# Lord Ashley-Cooper — The Great Roxhythe character guide > Lord Ashley-Cooper in The Great Roxhythe by Georgette Heyer. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Ashley, Cooper, Lord Ashley, Shaftesbury **First appearance:** 0005-ii-the-king-his-councillors ## Snapshot A pinched, impatient politician whose plain dress and twitching lips betray a restless ambition far more dangerous than Buckingham's languid charm. ## Who they are Lord Ashley-Cooper sits uneasily beside the foppish Buckingham, tapping his foot and watching Roxhythe with open suspicion, a man who has no use for comfits or courtly polish. He is not at ease in the King's designs and cannot tell whether he is being used or is using others. In the charged meeting of the King's councillors, his discomfort and Roxhythe's impassive bow set the tone for a political world where nobody's loyalty is certain and every courtesy conceals a calculation. ## Relationships ### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe) _rivalry_ Lord Ashley-Cooper is a political opponent of Lord Roxhythe, frequently opposing his schemes and aligning with rival factions. ### [King Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii) _professional_ King Charles II employs Lord Ashley-Cooper as a minister, but their relationship is strained by Ashley-Cooper's shifting loyalties and ambitions. ### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe) _rivalry_ Lord Ashley-Cooper is a political opponent of Lord Roxhythe, frequently opposing his schemes and aligning with rival factions. ### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe) _rivalry_ Lord Ashley-Cooper is a political opponent of Lord Roxhythe, frequently opposing his schemes and aligning with rival factions. ### [King Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii) _professional_ King Charles II employs Lord Ashley-Cooper as a minister, but their relationship is strained by Ashley-Cooper's shifting loyalties and ambitions. ### [King Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii) _professional_ King Charles II employs Lord Ashley-Cooper as a minister, but their relationship is strained by Ashley-Cooper's shifting loyalties and ambitions. ## In the story ### [I: The King and His Favourite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-the-king-and-his-favourite) Mentioned as being partially in the plot, though the King does not trust him with the full plan. ### [II: The King His Councillors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ii-the-king-his-councillors) Leads the meeting, recommends Christopher Dart as a suitable companion for Roxhythe's mission. ### [III: Christopher Dart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iii-christopher-dart) Christopher seeks his advice; Ashley expresses mistrust of Roxhythe but confirms the venture is genuine and advises Christopher to keep a clear head. ### [VII: William of Orange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vii-william-of-orange) Authored the written proposition presented to William, though his exact role is questioned by the Prince. ### [IX: The Growth of the Seed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ix-the-growth-of-the-seed) Visits Christopher to probe Roxhythe's motives; expresses mistrust and suspicion of intrigue. ### [I: Whitehall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-whitehall) Described as a 'dull dog' and 'wickedest dog' who must be removed from the Cabinet for opposing the King. ### [IX: Disillusionment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ix-disillusionment) Ashley is mentioned as joining Buckingham in the popular cry against prorogation and being sent to the Tower. ### [V: Discord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/v-discord) Hires Christopher as secretary; exploits the Titus Oates Plot for political ends, feigning belief in the conspiracy to attack Catholics and the Duke of York. ### [VII: The Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vii-the-revenge) Suspected by Roxhythe as the hand behind Montague's attack on Danby. ### [I: The Triple Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-the-triple-game) Suspicious of Roxhythe but persuaded by Holles to consider recruiting him for the anti-York cause. ### [II: The Schemers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ii-the-schemers) Hesitant but ultimately agrees to the scheme of promoting Monmouth, hosting the meeting of schemers. ### [III: Agitations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iii-agitations) Pushes the Exclusion Bill and Popish plot; plans to impeach Lord Stafford; becomes more violent and desperate. ### [IV: The King His Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iv-the-king-his-triumph) Desperate and broken, flees to Holland and dies after his cause collapses. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_ashley_cooper - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters