Edith Crawley

Background
Edith Crawley is the middle child of Robert and Cora Crawley's three daughters, she was born in 1894. Edith often thinks of herself as overlooked. She is not as beautiful as her two sisters, and she doesn't have Mary's ease in conversation or Sybil's daring and passion.

Season One
Edith is angry at Mary, because she had been in love with Patrick Crawley, her fathers heir who had died in the sinking of the Titanic, but had never stood a chance once Mary decided to marry him (despite the fact that Edith and not Mary loved him).

After new heir Matthew Crawley arrives, Edith tries to pursue him, but he is uninterested in her. She later wins the affection of local widower, Sir Anthony Strallan. Edith and Mary have an argument and Edith practically dares Mary to a challange of trying to take Strallan's attention. Mary finds this easy to do. Edith in a fit of spite writes a letter to the Turkish Embassador, telling him of the events surrounding the death of attaché Kemal Pamuk, who died suddenly while having sex with Mary. In retaliation, Mary, learning that Strallan is on the verge of asking Edith to marry him, tells him that Edith is expecting a proposal from someone that she has secretly been laughing at. Anthony Strallan does not ask, and Edith bitterly sees this as her last chance to make a successful marriage, despite the fact tha she is only 20 years old.

Season Two
During the First World War, Edith Crawley learns to drive an automobile. She is taught by the chauffeur, Tom Branson, and she uses this new skill, to work on a local farm driving a tractor. The farmer John Drake flatters Edith and she is drawn to him. When Mrs. Drake sees Edith kissing her husband, Edith receives a letter saying that her services are no longer needed. Downton is turned into a convalescence hospital and Edith helps the wounded soldiers. A general praises her for all that she has done and for once she finds herself the center of attention.

Season Three
After the war, Sir Anthony Strallan comes back into her life, but her family disapproves of their marrying, because he is 25 years older than she is, and he has lost the use of one of his arms. Robert tells Strallan not to see Edith, but eventually agrees to the wedding, as Edith is desperately upset. However, Sir Anthony comes to believe that he will ruin Edith's life and "jilts her at the altar". Edith in inconsolable and begins describing herself as a spinster. After writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper, about women's suffrage, Edith is amazed that it is not only published, but she is offered a job as a columnist. Lord Robert thinks that they just want her aristocratic name for publicity, but Matthew supports her. Dowager Countess Violet rather insultingly implies that she should be allowed to do so, as she might never find anyone to marry.

Lady Edith is charmed into taking the job by the editor, Michael Gregson. However, when Edith learns that he is married, she is prepared to resign it. Gregson reveals that his wife is in an asylum, and doesn't even know him. Laws at the time prevent him from getting a divorce. He comes to Scotland to try to get to know the Crawleys, while they are vacationing at Duneagle. He confesses the truth about his wife to Matthew Crawley who says that, while he is sympathetic, he cannot support this relationship. Gregson is prepared to say goodbye to Edith, but she realizes that she loves him. Edith lets Matthew think that she and Gregson are going to part, when she cryptically says that "they both know what is going to happen next".

Behind the scenes
Edith Crawley is portrayed by actress Laura Carmichael.