Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire is an ancestor of the new royal baby, The Prince of Cambridge.
More info about Georgiana: here
Web page for “The Duke and Duchess of Peace”: here.
Lady Georgiana Spencer is an important figure in political history. She was born in 1757 and died in 1806. She married, at the age of 17, and became Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire. She had an influential role in many key, political events, and in the shaping of the early Whig Party. Georgiana saw the French Revolution through the eyes of an English aristocrat, and as a friend of Marie Antoinette.
Amanda Foreman wrote “Georgiana the Duchess of Devonshire”, Modern Library Press, 2001. And, in 2008, a movie was made based closely on that book, though, with the movie focusing on one aspect and time period from the full biography. Amanda Foreman was a consultant on the movie. Though the movie was critiqued for saying so in some advertising, Georgiana is, in fact, the great-great-great-great aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales. And, the lives and work of these two women have eerie similarities.
I admire Georgiana because she was clever at politics, an adoring mother and family member, and a woman who became famous and influential, despite her personal struggles. Because of the detail in Amanda Foreman’s book, a reading of it offers many lessons on how to be a successful (and a not successful) politician. Amanda Foreman wrote of Georgiana:
Georgiana should be credited with being one of the first to refine political messages for mass communication. She was an image-maker who understood the necessity for public relations, and she became adept at the manipulation of political symbols and the dissemination of party propaganda. The two-party system was still developing in the late eighteenth century and factions, with their problems of discipline and dependence upon personality, predominated. Despite this, Georgiana was successful in helping to foster a sense of collective membership among the Foxite Whigs; and she made Devonshire House the focal point for meetings during critical times, such as the Westminster election and the Regency crisis [When King George lll became ill, and parliament had to decide whether or not and how to begin a Regency.] She was simultaneously a public figurehead for the Whigs and an effective politician within the party. The faction leaders obeyed her summonses, and sought her advice, employed her to negotiate, and relied on her to maintain the morale of supporters.
The Whig Party which Georgiana nurtured was conservative by today’s standards, but did include concepts of freedom such as opposition to absolute rule by the monarch. The opposing party was the Tories. Wikipedia states: “In general terms, the Whig tendency supported the great aristocratic families and non-Anglicans (the ‘dissenters,’ such as Presbyterians), while the Tories supported the Church of England and the gentry.”
Near the end of Amanda Foreman’s book, is her summary praise of Georgiana and her contributions:
Her history is as much a part of the history of men and the wider world as it is of the woman’s community. She is remarkable for being a successful politician whose actions brought about national events; for attaining great prominence in spite of the fact she was a woman in a society which favoured men; and for achieving success while enduring great personal suffering in her search for self fulfillment.
Would be honored to have your comments on the life of Georgiana. (Also, why are so many people excited about her story today?) (If your comment does not post right away, I will click through asap. Thanks, Kimberly 12/31/2011) (Look! Lots of new visitors again. I think they showed The Duchess movie on TV in Wales! Dec 2012/Jan 2013))
Georgiana Circle: Women Healing History 
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Thank you so much for your thoughts on Georgiana’s life. From the biography I read, I do think her mother kind of “failed in” in several ways.
After watching this movie,Before I say anything I thought Keira kneighty did amazing job, Georgiana had a shity mother who gave her crappy advise she went crying to her mother hoping she would help her guide her be there for her,but as for everyone that saw the movie she tells her mom that her husband is sleeping with her friend and living with them,And her mother tells her to go back home to him and give him a son,Even though her husband was very disrespectful threw there whole marriage, and FATHERed numerous child out side the marriage,She still stayed with him,Poor Duchess if she would of had the right family this wouldnt have had a life she really deserved instead of tge life her mother made her have…
I enjoy history very much. It seem that woman have had the the same troubles through time. I married a kind man, who within 1.5 hours became a very mean and cruel person. I can relate to Georgianna. B him.ut I live in atime that allowed me to divorce. She was a strong women as all women should be.
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manyy novels were wrote for her, bess and georgiana , we dont know the truth yes she was a celeb stalker, and a little slut for sure, but do we really know she was all bad? there are two sides to everystory.
btw to debra bradley i think this is the wrong place to come and bash G, and to let you know bess did use G, but was loyal to her and LOVED HER. she was desperate to find a way out, had she left her side and left her alone to have the baby, maybe she would be wrong then, but i think you have the wrong idea about her, possibly both of them.
i love her! i idolize her in everyway from even before the movie, i was in an abusive relationship with my x-husband i felt like she understood me, everything about her was just perfect to me. alot of her personal struggles used to be my own. yes deborah that is sadly enough that is how it was, what makes her an amazing person is she never gave up and kept the faith. ros ei totally agree with you.
So very interesting how all us women have such difference of opinion based on what we have seen and lived. I loved this movie Duchess of Devonshire and can not relate to it all but during that period marring someone with status was what one did according to books that I have read she did not marry the Duke b/c she was in love she married him b/c she would then be Duchess of Devonshire although she was very ignorant in what this older man was about she thought he loved her after a couple of meetings. Duke intention was to find a wife to have a son and that was what was on his agenda. I feel for the Duchess, when she found out that the Duke was not going to give up his women on the side b/c he was now married I believe she adjusted and prior to meeting Bess she was lonely b/c the Duke did not offer her companionship so she latched on to Bess as a companionship and Bess new already that the Duke was interested in her so she manipulated the Duchess and took advantage of her friendship. Bess could not handle the beatings that her husband gave her and I believe she was not only married to someone who cheated on her but also beat her so she looked for a better way to live. Bess had more intelligence than the Duchess and the Duke she knew what she was going to do before it even occurred, Bess knew that the Duke would fall for her and Bess knew that the Duchess was kind a giving. The Duchess had no say of who lived in her home but did make the mistake out of ignorance allowing Bess to live with them, but I also believed that she did it out of concern for her new friend who had shown bruising and explained her brutal beating, Bess also knew what she was doing when she set the Duchess and Gray up she knew that the Duchess was shown just an ounce of affection she would fall and that she did. It is so easy to be manipulated especially if one is ignorant and not aware of surroundings before entering. I am not from the upper class but the only thing I have in common with the Duchess is that I tend to feel for the needy and always stick my neck out only to get my head chopped off (figuratively speaking). The Duchess stayed for many reasons…Gray would lose his political position and she would never see her children. I don’t believe that the Duke was a wife beater and he provided for her which made her final decision to be near her children in comfort all the while having a position in the political world and because she was Duchess her beliefs were listen to by the ppl. The choices we make in life…
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Many thanks for providing this information.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
I believe The Dutchess will always be iconic because there continue to be much beloved women with children who identify with the way it was in her home. I wish we could say it was an historic phenominon that women were trapped in relationships where the male partner was wounding and wrong, but that being a mother she remained and an led an heroic but diminished life for love of them. I wish that there were not so very, very many children who knew this to have been the life of their mother.
I believe that the reason she resonates with us today, has a lot to do with relationships and the female perspective. Women’s choices have always been complex by far, our capacity for thinking of others has always been great. So hers is a timeless story…..I just feel grateful it ever got told at all.
Enjoyed the book…have only just seen the film. History…times change….the position of women has changed…due to efforts and sacrifices of enlightened
men and women. Education of heart and mind, which will give CHOICE to both sexes. Financial independence but with RESPECT for the individual, and
not money above everything and at the expense of values and ideals.
from Wendy…wife of 45 yrs.mother of a son and a daughter, grandmother to
two boys and two girls. The future is with the youth…hand on the best values.
Dear Ms. d’Angelo,
Thank you for the thoughtful comments.
-KW
I believe that I can relate to the Duchess. There are times when one marries for love and prestige only to find out that the man you love does not love you in return.
I believe that a smart woman can also be intimidating to a man of power who is used to being in control. To have a young beautiful bride speak out of opinion is like having a woman speak out of turn! That was the general belief back then…and unfortunately it still occurs to this day.
The Duchess did what she had to do to survive. She put up with an unfaithful husband, a disloyal friend, and gave up love for herself for the love of her family.
It is sometimes easier to quite one’s personal wants in order to be demonstrative of your love for other’s.
Thanks, Annie. Yeah, it seems like Georgiana was so interesting, and so successful on some levels, that there are things to learn from her, and many things to admire. I love how she used being a kind of society hostess to insert herself into politics. And, I love how caring she was for her children, the Duke’s child, and all the children around her.
Thanks for stopping by, Lynda.
-KW
Untill I read the comments by Danniellea, I had had no sympathy or kind thoughts for William, but then after reading Danniellea’s letter, it suddenly occurred to me that he, like her knew no better, they were both born & brought up in the same time period & he was brought up to believe that a man( any man, not just a Duke!!) was lord of all he surveyed & for G. to go against him in any way whatsoever was just NOT done.
I must say that I agree with all the other ladies who have written on this page that G’s worst mistake was to take in Lady Bess.
Thank you so much
I loved the movie, I just want to know more about georgina, I think she was a remarkable woman.
Thanks, Emeraald, for sharing your thoughts. I think watching the degree of sexism back then does let women see how far we have come. But, also, what we must be careful of for now and/or the future. Women must treasure our daughters, respect our women friends, and stick together!
I think that Georgiana Duchess Of Devonshire should be remembered like a diamond despite her personal problems and her ignorant husband and mother she was determined to do what was best for everyone. I cannot believe she let her most treasured friend still stay in their house even though she did what she did which was most disgusting and horrifying and later on gave her blessings to Bess to marry the Duke. G wasn’t old enough to get married never mind getting her feelings played with and still having to put on a brave face for the world. I personally think she did love the duke but the hate was their after she caught him several times cheating on her. She would have left him and his selfish ways if it wasn’t for her sick mother who was arrogant and stuck in her own pathetic ways. Georgiana should have told Charles Grey that her husband was threatening her by saying that he would not let her see her children if she left the Duke for Charles that would have made a lot of things different. Also I cannot believe what the Duke did when he was flaunting and being an idiot with girls and when she said she had feelings for another (Charles Grey) he could not stand it,what a hypocrite. I think she was a brilliant mother even though one of her said to be daughters was not her’s Charlotte was actually conceived with a maid in the Duke of Devonshire’s house while Georgiana was there. As it is said that Georgiana is related to Princess Diana & her 2 sons Prince William & Prince Harry. I think they are both mesmerising lady’s caring,gentle & most beautiful. They will still remain in our hearts and minds. Its hard to believe women were treated such a way and how sexist people were back then!
My name is Kitty, the Renaissance period, and I have chosen the duchess of Devonshire to do my paper. hopefully I can pull this off, if you have any suggestion on how she played apart in the renaissance time please let me know.
Georgina led a fulfilled social life but was messed up in love.
Betrayed by her mother and the Duke – two self centred people who placed little value on Georgina’s happiness. The worst betrayal though, came from Bess ‘Georgina’s treacherous friend’. Georgina shouild never have allowed Bess into her home. That still holds today: No married woman should carelessly take in an unmarried/divorced/seperated friend. More often than not, it leads to betrayal.
Interesting insights, Felix. – K
The above pertains to England.
In my opinion, I think we must also recognise that relationships such as this still exist amongst the aristocratic upper-class. It is, still very much alive. The solitude, subservience, indeed, I would hold that it is far worse nowerdays than before. Atleast it was more socially acceptable in that era, and ladies would have eachother for comfort, now it is such taboo, women are left to brave such a happy face in light of entire misery forged socially and executed predominantly by their husbands. It is now, but assumed within certain circles that such relationships take this form, with very little disclosure, leading to complete isolation on the part of the lady – which of course finishing school nicely contravenes – to teach, and educate away such sad thoughts to maintain the fascade. Indeed, however, all that are ‘outsiders’ to this familiar ‘protocal’ among the upper-class will always look at those women as somehow privileged to be in such marriages – with all luxury that could be imagined. I think there should be greater understanding in society.
Diane, Joseph, Elizabeth, Diane: Thanks for the interesting comments. Sincerely, Kimberly
I think the Duke was so selfish and cruel denying G the happiness with Mr. Grey that he had with Bess. If it were his/their reputation he cared about, he wouldn’t have flaunted his mistress under everyone’s noses. Bess had no more a choice in the situation than did G. The Duke would keep both of them away from their children and a mother would do anything to protect and be with her children.
Very sad how women were treated. Poor G.
My heart aches for G and the circumstances which surrounded her being. Though in the 21st century, little has changed with regard to society’s view of women and the porn industry is a perfect villain which thrives off of the degradation of women as a whole and influences the thoughts of boys who grow up to be as disgusting as the grown men who induce women and girls to such debauchery. G’s life is a shining example of what it means to be a martyr and yet she survived it. If the tables were turned, not a MAN could show such strength of character or heart. I tip my hat to G and wish all women could rise above the thoughts of men and realize we are a GIFT of much value and if we don’t recognize our WORTH, nobody else will.
Ah, Cecilia, thank you for giving us a fine example of the ignorance of the common youth, and expected view of women.
You talk of feeling sympathy for the young Georgiana, and that what she did was out of the good of her heart, which I believe it was.. a little.
You see, every relationship has two sides. Behind Georgiana’s decision to stay with her husband was blackmail in two ways;
First, she wouldn’t be able to see her children.
Second, her much-adored Mr. Grey would lose his chance at being Prime Minister (I have to admit, very unselfish of her).
>which also means if she ran away with him, they would have no money or any good jobs, and lets all admit; this played a part in her decision.
Taken from this, as you see Georgiana’s actions were due to threats, you can also counter that the Duke’s mistress was blackmailed, too. Like Georgiana, the mistress cared for her children and would do almost anything to be able to see them (her husband had taken them away), and the most influential person in her country is the Duke, so why not run to him first? Being a woman, the only option for convincing him, let’s face it, is sex. Yet it didn’t lead only there, for if the Duke had wanted to he could’ve given the mistress her wish and sent her off. I believe love was involved, and Georgiana could understand that.
To say that the mistress is an ‘unsophisticated young girl’ and shows no remorse or gratitude towards the duchess is beyond ignorant, but blind to the complexity of situations. Also to say that ‘She was not prepared to do as the Duchess was doing by staying with her husband’ is complete idiocy. Really, you would have to have the ability to DoubleThink in order to understand that statement.
Hypocrisy. Pure hypocrisy to say that one woman’s actions in the favor of love for people she cared for are more justified than another woman’s actions out of love for her own children. That’s all I have to say, I need a cigarette.
Having watched the film the Duchess the story of georgiana duchess of devonshire i was really upset by this film as it almost replicated the life of Diana Princess of Wales.Especially at the end when it said after she died so young her husband married his mistress and made her the duchess of devonshire.I do not agree with some of the comments about her so called friend not having any other options she could as the Duchess did go back to her own husband and look after her children women in that era felt and suffered the same as we do today and what she did to this lovely girl was abominable more so because Georgiana was the only person who helped her all the other aristocratic women gave her the cold shoulder what a way to repay the kindness shown to her by the unsophisticated young girl.I think that she knew exactly what she was doing as she said to Georgiana I’m sorry but your husband can get me my children back.She was not prepared to do as the Duchess was doing by staying with her husband
Thanks for your thoughts, Daniella.
It is interesting and valuable to focus on the hurts and concerns of all parties in an oppressive relationship and/or repressive culture.
Upon reading on Georgiana and watching the all-absorbing movie on her, like any other woman and possibly even some men, I can greatly sympathize with her and her constant fight for happiness and freedom within her to be herself. Yet unlike most woman, I can also understand not the essence entirely, but the logics behind William, his grace’s, hostile actions. One of the arguments on behalf of Georgiana’s ignorance in getting involved and falling for the trickery of her marriage is that she knew no better; she was raised to satisfy and please men, if it be she was called upon to be a wife. Many psychologists and philosophers argue whether your personality and who you are is taken not only from your inheritance, but also from the environment in which you grew up in. I agree a thousand percent, and taken from the ways of the early Duke culture, William only knew of control over women and showing no sign of ‘weakness’ emotionally. He knew no better, as did Georgiana, and they both followed in the footsteps of earlier generations. Had the times been changed, perhaps William would not be entirely concerned on boring a son, which in those days was the sake of your royal bloodline, and would’ve been more focused on loving his wife. We are not to judge, seeing as we cannot change history but only make from it a better tomorrow. We can only hope cultures like these will be completely abolished, but yet we cannot criticize, for our own logics can obliterate the innocence of not only the victim but also the one causing the victim pain. Behind every action is a reason, and behind every reason there is devotion of some kind.
And devotion is the sign of humanity.
I just saw the movie of Duchess Georgiana and it prompted me to research her to know more about this extrodinary lady. It did not surprise me the way she lived her life, although I dare say, I don’t think I could have continued to be friends with my husbands lover.
She was born and married Royalty and was expected to live her life as such. I think most women have been abused at one time or another and we can all relate to her in this way. Although she handled it much more graceful than most of us, but no doubt she surely didn’t like it.
I intend to read more about her if I can, I believe she was a lot like Jacqueline Kennedy and had to swallow bitter medicine throughout her life, and did with dignity.
Georgiana is a reason im pround to be a woman. She lived in a time when women had no rights and could not make decisions for them selves. I personally would have fell in peices when her selfish husband presented her with the option of her kids or her lover. She choose her kids which any mother who loves would have but to live out the rest of her life with her husband and his lady on the side is just crazy insane to believe she put up with it all; in the same house! Times were way diffrent from now and i respect her for having the back bone she had to go out in the aristocrat world with everyone knowing what was happening in her martial home.
I was impressed by the story of Georgiana,by the hardships of women’s lives in those days,even if they belonged to aristocracy.Nobody has mentioned the sexual aspect of her relationship;she and her husband really didn’t match.Her friend was not a traitor as many see her,but another victim of the same prejudices against women.They both must have realized it and by doing so they could find it in themselves to go over what seemed to be unpassable by today’s standards.And ,then ,they were both great mothers,who would have sacrificed anything for their children.All in all she was a superb figure for her time ,for all times actually.
Thank you, Susan, for your beautiful and sad thoughts. I do think that Georgiana, you, and me are teaching other women lessons with our reflections…
Life is so hard to imagine back in those days of Georgiana. I am a wife and mother myself and could not imagine being treated with such non existing respect.
She was innocent and because of social standing thrown into a marriage to be his heir producer. I hate the betrayle by her own mother leading her to believe this man loved her. She fell into her role and was doing what she thought was right by such little knowledge she had and such innocence and all along being played like a fool.
Her first friend betrayed her after she took her in and helped her. In a lot of ways those aspects of life are still that way in our generation, can’t trust anyone.
I just wish all of us who know and have endured such pain could reach out to those who came before us and let them know we understand.
WOMEN must stick together, cause we can only understand each other.
Rest your Soul dear Georgiana.
I cannot imagine the extreme hardships women had to go thru back tnen, as i black woman i see all hardships women of every race have had to or still are going thru. I have to give props to all the strong women out there.
Answer to Deborah.
We should not forget the regret of the Duke ( William ) when he admit that he haven’t treat he’s wife right for 20 years of he’s marriage .
So man is fair but the culture use to be Son Son Son .
Until now big percentage of Woman prefer to have a boys not Girls.
Regarding this day the freedom for woman is extreme and we lost the respect in our community because woman right have no limit .
Thank you
All the best
Yes. Thanks for your thoughts on Georgiana’s life. Sometimes I try to think if she would have been happier if she left the Duke. And, also, if, somehow, she could have been more successful if she left him? Wonder what the answer is…?????
I still find it hard to believe that such cruelty was allowed in the 1800’s , to expect a wife to be nothing more than an heir-producer and to endure all of her husband’s affairs quietly, while resigning herself to a life of servitude. No wonder she gambled and threw herself into society, it was probably her only escape from the respect-less existence she lived at home.
I cannot imagine living with a man that treated me that way, but it really shows strength of character that she remained such a renowned figure in society for all of her amazing qualities, even after enduring such hardship.
I think she did marry the Duke for Love, but she
really didn’t understand everything that was involved.
How could parents put the children in that situation. She was only 17 and he was about 10 or more years older than her.
They should of waited at least until she was 21 years old. What was all the rush. She died so young. Just like Princess Diana.. she was so beautiful.
It is so sad , the was they treated women back in the 1800’s. We had no rights to anything. It showed how the duke rewarded the Duchess when she gave him a son. I would not want to live in those conditions.
I wish could see an actual picture of her not a portrait but a picture! I wish time machines were invented already I would go back and meet Georgiana , Duchess of Devonshire.