Down with Downton

by Romystical

What happens when you take the Crawleys, strip them of their titles, and throw them in a neighborhood to fend for themselves? Modern-ish AU. Robert/Cora, Tom/Laura, Rose/Atticus, Edith/Michael, Isobel/Dickie & others. Loosely based on 1992's The Queen and I by Sue Townsend.

1. Author's Note

—Author's Note—

I'm really excited for this story. I recently finished The Queen and I by Sue Townsend in preparation to see the 2018 movie starring Samantha Bond as Queen Elizabeth.

I wondered what would happen if the Crawleys were forced to move out of Downton under the same circumstances. It's set in 1992, like the novel, so I'll be exploring the modern-Downton idea as well.

It's not a crossover since none of the characters from the novel make appearances (except for Jack Barker, the story's Prime Minister); and it's only very loosely based on the actual plot of the book. It's more of an AU, although I haven't resurrected Sybil or Matthew, although I really like them. It just didn't work with my story planning. The children aren't in this story either because, again, it didn't make sense in my outline.

There will be lots of pairings, both canon and not, and any timelines have been thrown aside. It's just a fun, dramatic, family-centered fic I wrote for enjoyment. I don't own The Queen and I or Downton Abbey; all credits go to Sue Townsend and Julian Fellowes.

So, since I've kept you long enough, here is Down with Downton.