GEORGIANA, DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, was one of the most charismatic figures in Georgian society.
Affectionately known as Gee, she was renowned for her flamboyant style, and her involvement in politics.
She was also Princess Diana’s fourth-great-aunt.
Born in 1757 at Althorp House, Georgiana Spencer was the first child of John Spencer, who later became the 1st Earl Spencer, and his wife Georgiana.
In 1774, at the age of 17, she married William Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire.
The marriage would prove desperately unhappy, for Gee.
William was reportedly very reserved, and not hugely affectionate, nor did he enjoy socialising.
Gee on the other hand, embraced her new role as the Duchess of Devonshire.
She indulged in her love for fashion, inspiring the Georgian era’s trend for elaborate, flamboyant, tall hairstyles.
Gee became known for her fashionable style, beauty and hostessing skills, loving nothing better than throwing fabulous parties and balls.
Among her closest acquaintances were some of the most influential figures of her time, including the Prince of Wales – later King George IV, and Marie Antoinette of France.
Newspapers reported on her every appearance, and activity.
She also loved gambling, and ran up huge debts over the course of her life.
Before he married Gee, William had fathered an illegitimate daughter, and after his marriage he pursued a number of extra marital affairs – especially after Gee suffered from multiple miscarriages.
Despite a seemingly loveless marriage, Gee enthusiastically embraced her husband’s politics, and although women could not vote, she became a central advocate for the Whig Party.
Although the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire was Chatsworth in Derbyshire, Georgiana spent much of her time in London at Devonshire House, and at Chiswick House.
Georgiana called Chiswick House her ‘earthly paradise’ and used it to entertain her close circle of friends, as well as to receive members of the Whig Party.
She did much to the house and its gardens, planting lilacs, honeysuckle and climbing roses beneath the windows of her rooms.
There has been much debate regarding the nature of Gee’s emotional, and sexual life.
Although she was married and took male lovers, it seems Gee also subscribed to the fashion trend of the time of ‘romantic female friendships’.
In 1782, when visiting Bath with her husband, she was introduced to Lady Elizabeth Foster, known as Bess.
Bess was estranged from her husband, and in financial difficulty.
Gee and Bess struck up a very close friendship, and Gee invited Bess to live with her and her husband.
The relationship between the three of them, developed into a type of relationship that might be termed ‘polyamorous’.
Bess became the duke’s mistress, an arrangement which lasted 25 years.
However, Gee’s own feelings for Bess continued.
Gee’s letters to Bess show affection, despite the fact that she was very aware that Bess was having an affair with her husband.
During this time, Bess and the duke had two illegitimate children.
When Gee died in 1806, Bess married William Cavendish, and stepped into Gee’s shoes, to become the next Duchess of Devonshire.
Gee left her personal papers and letters to Bess, who destroyed many of them.
Despite her unhappiness with her husband, and marriage breakdown, Gee wasn’t socially permitted to take a lover, without first producing an heir.
Gee suffered many miscarriages, her first successful pregnancy resulted in the birth of Lady Georgiana Dorothy Cavendish, on 12th July 1783.
Another daughter, Lady Harriet Elizabeth Cavendish, was born in 1785.
Finally, in 1790, the Duchess gave birth to a male heir to the dukedom, William George Spencer Cavendish.
With the arrival of a son, the Duchess was now permitted, to take a lover.
Gee is said to have begun an affair in 1791, with Charles Grey, who was considered to be one of the greatest loves of her life.
Later that same year, she discovered she was carrying Charles Grey’s child.
Her husband gave Gee an ultimatum.
Gee must give up her lover and child, or face never seeing her existing three children again.
To avoid a scandal, Gee was packed off to France. Here, she would have her illegitimate child born, where nobody knew her.
In February 1792, Eliza Courtney was born, without complications.
However, Gee was forced to give her daughter to Grey’s family, and remain in exile.
In letters to her children she wrote,
‘This year has been the most painful of my life.’
After being absent for two years, the Duke allowed Gee to return to the UK.
In the autumn of 1793, she arrived in England to live at Chatsworth House.
March 1806 began well for Gee, she was back in London, and holding a Ball.
The social elite, including The Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex, plus a whole host of lords, earls, counts and their respective spouses, were in attendance.
The magnificent apartments at Devonshire House, were thrown open at ten in the evening.
There were supper tables consisting of every delicacy of the season, and as you would expect, plenty of dancing and of course, with Gee’s love of gambling, there were card tables.
It was said that Gee had never appeared in better health, with the whole party dancing the night away until five in the morning.
A week or so later, Gee was to hold a supper party and all was well, or so it would appear.
It wasn’t until March 21st that the media first reported Gee as being dangerously ill.
No further details of the cause were given, but it was reported a few days later, that she was making a good recovery.
By March 28th however, her health was in serious decline.
She was suffering from a fever, and did not appear to be showing any signs of making a speedy recovery.
At 3.30am on the 30th March 1806, Gee’s life came to an end, she was 48 years old.
Gee’s cause of death was believed to be due to an abscess on her liver.
After her death, the Duke reportedly showed some rare emotion, not seen throughout their marriage.
‘The Duke has been most deeply affected,
and has shown more feeling than anyone thought
possible.
Indeed, every individual in the family are in a
dreadful state of affliction.’
Gee had wanted to be buried at Chatsworth, as it was a place she loved, however this was suddenly changed.
She was buried at All Saints Church, better known as Derby Cathedral.
At five o’clock in the morning of 9th April, the funeral procession left Devonshire House, for Derby.
One Newspaper, wrote~
“The coffin, which is very elegant, is six feet two
inches in length by twenty three inches.
It is covered with a very rich crimson velvet and
ornamented with uncommonly rich and beautiful
chased ornaments.
At the head are placed a variety of appropriate
devices, and at the foot a highly chased weeping
figure, admirably executed.
The inscription plate contains the arms of the two
great families, namely Cavendish and Spencer.
Underneath is written –
The Most Noble Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire,
Died the 30th March 1806, in the 48th year of her
age.
The coffin had eight gilt handles on each appeared
her initials G.D.”
