Crowded Marriage!
"Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded." This is probably the most famous quote from Diana, Princess of Wales' interview with Martin Bashir in November 1995 for the BBC. It could certainly describe the marriage of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1757 - 1806) who was also member of the Spencer family. In fact, crowded seems too feeble a word for the goings-on in Georgiana's life after her marriage to the fabulously wealthy Duke of Devonshire in 1774!
A friend gave me this biography "Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire" by Amanda Foreman and the DVD "The Duchess" starring Keira Knightley - with the advice to read the book before watching the film. I'm glad I did!
The book is very good and gives an excellent insight into Georgiana's life. I found that I had little sympathy for her, though. Certainly, like every woman of her time she was a pawn in game of life ruled by men. Her husband expected an heir, and until one was produced, she was deemed a failure as a wife and as a woman - it was never the man's fault, of course!
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A clever woman, Georgiana became involved in publically supporting the Whig party and allied herself with many of the politicians of the day, like Charles Fox.
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However her personal life was extremely turbulent. She gambled addictively and got into debt - in a big way! She then borrowed money from anyone who would lend it (sometimes unwisely) - without telling her husband, who was unaware of the extent of her debt. After producing the long-awaited heir, she had a passionate affair with Charles Grey, who later became prime minister (1830 - 1834). She had an illegitimate child by him and was sent away for a while by her husband.
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The Duke, meanwhile, had an affair (one of many) with Georgiana's friend, Lady Elizabeth Foster, who actually lived in the family home for a while. He had children by her. Georgiana's sister, Henrietta, also had affairs and illegitimate children. Everything seems to have been an open secret and the cartoonists of the day had a great time depicting the extreme fashions and behaviour of the upper classes. I actually lost track of who's child was fathered by whom!
I didn't really enjoy the film as much as the book. It seems just to concentrate on her married life and obviously expected the viewer to have sympathy with Georgiana and her marital situation. Her gambling was merely alluded to. However the costumes and settings are absolutely sumptuous!
So, Georgiana's was most definitely a crowded marriage!
Love, Liz
Comments
Liz
Love from Mum
xx
Love love all the intrigue and goings of yester year, they must of being exhausted !!!
....Keira knightely does do the longing looks quite well,but I must admit I enjoyed her movie Atonement.
But be warned It's sad
XX Manda XX
I'm going to hunt down the book and watch the flick thanks to your review Liz. I'll let you know what I think x