The Duke of Hastings was the father of Simon Basset.
History[]
Lord Danbury's Death[]
The Duke of Hastings, along with several other members of the newly-titled families, came to the home of Lady Danbury after the death of her husband. They had questions about if her son would inherit the title, because it had implications for all of them and their families.[1]
Simon's Birth and Childhood[]
When his wife became pregnant with their first child, the Duke of Hastings was merely concerned with if the child would be a boy to continue the family line. After their son was born, he happily presented Simon to his friends while Sarah died of a hemorrhage in the birthing room.
The duke was disinterested in his son when he was a child and handed him off to nurses to raise and educate. When Simon was four, he went to visit and found that Simon couldn't talk. He immediately rejected Simon, calling him an idiot and saying Simon was dead to him. When Simon was eleven, he had improved his speech and came to see his father. His father still couldn't be bothered with him and said he was as useless as his mother.[2]
Death[]
When the duke became ill and knew he was dying, Simon came to see him again. The duke was happy to see him come to claim his title, but Simon swiftly told him he'd never marry or have a child, meaning the line and title would die with him. Simon then stayed with his father as he died.[2]
Personality[]
The Duke of Hastings was very keen on having a son. He showed little regard for his wife as she was giving birth and was only focused on the sex of the baby.[2]
Relationships[]
Romantic[]
He was married to Sarah Basset until she died. During their marriage, Sarah and the Duke both desperately wanted to have children, but struggled with infertility. Everyone talked as if Sarah was at fault for the infertility and the couple's relationship was strained. Sarah continued trying for a child even after doctors warned her not to.[3] The Duke did not appear to care much when Sarah died while giving birth to their son, Simon.[2]
Familial[]
He and Sarah had one son, Simon. He was desperate to have a son to carry on the line, but once Simon was born, he called Simon his biggest mistake because he had a stutter. Throughout Simon's childhood, the duke lived almost exclusively in London and rarely returned to Hastings House, leaving only the staff to care for Simon.[3]
Career[]
He was the Duke of Hastings.
Notes and Trivia[]
- In real life, there has never been a Duke of Hastings. This is largely attributed to Hastings being a cinque port and being under the control of The Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. However, there used to be a Baron Hastings.[source?]
Gallery[]
Episode Stills[]
Appearances[]
| Bridgerton, Season 1 | |||||
| #01 | "Diamond of the First Water" | #04 | "An Affair of Honor" | #07 | "Oceans Apart" |
| #02 | "Shock and Delight" | #05 | "The Duke and I" | #08 | "After the Rain" |
| #03 | "Art of the Swoon" | #06 | "Swish" | ||
| Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | |||||
| #01 | "Queen to Be" | #03 | "Even Days" | #05 | "Gardens in Bloom" |
| #02 | "Honeymoon Bliss" | #04 | "Holding the King" | #06 | "Crown Jewels" |
References
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