# Nancy Brown — Agnes Grey character guide

> Nancy Brown in Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Brown, Nancy Brown, Nancy, poor Nancy Brown, old Nancy

**First appearance:** 0010-xi-the-cottagers

## Snapshot

A poor, pious cottager whose humble fireside becomes the one place Agnes Grey can speak freely and be met with genuine warmth.

## Who they are

Nancy Brown lives in poverty near Horton Lodge, and her cottage is a refuge Agnes visits whenever she can slip away from her pupils. Their talks give Agnes room to reflect on faith, hardship, and the loneliness of governess life, and it is on the road home from Nancy that she keeps meeting Mr. Weston. Nancy's simple piety and gratitude quietly measure the coldness of the Murray household, and her friendship keeps Agnes's better self alive through the middle of the book.

## Relationships

### [Edward Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/edward_weston)

_friendship_

Edward Weston shows genuine pastoral care and kindness to the poor, elderly Nancy Brown, helping her spiritually and practically.

### [Agnes Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/agnes_grey)

_friendship_

Agnes forms a warm, supportive friendship with the humble and devout Nancy Brown, visiting and comforting her.

### [Thomas Ashby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/thomas_ashby)

_social_

Nancy Brown, as a poor villager, is subject to the casual cruelty and neglect of the wealthy Thomas Ashby.

### [Agnes Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/agnes_grey)

_friendship_

Agnes forms a warm, supportive friendship with the humble and devout Nancy Brown, visiting and comforting her.

### [Edward Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/edward_weston)

_friendship_

Edward Weston shows genuine pastoral care and kindness to the poor, elderly Nancy Brown, helping her spiritually and practically.

### [Agnes Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/agnes_grey)

_friendship_

Agnes forms a warm, supportive friendship with the humble and devout Nancy Brown, visiting and comforting her.

### [Thomas Ashby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/thomas_ashby)

_social_

Nancy Brown, as a poor villager, is subject to the casual cruelty and neglect of the wealthy Thomas Ashby.

### [Edward Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/edward_weston)

_friendship_

Edward Weston shows genuine pastoral care and kindness to the poor, elderly Nancy Brown, helping her spiritually and practically.

## In the story

### [XI: The Cottagers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xi-the-cottagers)

A poor widow with eye trouble; receives visits from Agnes and Mr. Weston, and shares her spiritual growth.

### [XII: The Shower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xii-the-shower)

Anxious about her missing cat; grateful for Mr. Weston's rescue and Agnes's help.

### [Confessions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xvii-confessions)

Agnes had intended to visit Nancy Brown but was prevented by her pupil's task.

### [Mirth and Mourning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xviii-mirth-and-mourning)

Agnes visits her after the wedding; her eyes are nearly well, and she shares Agnes's sorrowful view of the marriage.

### [XX: The Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/chapters/xx-the-farewell)

Agnes visits her while Matilda is riding; mentioned as part of Agnes's routine.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters/nancy_brown
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/agnes_grey_se/characters