# Baroness Lehzen — Queen Victoria character guide

> Baroness Lehzen in Queen Victoria by Lytton Strachey.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lehzen, Fraulein Lehzen, dear Lehzen, the Baroness Lehzen

**First appearance:** 0007-ii-childhood

## Snapshot

The pastor's daughter who governed Victoria's girlhood, editing her letters and guarding her bedroom door, an invisible power the Queen could not easily shed.

## Who they are

Lehzen survived the fall of Conroy and the Duchess's eclipse to become the quiet victor of Kensington, her room adjoining the Queen's at Buckingham Palace. Narrow, jealous, provincial, she was also acute and vigorous, and her ascendancy over Victoria's private life blurred the line between the personal and the political. Her grip on the young sovereign sets up the contest with Albert, who will find her influence an obstacle to his own.

## Relationships

### [Queen Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/queen_victoria)

_friendship_

Victoria's beloved governess and companion, who was eventually dismissed due to Albert's influence.

### [Queen Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/queen_victoria)

_friendship_

Victoria's beloved governess and companion, who was eventually dismissed due to Albert's influence.

## In the story

### [II: Childhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/ii-childhood)

Victoria's beloved governess and confidante, who became the central figure in Victoria's emotional world and heavily influenced her journal and moral development.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/ii)

Becomes Victoria's governess at age five, instilling discipline and winning the child's heart, leading to improved behavior and learning.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iii)

Victoria's beloved governess and confidante, who had a profound influence on her daily life and character.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv)

Victoria's beloved governess, locked in a deadly feud with Sir John Conroy; she maintains an irreproachable demeanour and has the King's support.

### [Lord Melbourne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iii-lord-melbourne)

Former governess, part of the Queen's inner circle.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/i)

One of the few people who had been alone with Victoria before her accession.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/ii)

Victorious over her enemies, she remains discreet and omnipresent, supervising every detail of Victoria's conduct and maintaining a bedroom next to the Queen's.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv)

Wisely propitiated by Melbourne, but described as an unsubstantial shadow in Victoria's paradise.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/v)

Lehzen is briefly mentioned as the recipient of a smile from Victoria during the coronation ceremony.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/vi)

Influences palace etiquette and is involved in the palace hostilities; her animosity towards Lady Flora Hastings is noted.

### [Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv-marriage)

Gradually loses ground at court after the birth of royal children, is finally dismissed at Albert's insistence, and retires to Hanover surrounded by portraits of Victoria.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/ii)

Accompanies the couple to Windsor, involved in communicating appointments to Albert.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iii)

Dominates Victoria's private life and controls the royal household; her power is eventually broken by Albert's growing influence.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv)

Her departure helps obliterate the past and facilitates the family reconciliation.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/v)

Her rule prevented household reform; her functions later devolved upon Albert.

### [The Apotheosis of Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as the source of Victoria's unchanging religious beliefs, being the daughter of a Lutheran pastor.

### [X: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/chapters/x-the-end)

Appears in Victoria's memories with the globes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters/baroness_lehzen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/queen_victoria_se/characters