Vera (TV series) Vera (TV series) Vera is a British crime drama series based on novels of the same name, written by crime writer Ann Cleeves. It was first broadcast on ITV on 1 May 2011, and to date, eight series have aired. The series stars Brenda Blethyn as the principal character, Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope. Vera is a middle-aged employee of the fictional Northumberland & City Police, who is obsessive about her work and driven by her own demons. She plods along in a constantly dishevelled state, but has a calculating mind and, despite her irascible personality, she cares deeply about
John Stanhope, 1st Baron Stanhope by his son, Charles Stanhope. Stanhope was twice married: first to Joan, daughter of William Knollys, by whom he had no issue; and secondly, on 6 May 1589, to Margaret, daughter of Henry MacWilliams, one of the queen's gentlemen pensioners. By her he had issue: The later peers of the Stanhope family descend from the first baron's brother, Thomas. John Stanhope, 1st Baron Stanhope John Stanhope, 1st Baron Stanhope (1549? – 9 March 1621) was an English courtier, politician and peer. He was the third son of Sir Michael Stanhope, born in Yorkshire, but brought up in Nottinghamshire after his