The Scandalous Elopement of Gentleman Johnny

General John Burgoyne (aka Gentleman Johnny; Sutton, Bedfordshire, England, 24th February 1722 - London, England, 4th August 1792)

John Burgoyne by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1766

On the anniversary of his death, it is time to learn of a scandalous episode in the life of General John Burgoyne, known to us ladies as Gentleman Johnny. Burgoyne knew his soul mate when he saw her and intended to do something about it, regardless of what her illustrious father might think!

Burgoyne was something of a chap about town in the company of his close friend, Lord James Strange, who happened to have a rather comely sister named Lady Charlotte Stanley. Lady Charlotte was the daughter of Edward Stanley, Lord Derby, and her influential and powerful father had somewhat set ideas of who his daughter should marry, with Gentleman Johnny nowhere in his plans.

Not to be dissuaded, Burgoyne approached Lord Derby and sought his permission to marry Charlotte. Needless to say, the permission was not forthcoming and Derby left the young man in no doubt that he would never consent to such a match. When news of the refusal reached Charlotte she was devastated and she and her beau decided to take matters into their own hands. In spring 1751 the couple eloped and married, no care given to what Lord Derby would or would not agree too. Furious at such scandalous behaviour, Derby cut off his daughter without another penny and Burgoyne sold his commission in the 1st Royal Dragoons and the couple used the money he raised to finance their first few years of married life.

Just six months after their scandalous wedding, the Burgoynes went to the continent where they travelled extensively. In 1754 their only child, Charlotte Elizabeth, was born and the small family returned to England and, they hoped, a warmer welcome from Lord Derby. Happily, the newly-minted grandfather had softened somewhat in the absence of his daughter and was happy to welcome them back into his family. In fact, Burgoyne and his father-in-law eventually became devoted friends and Burgoyne benefited greatly from his illustrious family connections.

The younger Charlotte died at the age of just ten and her mother passed away in 1776, to be buried alongside her child in Westminster Abbey. Years later they would be joined by Gentleman Johnny, his eventful life finally at an end.

A Salon Guest... A Georgian Summer Picnic

It is a joy to welcome the most estimable Lady Sarah to the salon today with her account of the Georgian Summer Picnic in Chiswick Park.

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On Sunday, July 20th, 2014, a grand and extraordinary picnic had been arranged  - 'A Georgian Summer Picnic' was the name of the event; and what an event it was too!  

Georgian Ladies

The Georgian Picnic was organised by our gracious host, Sir James Arnott, and I (the hostess), Lady Sarah. Sir James had chosen the location, which was highly deemed as the perfect place for a Georgian picnic, which was in the lovely grounds of Chiswick House and Gardens.  Indeed, it was a day of joy, and, for my part, a day for fantasy to become a reality. It was a chance for all Georgian lovers to dress in Georgian attires for one day, and delight in such entertainment and merriment. Many Georgians from all round the globe had come to unite and share this fascinating interest for the Georgian era. Some persons had come from so far as France, Italy, America, and Canada; and some from the distant countrysides of England.  All came from far and wide to relish such a sumptuous feast, and to revive the Georgian period to its former glory - how real Georgians would have prepared such a delectable picnic.  

Frank of Austentation and Lady Sarah

On this rare occasion, since the Georgian era covers from  1714 to 1830, Sir James and I, Lady Sarah, had permitted a unique concoction of the Georgian (18th century) and Regency fashion to be worn by all, depending on which era people so preferred utmost. And as the Regency period is also considered as the Georgian era, we welcomed the two different fashions with open arms.  Such beautiful and, even authentic, ladies' gowns, and men's attires, were flourished upon every radiant person during this enchanting event, and much to the astonishment of tourists, who looked upon us with admiration. Every one looked positively charming, elegant, and ravishing!  We had a most generous and amazing photographer, named Jim Moore, who kindly came to the picnic to capture such images of this fine day.  Much thanks and appreciation is wholly rendered to him; and such images will always be cherished by me, as well as many others, for a whole lifetime. 

Austentation entertain the Georgians

In regards to the lavish feast, that was very much relished by every one who had brought their own picnic, such foods consisted of meat pies, tarts, cherry pies, scones with jam, bread, a variety of cheeses, cakes, other savoury snacks, biscuits, sandwiches, strawberries, as well as other fruits, ginger bread, and many other such nourishments beyond belief.  Some people had even made their own food from old 18th century recipes, and had generously presented such food to share amongst many voracious appetites. Moreover, there was an abundance of beverages, such as wine, gin and tonic, and other refreshing and fruity soft drinks, and even the luxury of some tea and coffee.   

The Rakish Highway *detains* Lady Sarah

The entertainment of the day included, promenades, hearty conversations, glorious music, played on guitars and citterns by the distinguished Sir Frank Underwood and his musical companion, Angela Mayorga, and with their additional band member, Sir Rob Lucas (also known as the Gentleman Highwayman).  The band, Austentation, had come all the way from Oxford to honour us Georgians with such sweet and wonderful music - tunes from the 18th century, and Regency era.  We were all most grateful and honoured to have them come and play music, which was our chief entertainment, which every one delighted in.  Nay, a visit in Chiswick House itself was also an option for those who are interested in the House interior/architecture, exquisite paintings, and the history of Chiswick House and Gardens.  - A tour guide had been most obliging, although such a tour was not suitable for dressed Georgians, in heavy materials, on a hot day.  However, some of us fine ladies and gentlemen came prepared with the aid of some smelling salts and fans, when a feeling of faint would occur.   Gentlemen were chivalrous to many a lady who had swooned. 

The fabulous Lady Sarah 

Towards the close of the day, when many elegant Georgians had departed, and there were now only few Georgians who remained, the evening soon turned into decadence, and a series of binge drinking (chiefly wine and gin).  Sword fights were also entertained by a few gallant men; and such thrilling adventures in the obscure gardens, which included leisurely rambles in the woods, with the rakish Highwayman, Rob Lucas, the painter/poet, Andris Wood, and the charming nobleman, Ian Valentine, and myself, Lady Sarah, was dangerously exciting and such a diversion. 

Lady Sarah at home

On the whole, the grand Georgian Summer Picnic was a triumph, and one of the best days of my life!  It was such a delightful experience, and on such a fine and brilliant day - the perfect weather for a picnic indeed! I heartily thank every one who came to Sir James's and my event; it was a true pleasure to make new acquaintances, and to share this passion for the Georgian era. That day of happiness and fantasy shall always be remembered by me; and it was an honour to have so many Georgians come to join in our luxurious feast.  Without you Georgians of elegance, such a grand day would not have existed. 

Georgian children enjoy the day

Sir James and Lady Sarah

Copyright © Sarah Shaw, 2014

Thomas Gainsborough: The Painter's Daughters with a Cat

Thomas Gainsborough (Sudbury, Suffolk, England, baptised 14th May 1727 - London, England, 2nd August 1788)

On the anniversary of the death of Thomas Gainsborough, it seems like the right time for a return to my occasional series about the paintings that have caught my eye. Gainsborough was known, of course, for his remarkable portraits and landscapes; he enjoyed a most illustrious client list, including some of the most famous names in Georgian society and his reputation has endured throughout the centuries to this very day, deservedly regarded as one of the icons of 18th century art.

Gainsborough was father to two daughters, Mary and Margaret, born in 1750 and 1751 respectively. He painted them on several occasions and the work that has commanded my attention today is The Painter's Daughters with a Cat, though if you can spot the cat, well done!

This portrait is undated but is believed to have been painted around 1760-61, based on the approximate age of the two girls.The unfinished work shows Mary and Margaret in a casual embrace, looking not directly at the viewer but slightly off to the side, perhaps to where Gainsborough works at the canvas. I find it a striking image and one that captures the spirit of the children, utterly at ease with one another and with with the business of posing for the celebrated artist who to them, was simply a father.

Detail showing the cat's face

At a cursory glance the cat may prove hard to locate but look to the lower right of the painting, where a shape can be identified lounging on Margaret's forearm. Reaching over, Margaret is pulling the animal's tail gently and in the outline of its face, we can see that the feline was far from happy!

Sadly the painting was never finished and as such, we can only catch the barest glimpse of the phantom cat in the little girl's arms, or share this moment of childhood domesticity.

"A weary traveller": The Death of Queen Anne

Queen Anne (London, England, 6th February 1665, London, England, 1st August 1714)

Anne, Queen of Great Britain by Michael Dahl, 1705

It is a far from celebratory day in the salon as we mark the anniversary of the death of Queen Anne and the dawn of the Georgian era. The cousin of the man who would become George I, Queen Anne was only 49 when she died, ending a twelve year reign. She had endured the death of a husband and lost seventeen children through death, stillbirth and miscarriage, her health irreparably damaged as the years went on.

By the summer of 1714, Queen Anne was not in good health. She had spent much of the previous year in her bed afflicted by fevers so severe that the court and country began to whisper that death would soon be up on her. Against the odds she recovered only to be struck down again over Christmas, battling against her own frailty to maintain a political foothold with her ministers and particularly the willful and undermining Robert Harley, Lord Treasurer.

Determined not to be bettered by Harley, who treated the Queen with disrespect and ignorance, she dismissed him from his position in the last week of July 1714 and, already dangerously ill, insisted on attending late-night meetings of the cabinet which were intended to replace Harley and avoid a political upset. A third meeting was set for 30th July but Anne was destined not to attend, having been hit that very day by a stroke so severe that she was no longer able to speak.

She lingered on for a day and passed away at half past seven on 1st August, leaving her doctors to remark that death was nothing to Anne but a release from suffering. Buried alongside the husband and children who had predeceased her in Westminster Abbey on my birthday, 24th August, Queen Anne passed into history and the Georgian era dawned.

Life in the Georgian Court, true tales of 18th century royalty, is available at the links below.

Pen and Sword
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Book Depository (free worldwide shipping)