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Saturday 13 October 2012

Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806)

Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire  by Thomas Gainsborough  in South Sketch Gallery, Chatsworth
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire
by Thomas Gainsborough
in South Sketch Gallery, Chatsworth
Who was The Duchess?

A lot of people are intrigued to know the true story of Georgiana, the flamboyant central character played by Keira Knightley in the film The Duchess.

Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (7 June 1757 - 30 March 1806), was a leading member of late Georgian society, famous for her extrovert personality, her extravagant fashions and her championing of the Whigs led by Charles James Fox. She lived in a notorious “ménage à trois” with her husband and his mistress, Lady Elizabeth Foster, and had an affair with the future prime minister, Charles Grey, which almost ruined her.

Born to privilege

Lady Georgiana Spencer was born in Althorp, Northamptonshire, on 7 June 1757. She was the eldest daughter of John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer, one of the richest men in England, and Margaret Georgiana Poyntz. She had two siblings, George and Henrietta, known as Harriet, later Lady Bessborough.

Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and her sister Harriet, Countess of Bessborough from Lord Granville Leveson Gower's private correspondence 1781-1821 (1916)
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire
and her sister Harriet, Countess of Bessborough
from Lord Granville Leveson Gower's
private correspondence 1781-1821 (1916)
Her father’s temper was somewhat uncertain, but her mother doted on her and remained jealous for her affection throughout her life. Georgiana was brought up to be accomplished, but not too bookish, with a keen emphasis on etiquette. In short, she was raised to make a brilliant marriage.

An illustrious marriage

Georgiana married William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, on 7 June 1774, her 17th birthday. The Duke was extremely reserved and ill-matched to the emotionally demonstrative Georgiana.

William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire  after Sir Joshua Reynolds    stipple engraving pubd 1808    NPG D13723 © National Portrait Gallery, London
William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire
after Sir Joshua Reynolds
  stipple engraving pubd 1808
  NPG D13723 © National Portrait Gallery, London
She in turn was unprepared for her duties as Duchess and hungry for affection. The Duke already had a mistress, Charlotte Spencer, with whom he had a daughter, Charlotte Williams. All he required of Georgiana was to provide him with an heir and this she seemed unable to do.

Queen of fashion

Starved of the affection she craved, Georgiana threw herself into the fashionable world. The Duchess became the darling of the Beau Monde. Where Georgiana led, the ton followed. She set the fashions, whether for three foot high ostrich feathers or tall towers of hair with elaborate decorations or, later, the penchant for free-flowing muslin dresses tied simply with ribbon round the waist.

Devoted Whig

Georgiana enthusiastically embraced her husband’s politics and became “a zealous advocate of the Whigs.”1 Devonshire House became the hub of the Whig party and Georgiana their leading hostess.

In 1780, Georgiana appeared on the hustings for the general election beside Charles James Fox, leader of the Whig party. In 1784, when Fox was struggling to keep his seat in the Westminster election, Georgiana and her sister went amongst the electorate, canvassing for votes for Fox. Their actions were successful and Fox held his seat, but the press was humiliating, accusing Georgiana of exchanging kisses for votes and forcing her to take a less visible role in the future.

Charles James Fox  from The History of White's   by Hon Algernon Bourke (1892)
Charles James Fox
from The History of White's
 by Hon Algernon Bourke (1892)
Many years later, Georgiana was instrumental in persuading the different political factions to work together, eventually forming the Ministry of All Talents in 1806.

The Devonshire House Circle

The Devonshire House Circle was a wild set with loose morals that drank heavily and played deeply. It included Charles James Fox, George, Prince of Wales, the Countess of Jersey and Viscountess Melbourne who became Georgiana’s intimate friends.
George, Prince of Wales  from La Belle Assemblée (1830)
George, Prince of Wales
from La Belle Assemblée (1830)
Within the set, Georgiana popularised the Cavendish drawl – an affected manner of speaking that bespoke the aristocrat which she had learnt from the Duke.

Debts, debts and more debts

Georgiana was extravagant and gave the most splendid parties. But her real downfall was her addiction to gambling, resulting in ever-increasing debts which she did her best to hide from the Duke, placing a constant strain on her life. When she eventually confessed to her debts, it seemed for a while as if the Duke would divorce her, but instead he treated her with great forbearance.

Bess

In 1782, the Duke and Duchess went to Bath, where they met the fascinating Lady Elizabeth Foster. She was separated from her husband and living in restricted circumstances and eagerly seized the opportunity to improve her situation. Lady Elizabeth, known as Bess, attached herself to Georgiana and was invited to return home with them.

Lady Elizabeth Foster  from La Belle Assemblée (1810)
Lady Elizabeth Foster
from La Belle Assemblée (1810)
Bess succeeded in making herself indispensable to both Duchess and Duke, as friend to one and mistress to the other. Whether Georgiana’s emotional dependence clouded her judgement or whether Bess was blackmailing her over her ever mounting debts, Georgiana supported the strange “ménage à trois” that resulted.

Bess bore the Duke two illegitimate children, Caroline St Jules and Augustus Clifford, and became the Duchess of Devonshire after Georgiana’s death.

A devoted mother

Finally, in 1783, Georgiana, known as Little G, was born. Her sister, Harriet, known as Harryo, followed two years later, but it was not until 1790, when the hope of her ever producing an heir had almost disappeared, that William, Marquess of Hartington, known as Hart, was born.

The love of Georgiana’s life

The true love of Georgiana’s life was the handsome young Whig politician, Charles Grey. She embarked upon an affair, but in 1791 she faced the worst crisis of her life when she discovered that she was carrying his child. The Duke gave her an ultimatum: give up Grey and the child or she would never see her three children again. Grey was furious when she chose her children over him. 
Lord Grey from The Historical and Posthumous Memoirs of Sir Nathaniel Wraxall (1884)
Lord Grey from The Historical and
Posthumous Memoirs of Sir Nathaniel Wraxall
(1884)
Exile

Georgiana fled abroad giving birth to Eliza Courtney on 20 February 1792 and then handing her over to Grey’s parents to be brought up. She was never able to openly acknowledge her motherhood, although she did visit her daughter.

Eventually, the Duke sent word that she could return and in the autumn of 1793, she arrived in England after a two year absence.

Recluse

For several years following her exile, Georgiana lived a quiet life at Chatsworth House. She suffered a severe eye infection, possibly a tumour, which left her blind in one eye and her face scarred from the primitive treatment that she had received.

Chatsworth House  Country seat of the Duke of Devonshire  from The Lady's Magazine (1789)
Chatsworth House, country seat of the Duke of Devonshire,
from The Lady's Magazine (1789)
It was not until Little G was to be launched into society that Georgiana overcame her disability and once more entertained at Devonshire House. She rekindled her friendship with the Prince of Wales and became one of his main advisors.

Chatsworth House today
Chatsworth House today
See more of Chatsworth in my photo tour of Chatsworth.

An intelligent woman

Georgiana is usually associated with her extravagant behaviour, but there is a different side to her which is often overlooked. She was both a writer and a scientist.

In December 1778, she published a satire, The Sylph, and she also wrote a number of poems, including The Passage of the Mountain of St Gothard and verses to accompany the bust of Charles James Fox at Woburn.2

Find out about the plot of Georgiana's novel in my Regency History guide to The Sylph.

Discover more about Georgiana in my blog post: what The Sylph can tell us about Georgiana's life and feelings.

Whilst in exile abroad, Georgiana met the scientist Charles Blagden and developed a keen interest in chemistry. She also built a mineral collection at Chatsworth.

The library at Chatsworth House
The library, Chatsworth House
Death

Georgiana died on 30 March 1806 from a liver complaint. She was buried in the family vault at All Saints Church, Derby, now Derby Cathedral, on Wednesday 9 April.3 All society mourned her passing.
There is no part of the world, I believe, where the angelic Duchess will not be deeply regretted; her kindness and beneficence were wound up with the happiness of so many.4

Headshot of Rachel Knowles author with sea in background(2021)
Rachel Knowles writes clean/Christian historical romance set in the time of Jane Austen. She has been sharing her research on this blog since 2011. Rachel lives in the beautiful Georgian seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset, on the south coast of England, with her husband, Andrew.

Find out more about Rachel's books and sign up for her newsletter here.

If you have enjoyed this blog and want to encourage me and help me to keep making my research freely available, please buy me a virtual cup of coffee by clicking the button below.

       Notes
1. La Belle Assemblée (1806).
2. A newspaper report quoted in Amanda Foreman's biography suggests that The Sylph may have been published in December 1778 rather than in 1779.
3. This information was updated on 3 January 2020 after further research to answer a Facebook query. Originally I wrote that Georgiana was buried in St Stephen's Church as stated in The Times article of 10 April 1806 quoted in Foreman's biography Georgiana. However, I discovered that in Foreman's entry for the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, the burial place was given as All Saints, Derby. I was able to view a copy of the original burial record on Family Search and this confirmed not only the place of burial as All Saints Church, Derby, but also that the burial was recorded as taking place on 9 April, not the 8 April. I have taken this as the most reliable source and changed my blog accordingly!
4. From a letter to Lady Elizabeth Foster from her son Augustus 28 May 1806, from The Two Duchesses, Family Correspondence (1898).

Sources used include:
Bell, John, La Belle Assemblée (John Bell, 1806, 1810, London)
Bourke, Hon. Algernon, The History of White's (1892)
Cavendish, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and others, The Two Duchesses, Family Correspondence ed by Vere Foster (Blackie & Son, 1898, London)
Foreman, Amanda, Cavendish (née Spencer), Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806) Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn Sept 2010, accessed 11 Oct 2012)
Foreman, Amanda, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (HarperCollins, 1998, London)
Hibbert, Christopher, George IV (1972, Longmans, 1973, Allen Lane, London)
McCalman, Iain, Devonshire, Duchess of, An Oxford Companion to the Romantic Age (OUP 2009 Oxford Reference Online, accessed 14 November 2011)

All photographs by Andrew Knowles © Regencyhistory.net

64 comments:

  1. I love your blog. Thank you for posting these.

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement - I'm so glad you like my blog. :)

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  2. I loved this! I have heard of all these people_yet you put it in a way that for me was a most enjoyable read!! Thank You!.

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    1. I'm glad you found the blog enjoyable, Cindy. Georgiana is a fascinating character and it was particularly interesting to discover her love of science.

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  3. It never ceases to amaze me the loose morals of that period, seems everybody of note had a relationship with anybody but their spouse.

    Was Georgiana any relation to Charlotte Spencer? And whilst on the Spencer's I don't suppose this is the same line that the late Lady Diana, Princess of Wales belonged to by any chance.

    Very interesting post as usual, thank you very much

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    1. Georgiana was no relation to her husband's mistress Charlotte. It seems a bizarre coincidence that they should have shared the same surname!

      Diana, Princess of Wales, was from the same Spencer family; she was a direct descendant of Georgiana's brother, George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer.

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    2. Georgiana Lehaceanu20 July 2016 at 15:52

      I love this blog more than any I have ever read in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    3. Georgiana Lehaceanu20 July 2016 at 15:53

      Georgiana Lehanceanu

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  4. Thank you.
    How could we make her hat?
    Anyone know? Or where to buy?

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    1. Some of the best historical reproduction hats I have seen are by Farthingale - this is the link to their website: http://www.farthingalehistoricalhats.co.uk/#!the-hats/vstc2=georgian-hats

      I could see Georgiana wearing several of these hats. :)

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  5. Thank you. I look forward to your posts.
    About the infamous Gainsborough hat,
    where could one be purchased?
    any info on how to sew one?

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  6. What happened to Charlotte williams ?.

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    1. Charlotte went to live with the Duke and Duchess in 1780, after her mother's death. She spent most of her childhood abroad and married the Rev Jonathan Kendall, the nephew of John Heaton, the Duke of Devonshire's agent in 1793. She lived to the age of 82.

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  7. Noor-Jehan Yoro Badat3 September 2013 at 23:21

    I just watched the film The Duchess for the second time, and remembered why I enjoyed it so much. So when I came across your blog, I was thrilled to read more about the fascinating Georgiana. Thank you for such a lovely read. It's interesting to note that Diana, Princess of Wales, was a descendant of G's family. Two strong and enchanting women who made such an impact on society, leaving quite a memorable legacy behind.

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  8. Lady Colin Campbell claims that Georgiana had an affair with The Prince of Wales/George IV and even had his child. Is that true?

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    1. I do not know what source Lady Colin Campbell is basing her claims on, but from what I have read, I do not believe that Georgiana had an affair with George although she was a very close and influential friend for many years. Considering the way that the Duke treated her when she was pregnant with Grey's child, it does not seem likely she could have had another child without a similar reaction.

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  9. I watched The Duchess for the first time last night and really enjoyed it and wanted to find out more about this lovely lady {played very well by Keira Knightly}. I was so pleased to know she really did find true love, albeit for a short time, with Charles Grey. Thank you.

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    1. I wonder how Georgiana's life would have turned out if she had married Grey and not the Duke of Devonshire? I guess we will never know...

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    2. I wonder if she had a son first would her life be different... i love the story of her life for some reason.. Great blog btw..

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    3. I think that things would have been easier for Georgiana if she had not found it so difficult to conceive. It was nine years before Little G was born and another seven before Hart was born. Her husband might have been more tolerant of her gambling etc if she had given him the heir he required earlier in their marriage. But I don't think it would have fundamentally changed their relationship. The Duke seemed to be one of the few men who were immune to her charms.

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    4. Didn't she have several miscarriages among them male babies? So didn't the duke have a chance to hope she would have one?

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    5. I'm sure the Duke did hope that she would have a son, but Georgiana certainly didn't find producing children as easy as some of her contemporaries.

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  10. I have just seen The Duchess actor Keira Knightly, according to the movie - IF she had chosen a life with charles grey it would had been a life in "poverty" and without her children

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    1. If Georgiana had left her husband, she would have lost all rights to her children by the Duke. I suppose she would have lived in relative poverty - after all, Charles Grey was not a Duke - but I think it was the thought of losing her children that made her stay. Of course, she still lost her daughter by Grey in the process. :(

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  11. I am a descendent of Eliza I would like to find out note information on her how do I do this my family name is sharman could anyone please help

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    1. I would try searching on one of the family history sites eg Ancestry. You could try this link to start with - you might recognise the family names and work out where you fit in. You could also do a Google search on Eliza Courtenay daughter of Charles Grey and see what information comes up.

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    2. Its so sad how she loved to late :(

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    3. I think it is even sadder that her husband seemed to be one of the few men who was not in love with her. :(

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    4. Rachel I totally agree with you because the Duke's only desire and mission with G was for her to give birth to his son and heir. The movie portrays the Duke as an abusive, arrogant and ignorant man. And her mother was just as abusive and insensitive. She pawned G off to the Duke, forcing her to go through hell and disgrace with no one trustworthy to turn to. I wanted so much for G to leave the Duke and marry Charles Gray. I think of all the women married to mentally and physically abusive men like the Duke who count the cost and decide to stay and adapt to a life in misery because of what they believe to be benefits. Peace and happiness are priceless.

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    5. I agree that peace and happiness are priceless but I don't think that Georgiana would have got them if she had run off with Charles Grey. She would have had to forfeit all rights to her children and would have been shunned by society for leaving her husband.

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  12. I would just like to say THANK YOU oh my goodness just one of your references completed a huge gap in the puzzle of one of my dissertation chapters. Thank god for you!

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    1. I'm so glad you found my work useful, Sarah. I hope the rest of your dissertation goes well.

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  13. I just saw the movie for the second time and couldn't help but do further research on Georgiana like I did the first time. But this is the first time I'm coming across your blog. It helped me fill in some blanks. Thank you. And I just can't help but notice the slight similarities between the Duchess and Princess D especially in their marriages and effects on people.

    I truly enjoyed your article. Thank you very much. Its just an irony what was tolerated back then that won't even survive 5 seconds in our modern world

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    1. Thanks - I'm glad you found my blog. It was very hard for women in Georgian times who were in unhappy marriages - they have virtually no rights.
      You might be interested to consider the similarities between Princess Di and Princess Charlotte, George IV's daughter. The reaction of the public on their deaths was very similar. I have blogged about it here

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  14. I bought the movie "he Duchess", starring Kiera Knightly, as Georgiaina, and simply LOVE how they told this remarkable story of history. A must see!

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    1. I think the film gives a good feel for what the Duchess of Devonshire was like.

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  15. Currently reading The Sylph. Would like to find letters. On-line publishing is meagre. Physical media hard to come by and/or expensive. Suggestions appreciated.

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    1. I have faced a similar problem getting access to her correspondence. There is some in 'The Two Duchesses' mentioned above - available free here: https://archive.org/stream/cu31924028003618#page/n9/mode/2up.You could try the bibliography in Amanda Foreman's biography for ideas of sources but I am not sure how many of these are in print. You may find some of her letters in collections of other people's eg her sister Harriet. Sorry I have not got anything more concrete to suggest!

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  16. Rachel, first of all thanks for sharing so much information on G and people around her. I just saw the movie The Duchess and I just could resist reading more about people of that era and specially G. She has been portrayed as a very influential, smart, confident but emotional person. I'm sure her life has had her own share of miseries but I found her outlook towards life far more pragmatic which in a way led her live for so long. If she had chosen love over family, she wouldn't have been happy and might have died in despair. Anyway, quite impressed with your work and lady G and D too!!! I will check your blogs for further info on other influential characters from history!!!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comments - the encouragement is much appreciated. I think it is sad that Georgiana could not find love within her marriage and was forced to choose between her legitimate children and her illegitimate daughter. If she had chosen Grey and Eliza instead, I think she would have regretted it and I doubt that their love would have survived.

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  17. I'm watching The Duchess on Netflix and wanted the real history ---thanks to you taking the time to create this page, I can go back to the movie knowing more about the duchess. Thank you.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it. Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, is an engaging character, both on the page and as depicted on screen. Sadly, she did not always make wise choices (eg re her gambling) and some parts of her story are very sad. :(

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  18. Hi Rachel!!

    The first time I watched The Dutchess it infuriated me!!

    It's so different how women we're treated compared to today, where the pendulum has gone the other way. I'm talking about N. America, the UK, and Europe, as, I know that in some parts of the world that women are just baby makers and slaves to their husbands even today and that is something to shake your head about!!

    Thank you for explaining it simply for us to understand!! It always depends where my blood sugars are at, whether I can understand what I'm reading and your information was perfect!!

    Sometimes I think it was better to work at a farm and marry someone I loved, rather, than be wealthy and be forced to have sex with this stranger.

    I'm happy to be me!!

    I hope you have a beautiful summer!!

    Pam
    😊

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    1. It is hard for western women today to contemplate the position of women in the past without feeling dismayed. I think Georgiana's position was particularly sad. Her parents did not force her into marrying the Duke - she was happy with the match. Maybe she was too young to understand what she was getting herself into - a marriage made for bloodlines and convenience not love. Having said that, many people today who supposedly marry for love don't seem to be any happier in marriage than she was. :(

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  19. Thank you so much for your blog.Having researched this era for a number of years I have found the difference shown between modern life and the truth of the "Marriage Mart" to be misunderstood. It appears that life for a "Lady of gentle birth" was steeped in fears and desperation.
    For a start, there were far more women than men searching for a life partner, and money was the key. Can you imagine how that would concentrate the mind? No wonder Mrs. Bennet was so happy to have three of her daughters married off so quickly! A woman without a man was considered less than the cattle on the estate; and a woman alone was open to scandal, ridicule and abuse of every kind, some ending their lives in destitution. Hence the need to find a mate as quickly as possible. Add to that the time limits and cost of the Season, and I am not surprised so many marriages were of the "convenient" style. If we also take into account the difference only a decade or two can make to the way we view life; the changes in language and beliefs; we can begin to have a small understanding of the naievity portrayed by the Bennets. To them it was a way of life, and much of that life was understood but never spoken of the way we do today. I was lucky (in some small way) to be born in the 1940's. My own mother was a land girl; her father being a general and very victorian by nature. This has, I hope, given me a clearer insight into this fascinating genre and the composition of my own books.
    Regards

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    1. For many women, Charlotte Lucas' words must have rung true - that happiness in marriage was a matter of chance. It is hard for us to fully accept the idea that marriage really was the only option for a lady, unless she was to descend into poverty, dependent upon the charity of others. It is hardly surprising that many chose a home of their own rather than risk the alternative.

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  20. Amazing blog! I wonder why there is little mention of STD's and other sexual diseases going around in this era, given all the affaires and multiple partners these married couples got themselves in. I wonder if it is like today....

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed the blog. I don't tend to write about the seedier side of life but some Georgians did write about such things including James Boswell and Hester Thrale in their diaries.

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  21. Hi, I encourage you to rethink your phrase "which almost ruined her." If you think about it more deeply, that is a very sexist comment. She would not actually be ruined. Instead I would say, "As extra marital affairs were not permitted for women publicly at the time, Georgiana had to end the affair or be separated from her children forever (as her husband threatened)."

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    1. I appreciate your comments, but during this period of history it was quite normal to refer to women as being "ruined". In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen writes of Lydia's "ruin":
      "Elizabeth, though she did not credit above half of what was said, believed enough to make her former assurance of her sister's ruin more certain."

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  22. I have enjoyed reading your article and comments. Thanks for sharing them.
    A query: I'm sure I've read somewhere that the Duke was devastated when she died and went into a decline. Have I imagined this?
    A comment: I'm sure that I've read a travel diary by the Duchess and that she had her son with her as they went through Europe to Venice and then Turkey. I clearly remember her comments about the dress of the women in the harem. Maybe I'm imagining that as well?

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  23. Very interesting story. Just finished watching The Duchess with Kiera Knightley and prompted me to learn more about this fascinating woman. The certainly had some strange rules of living back then. Thanks

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  24. love your blog!! i just watched The movie and wanted to find more about G when i found your informative blog 😊 thank you for sharing all of that with us 😊😊

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    1. I'm so glad that the film inspired you to find out more about the real woman. There was a lot more to her than the film shows. :)

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  25. I'm doing a paper on the duchess of devonshire. I was wondering if she had any relation to Queen Elizabeth I?

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  26. Great blog Rachel. Congrats.

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  27. I watched the movie "The Dutches" again for the second time as many of your readers it seems, and more than the assumed roles and breeding marriage arrangements the abuse condoned by even the victims turned my stomach! I survived and abusive childhood when these things were still not talked about or acknowledged and an abusive marriage and even in the early 2000s this wasn't such a bad thing. Striking another human out of anger or because you are such a big baby you have to have a violent tantrum to control your partner is and should never have been or never be acceptable!!!

    I think the actors did a wonderful job with their roles and making me believe their characters stories. I hope G found happiness later in life.

    One question I have yet to find the answer to (easily) if the age difference b/t her and the Duke and how old was Bess? When G dies in her 40s the two cheaters married but didn't marrying a tarnished woman effect his position in society or is it another case of men win and women lose again?

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    1. The Duke was born Dec 1748, so he was 8 1/2 years older than Georgiana. Bess was a year younger than Georgiana. As far as I'm aware, it didn't affect the Duke's position at all.

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  28. Loved the post ! Just a thought but didn't georgina have a influence on a more liberal UK Today?

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    1. Thank you. I think that Georgiana would have done well as a modern-day politician, but I am not sure that she had a direct influence on the the UK becoming more liberal. In what way did you mean?

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  29. Great article. I love it.

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  30. have watched the film and researched Georgiana and she was sold into marriage no doubt of that for one purpose, which was to give the Duke an heir. His position made it imperative that there was someone to inherit the Title, and love did not come into it thus people had affairs, looking for what the arranged marriage did not give, love.

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