# Beatrix Esmond — The History of Henry Esmond character guide > Beatrix Esmond in The History of Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Beatrix, little Beatrix, Mistress Beatrix, Madam Beatrix, the lovely Beatrix, chatterbox Beatrix **First appearance:** 0010-vii-i-am-left-at-castlewood-an-orphan-and-find-most-kind-protectors-there ## Snapshot Castlewood's dazzling daughter practices her coquetry on rustics and tutors alike, hoarding her beauty like a weapon she intends to spend on the world. ## Who they are Beatrix sings, dances, sulks, and rules the house with little imperial ways her parents only laugh at. She makes eyes at Harry Esmond one moment and refuses to sit on his knee the next, already calculating what attention is worth. Her mother watches this precocious vanity with quiet dread, and the reader watches too — because Beatrix's ambition will shape everything Esmond does. ## Relationships ### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond) _romantic_ Beatrix Esmond is the object of Henry's passionate but unrequited love, as she is vain and ambitious, ultimately rejecting him. ### [Lady Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lady_castlewood) _family_ Beatrix is Lady Castlewood's daughter, and their relationship is strained by Beatrix's vanity and her mother's protective disapproval. ### [Lord Mohun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lord_mohun) _romantic_ Beatrix is romantically entangled with Lord Mohun, attracted to his charm and status, though he is a dangerous and immoral man. ### [Queen Anne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/queen_anne) _social_ Beatrix Esmond is a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne, enjoying a position of social prominence and royal favor. ### [Frank Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/frank_castlewood) _family_ Beatrix and Frank Castlewood are siblings, with a bond of affection but also rivalry over status and Henry's attention. ### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond) _romantic_ Beatrix Esmond is the object of Henry's passionate but unrequited love, as she is vain and ambitious, ultimately rejecting him. ### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond) _romantic_ Beatrix Esmond is the object of Henry's passionate but unrequited love, as she is vain and ambitious, ultimately rejecting him. ### [Lady Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lady_castlewood) _family_ Beatrix is Lady Castlewood's daughter, and their relationship is strained by Beatrix's vanity and her mother's protective disapproval. ### [Lord Mohun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lord_mohun) _romantic_ Beatrix is romantically entangled with Lord Mohun, attracted to his charm and status, though he is a dangerous and immoral man. ### [Lord Mohun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lord_mohun) _romantic_ Beatrix is romantically entangled with Lord Mohun, attracted to his charm and status, though he is a dangerous and immoral man. ### [Frank Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/frank_castlewood) _family_ Beatrix and Frank Castlewood are siblings, with a bond of affection but also rivalry over status and Henry's attention. ### [Lady Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lady_castlewood) _family_ Beatrix is Lady Castlewood's daughter, and their relationship is strained by Beatrix's vanity and her mother's protective disapproval. ## In the story ### [The History of Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/the-history-of-henry-esmond) The beautiful and spirited daughter of Lady Castlewood, who captivates Henry. ### [An Account of the Family of Esmond of Castlewood Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/i-an-account-of-the-family-of-esmond-of-castlewood-hall) The four-year-old daughter of Lord and Lady Castlewood, who offers her hand to Henry and calls him 'kinsman'. ### [VIII: After Good Fortune Comes Evil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/viii-after-good-fortune-comes-evil) Pouts and refuses Henry's attention, playing with her dog Fido; later sent to bed by her mother. ### [IX: I Have the Smallpox, and Prepare to Leave Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ix-i-have-the-smallpox-and-prepare-to-leave-castlewood) Returns to Castlewood with her father, described as pert and beautiful. ### [X: I Go to Cambridge, and Do but Little Good There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/x-i-go-to-cambridge-and-do-but-little-good-there) Mentioned as the recipient of a doll from the Dowager Lady Castlewood; is growing beyond the age of dolls. ### [I Come Home for a Holiday to Castlewood, and Find a Skeleton in the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xi-i-come-home-for-a-holiday-to-castlewood-and-find-a-skeleton-in-the-house) Now grown tall; blushes when Esmond offers a kiss; mentions Lord Mohun's peruke; eager to visit Sark Castle. ### [My Lord Mohun Comes Among Us for No Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xii-my-lord-mohun-comes-among-us-for-no-good) Now grown into a beautiful and coquettish young woman, described as a 'rising young divinity' with a haughty and imperious manner; she manipulates those around her. ### [My Lord Leaves Us and His Evil Behind Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xiii-my-lord-leaves-us-and-his-evil-behind-him) Jealous of Lord Mohun's attention to her mother; her careless words spark a confrontation. ### [Book II: Contains Mr. Esmond’s Military Life, and Other Matters Appertaining to the Esmond Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/book-ii-contains-mr-esmond-s-military-life-and-other-matters-appertaining-to-the-esmond-family) Important figure in the Esmond family dynamics. ### [II: I Come to the End of My Captivity, but Not of My Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ii-i-come-to-the-end-of-my-captivity-but-not-of-my-trouble) Daughter of Lady Castlewood; Steele praises her beauty extravagantly, comparing her favorably to her mother. ### [VI: The 29th December](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vi-the-29th-december) Mentioned by Frank as a maid of honor at Court; not present in the scene. ### [VII: I Am Made Welcome at Walcote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vii-i-am-made-welcome-at-walcote) Now a young woman of extraordinary beauty, she descends the stairs in a striking scarlet ribbon and white stockings. She is playful, arch, and confident, already the subject of a potential marriage to the Marquis of Blandford. ### [VIII: Family Talk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/viii-family-talk) Mentioned as headstrong and vain; reacts angrily to Henry's departure, slapping her maid. ### [IX: I Make the Campaign of 1704](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ix-i-make-the-campaign-of-1704) Esmond's romantic interest; he is eager to see her at Kensington. ### [X: An Old Story About a Fool and a Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/x-an-old-story-about-a-fool-and-a-woman) Now a maid of honor, her beauty is celebrated in songs and toasts; involved in a dispute with the Duchess of Marlborough at court. ### [XII: I Get a Company in the Campaign of 1706](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xii-i-get-a-company-in-the-campaign-of-1706) Mentioned as the object of Esmond's unrequited love; rumored to be engaged to earls and dukes, but none succeed. ### [General Webb Wins the Battle of Wynendael](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xv-general-webb-wins-the-battle-of-wynendael) Esmond's love for her is central; she values his fame, and she participates in the ceremony dubbing him their knight. ### [Book III: Containing the End of Mr. Esmond’s Adventures in England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/book-iii-containing-the-end-of-mr-esmond-s-adventures-in-england) Central figure in Henry's affections, her choices impact the narrative's end. ### [I: I Come to an End of My Battles and Bruises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/i-i-come-to-an-end-of-my-battles-and-bruises) Her engagement to the Duke of Hamilton is announced, causing Esmond to lose his military ambition; she is described as frantic for the King and wears his picture. ### [II: I Go Home, and Harp on the Old String](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ii-i-go-home-and-harp-on-the-old-string) Absent at Windsor; described as the ruler of the household and engaged in town pleasures. ### [III: A Paper Out of the Spectator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/iii-a-paper-out-of-the-spectator) Flirts with Esmond, mocks him, and announces her intention to marry a wealthy suitor; accepts the Duke of Hamilton's proposal. ### [Beatrix's New Suitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/iv-beatrix-s-new-suitor) Accepts the Duke of Hamilton's proposal, admits her ambition, and receives the diamond necklace from Esmond with delight. ### [Mohun Appears for the Last Time in This History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/v-mohun-appears-for-the-last-time-in-this-history) Mentioned as the object of Esmond's affections; he cannot bear to attend her marriage, and she sends him on an errand for gloves or a fan. ### [VI: Poor Beatrix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vi-poor-beatrix) The 'poor Beatrix' of the title; engaged to the Duke of Hamilton, she is absorbed in preparations for her wedding and future as a duchess, only to have her hopes dashed by the Duke's death. ### [VII: I Visit Castlewood Once More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vii-i-visit-castlewood-once-more) Appears in mourning, proud and stoic after her latest disappointment; she engages in charitable works and music at Castlewood. ### [VIII: I Travel to France and Bring Home a Portrait of Rigaud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/viii-i-travel-to-france-and-bring-home-a-portrait-of-rigaud) Returns to court after Duke Hamilton's death, resuming her duties and gaining favor with Mrs. Masham. ### [The Original of the Portrait Comes to England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ix-the-original-of-the-portrait-comes-to-england) Rallies the Prince with wit, defends Esmond, and expresses her disdain for the Prince's character. ### [We Entertain a Very Distinguished Guest at Kensington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/x-we-entertain-a-very-distinguished-guest-at-kensington) Returns the diamonds to Henry in a defiant act, leading to a painful argument with her mother. She is proud and hurt, feeling betrayed and unloved. ### [XI: Our Guest Quits Us as Not Being Hospitable Enough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xi-our-guest-quits-us-as-not-being-hospitable-enough) Sent away to Castlewood to avoid the Prince's advances; her absence provokes the Prince's ire. ### [A Great Scheme, and Who Balked It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xii-a-great-scheme-and-who-balked-it) Her note to Frank Castlewood reveals she has been sent away to Castlewood, and her flight lures the Prince away from the conspiracy. ### [XIII: August 1st, 1714](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xiii-august-1st-1714) Has secretly invited the Prince to Castlewood; her letter to her mother is intercepted, revealing her duplicity. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/endnotes) Beatrix is referenced in the context of her mother's duty to point out her deplorable wrong. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/beatrix_esmond - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters