Hero or villain?

Heroism

Elizabeth was a strong woman living in a man’s world who climbed the social ladder with shrewd love affairs – but she did it all for her son.

Villainy

After causing many scandals in her youth, she used her niece to marry Byron, end Caroline Lamb’s obsession with the poet and rescue William Lamb’s reputation.

legacy

A high society legend and literary inspiration, one of her sons served as prime minister and a daughter, Emily, married another prime minster, Lord Palmsteron.