Zelda (unknown surname) was the ex-lover of Thomas Shelby and mother of their illegitimate son, Duke Shelby. She has never appeared on-screen, but was mentioned throughout Series 6.
Backstory[]
In May 1914, Zelda met Thomas Shelby at the Appleby Horse Fair. She stole his watch and chain, but despite this, later that day they had sex underneath a hazel tree. As a result, Zelda became pregnant and when her father found out, he shot Thomas in the chest with a squirrel gun. Thomas survived the ordeal, but was sent away to fight in World War I and never saw Zelda again.
In 1915, Zelda gave birth to their son and named him Erasmus (unknown surname). She raised him on her own and although Thomas returned from war in 1918, he never contacted them.
When Erasmus became older, he began asking Zelda who his father was. The watch Zelda stole from Thomas had the words “Saxon Shore” engraved on it, so she told Erasmus his father was the Duke of the Saxon Shore. As a result, Erasmus changed his name to Duke.
Many years later, Zelda became ill with an unknown disease and was rushed to a hospital in Bridgnorth. However, the doctors denied her a bed and she died later that night. As a result, Duke found the man who denied his mother and bed and killed him.
After her death, Duke went on the road with other Gypsies and began working at a fairground.