Lili at Aynhoe: Victorian Life in an English Country House by Elizabeth Cartwright-Hignett

Description

This is a portrait of one of England's great country houses in the mid-Victorian period. Maria Elisabeth von Sandisell (Lili), a young aristocratic Bavarian, came to England in 1834 as the new wife of Thomas Cartwright, heir to Aynhoe park, where his family had lived since 1650. She stayed at the house, then owned by her father-in-law, a prominent Tory MP, for long periods until 1850, when her husband inherited the property. During this period, often with time heavy on her hands, she kept a show more fascinating diary of everyday events in the family and house and also painted a series of watercolours of the house, its interiors, cottages, church and school. show less

Recommendations

Member Recommendations

The World of Mary Ellen Best by Caroline Davidson

nessreader Both have charming contemporary naive art sketches of victorian interiors.

Complete Recommendations

Member Reviews

Featured Recent Thumbs

1 review

HenriMoreaux 995 reviews

This is the story of Aynhoe (built 1615) and Maria Elisabeth von Sandisell (Lili) a young aristocratic Bavarian who came to England in 1834.

The tale is an interesting one covering the renovation & changes to the stately country home as well as the paintings of Lili and her fortunes in life. It is rather amazing that despite the enormous house and handfuls of servants they were in fact struggling to make ends meet. Often cold and taking refuge in small rooms to remain warm, relatives forced to work long before they wished to retire in order to keep bills paid.

Quite the interesting tale. Worth a look.

Mar 4, 2016

Ratings

nessreader 63 reviews

Oct 17, 2020

All Reviews