Alfred Hamilton
| |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vital statistics | |
| Title | Lord Proprietor
Earl of Ashbourne |
| Gender | Male |
| Status | Deceased (killed by Flint) |
| Ships | Maria Aleyne |
| Relationships | Thomas Hamilton (Son) Miranda Barlow (Daughter in law; deceased) |
| Appearances | First: XII. Last: XVI. |
| Portrayed by | Danny Keogh |
Lord Alfred Hamilton, was the father of Thomas Hamilton, formerly one of the Lords Proprietor of the Carolina Colony which included the Bahamas. His other titles included the Earl of Ashbourne and Peer of the Realm.
Biography[]
Background[]
In 1705, Lord Alfred asked for the assistance of the Royal Navy in pacifying New Providence Island, which was infested with pirates. He tasked his eldest son, Thomas, with working with them to solve the problem. The Navy sends the young and up-and-coming officer Lieutenant James McGraw as their liaison to the Hamilton family. [1]
The two work together for many months, and formulate a plan to use two Royal Navy men of war to prosecute a targeted raid on the beach. They would then arrest and hold trials and hangings of roughly a dozen of the pirate ringleaders. However, a few hours before Lord Alfred is to arrive at the Hamilton Residence in London, Lord Thomas informs Lieutenant McGraw that he wants to offer the pirates of Nassau a Royal Pardon, a politically dangerous idea that he asks McGraw to talk him out of.
That night, Lord Hamilton arrives from the country. Thomas warmly greets him, asking him how his ride from the country was. Lord Alfred curtly responds that it was wet. At dinner, Lord Alfred says he thinks that they are optimistic about the ships they think they can procure from the Admiralty, but otherwise the proposal is sound. He then asks McGraw agrees, and he says he does. Alfred then asks about what he says is the one issue they neglected to bring up, the pirate raiders of Nassau. Thomas responds that he plans on putting them to work. Alfred is confused, and Thomas explains that he wants them working various trades. Alfred remains confused and Thomas explains that he wants to offer a pardon to any man who wants it, in exchange for their allegiance, a renunciation of violence and their labor.
Alfred then argues that he asked Thomas to formulate a plan where they would gain the navy's assistance in reversing the severe downward trend in revenue from the Bahamas. Without their assistance, they would be unable to do so, and Alfred thinks it impossible to get it once they tell them their plan is to reward men in open rebellion against the Crown. Thomas responds that it will get the best result, as well as being the right thing to do. Lord Alfred then begins to question Lieutenant McGraw, but Thomas demands his father speak to him. Alfred then calls his son indulged, impertinent and self righteous, but not stupid. Alfred then asks how he expects to distact Queen Anne from the war to issue the pardons. Thomas responds that he doesn't need her to do anything, a simple act of Parliament would accomplish the same thing. Alfred scoffs at this, saying there aren't four votes among the lords in favor of it. Thomas responds by easily naming five lords off the top of his head.
Alfred tells Thomas that he is making an argument to abet sedition in a time of war. Thomas replies that the war is being fought to ensure that a Protestant sits on the throne of Spain. Alfred says if he were an enemy of their family, he would be shouting that anyone who offers to pardon a traitor is himself a traitor. Thomas says that they are fighting a war in the service of the son of God, and asks how it is treason to offer forgiveness to those who seek it.As they continue arguing, Alfred again shifts his attention to Lieutenant McGraw, and asks him if he is to take his silence as agreement with Thomas' plan. Lady Miranda tries to say that McGraw had expressed reservations, but Alfred interrupts her and says she's damaged the family name enough, and tells her to keep her mouth and her legs shut. McGraw then stands up and says he finds Thomas' argument persuasive, and his intentions good and true, and declares that he finds Alfred's wanting. He then tells Alfred he thinks it best if he leaves. After he does, Thomas asks if McGraw just told his father to leave his own house[2].
After this, Alfred and Thomas began a campaign in Parliament in an effort to get the pardons passed. After McGraw returns from his fact finding mission to Nassau with the news that the governor, Robert Thompson, has been chased out, Miranda speaks privately with him. She warns him that Alfred will find out about the Lieutenant's affair with Thomas, and will exploit it to block the pardons. Lord Alfred searched for a way to undermine him. Although, Thomas’s wife Miranda was having an affair with Lieutenant James McGraw, her reputation was such that this was no use. Lord Hamilton eventually bribed and threatened Thomas’s supporter, Lord Peter Ashe, into revealing that Thomas himself and McGraw were also lovers. Lord Alfred proceeded to tell Admiral Hennessey, McGraw's superior and father figure about the affair. When McGraw arrived to try and convince Hennessey of the plan, he revealed that Lord Alfred had arrived before him. When McGraw was stunned after hearing that Hennessey had been told about the affair, Alfred asked if he really thought he could get away with it in Alfred's own house. Lieutenant McGraw and Lady Hamilton were then ordered to leave London quietly, or else charges would be brought against them. Thomas was moved to Bethlem Royal Hospital, a mental institution, where he apparently committed suicide[3].
As reward for his betrayal, Peter Ashe was named the Governor of the Province of Carolina. Lord Ashe was even gifted several items that once belonged to Thomas[4].
Flint about to murder Lord Alfred his mistress.
Years later, Lord Hamilton was travelling to the New World on the Maria Aleyne under an assumed name. A servant had mentioned this to Miranda, who now lived under the name Barlow on New Providence Island. She convinced McGraw, now going by the name of Flint, to go after it. The ship was set upon by pirate Captain Flint. Flint was none other than former-Lieutenant McGraw, with whom Lord Alfred tried to beg for mercy, promising him his fortune. Flint promptly murdered Lord Hamilton and his Young Mistress in cold blood. The news of Lord Hamilton's murder at the hands of Flint, particularly the deliberate and premeditated nature of it, pushed Lord Peter Ashe to change tactics and become extremely brutal when it came to stamping out piracy in Carolina[5].
Season One[]
While healing from the gunshot wound he received when Captain Hume tried to arrest him, Richard Guthrie wanders the house at the Barlow Estate and finds a painting of Lord Thomas and Lady Miranda. He then tells her that he has had extensive dealings with Lord Alfred in the past, and had heard that his eldest son committed suicide after learning of his wife's affair with his best friend, whom Richard surmised to be Flint[6].
Season Two[]
While trying to return Abigail Ashe to her father in an effort to reconcile Nassau with the British Empire, Abigail reveals to Flint and Miranda that her father used to be reasonable about the issue of piracy. However, after hearing that Lord Hamilton had been hunted down and murdered, he changed tactics and quickly became extremely draconian in the way he dealt with those engaged in the practice[5].
Season Four[]
After learning of an estate near Savannah where wealthy families in London were known to deposit their troublesome sons, John Silver asks Flint if it's possible if Alfred Hamilton wasn't as big a monster as originally thought and had Thomas put there; Flint dismisses the idea, saying it isn't possible[7].
It is later revealed that Thomas Hamilton had been put at the estate by Lord Ashe some years earlier, the story of his suicide having been a cover[8].
Quotes[]
By Lord Alfred[]
"I asked you to formulate a plan that would secure the support of the navy in our efforts. Support without which there is little chance of reversing the catastrophic downward trend in revenue from the Bahama territories. Support that is almost certain to disappear entirely and for good the moment they hear they are to be associated with a plan to reward men who are in open revolt against the Crown."
- Lord Alfred to Thomas in XII.
About Lord Alfred[]
"The fourth Earl of Ashbourne. Lord Proprietor to the Carolina colony, including the Bahama Islands, and peer of the realm. Lord Alfred Hamilton, my father."
- Thomas to James McGraw in XII.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
| IX. | X. | XI. | XII. | XIII. |
| XIV. | XV. | XVI. | XVII. | XVIII. |