Lady Castlewood

Henry Esmond

Henry Esmond shares a deep, devoted love with Lady Castlewood, who becomes his wife after years of mutual affection and loyalty.

Lord Mohun

Lady Castlewood despises Lord Mohun for his role in her husband's death and his predatory interest in her daughter Beatrix.

Beatrix Esmond

Beatrix is Lady Castlewood's daughter, and their relationship is strained by Beatrix's vanity and her mother's protective disapproval.

Father Holt

Father Holt manipulates Lady Castlewood through religious influence and secrets about Henry's parentage, creating tension and mistrust.

Frank Castlewood

Frank Castlewood is Lady Castlewood's son, and their relationship is loving but marked by her protective concern for his inheritance.

Henry Esmond

Henry Esmond shares a deep, devoted love with Lady Castlewood, who becomes his wife after years of mutual affection and loyalty.

Lord Mohun

Lady Castlewood despises Lord Mohun for his role in her husband's death and his predatory interest in her daughter Beatrix.

Lord Mohun

Lady Castlewood despises Lord Mohun for his role in her husband's death and his predatory interest in her daughter Beatrix.

Henry Esmond

Henry Esmond shares a deep, devoted love with Lady Castlewood, who becomes his wife after years of mutual affection and loyalty.

Beatrix Esmond

Beatrix is Lady Castlewood's daughter, and their relationship is strained by Beatrix's vanity and her mother's protective disapproval.

Frank Castlewood

Frank Castlewood is Lady Castlewood's son, and their relationship is loving but marked by her protective concern for his inheritance.

Father Holt

Father Holt manipulates Lady Castlewood through religious influence and secrets about Henry's parentage, creating tension and mistrust.

The History of Henry Esmond

The kind and protective mistress of Castlewood who takes Henry under her care.

An Account of the Family of Esmond of Castlewood Hall

The new Viscountess, who discovers Henry and treats him with kindness and tenderness, becoming his protector.

Whither in the Time of Thomas, Third Viscount, I Had Preceded Him as Page to Isabella

The Viscountess; heavily painted with white and red, wearing a tower of lace and borrowed curls, intimidating to young Harry.

IV: I Am Placed Under a Popish Priest and Bred to That Religion—Viscountess Castlewood

The Viscountess, prone to quarrels with her husband, harsh to her page, and bold in the face of a mob, but subject to Father Holt's authority.

My Superiors Are Engaged in Plots for the Restoration of King James II

Fervent Jacobite; laments King James's exile, speaks of being a prisoner, and recalls her audience with the King at Salisbury.

The Issue of the Plots—The Death of Thomas, Third Viscount of Castlewood; and the Imprisonment of His Viscountess

Attempts to deceive the arresting officers by feigning rheumatism and using cosmetics to appear ill, but is ultimately arrested.

I Am Left at Castlewood an Orphan, and Find Most Kind Protectors There

The new mistress of Castlewood, she idolizes her husband but shows jealousy and a possessive love, while unknowingly inspiring Henry's worship.

VIII: After Good Fortune Comes Evil

Angrily confronts Henry for potentially infecting her son Frank, but later apologizes.

IX: I Have the Smallpox, and Prepare to Leave Castlewood

Suffers from smallpox, her beauty is impaired, and she worries about losing her husband's affection.

X: I Go to Cambridge, and Do but Little Good There

Mentioned as having had smallpox; provides Henry with regular allowances during his time at Cambridge.

I Come Home for a Holiday to Castlewood, and Find a Skeleton in the House

Greets Esmond with a colder, sadder demeanor; has been preparing his room; anxious about her children's company and Lord Castlewood's behavior.

My Lord Mohun Comes Among Us for No Good

Maintains a strained relationship with her husband; expresses mistrust of Lord Mohun's free manner, leading to a confrontation with Lord Castlewood.

My Lord Leaves Us and His Evil Behind Him

Anxious about her husband's gambling; naively believes Lord Mohun's intentions are honorable.

XIV: We Ride After Him to London

Anxiously watches the departure of Lord Mohun; her husband's behavior toward her becomes tender and solemn before he leaves for London.

Book II: Contains Mr. Esmond’s Military Life, and Other Matters Appertaining to the Esmond Family

Key family member involved in Esmond family affairs.

I: I Am in Prison, and Visited, but Not Consoled There

Visits Esmond in prison, grief-stricken and angry, blaming him for her husband's death; later tends to him after his fainting fit but leaves without reconciliation.

II: I Come to the End of My Captivity, but Not of My Trouble

The widow, residing at the Dowager's house in Chelsea; she remains angry with Esmond and refuses to see or hear from him.

III: I Take the Queen's Pay in Quin's Regiment

Henry's benefactress; her simple and faithful heart makes her an unwavering Jacobite; she influences her husband's conscience and Henry's early loyalties.

V: I Go on the Vigo Bay Expedition, Taste Saltwater and Smell Powder

The widowed Lady Castlewood, living at Walcote; Tom Tusher is said to be courting her, which provokes Esmond's anger.

VI: The 29th December

In widow's hood at the cathedral; reconciles with Henry, explaining her past sin and her duty to her children and father.

VII: I Am Made Welcome at Walcote

Welcomes Esmond with affection and joy, pressing his arm and beaming at him. She shows concern for his well-being and seems protective of the family's secrets.

VIII: Family Talk

Perceives Henry's turmoil, confronts him about his departure, and expresses her fears for Beatrix's future.

IX: I Make the Campaign of 1704

Esmond's mistress; writes to him during the campaign, hinting at his return.

X: An Old Story About a Fool and a Woman

Moved to Kensington after her father's death; inherited £3,000; brings her children to London for Beatrix's court service.

XII: I Get a Company in the Campaign of 1706

Writes letters thanking Esmond for protecting Frank; expresses concern about Beatrix's conduct.

I Meet an Old Acquaintance in Flanders, and Find My Mother's Grave and My Own Cradle There

Mentioned as the daughter of the late Dean and as Thomas Esmond's wife after his conversion.

General Webb Wins the Battle of Wynendael

Overjoyed at Esmond's success and grateful for his protection of Frank; she participates in the family tribute.

Book III: Containing the End of Mr. Esmond’s Adventures in England

Steadfast presence in Henry's life, her loyalty and love are pivotal.

I: I Come to an End of My Battles and Bruises

Hides her fears for her 'sons' during the campaign; found visiting the poor in Kensington; keeps a devotional table-book; writes letters to Esmond that are lost at sea.

II: I Go Home, and Harp on the Old String

Learns of Frank's marriage; insists on calling Esmond 'my lord'; writes a gentle letter to her new daughter-in-law.

III: A Paper Out of the Spectator

Listens to Esmond's confessions and informs him of Beatrix's engagement to the Duke of Hamilton.

Beatrix's New Suitor

Tells the story of Esmond's sacrifice to the Duke and Beatrix, emphasizing the family's debt to him.

VI: Poor Beatrix

Grieves deeply over the Duke's death; her reaction is more emotional than Beatrix's; she seeks spiritual comfort from Dr. Atterbury.

VII: I Visit Castlewood Once More

Welcomes Esmond warmly, shares a tender morning walk, and is entrusted with the secret of Frank's mission.

VIII: I Travel to France and Bring Home a Portrait of Rigaud

Dismisses old servants and prepares for Frank's return, keeping Esmond's secret.

The Original of the Portrait Comes to England

Hosts the Prince but is deeply mortified by his levity and lack of virtue, finding her lifelong worship of him shattered.

We Entertain a Very Distinguished Guest at Kensington

Stern and unforgiving in her confrontation with Beatrix, she delivers a cruel blow by pointing out the miniature of the late Duke. She agrees that Beatrix should leave London during the Prince's visit.

XI: Our Guest Quits Us as Not Being Hospitable Enough

Manages the household with composure, announces Beatrix's absence, and participates in the council.

A Great Scheme, and Who Balked It

Blesses Esmond and Frank as they depart for the plot, then goes to her chamber to pray.

XIII: August 1st, 1714

Remains in Kensington in distress; the Bishop Atterbury is with her; she fears violence from Esmond.

Endnotes

Lady Castlewood is noted for acting from a sense of duty in pointing out her daughter's wrong, not from triumph.