ARISTOCRATIC WOMEN

The Social, Political and Cultural History of Rich and Poweful Women

Part 1: The Correspondence of Jemima, Marchioness Gray (1722-97) and her Circle

Arisocratic Women, Part 2

The second part of this project makes available three separate letter sequences from Birmingham University Library.

First and foremost are the 1,764 letters (bound in 16 volumes) and 7 diaries of Charlotte Georgiana, Lady Bedingfield (formerly Jerningham) c1780-1833.  These sources describe the life and experiences of the intelligent daughter of an important Catholic family from childhood, continuing through her schooldays and her marriage to her elder years.  Highlights include the detailed recollections of a visit to Brighton with princess Louise of Saxe-Weimar, and the discovery of a friend’s brother who has committed suicide:

“…I ran to the door and pushed it with all my strength, to no purpose, and called to Him, but no answer was returned – the servants came up and two of them forced the door open with their feet, I rushed into the room and beheld the most terrible spectacle.  He was sitting in an Arm-Chair covered with Blood and his throat severed and gaping hideously – without any symptom of remaining Life – Language has no words to Describe the poor sisters – the occasion perhaps Brings a degree of Tranquil Fortitude with it, For I found myself more prompt and able to act and assist, and soothe, and give Directions in this sudden calamity, than I thought I should be capable of:-  this act of suicide was committed in a  momentary derangement of mind with which he was inflicted for a short interval every day and which the Doctors said was diminishing and would gradually wear away – I never saw him in these moments of Alienation, But He said to me once when I called upon Him, `if you had come an hour sooner you would have heard me talking nonsense´ – not understanding what He alluded to for I was ignorant of this peculiarity of his complaint I said jocosely, `Do you think that would have surprised me?’ – He replied `I wish Jerningham I could be as merry as you´….”

Charlotte writes with the same immediacy about visits to the opera and plays (including Mrs Siddons in `The fatal marriage´); being taught Italian and Geography; the latest fashions; portrait painting; childbirth and rearing; Anglo-French hostilities; health; Catholic views regarding Ireland; Mrs Fitzherbert and the Prince of Wales; schooling; Catholic emancipation; society at Bath; broken marriages; Madame de Stael; attempts to restore the monarchy in France; reading Mansfield Park; Bonaparte’s surrender to the Duke of Wellington; travels; pregnancy; illegitimacy; and many other topics.

Secondly there is a small cluster of 22 letters, dating from 1791 to 1804, from Anna Seward, the `Swan of Lichfield´ - a noted poet and letter writer.  Topics covered include `the qualities of a woman that ought to be possessed by a woman to be worthy of Colonel Dowdeswell´, a concert in Birmingham held in honour of Duncan’s victory at Camperdown, and a discussion of the notion of democracy.

Finally, there are c155 letters, dated c1774-1805, concerning Charlotte, daughter of Grenville Leveson-Gower, Earl Gower and subsequently first Marquess of Stafford, and Lady Susannah Leveson-Gower (née Stewart).  Health, the writings of Tom Paine; the pernicious effect of gossip; babies; William Pitt and contemporary politics; the threat of invasion by France, and sea bathing are all discussed.

Part 2:  11 reels of 35mm Silver-halide positive microfilm plus Guide Available

The Third Part will bring together the papers of the Ladies of Llangollen from the National Library of Wales.

<back