Author: Sarah Stook. Sarah is a writer for Elections Daily, The Mallard and other publications. She enjoys history, reading and fashion.

Chatsworth House is a magnificent Derbyshire stately home popular with visitors and filmmakers. The Seat of the Dukes of Devonshire since the early 17th century, the house is a place of great history, even hosting the then-Princess Victoria at her first adult dinner party. It’s perhaps my favourite place in the country.

It’s also home to some fascinating women. Several women have served as the Duchess of Devonshire since the dukedom was created. Political masterminds, fashion icons and hostesses alike have enjoyed the title. This is the story of some of the Duchesses, along with a Marchioness from a very famous family.

Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire- born Miss Georgiana Spencer, later Lady Georgiana Spencer

• Known For: Beauty, style, parties, mutual infidelity, her illegitimate child, intelligence, and politics

Georgiana Cavendish, wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire, enjoys some famous descendants including Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales. Her life was a fascinating mix of glamour, beauty, scandal and sadness that would make her one of our most famous noblewomen.

Georgiana Spencer was born on the 7th of June 1757 to John Spencer and the former Georgiana Poyntz. When she was eight, her father was given the Earldom, and she was thus given the title of Lady. Her parents were a love match and Georgiana enjoyed her childhood. She chose to marry the extraordinarily wealthy and powerful William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, and they wed on her seventeenth birthday.

Unfortunately, the Duke was a cold, detached man who avoided spending time with his wife outside the mandatory bedroom visits. This only worsened as the Duchess failed to produce an heir. At this time, the Duke began a liaison with a married Lady Elizabeth Foster, whose cruel husband was keeping her sons from her. Lady Elizabeth lived with the family at Chatsworth House in a situation that scandalised high society. She had two illegitimate children with the Duke, and his daughter from a previous liaison also lived with them. Despite the unusual relationship, the Duchess was glad to have Lady Elizabeth as a friend.

The Duchess was generally unhappy, but she hid it successfully. Her society parties were legendary and attended by the best of society. She was a fashion icon interested in politics, style, science and many other subjects, and was known for her wit, charm and intellect. Her investment in politics was deeply unusual for a woman at the time, and she was criticised for it.

Her husband’s relationship with Elizabeth Foster was well-known, and it was not long before the Duchess had an affair of her own. Whilst it was not completely unusual for noblewomen to have affairs, it was usually only acceptable if she had borne sons, finished her childbearing and her husband agreed, whilst noblemen had no such restrictions. A year after she’d produced the cherished heir- sixteen years after their wedding- the Duchess became pregnant by the future Prime Minister, who would become Earl Grey.

This was scandalous. The Duke’s three illegitimate children were one thing, even with a married woman, but a Duchess having a child who was clearly not her husband’s was another. Whilst the husband of the mother was usually considered the legal father, the Duke did not claim the child as his own. He gave her an ultimatum: give up her baby and leave Grey, or never see her other children ever again. The Duchess was sent away to Revolutionary France, where she gave birth to a daughter with whom she was forced to part for the sake of her marriage.

She returned to England and whilst she was considered a scandalous figure, she continued to be at the centre of society. The Duchess was an ardent member of the Whig Party and used her charms at parties in a way many politically inclined women did. Her extravagant lifestyle masked her enormous gambling addiction and the debts that came with it.

The Duchess died on the 30th March 1806, aged forty-eight. She was survived by her mother, husband and children. The Duke was at her bedside, having reconciled with her years prior and enjoyed a harmonious relationship, even with Lady Elizabeth in the picture. She is buried at Derby Cathedral. After her death, the Duke married his now-widowed mistress.

The film The Duchess talks about her life and was filmed at Chatsworth House. The Duchess is played by Keira Knightley, the Duke by Ralph Fiennes and Lady Elizabeth Foster by Hayley Atwell. 

Her Children:

• Lady Georgiana Cavendish married Viscount Morpeth in 1801. They became the Earl and Countess of Carlisle in 1825, and their descendants have held the title ever since. Their family home was Castle Howard.
• Lady Harriet Cavendish married Lord Granville Leveson-Gower, the former lover of her aunt and the father of her illegitimate children. They became the Earl and Countess Granville in 1833, and their descendants have held the title ever since.
• William Cavendish became the 6th Duke of Devonshire upon his father’s 1811 death, but never married or had children. His cousin William took the title upon his death.
• Elizabeth Courtney married an officer named Robert Ellice. She was visited secretly by her mother, having been raised by Earl Grey’s parents.

Elizabeth Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire- born Miss Elizabeth Hervey, later Lady Elizabeth Hervey, later Foster

• Known for: her horrible first husband, her tragic life, being the mistress and living with her lover and his wife, and her illegitimate children

Elizabeth Cavendish’s children may have never become Dukes, but she had her own happy ending after years of heartache.

Elizabeth Hervey was born on the 13th of May 1758 to the Honourable Frederick Hervey and the former Elizabeth Davers. Frederick Hervey became the Bishop of Derry in 1768- ironic considering what his daughter was later known for. Elizabeth married the MP for Dunleer and later Ennis, John Foster in 1776. When her father inherited the Earldom of Bristol in 1779, she became Lady Elizabeth Foster. The marriage was unhappy, despite the birth of two surviving sons.

As punishment for his wife leaving him, John Foster refused access to their boys despite the fact they never divorced- as was his power. A desperate Elizabeth turned to her new friend Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire and her powerful husband. Whilst the Duchess was relieved to have a friend, it was the Duke who held the power. She soon became his mistress and eventually began living with him and his wife. This was, as stated earlier, completely scandalous, even if Elizabeth had no place else to go. Dukes can and did have mistresses, but they were expected to keep them quiet. Even if they didn’t, they weren’t to have them live with them. The odd family lived together at Chatsworth.

Elizabeth bore the Duke two illegitimate children, Caroline and Augustus. They lived with their legitimate and illegitimate paternal half-siblings at Chatsworth. She was with Georgiana when she died. With John Foster having died in 1791, Elizabeth was free to marry the Duke, which she did so in 1809. She was thus the Duchess of Devonshire until her husband’s death two years later.

Elizabeth travelled widely and died in Rome on the 30th of March 1824- eighteen years to the day of her predecessor’s death. She is also buried at Derby Cathedral.

Her Children:

• Frederick Foster was born in 1777 and died in 1853
• Elizabeth Foster died at eight days old
• Augustus Foster became a successful diplomat who married Albina Hobart, later Lady Albina, in 1815. He was knighted in 1825 and made a baronet in 1831, ending his life as Sir Augustus Foster, 1st Baronet.
• Caroline St. John married George Lamb, younger brother of the Prime Minister Viscount Melbourne.
• Augustus Clifford became an officer and an MP who married Lady Elizabeth Townshend. He was knighted in 1830 and became a baronet in 1838, ending his life as Sir Augustus Clifford, 1st Baronet. Clifford was also a Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.

Louisa Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire- born Luise, Countess Von Alten, later Louisa, Duchess of Manchester

• Known for: Being German-born, being a double Duchess and her legendary 1897 party

Louisa Cavendish was known as a Duchess twice over, becoming Duchess of Devonshire later in life.

Luise, Countess Von Alten was born on the 15th of June 1832 in what was then the Kingdom of Hanover, now Germany. The beautiful and charismatic young woman was at the opera when she met Englishman William Montagu, Viscount Mandeville and heir to the Duke of Manchester. They married in 1852 and became the next Duke and Duchess of Manchester in 1855.

Their marriage was successful in terms of bearing children and heirs, but the union fell apart. She became somewhat of a mistress to the future Duke of Devonshire, then titled the Marquess of Hartington. The Duke of Manchester died in 1890, and she married the now-Duke of Devonshire, Spencer Cavendish. She was thus known as the ‘Double Duchess.’

As both were older, the Duke and Duchess had no children together. The Duchess became famous for a legendary party held at their London Residence. The Devonshire House Ball of 1897 was held in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Guests included three of Queen Victoria’s children, including the future King Edward VII, the future George V, the Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough (the former Consuelo Vanderbilt), Winston Churchill’s mother Lady Randolph Spencer-Churchill, the Countess Spencer, and members of the Danish royal family. Guests wore elaborate costumes and jewels, dressing as famous figures such as Marie Antoinette. Pictures can be found here.

The Duke died in 1908, succeeded by his nephew Victor. The Duchess died in 1911.

Her Children:

• George Montagu became the Duke of Manchester upon his father’s 1892 death. Like his father, he married a foreigner, this time the extremely wealthy Dollar Princess Consuela Yznaga. The future Duchess’ dowry equates to at least $6M today, which the alcoholic gambler George frittered away.
• Lady Mary married William Douglas-Hamilton, 12th Duke of Hamilton, becoming the Duchess of Hamilton, then Robert Foster after she was widowed.
• Lady Louisa married Archibald Acheson, 4th Earl of Gosford, becoming the Countess of Gosford.
• Lord Charles married the Honourable Mildred Sturt.
• Lady Alice married Edward Stanley. Upon his ascension to the Earldom in 1908, they became the Earl and Countess of Derby.

Evelyn Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire- born Lady Evelyn Fitzmaurice

• Known For: Being the Mistress of Robes to Queen Mary, overseeing the family homes, her harsh demeanour and her treatment of her son-in-law

Evelyn Cavendish was Duchess of Devonshire for thirty years, during which she oversaw the estates with an iron fist. All of her hard work went to waste when death duties took the estates away.

Lady Evelyn Fitzmaurice was born on the 27th of August 1870 to Henry Petty-Maurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne and the former Lady Maud Hamilton. The family were old nobility and her father was noted for his public service.

She married Victor Cavendish on the 30th of July 1882. Victor was not titled but was heir to his childless uncle Spencer, 8th Duke of Devonshire. They became the 9th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire upon the death of her husband’s uncle in 1908. In 1910, the Duchess became Mistress of the Robes to Queen Mary. This was an extremely important position for any woman. The Mistress of the Robes was the head of the consort’s household and wielded an enormous amount of power, as well as being in close contact with the Queen at all times. The Duchess was forced to resign when her husband was made Governor-General of Canada, but returned to the role in 1921, lasting until Queen Mary’s 1953 death.

As Duchess, she was known for her perfectionist yet cold nature. She oversaw the numerous Devonshire estates, including Chatsworth House, which she ensured were restored and reorganised. The Duchess disapproved of her daughter Dorothy’s relationship with Harold Macmillan, a wealthy but non-noble man. She was forever cold and cruel to Macmillan, who also had to face his wife’s flagrant infidelity. Despite her snobbery to Macmillan, she was more accepting of her son Charles’ marriage to American dancer Adele Astaire. Family and servants alike noted her difficult nature.

Upon the 1938 death of her husband, the Duchess moved into Hardwick Hall. Upon her son’s unexpected death in 1950 (likely murder), the 80% death duties meant that Hardwick Hall among others would have to be sold. They were eventually allowed to give Hardwick to the National Trust instead, which upset the Duchess. She lived there until her own death in 1960. 

Her Children:

• Edward Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington married Lady Mary Gascoyne-Cecil, granddaughter of Prime Minister Lord Salisbury. He ascended to the Duchy upon his father’s 1938 death.
• Lady Maud Cavendish married Captain Angus Mackintosh in 1917 but was widowed a year later. She married Brigadier Honourable George Baillie in 1923.
• Lady Blanche Cavendish married Lt-Colonel Ivan Cobbold.
• Lady Dorothy Cavendish married Harold Macmillan, later Prime Minister. She died before he was given the Earldom, and was thus never Countess of Stockton.
• Lady Rachel Cavendish married the Honourable James Stuart. They became Viscount and Viscountess in 1959.
• Lord Charles Cavendish married retired American dancer Adele Astaire, sister of the legendary Fred Astaire.
• Lady Anne Cavendish married Henry Hunloke but they divorced in 1945. She then married Christopher Holland-Martin but was widowed in 1960. Her final marriage was to the very controversial Victor Montagu, Earl of Sandwich, which ended in divorce in 1965.

Mary Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire- born the Honourable Mary Gascoyne-Cecil, later Lady Mary Gascoyne-Cecil

• Known For: Being a Mistress of the Robes to Elizabeth II, her family and her notable daughters-in-law

Mary Cavendish was the matriarch of perhaps the most famous generation of the family, as well as another Mistress of the Robes to a queen.

The Honourable Mary Gascoyne-Cecil was born on the 29th of July 1895 to James Gascoyne-Cecil, Viscount Cranborne and the former Lady Cicely Gore, who was a lady-in-waiting to Queen Alexandra. Her grandfather was Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, commonly known as Lord Salisbury, the famous Prime Minister. Upon her famous grandfather’s death in 1903, her father became the 4th Marquess, and she became Lady Mary.

She married Edward Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington in 1917. Upon his father’s death in 1938, they became the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. They had two sons and three sons. Her eldest son William married Kathleen Kennedy, and she seemed welcoming, especially compared to Kathleen’s furious mother. She would have been devastated when William died in 1944.

Her husband died suddenly in what was possibly a murder in 1950. The now-Dowager Duchess served as Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth II for a decade, an important role discussed earlier.

The Duchess died on Christmas Eve 1988, aged ninety-three.

Her Children:

• William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington married American Catholic Kathleen ‘Kick’ Kennedy, sister of the future President John F. Kennedy and member of the famous family. The Marquess was shot and killed in action during WW2 aged only twenty-six.
• Lord Andrew Cavendish married the Honourable Deborah Freeman-Mitford, one of the infamous Mitford sisters. He became Marchioness of Hartington upon the death of his brother in 1944, then the 11th Duke of Devonshire upon his father’s death in 1950.
• Lady Mary Cavendish died at nearly two weeks old.
• Lady Elizabeth Cavendish never married, but was a long-time partner of poet John Betjemen. She was also a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret until the latter’s 2002 death. 
• Lady Anne Cavendish married artist Michael Tree. 

Kathleen Cavendish, Marchioness of Hartington- born Kathleen Kennedy

• Known For: Being a Kennedy, a Catholic and her mother’s strict opposition to the marriage

Kathleen Cavendish was only Marchioness for a short period, and lived for not much longer, yet remains famous for defying her parents and being a victim of the ‘Kennedy’ curse.

Kathleen Kennedy was born on the 20th of February 1920 to Joseph Kennedy and the former Rose Fitzgerald. She was the fourth child in the infamous Kennedy clan, the order being:

1. Joseph Kennedy Jr was groomed to be the president. He died in action in 1944, having ignored concerns about the danger of his mission. His body was never found, and his father set his sights on his next brother.
2. John F. Kennedy, who won the Purple Heart during WW2. He became a Congressman, Senator and later President. Kennedy was famously assassinated on the 22nd of November 1963 in Dallas, Texas. His wife was the popular Jacqueline Bouvier.
3. Rosemary Kennedy, whose difficult birth may have led to ‘problems.’ Whatever the truth, Rosemary’s behaviour concerned her parents. She was eventually given a lobotomy under her father’s orders and hidden away from the world in an institution. It was not until her father’s death in 1969 that Rosemary was brought back into the fold.
4. Kathleen.
5. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics enjoyed a long career in charity. Her husband Sargent Shriver was the Ambassador to France and Democratic Vice Presidential nominee in 1972. Her daughter Maria married Arnold Schwarzenegger.
6. Patricia Kennedy Lawford, who worked in show business. She married Peter Lawford, a member of the ‘Rat Pack,’ though his adultery led to divorce.
7. Robert Kennedy, who became Attorney General under his brother, later a Senator and Presidential candidate. He married Ethel Skakel, with whom he had eleven children. He was assassinated in 1968.
8. Jean Kennedy Smith, was a diplomat and philanthropist. She served as Ambassador to Ireland, where she angered the British by pushing for an American visa for Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams. Her husband was Stephen Smith. Jean was the last living Kennedy child.
9. Edward Kennedy, who was a Senator for forty-seven years. His presidential hopes were dashed after the Chappaquiddick incident, in which he left a young aide to drown. His first wife was Joan Bennett, and his second was Victoria Reggie.

The Kennedy upbringing was very strict. At the dinner table, the children were expected to debate politics and to know their stuff. The boys were groomed for higher office, and the girls to marry well. There was a double standard in their treatment- the sons were encouraged to sleep around, whilst the girls were expected to be virgins until marriage and faithful onward.

Kathleen fell in love with England when her father became Ambassador to the nation. She graduated high school back home but returned to England in 1943. Whilst working with servicemen for the Red Cross, she became romantically involved with old acquaintances William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington.

Rose Kennedy was furious. She was an extremely devout Catholic and the idea of her daughter marrying an Anglican horrified her. Rose was further horrified by the idea of any of Kathleen’s children being raised outside of the Catholic faith.

Kathleen ignored her family and married Cavendish in a civil ceremony in May 1944- something that further aggravated her mother. Joseph Kennedy Jr was at the wedding, as he was stationed in Britain. Kathleen was now the Marchioness of Huntington.

The pair had a month to enjoy married life before Cavendish was sent away to the front. In August 1944, the Marchioness suffered a deep tragedy when her brother Joseph died in a plane explosion over England. A month later, the Marchioness was widowed when her husband was killed by a sniper in France. She was now the Dowager Marchioness.

If Rose Kennedy hopes that the Marquess’ death would send Kathleen home, then she was deeply wrong. Kathleen remained in her beloved England, enjoying society life away from her parents. She soon fell in love with Peter Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, the 8th Earl Fitzwilliam. The Earl was in the process of divorcing his wife. This was even more scandalous than the Marquess. The Earl was not only an Anglican, but a near divorcé. Rosemary warned the Dowager Marchioness that she would be disowned if she went forward.

On the 13th May 1948, the Earl and Dowager Marchioness headed to Paris to meet Joe Sr, in hopes of gaining his approval. Their plane was met by a storm and it crashed, killing all occupants. Joseph Kennedy attended the funeral, whilst Rose gave her daughter a final cold shoulder by not coming.

The Dowager was buried near Chatsworth at St. Peter’s Churchyard, the burial ground of many Cavendishes. John F. Kennedy visited in June 1963. A plaque marks his visit. I’ve added some photos from my visit in June:

Deborah Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire- born The Honourable Deborah Freeman-Mitford

• Known For: Her family, reinventing Chatsworth and her active role in the family home

Deborah Cavendish was the youngest of the infamous Mitford sisters, yet was probably the most popular and least controversial along with Pam. She married into the Cavendish family and proved to be a successful duchess.

The Honourable Deborah Freeman-Mitford was born on the 31st March 1920 to David Freeman-Mitford, 2nd Baron Redesdale and the former Sydney Bowles. She was one of the infamous Mitford sisters, and also had a brother, the order being:

1. Nancy Mitford- A noted writer famous for the ‘U and non-U’ concept of proper language, and her semi-autobiographical novels. She was married to Peter Rodd for twenty-four years.
2. Pamela Mitford- The least famous Mitford sister. She lived a quiet life in the country but was devastated by not having any children. Pamela was married to Derek Jackson for twenty-five years.
3. Thomas Mitford- The only Mitford son. He was KIA during WW2, devastating the family.
4. Diana Mitford- A Nazi sympathiser. She ended her first marriage to the wealthy Bryan Guinness to marry Sir Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British Union of Fascists. Her husband’s political views saw the pair jailed in poor conditions for much of WW2. Despite their unpopularity, the Moseleys remained in society for the rest of their lives.
5. Unity Mitford- A Nazi sympathiser and close friend of Adolf Hitler. She became enamoured with Hitler, and him with her, but was unpopular with the Nazi Party at large. Unity shot herself in Berlin following the outbreak of WW2, and died nine years later from the effects.
6. Jessica Mitford- A communist sympathiser and writer. She eloped with her cousin Esmond Romilly in 1937 and both were involved in the Spanish Civil War. After being widowed in 1941, she married Robert Treuhaft in 1943. The two were well-known communists and were even brought before the House of Representatives.
7. Deborah.

I highly recommend ‘The Mitford Girls: The Biography of an Extraordinary Family’ by Mary S. Lovell, which tells their story.

The Mitfords lived an odd life, as their parents were eccentrics who didn’t think much of a good education or modern medicine.

Deborah married Lord Andrew Cavendish in 1941. He was the younger brother of the heir, William, Marquess of Hartington, and Deborah thus became Kathleen Kennedy’s sister in law. Andrew and Deborah became the Marquess and Marchioness of Hartington upon William’s death. They became the 11th Duke and Duchess upon his father’s death in 1950.

Stately homes had always been expensive to run, and this only continued after WW2. In order to keep Chatsworth following the 10th Duke’s passing and the death duties that came with it, they sold off a number of other properties and assets. The Duchess led the efforts to make the home habitable after years as a school. She also encouraged the opening of the home to the public, which led to additions such as a shop, restaurants, cafés, a farm zoo and play area. Deborah remained active in her role even after her husband’s 2004 death.

Deborah Cavendish, the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, died on the 29th September 2014. She is buried along with many other members of the family at St. Peter’s Churchyard. A picture from my trip is included below.

Her Children:

• Mark Cavendish was born and died on the same day.
• Lady Emma Cavendish married the Honourable Tobias Tennant.
• Peregrine Cavendish, Marquess of Huntington married Amanda Heywood-Lonsdale. He became the current 12th Duke of Devonshire upon his father’s 2004 death.
• Lord Victor Cavendish was born and died on the same day.
• Lady Mary Cavendish was born and died on the same day.
• Lady Sophia Cavendish married Anthony Murphy in 1979 before they divorced in 1987. She married the Honourable Anthony Morrison, later 3rd Baron Margadale in 1988 before divorcing in 1999. She married William Topley that year. 

It is clear that the Chatsworth House offers wealth of history and intrigue. There is nothing just like walking in the steps of the Dukes and Duchesses to imagine what it was like back in the day.