and Jane in Bishopstone, Wiltshire, roughly 6 miles out of Salisbury. Edward is the grandson of Arabella Hackett and her husband, the former Bishop of Salisbury. He is the second in line to inherit the Earldom of Morven after George Hackett, who is a distant cousin.

Background

Edward, or Ted, as we will refer to him, was born the first child of the Reverend Hector Hackett and his wife, both living rather humble lives in the shadow of the great Bishop, who gave name to his grandson. Ted grew up on the lands of the small rectory in Bishopstone, Wiltshire owned by his father, but often visited the nearby, grand city of Salisbury, here to be lectured by his namesake. At home he was educated by his father. Hector taught his son languages, arts and not a small amount of scripture. In edition to being bilingual, Ted is quite the decent organ player and singer. He enjoys both.

When the time came at the ripe old age of seventeen (going on eighteen); he was off to Oxford to receive the best education his family’s money could buy. It was, of course, expected of him that he would, in time, join the church. What was less expected was, that the quiet young lad would grow quite as much from the academic stimulation he met at University. He already knew Latin, Greek and German, of course, but the philosophical and theological debates with his peers was a new and fascinating world, in which he thrived. He was sad to depart, but much too responsible to dilly dally any longer than necessary.

When Ted’s father passed away a year and a half ago, his son was the one, who was appointed his former position at his childhood church St. Andrews in Bishopstone. Not long after, Bishop Edward Hackett followed in his son’s footsteps, leaving Edward as his second cousin’s next apparent heir. This fact has not gone unnoticed by his dear grandmother in Salisbury, although there is still every chance that George Hackett will marry and procreate.

Ultimately, though, it is Arabella Hackett's doing that Ted has now left his beloved mother and sisters to go to London. It seems to be her intention to push every drop of juice out of the apple that is her grandson's possible, yet unlikely inheritance. Some girl of a bit of fortune or her family might be willing to play ball and risk it for the chance and even if they won't, she'll still get to make him a far better match in London than he ever would have in Bishopstone. Ted is incredibly aware of Arabella Hackett’s intentions and it makes him cringe to think, that this season will, if he doesn’t find a way to squirm out of it, most likely be his last as a bachelor. It’s not that he minds it that much, becoming a husband. Not really at all.

He mostly minds the ideas his grandmother has for possible matches. The sort of Ladies she would find suitable are not the same Ladies who would find it stimulating to live the life as a country reverend’s wife. He detests the idea that he might disappoint a poor, young woman, tricked into marrying him.

Appearance

Edward is a gangly, tall, skinny, young man. His hair is impossible, curly and unruly in a mop on his head and he would have a rather hard time living up to the image of a put-together, aristocratic lord. As a village reverend, however, he fits the bill. He is neither fashionable nor stylish, but dresses simply and modestly. He likes a dash of colour when he’s out and about, but it’s all kept rather prim and proper and not at all extravagant.

Under the brown mop is a friendly, if often serious, face. Edward has blue-ish gray eyes and has of late grown himself an unfashionable mustache. The growing of facial hair might be the only really rebellious thing he has done in his whole life. He is rather proud of the fact, secretly.

Personality

Edward is probably the nicest creature you will ever meet. He won't hurt a fly and he wouldn't ever do a thing to cause offence. He has a complete lack of political ambition and would fancy himself the happiest man in all of England if he could only see his sisters married off well, find himself a nice, chubby, little wife and retire to the simple life of a country vicar.

A mostly uncomplicated man of God, Edward is by no means simple, though. He has spent six years in total at Oxford and even though the country life does suit him particularly well, he tends to gloss over the fact, that it can get a tiny bit understimulating for someone as bright and enthusiastic about his own faith - and others’. He misses the debates and the milieu around his peers. It seems unlikely that he would be truly satisfied, living his whole life out like his father did, the leader of a flock of mostly uneducated, if not necessarily slow, farmers.

Gentle-natured and good-mannered, Edward is also a bit of a coward. He would much rather avoid an argument of the fist and loose a bit of pride, than he would find himself physically defending what he believes in. He has been in no fights and dear old Hector never taught him how to punch someone. Perchance because he hadn’t a clue himself. In friendships and family, Edward is a loyal and devoted servant. He enjoys making the people he cares for at ease and happy and it is his greatest wish, that neither his mother nor his sisters shall go uncared for or hungry. He has already sacrificed a great deal of his own happiness to make it so and it continues to be his biggest weakness in the world. Threaten Edward’s family and you can virtually make him agree to anything. It seems a sad fact, that the elderly, snide and willful Arabella Hackett is very aware of this weakness of her grandson’s.