tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post4225519505362348397..comments2024-03-26T17:38:35.264+00:00Comments on Catherine Curzon: Rags to Riches: The true story of Elizabeth and Maria GunningCatherine Curzonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05763562687608837832noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-18614615273626484302022-06-18T22:37:07.971+01:002022-06-18T22:37:07.971+01:00Also we're they not direct descendants of Grac...Also we're they not direct descendants of Grace O'Malley, the famous pirate queen, trader and merchant?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-33063115895560204532019-03-19T06:07:47.343+00:002019-03-19T06:07:47.343+00:00A couple of things. Though the Gunning sisters had...A couple of things. Though the Gunning sisters had Anglo-Irish parents (and as Lynne has pointed out, were granddaughters of a viscount - their mother was 'The Hon...'), they were actually born in England and raised there until 6 or 7 years old. It's true the family were not hugely wealthy, but they were landed gentry not paupers; and when they returned to Ireland in about 1741, it was to their estate and home of Castle Coote, a ruined ancient castle with a pretty nice and substantial house attached. But of course 'rags to riches' sounds so much more romantic...!<br /><br />The other point is that the first picture you show of Elizabeth dates from *before* her marriage, not after - it was drawn by Francis Cotes in 1751, the year before she met and married the Duke of Hamilton. Contrary to what is often stated, an ermine trim to a gown does not necessarily imply noble birth - it became very fashionable for 'ladies of quality' from about 1750-1770, and thereafter ermine can often seen in portraits of female sitters whose family or husband had money and position, but no title. And on the subject of titles, Elizabeth was actually created a baroness in her own right when she was 42, such was the King's admiration for her.Ossie Bullockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02870359129891269417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-16283879980572503242015-08-05T12:16:34.409+01:002015-08-05T12:16:34.409+01:00And the book is wonderful, Julie, just finished it...And the book is wonderful, Julie, just finished it - thank you for telling Peg's tale!Catherine Curzonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763562687608837832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-9635236494797058122015-08-05T12:15:37.718+01:002015-08-05T12:15:37.718+01:00My pleasure; Grace's writing is so enjoyable, ...My pleasure; Grace's writing is so enjoyable, she tells such wonderful stories.Catherine Curzonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763562687608837832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-86080750531724440892015-08-05T12:15:07.177+01:002015-08-05T12:15:07.177+01:00I think their mother was a *very* savvy PR lady - ...I think their mother was a *very* savvy PR lady - a bit of spin to help the cause!Catherine Curzonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763562687608837832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-61747881042928941772015-08-05T11:04:34.631+01:002015-08-05T11:04:34.631+01:00Just like Peg Plunkett, Irish women who conquered ...Just like Peg Plunkett, Irish women who conquered Dublin City!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09021459669026068810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-80032140783670173902015-07-04T15:52:40.749+01:002015-07-04T15:52:40.749+01:00The dichotomy of the sisters' fates makes for ...The dichotomy of the sisters' fates makes for an even better "fairy tale" from real life. Thanks for sharing this!tracy@womanonwire.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135244464795135349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-14891329415589429642015-07-04T01:28:31.951+01:002015-07-04T01:28:31.951+01:00They weren't exactly nobodies - their grandfat...They weren't exactly nobodies - their grandfather was a viscount, so they had a foot in the door. And their acting career appears to have been largely amateur, and brief. Their mother appears to have been adept at the "print the legend" theory of historyf. It's interesting to see how the legends have proliferated about them. lynneconnollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10687025766573756077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-9761190242533585462015-07-03T19:58:33.645+01:002015-07-03T19:58:33.645+01:00Deservedly so!Deservedly so!Catherine Curzonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763562687608837832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-54862603542151235582015-07-03T19:58:23.091+01:002015-07-03T19:58:23.091+01:00Sadly not!Sadly not!Catherine Curzonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763562687608837832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-46856242463838445962015-07-03T19:58:12.458+01:002015-07-03T19:58:12.458+01:00I'm glad you enjoyed it!I'm glad you enjoyed it!Catherine Curzonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763562687608837832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-18399898293310661382015-07-03T13:52:04.405+01:002015-07-03T13:52:04.405+01:00The Gunnings were iconic for any writer of romance...The Gunnings were iconic for any writer of romances with a poor but beautiful heroine... Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03121102757759349165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-25805133548632230142015-07-03T11:49:13.728+01:002015-07-03T11:49:13.728+01:00Thank you for sharing,Madame. It's an interes...Thank you for sharing,Madame. It's an interesting story concerning these beauties,but not uncommon for the times.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02143448607581552307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-86843672386921512532015-07-03T10:28:30.092+01:002015-07-03T10:28:30.092+01:00Fascinating. I knew of them from the mentions in r...Fascinating. I knew of them from the mentions in regency novels, but nice to know their story.Jude Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07640421419909570422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-70727398900319902342015-07-03T10:01:57.859+01:002015-07-03T10:01:57.859+01:00Such fascinating lives!Such fascinating lives!Catherine Curzonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763562687608837832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839525549786745818.post-9134284362699455792015-07-03T06:41:32.977+01:002015-07-03T06:41:32.977+01:00Two amazing women. Wonderful portraits. What a pit...Two amazing women. Wonderful portraits. What a pity Maria was addicted to makeup!Mari Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12711560864857308439noreply@blogger.com