• Venetia (Gazetteer)
• Venetia (General notes)

Person

Book/Story

Nicknames

Family

Description

Amaranthus

Venetia

A horse belonging to Damerel that won at Nottingham.

Ansford, Mr.

Venetia

One of the fast, ramshackle set of person entertained by Damerel at Elliston Priory. Mr. Ansford’s “peculiar,” only a nightgown covering her opulent form, had not scrupled to track down the smell of burning bed curtains to the room of fellow guest and, screeching at the top of her very ungenteel voice, had prevented the Priory from being burnt to the ground.

Appersett, the Reverend Mr. Julius

Venetia

Tutor to Aubrey Lanyon, he is the local parish vicar, a gentle man and notable scholar who lives at the Parsonage near Undershaw.

Appledore

Venetia

His eldest son married Georgiana, sister of Sir John Denny.

Armyn, Mr.

Venetia

A friend of Mrs. Maria Hendred and a proposed suitor to her niece, Venetia Lanyon. He knows all about Roman remains and is invited to dinner when the death of the Queen causes the ball in Venetia’s honor to be cancelled.

Aubrey, John (1626-97)*

Venetia

English antiquary and biographer. His Lives of Eminent Men (first published 1813) is an invaluable and highly entertaining collection of biographical anecdotes of (mostly) his contemporaries, e.g. Shakespeare and Jonson. (from Concise Dictionary of Art and Literature, 1993, E. & FM Moore)

Quoted by Jasper, Lord Damerel as describing the Venetia of Ben Jonson’s poem as “a beautiful desirable creature.”

Baxter*

Venetia

The hatter patronized by Jasper, Lord Damerel’s Cousin Alfred.

Bentworth, Dr.

Venetia

Aubrey Lanyon’s doctor in York. Only he and Edward Yardley were permitted by Sir Francis Lanyon to cross the threshold of the Lanyon home, Undershaw Manor, after Sir Francis lost his wife.

Berkeley, George* (1685–1753)

Venetia

An Irish philospher and Anglican Bishop whose writings are studied by Aubrey Lanyon in preparation for study at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Bernadotte, Marshall* (1763–1844)

Venetia

Jean Baptiste Jules

French Marshal and later King of Sweden (as Charles XIV John). Enlisted at 17 and rose quickly to the rank of Brigadier. Took part in several of Napolean’s campaigns, but it was his governorship of the Hanseatic cities (1807-09) that made him known and liked in northern Europe and explains why he was invited by Charles XIII of Sweden to become his Crown Prince and de facto ruler.

His election to the throne of Sweden is announced in the London daily paper that Edward Yardley in Yorkshire takes to the Lanyons’ home, Undershaw Manor, as an excuse to visit Venetia Lanyon.

Bess

Venetia

One of Aubrey Lanyon’s dogs, a bitch that Mrs. Scorrier considers too savage to be kept.

Betty

Venetia

A housemaid at the Hendreds’ house in Cavendish Square, London.

Bradpole, Miss

Venetia

Maid and dresser to Mrs. Maria Hendred.

Butler, Lady Eleanor* (?1739–1829)

Venetia

She, with her dear friend, Miss Sarah Ponsonby, were known as the Ladies of Llangollen. Devoted friends they left their families (against strong opposition) and fled to Wales where they set up a life-long residence together in Plas Newydd in Llangollen Vale, renouncing the world just as if they had been nuns. Their house, adorned in the Gothic style, became a place of admiration and curiosity far beyond its neighbourhood, visited by distinguished guests including Wordsworth (who wrote them a sonnet). From The Oxford Companion to English Literature (1985) Drabble, M and OUP.

Venetia Lanyon, being no eccentric would not have entertained the thought of setting up a similar establishment if she did not marry.

Byron, Lord* (George Gordon) (1788–1824)

Venetia

English poet who. In his own words, “I awoke one morning and found myself famous.” after the publication of Childe harold’s Pligrimage in 1812, a work that introduced the Byronic hero to the world: a lonely, handsome, flawed man, fatally attractive to women, and remarkably similar to his creator. There followed a calamitous few years of great public scandal in which his half-sister, Augusta, had a child assumed to be his, he married and had a daughter, struggled with debt and public examination of his sanity, and finally left England for good in 1816. (from Concise Dictionary of Art and Literature, 1993, E. & FM Moore)

He and his Corsair considered responsible for Oswald Denny’s affectations. Mrs Haria Hendred tries to emulate his reducing diet of vinegar and hard biscuits.

Caliban

Venetia

from Shakespeare’s Tempest; Jasper, Lord Damerel is likened to him.

Cavendish, Lady Harriet* (?–1814)

Venetia

Daughter of the Duke of Devonshire and a pupil of the distinguished Miss Trimmer. When staying at Castle Douglas before her marriaged to Lord Granville Levenson-Gower, she had not ventured beyond the gardens without a footman to attend her. She is cited by Miss Poddemore as an example for Venetia Lanyon, who, being no Duke’s daughter, feels free to walk about the countryside unattended.

Charlotte, Princess*

Venetia

News of her is in the London daily paper Edward Yardley takes to Undershaw Manor as an excuse to visit Venetia Lanyon.

Charlotte, Queen*

Venetia

That her health is giving the Royal physicians cause for despair is announced in the London daily paper Edward Yardley takes to Undershaw Manor as an excuse to visit Venetia Lanyon. She dies at Kew on the morning of 17th November, the day fixed by Mrs. Maria Hendred for a ball in Venetia’s honor, which must be reduced to a dinner as a result, with not more than half-a-dozen persons.

Chiltoe, Aurelia

Venetia

see Lanyon, Lady Aurelia

Steeple, Lady Aurelia

Chiltoe, General

Venetia

Deceased father of Aurelia, Lady Lanyon. His wife died when Aurelia, on whom he doted, was an infant.

Clarence, Duke of*

Venetia

The announcement of his marriage is in the daily paper Edward Yardley takes to Undershaw Manor as an excuse to visit Venetia Lanyon,

Coachman, William

Venetia

Coachman to the Lanyon family at Undershaw, in Yorkshire.

Cork, Lady*

Venetia

Mentioned in passing with Augusta Damerel as one to whose salon it is an honor to be invited, though she is clutch-fisted, dresses like a quiz, and has neither wit nor amiability.

Cornworthy, Doctor

Venetia

Mentioned in passing as the doctor that Mrs. Priddy wants to attend Charlotte, Lady Lanyon, rather than the London accoucheur favoured by Lady Lanyon’s mother, Mrs Scorrier.

Croyde

Venetia

Mentioned in passing as the long-suffering bailiff of Jasper, Lord Damerel’s neglected home, Elliston Priory; Venetia Lanyon is on such good terms with him as to be able to wander at will onto the Priory estate.

Crusader

Venetia

Jasper, Lord Damerel’s horse.

Damerel, Augusta

Venetia

Aunt Augusta

One of Jasper, Lord Damerel’s aunts, mentioned in passing with Lady Cork as someone to whose salon it is an honor to be invited.

Damerel, Eliza

Venetia

Aunt Eliza

Spinster aunt of Jasper, Lord Damerel. Quarrelled with their nephew Alfred Damerel’s mother on the occasion of his father’s obsequies.

Damerel, Lady, Baroness

Venetia

Jasper, Lord Damerel’s deceased mother; a proud, disagreeable woman who disliked Yorkshire extremely. After the death of her huband she lived in semi-seclusion in London—rather like Sir Francis Lanyon at Undershaw —and rarely visited the family’s Yorshire estate, Elliston Priory.

Damerel, Lord, Baron

Venetia

Jasper, Lord Damerel’s deceased father; always perfectly civil but from a very old family and said to have had a great deal of self-consequence. Died of a stroke allegedly brought on by Jasper’s scandalous behaviour.

Damerel, Lord, Jasper, Baron

Venetia

A.K.A “the wicked Baron”

Father: Deceased, name unknown

Mother: Deceased, name unknown

Brothers: None

Sisters: None

Children: None that he knows of.

Cousin: Alfred Damerel

Owner of Elliston Priory and a house in Brook Street, he is 38 years old, tall, and dark, with irregular features, a swarthy complexion, a lean and harsh countenance marked by lines of dissipation, and cynically bored eyes. By report a first-rate driver and topsawyer, he is loose-limbed and has a good figure, bearing himself with easy carelessness and a faint suggestion of swashbuckling arrogance. The only child of elderly parents, he read Classics at Oxford, but at the age of 22 fell in love and eloped with an older married lady, Lady Sophia Vobster, who soon abandoned him for a more mature, sophisticated rival. He has since led an an adventurous, rakehell life and is almost all-to-pieces, though he clearly has a well-informed mind and a great deal of kindness.

Damerel, Miss Jane

Venetia

Aunt Jane

Spinster aunt of Jasper, Lord Damerel. Quarrelled with their nephew Alfred Damerel’s mother on the occasion of his father’s obsequies.

Damerel, Mr. Alfred

Venetia

Cousin Alfred

Jasper, Lord Damerel’s 30-year-old cousin and heir presumptive. A member of the dandy set—indeed, the pinkest of the Pinks.

Denny, Anne

Venetia

see family page

Contracted chicken pox from Edward Yardley when he met her out walking with the schoolroom party and indulged her with a ride on his horse. She then passed it on to her sister Louisa.

Denny, Elizabeth

Venetia

see family page

Hourly expected to break out in a rash through contracting chicken pox from her younger sisters Louisa and Anne.

Denny, Emily

Venetia

see family page

Has a romantic heart at 15 and is spiritually akin to her brother Oswald.

Denny, Georgiana

Venetia

see family page

Sister of Sir John Denny. Sir Francis Lanyon would have done well to offer for her.

Denny, Georgiana

Venetia

see family page

Contracted chicken pox from her younger sister Anne.

Denny, Lady

Venetia

see family page

Kind, traditional, talkative, and sharp-eyed neighbor to the Lanyons. Her brother, George, and his wife, Elinor, are Corinthians and live at Crossley, in the heart of the Cottesmore country.

Denny, Miss Clara

Venetia

see family page

A very sensible girl of 18 but without enough beauty to engage the interest of a man such as Jasper, Lord Damerel. She had a secret attachment to Conway Lanyon before he joined the army, and while she is not clever enough to understand Aubrey Lanyon, she does understand Edward Yardley and finds him witty.

Denny, Oswald

Venetia

see family page

A youth of 19, he conceals his lack of assurance with a slight, nonchalant swagger. Desiring above all to present a romantic figure, he dresses accordingly and can’t decide whether he most resembles Byron or Byron’s Corsair. He is furiously jealous of Jasper, Lord Damerel.

Denny, Sir John

Venetia

see family page

Living at Ebbersley with his large family, he is the prosaic but sensible neighbor of the Lanyons.

Dives

Venetia

Biblical man of great wealth. Jasper, Lord Damerel tells Venetia Lanyon he would have to be a Dives to keep his own horses on all the main postroads.

Duke, (“the Duke”)

Venetia

See Duke of Wellington

Elinor (last name unknown)

Venetia

see Denny, Lady

Elizabeth, Princess* (1770-1840)

Venetia

Third daughter and 7th child of George III and Queen Charlotte, she married when she was over the

age of 40 and died without issue. (from John Hopfner, Heyer list)

Her betrothal to the Prince of Hesse Homburg is announced is in the London daily paper Edward Yardley takes to Undershaw Manor as an excuse to visit Venetia Lanyon.

Fingle

Venetia

Personal groom to Mr. Aubrey Lanyon. Middle-aged, and has character.

Flavell, Lord

Venetia

A friend of Jasper, Lord Damerel. It was his shooting-lodge Damerel and Marston are on their way to when Venetia and Aubrey Lanyon appear on the scene.

Flurry

Venetia

An amiable if vacuous spaniel bestowed on Venetia Lanyon by her brother Aubrey when he discovered that besides being of an excitable disposition, the pup was incurably gun-shy; Venetia’s escort on her solitary walks.

Foxcott, Mr

Venetia

A friend of Mrs. Maria Hendred and a proposed suitor to her niece, Venetia Lanyon, though he is rather low on the list..

George

Venetia

see Denny, Lady

Grandison, Sir Charles

Venetia

Hero of Samuel Richardson’s epistolary novel The history of Sir Charles Grandison, published in seven volumes in 1754. His last completed novel, it anticipated the novel of manners of such authors as Jane Austen. Sir Charles Grandison is a gallant nobleman known for his heroic integrity and magnanimity. He rescues the honorable Harriet Byron when she is kidnapped by Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, her spurned suitor. Eventually, Grandison and Byron fall in love... (synopsis from www.amazon.com)

Venetia Lanyon had once awaited with confidence the arrival on the scene of a Sir Charles Grandison, but before long her common-sense had banished such optimism.

Gunter*

Venetia

Purveyor of macaroons ...

Gurnard, Mrs

Venetia

Housekeeper for over 25 years at Undershaw Manor, home of the Lanyons. She has lived the entire time in mutual jealousy with Mrs. Priddy, and she dotes on Sir Conway Lanyon, who calls her his “dear old Gurney.”

Hallow, Sir Matthew

Venetia

A friend of Mrs. Maria Hendred, he is asked to dine in Cavendish Square when Queen Charlotte’s death causes the ball in Venetia Lanyon’s honor to be cancelled; he is a widower and to old for Venetia, but he remains on Mrs. Hendred’s list of possible suitors for her.

Hanbury

Venetia

The butler/caretaker at Damerel’s Lodge near Newmarket.

Hendred, Marianne

Venetia

Another daughter of Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Maria Hendred.

Hendred, Louisa

Venetia

Father: Phillip Hendred

Mother: Mrs Maria Hendred

Sister: Theresa

Oldest daughter of Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Maria Hendred and recently married.

Hendred, Mr. Phillip

Venetia

see family page

Uncle by marriage to Venetia Lanyon and her brothers, he is a gentleman of the first consequence, a Member of Parliament and a Justice of the Peace, and has a large fortune, a mansion in Cavendish Square, London, an estate in Berkshire, and 2 smaller estates in other parts of the country which, because he tolerates no unnecessary expenditures, he maintains with skeleton staffs. He is thin and of rather less than medium height, with spindle-shanks, sparse gray hair, a sharp-featured countenance which bears all the marks of chronic dyspepsia, and a dry, precise voice; and he wears no jewelry but his signet ring and a modest gold pin securing the folds of his neckcloth, hence he changed from Stulz to Weston when the former delivered a coat on which the buttons were too big and bright. He travels much and leaves home life—which includes 5 daughters and 3 sons—to his wife, but he is a kind and attentive host and disapproves of Venetia’s restricted life. He has a remarkable turn for business and a rigid sense of duty.

Hendred, Mrs. Maria

Venetia

née Maria Lanyon

Sister of Sir Francis Lanyon, hence aunt of Venetia Lanyon and her brothers, she abhors country life and lives in Londen with her husband and childrenf. She is a very pretty woman of great good nature and much less than common sense, and her chief objects in life are to remain in the forefront of fashion and to achieve advantageous marriages for her 5 daughters after bringing them out expensively. She is naturally indolent and egotistical and doesn’t like the people around her to be unhappy.

Hendred, Theresa

Venetia

Father: Phillip Hendred

Mother: Mrs Maria Hendred

Sister: Louisa

Second daughter of Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Maria Hendred and a pretty girl, she is having her teeth fixed and counting the days till her come-out in the spring.

Henry I, King*

Venetia

Sir Francis Lanyon is likened to him, because after he lost his wife, he never smiled again.

Hesse Homburg, Prince of*

Venetia

Mentioned as having been engaged to the Princess Elizabeth in the London newspaper brought to Undershaw by Edward Yardley as an excuse to visit Venetia Lanyon.

Hill, Lord*

Venetia

The Commanding Officer of Sir Conway Lanyon, with the Army of Occupation in Cambray, France. He is very kind to Charlotte, née Scorrier, Conway’s new wife.

Hoby*

Venetia

Bootmaker to Damerel’s Cousin Alfred.

Horace*

Venetia

among the friends of Aubrey Lanyon

Hume, David* (1711-1776)

Venetia

Scottish philosopher and historian studied by Aubrey Lanyon in preparation for Trinity College, Cambridge.

Huntspill, Dr.

Venetia

Husband of Mrs. Huntspill and doctor to the Yardleys, in Yorkshire.

Huntspill, Mrs.

Venetia

Wife of Dr. Huntspill; underbred, unlike Mrs. Scorrier.

Imber, Mr

Venetia

An old man with sore feet, he is butler at Elliston Priory, Yorkshire, where he has been caretaker for years in the absence of Jasper, Lord Damerel. He compares his master unfavorably with father because Damerel doesn’t care about his consequence and is friends with his own valet.

Imber, Mrs

Venetia

Wife of Imber and housekeeper at Elliston Priory, Yorkshire, home of Jasper, Lord Damerel. She has cooked for Damerel and his rackety guests only out of devotion to the Family and is considered by some to be a feckless, humble creature.

Jenny

Venetia

Maid at Undershaw Manor who usually waits on Venetia Lanyon.

Johnson, Dr. Samuel* (1709–84)

Venetia

English critic, lexicographer and poet. One of the greates literary figures of the 18th century, his works include the Dictionary of the English Language (1755) as well as biography, essay and verse satire. His only novel, Rasselas (1759) is a melancholic little fable which sums up its author’s philosophy thus: “Human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured, and little to be enjoyed.” (from Concise Dictionary of Art and Literature, 1993, E. & FM Moore)

Jasper, Lord Damerel says he is a living refutation of Dr. Johnson’s maxim that “example is more efficacious than precept.”

Jonson, Ben[jamin]* (c.1572–1637).

Venetia

English dramatist and poet. The plays (e.g. Volpone, The Alchemist and Bartholomew Fair, are especially noted for their satirical dialogue. He was apponted the first poet Laureate in 1616. (from Concise Dictionary of Art and Literature, 1993, E. & FM Moore)

Jasper, Lord Damerel tells Venetia Lanyon of a Jonson poem about a Venetia.

King of Sweden*

Venetia

His death is announced in the London Daily paper that Edward Yardley takes to Undershaw Manor as an excuse to visit Venetia Lanyon.

Knighton, Dr.

Venetia

A London accoucheur that Mrs. Scorrier wants to attend her daughter Charlotte, Lady Lanyon.

Lanyon, Lady

Venetia

see Chiltoe, Aurelia

Scorrier, Charlotte

Lanyon, Lady Aurelia

Venetia

Remembered by her daughter, Venetia, as a having a beautiful, discontented face, a welter of expensive dresses, and a French maid. She was a butterfly who hated Yorkshire winters and favored city life, and she apparently died when her younger son, Aubrey, was 8.

Lanyon, Miss Venetia

Venetia

see family page

A beautiful young woman of 25 with large, brilliant, charmingly smiling eyes, guinea-gold hair, an enchantingly arched, pretty mouth, and an expression of sweetness. She is mistress of an easy competence and is clear-sighted, frank, and quite devoid of self-consciousness; country bred and an energetic walker, she has never scrupled to walk alone. She has seen little of the world because of her father’s reclusivenss after the loss of his wife when she was 10, but she is no prude and has an irrepressible sense of humor.

Lanyon, Mr. Aubrey

Venetia

see family page

At 16 years of age a scholar of powerful intellect who prefers books to people and is preparing himself for Trinity College, Cambridge. A congenital disease of the hip has left him with a shortening of one leg and a pronounced and ugly limp which prevented his attending Eton like his brother, Conway, so he has been educated at home by tutors. He is thin and rather under-sized, and his countenance is sharpened and lined beyond his years from physical suffering, but he is by no means ill-looking. He loathes his infirmity and is a gallant rider and a fair shot.

Lanyon, Sir Conway

Venetia

see family page

Now 22 years old, he is large and very handsome, a splendidly robust young sportsman with a hearty laugh. After Eton he passed into the –th Foot and is serving with the Army of Occupation in France. He is easy-going and kind, but he dislikes being uncomfortable or doing anything unpleasant, so he can be occasionally obstinate and strong-willed.

Lanyon, Sir Francis

Venetia

see family page

A Yorkshire landowner Undershaw Manor of long lineage, comfortable fortune, and eccentric habits resident at Undershaw Manor. A man of rigid pride but never one of sensibility, he was not ungenerous, just non-participatory. He was a high stickler who became an obstinate recluse on the loss of his wife and died unexpectedly of a stroke shortly after the Battle of Waterloo.

Latchford, Lord

Venetia

Father of Amelia Ubley.

Lawrence, Sir Thomas* (1769-1830)

Venetia

English painter. Mainly self-taught, he was the leading portraitist of his time. He succeeded Reynolds as the King’s painter in 1792. His work rises out of 18th-century tradition but with a fluidity and sparkle that anticipates the Romanticism of the 19th century. (from Concise Dictionary of Art and Literature, 1993, E. & FM Moore)

When he painted the likeness of Aurelia, mother of Venetia Lanyon, he said that she had perfect features.

Louisa

Venetia

Elegant French maid to Aurelia, Lady Steeple.

Marston

Venetia

Valet to Jasper, Lord Damerel; a very respectable man according the Mrs. Priddy, and never at a loss according to Damerel.

Matthew, Sir

Venetia

Friend of Mrs. Maria Hendred and a proposed suitor to her niece, Venetia Lanyon.

Midas

Venetia

Mythical king of great wealth resulting from his “golden touch.” Lord Gregory Vobster is likened to him.

Motcomb, Mrs

Venetia

A neighbor of the Dennys who might be called on to join them if it becomes necessary to invite Jasper, Lord Damerel for dinner.

Mytchett, Mr

Venetia

Lawyer to the Lanyon family and one of Venetia Lanyon’s trustees, sharing with her power of attorney for Sir Conway Lanyon while he serves in the army in Europe.

Nidd

Venetia

Groom to Jasper, Lord Damerel.

Nurse

Venetia

see Mrs. Priddy

Oldenburg, Grand Duchess of*

Venetia

During their stay in London, Sir Lambert and Lady Steeple stay at the Pulteney Hotel, the same place as His Imperial Majesty the Tsar of Russia—not to mention his impressive sister, the Grand Duchess of Oldenburg—stayed during the Peace celebrations in 1814.

Phanie, Mlle*

Venetia

Milliner in Paris who made a hat worn by Charlotte, Lady Lanyon (née Scorrier) to a breakfast attended by the Duke of Wellington. Jasper, Lord Damerel’s knowledge of Phanie’s wares betrays his career as a rake.

Poddemore, Miss

Venetia

Governess to Venetia Lanyon. Well-educated, but not as accomplished as Miss Selena Trimmer and, unlike her, unable to inspire her pupils with affection. Venetia was thoroughly bored by her and marked her energence from the schoolroom into young ladyhood by having her services dispensed with.

Ponsonby, Miss Sarah* (?1735-1831)

Venetia

See Butler, Lady Eleanor

Pope, Alexander*

Venetia

Quoted to describe Charlotte, née Scorier: “a dead bore, but without guile or malice”; Aubrey Lanyon’s favorite amount English poets.

Porson*

Venetia

editor of the Medea Aubrey Lanyon is reading at the beginning of the book.

Powick

Venetia

Agent/bailiff at Undershaw Manor, home of the Lanyon family; a dour, phlegmatic Yorkshireman.

Priddy, Mrs.

Venetia

Nurse

Nurse at Undershaw manor, home of the Lanyon family. Called “Mrs.” as a courtesy, though she was never married; a no-nonsense character, fond of tatting and quoting the Bible. She has been Venetia Lanyon’s only chaperone since she outgrew Miss Poddemore, and she has lived for 26 years on terms of mutual jealousy with Mrs. Gurnard.

Prince Regent,* Prince of Wales, later George IV (1762-1830)

Venetia

Puxton

Venetia

Undergroom at Undershaw Manor, home of the Lanyon family, he is detailed to collect Miss Trossell from the stage at York.

Reid*

Venetia

author? of Intellectual Powers?

Rendlesham, Sophia

Venetia

See Lady Sophia Vobster

Ribble

Venetia

Butler at Undershaw Manor, home of the Lanyon family.

Roberts

Venetia

Tailor. Aurelia, Lady Steeple returns to London from Paris to have him make her a riding habit.

Rogers, Mr

Venetia

Mrs. Maria Hendred’s doctor, who advised her that Lord Byron’s reducing diet involved drinking soda water with meals, not vinegar as she’d been attempting.

Romilly, Sir Samuel* (1757-1818)

Venetia

English lawyer. Appointed Solicitor-General in 1806, he immediately put his whole heart into the reform of the criminal law, especially into reducing the number of offences, then some 200, punishable by death. The results of his perseverance were seen only after his death, by suicide, 3 days after the death of his wife. From Barry Jones’ Dictionary of World Biography (1994), Jones, B.

His suicide and escape from hopelessness is understood and envied by Venetia Lanyon when she despairs of seeing Jasper, Lord Damerel ever again.

Rufus

Venetia

Aubrey Lanyon’s horse, a chestnut.

Scorrier, Charlotte

Venetia

see family page

Very fair with large, apprehensive eyes of a light blue,a quantity of flaxen ringlets, and a soft, over-sensitive mouth—pretty in the style of a puppet, but without countenance. She is amiable, obliging, and anxious to please, but shy, with no sense of humor and unable to speak up for herself. She has married Sir Conway Lanyon, whom she adores, and is pregnant with their first child, but she is more like a scared schoolgirl than a fashionable matron. She is petrified of dogs.

Scorrier, Elizabeth

Venetia

Aunt Elizabeth

see family page

Sister to Ned Scorrier, she was rude to his wife, and since the rest of the Scorrier family took Aunt Elizabeth’s part, Mrs. Scorrier was forced to cut the connection.

Scorrier, Fanny

Venetia

see family page

Daughter of Mr. Ned and Mrs. Scorrier, and older sister of Charlotte. She has been married for 2 years and has a a dear little baby that neither Charlotte nor her mother has seen because Fanny’s husband was quite unpleasant about Mrs. Scorrier’s attempts to turn off their housekeeper.

Scorrier, Mr. Ned

Venetia

see family page

Deceased husband of Mrs. Scorrier and father of Fanny and Charlotte, he was a younger son of a Staffordshire family, not wealthy or tonnish but of good stock. Made a bad match at the age of 20 and died of a fever in the Peninsular War.

Scorrier, Mrs.

Venetia

A.K.A.: “the Widow,” “the Empress,” “that Creature”

see family page

Widow of Ned Scorrier and mother of Fanny and Charlotte, she is a middle-aged lady dressed in the height of fashion but excellent at ruffling sensibilities. She has a passion for mastery, is hostile, managing, and always knows better, and she has a very vulgar mind. Among her gifts is the ability to maintain more than her share of one conversation while interpolating remarks every now and then into another.

Sebastian

Venetia

A lost love of Mrs. Maria Hendred, Venetia Lanyon’s aunt. When Aunt Hendred’s Mama and brother Francis made her give up Sebastian, Aunt Hendred cried without ceasing for 3 days.

Shakespeare*

Venetia

plays mentioned include The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, and King Lear

Skidby, Colonel

Venetia

A superior officer of Sir Conway Lanyon in France, he was uncivil to Mrs. Scorrier, which meant he couldn’t be invited to the Lanyons’ parties, making things uncomfortable for Sir Conway.

Stanhope, Lady Hester*

Venetia

Described to Venetia Lanyon by Jasper, Lord Damerel as an eccentric and ramshackle woman, queening it over hordes of Bedouins, when Venetia expresses her wish for travel and adventure.

Steeple, Lady Aurelia (née Chiltoe)

Venetia

see Aurelia Chiltoe

Daughter of General Chiltoe and wife of the immensely wealthy Sir Lambert Steeple. Her mother died when she was an infant. She is now no longer in the first blush of youth but still striking, with large, brilliant eyes, a classically straight nose, a lovely jaw-line, and a laugh like a peal of bells. She has contrived to keep her figure and dresses in the height of fashion.

Steeple, Sir Lambert

Venetia

Lamb

Husband of Lady Aurelia Steeple. Immensely wealthy and with a very large property in Staffordshire, he resides mainly in Paris with his wife. In his youth he was excessively handsome and shockingly profligate. Now he is not in the first blush of youth and bears a strong resemblance to the Prince Regent, with protuberant blue eyes, a florid complexion, and a stomach of noble proportions.

Stewart, Dugald* (1753-1828)

Venetia

Scottish philosopher. Professor of moral philosophy at Edinburgh from 1785, he was responsible for systemising the doctrines of the ‘Scottish school of common sense’. His work, Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind, in 3 volumes (1792, 1814 and 1827), on the powers of the mind resulted in mental philosophy becoming a separate field of study. From Barry Jones’ Dictionary of World Biography (1994), Jones, B.

His writings are studied by Aubrey Lanyon in preparation for study at Trinity College, Cambridge

Stoborough, Lady

Venetia

One of Jasper, Lord Damerel’s aunts who always does the opposite of what one desires, as Mr. Hendred well knows.

Stone, Matthew

Venetia

Godfather to Jasper, Lord Damerel, and what they call a chicken-nabob; he left hsi godson the independence that enabled him to run off with Lady Sophia Vobster.

Stultz*

Venetia

The tailor who makes coats for Jasper, Lord Damerel’s Cousin Alfred, he made Mr. Hendred’s coats, too, until he sent one with buttons too large and showy.

Taplow

Venetia

Man of business in London to the Lanyons. Aubrey Lanyon suggests he might arrange for delivery of one of the London papers to Undershaw to prevent Edward Yardley’s bringing his as an excuse to visit his sister, Venetia.

Tierney*

Venetia

His leadership of the Whigs causing dissension in the party is discussed in the London daily paper Edward Yardley takes to Undershaw Manor as an excuse to visit Venetia Lanyon.

Traynes, the

Venetia

A neighboring family that may be included by the Dennys if it becomes necessary to invite Jasper, Lord Damerel to dine.

Trimmer, Miss Selina*

Venetia

Governess and long-time retainer of the Devonshire family. After serving as governess to the Devonshire children, including Lady Harriet Cavendish, she became the dame de compagnie of their grandmother, Lady Spencer. A high stickler, forceful of character, and able to inspire her pupils with affection, she was once met and ever afterwards venerated by Venetia Lanyon’s governess, Miss Poddemore.

Trossell, Miss

Venetia

London abigail/dresser hired by Mrs. Scorrier for her daughter, Charlotte. She was so unfavorably impressed with the Yorkshire scene and lack of genteel society at Undershaw Manor that within 24 hours of her arrival she had roused her employer to wrath and, subsequently, departed.

Tsar of Russia*

Venetia

During their stay in London, Sir Lambert and Lady Steeple stay at the Pulteney Hotel, the same place as His Imperial Majesty—not to mention his impressive sister, the Grand Duchess of Oldenburg—stayed during the Peace celebrations in 1814.

Tytler*

Venetia

Essay on the Principles of Translation

Ubley, Miss Amelia

Venetia

A more than 30-year-old, pug-nosed, butter-toothed ape-leader of at least 10 years standing, with a deplorable figure, but of the first repectability and with superior sense and propriety of taste, who can be trusted to behave just as she ought, and whom Jasper, Lord Damerel’s Aunt Elizabeth wants him to marry. She is “dowdily respectable” though surely not an innocent, having lived so long in London.

Utterby, Lord

Venetia

Friend of Jasper, Lord Damerel and one of his guests at Elliston Priory for a week in August during the York races. Apparently smoking in bed, he would have burnt down the Priory but for Mr. Asford’s “peculiar.”

Venetian, an accomplished

Venetia

Handsome and a Tulip who drove and rode only gray horses and never wore any but black coats, always, summer and winter, with a white camelia in his buttonhole. Lady Sophia Vobster left Jasper, Lord Damerel for him and married him when her husband was killed in a curricle accident.

Virgil*

Venetia

among the friends of Aubrey Lanyon

Vobster, Lady (née Sophia Rendlesham)

Venetia

The wife of Gregory Vobster, with whom Jasper, Lord Damerel eloped to France in his callow youth. She had a milky complexion and black hair—raven’s wing black!—and eyes so dark as to appear black; a little plump beauty who then left Damerel for a Venetian whom, on Vobster’s death, she married. One of the three Rendlesham sisters—all great beauties.

Vobster, Lord Gregory

Venetia

Came into the world hosed and shod, but his father was a shocking mushroom and his grandfather, it was said, ran a two-to-one shop. Rich as Midas and played off the airs of an exquisite but, when the pinch came, was not at all up to the rig and refused to divorce his wife, Lady Sophia (née Rendlesham), when she ran off with Jasper, Lord Damerel. He broke his neck overturning a curricle 3 years after his wife left him.

Wellington, Duke of*

Venetia

His intention of moving the army the following month means that Sir Conway Lanyon will return home before the end of the year (1813). Attended a breakfast at Lord Hill’s headquarters at which Charlotte, Lady Lanyon (née Scorrier) wore a “quite ravishing but shockingly expensive” hat by Phanie of Paris.

Weston*

Venetia

Tailor to Mr. Hendred.

Wicked Baron, the

Venetia

Jasper, Lord Damerel is called this by local children, including the Lanyons; it is a reference to.....

Worting

Venetia

Butler to the Hendreds in London, he enjoys chatting with Venetia Lanyon in the breakfast parlor while she is staying with them and proves to be her main guide to the city, telling her what to see, how to get there, and how to deal with chairmen and hack drivers.

Yardley, Edward

Venetia

Godson of Sir Francis Lanyon and one of the two people (the other being the Dr. Bentworth) he permitted to cross his threshold after losing his wife. The a 29-year-old model of a country gentleman of solid worth, Edward lives at Netherfold with his doting mother, has a respectable fortune, and is of modest ambition. Solid-looking and always dressed with neatness and propriety, he eschews extravagant tastes and wears his hair more closely cropped than is fashionable. He is sternly master of his passions and possessed of neither wit nor liveliness, but rather a naturally serious disposition with a great deal of common sense and a strong sense of duty. Fatherless since the age of 9, his masterful nature has made him an autocrat in his own household.

Yardley, Mrs.

Venetia

Doting mother of Edward Yardley. A meek, colourless widow with parchment skin, thin, bloodless lips, eyes of a shallow, faded blue, and hair of indeterminate hue between sand and grey and neatly banded under a widow’s cap. She is not a talker, and her flat voice is devoid of emotion. Deeply and jealously adoring of her son, she kindles to warmth only in his presence and always submits to his autocratic will.