Georgiana Cavendish was one of the first true "celebrities" of her time. During the 1784 election campaign, the Duchess, along with several other Whig women, actively canvassed voters; her success made her a target for the pro-government press which launched a vicious campaign against her, insinuating that she was exchanging kisses for votes. The apotheosis of . Diana, Princess of Wales and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Bess became the dukes mistress, an arrangement which lasted 25 years. Georgianas infatuation with Mary Graham ended in 1782 when, visiting Bath with her husband, she was introduced to Lady Elizabeth Foster (known as Bess). But the real test of her friendship came the following year when Georgiana was banished abroad because she was carrying Charles Greys child. During that time Bess and the duke had two illegitimate children. PDF The Devonshire Collection Archives GB 2495 DF12 Papers of Georgiana The next few years were marred by illness and heartache. Sadly, Bess had needs and desires of her own that her relationship with Georgiana couldn't fill. Bess gave up custody of her sons to Foster and returned to England, where she was forced to live in reduced circumstances. Despite being at a carefree stage of her young adult life which includes a friendship and possibly more in the future with Charles Grey, Lady Georgiana Spencer is more than thrilled to accept the marriage proposal of older William Cavendish, the Duke of Devonshire, regardless of the fact that they have only met twice. Learn more. The Duchess: Directed by Saul Dibb. On 30 March 1806, Georgiana died. She did much to the house and its gardens, planting lilacs, honeysuckle and climbing roses beneath the windows of her rooms. How haunting are the similarities between Georgiana Spencer & her relative, Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales; both set fashion trends, adored their children, & were loved by everyone but their husbands. The Duchess is based on the late 18th century life of Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire, who was born in 1757. . This she became with her easy-going and likeable manner but she also managed to become the Duke of Devonshire's (and Georgiana's husband) mistress in the process. QTY: Add to Cart Description; AUTHOR(S) TAGS; REVIEWS; Elizabeth Foster, 'Bess' is one of the larger than life characters that occasionally flits . The Duchess, 2008, is a film biopic, portraying Georgiana as both a victim and a social activist. In Georgiana's cold, complicated marriage to William, Bess was like the warmth of the sun on a frosty morning. However, their marriage is not as she expects, where he pays more attention to his dogs than he does to her. The Duchess: Directed by Saul Dibb. No one could've loved, saved or betrayed Georgiana as Bess did. It's another perspective, one heretofore unseen. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This bizarre and complex mnage trois has baffled contemporaries and historians since. Required fields are marked *. The family fortunes changed drastically when Hervey became 4th Earl of Bristol in December 1779, but by this time, Bess was already married. She also wrote poetry, and during her exile, wrote her best-known poem, The Passage of the Mountain of St Gothard later privately published. More info about Georgiana: here Web page for "The Duke and Duchess of Peace": here. The majority of the notebooks contain poetry and creative works; one of the scrapbooks appears to have been added to after the Duchess's death. her husband, Andrew. The friends and hangers-on of the Devonshires, known as the 'Devonshire House circle' (after the Devonshires' main London residence) included many celebrated politicians, wits, and literary figures, such as Thomas Grenville and Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Thanks Jess! She found diversion in fashionable society, becoming a style icon: almost overnight, society began imitating her clothes and mannerisms. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Would definitely recommend along with the Amanda Foreman book. When the regency crisis of 17889 gave the Whigs an opportunity to return to power, Georgiana was once again busy with party politics. They resumed their strange mnage trois, but Georgiana and the Duke were getting on much better than before, and Bess feared that her influence was waning. A hearse left London for Dover in readiness to receive her. Georgina was in an arranged ambitious marriage. Biographies. Nevertheless, as the wife of one the richest men in the country, Georgiana could indulge her passion for fashion, introducing the vogue for elaborate and tall hairstyles. However, on 20 February 1792, her daughter Eliza Courtney was born without complications to mother and child. Yes. The Duchess (2008) - IMDb clean/Christian historical romance set in the time of Jane Austen. Thus began the infamous mnage trois. Years previously, in 1779, the Duchess had anonymously published an epistolary novel, The Sylph . Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #duchess, #dukeandduchess, #duchessa, #duchesse, #georgesbess . Her personal life was also in turmoil: in 1782, she befriended Lady Elizabeth (or Bess) Foster, daughter of Frederick Augustus Hervey, fourth earl of Bristol. Rumours drifted back to the Duchess that Bess was involved in scandalous behaviour in Italy. In 1782, Bess met Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire in Bath. 1770s England. She doubled every joy, lessened every grief. This is a guest post from author Alina Adams. I haven't yet come across a source that tells me! . The couple married two years later. It's a thing that we in the modern era find very hard to swallow, but while simultaneously filling this urgent need in the life of a very vivacious & intelligent, if needy woman, Lady Elizabeth (known to history as "Bess") was engaging in a lifelong relationship of quite another sort with Georgiana's husband, the Duke of Devonshire: one which would result in two apparently secret illegitimate children who were yet raised with the rest of the children, & end with Bess' marriage to the Duke following Georgiana's death. Women had very little power back then. Although she was married and took male lovers, it seems she also subscribed to the fashion for romantic female friendships. She stared at the prone figure on the bed for a moment, and then she turned and slowly began . If you have enjoyed this blog and want to It's plain to see the affection Bess's posterity hold her in and it must have been something they long wanted to "clear up" on her personal/historical account. Georgiana Spencer became Duchess of Devonshire on her marriage to the Duke in 1774, at the height of the Georgian period, a period of fashion, decadence, and political change. From a letter from Lady Elizabeth Foster to her son Augustus (9 July 1806). https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/A-History-Of-The-Dukes-of-Bolton-1600-1815-Hardback/p/17998. Incensed, her husband offered her the choice between divorce and exile abroad. This "menage a trois" managed to cause their children a lot of shame and grief. British Museum When William who made a serial career of producing children out of wedlock, even while being married to Georgiana, (he fathered a daughter before his marriage, who his young bride was forced to raise and two more with her best friend, Bess, who they smuggled into the household and raised along with his legitimate children by Georgiana), but when the longsuffering Georgiana found comfort in the arms of Earl Grey, and fell pregnant, he callously forced her to give the child up or she would forfeit her right to their children. Her very life, health, comfort, and place in society was all due to the kindness of the Devonshires. Movie Review. Until her death in 1806, Georgiana lived alongside her husband, in her name only, whilst he and Bess effectively lived as husband and wife, although, of course, unable to marry whilst Georgiana was still alive. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. She was the charm of my existence, she wrote to her son, my constant support in all my sorrows, the doubler and sharer of every joy.. A chronicle of the life of 18th-century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, who was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life. The Lazy Historian is a history blog featuring stories from the past with sass. Georgiana called Chiswick House her earthly paradise and used it to entertain her close circle of friends, as well as to receive members of the Whig Party. Georgiana wrote to Mary: You must know how tenderly I love you I am falling asleep and must leave you now, but I want to say to you above all that I love you, my dear friend, and kiss you tenderly. Although the way we use language has changed and 18thc women certainly did speak to each other in a way a modern reader would likely see as romantic, this letter suggests very strong affection between the two women, Amanda Foreman asserts that Georgianas passionate imprecations went far beyond the ordinary endearments written between women friends (Foreman, 1999, p.69). I wondered whether Foreman's clear partiality for Georgiana had led her to paint Bess with a blacker brush than was warranted. She has been writes Elizabeth Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire - Wikipedia However, in the 18th century, among fashionable women, a cult of same-sex romantic friendship was accepted, even if to some contemporary observers it appeared queer. Diana and Georgiana - Echoes across time - Astrodienst Elizabeth & Georgiana: The Duke of Devonshire and His T Gee died in 1806, and Bess married William Cavendish to become Duchess of Devonshire herself. Some time later, Georgiana discovers that the Duke and Bess have begun sleeping together. What cannot be denied is how fascinating the women central to this relationship remain to this day. An interesting read, though Im sure there are more thorough biographies out there. The one thing it seems she cannot do is win the heart of her husband. Her funeral was nowhere near as grand an affair as it had been for Georgiana and William, although it followed the same route when leaving London heading for Derby. Indeed they were, but I don't feel much sympathy for the scheming Bess. Often the issue is that any evidence that did once exist has been destroyed by descendants (often Victorian) who wished to protect the legacy of a relative. The film won both an Oscar and a BAFTA for best costume design. Gees own feelings towards Bess are made clear in the fervent letters she wrote to her, despite the fact that she was very aware that Bess was her husbands lover: My dear Bess, Do you hear the voice of my heart crying to you? It's 1774 and the Duke of Devonshire (RALPH FIENNES) is looking for a wife who will produce him a male heir, and he's set his sights on teenager Georgiana (KEIRA KNIGHTLEY), daughter of Lady Spencer (CHARLOTTE RAMPLING). The Cavendish family didn't like or trust her either. Although his grace enables a lavish life-style in grand homes and privileged introduction to the highest society circles, it comes at a price. This time, she was given letters of introduction to the Duchesse de Polignac to enable her to move in polite society in Paris. Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, is best known for her extravagant parties, gambling habit, and being a Georgian fashion icon. Georgian seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset, on the south coast of England, with This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. However, the Duchess died shortly afterwards, at Devonshire House, on 30 March 1806, of a liver abscess, and was buried on 8 April at All Saints', Derby. But the Devonshire menage a trois definitely tops the "weird but apparently acceptable things done by the British aristocracy in the late eighteenth century" list. Eliza was given up to live with Charles Grey's parents. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Think the 2 women did what they could to survive, in a world where men and money decides everything. Her childhood was spent in Ireland in quite poor living conditions but she escaped this poverty when she married John Foster, an Irish MP, in December 1776. Principal source: Amanda Foreman, 'Cavendish [ne Spencer], Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004). While it is well known that the Duke was in a romantic and sexual relationship with Bess her relationship with Georgiana is less clear and is variously seen as merely platonic, a romantic friendship, or a romantic relationship. Not to mention being shunned by polite society. Lady Elizabeth Foster entered Georgiana's life when she needed a true friend and confidante. They all have the most amazingly over-the-top stories, & it was such a soap opera of a time in England, anyway. I think it must have been a great support to her to have Bess there. Read Amanda Foreman's "Georgiana" instead. Mary, daughter of the 9th Baron Cathcart, is most known for being the sitter in Thomas Gainsboroughs The Honourable Mrs Graham. Her love for me was really passing the love of woman.. All rights reserved. After Georgianas death in 1806 Bess and the Dukes relationship continued, with Bess becoming Elizabeth Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire in 1809, however her affection for Georgiana remained evident. A Regency History guide to dukes, marquesses and other titles, Curricles, gigs and phaetons in the Regency, Where Mr Darcy walked - film locations used in the BBC's 1995 Pride and Prejudice, Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806), Banns, licences and Hardwicke's Marriage Act - a Regency History guide to marriage in Georgian England. As such, she decides to be fulfilled in other ways outside of her time with the Duke, which he, in an unspoken agreement, is not to intrude. She did this in the comfort of their homes, amongst their Kith and kin without prick of conscience. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Reunited in death, the 5th Duke of Devonshire, Georgiana andBess, Best 9 william cavendish 5th duke of devonshire aldenlibrary.org, https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Things-Georgian-Tales-Eighteenth-Century/dp/1526757850/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646981954&sr=1-1, Celebrating 10 years of All ThingsGeorgian, Confinement during the Georgian era, guest post by JessicaCox, Marylebone Gardens and the TruslerFamily, The Honourable Mary Bridget Mostyn (1715-1789) Maid ofHonour, The artist, Diana Hill ne Deitz 1760 1844. I love your posts they're bringing a way of life in England that I never knew existed; I always stopped short at Elizabeth R, and then jumped to the 20th century, Just look at all the fun and games I've missed out on, I certainly have some catching up to do.And to think I'd always imagined the Regency period to be so dull and boring and a prelude to Victorian era. Summary: Takes place while Georgiana and Bess are in the country waiting for Georgiana to give birth to Eliza. Bess had separated from her husband, and was living almost destitute with her aunt . A reimagining in which Bess and Georgiana give into their desires (i.e. Womens History Porter, Lindsey. Whilst Pitt returned as Prime Minister in 1804, following his death in 1806, the new government the 'ministry of all the talents' largely consisted of the coalition that Georgiana had helped to build. 1809 proved to be a busy year socially for the Duke and Lady Elizabeth, as not only did their illegitimate daughter, Caroline Rosalie Adelaide St Jules (1786- 1862) marry George Lamb, in May of that year, but this was to be followed by Besss own marriage, finally, to the duke on 19 October 1809, at their Chiswick home. For more information please visit the website. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Besss body was then taken to Devonshire House and from there a state cavalcade took her to the family vault at All Saints church, Derby, where the Duke and Georgiana were already interred on 26 May 1824. Georgiana (pronounced 'Jorjaina') was born at Althorp House (the family home since 1508) while Diana was raised and is buried there. In 1774 her ancestor Lady Georgiana Spencer married the . The Wallace Collection Georgiana embarked upon an affair of her own after having given birth to two daughters (Lady Georgiana Dorothy Cavendish, known as Little G and Lady Harriet Elizabeth Cavendish, or Harryo) and a son and heir, William George Spencer Cavendish, aka Hart (as his title from birth was Marquess of Hartington). Even their lovemaking is cold and clinical. The true love of her life was the handsome young Whig politician Charles Grey, whom she had an affair with in 1791, before finding out she was carrying his child. Thank you for this fascinating information. Following Gees death, Bess was moved to write that: [Georgiana] was the constant charm of my life. Anxious for her long-term future, Bess rekindled her affair with the Duke of Richmond and became his mistress. I rather like her connection with the archaeological excavations in Rome in the last decade of her life. In 1795 Charles Grey married without first informing her. Yet, the two women appear to have had a very strong and genuine friendship, relying on one another in times of crisis including the times when the said man deliberately made their lives miserable. Elizabeth Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire - Geni.com It contains the only present I can make you - my blessing, written in my blood.'. Copies of material in the archive can be supplied for private study and personal research purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The stars were silver and the coronets, rails etc were silver gilt. At Georgiana's suggestion, the Duke invites Bess to live with the Duke and Duchess in Devonshire. Georgiana's attempts to maintain party morale and win public support for the Whigs were blocked by Jane, duchess of Gordon, who was employed by William Pitt to counterbalance the weight of Devonshire House. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The film was based on the 1998 international best-sellerGeorgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, which won the Whitbread Prize for Best Biography. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Her husbands status meant that Georgiana could also be actively involved in political life. After the birth of her son in 1790, Georgiana confessed her debts to the Duke. Although hinted at in The Duchess, it was not until researching their relationship that I discovered it may have been romantic. Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire died 30 March 1806 and it would exactly 18 years later to the date, that on 30 March 1824, in Rome, her successor, Besss life would also come to an end. The Duchess movie review & film summary (2008) | Roger Ebert William was very reserved, preoccupied with his dogs and his desire for a male heir, and was not keen to socialise; Georgiana soon grew tired of him and immersed herself in the fashion world. She had her pulse on current events and had a variety of important devoted friends. I think both ladies were constrained by social customs & male domination. When, in 1796, both the Duchess of Richmond and her own husband died, she expected the Duke to marry her. Writing about anything and everything to do with the Georgian Era. His coffin was described as being very beautiful and, if possible, even more highly decorated than that of the late Duchess of Devonshire. She was born in 1757 and died in 1806. Those outside activities, which make her a star among the elite, include fashion design, gambling, and surprisingly politics. Of her four siblings, only two others survived to adulthood: George John Spencer, who became second Earl; and Henrietta. sharing her research on this blog since 2011. Interviews. In Rome, she also found the last love of her life - Cardinal Hercule Consalvi, secretary of state to the Vatican. 46 Extravagant Facts About Georgiana Cavendish, The 18th - Factinate Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire. Change). Georgiana jockeyed with Sheridan to advise the Prince; she also acted as a party whip, cajoling and pressing party members to remain loyal to Fox. The duke only cares for her as future mother of a male heir, and punishes her failing in that respect severely, while enjoying serial adultery and ordering her to help raise his illegitimate offspring, without omitting her sole confident Bess Foster. After Marys death of tuberculosis at just 32 Georgiana said of her: Her goodness, her sense, her sweetness have left a strong impression on my mind; she thought too much of me I am sure; but I have a pride in feeling that she loved me., Bess entered into the Duchess and Dukes lives in 1782, and became a central part of their lives. Lady Elizabeth Foster died on 30th March 1824 in Rome. Jess Toole is currently studying History, English Lit and Law at A-Level. She is best known as Lady Elizabeth Foster, the close friend of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. Which is true and how do we know which account is true? The Duchess is a 2008 historical drama film directed by Saul Dibb, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jeffrey Hatcher and Anders Thomas Jensen, based on the 1998 book Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman, about the late 18th-century English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. The Duchess (2008) - Quotes - IMDb She could have ended in a convent or worse. Bess was estranged from her husband and in financial difficulty. She also re-styled its interiors, mainly in the now lost wings that Georgiana and the duke added in 1788. But after many months of waiting, it was clear that the Duke had no intention of doing so. Read more about the man whose misfortunes inspired Evelyn Waughs Brideshead Revisited. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. She could not ignore the plight of Marie-Antoinette and, although she counted many aristocratic revolutionaries among her friends, she did not support the French Revolution per se. Georgiana Cavendish: At her own Pleasure (Pt II) - Historical Honey Additionally, due to the double standard between men and women that existed in the 18th century, and admittedly still exists today, it was more scandalous for a woman to take a lover than a man. At the end of 1784, Bess went abroad again, ostensibly for her health. Your email address will not be published. The Duke died on 29 July 1811, less than two years later. Early years It was covered with Genoa crimson velvet, ornamented with exquisitely chased handles. This does mean that one way we can look for suggestions of a historical figures sexuality is by looking for gaps in evidence. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I finished Amanda Foreman's excellent biography of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire with a wish to know more about her devoted friend, Lady Elizabeth Foster, who was also the Duke's lover and his second wife. If she can't have her cake and eat it too, she will have to make some difficult decisions with regard to the ones she truly loves. email the repository. While abroad, the Duchess conceived and gave birth, in June 1790, to a long-awaited son, William George Spencer Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington (1790-1858). Bess's ability to manoeuvre her way throughout the Devonshire's confidences, support and marriage are wholly unique amongst mistresses. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I feel confident that the truth is somewhere closer to the middle. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Obviously, I find the people surrounding Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, fascinating. In addition there is a small quantity of correspondence, most of which dates from the final two years of the Duchess's life (the majority of her correspondence is contained in the 5th Duke's Correspondence Series, DF 2495 CS5), and a lock of her hair. She took a renewed interest in the world around her, increased her mineral collection at Chatsworth, and supervised the refurbishment of Chiswick House. Georgiana is well aware that she has only two primary responsibilities as Duchess: (1) to produce a male heir for the Duke; (2) to be loyal to him. An item-level catalogue of the collection in PDF format can be found on the Chatsworth website. However, despite his ongoing liaison with Lady Bess, the Duke refuses to allow her to continue the affair and threatens to take her children from her. In fact, as Lindsey Porter notes, writers have suggested that the two women had a relationship which was closer than their individual relationship with the Duke. (Porter, 2016, p.196.)
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