⚖️ ON MISTER & MISSUS MERCY.
Archibald is also a heavy feature on the blog, and while he does have his own longer section in the doc, I want to flesh out his backstory more and also discuss his relationship with Lillian, which is a cornerstone of their characterizations.
This post contains mentions of fertility issues, miscarriages, post-partum depression, emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and adultery. Please proceed with caution!
THE [ RIGHT ] HONOURABLE ARCHIBALD "ARCHIE" VINCENT MERCY, ESQ. ( b. January 18th, 1785 — d. Summer of 1846 ). Archie's lot in life was set from birth; the third son of the Baron Prawle — he would never inherit the title or estate. From an early age, it was impressed upon him that his lot and life would be that of a working gentleman, and that he would have to earn the luxuries he had grown up with. Though well out of the line of succession, his parents were present, and encouraged their youngest song to follow his passions and find something that he excelled at. A studious youth, Archie was never one to rebel — and held a healthy respect for his father and his position; as well as the honour that his family inspired and had earned via a spotless reputation.
It was only natural for Archibald to pursue a degree in law at Oxford University, entering at sixteen years of age in 1801. Law careers, at the time, were one of the few lucrative options for wealthy young men — and one of the very few acceptable ones to wealthy society and the landed and unlanded gentry; and for a young man with a good family name and a good head on his shoulders, it was wildly believed by his family, friends, and acquaintances that he would do well there — and he did. It was at Oxford that Archie met the future Lord ( and Judge ) Edward Turpin ( b. 1781 ); four years ahead of him in his courses. Eager for a leg up and a helping hand, the two, for a time, became close — though it did not take long for the two to chafe; with Archie finding Turpin's proclivities for lavish and wild parties hindering to his own studies. Archie had never been the most social man on god's green earth — and muchly preferred to focus on his future. Eventually, the two drifted and fell out of contact.
After graduating Oxford in 1805, with Archie passing the bar exam with ease. He began to work as an associate (having joined as an articling student) at Lawrence Graham, LLP; headquartered in London. A hard worker, Archie made partner in 1809; and senior partner in 1811. While a quiet man outside of court; in court, Archie was powerful, decisive, and charismatic — defending his clients with ease. Now secure in his position and an independently wealthy man, Archie turned his sights inwards, to his own life. He had always thought of himself as a family man — he had the means to support himself and others, and no one to share it with. In that same year, he entered society with the intent to find a wife. while there were a few half courtships attempted; no one caught his eye that year — and in 1812, he returned to the season. The earlier half went the same as 1811 — some decent starts, but ultimately no match. By the summer, Archie had grown weary of the season — and apprehensive about once again entering it. He was not a grand conversationalist; and much preferred being at home. In the later months of the social season, Lillian Fitzwilliams caught his eye. Young, beautiful and vivacious — Lillian was an expert conversationalist who had attracted many a suitor; and could make even Archie Mercy feel at ease enough to get him talking. It was a simple trade: the Fitzwilliams were not gentry, but they were wealthy — and archie could provide them entry into the world of London's elite through their eldest daughter. the match was sensible — and all agreed that they were both a striking couple and an excellent one at that; the King's ransom that her dowry was (a shocking 25,000 pounds sterling) only sweetened the deal.
The two were married in the spring of 1813 — it was not a love match, but Archie was confident that they might become friends, at the very least. This soon proved to be difficult — Lillian was his opposite in every way. Where Archie wished to stay at home after a long day of work in court, Lillian wished to — and was always — be out. While she could be charming, Lillian could be cold in turn; and was prone to starting arguments, which perplexed and frustrated Archie to no end. Unwilling to be at home for long periods, Archie spent longer hours at his work. He had hoped that children might lighten the mood in the house and bring them closer — but that proved difficult as well. Though a daughter, Emmeline, was born in 1814 and cherished, what followed after was almost 10 years of trying and 5 miscarriages, Lillian asked archie that they cease trying, as she could not take it any more, in 1822. Archie agreed.
By 1823, Archie's devotion to his work was rewarded; and archie was made the Right Honourable Judge Mercy; and was appointed as Circuit Judge in the Crown Court of England; travelling the country and serving in various courthouses. The appointment brought with it prestige, substantial funds; and allowed him to cross paths with an old school friend — Judge Turpin. Looking to move to a more fashionable area of town, Archie inquired as to if any properties near Hyde Park were for sale — and ironically, there was: 59 Lancaster Gate; the manor next to Turpin's. Archie was only too happy to put an offer down; and Lillian and Archie moved in that year - celebrating their success — with a little bit too much wine; and Archie is overjoyed to welcome their second child, Elizabeth, in 1824.
As I mentioned previously, Archie does recognise his faults. He is an absent husband, and while he has tried to make amends with Lillian, it never quite works out — but he is devoted to his children; and is the sole stable parent in the children's lives. He loves all five of them dearly; and is a buffer between the children and Lillian — especially the girls, who he adores. Of course, three out of five of the children are not his — something he does not know or suspect.
The Barker incident in 1830 left a sour taste in Archie's mouth - and he began to become aware of Turpin's less than scrupulous activities and the way he took advantage of his position and the power it gave him. While the two are on speaking terms ( as Archie has no desire to run afoul of the man ); Archie is distant — and has been slowly gathering evidence of bribes, bad rulings, biases, and cover-ups Turpin has taken and made over the years; hoping to eventually indite Turpin and have him removed from his seat of power. Progress has been slow — as the man is well-connected, and archie often finds himself stonewalled.
In addition, he mislikes Lillian's proximity to their neighbour — and while he supported his daughters being Johanna's playmates in their youth, he does not wish them ( or his sons ) to be around Turpin for too long. Yet, he finds himself in a very strange 'family unit'; one in which he quietly seethes in.
by 1846, Archie feels as though he is ready to finally present an inditement against Turpin — but wishes to get his own house in order beforehand; sending his eldest son Alexander into navy service in order to get him into shape and prevent the boy from turning in to a wastrel and a rake, as well as remove Christopher, his youngest, from Turpin's mentorship. The only thing that Archie is able to do, however, is send Alexander to his new post — having gone to a new barber after hearing a lawyer in court commend a Mister Todd of Fleet Street. Archie vanished in the summer of 1846 — and was presumed dead by November of that year.
ON ARCHIE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH LILLIAN. Their marriage is not a love match, certainly — and some days it is barely a partnership. While drawn to Lillian's charm and beauty, Archie is often frustrated and confused by Lillian's outbursts and the way she treated their children ( especially their daughters ) when they were young. Partly, he does blame himself for the current state of the household, the children, and their marriage — he knows he was absent as a husband and more concerned with work; and attempted to rectify that absence with his children to varying degrees of success, as he loves them dearly and wishes to see them grow up well and enter the world as good, hardworking people. In addition, Archie was not in the habit of denying Lillian anything she asked for; and just as he believes that Lillian has spoilt their eldest son, archie knows he has spoilt her and enabled her behaviour, and has only now begun to put his foot down. While Lillian and Archie have every capability of working in tandem for the long term, they both live mostly separate lives under the same roof by 1846; presenting a united front for both public and private events — or when it is required of them for family affairs. Lillian and Archie are simply too different to truly be compatible at the end of the day — and have long since grown apart and stopped trying to be any closer.