of 1914, Cora discovers she has become pregnant for the first time in 18 years, but she suffers a miscarriage caused by her maid O'Brien. Shortly after the war, Cora has Spanish influenza and nearly dies before making a full recovery. Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham Violet Crawley (The Dowager Countess of Grantham) (played by Maggie Smith) (1841-1928) is Robert's mother and widow of the previous earl. Violet, portrayed as a matriarchal figure and quick of wit despite her age, symbolises the "old world" and order of the pre–First World War days. During and after the war, Violet remains a strong influence at Downton Abbey but finds her influence under threat as social norms change, particularly from Isobel Crawley, with whom she has a tendency to quarrel, and her daughter-in-law Cora, both of whom are more forward-thinking and strong-minded women. She has a strong bond with her granddaughter Mary, to whom she is the most similar. She dies at the end of the second film. Lady Mary Talbot Lady Mary Josephine Talbot (née Crawley) (played by Michelle Dockery) (b. 1891) is the eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Grantham and arguably the centre of interest of all the family story arcs in the series. Early on, she is portrayed as a petulant and cold young woman; as the series progresses, however, she shows more vulnerability and compassion. One of her most constant traits is her unfailing devotion to Downton as her home and, eventually, the estate which she will preside over. After the death of the heir to the estate and her unofficial fiancé, Mary's relationship with the new heir, distant cousin Matthew Crawley, begins coldly due to their different upbringing. Over time, however, the pair grow closer, and a romance develops. In 1914, Matthew asks Mary to marry him, but she is hesitant because of circumstances regarding the inheritance of the estate. Heartbroken and angered by her hesitancy, Matthew withdraws his proposal and decides to leave Downton. During the second series, Matthew serves in the First World War and both become engaged to other people, but after a series of obstacles, Matthew proposes to her again, and the two marry. After struggling with infertility, Mary becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, George, at the end of the third series. However, the same day, Matthew is killed in a car crash while driving home from the hospital.