Lady Felicia, Countess of Montague née Windermere, was a main character in Father Brown. She is a glamorous and bored socialite, apparently from an old recusant family, and has a roving eye when her husband, Monty, is away. She left the regular cast at the start of Season 5 after her husband was appointed Governor of Northern Rhodesia.
Lady Felicia is often the first to find the murder victim, leading to characteristic screaming and vapours.
Background and Overview
Her maternal grandfather was Duke of Frome. The family was thought of as the most ennobled Catholic family in the country. She spent a large period of her childhood in his household, with her cousin, John Langton, who later took up the title. They were looked after by Nanny Langton.
By the early 1950s, she had married the Earl of Montague, becoming Countess of Montague. Her staff included their butler, Hornby, and chauffeur, Sid Carter. She was prominent in Kembleford, and assisted Father Brown in many of his investigations. When the Earl was appointed Governor of Northern Rhodesia, she only had time to put her niece into the care of Father Brown before leaving the country. She later returned several times due to Russian interference in her affairs and her husband almost bankrupting himself, before making a permanent return to England and a few further investigations with Father Brown.
Title and Style
The way she is referred to, Lady Felicia, is normally incorrect, given her husband’s rank. Titles are granted as a peerage over a piece of land. Her husband is an earl and in this instance, it is suggested that Montague is both the surname and the title (which is relatively uncommon). As a countess, she should be referred to in speech as “Lady Montague” or “her Lady(ship)”, with her first name not being included.
Referring to her as “Lady Felicia” would only be appropriate if she were the daughter of an duke, marquess or earl. This, however, may have been the title that her close friends first knew her as. Given her biological cousin is Duke of Frome (Season 5, The Star of Jacob) but they don't share a birth surname, her mother would have been the daughter of a Duke. This wouldn't give her any courtesy title but makes it likely her mother married a peer, whose title meant she was born as Lady Felicia Windermere, which then stuck with those who knew her.
It is worth noting that, as Earl of Montague and Duke of Frome are fictional titles and the peerage system in the UK is not consistent, her style could be completely correct for her husband's peerage.
Personality
She is proud, but not to a fault. She is bored in her marriage, feeling neglected by the Earl and has involved herself with other men. She is generally a calm, friendly voice and is generous, hosting many charity events.
Relationships
She is a staunch supporter of Father Brown. She makes good use of her connections and position to help him in his sleuthing. She is a frequent nemesis of Mrs McCarthy, despite a grudging respect between the women. When Mrs McCarthy leaves Kembleford she describes her as being a dear friend and doesn't believe Mrs Devine is an adequate replacement. Sid Carter worked as her chauffeur.
Appearances
She appears regularly in Seasons 1 through 4. She then appears in guest appearances in all seasons since.
- Season 5, The Star of Jacob and The Labyrinth of the Minotaur
- Season 6, The Face of the Enemy
- Season 7, The Great Train Robbery and The Honourable Thief
- Season 8, The Celestial Choir
- Season 9, The Final Devotion and The Red Death
- Season 10, The Company of Men
- Season 11, The Word of the Condemned