Ruth M. Larsen | Mistresses: A history of Women in Country Houses

What was it like to be a mistress of a country house? To what extent did they shape life within country houses, and how did they have an impact beyond the park walls? This talk will explore the lives of elite women and consider their domestic roles, how they shaped the stately home, and their social, cultural, and political influences on wider society. Ruth M. Larsen will examine examples from the Elizabethan to Edwardian periods across England and Wales. She will highlight Maria Thynne of Longleat, who encountered legal disputes upon her marriage to Thomas Thynne; Frances Boscawen, who oversaw the construction of Hatchlands Park; and Lady Mary Elcho, secret mistress to Arthur Balfour at Stanway amongst others.

The event will be followed by a question and answer session and book signing.

Ruth M. Larsen is an historian and senior lecturer in history at the University of Derby. As a specialist in gender and the country house, her research frequently examines the roles and experiences of women in historical settings, especially within the context of country houses.

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