The Georgian era abounded in scandals...in a supremely patriarchal society where women were chattel, married women had few rights, and divorce was almost impossible, inevitably many illicit liaisons not only occurred but became public. As a fiction writer, I find I can hardly dream up anything more shocking than the truth, or at least a gossipy, perhaps exaggerated version of it.
Popular print shops sold a wide variety of images of Society beauties, prominent individuals, ever-popular caricatures of politicians, and irreverent portrayals of all sorts of scandals.
Above is one of the most scurrilous, referring to the scandals involving Seymour Dorothy Fleming, Lady Worsley (1758-1818). Caricaturist James Gillray in 1782 portrays her husband "Sir Richard Worse-than-sly, exposing his wife's bottom; – o fye!" that is, showing off his nude wife to a lover.
Married since 1775, the union had gone badly and she was said to have had more than twenty lovers. The story is told in a book by Hallie Rubenhold which was the basis for a film, The Scandalous Lady Worsley. Remember to please click on the thumbnails for larger versions
Married since 1775, the union had gone badly and she was said to have had more than twenty lovers. The story is told in a book by Hallie Rubenhold which was the basis for a film, The Scandalous Lady Worsley. Remember to please click on the thumbnails for larger versions
The spectacular portrait of Lady Worsley reproduced on the covers above is taken from the 1775-76 painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds which hangs at Harewood House, Yorkshire, where Seymour lived after her widowed mother married the wealthy planter Edwin Lascalles, 1st Baron Harewood, in 1770. He owned several Caribbean sugar plantations. Seymour had a handsome dowry with which to attract potential husbands.
Below, a copy of the painting alongside that of her first husband, Sir Richard, in the remains of Appuldurcombe House on the Isle of Wight, their one-time home. I visited the property, maintained in its ruined glory by English Heritage, a couple of years ago and found it beautiful, sad, and haunting. Below are some photographs taken by me and by Kristine Hughes Patrone, my partner in travel adventures. Access her upcoming tours at
http://numberonelondontours.com/
http://numberonelondontours.com/
Appldurcombe House was damaged in WWII and fell into ruin after most of the architectural features were sold.
Kristine and I roamed the silent house and grounds with a near reverence for the tragedies that must have played out to leave the estate in such a condition. If you are curious about more, the whole story is told many times on the net as well as in books and the film.
However, I now must admit that after all was said and done, I chose another family scandal to use in my current WIP. More on that next time.
However, I now must admit that after all was said and done, I chose another family scandal to use in my current WIP. More on that next time.
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