Frances Howard
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| Portrayed by Charlie Murphy | |
| Full Name | Frances Ann Howard |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | Dukedom of Oxford |
| Date of Birth | 9th March 1788 |
| Father | Alexander Howard |
| Father's Rank | Duke of Oxford |
| Mother | Frances Howard, nee Watterton |
| Mother's Rank | Duchess of Oxford |
| Town Residence | Oxford House |
| Year of Debut | 1805 |
| Dowry | £30,000 |
Lady Frances Howard is the youngest child and only daughter of the late Duke of Oxford.
Frances is played by Ellie
Family
- Father: Alexander Howard, late Duke of Oxford b. 1728, d. 1797
- Mother: Frances Howard, nee Watterton, late Duchess of Oxford b. 1755, d. 1788
- Brother: John Howard, Duke of Oxford, b.1774
- Nephew: Daniel Thompson, b. 1801
History
Lady Frances Howard was born on 09 March 1788 to the Duke and Duchess of Oxford at their ancestral seat, Aston Crossley. Her mother died in childbirth, and her father a few years later in 1797. Largely left to her own devices whilst her brother was away at school and university and spending time with his mistress, she started pestering John’s steward to explain to her the logistics of the estate. Over time, she discovered she had a head for accounting and a sharp mind for logistics and she put them to good use. She took on what of the day-to-day running of the estate she could with a direct, pragmatic approach and it was because of this attitude that she was referred to in private by the household staff as ‘the little Duchess’ — first employed as something rather snide when she was a haughty teenager, now with tacit acknowledgment that this (still haughty) young woman was almost as much in control of Aston Crossley as her brother, until his return.
She made her debut in 1805, with the assistance of the numerous Heathcote Sisters, but her icy personality deterred most suitors. In 1810, she found herself thawing slightly towards the Earl of Bramley, and accepted his proposal. A month or two later, she was caught by Lord Bramley at an autumn house party in a compromising position with Lord Tenbough, and the engagement was summarily called off -- though all parties have thus far kept quiet on just why that was.
As of 1812, Frances is still unengaged -- and still terribly fond of Lord Bramley, despite her better judgement.
Relationships
Family
Friends
"Friends"
Love Interests
- Alfred Cole: ...it's...
- Edmund Tavistock-Whitby: ...kind...
Enemies
- Alfred Cole: ...of...
- Edmund Tavistock-Whitby: ...complicated.
Thread Tracking
1811 Season
Tuesday 21st May
- Escape the Pain of Life That You Know: Drinking and snarking with John.
Wednesday 22nd May
- If wishes were horses...: Fishing for gossip in Hyde Park with John, Emma Vickery and Drusilla Mortemain.
- Need Me a Triple Shot of That Juice: Pregaming at Oxford House with John, Nicholas Gosling, William Gosling, Ashleigh Heathcote and more.
- Stone Cold Classic: A run in with Lord Tenbough.
Friday 24th May
- To the evenness I fake: A run in with Lord Bramley.
Saturday 25th May
- If you're one of us, then roll with us: People watching at the cricket with the Bluebirds, meeting Felicity Osgood and Henry Osgood.
- and no you don't wanna mess with us: Discussing the Osgoods with Lady Finchingfield.
Wednesday 29th May
- true friends stab you in the front: Dinner with the Duchess of Pennington.
- One of those conversations: Tea with Lady Lang and Mrs. Wolfe.
- but some things only God can forgive: A more clandestine run in with Lord Tenbough at Almacks.
Thursday 30th May
- all warfare is based on deception: A morning walk with Lord Abingdon and a misunderstanding.
Saturday 1st June
- to play a queen: Fran confesses (almost) all to John.
Thursday 11 June
- Here, where the sky's falling, here I am: Attending Lady Harlow's dinner party.
The Interim
November
- your apathy is like a wound in salt: Dancing with Lord Bramley at the Henley Hunt.
1812 Season
Tuesday 03 March
- Aren't you the sweetest thing on this side of hell?: A run in with Lady Sidney at the modiste's.