clean/Christian historical romance set in the time of Jane Austen. It has been translated into French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Hungarian, Romanian, Croatian, Turkish, Korean and Mandarin Chinese. A lot has been written about the Devonshires, & there has been a lot of opinion expressed on her motives & whether she was really the true life companion & helpmeet of her friend, or simply playing along while placing herself in a position to be a long-term mistress. Learn how your comment data is processed. This is a guest post from Saluting 23 Faithful Suffragists author Jo Ann Matthews. Previous to her pregnancy, Bess had been sent abroad as a governess to the Dukes daughter, Charlotte. The election was a disaster, both for the Whigs and for Georgiana, who was left with a tattered reputation and thousands of pounds worth of debts. When her pregnancy could no longer be hidden, she fled to her brother in Naples and confessed all. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Gee died in 1806, and Bess married William Cavendish to become Duchess of Devonshire herself. Hair in jewellery served two purposes in this period, either as mourning jewellery or love tokens, whichever purpose this particular locket held indicates that Bess had deep feelings for Georgiana. Georgianas mother, Lady Spencer, was keenly jealous for Georgianas position and encouraged the Cavendishes to send Bess abroad for her health. Historically, same-sex female attraction or sexual contact was not a criminal offence. Even after the birth of a son, her indiscreet affair with rising politician Charles Grey is intolerable. Find out more about Rachel's books and sign up for her newsletter here. She did suffer from a serious an painful eye condition and the treatment resulted in scarring, but apparently it was the abscess on her liver condition that took her life. As soon as it was practical to do so, the Devonshires and Bess went abroad to France to escape the atmosphere of blame and resentment at home. 46 Extravagant Facts About Georgiana Cavendish, The 18th - Factinate We can only guess as to the exact nature of Georgianas love passing the love of woman. Although women could not vote, Georgiana became a central advocate for the Whig Party. Affectionately known as Gee, she was renowned for her style and her involvement in politics. Read more about the man whose misfortunes inspired Evelyn Waughs Brideshead Revisited. Georgiana was never allowed to acknowledge their true relationship and she felt tremendous guilt over Eliza's fate for the rest of her life. Most opinions of Bess are not favorable. She found diversion in fashionable society, becoming a style icon: almost overnight, society began imitating her clothes and mannerisms. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thank you Alina! Oh Bess, every sensation I feel but heightens my adoration of you. While after Georgianas death Bess described her as the constant charm of my life. The most companionship she got out of it was probably with Bess. Although she was married and took male lovers, it seems she also subscribed to the fashion for romantic female friendships. Thanks Jess! Why Meghan Markle was underrated as an actress, Jacqueline Wilson: 'David Walliams's books are not what I would have wanted as a child', Goodbye to CITV, the children's channel that was cooler, naughtier and funnier than CBBC, Alison Steadman: 'Comedians are very political now, but they're not that funny', Boygenius at Gunnersbury Park was a magical, intimate show, Belinda Carlisle: 'I was dropped by my label the day after I turned 40', If you're as immature as me, Strays is the dog's bollocks. He does nothing to alleviate her wedding night fears, and does his husbandly duty with few words and a noticable lack of tenderness. She could have ended in a convent or worse. She had her son, Augustus Clifford, in relative comfort, and left him with foster parents before returning to England. Change). When Georgiana was still a teenager, a loaded aristocrat came knocking: William Cavendish, the fifth Duke of Devonshire. Georgiana and Bess act as each other's emotional support, which on Georgiana's side includes inviting her to live in Devonshire House with her and the Duke. Her love for me was really passing the love of woman. 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. This book is a good read. Although initially unwilling to rebuild her life, Georgiana gradually overcame her handicap. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Diana, Princess of Wales, was not the first member of the aristocratic Spencer family to win the heart of her country but not her husband. Affectionately known as Gee, she was renowned for her style and her involvement in politics. According to the Morning Post, 16 April 1824, the cause of her demise was inflammation of the bowels. If that was the case, it only makes me feel more sorry for Georgiana. 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. sister George Hervey brother She also re-styled its interiors, mainly in the now lost wings that Georgiana and the duke added in 1788. The Duchess was encouraged by Fox to take a more active role in the Whig party, and in September 1780 she made her first election appearance on behalf of the party, climbing the hustings at Westminster to support Fox. Bess had a grit and tenacity many lack. After being absent for two years, the Duke said she could return and in the autumn of 1793 she arrived in England to live a quiet life in Chatsworth House although she made secret visits to see Eliza. She also loved gambling, and ran up huge debts over the course of her life. Her society had an attraction I never met with in any other being. Tart of the Week: Bess Foster - Blogger I'm the author of The Spirited Mrs. Pringle, The Hobby Shop on Barnaby Street, and The Lazy Historian's Guide to the Wives of Henry VIII. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Her society had an attraction I never met with in any other being.. Yes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. However, her social success was marred by heavy drinking and an insatiable addiction to gambling. Georgiana resumed her former role as one of the Prince's closest advisers and was instrumental in getting Fox and the Prince to settle their differences, as well as reuniting the different Whig factions into a force that could be co-ordinated. You are welcome to cite or quote from an article provided you give full acknowledgement to the original author. Eliza was given up to live with Charles Grey's parents. Powered by. Georgianas romantic infatuations could sometimes be disconcerting to their female recipients. Access to the archive at Chatsworth is by appointment only. Womens History 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. When, in 1796, both the Duchess of Richmond and her own husband died, she expected the Duke to marry her. 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. Historian Amanda Foreman, Georgiana's biographer and author of 'Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire,' has referred to Bess as the "quintessential snake in the grass." Several historians have speculated about the nature of Georgiana's relationship with Bess - whether it was sexual in nature or not. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Cavendish, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and others. The Cavendish family didn't like or trust her either. There has been much debate regarding the nature of Georgianas emotional and sexual life. Their chances/choices were truly limited. Previously all I knew of Lady Foster was her relationship with the Devonshires. In 1772, aged fifteen, when staying with her family at Spa in the Netherlands, she met William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire (1748-1811). Learn more. The 6th Duke sent a courier to Rome to collect her body to have it repatriated to England. Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, was one of the most charismatic figures in Georgian society. Bess became the dukes mistress, an arrangement which lasted 25 years. Rumours drifted back to the Duchess that Bess was involved in scandalous behaviour in Italy. Before They Were Famous: Actors' Early Roles, First Look at Kiernan Shipka in 'Totally Killer'. The Russian (Jews) Are Coming: Immigration To the United States Then and Now. After the Dukes death, Bess lived alone, in style, in Piccadilly before moving to Rome in 1816. It was covered with Genoa crimson velvet, ornamented with exquisitely chased handles. It's hard to respect any of the people involved. The following year she developed an infection in her right eye which spread to her left, leaving her scarred and three-quarters blind. Get help and learn more about the design. Elizabeth & Georgiana: The Duke of Devonshire and His T The film won both an Oscar and a BAFTA for best costume design. Although the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire was Chatsworth in Derbyshire, Georgiana spent much time in London at Devonshire House and at Chiswick House, completed in 1729 and one of the greatest examples in England of neo-Palladian architecture. Once again letters show us the intensity of feelings between them, Georgiana wrote to Bess My dear Bess, Do you hear the voice of my heart crying to you? Her society had an attraction I never met with in any other being. This is a guest post by Jess Toole. Did Georgiana ever "produce a male heir"? In July 1786, Bess left her daughter, Caroline, with the elderly Comte St Jules who agreed to accept paternity, and finally acquiesced to the Duke and Duchess pleas for her to come home. Where RAF Lossiemouth is, as airbase features in Channel 4's Top Guns documentary, Who Tommy Jessop is, as Line of Duty star pitches Hollywood superhero film in new BBC film, On TV tonight, Line of Duty's Tommy Jessop pitches a superhero film to Hollywood execs, The Jordan Peterson row proves it: you cant judge a book by its cover quotes, Tyson Fury's family explained and how many children he has, Do not sell or share my personal information. The apotheosis of . I think that Lady Elizabeth Foster is a character who few people like. There are some pamphlet publications and manuscripts of works by others, which were either dedicated to, or concern, Duchess Georgiana and her husband, the 5th Duke of Devonshire; these are largely anonymous, but there is a verse signed by David Garrick. Bess wore a locket of Georgianas hair until her own death in 1824, as Foreman notes Bess died wearing A locket carrying one of her friends reddish-gold curls, and also a hair bracelet of Georgianas (Foreman, 1998, p.430.) 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. This bizarre and complex mnage trois has baffled contemporaries and historians since. Bess duly left for France in December 1782, acting as governess to Charlotte Williams, the Dukes natural daughter. This is helpful in that it does aid one in trying to sketch out her character. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/lgbtq-history/romantic-female-friendship/, https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/portrait-lady-2463577, Chiswick House & Gardens Burlington Lane, Chiswick London W4 2RP, Copyright 2023 Chiswick House and Gardens Trust. When the regency crisis of 17889 gave the Whigs an opportunity to return to power, Georgiana was once again busy with party politics. Anxious for her long-term future, Bess rekindled her affair with the Duke of Richmond and became his mistress. During her exile, she and her companions travelled through France, Switzerland and Italy, eventually settling in Naples where they were lionized by Neapolitan society. But I cannot deny she made a way for herself in a time when most in her circumstances would have died in ruin and poverty. Much of the material remains in the copyright of Chatsworth House Trust, but some is also subject to third-party copyright. Your email address will not be published. Indeed they were, but I don't feel much sympathy for the scheming Bess. Diana, Princess of Wales and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. During the first nine years of her marriage, she suffered multiple miscarriages, failing to produce the expected male heir to the dukedom. Jess Toole is currently studying History, English Lit and Law at A-Level. But it also included most of the rakes, libertines, profligates, and notorious women of the era, including John Frederick Sackville, third duke of Dorset, Charles James Fox, Frances Villiers, countess of Jersey, and Elizabeth Lamb, Viscountess Melbourne. An interesting read about Lady Elizabeth Foster, known historically as Bess and her attachment to the Fifth Duke (William) and Duchess (Georgiana) of Devonshire. Though adored by the people, the Duchess of Devonshire is not content to sit as a pretty figurehead. Following the post mortem, the St Jamess Chronicle reported that the dukes remains would be taken from Devonshire House early in the morning and would proceed as far as Woburn, where the cortge would remain overnight before travelling onwards to Derby to be deposited in the vault close to the late Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. sharing her research on this blog since 2011. Some of the things she did were really slimy, like having an affair with her best girlfriend's husband while living off of the couple! Lady Elizabeth Fosters legacy is one of a promiscuous mistress who betrayed a close friend for her own gain. It's time to get down and dirty. They all have the most amazingly over-the-top stories, & it was such a soap opera of a time in England, anyway. writes The author did a good job filling in details from Bess's personal papers, never seen before outside of her family. But how can we speculate about the nature of Geogianas relationships with women when we possess no concrete evidence? Upon meeting Lady Elizabeth Foster, an earl's daughter who married far below herself & then suffered the further stigma of the marriage breaking up & leaving her in the limbo of a married mother with no husband or children, the famous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, met a woman who became so much more to her than a best friend. I wonder whether Bess was ever truly happy. Oh Bess, every sensation I feel but heightens my adoration of you. She did, however, enthusiastically embrace her husbands politics and became an advocate of the Whigs.