- This page is about the book character. For the Netflix character, see Anthony Bridgerton.
Anthony Bridgerton is the eldest child of the Bridgerton family.
History[]
Early Life[]
Anthony is the firstborn child of Viscount Edmund Bridgerton and his wife, Violet. When he was eight, Edmund gifted him a pocket watch. When Anthony went off to Eton, Edmund personally dropped him off rather than let servants take Anthony there. From Eton, he eventually went off to Oxford for college. He was on break staying at Aubrey Hall when Edmund suddenly died from a bee sting. He subsequently inherited the title of viscount, and became the head of the family. While in college, he became friends with Simon Basset. After Anthony finished college and entered the ton, he became a well-known notorious rake.
1813[]
Anthony was supervising his sister, Daphne, who was in her second season. He reconnected with Simon, who had recently returned to England. When Daphne seemed to be courted by Simon, Anthony was not happy. However, Daphne and Simon told him that they were faking a courtship to help Daphne gain more suitors. Anthony agreed to let the ruse play, with certain conditions. He warned Simon that if he ever caught him compromising Daphne's honor, he would kill him. When Simon joined the Bridgertons for dinner, Anthony was not happy about Simon being placed next to Daphne, while he was at the other end of the table. Simon accompanied the family on a trip to Greenwich, where they both ended up falling in the water because of Anthony's brother, Gregory. The two almost started fighting, despite neither being at fault, until Daphne came and separated them. Daphne asks Anthony why Simon is opposed to marriage, and Anthony admits he doesn't know the reason why.
During the Trowbridge ball, Anthony found Daphne and Simon alone in the gardens. He immediately started beating up Simon, until Daphne fell into a nearby bush, and he had to help pull her out with Simon. Anthony demanded Simon marry her to preserve her honor. Simon refused, angering Anthony, who decided to settle the matter in a duel. Simon agreed, and Anthony brought Daphne home. He then took his brother, Benedict, to Hyde Park at dawn to meet Simon. Before they could duel, though, Daphne showed up with their brother, Colin, to talk to Simon. Anthony and Benedict got angry with Colin while Daphne talked to Simon. She finally told Anthony that there would be no duel, and she and Simon would marry. Anthony came by before the wedding, and warns Simon that if he hurts Daphne, he'll kill him; Simon says he'll let him because he wants to make Daphne happy.
When Daphne returned to London alone, Anthony was in the country with Benedict. He later returned, and barged into her house, to Daphne's annoyance. He told Daphne of his promise to kill Simon if he ever hurt her, making Daphne even more furious. He notices that Daphne's writing a letter to Simon, and says he'll deliver it. Daphne agrees, but only after he promises not to hurt Simon or read the letter. Anthony agrees, and heads to where Simon is staying, delivering the letter. He immediately threatens to kill Simon, but also tells him that Daphne is in London and the ton is gossiping about her being alone. He tells Simon that he knows the two of them love each other, and should work things out. He gives the letter, and returns to London.
Simon returns to London, and Anthony hears about it. He, Benedict, and Colin show up at Hastings House, to Simon and Daphne's dismay. Despite her telling them to leave, they refuse until they know that Simon loves Daphne. Simon pulls Daphne aside, and confesses his love, which Anthony and his brothers see. Just as they decide to leave, Violet shows up, furious, and drags all three of her sons out.
1814[]
When the season started, Anthony made the decision to finally marry, and chose to court the diamond: Edwina Sheffield. He had to win the approval of her older sister, Kate Sheffield. Kate made her dislike for Anthony clear, but Anthony saw this as a challenge, and was ready to meet it. When he called on Edwina, he ended up talking to Kate and met her stepmother, Mary, and her dog, Newton. Mary convinced Anthony to join Kate on a walk with Newton. Anthony agreed, and the two went out for a walk. Anthony was adjusting Kate's bonnet when they came in close proximity and became distracted, causing Newton to run away. In his excitement, Newton knocked Edwina into the Serpentine water. Anthony was furious at Kate, blaming her for Edwina's accident. Kate got revenge by having Newton purposely get Anthony wet.
Despite his anger, Anthony ended up dreaming of Kate that night. At a musicale hosted by his mother, Anthony decided to distract himself with Maria Rosso, the singer performing and his former lover. But while flirting with Maria in his study, he found Kate hiding under his desk. He quickly dismissed Maria and confronted Kate, who swore she was there by accident. Anthony felt even more drawn to Kate, and kissed her. She was outraged, and told him she'd never allow Anthony to marry Edwina. Anthony still didn't feel deterred when she left.
Anthony saw Kate and the Sheffield family again at the Bridgerton country house party at Aubrey Hall. He apologized to Kate for what he said to her, though she interpreted it as him apologizing for kissing her. The two then joined a spirited game of Pall Mall with Edwina, Simon, Daphne and Colin. Anthony purposely sent Kate's ball off course during the game, but she got even by sending his ball into the lake. They were left alone while cleaning up the course. He asked Kate if she still hated him while in close proximity of each other. She didn't respond, and Anthony felt he had his answer. Anthony saw Cressida Cowper bullying Penelope Featherington, and rescued her while Kate and Edwina watched.
That night, Anthony was about to go to bed when he found Kate in the library, terrified because of the thunderstorm outside. He stayed and comforted her, as they both bonded over family and loss they had experienced. Kate was able to finally calm down when the storm abated, and she and Anthony went to bed. The following morning, Anthony followed her to the gardens to check on her, and Kate told him that Anthony had her approval to marry Edwina. Before Anthony could respond, he saw a bee flying near Kate, and became gripped by terror. Kate brushed it off, even when the bee stung her. Anthony, panicked, tried to extract the venom and the two were caught in a compromising position by Violet, Mary, and Portia Featherington. While Portia insisted the two had to marry, Anthony threatened her by saying he wouldn't let Kate's reputation be hurt. But when Violet pointed out that Anthony and Kate could've been seen from the hall, Anthony finally decided to marry Kate. She was distressed at this, but Anthony pulled her aside and said he would honor his promise and marry her, before they kissed.
Before the wedding, Anthony gave Kate an engagement ring, and told her to not expect love in their marriage because he couldn't give it. He still desired her, and kissed Kate again, but held himself back to not compromise her further before their wedding. They married, and moved to Anthony's private lodgings right across from Bridgerton House in London. In their bedroom, Kate was apprehensive about their wedding night, but Anthony told her how much he wanted her, even more than Edwina, and she was the only woman he wanted to be with. Kate accepted this, and the two made love on their wedding night. They enjoyed a satisfying marriage, though Anthony purposely avoided Kate most days to avoid falling in love with her. A month later, he came home early, and found Kate talking to Edwina, who said she was interested in her own suitor named Mr. Bagwell. Anthony later told Kate he'd set aside a dowry for Edwina, and she was touched by his gesture, kissing him to show her gratitude.
That night, a thunderstorm raged, and Anthony was awake and watched Kate twist and turn in the grips of a nightmare, finally calling out for her mother. Anthony told her what he'd heard the next morning, and told her to talk to Mary. He came along for support while Kate asked Mary what happened to her birth mother. Mary told her how Kate's mother had died during a thunderstorm, and Kate had witnessed it, but she blocked out the memory. Anthony and Kate went home that night, where Anthony realized he'd fallen in love with her. He was upset, as he didn't want to, fearing he would die young like his father. He went over to Bridgerton House, where Kate found him the next morning. She tried to get him to come home, but Anthony yelled at her to leave, which she did. He ended up at White's the next day, where Benedict and Colin found him. After mocking his hangover, they told Anthony to go and apologize to Kate and say he loves her. Anthony realized that they're right, and decided to go find Kate.
Anthony follows Kate to Hyde Park, where he sees her get into a carriage accident along with Edwina, Newton, and Mr. Bagwell. While pulling Kate out, Anthony confesses to Kate he loves her. They come back home, where Anthony fusses over Kate while she's being treated for a broken leg. Afterwards, Anthony opens up to Kate, eventually coming to terms with wanting to have a love marriage with Kate.
1815[]
Anthony and Kate are expecting their first child. Violet decides to move out of Bridgerton House to make room for Anthony and Kate's growing family, and hosts one final masquerade ball, which Anthony and Kate both attend. They later have a son, Edmund.
1817[]
By the start of the season, Anthony and Kate became parents to a second son, Miles. He came over to his mother's house to be present for Daphne's pregnancy announcement, and met Benedict and Colin. Colin complained about how Violet was trying to match him and Penelope, and both Benedict and Anthony teased him about it. Fed up, Colin yelled that he was not going to marry Penelope, which she overheard. She walked away, and Anthony escorted her home, apologizing for Colin's statement.
1823[]
Anthony turns 39, surpassing his father in longevity. He and Kate now also have a daughter, Charlotte. He finally overcomes his fear of dying young, and hopes to live more years happily with Kate and his family.
1824[]
Anthony welcomed Colin home after he came back from Cyprus, trying to convince him to settle down, and admitted that he convinced Violet to let her children hold a ball for her birthday by threatening to reveal her age. Anthony is present at the engagement ball of Colin and Penelope. When the Lady Whistledown column is distributed, it interrupts Anthony's announcement. Colin then came up, and asked Anthony to make his toast so he could take Penelope home, since she wasn't feeling well. Anthony agreed, and made the toast welcoming Penelope to the family.
Some weeks later, Anthony was just arriving home when he saw Colin at his doorstep. Colin came and asked for help to protect Penelope after she was blackmailed by Cressida.
After coming home from Daphne's ball, Anthony found out his sister, Eloise, was missing. His brothers and Penelope eventually figured out that she had gone to the home of Phillip Crane, and he and his brothers followed her there.
1830[]
Anthony and Kate welcome their fourth child and second daughter, Mary.
Personality[]
One of the most notorious rakes in London, Anthony protects his family with as much fierceness as he commands respect as head of the Bridgerton family in the ton. But he struggles with unresolved trauma and fear left from the sudden death of his father, which has left him unable to trust and hesitant to welcome any emotion, especially love.
Relationships[]
Romantic[]
Kate Bridgerton[]
Anthony met Kate Sheffield in an attempt to get approval to marry Edwina. Despite Kate rejecting him, Anthony found her confidence appealing. He decided to meet her challenge to try to win her approval. This resulted in them being close, and Anthony feeling desire for Kate. However, he refused to consider her because he wanted a marriage without love. When he was forced to marry Kate out of honor, Anthony got over his initial horror at being trapped into marriage, and realized it was the perfect solution to not ignoring his feelings for Kate. When Kate was doubtful of the match, Anthony was furious at those who made her feel subpar, and assured her that he desired her. Despite marrying her, Anthony still kept his distance to avoid falling in love with Kate. When he realized he loved her, he tried to deny it, but eventually accepted it, and confessed his love to Kate, who reciprocated his love. They finally accepted a love marriage, and had four kids together.
Familial[]
Parents[]
Anthony grew up close to his father Edmund, who he idolized and wished to be emulate in every way possible. When Edmund died suddenly, Anthony was devastated. Believing he could be no better than his father, Anthony believed he would also die at 38. He didn't want a love marriage because he was afraid of his wife being hurt by his death like his mother was by Edmund's. However, Anthony outlived his father and fell in love with his wife, and vowed to be as a good a father to his children as Edmund was to him.
Anthony would do anything to protect his mother, but he also does not question her authority. He saw how shattered Violet was after Edmund's death, and did not wish to put anyone through that pain, which is why he didn't want a love marriage. Violet still did matchmaking for Anthony, hoping he would fall in love. Anthony fell in love with his wife, and was happy when Violet took up new interests as he settled into his family life.
Siblings[]
Anthony was close to his brother, Benedict, who was only two years younger. They spent a lot of time together when they became young men and went off to school. Anthony's next younger brother, Colin, is further apart in age from him, and Anthony did not spend much time, but let him travel, providing him funds when necessary.
Daphne is Anthony's eldest sister, and both entered society looking for matches, and bonded over this. Anthony let Daphne reject four proposals that were not suitable for her. He became protective when Simon was courting her, but still let Daphne make her own decisions. He insisted on dueling Simon when he refused to marry Daphne after compromising her. Anthony also helped Daphne and Simon reconcile when they became estranged after their marriage. Eloise is over a decade younger than Anthony, and he looked after her like a daughter more than a sister. When she had to marry out of honor and felt pressured, Anthony assured her that she will always make her own choices, and he'll support her, no matter what.
Friendships[]
Simon Basset[]
Anthony and Simon went to school together, and played pranks on each other as young boys. As they grew up, they both matured and accepted they had both changed for the better and leave their rambunctious past behind. Anthony knew how opposed Simon was to marriage, and was angry when he courted Daphne. Though Simon and Daphne confessed it was a ruse, Anthony was hesitant to let it continue and often watched Simon with a close eye, because his loyalty to Daphne came first. When Simon refused to marry Daphne after Anthony caught them together, Anthony was furious, accusing Simon of having no honor or consideration for a woman. Daphne, though, convinced Simon to marry her, but Anthony put Simon on notice, saying that if he hurt Daphne, Anthony would kill him. Though he wished to after Daphne showed up alone, Anthony didn't, as Daphne told him not to. Despite that, Anthony convinced Simon to reunite with Daphne, as he knew they loved each other and he wanted both of them to be happy.
Professional[]
Notes and Trivia[]
- Per the Author's note at the end of The Viscount Who Loved Me, Anthony lived until the age of 92.
- Anthony has the famous Bridgerton thick, chestnut hair[3] and dark brown eyes.[4]
Appearances[]
| Bridgerton Books | |||||
| #01 | "The Duke and I" | #04 | "Romancing Mister Bridgerton" | #07 | "It's In His Kiss" |
| #02 | "The Viscount Who Loved Me" | #05 | "To Sir Phillip, With Love" | #08 | "On The Way To The Wedding" |
| #03 | "An Offer from a Gentleman" | #06 | "When He Was Wicked" | #09 | "The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After" |
References
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