Yeah, I’ve been a little surprised that we never see Anna and Matthew discussing Bates’s case (with Mary present, of course). Especially with Anna being Mary’s lady’s maid and all.
I think that until this season she’s merely been very young and very ignorant. I find her to be a believeable character, though. And I think spending time with William’s father is helping her grow up some. I like that she asked him about pursuing Alfred. I’d love to see her continue to grow and mature, and not be a complete bitch to the new kitchen maid out of jealousy, but I won’t hold my breath.
Liberal arts of some description. Perhaps Latin or Philosophy. Practical (read: vocational) subjects were purely for the merchant classes who were expecting to actually work for a living, like Matthew.
As the Earl of Grantham, he does serve in the House of Lords, whenever he feels like a trip up to London. He wouldn’t have been able to do this until he inherited the earldom, as he wouldn’t yet have become a Peer of the Realm.
This situation existed up until 1999 when Tony Blair’s government threw out all but 92 of the hereditary peers out of the Lords, who had to ‘apply for their job’.
He wouldn’t have been privately tutored, he would have attended one of the grand public boarding schools, like Eton or Harrow. He would probably have either gone to Oxbridge or joined the army, if he was a real thicko. Actually, didn’t he mention being in the army some time in season 2 when he was upset about not getting a call up?
Matthew being a working solicitor certainly marks him down a class. He’s ‘trade’ :eek:
I know, it seems crazy really, but I remember Catholics being viewed as ‘other’ when I was growing up, partly because they tended to go to church a lot (not really that popular in the C of E!), often went to their own catholic schools and generally kept separate. Weird to think about it.
Sibyl’s pregnancy is one of the more consistant things regarding the timeling. She wrote to her mother that she was pregnant around Christmas 1919 and now it’s August of 1920 so she’s due to give birth. According to the press packet Lord Grantham studied at Eton College and Oxford; which is consistant with his background. Prior to Eton he would’ve had a governess and/or tutor (his sister would’ve be educated at home by governesses & the odd specialist tutor and maybe sent to finishing school on the Continent). If he as a degree it’s probally in classics or a generic liberal arts degree. Matthew probally went to a grammar school in Manchester and either attended Durham University; remember he’s also from a privileged background, just not nearly as priveleged as the other Crawleys.
Part of me wonders is deep down Lord Grantham really does think Bates killed Vera, but only to prevent her from telling people about Lady Mary & Mr Pamuk. It would certainly explain why he’s so loyal and supportive.
I don’t think it’s been stated that the Earl has ever attended the House of Lords (although I’d be very interested to see that, too). Many nobles didn’t ever show up, due to apathy, the press of other business or inconvenience (and since 1999, many now can’t, at least not as voting members): House of Lords Act 1999 - Wikipedia
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir]
Many nobles didn’t ever show up, due to apathy, the press of other business or inconvenience
[/QUOTE]
From recent episodes, “the press of other business” apparently wasn’t that consuming (i.e. he put Cora’s fortune into just one stock [against expert advice] and is very lax in managing the village affairs), and since it’s been established that they own a house in London it can’t be that inconvenient, so I’m going to guess “Doesn’t show up” and “due to apathy” (and in the drawing room with a night stick*).
*They should market a Downton Abbey themed game of CLUE.
