Algernon Culpepper

Algernon Culpepper

Portrayed by Richard Lumsden
Full Name	Algernon Beaufort Culpepper
Title	The Honorable Mr. Culpepper
Associated Noble House(s)	Barony of Sneddon
Date of Birth	February 28, 1784
Father	Alfred Culpepper
Father's Rank	Baron of Sneddon
Mother	Eugenia Redgrave
Mother's Rank	Gentry
Town Residence	{{{residence}}}
Income	{{{income}}}
School	{{{school}}}
University	{{{university}}}
Year Attained Title	Unknown

The Honorable Mr. Algernon Beaufort Culpepper is the oldest son of Alfred, Lord Sneddon and his wife Lady Sneddon. He is played by Liz.

Early Life (1784-1810)

Algernon, affectionately known as Algie, was born February 28, 1784. He was his parents' first child and was born just over two years after their marriage. Algernon was known amongst the staff as a difficult and fussy baby, two traits which followed him into adulthood. His mother, who had married Lord Sneddon for his title, had little interest in him, as did his father, who has married Lady Sneddon for her money. He was followed by two brothers, Alfred and Leander, neither of whom survived childhood, and two sisters, Helen and Margaret.

Algernon was tutored privately at home until he became of age to leave for school. He attended Eton and then went on to Oxford, where he studied, among other things, philosophy. An average student, it was at Eton that Algernon first became aware of his good fortune of being the only surviving son of an aging father. People were quite anxious to befriend the future (presumably the near future) Baron Sneddon. It also helped that his father, who cared very little for what Algie did, tended to give him whatever he requested just to shut him up. Thus, Algernon frequently found himself in possession of the latest and greatest of modern conveniences and luxuries. It was at Oxford that he made the acquaintance of the heir to the Irish Lord Louisburgh, Lord Bunowen.

Pursuit of Miss Staunton (1810-Present)

In 1810, Algernon traveled to London, having decided that he was ready to begin his search for a wife. He soon set his sights on the daughter of the Marquess of Ribbleswick, Lady Josephine Rondell, and pursued her relentlessly, reminding her of his £7,000 per annum and his intention to purchase a new set of greys for his curricle. Lady Josephine, unimpressed by Algernon's conceited nature, rejected his suit and ultimately made a late-summer match with a younger son of one of her father’s political allies. Feeling utterly rejected and generally mopey, Algernon accepted an invitation to go hunting in the Irish wilds with Lord Bunowen. Though the distance was daunting and Algernon was not too keen on voluntarily surrounding himself with Irish savages, he took heart in the knowledge that Lord Bunowen’s father was a viscount and was, therefore, surely better than the rest of his countrymen.

It was on this hunting trip that Algernon met his future wife - Miss Felicity Staunton. While it was true that she had very little in the way of fortune, she more than made up for that lack by way of her beauty and wit. His spirits much improved, he began to court Miss Staunton, with the approval and encouragement of her parents. He could not, however, help but notice a certain reticence on her part, though he chalked it up to simple nerves. Though the hunting trip ended far too soon for Algernon’s tastes, he continued to brave the choppy waters and absolutely medieval roads, visiting the Stauntons over the new year and again in early March, bringing with him for the last trip his younger sister Helen, who is of an age with Miss Staunton. He has been encouraging a friendship between the two ladies as well as reassuring Miss Staunton that beneath all the layers of wealth, privilege, and good (English) breeding, he is just a simple man. With these tactics on his side, he was confident Miss Staunton would be his before the end of the Season of 1811.

The 1811 Season

[This will soon be a summary of Algie's exploits.]

Friends and Acquaintances

Algernon considers himself a popular and desirable social connection. As such, he is quite particular about the people with whom he chooses to associate himself. His closest friend is Lord Bunowen, as his future brother-in-law. He also considers Miss Staunton to be a friend, at least as close a friend as any woman can be. He also enjoys spending time with his sister, Helen.

Enemies

Algernon considers Mrs. Quartermaine, Miss Staunton's chaperone, neither an enemy or an ally, though if pressed, he would be more prone to describe her as a potential difficulty. He loathes Hammond Poore as a clumsy rival for Miss Staunton's hand. He also does not care for either of the Fotherington brothers, Mark and Hugo.