Unmarried Women of the Country Estate: Four Stories from 17th-20th Century

Starting in 1608 and travelling chronologically up to 1949, this book tells the stories of four women from privileged country house backgrounds, who deliberately chose not to marry – in a society that sternly expected them to do just this. Heritage historian Charlotte Furness looks at each of their lives in turn and considers the impact their single status had on their opportunities and life choices. One became a writer (Elizabeth Isham of Lamport Hall d1654); another (Anne Robinson of Saltram House d1828) chose to nurture her niece, nephew and brother-in-law on the death of her sister; the third (Anne Lister of Shibden Hall d1840), while not married was in a long-term relationship with Ann Walker, and became successful business woman; and the last, chronologically, travelled the globe and taught botany to children when at home in Devon (Rosalie Chichester of Arlington Court d1949). • Published by Pen & Sword in hardback, RRP £19.99 ISBN: 1526704382 HT