Robert Crawley



"QUOTE"

- WHO

Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham is the patriarch of the Crawleys and holds title to the estate of Downton Abbey.

Background
Robert Crawley he was born heir to the estate of Downton Abbey in 1870, his sibling Rosamund followed in 1871. Patrick Crawley, the Earl of Grantham, was his father and Dowager Countess of Grantham, Lady Violet Crawley is his mother. Violet insists that she loved and cared for her children very much, however, she admits to Isobel Crawley that the children spent most of their time with their nanny, and she only spent about one hour with them after tea, though she is pleased to say that it was "every" day. Downton Abbey was not self sufficient (in fact it remains a drain on the Crawley resources to this day, though recent improvements and reorganization promise change in the future). Robert was provided with a first class education, being tutored from ages 7 to 13, and then attending Eton, followed by Christ College, Oxford, where he studied philosophy. Robert was brought up to follow in his father's footsteps, as lord of Downton.

In the year 1888, when he was 18, Robert Crawley went to America to find a wealthy heiress, which was the only way that the financially strapped Dowton Abbey could be saved. Robert met and married 20 year old Cora Levinson, the only daughter of Martha and Isidore Levinson, a millionaire dry goods salesman from Cincinnati, who brought with her a large dowry. Robert's father the Earl insisted that Cora sign an entailment which legally combined the money from the dowery to the title and the estate. So Downton Abbey could always be maintained. Robert did not marry for love, he admits this to his mother and to Cora and is ashamed to remember it. However, by the time a year had passed he found that he had fallen desperately in love with his wife, and thanks God for her.

The Earl, Robert Crawley was in the military, and took part in the Second Boer War from 1899–1902 this is where he made the acquaintance of John Bates, who was his batman.

In 1912 when the series begins, Robert and Cora had 3 daughters: Mary, Edith, and Sybil. As they had no male heirs, the terms of the entailment specified that Robert's heir was his closest male relative, this would be his first cousin James Crawley. There are implied references in the series that Robert is a Conservative member of the House of Lords.

Season One
When James Crawley and Patrick Crawley die in the sinking of the Titanic, Robert's heir becomes his third cousin once removed, Matthew Crawley, a young middle-class solicitor from Manchester, whom he has never met. His eldest daughter Mary had become engaged to Patrick so one day she would be countess. Matthew tried at first to refuse the inheritance, but there was no way to do so. Robert considers breaking the entailment. However, he found that, though he might be able to secure the money for Mary, the title and estate was going to be Matthew's. Robert knew that without the money the estate would wither and die, or be broken up and sold. Robert is proud of Downton and sees himself as a guardian of the estate who must pass it on to the next heir intact and sound, therefore he decides not to break the entail, even though it means his daughters will not inherit.

Matthew arrives with his mother Isobel, and Robert tries to impress on him the importance of their guardianship of the people of the area and the traditions of the past. He is pleased when it appears that Mary will marry Matthew, so that the land and fortune will remain with his bloodline. Suddenly, Cora is found to be pregnant, and the long hoped for male heir may finally be coming. Unfortunately, Cora suffers a miscarriage, and she and Robert are emotionally crushed. Mary had delayed answering Matthew's proposal, because of the baby, and Matthew withdraws his proposal.

Season Two
During the First World War Robert is given a commission, but it is honorary and he has no duties, while Cora has turned Downton into a convalescence hospital for soldiers. When William is called up to fight, Robert does his best to keep him out of danger by getting him appointed as Matthew's batman

Left with nothing to do and with Cora emotionally distant and busy running the hospital, he begins to find himself attracted to new maid Jane Moorsum, a war widow with a young son. However, they realize that it is wrong and decide not to have an affair. Jane leaves Downton, and Robert arranges for her son Freddie, a clever child, to go to Ripon Grammar School. He also gives Jane the name and address of his man of business, so that he can remain in Freddie's life, be informed about how he is doing, and further help him later on.

John Bates has divorced his estranged wife, but is then charged with her murder. Robert has his lawyer defend Bates and even testifies in his defense. This backfires when Robert has to admit on the stand that Bates wished she was dead.

Mary has become engaged to Sir Richard Carlisle who doesn't treat her very well. Cora tells him about the hold Sir Richard has on her, due to the scandal of Kemal Pamuk, the Turkish attache who died in her bed. Mary is told by her father that he forgives her indiscretion, and tells her that she is "not the only Crawley to have made a mistake".

When his daughter Sybil elopes with the chauffeur, Tom Branson, Lord Robert offers him money to go. However, as neither of them will change their mind, he must grudgingly accept the marriage.

John Bates can no longer function as his valet Mr. Lang, a shell-shocked veteran is hired as his valet. Lang proves to be incapable of carrying out his duties and must regretfully be let go.

Season 3
Robert learns from his lawyer George Murray that the investment he made in the Canadian Railway has become worthless, he had lost his own and most of Cora's money. Cora offers no recrimination for this and insists that they will be alright, he is very grateful to have her. They plan to sell the estate after Edith's wedding and then they will move to Eryholme, a smaller estate they own in the north. Everyone tries to think positively about this, but Robert sees that he will be remembered as a failure, the earl that lost Downnton.

Fortunately, Matthew had been named heir to the estate of Reggie Swire. Robert tells Matthew that he will let him invest in Downton and they will be co-owners of the house and estate. Matthew does not wish to interfere with Robert's running of the estate. However, after going through the books, he comes to see that the estate has never been managed as a self sustaining business, when he points this out, Robert is resistant to change the way things are done; however, Robert comes to value the business and legal expertise of Matthew and the farming experience and eloquence of Tom Branson. They tell him that with their skills, investment in improvements, and Robert's sense for tradition and caring for the people of the estate, the estate should be able to be made profitable.

Thomas the footman is discovered by Alfred kissing a sleeping James. Thomas, formerly his valet is threatened with dismissal and possible imprisonment for assault. When Lord Robert learns of it, he not only decides that Thomas will stay, but furthermore promotes him, as he thinks the matter not important enough to ruin Thomas' life. When Alfred subsequently reports Thomas to the police, Robert persuades Alfred to tell them that he was mistaken, being drunk at the time.

Personality
Robert tries to be the conservative custodian of traditional believes, but more important to him is the holding together of all those under his protection, such as when Sybil elopes with the chauffeur Branson, and Tom is gradually brought into their circle. Tom describes Robert as a good man and a decent employer. He is compassionate, friendly, intelligent, honourable and reasonable.

Robert does realize that the time he lives in is changing. He tells Martha Levinson rather despondently that sometimes he feels like a wild creature whose habitat is slowly being destroyed.

Lord Robert is very protective of those which he considers his responsibility to take care of, this includes his relations, his servants, and the people who live on his property. He feels that he owes loyalty to those who have served him. He is respectful of the servants feelings, when women give his footman William a white feather, Robert furiously orders them from his house. He also pays for Mrs. Patmore's eye surgery.

Behind the scenes
Robert Crawley is portrayed by Hugh Bonneville.