Construction of Chatsworth, the ancestral home of the Cavendish Family and the the Dukes of Devonshire, began in 1687… and the historic mansion has endured it's share of intrigue, scandal and tragedy ever since. Produced in 2013 for PBS, Secrets of Chatsworth was made with the cooperation of the home's current owner, the 12th Duke of Devonshire, who holds one of the highest ranks in the British aristocracy. The 300-room mansion is the epitome of art-filled opulent manor houses, with gold plated urns along the roofline and gold-rimmed window frames. The Chatsworth Archives hold some of the most interesting mementos and letters of the home's first famous resident, Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire, who even penned one of the letters in her own blood. (Gainsborough's portrait of Georgiana was famously stolen by the "Napoleon of Crime" Adam Worth a century later). Wed to the Duke of Devonshire in 1774 at the age of 17, Georgiana's time at Chatsworth was desperate and tragic. It took her 15 years to conceive the male heir expected of her, during which time she developed a penchant for wild parties and gambling, and was forced to endure a menage-a-trois relationship… sharing the Duke with Lady Elizabeth Foster. Georgiana's only son, known as the Bachelor Duke, inherited immense wealth and spent millions further developing the Chatsworth estate, including installing the famous water fountains and the now-gone Great Glass Conservatory. The "Double Duchess" arrived in 1892 with her kinky "house parties." American fame came in 1932, when Adele Astaire (Fred Astaire's sister) wed into the Cavendish Family. Further American scandal and tragedy arrived in the form of Kathleen Kennedy's romance with Billy Cavendish. Despite initial protests because she was Irish Catholic, the Duke of Devonshire relented and allowed the wedding to place place in 1944. Billy Cavendish was killed in World War II the same year. Kathleen Kennedy died in a plane crash in 1948, and was buried at Chatsworth. After the war, Britain's harsh inheritance taxes threatened the future of Chatsworth… but by 1980, the debt was paid and the current owner has restored the home to glory. This 55-minute documentary provides an insightful and worthwhile look into one of England's most historical, extravagant and storied homes.
Directed by Saul Dibb, based on the book by Amanda Foreman, The Duchess (2008) takes a cinematic look at the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. Wed to an adulterous husband at a young age, and forced to live in a manage-a-trois, Georgiana soon proved to have her own identity as an outspoken 18th Century fashion icon and extravagant sex symbol. It was partly this flirtatious obsession and appeal that translated to the famous theft of Thomas Gainsborough's portrait of the Duchess of Devonshire a century later by the notorious "Napoleon of Crime" Adam Worth. Worth fell in love with Georgiana's portrait and kept it under his bed for 25 years. The film's lavish attention to period detail, sets and costume design is admirable. Keira Knightley is beautiful as Georgiana Spencer (Cavendish), Duchess of Devonshire. Ralph Fiennes is cold as the Duke. The supporting cast is good as well, including Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper and Hayley Atwell.
Located 75 miles north of London, sitting amidst a 300 acre private park, stands Althorp: the 500-year-old ancestral home of the Spencer family. Produced in 2013 for PBS, Secrets of Althorp- The Spencers was made in cooperation with the current owner of the property, Charles 9th Earl Spencer. Originally constructed in 1508, the stately mansion/castle consists of 90 rooms, including 31 bedrooms and 88 fireplaces. It contains one of the great private collections of art in Britain… comprised of ancient statuary, antique furniture and decorative wares and 650 paintings, with notable works by van Dyke, Titian, Rubens and Sir Joshua Reynolds. Colorful characters in the Spencer family have populated the halls over the centuries, including Georgiana Spencer, who later became the Duchess of Devonshire. Several portraits of the 18th Century fashion icon Georgiana still hang on the walls at Althorp, including a likeness of her as a baby, but no evidence suggests that the famous Gainsborough portrait of the Duchess (later stolen by Adam Worth) ever was displayed there. Georgiana's liberal views were not uncommon to the Spencers, who were the progressives of the Aristocracy, and first U.S. President George Washington was a distant relative. Despite the long history of the house, today Althorp is best known as the childhood home and final resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales who died tragically in 1997. Her brother, Charles, erected a monument to her on the property and the stable block contains a gallery dedicated to Diana, displaying photos and personal items of the late Princess. This 50-minute look inside the home and grounds provides a beautiful presentation of the historic property.
Althorp House
Charles 9th Earl Spencer
Althorp House
Althorp House
Althorp House
Althorp House
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire as a child. by Joshua Reynolds
Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Thomas Gainborough
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